US2421481A - Sequence controller - Google Patents

Description

J. E. COLLINS SEQUENCE CONTROLLER Filed Sept. 7, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 3, 1947.

M BT10 RNLY INVLNTOR JOHN E..Coz ma 11in r U HII June 3, 1947. E COLLINS 2,421,481

SEQUENCE CONTRbLLER Filed Sept. 7, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IO FY67. 4 -56 57] luvu-rron Jon" E...Cou ms I i BY Hart. MM

flrronmws June 3, 1947. J COLLINS 2,421,481

SEQUENCE CONTROLLER Filed Sept. 7, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 LI 1 L3 Moran T M0 R INVENTOR JOHN E. Com-IN:

Anon N av:

Patented June 3, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OF F ICE SEQUENCE CONTROLLER John E. Collins, Akron, Ohio, 'assignor to The Sinclair-Collins Valve Company, Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application September 7, 1944, Serial No. 552,975

6 Claims.

Theinvention relates to improvements in timecycle controllers of the type used to control regular sequences of operations, or similar repetitive processes.

An object of th invention is to provide novel and improved mechanism for operating a plurality of pilot valves, pilot switches, or devices of this nature in a-repetitive sequence of operations such as indicated above.

.Another object of the invention is to provide novel means, responsive to movement of a plurality of timing trips, and sensitive to relatively gentle impulses, for transferring the initiating effect of said timing trips to a further series of independently driven operating cams which operate the aforesaid pilot elements such as switches, valves or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means of the naturedescribed, and wherein the aforesaid timing trips advance continuously to respective operating positions at relatively low speed, but wherein the aforesaid opcrating cams advance only intermittently, by successive increments, at relatively :high speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the relatively heavy load imposed upon the operating shaft is assumed by an independently driven power source, said power source being energized as aforesaid ultimately from timing trips, the operation of said timing trips imposing only a relatively light load upontheir own power source, there being an initiating agent disposed in operational sequence between said timing trips and said operating shaft and capable of instituting energization of aid operating shaft responsive to movement of said timing trips.

Another object is to provide improved control means for :the regulation of a repetitive cycle, said control means being simple, reliable, and sturdy, and easily operated, requiring little or no addition of accessories or substitution thereof, and no trained operators to make set-ups or alterations.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention, and suitable structures embodying the same, are disclosed in the present specification and accompanying drawings, and the essential features thereof are set forth in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a timecycle controller assembly embodying the present invention, the controller being shown in a housing, but with the front cover removed;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line .33 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view, partly in vertical section, partly in front elevation, and somewhat enlarged, showing details of the timing cam assembly and driving mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, somewhat enlarged and with parts broken away, taken on the line 55 of Fig. v1.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a three-Way pilot valve such as may be controllable by one of the operating cams shown in Figs. 1 or 3.

Fig. '8 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing a suitable switch arrangement for use instead of the pilot valve of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a schematicshowing of the operating elements of my cycle controller, in conjunction with a simplified wiring diagram.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line l0'lll of Fig. 4.

The improved cycle controller which embodies the presentinvention is suitable for use in many industrial applications, but for convenience, and in no sense of limitation, I have illustrated but one embodiment thereof as used for example in the rubber molding or plastic casting industries. Such industries utilize large presses, operated frequently by hydraulic controls and embodying a plurality of rams, platens, or dies actuated by pistons reciprocable in power cylinders. Many presses of this type are accordingly equipped with a pluralityof fluid power conduits in communication with the power cylinders, the transmission of the fluid power from the power source to such conduits being controlled by pilot devices such as valves, switches, or the like. The present invention is directed to novel mechanism for the operation of such pilot devices by controlling the successive times of initiation of operation of each such pilot device, and also the length of the period during which each such pilot device transmits or interrupts the flow of power. While the particular embodiment here illustrated is electromechanical in nature, and controls the flow of fluid power through a plurality of conduits by controlling the chronological sequence of operations of a respective plurality of valves, it is obvious that any one skilled in the art,'on a study of the following specification and accompanying drawings, could readily vary the device in detail by substituting switches for valves, or otherwise effecting non-essential changes with 2 out departin from the spirit and scope of the invention.

General description of the controller The mechanism illutrated is designed to cause the operation of a plurality of control devices in any desired sequence or order during one complete cycle of operations. It includes a rotatable member having actuators, one or more for each control device, and provided with motor operated indexing means energized at intervals to turn said member one stepa fraction of a complete turn. Indexin movement is at relatively high speed in order to secure quick operation of each control device when actuated.

Intermittent energization of the indexing motor is effected by a control wheel driven by its own continuously operating timing motor and making one revolution per cycle. Said control wheel rotates slowly, and carries trips distrib uted around its axis and adapted in turn, at one point in their path of travel, to initiate operation of the indexing motor, which thereupon maintains its own circuit closed and later opens it to terminate the indexing operation.

A third reset motor is utilized to quickly restore all parts to initial position and do away with unnecessary delay under certain conditions.

The specific embodiment shown comprises a work-performing rotatable shaft, disposed to be intermittently advanced through increments of rotation in a cyclic process, an indexing motor which, when intermittently energized, produces said increments of rotation of said shaft, a continuously operatin timing trip assembly driven by a timing motor, a control wheel carried by, and normally rotatable with said shaft, but capable of a limited amount of play or free movement on said shaft, said control wheel being susceptible to initiation of free movement by any one of the timing trips comin in contact therewith, a switch in th circuit to said indexing motor, and disposed to be actuated by each said initiation of free movement of said control wheel to close said circuit to said indexing motor whereby said shaft completes an increment of rotation causing said wheel to rotate therewith, and means carried by said wheel for actuating said switch to break the circuit to said indexing motor at the end of said increment of shaft rotation.

The embodiment shown further comprises a second switch means actuated by said control wheel towards the end of a complete rotation thereof, and disposed, when so actuated, to close a circuit to a third or reset motor, whereby the trip assembly is restored to starting position.

In said specific embodiment now to be described, the invention is adapted to automatically control the intermittent transmission of fluid pressure through a plurality of conduits from a fluid pressure source, the said conduits conveying the fluid pressure to perform various operations such as to advance a ram, or change its speed of movement or vary the pressure secured thereby, or apply heating steam or cooling water, or otherwise control a plurality of operations of a machine.

It will be obvious as the description proceeds that each individual conduit intermittently transmits fluid pressure responsive to the control of its own valve, and that in each complete cycle the said valve may be opened and closed once, twice, or any desired pluralityof times, in any desired chronological sequence, responsive to the number and arrangements of valve-controlling elements operated by the controller during the cycle.

Speaking first generally, and with occasional reference to Fig. 1, the apparatus here shown comprises a combination of operatin elements housed in a casing 20, the front cover of which has been omitted from the drawings. Fluid power is supplied through an inlet conduit 21 to a manifold 22. The manifold is provided with a plurality of outlet conduits 23, 23 and with a conventional pressure gage 24. Each conduit 23 transmits fluid pressure in response to opening of its respective valve 25, which in turn is operated by one of a series of operating cams carried on an operating cam shaft 26. Cam shaft 26 is driven by an indexing motor X which is intermittently energized by timing means later to be more fully described.

The principal operating elements of said timing means may here be generally described. They include a timing motor T which drives a timing drum 34. Said drum 34 carries, on its outer periphery, a plurality of cam disks having timing trips or fingers whose operation and interrelation will later be described, but it may be here mentioned that the purpose of the said trips is to intermittently initiate operation of the indexing motor X heretofore mentioned, and thereby periodically bring the operating cams on shaft 26 to their operating positions so as to actuate the proper fluid valves.

Intermittent energization of the indexing motor X is effected through suitable electric circuits and switches therefor, to be later described in detail, several of said switches being operated by a rotatable element 28, hereinafter termed a control wheel, which is moved periodically through fractional increments of rotation by the arrival of successive timing trips at operating position, as will appear.

At the close of each cycle the timing cam assembly on timing drum 34 is rapidly moved to zero position or starting position by a reset motor R which is energized only for this particular task and which is geared to perform its function without loss of time. As is now apparent, motion of the timing drum may be produced either by timing motor T or reset motor R, coupling between both motors and the drum being achieved through a differential gearing D within the drum.

Previously known cycle controllers of the general purpose herein described have used a continuously rotating, operating cam shaft to actuate the pilot valves. Since the cycle of opera tions was controlled by a single rotation of such shaft, and since a cycle might be as long as 60 minutes or more, the operating shaft necessarily rotated at very low speed. The operating cams consequently engaged their respective pilot valves or switches very gradually, making it al. most impossible to secure rapid valve operation, or accuracy of timing, without the interposition of some sort of snap-over device or other mechanical expedient to insure rapid operation. It is apparent, however, that such expedients do not insure accuracy in timing.

In the controller herein disclosed, the timing cam trips rotate slowly, but during such rotation, at appropriate times, they cause actuation of a'switch which is operated by only a slight increment of motion. The circuit to motor X is thereby energized, and the operating cam shaft is rotated at relatively high speed. Pilot valves may accordingly be rapidly opened to intake or desirable.

relatively high speed during a fractional increment of rotation while energized.

The various mechanical elements of the controller will nowbe described, beginning with the construction and operation of the pilot valves.

The pilottalv'es .It will be remembered that the purpose of the controller, as here shown, is to control the flow of .fiuid power from a manifold 22, which is .in communication withthe fiuid power source, to a plurality of outlets 23, each outlet being in communication with its respective working station, and each opening from the manifold to each outlet being controlled by its respective pilot valve. The operations of one such valve will be briefly described, it being understood that all pilot valves operate in similarfashion.

