PULL-TYPE PISTON AND CYLINDER ACTUATOR

Abstract: A hydraulic master cylinder (10) formed by telescopically fastening together a pair of cylinder housings (30, 34) to form a cylinder. A piston (64) in the cylinder is operative to transfer hydraulic fluid to a slave cylinder (15) connected to the master cylinder. The pressure or power stroke of the piston is effected by exerting a pull on the piston by a pull cable (24) attached to one side of the piston. A body (100), attached to one of the cylinder housings, provides a reservoir for hydraulic fluids. A cap (114) on the reservoir closes a fluid filling opening. Expansion bellows (130) in the reservoir accommodates changes in the fluid level in the reservoir as the piston is being reciprocated. The bellows are connected to the cap so as to be removed as a unit with the cap when the reservoir is being filled.

Description: PULL-TYPE PISTON AND CYLINDER ACTUATOR Background of the Invention This invention is related to master cylinders that are adapted to be pre-filled and pre-bled before being taken to an assembly site such as an automotive plant. Typically, such master cylinders comprise an elongated, hollow, cast metallic body defining an internal pressure chamber and including a pressure producing piston. A cap on one end of the body closes the chamber and has an opening for the piston rod. The pressure chamber is connected to an integral or remote reservoir for replenishing any fluid loss in the system. The reservoir has a filling opening, and a vented cap is mounted on the filling opening. Prefilled master cylinders of this general construction are shown for example in U.S. Patent No. 4,407,125 entitled "Liquid Pressure Apparatus," issued on October 4, 1983 to David Parsons and assigned to Automotive Products pic of arwichsire, England. Master cylinders of this general construction are generally satisfactory but are relatively expensive and complicated to produce. Further, there is a problem with maintaining master cylinders of this type since frequently a mechanic will remove the cap of the reservoir to replenish the hydraulic fluid but fail to remove the bellows positioned within the open upper end of the reservoir with the result that hydraulic fluid is 5 introduced into the bellows rather than into the working portion of the reservoir. Summary of the Invention This invention is directed to the provision of an improved master cylinder assembly having a 10 construction which provides a more efficient and less expensive assembly. This invention is further directed to the provision of a master cylinder which has provision to obviate the problem of inadvertently filling the bellows 15 rather than the reservoir itself. According to a basic feature of the present invention, the master cylinder is constructed as a pair of cylinder housings that are assembled by telescopically inserting the end of one cylinder housing Zffi into the other. In one embodiment of the invention, a locking ring connects the two cylinders housings together in their assembled position and a single O-ring is mounted between the two cylinder housings to seal the pressure chamber from atmospheric pressure and to form a seal between the high and low pressure sides of the pressure chamber . In another embodiment of the invention, the cylindrical housings are formed of a plastic material and are snappingly secured to each other by insertion of one member within the other member. The coacting means which operate to snappingly secure the two housings together comprise an external circumferential ly extending lip on one of the cylindrical housings coacting with an internal circumf erentially extending lip on the other of the housing. This embodiment also has means to ensure that the housing members will be properly angularly located relative to each other in their assembled position. The locating means comprises a locator portion projecting outwardly from one of the housing member and a slot adjacent the open end of the other housing member. As the members are telescopically inserted one within the other, the slot in the outer member slides over the locator portion on the inner member to angularly locate the outer member relative to the inner member. In the preferred form of this embodiment, the locator portion of the inner member is constituted by a fitting surrounding the discharge port of the inner member, the fitting extends downwardly from the inner member, the other member includes an upstanding reservoir portion, the slot in the other member is provided on the underside of that member, and the slot and fitting coact during the assembly process to ensure that the second member is mounted on the first member with the reservoir in a generally upstanding disposition. The features described above have particular application to a master cylinder of the pull type but also have application to push type master cylinders. According to another feature of the invention, the bellows in the reservoir is connected to the vent cap in such a manner as to be removed together with the vent cap to avoid the problem of the user accidentally delivering hydraulic fluid into the bellows rather than into the reservoir proper. Brief Description of the Drawings FIGURE 1 illustrates a master cylinder embodying the invention connected to a lever for pulling the piston rod from the master cylinder in a power stroke; FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, partially exploded, sectional view of the master cylinder illustrating the piston rod at the end of a return stroke; FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but showing the piston rod partially extended from the piston in a power stroke; FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view of the eye attached to the piston rod pull cable; FIGURE 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vent cap as seen along lines 5-5 of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the sealing area between two housings forming the master cylinder; FIGURE 7 illustrates a modified form of master cylinder embodying the invention and including two housing members; FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of one of the housing members of the master cylinder of FIGURE 7; FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the other housing member of the master cylinder of FIGURE 7; and FIGURE 10 illustrates a further modified form of master cylinder embodying the invention. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings. Figure 1 illustrates a master cylinder 10 mounted on a support, such as a vehicle frame 12, for delivering hydraulic fluid through a conduit 14 to a slave cylinder 15 as a piston rod 16 is being pulled from the cylinder 10. By way of illustration, a lever 18, having a foot receiving pad 20, is mounted for pivotal motion on a bracket 22. T A cable 24 is attached to the piston rod 16 and connected by an eye means 26 to the lever 18 such that as the lever 18 is being pivoted around pivot means 28, the piston rod 16 is pulled in a power stroke. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the master 0 cylinder 10 includes a cylinder housing 30 having an internal bore 32 and a second cylinder housing 34 telescopically receiving one end of the cylinder housing 30. The two cylinder housings 30 and 34 are connected together to form an internal pressure chamber 36. 5 A cylindrical liner 38 is mounted inside the housing 30 so as to extend into the housing 34. Referring to Figure 6, the housing 30 has a threaded section 40 formed on an annularly enlarged section 42 which receives the inner end of the housing Q. 34. Housing 34 has an annular groove 44. A snap ring 46 is received in the groove 44 in such a manner as to abut the end of the housing 30 when the two cylinder housings are being assembled to precisely define the overall length of the pressure chamber 36. An 5; internally threaded collar 48, mounted on the housing 34, threadably engages the threaded section 40 to tightly connect the two housings together. The inner end of annular section 42 defines an annular shoulder 49 having an annular beveled section 50. The extreme end of the housing 34 has an annularly beveled section 51 adjacent the beveled section 50 so that the two beveled sections 50 and 51 and the outer surface of the cylinder liner 38 define an annular cavity for seating a resilient O-ring 52. Q The opposite ends of the liner 38 are exposed to the high and low pressure sides of the pressure chamber 36. Thus, O-ring 52 provides a seal between the high and low pressure sides of the pressure chamber 36 to obviate any pressure loss due to a loose fit between 5 the cylinder liner 38 and the housings 30 and 34. In aαdition, the O-ring 52 provides a seal obviating any pressure loss to the atmosphere through the joint between the housing 30 and the housing 34. The housing 34 has a longitudinal extension 54 0 received through an opening 56 in abutment with one side of the frame 12. Fastener means 60 are mounted on the . extension 54 in abutment with the opposite side of the frame 12 to cooperate with the shoulder 58 to fasten the master cylinder 10 to the vehicle frame 12. The extension 54 has a piston rod opening 62 slidably receiving the piston rod 16. A piston 64 is slidably mounted in the liner 38 and has a central opening 66. One end of the piston rod 16 is received in the central opening 66. A clip 68 is mounted in a groove on the piston rod 16 adjacent one side of the piston 64, and a second clip 70 is mounted in a groove on the piston rod 16 on the side of the piston 64 to locate the piston 64 on the piston rod 16. 0 An annular seal 72 is mounted in the housing 34 on one side of the piston rod opening 62 and slidably engaged with the piston rod 16. A second seal 74 is mounted on the outer side of the piston rod opening 62 and slidably engaged with the piston rod 16 so that the 15 two seals 72 and 74 provide a fluid-tight seal between the piston rod 16 and the cylinder housing 34. A spring retainer 76 holds the seal 72 in position. An annular seat 78 is mounted in the end of 20. the pressure chamber 36 adjacent the seal 72. A spring bias member 80 is mounted in the pressure chamber 36 between the clip 70 and the annular seat 78 to bias the piston 64 towards the piston rod's return position, that is, toward the low pressure end of the chamber 36 or toward the left end of the pressure chamber 36 as viewed in Figures 2 and 3. An expandable boot 82 is slidably mounted on the outer end of the piston rod 16 and connected to the cylinder member 34 to provide a dust cover for the piston rod 16. Still referring to Figures 2 and 3, the outer end of the piston rod 16 has an internally threaded opening 84 for receiving a bolt 86. The bolt 86 has a longitudinal bore 88. The cable 24 is threaded through the bore 88 and carriers a body 90 which is received in the bottom of the opening 84. The bolt 86 and body 90 provide means for fastening the cable 24 to the piston rod 16. This arrangement permits the piston rod 16 to be pulled in a power stroke in a motion from left to right as viewed in Figure 1 in response to an actuating motion applied to the pad 20. The bottom of the housing 34 has an internally threaded nipple 92 for threadably receiving the conduit 14 and a nut 94. The conduit 14 may, in turn, be connected to the slave cylinder 15. The nipple 92 has a port providing fluid communication between the pressure chamber 36 and the conduit 14. An upstanding hollow body 100 is formed integrally with the housing 30 to provide