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US3604460A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Pneumatic convertible relay capable of performing logic functions

Assignee: Scovill Inc
•
Filing: 1969-02-14
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Granted: 1971-09-14
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Expires: 1989-02-14
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Abstract

Abstract A pneumatic convertible relay capable of performing logic functions has a relay body that includes a control mechanism for moving a valve member. The valve member includes a slideable stem with a foot on one end and a head on the other end. For a normally open construction the head carries an angular valve head seal and in normally closed construction the foot also carries a seal for controlling flow between a mating seat and a passage along the slidable stem. The valve body is in three sections and includes an inlet, an outlet, an exhaust, and two control openings. The control mechanism includes a diaphragm positioned to act on the foot of the valve member under control of pressure applied to either of the control openings. A slideable shuttle provides alternative operation. The valve is convertible from a normally open construction to a normally closed construction by changing the position of a passage in a valve seat to connect either the inlet to the outlet or the exhaust to the outlet and the position of the annular valve seal, while the other components remain the same. This invention relates to improvements in pneumatic relays with logic functions. There are many types of pneumatic relays known in the art which allow for various combinations or sequences of control. These relays may be generally classified in two categories. One category of prior art relays are those capable of performing logic functions according to their mode of connection to various control openings. These relays allow the construction of predetermined automatic controls with the help of a reduced number of relays. However, these relays are relatively complicated and complex as well as expensive. Another type of relay is that capable of performing only one basic logic function. These relays are of relatively simple construction and low cost; however, allow only one logic function to be accomplished, e.g., the inhibit function. The association of these relays, according to the rules of Boolian algebra allows several complex logical functions to be performed. In order to simplify the construction of a network to provide a desired logic function and reduce the cost of it, it is preferable to use only two elementary cells or relays. One, normally open (n/o) corresponds to a negation or inhibit function. The other, normally closed (n/c) corresponds to an affirmative function. Of course, normally open relays as well as normally closed relays are known in the art. However, these known relays have very different functions, and cannot be constructed form identical elements. This invention provides a pneumatic relay capable of being constructed from identical components which may take the form of either normally open or normally closed with minor variations. The relay, in accordance with this invention, allows provision of all the logic functions and the construction of a hazard free memory. Consequently, this invention relates to a pneumatic relay with logic functions characterized in that, inside the relay''s body, it includes a control assembly with at least two access openings. A valve slide member has a foot On one end and a head on the other end provided with a valve seal, and the valve member is guided in the valve body. A passage extends in the valve body along the stem of the slideable valve member, and the valve seal on the valve head controls the communication between an inlet chamber and this passage, which may be in the form of a groove in the stem of the valve member. In a normally closed construction, an outlet port is in communication with the groove passage in the valve stem, and the valve head seal closes this passage from the inlet chamber in normal condition. In the normally open construction, a passage is provided in the valve seat, normally connecting the inlet and outlet chambers, while the groove passage in the stem of the valve member is normally connected only to exhaust, but when the control mechanism changes the position of the valve, the valve head closes the passage between the inlet and outlet chambers, and connects the outlet chamber to exhaust through the groove in the valve stem.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gerard C C J Delrue

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 15:47
CPC Classifications
B; B02; B02C; B02C2/00; B02C2/02; B02C2/04; B02C2/045; F; F15; F15C; F15C3/00; F15C3/02; F15C3/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2559; Y10T137/2564; Y10T137/2567; Y10T137/5109; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86574; Y10T137/86622; Y10T137/8663

