Patent US3724913A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3724913A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrodynamic self-lapping valve
Assignee: Compagnie des Freins et Signaux Westinghouse SA
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Filing: 1971-03-18
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-03-18
Abstract
Abstract Electrodynamic self-lapping valve apparatus for controlling supply and release of fluid pressure for a fluid pressure operable device by electromagnetically selectively positioning a light shield between a source of light and a selected one of a plurality of light responsive sensors, said apparatus also including pressure differential means responsive to the degree of fluid pressure supplied or released for restoring the light shield to a neutral position to effect a lap condition of the apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 J Levy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:28
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T13/00; B60T13/10; B60T13/66; B60T13/665; B60T8/00; B60T8/32; B60T8/34; B60T8/36; B60T8/50; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87169; Y10T137/87217
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
310 words
Electrodynamic self-lapping valve apparatus comprising: a. a source of fluid under pressure, b. a fluid pressure operable device; c. electromagnet valve means including a supply valve and a release valve alternatively energizable for effecting supply of fluid under pressure from said source to said fluid pressure operable device and release of such fluid pressure from the fluid pressure operable device, respectively; d. electrical circuitry means including a source of electrical energy and respective circuits connected to said supply valve and said release valve, e. said circuits being normally open and each being effective when alternatively closed for energizing the respective one of said supply and release valves; f. a member having a neutral position in which both said circuits are open and being movable in one direction out of said neutral position to a first position in response to a first force acting thereon in said one direction and in an opposite direction to a second position in response to a counter force acting thereon in said opposite direction; g. means carried on said member and effective in the first position of said member for closing one of said circuits for energizing one of said supply and release valves and effective in the second position of said member for closing the other circuit for energizing the other of said supply and release valves; h. variable energizable electromagnetic means operable responsively to electrical energization for exerting said first force on said member at a degree corresponding to the degree of such electrical energization; and i. fluid pressure means responsive to fluid pressure supplied to said fluid pressure operable device for exerting said counter force on said member according to the degree of fluid pressure supplied to the fluid pressure operable device and being effective, when said first and counter forces are equal, for restoring said member to its said neutral position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
310 words
Electrodynamic self-lapping valve apparatus comprising: a. a source of fluid under pressure, b. a fluid pressure operable device; c. electromagnet valve means including a supply valve and a release valve alternatively energizable for effecting supply of fluid under pressure from said source to said fluid pressure operable device and release of such fluid pressure from the fluid pressure operable device, respectively; d. electrical circuitry means including a source of electrical energy and respective circuits connected to said supply valve and said release valve, e. said circuits being normally open and each being effective when alternatively closed for energizing the respective one of said supply and release valves; f. a member having a neutral position in which both said circuits are open and being movable in one direction out of said neutral position to a first position in response to a first force acting thereon in said one direction and in an opposite direction to a second position in response to a counter force acting thereon in said opposite direction; g. means carried on said member and effective in the first position of said member for closing one of said circuits for energizing one of said supply and release valves and effective in the second position of said member for closing the other circuit for energizing the other of said supply and release valves; h. variable energizable electromagnetic means operable responsively to electrical energization for exerting said first force on said member at a degree corresponding to the degree of such electrical energization; and i. fluid pressure means responsive to fluid pressure supplied to said fluid pressure operable device for exerting said counter force on said member according to the degree of fluid pressure supplied to the fluid pressure operable device and being effective, when said first and counter forces are equal, for restoring said member to its said neutral position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
Electrodynamic self-lapping valve apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said variably energizable electromagnetic means comprises: a. a permanent magnet having a centrally formed recess; b. a coil coaxially disposed in said recess; c. an armature carrying said coil and having said member connected thereto in axial alignment for movement therewith; d. said armature normally being biased by said permanent magnet to a neutral position coinciding with the neutral position of said member and being movable in said one direction upon energization of the coil; and e. rheostat means for effecting variable energization of said coil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
An electrodynamic self-lapping valve apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said member comprises a rod having said armature affixed at one end thereof and said fluid pressure means mounted on the opposite end, said fluid pressure means including a pair of differential pressure area piston members fixed in axially spaced-apart relation on said rod with a pressure chamber formed therebetween and subject to fluid pressure supplied to the fluid pressure operable device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
Electrodynamic self-lapping valve apparatus, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the larger of said piston members is positioned relative to the smaller piston member such that the resulting counter force is directed in said opposite direction relative to said first force.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
Electrodynamic self-lapping valve apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, further characterized by stop means for limiting movement of said member in said one and opposite directions to said first and second positions, respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
Electrodynamic self-lapping valve apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. said electrical circuitry means comprises: i. respective light responsive sensors connected in each of said circuits in fixed positions relative to said member, and ii. a light source emitting a light beam directed on a path in alignment with said light responsive sensors; and b. said means carried on said member comprises a light-shielding member having an aperture formed therein, said light-shielding member being so positioned on said member as to interrupt said light beam when said member is in its said neutral position and to place said aperture in alignment with one of said sensors in the first position of said member and in alignment with the other of said sensors in the second position of said member for closing the respective circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
Electrodynamic self-lapping valve apparatus, as set forth in claim 6, further characterized by fail-safe means comprising: a. a pair of contact elements connected in said circuits in parallel relation to said light responsive sensors, respectively, and in fixed relation to said member; and b. a switch element fixed on said member in such a position as to occupy a neutral position out of contact with said contact elements when said member is in its said neutral position, c. said switch element being operable to a first contact position in contact with one of said contact elements and to a second contact position in contact with the other contact element for alternatively closing one or the other of said circuits upon movement of said member to its said first and second positions, respectively.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3528709A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |