| 摘要 |
<p>FLEXIBLE TUBULAR JOINT The joint may be used in a diving suit. It includes a plurality of annular members connected by respective piston and cylinder portions which together define an oil chamber. Oil flows from a pressurized make-up system into one end of the serial chain of chambers, the flow between adjacent chambers being controlled by respective valves. Respective valves open on axial compression of the joint, due to hydrostatic pressure, when the volume of oil in any of the chambers is below a design value Respective valves are closed when their associated chambers contain the predetermined volume. This accommodates for any shortage of oil due to inadequate filling or compression of air bubbles, or loss due to lubrication. The coupling between adjacent connecting members may include a spherical surface to enable relative tilting in any direction, as well as relative rotation. A gimbal mounting is provided for each valve in a respective one of the connecting members, the gimbal mounting being slidably anchored in an adjacent connecting member. The gimbal mounting preserves the flexibility of the joint without impeding the valve action. It also prevents pull-out of adjacent piston and cylinder portions when there is a tendency for the joint to expand axially, as in the case where a diving suit is brought to the surface. In order to facilitate the fitting of the piston portion to the cylinder portion having spherical surfaces, respective leading circular rims of annular walls of the piston and cylinder portions are stepped or staggered with respect to one another. An arrangement is also disclosed to ensure that the furthest oil chambers in the serial chain receive an adequate supply of oil. According to this arrangement, the joint is structured so that the oil pressure is progressively slightly different in the serial chain of oil chambers, the oil pressure being highest in the chamber at the body end (i.e. of the divers body) and lowest in the chamber at the outer end of a limb.</p> |
