Patent US3769996A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3769996A
Expired / Lapsed
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Fluid timer and method
Assignee: LOW TECH AUTOMATION Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1971-04-19
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Granted: 1973-11-06
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Expires: 1991-04-19
Abstract
Abstract A timer apparatus and method wherein a fluid signal is produced at a predetermined time in a passage at the downstream side of a choked fluid pressure supply line by the opening and/or closing of a vent connected to such passage, and wherein such vent opening and/or closing is a function of the change in fluid pressure in a chamber occasioned by fluid flow through a predetermined size orifice connected to the chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 M Norman
- 👤 E Holbrook
- 👤 W Gripe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:35
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/44; F16K31/48; H; H01; H01H; H01H43/00; H01H43/24; H01H43/28; H01H43/285; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2544; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86389; Y10T137/86405; Y10T137/86413
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A fluid timer comprising: a housing and a diaphragm carried thereby defining a fluid pressure chamber, said housing having a fluid flow (first) passage connected to said chamber; means providing a fluid metering (first) orifice in said passage and providing a variable fluid pressure in said chamber and displacement of said diaphragm as a function of time; means resiliently biasing said diaphragm against displacement by increasing pressure in said chamber; said housing having a control (second) passage adapted for connection to a source of fluid under pressure and providing a vent port for said passage and a valve seat surrounding said port positioned in proximate confronting relation to the side of said diaphragm exterior to said chamber; means providing a flow restricting (second) orifice in said control passage upstream from said vent port and being smaller than said port so as to maintain a pressure in said control passage near vent pressure in the open position of said port; and a valve member carried by said diaphragm at said side in alignment with said port and movable with said diaphragm into and out of engagement with said seat, said valve member moving to said seat and functioning to close said vent port thereby causing an abrupt pressure change in said control passage upon increasing pressure in said chamber to a predetermined amount and moving away from said seat to open said port upon decreasing pressure in said chamber below said predetermined amount.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
242 words
A fluid timer comprising: a housing and a diaphragm carried thereby defining a fluid pressure chamber, said housing having a fluid flow (first) passage connected to said chamber; means providing a fluid metering (first) orifice in said passage and providing a variable fluid pressure in said chamber and displacement of said diaphragm as a function of time; means resiliently biasing said diaphragm against displacement by increasing pressure in said chamber; said housing having a control (second) passage adapted for connection to a source of fluid under pressure and providing a vent port for said passage and a valve seat surrounding said port positioned in proximate confronting relation to the side of said diaphragm exterior to said chamber; means providing a flow restricting (second) orifice in said control passage upstream from said vent port and being smaller than said port so as to maintain a pressure in said control passage near vent pressure in the open position of said port; and a valve member carried by said diaphragm at said side in alignment with said port and movable with said diaphragm into and out of engagement with said seat, said valve member moving to said seat and functioning to close said vent port thereby causing an abrupt pressure change in said control passage upon increasing pressure in said chamber to a predetermined amount and moving away from said seat to open said port upon decreasing pressure in said chamber below said predetermined amount.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A fluid timer as defined in claim 1: said first named means comprising a plate demountably positioned in sealed engagement with said first passage and having an apertur of predetermined size determining the rate of displacement of said diaphragm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A timer as defined in claim 2: a plurality of said plates being mounted in said first passage and a plurality of sealing members sealing said plates in longitudinally spaced relation therein and providing accumulated reduction in the rate of displacement of said diaphragm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A timer as defined in claim 1: means providing a third passage connected to said chamber in parallel flow relation to said first named orifice; and a pressure responsive check valve mounted in and controlling the flow through said third passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
A timer as defined in claim 4: said housing being formed with a fluid inlet (fourth) passage adapted for connection to a source of fluid under pressure and being connected to said first, second, and third passages; and said check valve being constructed to close flow through said third passage upon application of fluid pressure to said fourth passage thereby restricting fluid flow entry to said chamber through said first orifice, said valve being constructed to open said flow in said third passage upon venting of said fourth passage to thereby vent said chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
A timer as defined in claim 4: said housing being formed with a fluid inlet (fourth) passage adapted for connection to a source of fluid under pressure and being connected to said first, second, and third passages; said check valve being constructed to open flow through said third passage upon aPplication of fluid pressure to said fourth passage thereby rapidly charging said chamber and to close said flow in said third passage upon venting of said fourth passage for timed reduction of pressure in said chamber by fluid flow therefrom through said first orifice.
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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) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |