Reinforcing beam system for highly flexible diaphragms in valves or pressure switche

Macglashan, W. F., Jr.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

REPLY TO 
ATTN OF: 
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 
WASIIINGTON. D C. 70546 
October 15, 1970 
TO : USI/Scien t i f ic  & Technical Information Divis ion 
At ten t ion :  M i s s  Winnie M ,  Morgan 
FROM: GP/Office of A s s i s t a n t  General 
Counsel f o r  Pa ten t  Mat te rs  
SUBJECT: Announcement of NASA-Owned 
U.S,  Pa t en t s  i n  STAR 
I n  accordance wi th  t h e  procedures contained i n  t h e  Code GP 
t o  Code US1 memorandum on t h i s  s u b j e c t ,  da ted  June 8, 1970, 
t h e  a t t ached  NASA-owned U.S .  p a t e n t  i s  being forwarded f o r  
a b s t r a c t i n g  and announcement i n  NASA STAR. 
The fol lowing information i s  provided: 
U.S .  Pa t en t  No. : 3,298,285 
Corporate Source : C a l i f .  I n s t i t u t e  of Technoloqy 
Supplementary 
Corporate Source : Jet  Propulsion Laboratory 
NASA Pa ten t  C a s e  N o , :  XNP-01962 
Please note  t h a t  t h i s  p a t e n t  covers  an invent ion  made by an 
employee of a NASA c o n t r a c t o r .  Pursuant  t o  Sec t ion  305(a) of 
t h e  Nat ional  Aeronaut ics  and Space A c t ,  t h e  name of t h e  
Adminis t ra tor  of NASA appears on t h e  f i r s t  page of t h e  p a t e n t ;  
however, t he  name of t h e  a c t u a l  i nven to r  (au thor )  appears  a t  
t h e  heading of Column N o .  1 of t h e  S p e c i f i c a t i o n ,  following t h e  
words ' I D  . e wi th  respect t o  an inven t ion  o f .  . . I1 i e  ' _  
Gayle Parker 
Enclosure: 
Copy of Pa ten t  
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19700032054 2020-03-17T02:10:47+00:00Z
Jan. 17, 1967 JAMES E. WEBB 3,298,28 
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS 
AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 
REINFORCING MEANS FOR DIAPHRAGMS 
Filed May 22, 1964 
" b ,  I 
Unite atent Pate 
of body members 1 and 2 having confronting recesses 3 
3,298,285 and 4 bordered (by clamping faces between which is 
REMQRCWG MEANS FOR RAGMS clamped the periphery of a diaphragm 5. In the structure 
James E. Webb, ~d~kistx+ator Of the N&mal Aero- illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the body members 1 and 2 
nautics a d  Space Administration with respect to an 5 are indicated as forming portions of a valve which in- 
cludes an inlet 6 and an outlet 7 communicating with the invention of Willliam P. MacGlashan, 9r. 
recess 4. Filed May 22,1964, $et. No. 369,640 3 Cllahs. (el. 92-94) Located within the recess 3 on the opposite side of the 
The invention described herein was made in the per- diaphragm from the recess 4 is a mandrel 8 capable of 
formance of work under a NASA contract and is subject 10 axial movement within the recess 3. The periphery of 
to  the provisions of Section 305 of the National Aeronau- the recess 3 adjacent the clamped margin of the diaphragm 
tics and Space Act of 1958, Public Law 85-568 (72 Stat. 9 is provided with a shoulder 9 confronting but spaced 
435; 52 U.S.C. 2457). from the diaphragm. Similarly, the mandrel 8 is provided 
This invention relates to reinforcing means for dia- with a shoulder 10 confronting but spaced from the 
phragms, and included in the objects of this invention are: 15 diaphragm 5. The annular region of the diaphragm be- 
First, to provide a reinforcing means for diaphragms tween the shoulders 9 and 10 forms the active or displace- 
which is adapted to permit use of highly flexible dia- able portion of the diaphragm. 
phragms sensitive to minor changes in pressure under Fitted between the shoulders 9 and 10 is a bridging 
conditions wherein the pressure differential across the ring 11 which is provided with a plurality of radial slits 
diaphragms may, by accident or design, be extremely 20 12 so as to form therebetween a plurality of bridging 
high, in the range of several thousand pounds; this being beams 13. The radial slits 12 preferably do not extend 
accomplished without impairing the future function of entirely through the bridging ring 11, but stop short of the 
the diaphragm. inner periphery thereof so as to form narrow webs 14 
Second, to provide a reinforcing means for diaphragms joining adjacent bridging beams 13. In some instances 
which has a wide range of applications, including, but 25 it is desirable to  slit the bridging ring 11 or to divide the 
not limited to, line valves, pressure regulators, pressure bridging ring into one or more segments. In this case a 
switches, and bellows such as used for flexible seals or slit 15 continues from a selected slit 12 through the web 
connections. 14 as indicated in FIG. 4. Also the slits 12 may extend 
Third, to provide a reinforcing means for diaphragms alternately from the radially inner and radially outer 
which employs a novelly arranged ring of bridging beams 30 peripheries of the bridging ring 11, forming alternate 
underlying the flexing portion of the diaphragm, and pro- webs 14 and 14a as shown in FIG. 4A. 
viding full support therefor without impairing the flexibil- The radially inner extremity of each bridging beam 13 
ity of the diaphragm. rests on the shoulder 10 and'forms a bearing face 16 
With the above and other objects in view, as may ap- capable of limited, pivotal or tilted movement relative to 
pear hereinafter, reference is directed to the accompany- 35 the shoulder 10. Similarly, the radially outer extremity 
ing drawings in which: of each beam 13 is provided with a bearing face 17 which 
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view showing one form of the rests on the shoulder 9. Between the bearing surfaces 16 
reinforcing means for diaphragms incorporated in a valve and 17 the bridging beams 13 increase in depth toward 
structure, and showing the diaphragm in its flat or normal their central portions. 
condition; The side of each bridging beam 13 is flat and in con- 
FIG. 2 is a similar fragmentary view showing the fronting and supporting relation to the diaphragm 5; 
diaphragm and its support by solid lines in one extreme that is, the diaphragm is supported by the surfaces of the 
displaced position, and by dotted lines in an opposite ex- ring 11 of the bridging beams 13. The width of the 
treme displaced position; slots 12 between these surfaces constitute only a small 
FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken q j  fraction of the thickness of the diaphragm 5. 
within circle 3 of FIG. 1; Operation of the reinforcing means for diaphragms 
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the bridging is as follows: 
ring taken in the direction of 4-4 of FIG. 3, the overlying The bridging ring 11 may deflect by relative axial dis- 
diaphragm being omitted; placement of the bearing faces 16 and 17 as indicated 
FIG. 4A is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4 show- 50 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Such deflection requires no appre- 
ing a modified form of the bridging ring; ciable energy. By reason of the narrow width of the 
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. slits 12, a relatively thin diaphragm 5 may overlie the 
3 showing a modified form of the bridging ring; bridging ring 11. 
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially through A thin diaphragm 5 offers low resistance to axial dis- 
6-6 of FIG. 4 but showing a modified form of the bridg- 55 Placement Of the central portion of the diaphragm 5, As 
ing ring; a consequence the diaphragm 5 backed by the bridging 
FIG. 7 is a similar sectional view showing a further ring 11 is quite sensitive to relatively slight changes in 
modsed form of the bridging ring wherein the diaphragm Pressure. However, should the pressure across the dia- 
formed of elastomer is bonded to the bridging ring; phragm 5, by design or accident, become enormous, that 
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectimal view of a bellows, the 60 is, in the range of several thousand pounds, the dia- 
diaphragms of which are supported by the reinforcing phragm 5 supported by its bridging ring 11 may with- 
means; stand such pressure differentials without injury. 
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view showing another It is sometimes de- 
type of bellows wherein the diaphragm elements are sup- sirable that the inner or outer periphery of the bridging 
ported by the reinforcing means. 65 ring 11 be retained with respect to its corresponding sup- 
The structure in which the diaphragm and its reinforc- porting member. This may be accomplished by beveling 
ing means may be mounted may be any one of several the webbed margin of the bridging ring 11 as indicated 
types of valves, such as line valves or regular valves, or by 18, and the corresponding shoulder may form one 
the structure may be a pressure-sensitive device such as a side of a V-groove 19. In this case the bridging ring 
pressure switch. 70 11 is split in one or more places so that the beveled 
In any case, however, such structure includes a pair margin may be fitted into the V-groove 19. 
40 
Reference is directed to FIG. 5. 
3,298,285 
3 
In some instances it is desirable to bond the bridging 
beams 13 or segments of the bridging ring 11 to each 
other by means of an elastomer 20 as shown in FIG. 6. 
The elastomer may completely fill the slits 12 or may be 
in the form of a thin coating on either or both sides of 
the bridging ring 11 so as to enter a superficial distance 
into the radial slits 12. In the latter case the freedom 
Of movement of the bridging ring 11 is not appreciably 
changed. If, however, the elastomer 20 completely fills 
the slits 12, the stiffening of the bridging ring 11 is of 
course increased. 
In some instances, as shown in FIG. 7, a diaphragm 
21 corresponding to the diaphragm 5 may be bonded 
to the lower surface of the bridging ring 11 and pene- 
trate any desired depth from a superficial distance to the 
full depth of the bridging beams 13. Still further, the 
metal diaphragm 5 may be bonded to the surface of 
the bridging ring 11 by solder or adhesive such as an 
epoxy resin. 
The benefits of the reinforcing means for diaphragms 
is not limited to essentially flat diaphragms but may be 
employed to strengthen bellows-type diaphragms. In this 
case each radial portion of the bellows may be consid- 
ered as a diaphragm element. In this respect reference 
is directed to FIG. 8 in which is illustrated a bellows 22 
having external annular channels 23, the opposite sides 
of which form annular diaphragms 24. 
The bottom portions of the channels 23 receive inter- 
nal supporting rings 25 which are spit to facilitate in- 
sertion. These rings havhshoulders 26 corresponding 
to the shoulders 9 of the first described structure. A 
pair of bridging rings 11 spit for assembly extend radial- 
ly outward from each internal supporting ring 25 with 
their outer surfaces in supporting relation with the dia- 
phragms 24. 
A series of external-supporting rings 27, which are also 
split, bridge between external channels 23 and are pro- 
vided with shoulders 28 corresponding to the shoulders 
10 for supporting the radially outer margins of the bridg- 
ing beams 13 forming the elements of the bridging ring 
11. 
The external supporting rings 27 are encircled by bands 
29 which resist outward displacement of the external 
supporting rings 27, the bridging rings 11, and the inter- 
nal supporting rings 25. With this arrangement the sen- 
sitivity of the bellows is not appreciably changed; yet 
if the ends of the bellows are constrained, the internal 
forces of the bellows may be extremely high without 
damage to the bellows. 
Reference is directed to FIG. 9. The reinforcing 
means lends itself to use with a machined-type bellows 30 
having external channels 31 at  the inner extremities which 
form supporting shoulders 32. Overlying hollow flanges 
33 between the external channels 31 are external split 
supporting rings 34 corresponding to the rings 27 and 
are provided with shoulders 35 corresponding to the 
shoulders 26 and 10. Also the supporting rings 34 are 
surrounded by constraining bands 36. Bridging rings 11 
extend between the shoulders 32 and 35. 
While particular embodiments of this invention have 
been shown and described, it is not intended to limit the 
same to the exact details of the constructions set forth, 
and it embraces such changes, modifications, and equiva- 
5 
10 
15 
20 
25 
30 
35 
40 
45 
60 
55 
60 
lents of the parts and their formation and arrangement 
as come within the purview of the appended claims. 
What is claimed is: 
1. The combination with a diaphragm having an an- 
nular flexure portion of a reinforcing means compris- 
ing: 
(a)  a ring of radiating beam elements disposed in SUP- 
porting relation to said annular flexure portion and 
separated, at least in part, by radial slits; 
(b) a first supporting means encircling the radially 
outer extremities of s@@&.am elements and form- 
ing a pivotal support trerefdr; 
(c) and a second supporting means within the radially 
inner extremities of said beam elements and form- 
ing a second pivotal support therefor; 
(d)  one of said supporting means being displaceable 
relative to the other in response to a pressure dif- 
ferential across said diaphragm; 
(e) and an elastomer connecting said beam elements 
to maintain said beam elements in spaced relation. 
2. The combination with a diaphragm having an an- 
nular flexure portion, of a reinforcing means compris- 
ing: 
(a)  a supporting ring having a plurality of equally 
spaced radiating slits, partially severing said ring and 
some of said slits fully severing said ring into a plu- 
rality of attached beam elements, each beam element 
being of constant cross section in a transverse direc- 
tion, increasing in thickness from its inner periphery 
and its outer periphery toward a point midway there- 
between; 
(b) a first supporting means encircling the radially 
outer extremities of said beam elements and forming 
a pivotal support therefor; 
(c) and a second supporting means within the radially 
inner extremities of said beam elements and form- 
ing a second pivotal support therefor; 
(d) one of said supporting means being displaceable 
relative to the other in response to a pressure differ- 
ential across said diaphragm. 
3. A diaphragm reinforcing means as set forth in claim 
(a)  said slits are at least partially filled with an elas- 
2, wherein: 
tomer. 
References Cited by the Examiner 
UNITED STATES PATENTS 
832,708 1011906 Thomson _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  92-94 
1,034,323 711912 Tanner _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  92-94 
2,173,678 911939 Brendlin _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  9 2 4 2  
2,335,276 1111943 Heintz _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  92-99 
2,704,548 311955 Ralston _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  92-94 X 
2,989,982 611961 Soderberg et al. _ _ _ _  9 2 4 0  X 
FOREIGN PATENTS 
157,609 1211939 Austria. 
814,328 311937 France. 
11,225 1900 Great Britain. 
297,216 911928 Great Britain. 
MARTIN P. SCHWADRON, Primary Examiner, 
I. C. COHEN, Assistant Examiner. 


Reinforcing means for diaphragms Patent

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