Multi-channel controller

Claim 2

A multi-channel control device, comprising: drive means, including a shaft adapted to rotate at constant angular velocity; a cam plate, rotating with said shaft and reciprocable thereon between a first axial position and a second axial position; a projection on said cam plate; positioning means, for translating said cam plate from said first into said second axial position; a plurality of cam-actuated switching elements spaced around periphery of said cam plate in a plane orthogonal to axis of said shaft, said plane including said second axial position; biasing means urging said cam plate toward said first axial position; display means synchronized with rotation of said shaft, indicating instantaneous angular position of said projection; and control means for energizing said positioning means, thereby translating said cam plate into said second axial position and causing said projection on the cam plate to actuate one or more of said switching elements while rotating upon its shaft, until said positioning means is de-energized and the cam plate returned to the first axial position under the influence of said biasing means.

Claim 3

The control device defined in claim 1, said drive means including an electric motor and a gear train for reducing the rotational speed of said motor, and the output of said gear train driving said shaft.

Claim 4

The device defined in claim 2, said positioning means including at least one electromagnet and wherein said cam plate is constructed from a ferromagnetic material.

Claim 5

The control device defined in claim 1, wherein said switching elements break or make electrical circuits.

Claim 6

The control device defined in claim 4, wherein said switching elements are of the maintained position type.

Claim 7

The control device defined in claim 1, wherein said switching elements are electrical switches of the push-push, maintained position type.

Claim 8

The control device defined in claim 1, wherein said display means include an indicator shaft rotating at the same angular velocity as said cam plate, a pointer rigidly affixed to said indicator shaft and symbols, corresponding in number to said plurality of switching elements, arranged radially spaced from said indicator shaft such that the relative location of said pointer and said symbols is indicative of relative location of said projection and said switching elements.

Claim 9

The control device defined in claim 3, wherein said biasing means is a spring.

Claim 10

The control device defined in claim 8, wherein said control means include electrical switching means for supplying power to said positioning means, thereby attracting said ferromagnetic cam plate into said second axial position against restraining force of said biasing means.

Claim 11

A multi-channel control device, comprising: a shaft; drive means, for rotating said shaft at constant angular velocity, including an electrical motor and speed-reducing gear train between said shaft and an output shaft of the motor; a cam plate, constructed of ferromagnetic material, rotatAbly engaged upon said shaft and reciprocable thereon between a first axial position and a second axial position; spring means, coaxial with said shaft, urging said cam plate into said first axial position; a plurality of electromagnets, located along said shaft and equidistant therefrom, beyond said second axial position; a plurality of cam-actuated electrical switches spaced around periphery of said cam plate in a plane orthogonal to axis of said shaft, said plane including said second axial position; a cam projecting from periphery of said cam plate; display means synchronized with rotation of said shaft, indicating instantaneous angular position of said cam with respect to angular location of said electrical switches; and a control switch for energizing said electromagnets, thereby attracting said cam plate into said second axial position and causing said cam to trip such of said electrical switches as may be located within its arc of rotation while said electromagnets remain energized.

Claim 12

A multi-channel control device, comprising: a shaft; drive means, for rotating said shaft at constant angular velocity, including an electrical motor and speed-reducing gear train between said shaft and an output shaft of the motor; a cam plate, constructed of ferromagnetic material, rotatAbly engaged upon said shaft and reciprocable thereon between a first axial position and a second axial position; spring means, coaxial with said shaft, urging said cam plate into said first axial position; a plurality of electromagnets, located along said shaft and equidistant therefrom, beyond said second axial position; a plurality of cam-actuated electrical switches spaced around periphery of said cam plate in a plane orthogonal to axis of said shaft, said plane including said second axial position; a cam projecting from periphery of said cam plate; display means synchronized with rotation of said shaft, indicating instantaneous angular position of said cam with respect to angular location of said electrical switches; and a control switch for energizing said electromagnets, thereby attracting said cam plate into said second axial position and causing said cam to trip such of said electrical switches as may be located within its arc of rotation while said electromagnets remain energized.