US3878376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
•
Filing: 1973-12-17
•
Granted: 1975-04-15
•
Expires: 1993-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system is disclosed. The apparatus of the system includes a computer, equipment which converts the computer instructions to electrical power to operate solenoid valves which with associated components pressurize or depressurize a closed volume, and a pressure measuring system which provides feedback to the computer. In applications where the pressurized device varies in volume or there is flow through the pressurized device, the pressure from the closed volume is fed to a pilot regulator system.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Frederick Gordon Sholes
- 👤 Gary Eugene Lovell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:11
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K37/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86389
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system comprising: a. a computer; b. a pressurized closed volume; c. means coupled to said pressurized closed volume for measuring the pressure in said pressurized closed volume; d. means coupled between said means for measuring said pressure in said pressurized closed volume and said computer for transmitting a signal indicative of said pressure in said pressurized closed volume to said computer; e. solenoid operated valve means coupled to said pressurized closed volume to change the pressure in said pressurized closed volume; f. a solenoid driver coupled to said valve means; g. a solenoid address register coupled between said computer and said solenoid driver; h. a counter coupled between said computer and said solenoid driver; and i. a time reference clock coupled to said counter, whereby said valve means is caused to open by an address read into said register from said computer for a time period determined by said counter counting impulses from said time reference clock to thereby change said pressure in said pressurized closed volume.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system comprising: a. a computer; b. a pressurized closed volume; c. means coupled to said pressurized closed volume for measuring the pressure in said pressurized closed volume; d. means coupled between said means for measuring said pressure in said pressurized closed volume and said computer for transmitting a signal indicative of said pressure in said pressurized closed volume to said computer; e. solenoid operated valve means coupled to said pressurized closed volume to change the pressure in said pressurized closed volume; f. a solenoid driver coupled to said valve means; g. a solenoid address register coupled between said computer and said solenoid driver; h. a counter coupled between said computer and said solenoid driver; and i. a time reference clock coupled to said counter, whereby said valve means is caused to open by an address read into said register from said computer for a time period determined by said counter counting impulses from said time reference clock to thereby change said pressure in said pressurized closed volume.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises a plurality of valves, each having an associated orifice.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system as defined in claim 2 wherein said plurality of valves includes a first solenoid operated valve coupled between a source of high pressure and said pressurized closed volume.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system as defined in claim 3 wherein said plurality of valves includes a second solenoid operated valve coupled across said first solenoid operated valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system as defined in claim 4 wherein said plurality of valves includes a third solenoid operated valve coupled between said pressurized closed volume and the atmosphere.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system as defined in claim 5 wherein said plurality of valves includes a fourth solenoid operated valve coupled between a vacuum source and said pressurized closed volume.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system as defined in claim 6 wherein said means to measure said pressure in said pressurized closed volume is a pressure transducer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for transmitting a signal indicative of said pressure in said pressurized closed volume comprises: a multiplexer coupled to said pressure transducer and an analog to digital converter coupled between said computer and said multiplexer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system as defined in claim 5 wherein a pressure regulator is coupled between said third solenoid operated valve and said atmosphere.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system as defined in claim 5 wherein a flow controller is coupled between said third solenoid operated valve and said atmosphere.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system as defined in claim 1 wherein a pilot regulAtor system is coupled between said pressurized closed volume and a device that is to be pressurized.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system as defined in claim 9 wherein a pilot regulator system is coupled between said pressurized closed volume and a device that is to be pressurized.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system as defined in claim 10 wherein a pilot regulator system is coupled between said pressurized closed volume and a device that is to be pressurized.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
93 words
A computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system as defined in claim 11 wherein said pilot regulator comprises: a first air loaded pressure regulator coupled between said pressurized closed volume and said device that is to be pressurized, said first air loaded pressure regulator having an exhaust ring; a vacuum source coupled to said exhaust ring; a second air loaded pressure regulator coupled between a high pressure source and said first air loaded pressure regulator; and a variable volume control device coupled to the downstream side of said first air loaded pressure regulator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
93 words
A computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system as defined in claim 12 wherein said pilot regulator comprises: a first air loaded pressure regulator coupled between said pressurized closed volume and said device that is to be pressurized, said first air loaded pressure regulator having an exhaust ring; a vacuum source coupled to said exhaust ring; a second air loaded pressure regulator coupled between a high pressure source and said first air loaded pressure regulator; and a variable volume control device coupled to the downstream side of said first air loaded pressure regulator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
93 words
A computer operated solenoid valve pressure control system as defined in claim 13 wherein said pilot regulator comprises: a first air loaded pressure regulator coupled between said pressurized closed volume and said device that is to be pressurized, said first air loaded pressure regulator having an exhaust ring; a vacuum source coupled to said exhaust ring; a second air loaded pressure regulator coupled between a high pressure source and said first air loaded pressure regulator; and a variable volume control device coupled to the downstream side of said first air loaded pressure regulator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |