US3283666A - Pneumatic systems and parts and method - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 8, 1966 R. L. GOLDEN 3,

PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS AND PARTS AND METHOD Filed June 16, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.I

I Adi/1V I INVENTOR.

36 370 ROBERT L.GOLDEN v \37 BY 32 FIG.3

HlS ATTORNEYS Nov. 8, 1966 R. L. GOLDEN 3,233,666

PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS AND PARTS AND METHOD Filed June 16, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ROBERT L.GOLDEN flws am HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,283,666 PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS AND PARTS AND METHOD Robert L. Golden, Greensburg, Pa., assignor to Robertshaw Controls Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 16, 1964, Ser. No. 375,572 9 Claims. (Cl. 91-37) This invention relates to an improved pneumatic control system as well as to improved parts for such a system or the like. In addition, this invention relates toan improved method for operating such a system or the like.

Pneumatic systems have been provided wherein a pneumatic source is selectively directed to a pneumatic actuator tocause that actuator to move from its normal position to its actuated position. However, some means must be provided for returning the actuated actuator from its actuated position to its normal position by interconnecting the chamber of the actuator to the atmosphere.

'orifice means not materially affecting the actuation of the actuator from its normal position to its actuated position when the pneumatic signal is being imposed thereon.

- Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved pneumatic'system having one or more of the novel features of this invention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described. I

Another object of this invention is to provide improved parts for such a pneumatic system or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method of controlling such a pneumatic system or the like.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from'a reading ofthis description, which procee'cls with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

A FIGURE 1 is a schematic view illustrating one pneumatic system of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a top planview of the selector valve of FIGURE 1 with the filter and backing member removed.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIGURE 2.

' FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 55 of either FIGURE 2 or 4.

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 and illustrates another embodiment of this invention. Y

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of this invention.

. FIGURE 8 is a view similar ,to FIGURE 7 and illustrates another embodiment of this invention.

FIGURE 9 is a side view, partially in cross section, illustrating another embodiment of this invention;

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter described and illustrated as being particularly adaptable for use in a vacuum controlled system, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized in other types of systems or the like.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only Patented Nov. 8, 1966 the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, the improved pneumatic system of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and is adapted to control the movement of a pneumatic actuator 11, the actuator 11 comprising a cup-shaped housing 12 having a flexible diaphragm 13 attached thereto and cooperating therewith to define a chamber 14 therebetween.

The flexible diaphragm 13 of the actuator 11 is interconnected to an operating shaft 15 which controls the operation of a device 16, such a water mixing valve or the like. Thus, when the chamber 14 of the actuator 11 is evacuated by being interconnected to a vacuum source in a manner hereinafter described, the flexible diaphragm 13 is moved downwardly from the dotted position illustrated in FIGURE 1 to the full line position illustrated in FIG- URE l to pull downwardly on the shaft 15 and cause operation of the device 16 in a particular manner. However, when a normal atmospheric condition is again created in the chamber 14 of the actuator 11 in a manner hereinafter described, the flexible diaphragm 13 moves from the full line position illustrated in FIGURE 1 to the dotted line position illustrated in FIGURE 1 whereby the rod 15 is moved upwardly to provide another operating position of the device 16.

One means for selectively interconnecting a vacuum source to the chamber 14 of the actuator 11 includes a program means 17 illustrated in FIGURE 1, the program means 17 comprising a reading head 18 having a plurality of passage means 19 and 20 passing therethrough and interrupting the fiat reading surface 21 thereof.

The passage mean-s 19 is inter-connected to a flexible conduit 22 or the like interconnected to the inlet of a vacuum regulator 23, the outlet of the vacuum regulator 23 interconnected to -a flexible conduit 24 or the like interconnected to the inlet of a vacuum pump 25.

The program means 17 includes a flexible, tape-like member 26 operatively interconnected to a rigid backing member 27 so that the members 26 and 27 are adapted to move in unison relative to the reading surface 21 of the reading head 18 by any suitable means, porous resilient means 28 being disposed between the backing member 27 and tape member 26.