a reservoir 102 for containing hydraulic fluid 104. The housing 30 has a relatively large end opening 106 providing fluid communication between the reservoir 102 and the pressure chamber 36. The housing 30 also has a smaller opening 5 108 in its side wall aligned with a small port 109 in the liner 38. The location of the port 109 is such that when the piston 64 is in its left-most position as viewed in Figure 2, prior to commencing a power stroke, the high 10' pressure end of the pressure chamber 36 between the piston 64 and the port 96 is in fluid communication with the reservoir 102. This permits any lost fluid on the high pressure side of the piston 64 to be replenished as the piston 64 begins its power stroke. When the piston 15 64 is being pulled by the piston rod 16, the piston 64 passes the port 109 to increase the pressure of the fluid 104 in the high pressure end of chamber 36. The pressure of the fluid 104 on the opposite or low pressure side of the piston 64 will then experience a 20) reduced pressure causing fluid to pass through the opening 106 from the reservoir 102 into the pressure chamber 36. The spring bias member 80 returns the piston 64 toward its original position adjacent the opening 106 when the actuating force is removed from the 2 pad 20. The reservoir body 100 has an annular wall 110 defining a top inlet opening for receiving fluid into the reservoir 102. The wall 110 is externally threaded at 112. A vent cap 114 is seated on the top edge of the - wall 110. The vent cap 114 has a series of port means 120 which permit air to enter but restricts water from entering into the reservoir 102. The vent cap 114 has a downward depending, annular wall 122 telescopically received within the Q reservoir wall 110. The wall 122 has an annular groove 124. The outer diameter of the wall 122 is slightly less than the inner diameter of the reservoir wall 110. A flexible, bellows-shaped diaphragm 130 is mounted in the reservoir chamber. The diaphragm 130 5 has ridged walls so that the internal volume of the diaphragm 130 can be either expanded or reduced. The diaphragm 130 has a top lip 134 seated on the top edge of the reservoir wall 110 and sandwiched between the reservoir wall 110 and a lip 136 carried on the vent cap Q 114 in such a manner that when the cap 114 is fastened in position the lip 134 provides a fluid-tight seal between the diaphragm 130 and the wall 110. An internally threaded collar 138 is mounted on the lip 136 and threadably engaged with the reservoir threads 112 to fasten both the cap 114 and the diaphragm 130 on the reservoir body 100. The vent cap 114 has an annular groove 140 receiving a tight-fitting annular shoulder 142 carried - on the diaphragm 130. The arrangement is such that when the vent cap 114 is removed from the reservoir wall 110 to form an opening for delivering the fluid 104 into the reservoir 102, the diaphragm 130 is removed with the vent cap 114. The diaphragm 130 is normally filled with Q air and subdivides the reservoir 102 into an air chamber 144 and a hydraulic fluid chamber between the diaphragm 130 and cylinder housing 30. The connection between the diaphragm 130 and "the vent cap 114 is such that when the user removes the cap 114, the diaphragm 130 is also 5 removed so that the user cannot accidentally fill the diaphragm 130 with hydraulic fluid. In the use of the Figure 1-6 embodiment of the invention, the piston 64 is pulled toward the right, as viewed in Figure 3, in a power stroke by an appropriate 0 effort applied on the pad 20. The piston 64 increases the pressure of the fluid 104 between the piston 64 and the port 96 after piston 64 has passed the port 109. Upon completion of the power stroke and in response to the bias of the spring 80, the piston 64 then returns toward the port 109 creating a reduced pressure between the piston 64 and the port 96. As the piston 64 is moved toward the port 96 in a power stroke, the diaphragm 130 expands to accommodate the flow of fluid from the reservoir 102 into the pressure chamber 36. During the return stroke of the piston 64, the piston 64 delivers fluid into the reservoir 102 thus reducing the internal volume of the diaphragm 130. Reference is now made to the Figure 7-9 embodiment of the invention. In the Figure 7-9 embodiment, the two housing members are formed of a suitable plastic material; the housing members are designed to be snappingly secured together by a simple insertion of one housing member telescopically into the other housing member; and locator means are provided on the two housing members to ensure that the housing members are properly angularly located relative to each other in their assembled configuration. The master cylinder 150 of the Figure 7-9 embodiment, like the cylinder of the Figure 1-6 embodiment, is of the pull type and is used in an environment of the type shown in Figure 1 wherein depression of the pedal 20 results in the piston of the master cylinder assembly being pulled in a power stroke. Master cylinder 150 includes a housing 152, a housing 154 and a piston assembly 156. 