Mounted on the front wall of manifold 22 is a shaft H which carries a plurality of rocker arms 78. One end 19 of said rocker ar-m acts as a cam follower, as will appear, and the other end, on the other side of the pivot, operates the plunger 80 of a three-way valve 25. Valve 25 has an inlet port '84, an outlet port 85 and an exhaust port '86. From an examination of Figs.

1, 2, and 6, it will be apparent that depression 'of plunger 83 admits fluid pressure from the manifold through port 84 to port 85 and thence to conduit 23 and its working cylinder. When plunger 80 is released, and is biased by sprin 85 to exhaust position, the fluid in the working cylinder returns through conduit 23, port 85 and thence through exhaust port 85. The Plungeroperating end of rocker arm 18 has an adjustable finger 88 to adjust the sensitivity of valve response. The exhaust port 8-6 is in communication'with an exhaust conduitSBa.

The operating cams I have provided a plurality of operating cams, to suitably operate the pilot valves 25, just described. In juxtaposition to the end 19 of each rocker arm '18, I have disposed a cam disk 93 (Figs. 2 and 6), all said disks being keyed to a cam shaft 25. Each said disk is capable of carrying, on its peripheral edge portion, one or more cam segments 95 which project beyond the circular periphery of the disk, and, during disk rotation as will appear, said segments operatively contact the end 19 of rocker arm 18. Such contact swings arm 18 and depresses plunger 80 so as to admit fiuid pressure to a working station for a period of time determined by the circumferential extent of segment 95, and also by the spacing between timing trip fingers 50, as will appear in a later description of the operation of the machine. As best seen in Fig. 2 a .plurality of segments 95 may be carried in such close succession that the rocker arm may be operatively engaged, by each segment in turn, for anydesired circumferential extent of travel of the cam disk. Specific structural features of this rotary cam arrangement are shown, de-

scribed, and claimed in my copending application, SerialNo. 554,195, filed'septem'ber 15, I944,

now Patent No. 2,418,757, dated April 8, I947, but I may here point out that while the segments may be carried by the disks -in any suitable way, the cam diskmay convenient'ly comprise two disks -df=-diiferent diameters, a larger disk heretofore designated by reference numeral 93 and a smaller disk 96 in lapped contact with disk 93. The segments are provided with cylindrical projec'tions which fit in apertures "9'! in the peripheral edge portion of disk 93. The inner edge of "segments "95 rest against the outeredge of disk 96. Thesegments oneach disk are held in place by a spider having a plurality of radial spring fingers 98.

Referring again to Fig. l, the operating cams are assembled on and "keyed to a cam shaft 2-6 which at its right end is journa'led in a hearing 99 on a bracket I00 depending from manifold i i, and at its left end is journaled in a bearing I02 carried on a flange 1 03 integral with housing 20. Spacing washers T4 are carried on shaft 26,betweeneach'adjacent pair of camdi'sks, and the spring fingered spiders have perforated hub portions to permit their being placed on the shaft next to their respective disks. A nut 'onth'e threaded right end of shaft '26 "maintains the cam disks in alignment with the valve operating arms.

It will be understood that the shaft 26 makes one rotation per cycle, in intermittent increments, responsive to its drive by motor X soon to be described, and that each plunger valve may be opened and closed once, or a plurality of times during the cycle, depending onthe number of segments -95 on the valves respective cam disk, and the continuous or interrupted circumferential contour of said segments. Any valve may be rendered wholly inoperative "during a cycle by removing all segments from its cam disk.

Removal or replacement of the segments 5:5 is an extremely simple matter, by manually raising spiderfinger 98 and lifting the segment from the disk,"and no tools whatever are required.

The indexing motor The indexing motor X, when energized, drives the cam shaft 26 with its assembled operating cams, to thereby cause operation of the pilot valves and thereby control the operation which is bein performed. Motor X is a synchronous motor, geared down through a reduction gear assembly H3. Motor X drives cam shaft 26 through a pinion '4 (Fig. 3) which meshes with a ring gear H5 fixed to a hub portion I" on the left end "of-the cam shaft. Motor X is therefore directly coupled to 'shaft 26, and. whenever motor X is energized, shaft 26 rotates in response thereto.

As will be seen, motor X is energized at intervals throughout an operating cycle, such intermittent energizations being the direct result of intermittent closing of the electric circuit to motor X by means now to be described. Such means, constituting the intermediate initiating member between timing cams 49 and motor X, comprises the timing trip assembly and the control wheel.

Timing trip assembly and drive With particular reference to Figs. 1 and 4, the timing mechanism comprises a plurality of trip fingers 50 fixed on disks 49 carried on the exterior of a'hollow cylindrical timing drum 34 and rotatable therewith. 'The drum 34 is normally rotated "by timing motor T through a speed reduction gearing 35 and a differential bevel gearing referred to generally by reference character D, the difierential being located within drum 34. Omitting certain mechanical details which will be apparent to anyone skilled in the art on examinin Fig. 4, the drive proceeds from motor T through a pinion 35 on th motor shaft and thence through the gear train 31, 38 and 39 to an output shaft 49 having a driving flange 43 thereon which forms one element of a normally engaged coupling. It will be borne in mind that in the operation of the controller, timer motor T runs continuously. Motor T is a synchronous type motor, and is geared down through the gear train described, so that flange 43 rotates very slowly, making a maximum of only one revolution to a cycle, which may occupy a period of, say, 12 to 60 minutes or longer although the period may conveniently be set to any desired length by changing the gear ratio.

The purpose of the coupling, of course, is to institute or interrupt the drive from motor T to the differential D. The coupling may be of any suitable type, but in the embodiment here shown, it comprises a driving plate consisting of flange 43 heretofore described, a driven plate 44, having a threaded periphery, and a coupling nut 45 having an internally threaded annular flange 45 engageable with the periphery of plate 44. It will be apparent that when coupling nut 45 is tightened, driven plate 44 turn with driving plate 43. A driving pinion 41 of differential D is driven by direct connection with plate 44 through a dog 48 which is keyed, respectively, to said driving pinion and plate 44.

The purpose of differential D is to transmit power and rotary motion from motor T, and also from motor R as will appear, to timing trip assembly 34. Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, the cylindrical differential housing or drum 34 carries on its outer surface a plurality of timing cam disks 49, each of which has an operating trip finger 50 thereon. The timing cam disks alternate with spacing disks 53. The trip fingers 50 are staggered with respect to each other so as to be spaced both longitudinally and circumferentially for a purpose which will app ar. The timing cam assembly at its left end (Fig. 4) abuts a flange 54 of a differential housing hub 55. At its right end it abuts a spacer ring 55, a drum dial 5?, and a locking nut 58, which nut has a threaded engagement with the exterior periphery of drum 34. The purpose of nut 58, when engaged, is to lock the several timing cams both with respect to each other and to drum 34 so that the housing and cams are rotatable as a unit. The circumferential position of any or all timing cam disks 49 may be adjusted by loosening nut 58, rotating the disks 43 to the desired positions, and then tightenin the nut 58. Adjusting motion of any one timing cam at this time is not transmitted by friction to an adjoining cam since all spacer disks 53 are keyed to the housing 34. Each spacing disk is peripherally graduated in degrees, or any arbitrary numerical system such as hours, minutes, etc., to correspond with, and be alignable with drum dial 5'! which is similarly graduated. This facilitates setting of the various timing cams,

The control wheel In the embodiment of my invention here shown, and with special reference to Figs. 1 and 5, the control wheel 28 includes a ring II8 telescopingly carried on the hub II! of crank shaft 26, and freely rotatable thereon through an arc of Very limited extent between stops, as will appear. This control wheel ring H8 has two parallel, spaced disk flanges I I9 and I20 fixed thereon. A lost motion driving connection is provided between the control wheel and shaft 26 as follows: A pin I2I is fixed in hub II! of shaft 26, and projects into an arcuate slot I23 of flange H9. It will be apparent that the control wheel is freely rotatably rockable on shaft 26 by an amount equivalent to the travel of pin I2I in slot I23, but that the wheel will continue to rotate with shaft as soon as pin I2I engages either end of slot I23, in the direction of pin travel. As will appear, and as illustrated in Fig. 5, flange I I9 actuates a switch to energize or deenergize motor X in the following manner: Flange I I9 is provided with a series of notches I25 around its periphery which function as cam drops with respect to the operating finger I25 of a cam follower I2! rockably carried on a shaft I28 fixed on bracket flange I63 of the controller housing. The cam follower operates the plunger I29 of a switch S2, the function of which is to energize and deenergize indexing motor X, as will later more clearly appear in connection with a description of the wiring diagram, Fig. 9.

It is sometimes desirable to prevent operating finger I26 from dropping into one or other of the notches I25 of flange II9. For this purpose, each notch I25 is provided with a pair of spaced apertures I3I adjacent thereto, to accommodate attaching means for a mask I32 which may readily be applied to flange H3, and which, if so applied, bridges the cam drop I25. By thi means the cam finger I26 will continue to ride on the periphery of flange I I9 past the blanked-off notch, and motor X will not be deenergized at the blanked-off position but will continue to advance shaft 23 until the next unblanked notch arrives under the finger I26.

Flange I29 of the control wheel is provided with at least one notch I33 which acts as a cam drop for a finger (not shown) of a cam follower 2 I34 which operates a plunger I35 of a switch SI.

The normal purpose of switch SI as an element in energizing an operatin circuit will appear in conjunction with a description of th complete wiring diagram, and the manner of operation of the control as a unit. Briefly, it serves as a maintaining switch in a circuit for timing motor T.

As has heretofore been indicated, the control Wheel serves as an agent intervening between the trip fingers of timing cams 49 and the indexing motor X, so that at pre-ordained intervals the indexing motor may be energized to rotate operating cams 93, and consequently to cause opening and closing movement of the pilot valves 25. This purpose of the control wheel is accomplished as follows:

Extending transversely as bridges across the annular space between control wheel cam flanges I I9 and I20 are a plurality of pawls I38 rockably pivoted on shafts I39, and circumferentially spaced and disposed to be engaged, in respective succession, by successive trip fingers 50 of timing cams 49. Each pawl is spring biased to the position shown in Fig. 5. From Fig. 5, it Will be apparent that as disk 49 rotates in the direction of the arrow in response to energization of timing motor T, a trip finger 50 engages a pawl I38, and urges the control Wheel 28 counterclockwise until the finger I25 of follower I2I rides up onto the circular periphery of cam flange II9. This closes a contact in switch S2, energizing indexing motor X, which. thereupon. initiates; ro-

tary motion of cam shaft 26.

As soon as the pin, I-ZI- in the hub II! of: shaft 26' contacts the end ofv the slot I23 in flang I I9, the control wheel drive is taken up by' theindexingmotor, and rotation of motor X, cam shaft 26, and control wheel 28' continuesuntil the finger I26 of follower I21 drops into the nextnotch I26 of cam flange 9.. At this point the indexing motor X is deenergized at. switch S2, and the cam shaft 26 and control wheel 28: stop. The timing motor T, however, continues to rotate, advancing cam disks 49 until the trip finger 50' of the next timing cam 49 advances to: contact with the next. control wheel pawl I38 which again advances the control wheel through an increment of rotation. so as to make the contact switch S2, repeating this phase of the cycle.

If at any time, such as in. the process, of adjusting cam disks 49, it becomes necessary torotate said cam disks in a counterclockwise direc tion, the spring-biased. mounting of a pawl. I38 permits it to back off sufficiently to permit passage thereby of a tripfinger 50.

The advantage of the interposition of the con.- trol wheel in the complete. mechanism may here be. noted, bearingin mind its, loose coupling, through pin IZI and slot I23, to cam shaft 25-. If a direct drive between timing cams 49. and the operating cam shaft 26 has been attempted, a considerable operating load on timing motor T would have resulted. With the present construction, timin cams. 49v need only exert a gentle touch to rock the control wheel sufiiciently on its loose coupling to close. switch S2, as explained above, whereupon indexing motor X assumes the burden of driving cam shaft 25. The closing of switch S2 might of course be effected directly by contact. with a trip finger Fl! so as to energize motor X. The circuit so closedmight thereafter be maintained and interrupted by the control wheel, disk H9, driven directly by motor X, as shown and described. herein.

A third switch, hereinafter identified by reference character S3, is mechanically associated with the train of elements driven by reset motor R. This switch, shown in Figs. 1., 3, and 6, is operated by drum 34 and is fixed adjacent the differential housing hub/5,5. Saidhub carries an annular cam I43thereon, the cam having a single notch I44 on its: cylindrical. periphery. This notch is intended to receive the finger I45 of a,

cam follower I46- which is mounted inlever-like fashion on a pivot [41.

which operates switch S3, The purpose of switch S3 will: later appear, but it. may here be mentioned briefly that it assists in making or breaking the: circuit to reset motor R at appropriate times.

The, dzfierentia l be understood by thoseskilled in: the mechanical.

An. adjustable shoe I43. on follower I46 is in contact with. a. plunger I49,

arts, rotation of either one alone of driving pinions 41 or 61 will cause corresponding rotation of housing 34, and consequently of cam disks 49=. Simultaneous rotation of pinions 41 and 61 produces a rotative effect on housing 34 which will be the resultant of the algebraic sum of the directional torques of both said pinions.

The reset motor R Reset motor R. is a synchronous motor hooked upthrough a speed reduction gearing 15 to drive dog. 1.5, and consequently pinion 6.1. Its purpose as heretofore indicated is. to reset the timing trip assembly 3.3. to-zero, or starting position, and for this purpose, it is electrically hooked up suitably, as will appear in describing a complete operation hereinafter, to be energized towardthe close of each cycle, and to be deenergized as soon as said zero position is reached. As. a result of a proper selection of motor speed and gear ratio, pinion 61 rotates at a high speed relative to. pinion 41, and th resultant effect, as appliedth'rough the difi'erential, is to rapidly rotate thetiming cam assembly to zero position atthe close of the cycle. It will be borne in mind, therefore, pending. further clarification of the operation, that the. timing motor T rotates continuously during operation of the controller, but the reset motor R is energized only intermittently, namely toward the end of each cycle.

Controller operation The manner of operationof the controller will now be described, reference being had to a sch'ematijc showing of the elements of the controller in Fig. 9, the electrical conductors being diagrammatically indicated. For simplicity, in illustrating the functions of the elements, some of said operating elements have been exploded? and are shown. as being driven by belts from their prime movers, although the actual construction. as shown in. the other drawings is a direct mechanical coupling as already described.

The electric hookup. requires five switches, three of which have heretofore been briefly mentioned, but for clarity, all five will be identified, and their function indicated.

Switch SI is a sensitive. switch having an a position and afb position. The switch is responsive to the rise and fall of cam follower I34 which rides on the periphery of. cam. flange I20 and which drops into notch I33 once in each cycle. Cam flange I20 is the right flange on the control wheel, as shown in Fig. 1.

Switch S2 is a sensitive, switch having a closed, or a position, and an open, or 1) position. This switch is responsive to the rise and. fall of cam follower I2! which rides on the periphery of cam flange I I9, and which drops in sequence into a. succession of notches I25 on the periphery of said flange to produce the successive stops and startsv of index motor X required by the cycle. Cam flange H9 isthe left flange 0n the control wheel. It will. be. understood that cam flanges H9. and I 20, on the control wheel, are driven by index motor X, the control wheel being also m0,- mentarily responsive to an initiating impulse from trip fingers 59 oncam disks 49 which are driven by the difierential, D, the differential be ing energizable by either timer motor T or reset motor R.

Switch S3 is a sensitive switch having an a position, and a 13 position. The switch is responsive to the rise and fall of cam follower I46 which rides on the periphery of cam I43, and

which drops into notch I44 once in each cycle. Cam I43 is the annular cam carried on differential hub 55.

Switch S4 is a push button starting switch located at any convenient place on the controller housing, and is momentarily depressed manually, as will appear, to energize operating circuits, including a maintaining circuit which thereupon permits release of switch S4.

Switch S5 is any conventional line switch which may be closed at the beginning of an operating period after a shut down. Opening this switch deenergizes the whole electrical system of the controller, and closing it permits controller operation.

Motor T normally advances the timing trip assembly 33 and motor R resets said timing trip assembly. Motor X intermittently rotates cam shaft 26 which carries the operating cams for the pilot valves.

The position of all switches as shown in Fig. 9 is that normally occupied by them at the start of the days operations.

To institute an operation, line switch S5 is closed and push button switch S4 is depressed. Motors T and X are thereupon energized, through the following circuits, and with the following results:

Motor T is enerized as follows: from L2 through switch S5, conductor I53, switch SI in b position, conductor I54, switch S3 in a position, conductor I55, push button S4, conductors I56 and I51, windings of motor T, conductors I58, I59, and IE to switch S5 and thence to LI. Simultaneously motor X is energized in a shunt circuit, from points I64 and IE5 in circuit just described, as follows: from point I64 (near push button switch S5) through conductors I66 and I61, switch S2 in a position, conductor I68 windings of motor X, and conductor I69 to point I65. Motors T and X thereupon begin to rotate.

Timer motor T, through differential drive D, institutes slow rotary motion of timing trip assembly 33 and reset cam I43. Indexing motor X while energized takes up the drive of cam shaft 26 and of cams I I9 and I20 on the control wheel.

Almost immediately the shunt circuit energizing motor X is broken, as will now appear. The first increment of rotary motion of cam I20 raises follower I34 towards the circular periphery of the cam I20 where it will remain throughout a complete cycle. This moves switch SI to contact a. Immediately thereafter, follower I21 drops into the first notch I25 of cam I I9 causing switch S2 to break contact at a. This movement of switch S2 breaks the shunt circuit for motor X which was described above. Motor X is therefore temporarily deenergized.

As soon as switch SI is moved to a position by cam I26, a maintaining circuit is set up for motor T, permitting continuous operation of motor T for a complete cycle, and push button S4 may be released. The maintainin circuit proceeds as follows: from L2 through switch S5, conductor I 53, switch SI in a position, conductors I13, I66, and I51, windings of motor T, conductors I58, I59, and I60, switch S5 to LI. This maintaining circuit remains closed throughout the cycle, switch SI remaining in a position, and timer motor T runs continuously, advancing timing trips 50 to engage controller wheel pawls I38 with the following result.

One of the peripherally spaced trip fingers 50 on a cam disk 49 engages one of the controller wheel pawls I33 (Fig. 5) causing an increment of free advance of the control wheel sufficient to raise follower I21 out of its notch I25, thereby moving switch S2 to a position. This immediately energizes the shunt circuit above described for motor X which takes up the drive of the control wheel, and of cams H9 and I20, and which likewise institutes rotation of cam shaft 26. This status is maintained until follower I21 drops into the next notch of cam II9, again breaking the shunt circuit to motor X.

In the increment of movement of cam shaft 26 produced by the temporary energizing of motor X as described, one or more segments on operating cams 93 engage, respectively, one or more rocker arms 18, to cause an opening movement in one or more respective pilot valves 25, permitting fluid pressure to pass to one or more conduits 23. The circumferential extent of operating cam segments 95 (Figs. 2 and, 3) and the spacing between trip fingers 50 determine the period within which valve 83 remains open.

It will be understood that since timer motor T continues to run, the next trip finger 50 will engage the next pawl I38, again advancing the control wheel, and again, through switch S2, energizin motor X to produce another increment of motion of cam shaft 26 with consequent possible operation of one or more pilot valves 25. Continuous operation of motor T produces continuous advance of cam I43, and intermittent operation of motor X produces incremental advances of cams H9 and I20.

As will quickly appear, the function of cam I43 is to maintain switch S3 in b position through an operating cycle, since in this position the circuit to reset motor R is in condition to be completed as soon as cam I20 permits switch SI to drop to 2) position. It is therefore desirable that cam I20 have its notch I33 disposed at a circumferential position, synchronized with cam IIB that little time is lost between the end of a complete cycle of operations and the arrival of notch I33 under follower I34 at switch SI,

At this point, follower I34 drops, and switch SI moves to 1) position. The circuits to motors T and X are broken at a of switch SI; motors T and X are deenergized and reset motor R is immediately energized as follows: from line L2 through switch S5, conductor I53, switch SI in 17 position, conductor I54, switch S3 in b position, conductor I11, windings of motor R, conductors I18, I59, and I60, switch S5 to LI. Reset motor R is geared to produce a relatively considerably higher speed than either motors T or X, and through differential D it rapidly returns cam I43 to the point where follower I46 drops in notch I44 to move switch S3 to a position, deenergizing the last defined circiut including motor R. This brings all elements to the position shown in Fig. 9, in condition to begin the next cycle, and repeat the process already described. Motors T and X will again be energized for the neXt cycle by depressing push button switch S4.

Setting the timing trips and dial As heretofore indicated, the timing cam assembly 33 is provided with a graduated dial 51 whereby the operator can determine, at any particular time, how much of the cycle has elapsed and how much time remains before completion of said cycle, the dial of course turns with the timing cam disks and trips during the cycle, being clamped thereto by dial nut 58. The dial may conveniently be circumferentially graduated 13f in minutes and. fractions thereof, corresponding to timeelapsed'during the cycle.

As: best seen in. Fig. 10, the central circularopening, of dial' 51-1 is provided with an. arcuateenlargement I83, which is disposed to serve as a. track for apin I 84 carried by ring 56. and cam. spacers 53 are keyed to drum 34-. It is apparent that when coupling nut 461 is tightened,. it preventsfree rotation of the timing trip assembly, the spacers. 53, and. the ring 56. The dial 51 may however be swung back and forth through a. 90 degree arc so long as dial nut. 58.4.is.

slacked off. The purpose of: this 90 degree swing; of the dial will soon appear.

I have provided a. stationary pointer I85, car ried: by'motor bracket I86, for use asa point of reference in reading dial :1, or in setting. trip fingers 50. This pointer is placed at a. convenient viewing location, namely directly in front as shown in. Fig. 1, yet the actual operating point of the cycle is being determined by the one of the trip fingers 50 at the top of the timing drum assembly, which finger is either in contact with, or about to contact a control wheel pawl. This actual operating point is spaced 90 degrees from pointer I85. It is accordingly desirable that when the operator reads the dial at the pointer uring. operation, his reading should tell him the situation existing at a point 90'degrees away.

Insetting the dial and, cams the operator there'- fore proceeds as follows: Coupling nut: 46' and dial. nut 58' are slacked off, leaving the timing trip assembly 33 free to rotate. The dial 51 is also free to rotate, and its zero point is placed in alignment with the first trip finger 50, both the dial zero point and the said trip finger being aligned with pointer I85. The other fingers 50 are staggered circumferentially at properly spaced points to successively energize the indexing motor X through operation of the controller wheel. The whole assembly is now swung to a position where the first operation finger 5|] is adjacent the bottom control wheel pawl, and the coupling nut 46 is tightened.

It will now be observed that the dial zero point will not register with the dial indicator, but will be on top of the assembly, immediately beneath the control wheel. By slacking off the dial nut 58, the dial can be rotated forwardly and downwardly through 90 degrees by the pin and slot connection already described, bringing the dial zero point under the indicating finger, after which the dial nut is again tightened. As a result, the reading at said finger registers the actual situation 90 degrees away, and accurately tells the elapsed time of the cycle.

Manual operation of pilot valves At any point in the cycle it may be desirable to admit a non-scheduled flow of pressure to any one of the power cylinders serviced by its respective conduit 23 and pilot valve 25. I have provided a manual control for this purpose.

Referring to Fig. 6, the controller housing is illustrated with a front cover IBM in place. The cover carries a row of spaced push buttons I81, only one being shown in Fig. 8. The push button has a plunger extension I38 passing through a boss i653 carried by cover Itiii. Each said push button is in registry with the valveoperating end of a rocker arm it, so that depression of a button I81 opens a pilot valve and admits pressure to a cylinder, regardless of the position of the operating cam which automatically operates the valve at preset intervals.