The flexible tape member or reading sheet 26 has a plurality of raised blisters 29 formed therein in a predetermined pattern to define -a plurality of closed endedchannels 30 adapted to bridge two or more passage means 19 and 20 in the reading head 18 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1.

Thus, when the particular blister 29 illustrated in FIG- URE 1 of the reading sheet 26 bridges the passage means 19 and 20 of the reading head 18, it can be seen that the inlet of the vacuum pump 25 is effectively interconnected to the passage means 20. However, when the reading sheet 26 is moved relative to the reading surface 21 of the reading head 18 in a manner to cause the reading sheet 26 to cover the passage 20, the inlet of the vacu-nm pump 25 is no longer interconnected to the passage means 20.

In the above manner, it can be seen that the reading sheet 26 is adapted to selectively interconnect a source of vacuum to the passage means 20 by means of the blisters 29 thereof.

The passage means 20 of the reading head 18 is interconnected to a flexible conduit means 31 leading to a nipple 32 of a selector valve means 33.

As illustrated in FIGURES -2-5, the selector valve means 33 includes a reading head 34 having the reading surface 35 thereof interrupted by a plurality of passage means, such as passage means 36 and 37 as illustrated in FIGURE 3 and 3'8'illustrated in FIGURE 4, the passage means 36, 37 and 38 respectively passing through nipples 32, 39 and 40 carried by the reading head 34.

The selector valve means 33 includes a flexible tapelike member 41 interconnected to a rigid backing member 42 by pin means 43 whereby the backing member 42 and tape means 41 rotate in unison relative to the reading surface 35 of the reading head 34, the space between the backing member 42 and flexible member 41 being filled with a porous resilient material 44 for a purpose hereinafter described.

As illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, the reading tape 41 has a plurality of raised blisters 45 formed therein to define deadcnded channels 46 adapted to bridge certain of the passage means in the reading head 34.

For example, when the reading tape 41 is disposed in the position illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, the blister 45 illustrated in FIGURE 3 will bridge the passage means 36 and 37 of the reading head 34 whereby the flexible conduit 31 attached to the nipple 32 will be interconnected to a flexible conduit 47 attached to the nipple 39 and to the actuator housing 12 for a purpose hereinafter described.

Thus, it can be seen that when the program means 17 is disposed in the position illustrated in FIGURE 1 and the selector valve means 33 is disposed in the position illustrated in FIGURE 3, the chamber 14 of the actuator 11 is interconnected to the inlet of the vacuum pump "25 whereby the chamber 14 is effectively evacuated to "to permit the diaphragm 13 to move to its normal position illustrated by dotted line-s in FIGURE 1.

However, the selector valve means 33 is so constructed and arranged in a manner hereinafter described that the same permits air to return to the evacuated chamber 14 of the actuated actuator 11 at a control-led rate ,so that the diaphragm 13 will return to its normal position.

In particular, it can be seen in FIGURES 2 and 4 that a substantially circular blister 48 i-sformed in the reading sheet 41 and has an aperture means 49 passing therethrough for a purpose hereinafter described. The raised circular, blister 48 of the reading sheet 41 is disposed a predetermined distance from the passage means 38 in the reading head 34 in the manner illustrated in FIG- RE 4.

However, a groove means 50 is formed in the reading surface 35 of the reading head 34 in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 4 and to elfectively interconnect the aperture means 49 with the passage means 38, the groove means 50 being so constructed and arranged that the same permits ,air to flow from the aperture means 49 to the passage means 38 at a controlled rate.

Thus, it can be seen when the selector valve means 33 is disposed in the position illustrated in the drawings, the atmosphere is interconnected at all times to .the chamber 14 of the actuator 11. However, when the vacuum source 25 is interconnected to the chamber 11' by means of the program means 17, the vacuum pump 25 is adapted to effectively evacuate the chamber 14 without being adversely affected by the aperture means 49 because of the controlled size of the groove. means 50 whereby the diaphragm 13 will effectively move toits actuated position.

However, when the program means 17 terminates the flow of the pneumatic signal to the actuator 11, the actuator 11 is adapted to have the diaphragm 13 thereof move from its actuated position to its normal dotted line position in FIGURE 1 at a controlled rate by air being drawn through the filter means 44 and into the aperture means 49, groove means 50 and passage means 38 which is interconnected to the conduit 47 by a branch conduit 51.

Thus, the actuator 11 moves to its normal position after actuation thereof by the program means 17 at a controlled rate provided by the selector valve 33.

While the selector valve means 33 has been illustrated as having a groove means 50 in the reading head 34 to interconnect the aperture means 49 with the passage means 38, it is to be understood that a controlled groove means could be provided in the reading sheet 41 for such purpose.

In particular, reference is made to FIGURE 6 wherein parts thereof similar to the device illustrated in FIGURE 4 are indicated by like reference numerals followed by the reference letter A. As illustrated in FIGURE 6, no groove means 50 is formed in the reading head 34A to interconnect the aperture means 49A with the passage means 38A. Instead, a small groove means 52 is formed in the reading sheet 41A in the form of a raised blister 53 having a cross-sectional channel defining means substantially smaller than the blisters 45 previously described.

In this manner, air is adapted to flow from the aperture means 49A of the reading sheet 41A through the passage means 38A at a controlled rate as provided by the groove means 52 for the same purpose as the. groove means 50 previously described.

While the size and length of .the groove means 50 and 52 can vary, one embodiment thereof comprises groove means 50- or 52 being-approximately 0.093 of aninch from the nearest edge of the passage means 38 or 38A to the blister 48 or 48A of the reading sheet 41 or 41A.

The groove 50 in the reading head 34 can have approximately right-angled side walls thereof in a triangular configuration as illustrated in FIGURE 5 wherein the depth of the groove means 50 at its deepest point is approximately 0.005 plus .000 or minus .001 of an inch.

It has been found that when the aperture means 49 of the reading sheet 41 is in direct communication with the conduit 47 and the program means 17 is interconnecting the vacuum pump 25 to the line 37, the regulator 23 has greater stability because of the controlled rate provided by the aperture means 49 as a calibrated minimum air flow is passing through the regulator at all times so that the valve member thereof will not close and provide leakage problems thereof. Thus, since the valve means of the regulator 23 will be slightly open because of the calibrated air leak provided by the aperture means 49 and .groovemeans 50, the regulator functions at its best oper- .11, another device 54 of this invention could be utilized.

As illustrated in FIGURE 7, the device 54 includes a hollow tubular member 55 having opposed open ends 56 and 57 adapted to be respectively telescopically received in sealing relation in the conduits 31 and 47 previously described to interconnect the passage means 20of the reading head 18 to the chamber 14 of the actuator 11.-

The hollow tubular member 55 has a raised cylindrical portion 58, the cylindrical portion 58 having an orifice 59 passing therethrough in a manner transversely to the longitudinal axis ofthe tubular member 55 and interconmeeting the exterior thereof with the interior thereof.

A Washer-like filter member 60 is telescopically disposed around the cylindrical portion 58 of the tubular member 55 and covers the orifice 59 for a purpose hereinafter described.

A pair of washer-like retainers 61 are respectively tele} scopically disposed on the hollow tubular member 55' and abut against the cylindrical portion 58 thereof, the washer like retainer 61 being silver soldered to the tubular member 14 of the actuated actuator 11 at a rate of approximately 15 cu. inches of air per minute in a manner similar to the selector valve 33, the air returning to the chamber 14 of the actuator 11 being filtered through the filter means 60.

Alternately, a device 63 of this invention can be utilized in place of the device 54 and selector valve 33.

As illustrated in FIGURE 8, the device 63 comprises a hollow T-shaped member 67 having the opposed ends 68 and 69 of the cross member 70 thereof telescopically received in the ends of the flexible conduits 31 and 47 to effectively interconnect the passage means 20 of the reading head 18 to the chamber 14 of the actuator 11.

The hollow cross member 70 of the T-shaped member 67 is interconected to an open end 71 of the leg 72 of the T-shaped member 67.

A hollow tubular member 73 is telescoped over the end 71 of the leg 73 in sealing relation therewith and carries a cup-shaped member 74 press-fitted therein and having an orifice 75 passing through the closed end 76 thereof.

A porous filter means 77 is also disposed in the hollow tubular member 73 outboard of the orifice cup 74 to filter the flow of air from the atmosphere through the orifice means 75 to the chamber 14 of the actuator 11.

If desired, the controlled leakage to the chamber 14 of the actuator 11 could be formed in the housing member 12 of the actuator 11 in the manner illustrated in FIG- URE 9.

In particular, the housing 11 has an extension 78 pro vided with a stepped bore means 79 interconnecting the atmosphere with the chamber 14. However, an orifice cup-shaped member 80, similar to the member 74 previously described, is press-fitted in the stepped bore 79 against a shoulder 81 thereof and has an orifice 82 passing through the closed end 83 thereof.

A porous filter means 84 is also press-fitted in the stepped bore 79 and is disposed against a shoulder 85 thereof.

Thereafter, the free end 86 of the extension 78 is spun over in the manner illustrate-d in FIGURE 9 to hold the filter means 84 therein.

Accordingly, it can be seen that various devices are provided by this invention for providing a controlled leakage of air to the chamber of an actuator 11 or the like so that the same can return to normal atmospheric condi tions after the pneumatic signal thereto has been terminated.

Thus, this invention not only provides an improved pneumatic system, but also this invention provides improved parts for such system or the like and an improved method of operating such a system or the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a pneumatic actuator having a normal position and an actuated position and having a chamber for receiving a pneumatic signal, a pneumatic source, first means interconnecting said source with said chamber, said first means having a selector means between said source and said actuator for selectively interconnecting said source with said chamber to move said actuator from its normal position to its actuated position, and second means continuously interconnecting said chamber to the atmosphere so that said actuator can return to its normal position at a controlled rate when said selector means disconnects said source from said chamber,

6 said second means not effectiing movement of said actuator from its normal position to its actuated position by said selector means, said second means including a tape member having aperture means passing therethrough and cooperating with a reading head having a port means interconnected to said chamber of said actuator, one of said tape member and said reading head having means interconnecting said aperture means with said port means.

2. A combination .as set forth in claim 1 wherein said last-named means comprises groove means formed in said reading head.

3. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said last-named means comprises groove means formed in said tape member.

4. In combination, a pneumatic actuator having a normal position and an actuated position and having a chamber for receiving a pneumatic signal, a pneumatic source, first means interconnecting said source with said chamber, said first means having a selector means between said source and said actuator for selectively interconnecting said source with said chamber to move said actuator from its normal position to its actuated position, and second means continuously interconnecting said chamber to the atmosphere so that actuator can return to its normal position at a controlled rate when said selector means disconnects said source from said chamber, said second means not effecting movement of said actuator from its normal position to its actuated position by said selector means, said second means including a tubular member having opposed opened ends and having an orifice means in the side wall thereof and interconnecting the exterior of said tubular member with the interior thereof, said first means including two conduit sections respectively having adjacent opened ends telescopically receiving said opened ends of said tubular member whereby said tubular member forms part of the flow path between said actuator and said source.

5. A combination as set forth in claim 4 and including a washer-like filter member telescopically receiving said tubular member and covering said orifice means.

6. In combination, a pneumatic actuator having a normal position and an actuated position and having a chamber for receiving a pneumatic signal, a pneumatic source, first means interconnecting said source with said chamber, said first means having a selector means between said source and said actuator for selectively interconnecting said source with said chamber to move said actuator from its normal position to its actuated position,

and second means continuously interconnecting said' chamber to the atmosphere so that said actuator can return to its normal position at a control rate when said selector means disconnects said source from said chamber, said second means not effecting movement of said actuator from its normal position to its actuated position by said selector means, said second means comprising a hollow T-shaped member, a tubular member telescopically receiving the leg of said T-shaped member, an orifice means disposed in said tubular member to interconnect the atmosphere to the interior of said T-shaped member, said T-shaped member having the cross member thereof provided with opposed opened ends, said first means including two conduit sections respectively having adjacent opened ends telescopically receiving said opened ends of said cross member of said T-shaped member whereby said cross member of said T-shaped member forms part of the flow path bteween said actuator and said source.

7. A combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein a filter means is disposed in said tubular member outboard of said orifice means.

8. In combination, a pneumatic actuator having a normal position and an actuated position and having a chamber for receiving a pneumatic signal, a pneumatic source, first means interconnecting said source with said chamber, said first means having a selector means between said source and said actuator for selectively interconnecting said source with said chamber to move said actuator from its normal position to its actuated position, and second means continuously interconnecting said chamber to the atmosphere so that said actuator can re turn to its normal position at a controlled rate when said selector means disconnects said source from said chamher, said second means not effecting movement of said actuator from its normal position to its actuated position by said selector means, said actuator including a housing having a passage therein interconnecting said chamber with the atmosphere, said second means including an orifice means carried by said housing and interconnecting the atmosphere with said chamber, said orifice means comprising a cup-shaped member press fitted in said passage and having an orifice in the closed end thereof, said passage being subsequently deformed to maintain the orifice means therein in a fixed position.

8 filter means is carried by saidhonsing and is disposed outboard 0t said orifice means in said passage.

References Cited by the Examiner I UNITED STATES PATENTS v 1,062,553 5/1913 Preston.

1,070,740 8/1913 Sabroe 60-60 X 1,208,554 12/1916 Helmholtz 91375 2,208,666 7/1940 De Florez 91'51 X 2,466,041 4/1949 Peoples et al. 9151 X 2,584,995 2/1952 Fageol 60-60 X 2,602,429 7/ 1952 Worster 91-52 2,718,878 9/1955 Du Bois 91-51 X 3,080,853 3/1963 Puster 91-47 X 3,123,976 3/1964 Mansell 60-60 MARTIN P. SCHWADRON, Primary Examiner.

SAMUEL LEVINE, Examiner.

- 9. A combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein a 0 S RQSEN: Assistant Emmimm

Claims (1)

1. IN COMBINATION, A PNEUMATIC ACTUATOR HAVING A NORMAL POSITION AND AN ACTUATED POSITION AND HAVING A CHAMBER FOR RECEIVING A PNEUMATIC SIGNAL, A PNEUMATIC SOURCE, FIRST MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID SOURCE WITH SAID CHAMBER, SAID FIRST MEANS HAVING A SELECTOR MEANS BETWEEN SAID SOURCE AND SAID ACTUATOR FOR SELECTIVELY INTERCONNECTING SAID SOURCE WITH SAID CHAMBER TO MOVE SAID ACTUATOR FROM ITS NORMAL POSITION TO ITS ACTUATED POSITION, AND SECOND MEANS CONTINUOUSLY INTERCONNECTING SAID CHAMBER TO THE ATMOSPHERE SO THAT SAID ACTUATOR CAN RETURN TO ITS NORMAL POSITION AT A CONTROLLED RATE WHEN SAID SELECTOR MEANS DISCONNECTS SAID SOURCE FROM SAID CHAMBER, SAID SECOND MEANS NOT EFFECTING MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATOR FROM ITS NORMAL POSITION TO ITS ACTUATED POSITION BY SAID SELECTOR MEANS, SAID SECOND MEANS INCLUDING A TAPE MEMBER HAVING APERTURE MEANS PASSING THERETHROUGH AND COOPERATING WITH A READING HEAD HAVING A PORT MEANS INTERCONNECTED TO SAID CHAMBER OF SAID ACTUATOR, ONE OF SAID TAPE MEMBER AND SAID READING HEAD HAVING MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID APERTURE MEANS WITH SAID PORT MEANS.

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