5 Housing 152 is formed of a suitable plastic material and includes a cylindrical main body portion 152a having a closed end 152b, an open end 152c, and an external annular flange 152d adjacent closed end 152b. A first circumferential ly extending external connector lip 10 or flange 152e is provided on main body portion 152a proximate the closed end 152b and a second circumferentially extending external sealing lip or flange 152f is provided on main body portion 152a in axially spaced relation to lip 152e. An axially 15 extending groove 152g is provided in main body portion 152a adjacent the open end 152c therof. A discharge port 152h is provided in the underside of main body portion 152a proximate closed end 152b and a fitting 152i extends downwardly from the underside of main body 20. portion 152a in concentric surrounding relation to discharge port 152h. Fitting 152i has a diameter generally corresponding to the axial spacing between lips 152e and 152f and is generally vertically aligned with lips 152e and 152f with the right hand axial extent 25 of fitting 152i generally flush with the vertical annular edge 152j of lip 152e and the leftward axial extent of fitting 152i generally flush with the vertical annular edge 152k of lip 152f. Housing member 154 is also formed of a suitable plastic material and includes a main body portion 154a having an open end 154b, and a reservoir portion 154c upstanding from main body portion 154a at the other or closed end thereof. Main body portion 154a is stepped radially outwardly adjacent its open end to provide a collar portion 154d. A radially inwardly extending circumferential lip 154e is provided at the outer or open end of collar portion 154d and an annular shoulder 154f is defined at the juncture between collar portion 154d and the remainder of main body portion 154a. A slot 154g is provided at the underside of collar portion 154e. Slot 154g extends axially from the open end of collar portion 154d to a location proximate shoulder 154f. The upper end 154h of reservoir portion 154c is open and receives a diaphragm 160 and a reservoir cap 162. Diaphragm 160 is formed of a suitable elastomeric material and includes a collar portion 160a and a bellows portion 160b. Collar portion 160a includes a lower peripheral groove 160b snappingly received over a flange 154i defined at the upper end upper circumferential groove 160c. Cap 162 includes a central main body portion 162a and a peripheral flange portion 162b received within groove 160c of diaphragm 160. Piston assembly 156 includes a piston member 164 and a spring 166. Piston member 164 is formed of a suitable metallic material and includes a hollow central main body portion 164a, a head portion 164b, and a connector portion 164c. In the assembly of the invention master cylinder assembly, a seal 168 is slid over piston 164 and seated against piston head portion 164b; spring 166 is positioned over piston 164; a spring guide 170 is positioned over piston 164 in engagement with the free end of spring 166; a seal 172 is positioned in a counterbore 1521 adjacent the closed end of member 152; the piston subassembly is slid telescopically into the open end 152c of member 152 to pass piston 164 through an aperture 152m in closed end 152b and position spring guide 170 against seal 172; a twist lock nut 174 is positioned on the closed end 152b of member 152 by a snap ring 176 and wave washer 178; pull rod 180 is secured to the free end of piston 164 with an elastomeric spacer and anti-rattle member 182 positioned therebetween; a metal sleeve 184 is positioned over the connector end 180a of pull rod 180; a boot 186 is secured at one end to the pull rod and at its other end to twist and lock nut 174; an O-ring 188 is positioned over main body portion 152a of member 152 in abutting engagement with lip 152f; rim portion 160a of diaphragm 160 is snapped over flange portion 154i of reservoir portion 154c; cap 162 is positioned within upper groove 160d of diaphragm rim portion 160a; and member 154 is slipped telescopically over the open end 152c of member 152. As the leading edge of member 154 moves telescopically along the main body portion of member 152, lip 154e moves resiliently over O-ring 188 and lip 152f and thereafter moves resiliently over lip 152e to snapplingly engage with the vertical annular edge 152j of that lip ano positively secure member 154 to member 152. As member 154 is moved telescopically over member 152, member 154 is positioned angularly such that slot 154g slides over fitting 152i so as to positively angularly locate member 154 on member 152 in a position where reservoir portion 154b is generally upstanding. The abutting engagement of the blind end of slot 154g with the adjacent surface of fitting 152i also determines the seated position of member 154 on member 152 and coacts with the snapping engagement of lip 154e over lip 152e to positively mount member 154 on member 152. The master cylinder is then filled with hydraulic fluid, either by itself or in combination with a tube connected to a slave cylinder, and the filled master 5 cylinder assembly is shipped to an automotive assembly plant. During the assembly process at the automotive assembly plant, the master cylinder assembly is passed pull rod 180 first through an aperture in bulkhead 12 T-- with twist and lock nut 174 positioned in known manner to present a minimum diameter that will pass through the opening in the bulkhead whereafter, following passage through the bulkhead, member 174 is twisted to the position seen in Figure 7 to clamp the bulkhead 12 I 5" between itself and flange 152d and thereby securely mount the master cylinder assembly to the bulkhead. In the use of the Figures 7-0 embodiment of the invention, the piston 164 is pulled toward the right, as viewed in Figure 7, in a power stroke by an 2d appropriate effort applied to the associated control pedal. The piston 164 increases the pressure of the fluid between the piston and the port 152h after the piston has passed the inboard end of axial groove 152g. Upon completion of the power stroke and in response to 253 the bias of spring 166, piston 164 is returned to the position of Figure 7 in which communication is reestablished between the reservoir and the interior of the cylinder through slot 152g so as to create a reduced pressure between the piston head and the port 152h. The master cylinder assembly as seen in Figure 10 is generally similar to the assembly of Figures 