US3906177A

US3906177A - Electromotive and fluid pressure force switch with maze valves

Info

Publication number: US3906177A
Authority: US
Inventors: Theodore E Fiddler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-06-24
Filing date: 1974-06-24
Publication date: 1975-09-16
Anticipated expiration: 1992-09-16

Abstract

An electromotive force and fluid pressure force controller apparatus for connecting and disconnecting the forces to devices activated and deactivated thereby in programmed conjunction with one another comprising a case having a slide chamber and at least one slide in the chamber movable between the ends of the case. Electrical contacts are located on and in the case adjacent to at least one side of the case and slide. The slide has sliding and/or snap-acting switch means aligned with the contacts for interconnecting the contacts and disconnecting them. Prongs are mounted on the case for connection to electrical supply and bussbars lead from the prongs to the contacts. The case has ports in at least one wall for transmitting fluid force into and out of the case. These ports are aligned with the travel of the slide. The slide has a channel maze valve engaging the interior of the ported wall of the case which is connected to and moves with the slide over the ports to interconnect and block communication between the ports. A flexible block having apertures aligned with the ports overlies the outside of the ported wall. Tubes lie in the apertures of the block. Clamp means surmount the flexible block and engage the case to compress the block into sealed engagement with the case, ports, and tubes to isolate each tube and its connected port from the others. Several slides may be nested in the case and individually moved and/or moved by another slide to control the forces singly or in combination. The ports, contacts, mazes, switch means, and slide are organized relative to one another and the various positions of the slide so that electrical and fluid force are connected and disconnected to the devices powered thereby as desired in the system programming.

Description

United States Patent [191 Fiddler [4 1 Sept. 16, 1975 ELECTROMOTIVE AND FLUID PRESSURE FORCE SWITCH WITH MAZE VALVES [76] Inventor: Theodore E. Fiddler, 1268 Suffield Dr., Birmingham, Mich. 48009 [22] Filed: June 24, 1974 [2]] Appl. No.2 482,644

[52] US. Cl 200/6l.86; 200/81 H; 285/137 R; 137/271; l37/625.48 [51] Int. Cl. H01H 9/06 [58] Field of Search..... ZOO/DIG. 5, 153 LA, 61.86, 200/81 H, 81.4, 81.5; 137/271, 625.17, 625.42, 625.48, 609; 285/137 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,546,410 12/1970 Brighenti 200/153 LA 3,820,828 6/1974 Fiddler 137/271 Primary Examiner-Gerald P. Tolin Attorney, Agent, or FirmWilliam T. Sevald [5 7 ABSTRACT An electromotive force and fluid pressure force controller apparatus for connecting and disconnecting the forces to devices activated and deactivated thereby in programmed conjunction with one another comprising a case having a slide chamber and at least one slide in the chamber movable between the ends of the case. Electrical contacts are located on and in the case adjacent to at least one side of the case and slide. The slide has sliding and/or snap-acting switch means aligned with the contacts for interconnecting the contacts and disconnecting them. Prongs are mounted on the case for connection to electrical supply and buss-bars lead from the prongs to the contacts. The case has ports inat least one wall for transmitting fluid force into and out of the case. These ports are aligned with the travel of the slide. The slide has a channel maze valve engaging the interior of the ported wall of the case which is connected to and moves with the slide over the ports to interconnect and block communication between the ports. A flexible block having apertures aligned with the ports overlies the outside of the ported wall. Tubes lie in the apertures of the block. Clamp means surmount the flexible block and engage the caseto compress the block into sealed engagement with the case, ports, and tubes to isolate each tube and its connected port from the others. Several slides may be nested in the case and individually moved and/or moved by another slide to control the forces singly or in combination. The ports, contacts, mazes, switch means, and slide are organized relative to one another and the various positions of the slide so that electrical and fluid force are connected and disconnected to the devices powered thereby as desired in the system programming.

6 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures m .y b a 1// w I f Z)fl. t. 120

a il b o D cg [7 a I Q L I 6 14 l 71 22 l 2/ JJl- -%11 w a j 7 /4 I, a '77 7; [I m 11 5 "I, a B I a g I. I 12/ 0 17 PATENIEBSEP is 2975 SHEET 2 OF 5 ELECTROMOTIVE AND FLUID PRESSURE FORCE SWITCH WITH MAZE VALVES This application is related to applications Ser. No.

326,839, filed Jan. 26, 1973, for Multiple Connector Appartus now US. Pat. No. 3,820,828; Ser. No. 345,977, filed Mar. 29, 1973, for Control Apparatus for Electrical and/or Fluid Force, now U.S. Pat. No.

3, 845,257;'and Ser. No. 315,106, filed Dec. 14, 1972, for Actuator'for Electrical Force and Fluid Pressure Force, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,824,366.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The apparatus is particularly suitable for controlling electrornotive force (EMF) and fluid pressure force (FPF) in a system where both are used to power vari- 3 bus components such as in vehicle heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning as well as windshield washers and wipers, to open and close vent doors and louvers, to

' power motors, to eject sprays, to energize clutches, to

activate compressors, etc. I

The devices of the prior art are large and cumber- I some and lack the structural and operational integraby them wherein a small port is superposed by a nipple having a hole the size of the port but having an outside dimension considerably larger to support the nipple on the controller without danger of break off. A hose having an internal dimension to over-fit on the OD of the nipple is required necessitating a much larger outside dimension of the hose to support it in gripping, sealing condition on the nipple. Thesmall ports must be wide spaced to allow for the size of the nipples and size of the hoses. The size of the controller thus is necessarily large to cover the extent of the spacing of the ports.

, The electrical apparatus of the prior art devices is correspondingly large so that it can be coordinated to the size of the fluid control actuator as the program of such devices necessitates interaction at the same time and at the same position relative to one another.

" Thetubes, nipples, etc., and cases of the prior art controllers are therefore more expensive, larger, and

objectionally bulky and space consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE/PRESENT INVENTION Thecontroller apparatus of the invention may be integrated in a small case, with small tubes, small blocks sealing the tubes, and small clamps holding the blocks and tubes sealed with the ports in a wall of the case. For example a double device having dual EMF and FPF control with multiple slides may be of a size 2.35 inches 3 long, 1.25 inches wide, and 0.80 inch thick with double blocks and clamps increasing the thickness to 1.74 inches. Holes are formed in the blocksleading to 1/ 16 inch ports in the case. one-eighth inch tubes are inserted in the holeswith the tube having a l/l6 hole connected tothe port. A double device may have a central slide which has dual EMF control means at the sides and dual F PF control means at the top and bottom. A single device may have a slide which actuates EMF control means on one side and FPF control means at another side.

Thus the apparatus may be engineered as desired with as many sets of controls for EMF and FPF as needed for a particular system.

The FPF control means includes achannel maze valve carried by a slide and moving over the ported wall of the case with the channels organized to interconnect certain supply and use ports at certain adjusted positions of the slide.

The EMF control means includes electrical contacts on'a wall or on a plate lying in the case. A sliding contactor mounted on the slide interconnects certain supply and use contacts at certain adjusted positions of the slide. Also the EMF control-means may have spring arms supporting one contact relative to another with cam means on the slide and/or spring arms closing the contacts at certain adjusted positions of the slide.

The slide and a cross-slide may be integrated in the apparatus via cam and cam-track interaction so that movement of the slide in one direction moves the crossslide in a transverse direction to accomplish control in multiple at certain adjusted positions of the slide.

One or more slides may be used and moved independently of each other by one or more actuators extending into and out of the case.

With the foregoing in view, the primary object of the invention is to provide relatively compact small apparati for controlling EMF and FPF singly and in combination which is inexpensive, easy to operate, requires minimal motion to actuate, and which is positive and reliable in continued use over long periods of time.

An object of the invention is to provide control apparati which is easy and inexpensive to engineer for a particular system.

