Automatic sequence control system for pump motors and the like

Claim 1

A system for controlling the sequence of operation of a plurality of prime movers each drivingly connected to a power unit having an output to a common conduit, comprising a. a transducer operatively connected to said conduit and adapted to generate alternating output signals the frequency of which is analog to the load on said conduit, b. analog to digital converting means operatively connected to said transducer for converting said alternating signals to digital signals, c. electronic digital counting means operatively connected to said converting means for counting said digital signals, d. electronic digital storage means operatively connected to said counting means for storing the count in said counter, e. said counting and storage means providing a digital memory for said system, f. electronic digital timing means connected tO said counting means and said storage means for generating digital timing signals adapted to transfer the count from said counting means to said storage means, g. electronic digital logic means connected to said storage means and said timing means for processing said count and generating count-related sequential command signals, and, h. electronic digital switching means operatively connected to said logic means and to said prime movers for selectively transferring command signals from said logic means to said prime movers and interrogation signals from said prime movers to said logic means, i. said system defining a closed loop feedback circuit with said conduit and prime movers.

Claim 2

A system for controlling the sequence of operation of a plurality of prime movers each drivingly connected to a power unit having an output to a common conduit, comprising a. a transducer operatively connected to said conduit and adapted to generate alternating output signals the frequency of which is analog to the load on said conduit, b. analog to digital converting means operatively connected to said transducer for converting said alternating signals to digital signals, c. electronic digital counting means operatively connected to said converting means for counting said digital signals, d. electronic digital storage means operatively connected to said counting means for storing the count in said counter, e. said counting and storage means providing a digital memory for said system, f. electronic digital timing means connected tO said counting means and said storage means for generating digital timing signals adapted to transfer the count from said counting means to said storage means, g. electronic digital logic means connected to said storage means and said timing means for processing said count and generating count-related sequential command signals, and, h. electronic digital switching means operatively connected to said logic means and to said prime movers for selectively transferring command signals from said logic means to said prime movers and interrogation signals from said prime movers to said logic means, i. said system defining a closed loop feedback circuit with said conduit and prime movers.

Claim 8

A system for dispensing liquid, comprising a. a conduit for said liquid, b. a plurality of pumps connected to said conduit, c. a motor drivingly connected to each of said pumps, d. digital signal generating means operatively connected to said conduit for generating digital signals proportioned to the flow in said conduit, e. digital counting and memory means including a counter and register connected to said signal generating means, f. strobe timing means connected to said counting means for cyclically counting the output of said signal generating means, g. switching means connected to each of said motors, and, h. digital logic means connected to said counting and memory means, said timing means and said switching means for cyclically interrogating the status of said motors and pumps and for stopping and starting said motors in a predetermined sequence and in numbers related to the count in said counting and memory means, i. all of said means defining a closed loop feedback control circuit with said conduit pumps and motors.

Claim 9

A system for dispensing liquid, comprising a. a conduit for said liquid, b. a plurality of pumps connected to said conduit, c. a motor drivingly connected to each of said pumps, d. digital signal generating means operatively connected to said conduit for generating digital signals proportioned to the flow in said conduit, e. digital counting and memory means including a counter and register connected to said signal generating means, f. strobe timing means connected to said counting means for cyclically counting the output of said signal generating means, g. switching means connected to each of said motors, and, h. digital logic means connected to said counting and memory means, said timing means and said switching means for cyclically interrogating the status of said motors and pumps and for stopping and starting said motors in a predetermined sequence and in numbers related to the count in said counting and memory means, i. all of said means defining a closed loop feedback control circuit with said conduit pumps and motors.