Electronic sequencer

Claim 2

Apparatus for energizing selected loads in a predetermined sequence and at predetermined intervals of time, comprising: a plurality of identical electronic modules, each of said modules having an input terminal, an output terminal, and a plurality of load terminals; means, comprising an electrical connection, for electrically connecting the output terminal of each of said modules to the input terminal of a responsive subsequent module, whereby said modules are joined together in a closed loop circuit, in which each module has a preceding module and a subsequent module; means, comprising an electrical coupling, for electrically coupling said output terminal of each of said modules to the output terminal of its preceding modules; means for causing the firing of a selected module to energize said load terminals of that module and produce an output signal at said output terminal; said electrical coupling being operable to cause said output signal of said selected module to extinguish the module preceding the selected module; said electrical connection being operable to cause said output signal to activate the module subsequent to said selected module; whereby each module of said set fires in sequence, and this firing mode steps through the modules of the series.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1, including means for connecting given combinations of loads to various load terminals of said modules; means for energizing associated combinations of said loads when each said module assumes its firing state; said combinations of loads remaining energized for the duration of the firing state of associated modules.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 1, including means for causing one of said modules to maintain its firing state.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 1, inlcuding means for introducing an individually controlled delay interval into each of said modules.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 4, including means for producing a semi-automatic operation of said apparatus; said semi-automatic operation comprising switch means for introducing an infinitely-long delay interval.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 1, including panic button means for terminating the sequencing operation of the subject apparatus.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 1, including supervisory buttom means for enabling the sequencing of said apparatus in case of a power shutdown.

Claim 9

Apparatus for energizing selected loads in a predetermined sequence, and for predetermined intervals of time, comprising: a plurality of identical electrical modules, each said module having an input terminal, an output terminal, and a plurality of load terminals; means, comprising an electrical connection, for electrically connecting the output terminal of each of said modules to the input terminal of its subsequent module, whereby said modules are joined together in a closed loop circuit, in which each module has a preceding module and a subsequent module; means, comprising an electrical coupling, for electrically coupling said output terminal of each of said modules to said the output terminal of its preceding module; means for applying a starting signal to at least one selected module of said set of modules; means for causing said starting signal to fire said selected module; means for applying initiating signals to said modules of said set of modules means on each of said modules for producing an output signal when the module is fired, said output signal being transmitted to the output terminal of that module and thence to the input terminal of the subsequent module; timer means connected to the input terminal of each module and activated by said output sIgnal received from the preceding module for introducing an individually controllable delay interval between the application of said output signal and the firing of the associated module; means actuated by said timer means for causing the firing of a module to produce an output signal at the output terminal of said fired module; said electrical coupling, being operable to cause said output signal to extinguish the module preceding said fired module; and said electrical connection being operable to cause said output signal to activate said timer means of the module subsequent to said fired module; said fired module remaining in its firing state for the duration of the delay interval of its subsequent module; whereby each module fires in sequence, and the firing mode steps through the modules of the series at a reate determined by the delay setting of the various modules.

Claim 10

Apparatus for energizing selected loads in a predetermined sequence, and for predetermined intervals of time, comprising: a plurality of identical electrical modules, each said module having an input terminal, an output terminal, and a plurality of load terminals; means, comprising an electrical connection, for electrically connecting the output terminal of each of said modules to the input terminal of its subsequent module, whereby said modules are joined together in a closed loop circuit, in which each module has a preceding module and a subsequent module; means, comprising an electrical coupling, for electrically coupling said output terminal of each of said modules to said the output terminal of its preceding module; means for applying a starting signal to at least one selected module of said set of modules; means for causing said starting signal to fire said selected module; means for applying initiating signals to said modules of said set of modules means on each of said modules for producing an output signal when the module is fired, said output signal being transmitted to the output terminal of that module and thence to the input terminal of the subsequent module; timer means connected to the input terminal of each module and activated by said output sIgnal received from the preceding module for introducing an individually controllable delay interval between the application of said output signal and the firing of the associated module; means actuated by said timer means for causing the firing of a module to produce an output signal at the output terminal of said fired module; said electrical coupling, being operable to cause said output signal to extinguish the module preceding said fired module; and said electrical connection being operable to cause said output signal to activate said timer means of the module subsequent to said fired module; said fired module remaining in its firing state for the duration of the delay interval of its subsequent module; whereby each module fires in sequence, and the firing mode steps through the modules of the series at a reate determined by the delay setting of the various modules.

Claim 11

The invention of claim 8 including means for causing one of the modules to maintain its firing state.

Claim 12

The invention of claim 9, including means for producing a semi-automatic operation of said apparatus, said semi-automatic operation comprising one module having an inhibiting connection having a switch therein.

Claim 13

The invention of claim 9, including panic button means for terminating the operation of said apparatus; said panic button means comprising means for maintaining a given module in its firing state, said firing state of said module being determined to be the safest step at which to stop the sequence of said apparatus.

Claim 14

The invention of claim 8, including supervisory button means for enabling the sequence of said apparatus after a powder shutdown; said supervisory button means comprising means for enabling the starting circuit of a given module.

Claim 15

The invention of claim 8, including means for selectively connecting given electric loads to particular load terminals of various modules of said set of modules; means for energizing the loads connected to the load terminals of said modules when each of said modules firing: whereby selected loads are energized in a predetermined sequence, and for predetermined time intervals.