An object of the invention is to provide control apparati which gives the design engineer or mechanic wide latitude and easy choice in designing control of a system.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the description of the illustrated embodimentsof the control apparati embodying the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a double banked controller embodying the invention showing a case with electrical connections at each end, the pressure connections at the top and bottom with the tubes broken away, and the actuator rod in end elevation at one end of the slot in the side of the case shown leading to an internal slide. 7

FIG. 2 is an end elevational'viewof the device seen in FlG. 1, from the right side thereof showing actuator rods extending from both'sides' of the case leading to two internal slides in the case and showing the pressure connections centrally positioned on the case and spaced from the sides of the case so that the electrical controls may beloc' ated internally at the sides of the case.

bosses on the slides for co-acting with cams on the controls for opening and closing the contacts.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the device seen in FIG. 2, taken on the line 4-4 thereof, showing the electrical controls and contacts adjacent the other side of the case, showing a portion of one slide having two bosses for co-acting with the cams on two controls for opening and closing contacts.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the device seen in FIG. 2, taken on the line 5- -5 thereof, showing the central portion of the case having the pneumatic or fluid pressure connections, ports, tubes, sealing blocks, and the slides having channel maze valves for controlling communication between the ports associated with each tube.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device seen in FIG. 5, taken on the line 6-6 thereof, showing electrical connections at the sides, pneumatic connections in the center, a portion of the slide at the slide tracks in the top of the case, and showing the ports in the top of the case.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6, looking in the opposite direction at the bottom of the case taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 5, showing an electrical portion at the sides, pneumatic ports in the center slide tracks, and a portion of a slide at the tracks.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device seen in FIG. 5, taken on the line 8-8 thereof, showing the actuators and internal slides in elevation, the pneumatic connections at the bottom in elevation, the pneumatic connections at the top in partial cross-section at the clamp, illustrating the central orientation of the pneumatic control means in the case and the side orientation of the electrical control means in the case.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the device seen in FIG. 5, taken on the line 9-9 thereof, showing a portion of the case bottom wall in cross-section with the sealing block in elevation as viewed at its juncture with the case, showing the tubes and receiving apertures in broken lines and showing a cross-channel in the face of the block between two ports in solid lines.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the device seen in FIG. 5, taken on the line 1010 thereof, looking inwardly at the face of the channel maze valves carried by the slide for interconnecting and blocking ports in the bottom wall of the case.

FIG. 1 1 is a top plan view of an internal slide and actuator rod, showing a cam slot in the slide and a cam fixed on another slide lying inthe cam track so that movement of the slide in one direction causes transversal movement of the other slide; the cam appearing in cross-section.

FIG. 12 is a crosssection view of a simplified embodiment of a controller device similar in cross-section to FIG. 5, showingan actuator rod in elevation in a slot in broken line phantom of the rear wall removed in the view, the sealing block clamp and tubes with the tubes broken away, and showing the internal structure in elevation, illustrating the pneumatic controls on one side of the slide and the sliding control electrical controls lying on the other side of the slide; and

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electrical portion of the device seen in FIG. 12, such as taken on the line l313 of FIG. 12, showing a partition wall and buss-bars in cross-section, contacts on the wall in elevation, and controller means in elevation mounted on the slide for movement therewith; showing the slide in cross-section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the EMF and FPF control apparati disclosed therein to illustrate the invention includes a first exemplary embodiment FIGS. 1-l1, and a second exemplary embodiment FIGS. 12 and 13.

Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-1l, a case has a top wall 21, a bottom wall 22,

opposite end walls

23 and 24, and

opposite side walls

25 and 26. The top wall 21 has grooved

tracks

27 and 28 formed therein internally thereof. The bottom wall 22 has grooved

tracks

29 and 30 formed therein internally thereof shown in cross-section in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 and in broken lines in FIG. 5. A first slide 31 lies inside the case 20 and has

top ribs

33 and 34 lying in the

top tracks

27 and 28, respectively, and

bottom ribs

35 and 36 lying in the bottom tracks 29 and 30, respectively. An actuator arm 32 is fixed on the slide 31 and extends outwardly of the case 20 through a slot 33 in the side wall 25. Moving the actuator arm 32 in the slot 33 moves the slide 31 linearly in the case 20 with the ribs 27-30 on the slide 31 riding in the tracks 23-26 in the case top and

bottom walls

21 and 22. The slide 31 has a stepped-down extending portion 37, FIG. 5. A second slide 40 overlies the stepped-down portion 37 of the first slide 31. An actuator arm 41 is mounted on the second slide 40 and extends outwardly of the case 20 through the slot 42 in the side wall 26 for actuating the second slide 40 independently. The slide 40 has opposite ends 45 and 46 which slidably engage the inside of the

side walls

25 and 26, respectively, of the case 20 to provide linear guidance for the second slide 40. The slide 40, FIGS. 3, 5, and 11, has a cam slot 47. A cam 48 lies in the cam slot 47. A cross-slide 50 overlies the second slide 40 and is connected to the cam 48. Interior cross-walls 51 and 52, FIG. 5, depending from the top wall 21 guide the cross-slide 50 transversely relative to the second slide 40. Linear movement of the second slide 40 effects transverse movemerit of the cross-slide 50 via the cam slot 47 and cam 48 mechanical interaction.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the slides 3l and 40 move linearly in the case 20 between the

end walls

23, 24 and lie in guiding contact with the top and

bottom walls

21, 22 in the longitudinal central portion of the top and

bottom walls

21, 22. As hereinafter described, the pneumatic controls are oriented in the longitudinal central portion of the case 20 over the

slides

31 and 40 and the electrical controls are oriented on either side of the

slides

31 and 40, between the

slides

31, 40 and the

sides

25 and 26 of the case 20.

Referring now to the pneumatic control elements, the case 20 has ports 55 leading through its top wall 21 and through its bottom wall 22 in the longitudinal central portions of the top and

bottom walls

21 and 22. Each port 55 may be surmounted by a counterbore 56 in the case wall which is in turn surmounted by an anports therein. The blocks and 61 have apertures 62 and 63, respectively, leading to each port 55. The block apertures 62 and 63 are surmounted by block counterbores 64 and 65, respectively. A tube 66 lies in each block counterbore 64 and of the

blocks

60 and 61 in communication with the apertures 62 and 63, re-

spectively, and thus in communication with each port 55. A clamp plate 68 surmounts the block 60 and a clamp plate 69 surmounts the block 61. Upstanding internally hooked flanges 270 extend from the case top wall 21 and depending externally hooked flanges 271 depend from the clamp plate 68. The hooked-flangeinterlock between the clamp plates 68, 69, and the case 20 occurs at both ends and both sides of the

blocks

60 and 61. Upon forcing the clamp plate 68 against the block 60, the block is compressed and the hooked

flanges

270 and 271 bypass one another in their oppositely hooked portions and interlock their hooks holding the block 60 in compressed sealing condition against the top wall 21. The case bottom wall also has inwardly hooked flanges 270 and the clamp plate 69 also has externally hooked flanges 271 which likewise hold the sealing block 61 in compressed sealed condition against the case bottom wall 22.

In compressing the

blocks

60 and 61, the

blocks

60 and 61 are also urged into compressed sealing relationship with each tube 66 lying in counterbores 64 and 65 of the

blocks

60 and 61, respectively.

The slide 31 has receiving cavities 70 and 71, FIG. 5. A socket 72 and a socket 73 are formed in the slide 31 at either end of the cavity 70 and a socket 74 is formed at one end of the blind cavity 71. A channel maze valve 76 lies in the socket 72, a valve 77 lies in the socket 73, and a valve 78-lies in the socket 74. A spring 79 in the cavity 70 bears on the valves 76 and 77 and urges them against the top wall 21 and bottom wall 22, respectively. A spring 80 in the blind cavity 71 urges the valve 78 against the bottom wall 22.

Similarly, the cross-slide 50 has a valve 81 urged against the top wall 21 by a spring 82 in a cavity 83 of the cross-slide 50. Movement of the

slides

31, 40 and cross-slide 50 moves the channel

maze switch valves

76, 77, 78, and 81 relative to the ports 55 to establish and/or change interconnection between supply and use tubes 66 as hereinafter set forth. The slides, ports, and valves lie in the longitudinal center of the case 20 spaced from the

side walls

25, 26. The electrical controls now described are located in the space on both sides of the

slides

31, 40 at the

side walls

25 and 26 of the case 20.

The electrical control includes a connector prong leading into the case 20 at the inside of the bottom wall 22 and is attached thereto by the rivet 101, FIGS. 1, 2, and 7. A buss strip or cross-bar 102 leads from the prong 100. A side bar 103 leads from one end of the cross-bar 102 to an extending end equipped with a contact 104, FIG. 8. A side bar 105 leads from the other end of the cross-bar 102 to an 'extending end equipped with a contact 106. At the case side 26, the cross-bar 102 has also a riser bar 107 terminating in an upper end equipped with a contact 108. A riser bar 109 extends upwardly from the side bar 105 and terminates in the contact 110. The foregoing establishes one side of the electrical circuitry with four

contacts

104, 106, l08, and 1 10.

