Patent US5331971A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3789864A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3789864A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fluid operated system
Assignee: Leesona Corp
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Filing: 1973-04-09
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1993-04-09
Abstract
Abstract A fluid pulse operated system provides selective output for operating a fluid device, such as reversing operation of a fluid motor, or memory device in a logic environment. The system includes a pair of chambers separated by a flexible diaphragm. Fluid paths, one through each of the chambers, each includes an inlet for pressurized fluid into the associated chamber and a chamber outlet connected with a normally closed vent valve. Output signal lines are provided in the paths, one between each of the outlets and the associated vent valve, for connection with the motor or providing memory signals. The diaphragm serves as a valve member which selectively cooperates with one of a pair of valve seats, one for each of the outlets, for closing the selected outlet. During normal operation of the system either of the outlets may be open and the other closed by the diaphragm which is releasably retained in its selected closed position by a differential in facial area of opposite sides of the diaphragm exposed to fluid in the respective chambers. In order to reverse the diaphragm, thereby opening the previously closed outlet and closing the formerly open outlet, the vent associated with the outlet to be closed is momentarily opened, thereby reducing the fluid pressure in the associated chamber and causing the diaphram to reverse its position and seat against the valve seat about the outlet to be closed. The system operates with little power while pulsing through a control cycle and stands by with no power in a static condition, by provision of positive fluid pressure, being decreased by control pulses and by provision of gating structures sealing off leakage paths in static condition.
Inventors
- 👤 L Cowan
- 👤 E Rubel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:12
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15C; F15C3/00; F15C3/04; F03; F03C; F03C1/00; F03C1/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/212; Y10T137/2125; Y10T137/2147; Y10T137/2158; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2559; Y10T137/265; Y10T137/2668; Y10T137/2678; Y10T137/268; Y10T137/2683
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A fluid operated system comprising, a logic element including a pair of chambers with each chamber having a fluid flow path from inlet port means introducing and outlet port means exhausting fluid under pressure, a flexible impervious diaphragm held between said chambers isolating the fluid flow paths in the two chambers and having a portion thereof movable into a predetermined one of said outlet ports as a function of differential pressures in said chambers on opposite sides thereof to thereby block the exhaust of fluid through said predetermined outlet port and impede the fluid flow path therethrough, a source of fluid under pressure and means introducing it simultaneously into each inlet port to thereby tend to maintain in both said chambers the same pressure, and trigger signal means coupled to said outlet ports for selectively momentarily reducing pressure at one of said outlet ports not blocked by said diaphragm to thereby introduce a differential pressure to control the position of the diaphragm to move into the opposite outlet port and block said exhaust therethrough, and structure at said outlet ports intercepting on one side of the diaphragm area a portion thereof to isolate it from the corresponding chamber and thereby effectively reduce the diaphragm surface extending into said chamber whereby the diaphragm is maintained in stable position by said source fluid introduced at said inlet ports reacting on differing diaphragm areas on opposite sides of said diaphragm pending a further trigger signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
242 words
A fluid operated system comprising, a logic element including a pair of chambers with each chamber having a fluid flow path from inlet port means introducing and outlet port means exhausting fluid under pressure, a flexible impervious diaphragm held between said chambers isolating the fluid flow paths in the two chambers and having a portion thereof movable into a predetermined one of said outlet ports as a function of differential pressures in said chambers on opposite sides thereof to thereby block the exhaust of fluid through said predetermined outlet port and impede the fluid flow path therethrough, a source of fluid under pressure and means introducing it simultaneously into each inlet port to thereby tend to maintain in both said chambers the same pressure, and trigger signal means coupled to said outlet ports for selectively momentarily reducing pressure at one of said outlet ports not blocked by said diaphragm to thereby introduce a differential pressure to control the position of the diaphragm to move into the opposite outlet port and block said exhaust therethrough, and structure at said outlet ports intercepting on one side of the diaphragm area a portion thereof to isolate it from the corresponding chamber and thereby effectively reduce the diaphragm surface extending into said chamber whereby the diaphragm is maintained in stable position by said source fluid introduced at said inlet ports reacting on differing diaphragm areas on opposite sides of said diaphragm pending a further trigger signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the trigger signal means comprises a vent momentarily releasing fluid from said source flowing through one of said chambers, and including means maintaining both outlet ports in a static condition sealed to prevent fluid flow out of said outlet ports, thereby controlling continuous fluid power from said source with low powered momentary trigger signals and making said system operable with a single fluid source pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system as defined in claim 2 wherein a load device is coupled to at least one of said outlet port means operable from flow of fluid through the corresponding said element chamber, whereby continuous flow of fluid to said load device is controlled by said trigger pulse.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the means introducing fluid pressure into one inlet port has a restriction thereby causing said diaphragm to attain a preferred state upon initial introduction of said fluid from said source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein a load device is coupled to both said outlet port means operable with momentary fluid flow through the corresponding chambers and thereafter presenting a closed fluid flow path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system as defined in claim 5 wherein said load device comprises slave logic gating elements with a diaphragm separating two chambers, one said slave element being coupled to each said outlet port means by a chamber having only inlet port means to thereby present said closed fluid path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
