ARRANGEMENT OF STRETCHING MEANS

Abstract: A stretching means (20') is fastened between two fastening points (A, B). The stretching means is connected with a pressure medium-supply conduit (at 35') to a source of pressure medium via a pressure regulating arrangement. The stretching means is adapted to exert a regulatable traction force between the fastening points. The stretching means (20') is designed with a series of covers (36'), which are made of flexible, relatively non-elastic wall material, and intermediate constricted transition portions (30a'), which form a communication between their respective pairs of hollow space-forming covers (36') and which are made of shape-stable and rigid wall material.

Description: ARRANGEMENT OF STRETCHING MEANS. The present arrangement relates to an arrangement of elongate, hollow stretching means, which at opposite ends is provided with fastening means for fixing of the stretching means between two opposite fastening points and at the one end is provided with a pressure medium-supply conduit, which is connect- able to a source of pressure medium via a pressure regulating arrangement, and at the same or at the opposite end is possibly provided with a discharge duct, the stretching means being adapted, on actuation of the pressure regulating arrangement, to exert a regulatable traction force between the fastening points. From Norwegian Patent Application 875339 a pressure medium- driven power means is known. There is generally illustrated therein a principle for achieving longitudinal contraction of the power means by sideways expansion of the power means on inflating or dilating by means of a supplied pressure medium. Especially there is shown a means which can form a part of and serve as gripping and holding means, by being bent about an axis which extends across the longitudinal direction of the means. The power means, which is hollow, is provided with a " series of pocket formations which are defined in succession between two layers of canvas of flexible, non-elastic material arranged over each other. On inflating the pocket formations a local sideways expansion of the power means is obtained at the same time as the latter is drawn together longitudinally. In the known solution the said sideways expansion of and the longitudinal contraction of the power means following from this, will in addition involve the canvas material being exposed breadthwise outside the pocket formations to an equivalent closing together. In certain conditions of use, for example in connection with a power means in the form of a gripping and holding means, the occurring closing together of certain regions of the power means does not have particular significance. This closing together has however a tendency to counteract, that is to say reduce the effect of the contraction of the power means in the longitudinal direction, and this can be undesired in remaining conditions of use. With the present invention the aim is the application in a stretching means of the same principle as mentioned above. A particular aim is a solution where one avoids or strongly reduces such undesired closing together of portions of the stretching means during loading of the latter with pressure medium. The solution according to the invention is characterised in that the stretching means is made in the form of a) a series of mutually defined and mutually communicating cross-sectionally wide, hollow space-forming ' covers, which are made of flexible, relatively non-elastic wall material and which have a relatively large volume and relatively small wall thickness, and b) inter¬ mediate, mutually separate, sleeve-shaped, cross-sectionally constricted transition portions, which form a communication between their respective pair of covers and are made of rela¬ tively shape-stable and rigid wall material and which have relatively large wall thickness. According to the invention one has consequently been able to limit the wall material of the stretching means to a cover, which encloses the hollow space sections, and constricted transition portions, which connect the covers to each other. In other words the stretching means is made of a series of mutually defined and mutually communicating covers, which are defined in pairs by means of the intermediate, constricted transition portions. By this one has the possibility to effect sideways expansion of and longidutinal contraction of the stretching means exclusively via the covers and independently of the transition portions. In other words one has the possibility to exert a contraction of the stretching means in a controlled manner exclusively in the regions where the covers are located, while the relatively shape- stable transition portions exclusively form connection between the covers and transfer the stretching forces between them. The stretching means according to the invention has appli¬ cation in a series of different areas both in connection with hauling and putting out of an object and in connection with lifting and lowering of an object. In addition or alternatively the stretching means can be used as a spring means in order to allow the movement to which the object is subjected to occur with an elastic effect, this last-mentioned being able to occur by regulating the characteristic of the