GB1178838A - An Operation Control Device - Google Patents

Abstract

1,178,838. Valves. J. J. BELL. 16 Aug., 1967 [16 Aug., 1966], No. 36515/66. Heading F2V. [Also in Divisions F1 and H1] A device for operating an aerosol dispensing container discharge valve, a humidifier, a gas or water valve or an electrical circuit, at timed intervals of adjustable duration and frequency, comprises a synchronous electric or clockwork motor 14, Fig. 2, rotating a cam assembly 26, 28, e.g. at one revolution per minute, a cam member 30 being pivoted at 31 to member 26 and having a follower 32 engaging in a cam groove in member 28, so that rotation of member 28 relative to member 26 varies the extent to which member 30 projects from member 26, and hence the duration of lift of the operating lever assembly 78, 18. A spring-loaded detent device holds members 26 and 28 in their adjusted positions, Figs. 9 and 10 (not shown), and a scale on member 28, Fig. 1, indicates the duration setting. To time the frequency of operation, a reduction gear train drives disc assembly 60, 62, e.g. at one revolution per hour, discs 60 and 62 having peripheral grooves of different widths and spacings, and disc 62 being angularly adjustable relative to disc 60 by gearing, Figs. 4 and 5, (not shown), such that from one to six pairs of grooves can be brought into alignment. A detent member 72, 76 is biased by spring 74 into the aligned grooves to transmit movement from a cam follower 82, on a lever 78, to lever 18. When member 76 cannot move into aligned grooves, the cam assembly does not operate lever 18. The rotation of disc assembly 60, 62 once per hour, and the adjustable selection of one to six groove alignments, provides a selection of one to six operations per hour. A cam groove 86 in a disc 84 rotating with cam assembly 26, 28 acts to permit detent member 72, 26 to move into the aligned grooves in discs 60, 62, while cam member 30 is engaging cam follower 82 for drive to be transmitted to lever 18, the disc 84 then holding detent member 72, 76 out of the aligned grooves when cam member 30 moves out of engagement with follower 82. Lever 78 is pivoted at 80, and lever 18 at 19. Lever 18 acts on the aerosol dispensing container discharge valve through a spring-loaded member 17, the container being held by resilient clamps 12 in a frame 10, and enclosed by a cover with an outlet "trumpet" for the discharged contents of the container. The adjustable cam member 30 may be replaced by fixed cam members of different durations. A number of detent members 72 may be provided.