Sylphon
Encyclopedia
A sylphon is an old name for a cylindrical symmetry metal bellows
. When made of metal, the sylphon shape was formerly created by metal spinning
onto a metal mandrel (model), and now by hydrostatic forming within a mold. Because the mold contains the convolutions of the bellows, the mold must be constructed in parts so that it can be disassembled when the forming process is complete. Legendary experimental physicist John Strong makes occasional use of the term sylphon in his famous book Procedures in Experimental Physics.
A sylphon, or bellows, is used, among other purposes, to transfer motion through the wall of a vacuum chamber. It can be used as a squeeze piston for simple pumps. It can also be used as a flexible coupling to transfer rotary motion between shafts.
The sylphon was invented in the early 1900s by meteorologist Weston Fulton
(1871–1946), who named it for the sylph
s of Western mythology. Also, a trade name used by Johnson Controls for pneumatically operated valves and damper actuators utilizing a metal bellows, they were rendered obsolete in the 1930s and 40s
Metal bellows
Metal bellows are elastic vessels that can be compressed when pressure is applied to the outside of the vessel, or extended under vacuum. When the pressure or vacuum is released, the bellows will return to its original shape .Bellows technology of the 20th and 21st century is centered on metal...
. When made of metal, the sylphon shape was formerly created by metal spinning
Metal spinning
Metal spinning, also known as spin forming or spinning, is a metalworking process by which a disc or tube of metal is rotated at high speed and formed into an axially symmetric part. Spinning can be performed by hand or by a CNC lathe....
onto a metal mandrel (model), and now by hydrostatic forming within a mold. Because the mold contains the convolutions of the bellows, the mold must be constructed in parts so that it can be disassembled when the forming process is complete. Legendary experimental physicist John Strong makes occasional use of the term sylphon in his famous book Procedures in Experimental Physics.
A sylphon, or bellows, is used, among other purposes, to transfer motion through the wall of a vacuum chamber. It can be used as a squeeze piston for simple pumps. It can also be used as a flexible coupling to transfer rotary motion between shafts.
The sylphon was invented in the early 1900s by meteorologist Weston Fulton
Weston Fulton
Weston Miller Fulton was an American meteorologist, inventor, and entrepreneur, best known for his invention, the "sylphon," a seamless metal bellows used in thermostats, switches, and other temperature-control devices. Fulton also invented an automatic river gauge while working for the U.S...
(1871–1946), who named it for the sylph
Sylph
Sylph is a mythological creature in the Western tradition. The term originates in Paracelsus, who describes sylphs as invisible beings of the air, his elementals of air...
s of Western mythology. Also, a trade name used by Johnson Controls for pneumatically operated valves and damper actuators utilizing a metal bellows, they were rendered obsolete in the 1930s and 40s