spring by regulation of the pressure of the pressure medium of the stretching means. A parti¬ cular application of the stretching means is as power means which can replace the functions of conventional winches. A completely special application is as so-called "mooring" means, which can ensure constant tension in connected wire or chain, largely inde¬ pendent of the tractive force which prevails in the wire or chain. It will be possible to use the stretching means as a separate power means, but it will also be possible to use two or more stretching means in different combinations in order to ensure opposite movements of a jointly engaged body or in order to ensure an increased, or in another way extra influenced movement. The afore-mentioned solution has significance both for stretching means which are to transmit relatively moderate tractive forces, for example up to a couple of hundred kilo, but has the greater significance the greater the tractive forces to be transmitted. On transmitting large tractive forces, for example of the order of magnitude of 100 tons or higher, it is of decisive importance that the forces which occur in the stretching means can be transmitted in a controlled manner through the stretching means. Further features of the present invention will be evident from the following description of some relevant embodiments having regard to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows schematically a system for regulating the tractive force of a stretching means according to the invention by means of compressed air. Fig. 2-4 show in cross-section,in three different positions, a stretching means according to a first embodiment according to the invention. Fig. 5 and 6 show on a larger scale a section of the upper end of Fig. 3 and 4. Fig. 7 and 8 show in side view, in two different positions, a stretching means according to a second embodiment according to the invention. Fig. 9 and 10 show in side view, in two different positions, a stretching means according to a third embodiment according to the invention. Fig. 11 shows in cross-section a stretching means according to a fourth embodiment according to the invention. Fig. 12 shows in cross-section a stretching means according to a fifth embodiment according to the invention. Fig. 13 shows in cross-section and in extended condition various components which form a part of the stretching means according to Fig. 12. Fig. 14 shows in side view a particular application of a stretching means according to the invention, shown in an angular outline between its fastening points. Fig. 15 shows in side view another particular application of a stretching means according to the invention, illustrated in connection with a "mooring" operation on board a vessel. Fig. 16 shows in cross-section an extra air valve, for use in the stretching means under application of fluid as pressure medium. Fig. 17 and 18 show in cross-section a stretching means with an outer force means and an inner auxiliary means, shown in the active position of the stretching means and in the inactive position of the stretching means, respectively. In Fig. 1 there is shown a hollow, inflatable stretching means 20, which is connected at the one end via a conduit 21a, 21b to a compressed air tank 22, The compressed air tank 22 is supplied with compressed air from a compressor 23a via a pressure valve 23b. In the conduit 21a, 21b there is inserted between the stretching means 20 and the compressed air tank 22 a three-way pressure-regulating valve 24. A pressure-regulating valve 24 is illustrated having a first duct 24a, which communicates via the conduit 21a with the compressed air tank 22, and a second duct 24b, which communicates via the conduit 21b with the stretching means 20, together with a third duct 24c which communicates directly with outside air, as shown at 25. In a first position the regulating valve 24 can provide for the supply of compressed air from the compressed air tank 22 to the stretching means 20, during simultaneous regulation of the pressure of the compressed air in the stretching means. In a second position the regulating valve can discharge compressed air from the stretching means 20 to outside air 25, during simultaneous regulation of the pressure of the compressed air in the stretching means 20. In Fig. 1 there is shown an embodiment where compressed air is employed as driving medium. In this connection there is only illustrated a conduit connection to one, upper end of the stretching means 20. In a case where pressure fluid, for example water under pressure, is employed as driving medium, the illu¬ strated conduit at the one upper end of the stretching means can be employed as supply conduit for pressure fluid, while there can be arranged at the opposite end (or possibly at the same end) a conduit connection with associated valve, for drawing off fluid from the stretching means to a suitable discharge location. Correspondingly by employing pressure oil of low pressure or high pressure as driving medium one can have a supply conduit connected to a first end of the stretching means and a return conduit connected to a second end of the stretching means or alternatively there can be employed one and the same conduit to and from the stretching means also when pressure fluid operation