Abstract The invention comprises a plurality of interconnected panel elements each having a plurality of generally flat bistable display members arranged thereon in a series of rows and columns. Each display member has one surface which is substantially nonreflecting and generally light absorbing. The opposite surface of each display member is bright or, in many instances, is coated with a fluorescent or a luminescent material particularly adapted for excitation by ultraviolet light to bring it to a highly luminous state for display purposes. A plurality of magnetically operated signal-controlled fluid jets is positioned adjacent to the panel and so located as to be capable of moving selected ones of the bistable display members between the two bistable positions for display. The display members are preferably arranged so that for clearance a complete column of display members can be simultaneously changed to one of the two different positions of stability which may be regarded as a datum state. Following each control of the display column with all display members similarly oriented the next adjacent column may be similarly controlled, and so on. After all display members of the display panel are in like position selective ones of the group may be oriented to the second position so that by relative contrast a message may be displayed. The panels with the messages formed thereon in such fashion are then successively moved through a display region for viewing.
An electromagnetic valve comprising a fluidtight chamber adapted to have fluid under pressure above atmospheric supplied thereto, jet nozzle structure means connected into said chamber, a passage formed in said nozzle structure means allowing passage to and from said chamber, an electromagnet, a resilient armature member disposed within the magnetic field of said electromagnet, a surface of said armature member, a valve member projection from said surface toward said jet structure nozzle means, a stop member yieldingly urging said valve member away from said electromagnet and toward said jet structure nozzle means to close said passage, said armature member responsive to energization of said electromagnet to move toward said electromagnet whereby said valve member is moved from said jet structure nozzle means to open said passage, and said stop member constructed and arranged to increase the force with which it urges said valve member toward said passage as the distance between said armature member and said electromagnet is decreased, and an end of said armature member turned upon itself to allow said surface to contact said stop member whereby movement of said armature toward said electromagnet causes the force with which said surface contacts said stop to be increased.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
An electromagnetic valve comprising a fluidtight chamber adapted to have fluid under pressure above atmospheric supplied thereto, jet nozzle structure means connected into said chamber, a passage formed in said nozzle structure means allowing passage to and from said chamber, an electromagnet, a resilient armature member disposed within the magnetic field of said electromagnet, a surface of said armature member, a valve member projection from said surface toward said jet structure nozzle means, a stop member yieldingly urging said valve member away from said electromagnet and toward said jet structure nozzle means to close said passage, said armature member responsive to energization of said electromagnet to move toward said electromagnet whereby said valve member is moved from said jet structure nozzle means to open said passage, and said stop member constructed and arranged to increase the force with which it urges said valve member toward said passage as the distance between said armature member and said electromagnet is decreased, and an end of said armature member turned upon itself to allow said surface to contact said stop member whereby movement of said armature toward said electromagnet causes the force with which said surface contacts said stop to be increased.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
An electromagnetic valve in accordance with claim l in which a second electromagnet is provided and said armature is fixedly supported at one end with said armature and said electromagnets arranged to provide substantially equal spacing between each of said electromagnets and said armature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electromagnetic valve in accordance with claim l in which the end of said armature which is turned upon itself provides a U-shaped portion.