7-9 with the exception that the assembly of Figure 10 is intended for use with a separate remote reservoir rather than with a reservoir formed integrally with the master cylinder assembly. Specifically, the integral reservoir portion 154c of the Figure 7 embodiment is eliminated in the Figure 10 embodiment and replaced with a fitting 190 formed integrally with member 154 for coaction with a suitable hose 192 which will be connected in known manner to the outlet of a remotely positioned reservoir. The invention master cylinder will be seen to provide an improved two piece arrangement which reduces the aggregate cost of the assembly both by reducing the cost of the individual parts and by reducing the time required to assemble the unit. Further, with respect to the Figures 1-6 embodiment, the invention will be seen to provide a novel master cylinder formed by telescopically engaging two cylindrical housings such that the housings cooperate to form a pressure chamber wherein a single O-ring forms a fluid tight seal between the low pressure and high pressure sides of the pressure chamber and also between the pressure chamber and the atmosphere. Further, with respect to the Figure 7-9 embodiment, the invention provides an inexpensive master cylinder assembly in which the two parts forming the pressure chamber of the assembly may be inexpensively formed of plastic, in which the two parts are secured together in a simple telescoping and snapping operation, and in which means are provided which function during the telescopic insertion of one member over the other member to positively angularly locate the one member with respect to the other member and thereby positively position the assembly with respect to the reservoir for the assembly. Whereas preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the disclosed embodiment without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Claims: Claims 1. A master cylinder actuator, comprising: A) a first housing member having a cylindrical bore; B) a second housing member having a cylindrical bore telescopically receiving said first housing member in an assembled position to cooperate therewith to form a fluid pressure chamber; C) means for connecting the first housing member to the second housing member in said assembled position; D) a piston disposed in said fluid pressure chamber for reciprocal, slidable motion; E) one of said housing members having a piston rod opening; F) a piston rod connected to the piston so as to be movable therewith, the piston rod being receivable in said piston rod opening so as to project exteriorly of said pressure chamber; and G) at least one of said housing members having port means for passing a fluid, said port means being in fluid communication with said pressure chamber on at least one side of the piston such that the piston is operative to pass fluid through said port means as the piston is being moved in said pressure chamber. 2. A master cylinder actuator as defined in claim 1 in which the fluid is a hydraulic fluid. 3. A master cylinder actuator as defined in claim 1 in which the piston rod is adapted to be pulled in a power stroke in a first direction with respect to the pressure chamber and including bias means disposed •5 in the pressure chamber for moving the piston in the opposite direction. 4. A master cylinder actuator as defined in claim 3 in which the port means are adapted to pass fluid from the pressure chamber as the piston is being moved in said first direction. 5. A master cylinder actuator as defined in claim 1 in which the port means includes an inlet port for receiving fluid into said pressure chamber and an outlet port for removal of said fluid from the pressure 5 chamber. 6. A master cyl inder actuator as def ined in claim 1 in which the connecting means includes annular first threaded means on one of said housing members and complementary annular second threaded means carried on the other of said housing members engagable with the first threaded means. 7. A master cylinder actuator as defined in claim 6 in which the fluid pressure chamber is elongated and in which one of the housing members has an annular groove and including a snap ring receivable in the groove and the other of said housing members has an abutment engagable with the snap ring to define the overall length of the fluid pressure chamber at such times as the first threaded means are engaged with the second threaded means. 8. A master cylinder actuator as defined in claim 1 in which the first housing member has a first port for receiving fluid into the fluid pressure chamber and the second housing member has a second port for removal of fluid from the fluid pressure chamber. 9. A master cylinder actuator as defined in claim 1 in which the first housing member has a second fluid chamber forming a reservoir for fluid that is to be passed into said fluid pressure chamber and one of said housing members has a port providing fluid communication between the second fluid chamber and the fluid pressure chamber, said port being disposed such that as the piston is moved toward a first position, the piston closes fluid communication between the second 1° fluid chamber and the pressure chamber, and as the piston is moved toward a second position, fluid communication is opened between the second fluid chamber and the fluid pressure chamber. 10. A fluid reservoir means for hydraulic control apparatus comprising: a body having an internal chamber and means defining an opening into said chamber; 55 a cap having a vent opening mounted on the body opening; said cap being removable from the body for passing a hydraulic fluid through the body opening into said internal chamber; and 10. a flexible diaphragm disposed in the internal chamber of the body to divide same into a pair of non- communicating chambers including an air chamber on one side of the diaphragm adjacent the cap, and vented to atmosphere through the cap vent opening, and a fluid 15: chamber on the opposite side of the diaphragm for containing hydraulic fluid; said diaphragm having an annular wall defining an opening ano said cap having an annular wall defining an opening, one of said annular walls being •20 telescopically received in the other of said walls and including first interengaging means on one of said walls and second interengaging means on the other of said walls for engaging the first interengaging means such that as said cap is removed from said body opening, said •25 diaphragm is removed with said cap. 11. A reservoir means as defined in claim 10 in which said first interengaging means comprises an annular groove and said second interengaging means comprises an annular shoulder receivable in said annular 5 groove whereby said cap and said diaphragm are removable as a unit from said body to pass hydraulic fluid into said internal chamber. 12. A reservoir means as defined in claim 11 in which said cap annular wall is received in both said body opening and in said diaphragm annular wall opening. 13. A reservoir means as defined in claim 10 in which said cap has an annular lip disposed adjacent said means defining said body opening, and said diaphragm has a l ip disposed between said means defining said body opening and said cap l ip, and wherein said reser voir further incl udes means for clamping said diaphragm l ip between said cap l ip and said body to form a seal between said diaphragm and said body at such time as said cap is mounted on said body. 14. A reser voir means as def ined in c l aim 13 in which said clamping means comprises an annular ring having threaded means, and said body has cooperating threaded means engagable with said threaded means on said annular ring. 15. A reser voir means as defined in cl aim 10 in which said diaphragm is bel lows-shaped and formed of an elastomer ic material. 16. A master cylinder actuator comprising : a first housing member having a cylindrical bore and means defining a first opening ; a second housing member having a cylindrical bore telescopical ly receiving said first housing member in an assembled position to cooperate with the f irs t housing member to form a fluid pressure cnamber; means for connecting the first housing member to the second housing member in said assembled position, 10. the connecting means including annular first threaded means on one of said housing members and complementary second annular threaded means carried on the other of said housing member engagable with the first threaded means; ~~~ a piston disposed in said fluid pressure chamber for reciprocal, slidable motion; one of said housing members having a piston rod opening; a piston rod connected to the piston so as to 20 be movable therewith, the piston rod being receivable in said piston rod opening such that a portion of the piston rod is disposed outside the fluid pressure chamber; the piston rod being adapted to be pulled with 25 the piston in a power stroke in a first direction with respect to the pressure chamber and including bias means disposed in the pressure chamber for moving the piston rod in the opposite direction; at least one of said housing members having ~ & port means for passing a fluid, said port means being in fluid communication with said pressure chamber on at least one side of the piston such that the piston is operative to urge the hydraulic fluid through said port means as the piston is being moved in a power stroke; the first housing member having an annular groove and including a snap ring receivable in the groove the second housing member having an abutment engagable with the snap ring to define the first position of the first housing member with respect to the second housing member at such times as they are connected together; the second housing member having an integral, second fluid chamber forming a reservoir for fluid that is to be passed into the fluid pressure chamber and including a second port means in the second housing member providing fluid communication between the second fluid chamber and the fluid pressure chamber, the second port means being disposed such that as the piston is moved toward a first position, the piston closes fluid communication between the second fluid chamber and the fluid pressure chamber and as the piston is moved toward a second position, the piston opens fluid communication between the second fluid chamber and the fluid pressure chamber; the second housing member having means defining a fluid-filling opening for receiving hydraulic fluid into the second fluid chamber; a cap having a vent opening mounted on the fluid-filling opening; 60 the cap being removable from the second housing member for passing a hydraulic fluid into said reservoir; a flexible bellows of an elastomeric material disposed in the reservoir to divide same into a pair of 6-5 non-communicating chambers including an air chamber on one side of the bellows adjacent the cap, the air chamber being vented to atmosphere through the cap vent opening, and a fluid chamber on the opposite side of the bellows for containing hydraulic fluid; and T- the bellows having an annular wall and the cap having an annular wall, one of said annular walls being telescopically received in the other of said annular walls and including first interengaging means on one of said annular walls for engaging the first interengagable 75 means such that as the cap is removed from the body opening, the bellows is removed with the cap. 17. In a master cylinder actuator, the combination comprising: a first housing member having a cylindrical bore; 5 a second housing member having a cylindrical bore telescopically receiving said first housing member in a position to cooperate therewith to form a fluid pressure chamber; an internal liner disposed in the fluid pressure chamber adjacent the first and second housing members; a piston disposed in the fluid pressure chamber so as to be slidably, reciprocally mounted in the liner to divide the fluid pressure chamber into a low pressure chamber on one side of the piston and a low pressure chamber on the opposite side of the piston; and an O-ring disposed between the liner and in abutment with the liner, the first housing member, and the second housing member to form a seal therebetween so as to prevent fluid communication between the liner and the first and the second housing members, and between the first and second housing members and the atmosphere. 