is concerned. In Fig. 1 the traction means 20 is shown fixed between an upper fastening A via a first loop 26 at the upper end of the traction means 20 and a lower fastening B via a second loop 27 at the lower end of the traction means. The aim is the use of various types of stretching means for different purposes of use, where different large stretching forces are required. For example there can be employed a first type (light weight) stretching means for stretching forces in the region of 0-200 kg, a second type (middle weight) stretching means for stretching forces in the region of 0-2000 kg and a third type (heavy weight) stretching means for stretching forces in the region of 0-100 ton or more. The different types of stretching means can be made of different materials and have different constructional structures. Subsequently there will be described various types of preferred stretching means having regard to various Figures of the drawings. In Fig. 2-6 a stretching means 20' is shown of a first type, which can find application for example as lifting means in a workshop or factory for lifting of an object from a base to a suitable level above the base. As a particular application of interest lifting means can be mentioned for use in a passenger lift for a bed couch for use in hospitals, in institutions or in the home. In order to obtain a lifting means as far as possible "soft" and elastically springy, which can allow a "soft" movement of the raised person, in a vertical direction as well as in the lateral direction after the person is raised upwardly from the base, pneumatic operation is preferred. As another application of current interest there can be mentioned a lifting means in passenger lifts for use in hospitals, in institutions or in the home for conveying a person from a bed couch to a couch in a bath tub, and back. In order to achieve a best possible control of the transport movements, a non-elastic lifting movement is preferred, something which can be effected with advantage by use of pressure fluid as driving medium. The stretching means 20' is constructed of annular discs 30' of soft, non-elastic, stretch-firm canvas material. The canvas material can for example consist of PVC-coated, polyethylene fibre-reinforced canvas material. The annular discs 30' are shown in Fig. 2 arranged in layers over each other and are connected to each other in pairs with a first, inner annular welded joint 30a' at the inner periphery of the annular discs and with a second, outer annular weld joint 30b' at the outer periphery of the annular discs. Where it must be preferred (not shown further herein) one can employ in addition to the weld joint itself one or more seam lines in or at the weld joint. In addition one can also employ extra bracing means enclosed in the weld joint or overlapping the weld joint on opposite sides of the latter and possibly also overlapping inner edges of the annular discs. By means of the annular discs there is formed an "accordion" like, bellows-shaped, hollow stretching means 20'. There is illustrated an annular disc 30' having an inner diameter Di of for example 10 mm and an outer diameter Dy of for example 200 mm. Internally in the stretching means 20' there is formed a series of covers 36' forming mutually communicating, pairs of abutting hollow spaces (see Fig. 3 and 4), which are each defined between their respec¬ tive pairs of mutually abutting annular disc 30'. At two opposite ends of the stretching means the covers are formed by an inner annular disc 30' and an outer circular disc ("rondel") 31' which seals off the series of covers 36'. At opposite ends the stretching means 20' is provided via the associated circular disc 31' with a fastening loop 32'. Fastening plate 33' of the fastening loop 32' is fixed in between the circular disc 31' and a reinforcing plate 33a' of canvas material arranged internally in the stretching means 20'. Inner¬ most in the cover the fastening plate 34 ' and the reinforcing plate 33a' are covered by a cover disc 34 ' . A nipple 35' is led through the circular disc 31' and the plate 34' for connecting the pressure medium conduit 21b (see Fig. 1) to the inner hollow space of the stretching means 20'. Internally in the stretching means there are formed a number of covers 36' forming in a row successive hollow spaces. In a longitudinally extended condition (Fig. 3) each of the covers 36' is stretched out to a length Lu = -jxr (half the arc of a circle). In an inflated condition (Fig. 4) each cover assumes an approxi¬ mately spherical shape with an axial length Ls = 2r. In other words by inflating or by other dilating of the single cover 36' the latter can be contracted an axial length ϋL = u-Ls, that is to say an axial length L =JCr-2r = 1.14r. The force which is exerted during the stretching movement can be regulated by means of the pressure of the compressed air which is supplied to the stretching means 20'. The larger the covers 36' one employs the greater the stretching force one can exert in the stretching means with one end and the same supplied pressure. The stretching means 20' is made so that it can be readily transposed from a folded together condition (Fig. 2), having minimal length and having little need for space, to a longi¬ tudinal optimally extended