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 314 words
A pneumatic relay capable of performing logic functions, comprising a body having an inlet port, an outlet port, an exhaust port, a pair of spaced control ports, an admission chamber in communication with said inlet port, an outlet chamber in communication with said outlet port, an exhaust chamber in communication with said exhaust port, said outlet chamber being disposed between said admission and exhaust chambers, and a control chamber: means for effecting communication between said control chamber and said control ports; a valve member slidably mounted within said body, said valve member comprising a head at one end thereof disposed in said admission chamber for controlling said inlet port, a stem connected to said head and extending from said admission chamber through said outlet chamber and into said exhaust chamber, said stem comprising a longitudinal groove on the outer surface thereof which is adapted to communicate with said admission, outlet and said exhaust chambers, a foot connected to said stem at the other end of said valve member, said foot being disposed in said exhaust chamber and being adapted to be controlled by the pressure in said control chamber to effect movement of said valve member; and sealing means on said valve member adapted to engage adjacent portions of said body to control flow through said stem groove and between said admission, outlet and exhaust chambers when said valve member is moved, said sealing means comprising a first annular seal on said valve head surrounding said stem; said body comprising a first seat for said seal surrounding said valve stem and being disposed between said admission chamber and said outlet chamber, said first seat having a passage therethrough for establishing communication between said admission chamber and said outlet chamber, and a second seal disposed between said first seat and an adjacent body portion for preventing communication between said outlet chamber and said stem groove.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 314 words
A pneumatic relay capable of performing logic functions, comprising a body having an inlet port, an outlet port, an exhaust port, a pair of spaced control ports, an admission chamber in communication with said inlet port, an outlet chamber in communication with said outlet port, an exhaust chamber in communication with said exhaust port, said outlet chamber being disposed between said admission and exhaust chambers, and a control chamber: means for effecting communication between said control chamber and said control ports; a valve member slidably mounted within said body, said valve member comprising a head at one end thereof disposed in said admission chamber for controlling said inlet port, a stem connected to said head and extending from said admission chamber through said outlet chamber and into said exhaust chamber, said stem comprising a longitudinal groove on the outer surface thereof which is adapted to communicate with said admission, outlet and said exhaust chambers, a foot connected to said stem at the other end of said valve member, said foot being disposed in said exhaust chamber and being adapted to be controlled by the pressure in said control chamber to effect movement of said valve member; and sealing means on said valve member adapted to engage adjacent portions of said body to control flow through said stem groove and between said admission, outlet and exhaust chambers when said valve member is moved, said sealing means comprising a first annular seal on said valve head surrounding said stem; said body comprising a first seat for said seal surrounding said valve stem and being disposed between said admission chamber and said outlet chamber, said first seat having a passage therethrough for establishing communication between said admission chamber and said outlet chamber, and a second seal disposed between said first seat and an adjacent body portion for preventing communication between said outlet chamber and said stem groove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 47 words
The relay of claim 1 wherein spring means is disposed in said admission chamber for engagement with said head to urge it to a position wherein said seal first is in engagement with said first seat to close communication between said admission chamber and said stem groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 46 words
The relay of claim 1 wherein said means for effecting communication between said control chamber and said control ports comprising a passage between said control chamber and said control ports, and a shuttle plug movable in said passage in response to pressure in said control ports.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 52 words
The relay of claim 1 wherein said body is constructed in three sections, one section containing said inlet port, a second section containing said outlet port and said valve member, and a third section containing said control chamber and said means for effecting communication between said control chamber and said control ports.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
The relay of claim 4 wherein said three sections comprise an encircling groove, and are secured together by a band portion within said groove.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 45 words
The relay of claim 1 wherein said exhaust chamber and said control chamber are separated by a flexible membrane mounted within said body, said membrane being deformed into engagement with said foot to move said valve member in response to pressure in said control chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 321 words
A pneumatic relay capable of performing logic functions, comprising a body having an inlet port, an outlet port, an exhaust port, a pair of spaced control ports, an admission chamber in communication with said inlet port, an outlet chamber in communication with said outlet port, an exhaust chamber in communicatIon with said exhaust port, said outlet chamber being disposed between said admission and exhaust chambers, and a control chamber; means for effecting communication between said control chamber and said control ports; a valve member slidably mounted within said body, said valve member comprising a head at one end thereof disposed in said admission chamber for controlling said inlet port, a stem connected to said head and extending from said admission chamber through said outlet chamber and into said exhaust chamber, said stem comprising a longitudinal groove on the outer surface thereof which is adapted to communicate with said admission, outlet and said exhaust chambers, a foot connected to said stem at the other end of said valve member, said foot being disposed in said exhaust chamber and being adapted to be controlled by the pressure in said control chamber to effect movement of said valve member; and sealing means on said valve member adapted to engage adjacent portions of said body to control flow through said stem groove and between said admission, outlet and exhaust chambers when said valve member is moved, said sealing means comprising a first annular seal on said valve head surrounding said stem; said body comprising a first seat for said seal surrounding said valve stem and being disposed between said admission chamber and said outlet chamber, and a second seat facing said valve foot; said foot having a second annular seal mounted thereon and surrounding said valve stem, said second seal being adapted to engage said second seat when said foot is subjected to pressure in said control chamber and is moved toward said second seat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 321 words
A pneumatic relay capable of performing logic functions, comprising a body having an inlet port, an outlet port, an exhaust port, a pair of spaced control ports, an admission chamber in communication with said inlet port, an outlet chamber in communication with said outlet port, an exhaust chamber in communicatIon with said exhaust port, said outlet chamber being disposed between said admission and exhaust chambers, and a control chamber; means for effecting communication between said control chamber and said control ports; a valve member slidably mounted within said body, said valve member comprising a head at one end thereof disposed in said admission chamber for controlling said inlet port, a stem connected to said head and extending from said admission chamber through said outlet chamber and into said exhaust chamber, said stem comprising a longitudinal groove on the outer surface thereof which is adapted to communicate with said admission, outlet and said exhaust chambers, a foot connected to said stem at the other end of said valve member, said foot being disposed in said exhaust chamber and being adapted to be controlled by the pressure in said control chamber to effect movement of said valve member; and sealing means on said valve member adapted to engage adjacent portions of said body to control flow through said stem groove and between said admission, outlet and exhaust chambers when said valve member is moved, said sealing means comprising a first annular seal on said valve head surrounding said stem; said body comprising a first seat for said seal surrounding said valve stem and being disposed between said admission chamber and said outlet chamber, and a second seat facing said valve foot; said foot having a second annular seal mounted thereon and surrounding said valve stem, said second seal being adapted to engage said second seat when said foot is subjected to pressure in said control chamber and is moved toward said second seat.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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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) 1974-09-13 1975-03-15 1975-09-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1978-09-13 1979-03-15 1979-09-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1982-09-13 1983-03-15 1983-09-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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