Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A pressurized hydraulic fluid actuated coupling assembly for detachably coupling to an element, said assembly comprising first and second concentric walls secured together at the ends thereof, the second wall adapted for engaging the element, one of said walls having grooves defining corresponding recesses between the first and second walls, ridges on said one wall being defined between adjacent recesses, means for introducing hydraulic fluid into the recesses and means for varying the pressure of the hydraulic fluid such that in the absence of fluid pressure, the ridges on said one wall are in contact with the other wall and upon pressurization of the fluid said second wall moves away from the first wall such that the second wall rigidly couples to the element and such that the ridges are spaced a predetermined distance from the other wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A pressurized hydraulic fluid actuated coupling assembly for detachably coupling to an element, said assembly comprising first and second concentric walls secured together at the ends thereof, the second wall adapted for engaging the element, one of said walls having grooves defining corresponding recesses between the first and second walls, ridges on said one wall being defined between adjacent recesses, means for introducing hydraulic fluid into the recesses and means for varying the pressure of the hydraulic fluid such that in the absence of fluid pressure, the ridges on said one wall are in contact with the other wall and upon pressurization of the fluid said second wall moves away from the first wall such that the second wall rigidly couples to the element and such that the ridges are spaced a predetermined distance from the other wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said second wall comprises a sleeve having an annular outer surface for engaging the element and an annular inner surface and the first wall comprises a cylindrical shaft located in the sleeve and in contact with said annular inner surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein the said one wall comprises the cylindrical shaft and wherein the grooves are located at the surface of said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The assembly of claim 3 comprising a closed hydraulic system and wherein the means for introducing hydraulic fluid into the recesses comprises a conduit in fluid communication with said recesses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein the means for varying the pressure of the hydraulic fluid comprises a piston located in the conduit such that upon movement of the piston in the conduit in a direction to compress the fluid, the fluid pressure increases and in response thereto the second wall moves outward away from the first wall for rigidly coupling to an element mounted thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein the predetermined distance is in the range of about 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 6 wherein the predetermined distance is about 0.05 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 7 wherein said groove comprises a helical groove extending substantially along the region of contact between the first and second walls.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first wall comprises a first sleeve having an annular inner surface and the second wall comprises a second sleeve located in the first sleeve and having an outer surface in contact with the inner surface of the first sleeve and an inner annular surface for engaging the element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of claim 9 wherein the said one wall comprises the second sleeve and wherein the grooves are located at the outer surface of said second sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The assembly of claim 10 comprising a closed hydraulic system wherein the means for introducing hydraulic fluid into the recess comprises at least one conduit in fluid communication with said recesses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The assembly of claim 11 wherein the at least one conduit comprises two conduits.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
The assembly of claim 12 wherein the means for varying the pressure of the hydraulic fluid comprises a piston located in each conduit such that upon movement of the piston in the conduit in a direction to compress the fluid the fluid pressure increases and in response thereto the second wall moves inward away from the first wall for rigidly coupling to element mounted therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly of claim 13 wherein the predetermined distance is in the range of about 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 14 wherein the predetermined distance is about 0.05 mm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 15 wherein said groove comprises a helical groove extending substantially along the region of contact between the first and second walls.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
The assembly of claim 16 wherein the first sleeve has an outer annular surface having screw threads, the assembly comprising a third sleeve threadably engaging the first sleeve said third sleeve coupled to the pistons such that rotation of the third sleeve in a predetermined direction causes the pistons to move in the respective conduits in a direction to pressurize the fluid.