condition (Fig. 3), ready for use. Thereafter compressed air is supplied to the stretching means during inflating of the latter to a reduced length, a contraction of the stretching means thereby being obtained dependent on the pressure of the pressure medium and the weight which is to be lifted or the traction which is to be exerted in the stretching means. The stretching action is based on a positive contraction of the stretching means being obtained longitudinally, at the same time as a regulatable traction force is exerted in the stretching means by feeding pressure-regulating pressure medium to the stretching means itself. With a relatively moderate pressure of medium of the supplied pressure medium a relatively large traction in the stretching means can be obtained. An arbitrary number of covers 36' can be employed as required. In the illustrated embodiment 10 covers 36' are shown in a row. In Fig. 2 the stretching means 20' is shown in storage condition in a manner requiring little space, with the annular discs folded together over each other and with the air discharged approximately to the maximum out of the stretching means. In Fig. 3 the stretching means 20' is shown in almost the maximum extended condition during exertion of a moderate (manual) traction in the stretching means between the fastening loops 32', for adjustment of the stretching means in an extended starting position before the stretching operation (lifting) is effected by means of the stretching means. The stretching means is as shown in Fig. 2 and 3 fixed between two fastening points A and B, of which for example the one, upper fastening point A is illustrated stationarily anchored. In Fig. 4 the stretching means 20' is shown in a compressed air-loaded (but not necessarily weight-loaded) condition, where the fastening points A and B are compressed towards each other by means of the stretching means 20' and the tractive force which is exerted in the latter by means of supplied compressed air. In Fig. 5 and 6 there are shown details at one, upper end of the stretching means. In the drawing there is shown a nipple 35' only at one, upper end of the stretching means, but alternatively a corresponding nipple (discharge nipple) can also be employed at the other, lower end of the stretching means. In Fig. 7 and 8 there is shown a stretching means 20' ' according to a second type and according to a second construc¬ tion, where each cover 36' ' is defined in the stretching means in its respective spherical section 20a' ' of the latter. Between each pair of sections 20a 1 ' there is arranged a radially con¬ stricted transition portion 20b' '. In Fig. 7 the stretching means 20' ' is shown in a position (corresponding to the starting position), where each section 20a' ' is shown spherical, while the stretching means in Fig. 8 is shown in a (manually) extended condition, where the spherical sections 20' ' are deformed by means of a moderate manual traction in the stretching means to an elongate sausage shape between the transition portions 20b' 1 . The stretching means 20' ' is fastened in its extended condition, as shown in Fig. 8, between a stationary, upper fastening point A and a lower fastening point B on an object which is to be lifted. By subsequent pressure loading (inflating) of the streching means 20' ' sections 20a 1 ' of the stretching means are brought back into the original spherical condition, as shown in Fig. 7, at the same time as the axial length of the stretching means 20'' is reduced and the object fastened to this is raised a corresponding height. In Fig. 9 and 10 there is shown a stretching means 20' ' ' of the second or third type in the form of a third embodiment. Instead of spherical sections, as shown in Fig. 7 and 8, approxi¬ mately cylindrical sections 20a' ' ' are employed, that is to say sections which in a pressure-loaded condition (Fig. 9) have a cylindrial shape, but which in an unloaded condition (Fig. 10) have an approximately planar outline. Alternatively the stretching means can be designed with a cylindrical shape in an unloaded condition and with a planar outline in a stretch-loaded condition. The sections 20a' ' ' are designed with the cylindrical surfaces mutually abutting via an intermediate transition portion 20b''' of rectangular cross-section. At the ends the stretching means is provided with holder means 32 ' ' ' with associated fastening holes 32a'" '. Cylinder wall 40' ' ' of the cylindrical shape can be made of a relatively shape-stable, axially braced, but readily flexible in the peripheral direction, relatively thick-walled, reinforced plastics material or vulcanised rubber material. End walls 41' '' of the cylindrical shape can be made of soft, readily flexible, but non-elastic canvas material, which along the periphery can be welded to or secured in another suitable way to the cylinder wall 40'' ' and to the transition portion 20b' *' and to a holder means 32''' respectively. Alterna¬ tively the cylinder walls and the transition portions plus the holder means can be made in one piece with continuous reinforcing means. Correspondingly as the cylinder wall 40'' ' the transition portions 20b' ' ' and the holder means 32' ' ' can be made of thick- walled, reinforced and relatively shape-stable material, for example