A system as defined in claim 6 wherein the second chamber in both said slave elements has a vented port and a further controlled port blocked in one diaphragm position, and the combination further comprising a bistable logic element having a diaphragm movable to block a selected one of two outlet ports in response to fluid pressure at the respective said controlled ports of said slave elements and having inlet ports commonly coupled to said source of fluid to pass fluid from said source to one outlet port indicated by signals received from said slave elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as defined in claim 7 including a reciprocating device operable from fluid flowing through said bistable element outlet ports to reciprocate in opposite directions in response to trigger signals controlling said first mentioned logic element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as defined in claim 8 wherein said reciprocating device is a piston, and a path for fluid exhaust from movement of said piston is connected through said further chambers of said slave elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 words
A fluid operated system comprising a plurality of fluid operated logic elements each having two chambers separated by a diaphragm movable thereinto to control at least one fluid flow path therethrough, a source of fluid under pressure, and circuit means with connection paths from said source through fluid flow paths in said elements, means providing an operation sequence of moving diaphragms of said elements initiated by a trigger signal comprising a fluid pressure change instituting a momentary flow of fluid through at least one of said elements and sealing means comprising at least one of said elements disposed to provide a static condition with all fluid flow paths through the elements closed to prevent leakage of fluid from said source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
120 words
A fluid operated system comprising a plurality of fluid operated logic elements each having two chambers separated by a diaphragm movable thereinto to control at least one fluid flow path therethrough, a source of fluid under pressure, and circuit means with connection paths from said source through fluid flow paths in said elements, means providing an operation sequence of moving diaphragms of said elements initiated by a trigger signal comprising a fluid pressure change instituting a momentary flow of fluid through at least one of said elements and sealing means comprising at least one of said elements disposed to provide a static condition with all fluid flow paths through the elements closed to prevent leakage of fluid from said source.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system as defined in claim 10 comprising a bistable element having two inlet ports coupled to said source and two outlet ports controlled by said diaphragm, and wherein said sealing means comprise two slave elements with one closed chamber having only one port thereinto coupled to respective ones of said outlet ports of the bistable element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
182 words
A fluid operated logic system comprising a plurality of fluid operated logic elements each having two chambers separated by a diaphragm movable thereinto to control at least one fluid path therethrough, a source of fluid at a predetermined pressure, output means operable from said fluid at said pressure, a fluid flow path from said source through at least a selected one of said elements to operate said output means, a logic fluid flow network connected through said elements to control the positions of a plurality of said diaphragms by establishing fluid at different pressure levels on opposite sides of the diaphragms thereby to connect said fluid flow path from said source to said output means by a predetermined operation sequence, means starting said sequence by a fluid trigger pulse signal reducing fluid pressure below said source pressure at the diaphragm of one of said elements causing it to move into a control position and circuit connections in said network at each element to cause predetermined changes in diaphragm position responsive to fluid pulse signals reducing fluid pressure received from a different element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
182 words
A fluid operated logic system comprising a plurality of fluid operated logic elements each having two chambers separated by a diaphragm movable thereinto to control at least one fluid path therethrough, a source of fluid at a predetermined pressure, output means operable from said fluid at said pressure, a fluid flow path from said source through at least a selected one of said elements to operate said output means, a logic fluid flow network connected through said elements to control the positions of a plurality of said diaphragms by establishing fluid at different pressure levels on opposite sides of the diaphragms thereby to connect said fluid flow path from said source to said output means by a predetermined operation sequence, means starting said sequence by a fluid trigger pulse signal reducing fluid pressure below said source pressure at the diaphragm of one of said elements causing it to move into a control position and circuit connections in said network at each element to cause predetermined changes in diaphragm position responsive to fluid pulse signals reducing fluid pressure received from a different element.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |