Patent ID: 6022004
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: B21D,F16F,F16N

Abstract:
A cushion assembly for use in a press operable in an upright orientation and in an inverted orientation, and said cushion assembly containing a working fluid under pressure and containing lubricating oil so as to have a level of lubricating oil at a first end of said cushion assembly when in the upright orientation and to have a level of lubricating oil at a second end of said cushion assembly opposite to said first end when in the inverted orientation, said cushion assembly comprising:a hollow outer housing having sidewalls that terminate at an end wall at said first end of said cushion assembly, and that terminate in an opening at said second end of said cushion assembly;an interior wall assembly having a connection portion for connection to said outer housing at said second end of said cushion assembly, and having walls extending outward from said connection portion within said outer housing to said housing end wall, in which a portion of said wall assembly walls have a piston mounted for reciprocal motion therebetween; and wherein a variable volume wall assembly space is defined as a space between said piston, said wall assembly walls and said housing end wall; and wherein an expansion reservoir is defined as a space between said housing sidewalls, said wall assembly walls and said housing end wall;a first passage having an opening to said wall assembly space and having an opening to said expansion reservoir, wherein at least said first passage expansion reservoir opening is below the level of lubricating oil when the cushion assembly is in the upright orientation, and both first passage openings are above the level of lubricating oil when the cushion assembly is in the inverted orientation; anda second passage having an opening to said wall assembly space and having an opening to said expansion reservoir, wherein both second passage openings are above the level of lubricating oil when the cushion assembly is in the upright orientation, and wherein the second passage expansion reservoir opening is below the level of lubricating oil and the second passage wall assembly opening is above the level of lubricating oil when the cushion assembly is in the inverted orientation.