18. A master cylinder actuator as defined in claim 1 further including: an internal liner disposed in said fluid pressure chamber adjacent said first and second housing members; said piston being slidably, reciprocally mounted in said liner to divide the fluid pressure chamber into a lower pressure chamber on one side of the piston and the high pressure chamber on the opposite 10 side of the piston; and an O-ring disposed between the liner and in abutment with the liner, the first housing member, and the second housing member to form a seal therebetween so as to prevent fluid communication between the liner and -~ ~ the first and second housing members and between the first and second housing members and the atmosphere. 19. The master cylinder actuator as defined in claim 9 wherein said first housing member has an opening into said second fluid chamber reservoir for introducing hydraulic fluid therein, and further 5 including: a removable cap having a vent opening mounted on the body opening; a flexible diaphragm disposed in the second fluid chamber to divide the same into a pair of non- IQ communicating chambers including an air chamber on one side of the diaphragm adjacent the cap, and vented to atmosphere through the cap vent opening, and a fluid chamber on the opposite side of the diaphragm for containing the hydraulic fluid; and 5- means on the cap so connected to the diaphragm that it is removable with the cap at such times as the cap is moved from the body to introduce fluid into the internal chamber. 20.. A master cylinder actuator as defined in claim 1 wherein: H) said actuator further includes coacting means on said first and second housing members operative ~ in response to telescoping insertion of one of said housing members into the other of said housing members to snappingly secure said first housing member to said second housing member in said assembled position. 21. A master cylinder actuator according to claim 20 wherein: I) said housing members are formed of a resilient material; and J) said coacting means comprises an external circumferentially extending connector lip on one of said housing members snappingly coacting with an internal circumferentially extending connector lip on the other of said housing members. 22. A master cylinder actuator according to claim 21 wherein: K) said first housing member includes an open end and a closed end defining said piston rod opening; ■5 " ) said second housing member includes an open end and a closed end; M) said first member is telescopically received within said second member ; N) said external circumferentially extending 10 connector lip is provided on said first housing member; and 0) said internal circumferentially extending connector lip is provided on said second housing member. 23. A master cylinder actuator according to claim 22 wherein: P) the open end of said second member is positioned proximate the closed end of said first 5 member; Q) said external lip is provided on said first housing member proximate the closed end thereof; and R) said internal lip is provided on said second housing member proximate the open end thereof. 24. A master cylinder actuator according to claim 1 wherein: H) said first housing member includes an open end and a closed end defining said piston rod opening; 5 I) said second housing member includes an open end and a closed end; J) said first housing member is telescopically received within said second housing member ; 10 K) said first housing member includes a locator portion projecting outwardly therefrom; and L) said second housing member includes a locator slot extending axially from said open end thereof and sized to slidably receive said locator •15 portion of said first housing member in response to telescoping insertion of said first housing member into said housing member so as to angularly locate said second housing member on said first housing member. 25. A master cylinder actuator according to claim 24 wherein: M) said locator portion of said first housing member comprises an integral fitting extending outwardly 5 from said first housing member proximate said closed end thereof in surrounding relation to said port means; and N) said locator slot is sized to slidably receive said fitting. 26. A master cylinder actuator according to claim 25 wherein: 0) said second housing member further includes a hollow upstanding reservoir portion communicating at its lower end with said second housing member bore; P) said port means and said fitting are located at the underside of said first housing member; and ° Q) said locator slot is located at the underside of said second housing member so as to angularly locate said second member on said first member with said reservoir portion of said second member in generally upstanding disposition in response to 5 telescoping insertion of said first housign member into said second housing member. 27. A master cylinder actuator assembly comprising: A) a first housing member including a hollow cylindrical main body portion centered on an axis and including an open end and a closed end; B) a second housing member including a hollow cylindrical main body portion centered on said axis and including an open end and a hollow upstanding reservoir portion communicating at its lower end with said main body portion, said main body portions of said first and second housing members being telescopically related and defining an elongated pressure chamber within said housings centered on said axis; C) a piston slidably mounted in said pressure chamber for reciprocal movement along said axis between a rest position and an actuated position and dividing said chamber into a high pressure portion between one side of said piston and said first member closed end and a low pressure portion on the other side of said piston; D) a piston rod secured to said one side of said piston and projecting through said closed end of said main body portion of said first member; E) discharge port means communicating with said high pressure portion of said pressure chamber; and F) replenishing port means providing fluid communication between the interior of said reservoir portion of said second housing member and said pressure chamber with said piston in its rest position. 28. A master cylinder actuator assembly according to claim 27 wherein: G) said main body portion of said first housing member is telescopically received within said main body portion of said second housing member and totally defines said pressure chamber; and H) coacting connector means are provided on said main body portion of said first member and on said main body portion of said second member which are operative in response to telescoping insertion of said first member into said main body portion of said second member to snappingly secure said members together in an assembled position. 29. A master cylinder actuator assembly according to claim 28 wherein: I) said discharge port means extends through the cylindrical side wall of said main body portion of said first housing member; J) said main body portion of said first member includes an integral fitting extending downwardly from said main body portion of said second member adjacent said closed end thereof in surrounding relation to said discharge port means; and K) said main body portion of said second housing member includes a locator slot extending axially from the open end thereof at the underside thereof and sized to slidably receive said fitting so as to IS angularly locate said second member on said first member with said reservoir portion of said second member in generally upstanding disposition in response to telescoping insertion of said first member into said second member. 30. A master cylinder actuator assembly according to claim 29 wherein: L) said housing members are formed of a resilient material; and 5 M) said coacting connector means comprises an external annular connector lip on said main body portion of said first housing member snappingly coacting with an internal annular connector lip on said main body portion of said second housing member. 31. A master cylinder actuator assembly according to claim 30 wherein: N) said assembled position of said housing members is defined by the snapping engagement of said S internal annular lip over said external annular lip and by the bottoming of said fitting in the blind end of said locator slot. 32. A master cylinder actuator assembly according to claim 28 wherein: I) said housing members are formed of a resilient material; and ■5 J) said coacting connector means comprises an external annular connector lip on said main body portion of said first housing member snappingly coacting with an internal annular connector lip on said main body portion of said second housing member. 33. A master cylinder actuator assembly according to claim 32 wherein: K) said main body portion of said first housing member further includes an external annular 5 sealing lip spaced axially with respect to said external annular connector lip towards said open end thereof; ) said main body portion of said second housing member includes a radially enlarged collar at said open end thereof forming an internal annular Id shoulder spaced axially inwardly from the free end of said collar; M) said external connector lip is positioned at the free end of said collar; and N) said actuator further includes an annular sealing ring positioned sealingly between said external annular sealing lip and said annular shoulder in the assembled position of said housing. 34. A master cylinder actuator according to claim 22 wherein: P) said main body portion of said first housing member further includes an external annular sealing lip spaced axially with respect to said external connector lip towards said open end thereof; Q) said main body portion of said second housing member includes a radially enlarged collar at said open end thereof forming an internal annular shoulder spaced axially inwardly from the free end of said collar; R) said external connector lip is provided at the free end of said collar; and S) said actuator further includes an annular sealing ring positioned sealingly between said external annular sealing lip and said annular shoulder in the assembled position of said housing.

Inventors: BARKER DAVID CURTIS, KASSIN CHARLES A, NIX RICHARD A, BARKER, DAVID, CURTIS, KASSIN, CHARLES, ANTHONY (DECEASED), NIX, RICHARD, A.
Applicants: AUTOMOTIVE PROD PLC, KASSIN MARINA LEGAL REPRESENTA, AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY, KASSIN, MARINA (LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE OF KASSIN, CH
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B60T11
IPC codes: B60T11