polyethylene fibre-reinforced PVC plastic or reinforced, vulcanised rubber material. In Fig. 11 a stretching means 20'''' is shown of the second type of a fourth construction. Instead of making the stretching means of separate sections there is shown a stretching means fabricated in one piece. This stretching means 20'' ' ' can be specially made for use as a resilient stretching means, that is to say a stretching means which can be given different elastic characteristics by regulating the pressure in the stretching means . The stretching means can be made by twisting a mesh of reinforcing fibres on an inflated core which is coated with a thin layer of plastic and thereafter building up the wall thick¬ ness with layers of plastic and reinforcing layers arranged the one on the outside of the other. In Fig. 12 there is shown a third type of stretching means 50 according to a fifth construction. The stretching means 50 is composed of a series of hollow space sections 51 (see also Fig. 13) spherical at the start. Each pair of hollow space sections 51 are as shown in Fig. 12 mutually connected to each other by means of a two part collar-forming connecting piece 62, while the two hollow space sections which are placed at opposite ends of the stretching means are provided with two part sleeve-shaped holder means 53 and 54 respectively. In the one, upper holder means 53 there is inserted in an inner bore 55 in permanent connection with the holder means an elongate, rigid pipe piece 56, which projects with the one end 56a substantially outside (above) the holder means 53. The other, short end 56b of the pipe piece 56 projects inwardly into (down¬ wardly into) an equivalent bore 57 in the adjacent end of the section 51, where the pipe piece is equivalently permanently connected to the section 51. In the other, lower holder means 54 there is designed a pin 54a which projects inwardly into and occupies an adjacent bore 56 in the adjacent section 51. As is evident most clearly from Fig. 13 each section 51 is provided at opposite ends with a continuous bore 57 in an axially outwardly directed neck portion 58 which is terminated outermost by a radially outwardly directed collar portion 59. In the neck portion 58 and the collar portion 59 there are imbedded extra, annular reinforcing and bracing means 60. The holder means 53 and 54, which are each provided with a collar portion 53a and 54a respectively, and also the collar-forming connecting pieces 52 are provided with equivalent gripping flanges 61 directed radially inwards, which (see Fig. 12) grip around neck portion 58 of the section 51, while the collar portion 59 is received in an equivalent, axially inner cavity 62. In each joint between each pair of sections 51 there is internally arranged a short pipe stump 63 in mutually adjacent sleeve portions of the sections 51. The sections 51 are made in the illustrated embodiment of vulcanised rubber or similar stretch-firm material. In the above described embodiments there is mainly dis¬ cussion about axially rectilinearly moveable stretching means, that is to say stretching means which are moveable forwards and backwards in a more or less rectilinear movement between two fastening points. However it is apparent that the flexible stretching means as illustrated in the various embodiments above can also be moved sideways relative to the longitudinal axis. In a particular application, as shown in Fig. 14, there is shown a solution where a stretching means 70 has an angular outline between its opposite ends 71 and 72 in order to be able to exert a stretching operation past a corner-shaped obstacle. There is shown an abutment 73 arranged between the ends 71, 72, so that the stretching means is given a turned or arcuate contour at the middle portion and thereby an angled contour between the ends. By exertion of a stretch in the stretching means 70 between the ends 71, 72 one can equivalently exert a relatively small force of pressure against the abutment 73. Alternatively by exerting a significant sideways directed pressure against the stretching means from its starting position, where it can have a largely rectilinear outline, one can equivalently deform the stretching means with an arrow height force and thereby exert a considerably increased traction between the ends 71, 72. Such arrow height force can for example be exerted by means of a second stretching means according to the invention which extends transversely of the axial direction of a first stretching means according to the invention. In connection with a bending of the stretching means, such as shown in Fig. 14, the bending itself takes place in hollow space-forming covers 74 of the stretching means in the region just by the relatively rigid, short transition portions 75 by local, intermittent deformation of the cover wall itself. By employing more elongate transition portions (not shown further) one can possibly transfer the bending into the transition portion itself. According to the invention it is possible to combine stretching means in a number of different ways in a series of different configurations in order to produce different resultant forces by the exertion of pressure loadings and traction loadings in the individual stretching means. It is also possible to regu¬ late the pressure in the stretching means to various levels of pressure according to need, so that different traction effects are achieved in the individual stretching means . For example one can utilise the possibility of axial movement of the stretching means in a favourable manner in combination with its traction properties. In this connection the stretching means can be used to a large extent as a resilient stretching means, where the characteristic of a spring can be regulated by regulating the pressure. In engaging a pressure-regulatable stretching means according to the invention between for example two wire parts or two chain parts or two other elongate elements, one has the possibility to increase and reduce the tension in the associated wire or chain or other element more or less independently of the position of the wire or the chain or other element. This arrangement can be employed under different conditions of use instead of a hoisting winch or hauling winch. In Fig. 15 there is shown an arrangement 80 which can be employed in combination with a chain 81 for anchoring for example a bore platform 82 to the sea bottom (not shown further) with a constant tension (so-called "mooring" operation). There is shown a stretching means 83 according to the invention, which is inserted in the chain in a "short circuiting" manner, a region 81a of the chain 81 extending slack between ends 83a, 83b of the stretching means, which are directly fastened in between their respective chain part 81b, 81c. If the stretching means should fail (for example be broken in pieces) the chain part in the region 81a can assume the tension loading in the chain 81 round the stretcing means. There is illustrated a single pressure medium conduit, in the form of a hydraulic pressure hose 84, from a pressure tank 85 to the shown upper end of the stretching means 83. The pressure tank is supplied pressure oil from a pump 86 with associated oil reservoir 87 and feeds pressure oil at a regulatable, but perma¬ nently adjusted pressure to the stretching means 83 for exerting a set tension in the stretching means. Excess pressure oil is delivered from the pressure hose 84 in a short circuit path 84a back to the oil reservoir 87 via a back pressure valve 88, which establishes the oil pressure in the pressure hose 84. By increasing tension in the chain 81 the back pressure valve 88 will release excess pressure oil back to the oil reservoir in order to maintain the set pressure in the chain and by reducing tension in the chain 81 the pressure tank 85 and associated pump 86 will stabilise the pressure in the stretching means at the set pressure. In connection with occurring tension variations in the chain the stretching means will also allow a considerable elastic effect in the stretching means itself in order thereby to be able to take up corresponding movements in the chain during occurring increasing or decreasing tensions in the chain. This involves that movements in the chain within the vessel can be avoided, by arranging the stretching means in the chain outside the vessel. On positioning of bore platforms and the like, one usually employs a so-called "constant tension" winch, where the winch is adjusted with a constant tension force and hauls in chain where the tension in the chain falls and releases chain when the tension in the chain rises above the established chain tension and this is effected at the same time as the chain is subjected to axial movement inwardly on Or outwardly -from the drum of the winch. By the use of the stretching means 83 according to the invention inserted in the chain itself, as is shown in Fig. 15, one can make oneself independent of the winch by normal positioning, and only use the latter in connection with releasing and hauling in of chain or carrying out the "mooring" operation in a situation where the stretching means it put out of ope¬ ration. Furthermore by being engaged as shown in the chain one can avoid the otherwise normal, wear-producing movement of the chain inwardly into and outwardly from the winch and the vessel besides. In different hoisting and hauling operations one can generally, according to the invention, make oneself wholly independent of conventional winches and let the stretching means serve as a "winch" in intermittent hauling in or release operations. In such applications special chain gripping means (not shown further) can be employed in addition, which cooperate with the stretching means in connection with each hauling in or releasing operation. In Fig. 16 it is in cross-section shown a section of a stretching means 90 which is provided with an extra air valve 91 which is to contribute to improving the use qualities of the stretching means 90. The air valve 91 comprises a spherical valve body or float 92, which normally forms support against a lower abutment 93, but which at float effect forms abutment against an upper valve seat 94. It is shown an outer, upper filling and discharging opening 91a just above the valve seat 94 and a lower air opening 91b centrally in the abutment 93 and rows of inner filling and discharging openings 91c and 91d arranged over each other. The air valve 91 finds special use by a stretching means where the pressure medium is fluid (water) . The air valve 91 is located at the uppermost end of