Control system

Claim 2

A control system for producing an output signal to operate a device comprising, a first fluid pulse generator generating a first fluid pulse only in response to a first manual force change, a second fluid pulse generator generating a second fluid pulse only in response to a second manual force change, fluid responsive switching means for providing an output signal when actuated to assume a first condition, first means coupled to said first and second pulse generators for requiring an operator to substantially simultaneously effect said first and second force changes to produce said first and second fluid pulses substantially simultaneously to actuate said fluid responsive switching means to assume said first condition, and second means for causing said fluid responsive switch to always assume a second condition preventing the occurrence of said output signal shortly after assuming said first condition.

Claim 3

A control system according to claim 1 wherein said first and second fluid pulse generators are spaced apart in a manner allowing an operator to apply only one said manual force with each hand.

Claim 4

A control system according to claim 1 wherein each said fluid pulse generator comprises a control member movable over a distance to generate said pulse.

Claim 5

A control system according to claim 3 wheRein each said fluid pulse generator comprises a manually depressible pushbutton connected to said control member.

Claim 6

A control system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said fluid pulse generators comprises a fluid cylinder having an outlet, a piston movable in said cylinder to displace fluid through said outlet, a manually depressible push button connected to said piston, and biasing means biasing said piston away from said outlet in the absence of manual force on said push button.

Claim 7

A control system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said fluid pulse generators comprises a fluid chamber having a flexible fluid-confining member and having a fluid outlet, and a manually depressible push button connected to said fluid-confining member, said button, when depressed, decreasing the fluid volume confined by said member to generate a fluid pulse at said outlet.

Claim 8

A control system according to claim 6 wherein said flexible fluid-confining member is a flexible diaphragm.

Claim 9

A control system according to claim 6 including biasing means for expanding said fluid-confining member to contain a fluid volume, said push button being depressible against said biasing means to decrease said fluid volume.

Claim 10

A control system according to claim 1 wherein said fluid-responsive switch comprises dissipating means for dissipating the pressure increases due to at least one of said pulses after a selected time interval.

Claim 11

A control system according to claim 1 wherein said fluid pulses are pneumatic pulses.

Claim 12

A control system for producing an output signal to operate a device comprising a first fluid pulse generator generating a first fluid pulse in response to a manual force, a second fluid pulse generator generating a second fluid pulse in response to another manual force, and a fluid-responsive switch responsive only to substantially simultaneous receipt of said first pulse and said second pulse to produce said output, wherein said fluid-responsive switch comprises a housing, a flexible sealing member dividing said housing into first and second pressure chambers, a first pulse inlet port, a fluid outlet port, a vent port, all of said first pulse inlet port, said fluid outlet port, and said vent port opening to said second pressure chamber, a second pulse inlet port opening to said second pressure chamber, a control port between said first pulse inlet port and said vent port, pressure dissipating means from said second pressure chamber, and signal means connected to said fluid outlet port and responsive to an increase in pressure at said outlet port to produce said output signal, said sealing member being, when unflexed, spaced from said control port to allow the increase in pressure in said first pressure chamber due to receipt of a fluid pulse from said first pulse inlet port to be relieved by said vent port, said sealing member being flexed in response to an increase in pressure in said second pressure chamber due to receipt of a fluid pulse from said second pulse inlet port to close said control port, whereby the increase in pressure in said first pressure chamber produces a fluid output at said fluid outlet port, said pressure dissipating means dissipating the increase in pressure in said second pressure chamber after a selected time interval to enable said sealing member to return to its unflexed position.

Claim 13

A control system for producing an output signal to operate a device comprising a first fluid pulse generator generating a first fluid pulse in response to a manual force, a second fluid pulse generator generating a second fluid pulse in response to another manual force, and a fluid-responsive switch responsive only to substantially simultaneous receipt of said first pulse and said second pulse to produce said output, wherein said fluid-responsive switch comprises a housing, a flexible sealing member dividing said housing into first and second pressure chambers, a first pulse inlet port, a fluid outlet port, a vent port, all of said first pulse inlet port, said fluid outlet port, and said vent port opening to said second pressure chamber, a second pulse inlet port opening to said second pressure chamber, a control port between said first pulse inlet port and said vent port, pressure dissipating means from said second pressure chamber, and signal means connected to said fluid outlet port and responsive to an increase in pressure at said outlet port to produce said output signal, said sealing member being, when unflexed, spaced from said control port to allow the increase in pressure in said first pressure chamber due to receipt of a fluid pulse from said first pulse inlet port to be relieved by said vent port, said sealing member being flexed in response to an increase in pressure in said second pressure chamber due to receipt of a fluid pulse from said second pulse inlet port to close said control port, whereby the increase in pressure in said first pressure chamber produces a fluid output at said fluid outlet port, said pressure dissipating means dissipating the increase in pressure in said second pressure chamber after a selected time interval to enable said sealing member to return to its unflexed position.

Claim 14

A control system according to claim 11 wherein each said pulse generator comprises a manually depressible push button, and a control member, connected to said push button and movable over a distance when said push button is depressed to generate said fluid pulses.

Claim 15

A control system according to claim 12 including biasing means biasing said push button to a normally OFF position.

Claim 16

A control system according to claim 12 wherein said push buttons are spaced apart in a manner allowing an operator to push only one button with each hand.

Claim 17

A control system according to claim 12 wherein said control member comprises a pisTon movable over a distance to generate a pulse.

Claim 18

A control member according to claim 12 wherein said control member is a flexible diaphragm confining a fluid volume and having a fluid outlet, said push button, when depressed, decreasing said fluid volume to generate a fluid pulse.

Claim 19

A control system according to claim 11 where said dissipating means comprises a bleed valve for bleeding the increase in pressure in said second pressure chamber as soon as said second fluid pulse enters said second pulse inlet port.

Claim 20

A control system according to claim 12 wherein said fluid pulses are pneumatic pulses.