Ring. 56

It. might be mentioned: here that a plungen.

operated switch IfSiIiharing. an operating; plunger I-QII (Fig. 8.) may be substitutedfor a pilot. valve 853: where it is desired to use electricity rather than fluid power as a source of energy.

What I; claim is:

1 Control; mechanism for operating a plurality of: control devices, comprising arotatable operating: member provided with actuators distributed around its; axis and arranged during. several; stepsof one: complete rotation to. actuate said: devices: irr sequence to.- complete. a cycle of:

operations. controlled thereby, an; indexing. motor for. intermittently rotating. said; member rapidly by: successive steps, and a rotatable trip shaft having a series; of trips. distributed" around its axis? each. arranged: during shaft rotation. to initiate. operationv of said indexing motor, and timing. motor means: for rotating said: shaft continuously" duringv each cycle, and a reset motor for rapidly rotating said; trip; shaft to restore.

it to: initial position;

2; Controlimeehanism for operating. a plurality of control. devices. comprising a: rotatable operating member provided with, actuators distributed around its and'arranged: during; several steps of one complete rotation to actuate said. devices in sequence to complete a cycle. of operations controlled thereby, an indexing motor for intermittently' rotatingv said member rapidly by successiye' steps, and a rotatable trip, shaft having: a

series of trips distributed around. its axis; eacharranged during shaft rotation to initiate operation of said indexing motor, and timing motor means for rotating said shaft continuously during each cycle, and a reset motor for rapidly rotating said trip shaft to restore it to initial position and differential mechanism connecting said timing and reset motors to said trip shaft for operation by either thereof.

3. Control mechanism for operating a plurality of control devices, comprising a rotatable operating member provided with actuators distributed around its axis and arranged during several steps of one complete rotation to actuate said devices in sequence to complete a cycle of operations controlled thereby, an indexing motor for intermittently rotating said member rapidly by successive steps, and a rotatable trip shaft having a series of trips distributed around its axis each arranged during shaft rotation to initiate operation of said indexing motor, and timing motor means for rotating said shaft continuously during each cycle, and a reset motor for rapidly rotating said trip shaft to restore it to initial position and differential mechanism connecting said timing and reset motors to said trip shaft for operation by either thereof, and means preventing operation of either of said timing and reset motors when the other is operating.

4. Control mechanism for operating a plurality of control devices, comprising a rotatable operating shaft provided with actuators distributed around its axis and arranged during several steps of one complete rotation to actuate said devices in sequence to complete a cycle of operations controlled thereby, an indexing motor coupled to said operating shaft for rotating said operating shaft rapidly while said indexing motor is energized, a switch in the electrical circuit of said indexin motor, a control member having a lost motion connection with said operating shaft, said control member being operatively engageable with said switch, a rotatable trip shaft having a series of trips distributed around its axis each arranged during trip shaft rotation to temporarily engage said control member so as to operate said switch and initiate operation of said indexing motor, and a timing motor for rotating said trip shaft.

5. Control mechanism for operating a plurality of control devices, comprising a rotatable operating shaft provided with actuators distributed around its axis and arranged during several steps of one complete rotation to actuate said devices in sequence to complete a cycle of operations controlled thereby, an indexing motor coupled to said operating shaft for rotating said operating shaft rapidly while said indexing motor is energized, a switch in the electrical circuit of said indexing motor, a control member having a lost motion connection with said operating shaft, said control member being operatively engageable with said switch, a rotatable trip shaft having a series of trips distributed around its axis each arranged during trip shaft rotation to temporarily engage said control member so as to operate said switch and initiate operation of said indexing motor, and a timing motor for rotating said trip shaft, and a reset motor for rapidly rotating said trip shaft to initial position at the completion of a cycle of operations.

6. Control mechanism for operating a plurality of control devices, comprising a rotatable operating shaft provided with actuators distributed around its axis and arranged during several steps of one complete rotation to actuate said devices in sequence to complete a cycle of operations controlled thereby, an indexing motor coupled to said operating shaft for rotating said operating shaft rapidly while said indexing motor is energized, a switch in the electrical circuit of said indexing motor, a control member having a lost motion connection with said operating shaft, said control member being operatively engageable with said switch, a rotatable trip shaft having a series of trips distributed around its axis each arranged during trip shaft rotation to temporarily engage said control member so as to operate said switch and initiate operation of said indexing motor, and a timing motor for rotating said trip shaft, said control member being responsive to operation of said operating shaft when said lost motion is taken up so as to rotate with said shaft, cause opening of said switch, and deenergize said indexing motor.

JOHN E. COLLINS.

EEFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date v 2,233,177 Murray et a1 Feb. 25, 1941 2,324,474 Appel July 20, 1943 1,412,568 Mortensen Apr. 11, 1922 1,796,906 Zimmer Mar. 17, 1931 2,000,367 Williamson et al May 7, 1935

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