Contacts

104 and 108 lie on one side of the

slides

31 and 40 adjacent the side wall 26.

Contacts

106 and 110 lie on the other side of the

slides

31 and 40 adjacent the side wall 25.

A spring arm 120, FIG. 3, is attached to the case top wall by a rivet 121. A wire lead 122 is connected to one end of the spring arm and a contact 128 is attached to the other end of the arm 120 and co-acts with contact 108. A cam 130 is formed on the arm 120 and co-acts with a boss 131 on the slide 40 to close the

contacts

108, 128. A spring arm 123 is attached to the case end wall 24 by a rivet 126. The arm 123 has a connector prong 125 at one end and a contact 124 attached to the other end which co-acts with contact 104.

. A cam 132 is formed in the spring arm 123 and co-acts with a boss 133 on the slide. 31 to close the

contacts

104, 124.

Relative to the electrical means adjacent to the side 25 of the case 20, a spring arm 140, FIG. 4, is attached to the case 20 by a rivet 141, has an outside prong 142 at one end and a contact 146 at the other internal end for closing on contact 106. A cam bend 143 is formed in the arm 140. A boss 144 on the slide 31 co-acts with the cam 143 to close the

contacts

106, 146. A spring arm 145 is attached to the case 20 by a rivet 147. A lead 148 is also attached to that end of the arm 145 by the rivet 147. A contact 150 is mounted on the other end of the arm 145 and closes with contact 1 10. A cam bend 151 lies in the arm 145 and co-acts with a boss 152 on the slide 31 to close

contacts

110, 150.

The resilient block 61, FIG. 9, has a channel 210 in its surface shown in elevation between two ports 55A and B shown in phantom. The tube 66A is thus connected directly to port 55A and indirectly to port 553 by the channel 210. The channel 210 provides means for using one tube, such as a FPF supply tube, for example, to two ports 55 which are controlled by different channel maze valves. The channel 210 also provides means for connecting more than one tube to a single port. It also provides means for interconnecting two ports without tubes.

Referring to the simplified embodiment seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, a case has a top 161, a bottom 162, opposite ends 163 and 164, a near side 165 which is removed as shown in FIG. 12 and a far side 166. A slot 167 is formed in the near side 165 and is shown in broken line phantom in the view. An actuator arm 168 lies through the slot 167 and has a portion inside and a portion outside the case 160. A slide lies in the case 160 and is attached to the inner portion of the arm 168. The slide 170 slidably abuts the case bottom 162. A plate 169 extends from the slide 170 and slidably abuts the top 161. The slide 170 travels between the ends 163, 164, when moved by the actuator arm 168. The

top 161 slidably guides the plate 169 and the bottom 162, the side 166, and the side 165 guide the slide 170 in its travel. An intermediate partition or wall 173 lies in the case 160 adjacent the top 161. The wall 173 is spaced above and out of the plane of travel of the plate 169 on the slide 170. Buss bars 174 and 175 overlie the wall 173 and extend through the end 163 of the case 160 in

connector prongs

176 and 177, respectively. A contact 178 and a contact 180 are riveted on the wall 173 and bar 174. A contact 179 and a contact 181 are riveted on the wall 173 and bar 175 spaced from the contacts 178, 180. The riveted contacts 179-181 hold the wall 173 and

bars

174 and 175 together. A first spring fingered interconnector 182 is mounted on the slide 170 and has a finger 183 for engaging contact 179 and a finger 184 for engaging contact 178, FIG. 13. The circuit is closed through the interconnector 182 when the slide 170 locates the finger 184.0n the contact 178 and the finger 183 on the contact 179; the circuit is open otherwise. A second spring connector 185 is mounted on the slide 170 and has a cross bar with

opposite ends

186 and 187 for engaging the contacts 180 and 181.

The bottom 162 of the case 160 has ports 190, 191,

and 192. A channel maze valve 188 in the case 160 faces the bottom 162 for interconnecting and blocking communication between the ports 190, 191, and 192. The valve 188 is mounted on the slide 170 for movement therewith. The

spring fingers

183, 184, and cross bar ends 186, 187 reacting against the partition or wall 173 urge the valve 188 on the slide 170 against the bottom 162 and ports 190-2. A resilient block 189 overlies the bottom 162 on the outside of the case 160. The

block 189 has

apertures

194, 195, and 196 respec- I tively.

Tubes

197, 198, and 199 lie in the

apertures

194, 195, and 196 respectively, in communication with the ports 190, 191, and 192 respectively. A clamp plate 200 is superposed on the block 189. The plate 200 has holes allowing the tubes 197-9 to extend through the plate 200. Inwardly-hooked outwardly-extending flanges 201 are carried by the case 160 at either end of the plate 200 and at both sides of the plate 200. Outwardly-hooked inwardly-extending flanges 202 are carried by the plate 200 and interlock with the flanges 201 on the case 160. The

flanges

201 and 202 are adapted to interlock after the plate 200 has been moved toward the bottom 162 to compress the block 189 therebetween. The compression forces on the block 189 force it into sealing relationship with the bottom 162 at the ports 190, 191, and 192 isolating each port in communication with its respective aperture 194-6 in the block 189. The compression forces in the block 189 also inl3; assuming that tube 197 and port 190 have FPF supply, supply to the actuated system is sealed off as the valve 188 does not connect to the other ports. When the actuator rod 168 is moved to a half-way position in the slot 167, the valve 188 connects FPF supply from the tube 197 to tube 198 via port 191. At this point the fingers 183,184 of the electrical interconnector 182 are abutting the contacts 179 and 178 closing the electrical circuit connected to the

prongs

176, 177. When the actuator rod 168 is moved to the far end of the slot 167, the valve 188 overlies all three ports 190, 191, and 192 and connects FPF supply to tube 199 via port 192. In this position the valve 188 may seal off port 191 or also connect port 191 to supply as desired depending on the valve channeling. With the actuator rod 168 at the far end of the slot 167, the

fingers

183, 184 have moved off the contacts 178, 179 opening the electrical circuit through them but cross bar ends 186, 187 of interconnector 185 are now engaging contacts 180, 181, respectively, which establishes the electrical circuit through them.

Referring now to the device of FIGS. 1 to 11, it will be understood that it operates the same as the device of FTGS. 12 and 13 in principle, but that more EMF and FPF circuits are controlled. It will also be noted that the electrical control means of FIGS. 12 and 13 lie on the side of the slide 170 opposite to the pneumatic controls and conversely in the device of FIGS. 1-11 that the dual electrical control means is located on opposite sides of the

slides

31, 40 and the dual pneumatic control means lie on opposite top and bottom walls of the

slides

31, 40. It will thus be understood that the electrical and pneumatic controls can be oriented on any side of the slide or slides as desired and that they may be single or multiple to suit the system controlled, the shape of the available space, and the arrangement desired.

In the operation of the device, FIGS. 1-11, the

slides

31 and 40 are individually moved. They may be moved separately and/ or in synchronized conjunction with one another by the

actuators

32 and 41, respectively. When the slide 31 is moved to a position centrally in the slot 33, for example, the

bosses

144 and 152 on the slide 31 adjacent the side wall 25, FIG. 4, move the cams 143 and 151, respectively, to actuate the spring arms and to close their circuits by engaging

contacts

146 and 106 and contacts and 110. The movement of the slide 31 also moves the boss 133 against cam 132, FIG. 3, in spring arm 140 to close.

contacts

146 and 106 in another circuit. The movement of slide 31 also movesthe channel maze valve 76 relative to the ports 55 thereat in the top wall 21 to control FPF between the tubes 66 connected to these ports 55. The movement of the slide 31 also moves the channel maze valves 77 and 78 relative to the ports 55 at each valve 77 and 78 to control the FPF ports 55 connected to the supply and use tubes 66 connected to these ports.

Movement of the slide 40 by its actuator 41 linearly in the case 20 moves its cam track 47 linearly also, FIGS. 3, 5, and 11, with the cam track 47 causing the cam '48 to move transversely in the case 20. The linear movement of the slide 40 moves the boss 131 thereonrelative to the cam 130 in the spring arm 120 to urge

contacts

108 and 128 together closing their EMF circuit. The transverse movement of the cam 48 is transferred to the cross-slide 50 on which it is mounted to move the channel maze valve 81 cross-wise in the case 20 relative to the ports 55 thereat in the top wall 21 to change F PF communication between' the tubes 66 leading to and from the ports 55 thereat.

Any type of switch means may be used in the controller and actuated by the slide to make and break electric circuits in the electrical portions of the device. It will be noted that the springs 79, 80, and 82 of the device resiliently hold the channel maze values 76, 77, 78, and 81 against their respective ported walls to insure sealing contact therewith relative to FPF in the embodiment seen in FIGS. 1-11. In the embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13, the spring force of the connectors 182 and- /or 185 hold the channel maze valve 188 against its ported wall 1'62. In this connection it will be understood that atmospheric pressure on the outside of the slide urges the slide and valve against the ported wall when low pressure is applied at the valve by the supply port of the FPF. It is also within the purview of the invention to use other resilient means to engage the valve at the wall and/or to urge an electrical interconnector member into engagement with the contacts. For example, a plate or bar may be carried by the slide and pressed towards the contacts by a coil spring or a resilient pad if desired.

The scope of the patent protection of the inventive combination of the electrical controls and the pneumatic controls and connections is thus defined only in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for controlling the application of EMF and FPF in coordination with one another to power devices selectively in a system comprising,

a case having an interior chamber,

a slide in said chamber movable relative to said case;

said case having a first wall adjacent said slide;

a first surface on said slide adjacent said first wall of said case,

electrical supply and use contacts mounted in said chamber adjacent said first wall of said case and adjacent said first surface of said slide, 7

electric conductors leading from said contacts for connection to supply and use in a system,

i switch means in said chamber of said case associated with said first wall of said case and said first surface of said slide actuated by movement of said slide relative to said case,

said case having a second wall adjacent said slide;

a second surface on said slide adjacent said second wall of said case,

said second wall of said case having FPF supply and use ports leading through said second wall;

a maze valve facing said second wall of said case in sliding relationship thereto over said ports therein,

means connecting said valve on said second surface of said slide for movement with said slide relative to said ports to interconnect FPF supply and use ports at a selected position of said slide to complete a fluid circuit in a system,

a resilient block on the outside of said case overlyin said second ported wall,

said block having an aperture paired with and leading to each said port in said second wall,

a tube inserted in each said aperture of said block,

and

means compressingly securing said block against said second wall in sealing relationship therewith and the compression forces in said block confining each said block aperture to its said paired port and securing said block around said tubes in sealing relationship therewith to confine communication of each said aperture to its respective paired tube.

2. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said switch means comprising,

a spring arm mounted on said case;

one said contact being mounted on said spring arm;

a cam on said arm, and

a boss on said first surface of said slide for moving said spring arm to close said electrical supply and use contacts at a selected position of said slide.

3. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said switch means comprising,

an electrical bridge connector mounted on said first surface of said slide;

said connector having an engaging portion for abutting said supply and use contacts resiliently urged toward said contacts;

said connector moving with said slide to locate said engaging portion across said supply and use a third surface on said slide adjacent said third wall of said case,

electrical supply and use contacts mounted in said chamber adjacent said third wall of said case and adjacent said third surface of said slide,

electrical conductors leading from said contacts for connection to supply and use in a system,

switch means in said chamber of said case associated with said third wall of said case and said third surface of said slide actuated by movement of said slide relative to said case.

5. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 4,

said case having a fourth wall adjacent said slide;

a fourth surface on said slide adjacent said fourth wall of said case,

said fourth wall of said case having FPF supply and use ports leading through said fourth wall,

a maze valve facing said fourth wall of said case in sliding relationship thereto over said ports therein,

means connecting said valve on said fourth surface of said slide for movement with said slide relative to said ports in said fourth wall to interconnect FPF supply and use ports at a selected position of said slide to complete a fluid circuit in a system,

a second resilient block on the outside of said case overlying said fourth ported wall,

said second block having an aperture paired with and leading to each said port in said fourth wall,

a tube inserted in each said aperture of said second block, and

means compressingly securing said second block against said fourth wall in sealing relationship therewith and the compression forces in said block confining each said second block aperture to its said paired port in said fourth wall and securing said second block around said tubes in sealing relationship therewith to confine communication of each said aperture in said fourth wall to its respective paired tube.

6. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1,

said case havinga third wall,

said slide having a third surface,

said case having a fourth wall adjacent said slide,

a fourth surface on said slide adjacent said fourth wall of said case,

means connecting said valve on said fourth surface of said slide for movement with said slide relative to said portsin said fourth wall-to interconnect FPF supply and use ports at a selected position of said slide to complete a fluid circuit in a system,

a tube inserted in each said aperture of said second block, and

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling the application of EMF and FPF in coordination with one another to power devices selectively in a system comprising, a case having an interior chamber, a slide in said chamber movable relative to said case; said case having a first wall adjacent said slide; a first surface on said slide adjacent said first wall of said case, electrical supply and use contacts mounted in said chamber adjacent said first wall of said case and adjacent said first surface of said slide, electric conductors leading from said contacts for connection to supply and use in a system, switch means in said chamber of said case associated with said first wall of said case and said first surface of said slide actuated by movement of said slide relative to said case, said case having a second wall adjacent said slide; a second surface on said slide adjacent said second wall of said case, said second wall of said case having FPF supply and use ports leading through said second wall; a maze valve facing said second wall of said case in sliding relationship thereto over said ports therein, means connecting said valve on said second surface of said slide for movement with said slide relative to said ports to interconnect FPF supply and use ports at a selected position of said slide to complete a fluid circuit in a system, a resilient block on the outside of said case overlying said second ported wall, said block having an aperture paired with and leading to each said port in said second wall, a tube inserted in each said aperture of said block, and means compressingly securing said block against said second wall in sealing relationship therewith and the compression forces in said block confining each said block aperture to its Said paired port and securing said block around said tubes in sealing relationship therewith to confine communication of each said aperture to its respective paired tube.

2. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said switch means comprising, a spring arm mounted on said case; one said contact being mounted on said spring arm; a cam on said arm, and a boss on said first surface of said slide for moving said spring arm to close said electrical supply and use contacts at a selected position of said slide.

3. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said switch means comprising, an electrical bridge connector mounted on said first surface of said slide; said connector having an engaging portion for abutting said supply and use contacts resiliently urged toward said contacts; said connector moving with said slide to locate said engaging portion across said supply and use contacts to close an electrical circuit in a system.

4. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said case having a third wall adjacent said slide; a third surface on said slide adjacent said third wall of said case, electrical supply and use contacts mounted in said chamber adjacent said third wall of said case and adjacent said third surface of said slide, electrical conductors leading from said contacts for connection to supply and use in a system, switch means in said chamber of said case associated with said third wall of said case and said third surface of said slide actuated by movement of said slide relative to said case.

5. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 4, said case having a fourth wall adjacent said slide; a fourth surface on said slide adjacent said fourth wall of said case, said fourth wall of said case having FPF supply and use ports leading through said fourth wall, a maze valve facing said fourth wall of said case in sliding relationship thereto over said ports therein, means connecting said valve on said fourth surface of said slide for movement with said slide relative to said ports in said fourth wall to interconnect FPF supply and use ports at a selected position of said slide to complete a fluid circuit in a system, a second resilient block on the outside of said case overlying said fourth ported wall, said second block having an aperture paired with and leading to each said port in said fourth wall, a tube inserted in each said aperture of said second block, and means compressingly securing said second block against said fourth wall in sealing relationship therewith and the compression forces in said block confining each said second block aperture to its said paired port in said fourth wall and securing said second block around said tubes in sealing relationship therewith to confine communication of each said aperture in said fourth wall to its respective paired tube.

6. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said case having a third wall, said slide having a third surface, said case having a fourth wall adjacent said slide, a fourth surface on said slide adjacent said fourth wall of said case, said fourth wall of said case having FPF supply and use ports leading through said fourth wall, a maze valve facing said fourth wall of said case in sliding relationship thereto over said ports therein, means connecting said valve on said fourth surface of said slide for movement with said slide relative to said ports in said fourth wall to interconnect FPF supply and use ports at a selected position of said slide to complete a fluid circuit in a system, a second resilient block on the outside of said case overlying said fourth ported wall, said second block having an aperture paired with and leading to each said port in said fourth wall, a tube inserted in each said aperture of said second block, and means compressingly securing said second block against said fourth wall in sealing relationship therewith and the comPression forces in said block confining each said second block aperture to its said paired port in said fourth wall and securing said second block around said tubes in sealing relationship therewith to confine communication of each said aperture in said fourth wall to its respective paired tube.