the stretching means 90 in order to form float valve. During filling of fluid (water) into the stretching means 90 the air valve 91 takes care that air which is received in the stretching means is discharged consecutively, until the fluid lifts the valve body or the float 92 away from its abutment 93 and towards its valve seat 94 and thereby closes the valve. One can by this ensure that air collections in the stretching means can be discharged so to say completely and that the stretching means correspondingly can be filled so to say exclusively with fluid. One can take care that the fluid is filled under a certain, relatively moderate overpressure, so that one ensures an intended maximal dilation of the stretching means by means of a moderate fluid pressure. Increased interior pressure in the stretching means will give correspondingly increased closing pressure on the valve body. As required, it can be used extra fluid pressure in order to increase the overpressure in the stretching means. As soon as the fluid pressure decreases in the stretching means or as soon as one starts the discharging of fluid from the stretching means one can ensure that the valve body or the float 92 is drawn away from the valve seat and downwards towards its lower abutment 93. Thereby the valve opens and one can thereby allow a quicker and simultaneously more complete discharging of fluid from the stretching means. In Fig. 17 and 18 it is shown an alternative solution for improving the use qualities of the stretching means. It is shown a stretching means 95 which in the shown embodiment example is loaded with gaseous pressure medium. The stretching means comprises a row of outer covers 96, which are constructed corre¬ spondingly as shown in one or more of the preceding embodiment examples, and a separate inner cover 97, which can be constructed correspondingly as a cylindrical body of softly flexible, non- elastic material, that is to say of same material as the outer covers 96. The row of outer covers 96 is shown with a first filling opening 96a with an associated filling and discharging valve 96b, and the inner cover 97, which is fastened at mutually opposite ends by fastening portions 98 and 99 in the row of outer covers 96, is in the one fastening portion 98 itself provided with a second filling opening 97a which runs through the fastening portion 98 and which is provided with an associated filling and discharging valve 97b. One can by this obtain a double acting stretching means by alternately filling the row of covers 96 while the cover 97 is discharged, and filling the cover 97 while the row of covers 96 is discharged, respectively. By filling the row of covers 96 the stretching means assumes a state as suggested in Fig. 17, while the cover 97 (which then has open discharging valve 97b) correspondingly is discharged of pressure medium. By thereafter filling the cover 97, while the discharging valve 96b of the row of covers 96 is open, one can extend the stretching means 95 in axial direction and simultaneously contribute to quick and effective discharging of the row of covers 96. Instead of the arrangement shown, with the double acting stretching means with an outer and an inner cover, one can use one single cover, which is provided with, for example, longi¬ tudinal leaf springs (laths or other means not further shown) which normally hold the cover extended lengthwise (corre¬ spondingly as shown in fig. 18), but which allow that the cover assumes contracted, pressure-loaded state (correspondingly as shown in fig. 17) by pressure medium loading of the cover.

Claims: CLAIMS . 1. Arrangement of elongate hollow stretching means (20, 20', 20'', 20''', 20*''', 50, 70), which is provided at opposite ends (71, 72) with fastening means (26, 27; 32'; 32'''; 53, 54) for fixing of the stretching means between two opposite fastening points (A, B) and at the one end is provided with a pressure medium supply conduit (21b), which is connectable to a source (22, 23) of pressure medium via a pressure regulating arrangement (24), and at the same or at the opposite end is possibly provided with a discharge duct, the stretching means being adapted, on actuation of the pressure regulating arrangement, to exert a regulatable traction force between the fastening points, characterised in that the stretching means (20, 20', 20 1 ', 20t I I 20'''', 50, 70) is made in the form of a) a series of mutually defined and mutually communicating, cross-sectionally wide hollow space-forming covers (36', 20a' ' ' 51) which are made of flexible, relatively non-elastic wall material and which have relatively large volume and relatively small thickness, and b) intermediate, mutually separate, sleeve-shaped cross- sectionally constricted transition portions (30a'; 20b''; 20b' I I 52, 58, 59), which form a communication between their respective pairs of hollow space-forming covers and are made of relatively shape-stable and rigid wall material and which have a relatively large wall thickness. 2. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the stretching means (20') is made of flexible, non-elastic canvas material to form a bellows-shaped hollow body, and that the bellows-shaped hollow body is formed mainly of annular or sheet-shaped discs (30', 31') arranged above each other in layers, which are welded to adjacent neighbouring discs alter¬ nately at the inner periphery of the annular disc and at the outer periphery of the annular discs or sheet discs, the inner periphery of the annular discs (30') having a minimal dimension relative to the outer periphery of the annular discs. 3. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the stretching means (20' ' ') in the unloaded starting position is largely planar extending and in the loaded position is formed with covers (20a' '*) dilated to substantially cylindrical hollow space, the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shape extending transversely of the longitudinal direction of the stretching means, that the cylindrical peri¬ pheral surface (40' 1 ') of the cover is made of relatively rigid wall material, it being shape-stable braced in the longitudinal direction, but is flexible about axes parallel to the longi¬ tudinal direction of the cylindrical shape, and that cylinder- end surfaces (41' ' ') of the cover are made of relatively soft, non-elastical material. 4. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the stretching means (20'', 20'''', 50' 70) is provided in the unloaded starting position with substantially spherical hollow space-forming cover (20a'', 51) of non-elastic, relatively flexible, reinforced wall material. 5. Arrangement in accordance with claim 4, characterised in that the stretching means (20' ' ' ' ) is made in one piece, the transition portions being included in a direct connection with the hollow space-forming covers (20a' 11 ') with reinforcement of the wall material leading continuously through the covers and intermediate transition portions (20b 11 ' 1 ). 6 . Arrangement in accordance with claim 4, characterised in that the stretching means (50, 70) is made in the starting position of substantially spherical hollow space sections (51), which are provided with collar-carrying connection sleeves (58), which are arranged at opposite ends of the hollow space sections, the hollow space sections being mutually connected to each other via the collar-carrying connection sleeves by means of external collar means (52), while the hollow space sections at ends of the stretching means are connected to an associated fastening-forming holding means (53, 54) via an adjacent collar-carrying connection sleeve (58) by means of collar portions (62) in the associated holding means. 7. Arrangement in accordance with claim 6, characterised in that collar-carrying connection sleeves (58) of the covers (51), which are externally supported in an associated collar means (52) or collar portion (62) in a holder means (53, 54), are internally supported in a rigid pipe piece (56, 63) or similar bracing means (54a), and which are preferably rigidly connected to an associ¬ ated holding means (53, 54) at respective ends of the stretching means and connection sleeve (58) of an adjacent cover (51). 8. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the stretching means (90), which is arranged to be filled with the row of covers with fluid (water) as pressure medium, at the upper end of the row of covers is provided with a float valve acting as air valve (91) for discharging of air during filling of fluid and for filling of air during discharging of fluid. 9. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the row of covers (96) of the stretching means (95) internally is provided with an arrangement for. lengthwise expansion of the row of covers (96) in the unloading condition of the stretching means (95). 10. Arrangement in accordance with claim 9, characterised in that the row of covers (96) of the stretching means (95) contains a, at its opposite ends internally fastened "sausage"-like cover (97) of non-elastic, flexible material, and that the internal cover (97) and the external row of covers (96) by means of respective valves (97b, 96b) are arranged to be alternately discharged and filled, that is to say the internal cover (97) is arranged to be discharged when the external row of covers (96) is filled and to be filled when the external row of covers (96) are discharged. 11. Use of the stretching means according to one of the claims 1-10 as a resilient stretching means, characterised in that the resilience characteristic of the stretching means is regulated by regulating the pressure of the pressure medium which is supplied to the stretching means. 12. Use of the stretching means according to one of the claims 1-10 in a "mooring" arrangement, characterised in that the stretching means is inserted between two parts in a wire, chain or the like, in a tension-receiving short circuit path between the two parts, and that the stretching means communicates directly via a first conduit connection with an associated pressure tank, which is supplied with pressure medium from a medium reservoir via a pressure medium pump and communicates directly with the mediumn reservoir via a second conduit connection having an associated, pressure-regulatable back pressure valve for adjusting the stretching means to a set pressure medium pressure.

Inventors: HAUGS AUDUN, HAUGS, AUDUN
Applicants: MICHELSENS CHR INST, CHR. MICHELSENS INSTITUTT
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B66F3
IPC codes: B63B21, B66F3, B66F19, F15B15, F16F9