Binary weighted digital flow regulating system

Claim 2

A binary weighted digital fluid flow control system comprising, means for electrically initiating a desired brake command signal, means responsive to the desired brake command signal for pneumatically establishing a given flow rate from a supply source to an operating load by selectively energizing and deenergizing a plurality of electromagnetic valves which have orifice areas that are successively proportioned by a power of two.

Claim 3

The binary weighted digital fluid flow control system, as defined in claim 1, wherein said initiating means is a brake command controller.

Claim 4

The binary weighted digital fluid flow control system, as defined in claim 1, wherein said responsive means is a microprocessor control unit.

Claim 5

The binary weighted digital fluid flow control system, as defined in claim 1, wherein a two-position, three-way solenoid valve is interposed between said supply source and said plurality of electromagnetic valves.

Claim 6

The binary weighted digital fluid flow control system, as defined in claim 1, wherein said operating load is a pneumatically operated brake cylinder.

Claim 7

A binary weighted digital fluid flow control system, as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of electromagnetic valves is a two-way normally closed solenoid valve.

Claim 8

The binary weighted digital fluid flow control system, as defined in claim 5, wherein a pressure to electrical transducer senses the pressure in said brake cylinder and provides a feedback signal to said responsive means.

Claim 9

The binary weighted digital fluid flow control system, as defined in claim 1, wherein the orifice area of a first one of said plurality of electromagnetic valves is 1/7A: where A is the total orifice area of three electromagnetic valves.

Claim 10

The binary weighted digital fluid flow control system, as defined in claim 8, wherein the orifice area of a second one of said plurality of electromagnetic valves is 2/7A.

Claim 11

The binary weighted digital fluid flow control system, as defined in claim 1, wherein the orifice area of a third one of said plurality of electromagnetic valves is 4/7A.

Claim 12

The binary weighted digital fluid flow control system, as defined in claim 1, wherein the orifice area of successive ones of said plurality of electromagnetic valve is equal to AVn×2.sup.(n-1) : where A is the total area of all of said plurality of electromagnetic valves, and n is the number of said plurality of electromagnetic valves.

Claim 13

The binary weighted digital fluid flow control system, as defined in claim 1, wherein the orifice area of a first one of said plurality electromagnetic valves is 1/15A; where A is the total surface area of four electromagnetic valves.

Claim 14

The binary weighted digital fluid flow control system, as defined in claim 12, wherein the orifice area of a second one of said plurality of electromagnetic valves is 2/15A.

Claim 15

The binary weighted digital fluid flow control system, as defined in claim 13, wherein the orifice area of a third one of said plurality of electromagnetic valves is 4/15A.

Claim 16

The binary weighted digital fluid flow control system, as defined in claim 14, wherein the orifice area of a fourth one of said plurality of electromagnetic valves is 8/15A.

Claim 17

A binary regulating arrangement for digitally controlling the flow rate from a pressurized reservoir to a vehicle brake cylinder comprising, a brake command controller for converting selected brake positions into corresponding electrical signals, a two-position, three-way control magnet valve connectable to the pressurized reservoir and connectable to atmosphere, a plurality of parallel connected two-way magnet valves connectable between said two-position, three-way control valve and the vehicle brake cylinder an electropneumatic transducer for sensing the pressure in said vehicle brake cylinder and for providing a feedback signal, a microprocessor means for receiving the corresponding electrical signals from said brake command controller to cause the energization of said two-position, three-way control magnet valve and to cause the select energization of certain ones of said plurality of parallel two-way magnet valves to pressurize said vehicle brake cylinder in accordance with the selected brake position, and said electropneumatic transducer feeding back an electrical signal to said microprocessor means for checking whether the pressure in said vehicle brake cylinder has reached the desired level.

Claim 18

A binary regulating arrangement for digitally controlling the flow rate from a pressurized reservoir to a vehicle brake cylinder comprising, a brake command controller for converting selected brake positions into corresponding electrical signals, a two-position, three-way control magnet valve connectable to the pressurized reservoir and connectable to atmosphere, a plurality of parallel connected two-way magnet valves connectable between said two-position, three-way control valve and the vehicle brake cylinder an electropneumatic transducer for sensing the pressure in said vehicle brake cylinder and for providing a feedback signal, a microprocessor means for receiving the corresponding electrical signals from said brake command controller to cause the energization of said two-position, three-way control magnet valve and to cause the select energization of certain ones of said plurality of parallel two-way magnet valves to pressurize said vehicle brake cylinder in accordance with the selected brake position, and said electropneumatic transducer feeding back an electrical signal to said microprocessor means for checking whether the pressure in said vehicle brake cylinder has reached the desired level.

Claim 19

The binary regulating arrangement, as defined in claim 16, wherein said plurality of parallel connected two-way magnet valves have orifice diameters which are successively graduated in a power of two.

Claim 20

The binary regulating arrangement, as defined in claim 16, wherein said plurality of parallel connected two-way magnet valves includes three normally closed solenoid valves.

Claim 21

The binary regulating arrangement, as defined in claim 16, wherein said plurality of parallel connected two-way magnet valves includes four normally closed solenoid valves.

Claim 22

The binary regulating arrangement, as defined in claim 16, wherein said plurality of parallel connected two-way magnet valves includes at least two normally closed solenoid valves.