Patent ID: 7380568
Filing Date: 2008-06-03
Classification: G05D,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: an electronic control module, the electronic control module capable of storing an algorithm, the electronic control module capable of receiving input data from at least one external source, and the control module capable of giving an output signal based upon a comparison of the input data to the algorithm; a vacuum pressure sensor, the vacuum pressure sensor being capable of sensing vacuum pressure present within a vacuum system, the vacuum pressure sensor being capable of sending output data, the vacuum pressure sensor being functionally connected to allow input of vacuum pressure data into the electronic control module; a trigger switch, the trigger switch being electronically connected to the electronic control module, the trigger switch being capable of sending input data to the electronic control module; a vacuum switching module functionally connected to receive electrical pulses from the electronic control module, the vacuum switching module being capable of opening and closing a valve between an external vacuum source and a vessel; and a means to electrically connect the electronic control module to a power source; wherein the electronic control module receives input data from the vacuum pressure sensor and the trigger switch and the electronic control module sends electrical pulse signals to the vacuum switching module to open and close the vacuum switching module according to a predetermined algorithm stored within the electronic control module; the vacuum switching module comprising a solenoid, a solenoid plunger, a solenoid plunger spring, a diaphragm assembly, a pilot valve, and an air passageway; the solenoid plunger comprises magnetic material and has a first end and a second end, the second end of the plunger being located such that axial movement of the plunger results in opening and closing a valve between the air passageway and the vacuum source; the solenoid has a coil and a permanent magnet fixed to the coil, the permanent magnet has a polarity and is enveloped by a permanent magnetic field, the polarity of the permanent magnet being such that solenoid plunger is drawn toward the permanent magnet, the coil being adapted for receiving electronic pulses originating from the electronic control module and being electronically connected to the electronic control module so as to allow the coil to receive electronic pulses from the electronic control module; the plunger spring being situated so that it applies tension between the solenoid and the solenoid plunger such that the tension can be increased by spring compression when the solenoid plunger is actuated, the tension between the solenoid and the solenoid plunger being minimally sufficient to overcome the permanent magnetic field of the permanent magnet, the first end of the solenoid plunger being located within the permanent magnetic field of the permanent magnet, the permanent magnetic field applying magnetic force to the solenoid plunger; the coil functioning such that when the coil receives a first electronic pulse of a specific and predetermined duration from the electronic control module a momentary magnetic field is created around the coil for the duration of the pulse, the momentary magnetic field resulting from the first electronic pulse having a polarity, that polarity being the same as the polarity of the permanent magnetic field of the permanent magnet, the coil functioning such that during the duration of the first electronic pulse and while the coil is surrounded by the momentary magnetic field of the same polarity as the permanent magnetic field of the permanent magnet, the momentary magnetic field of the coil acts to add magnetic force to the permanent magnetic field of the permanent magnet such that the additional magnetic force, when added to the magnetic force of the permanent magnetic field of the permanent magnet, is sufficient to overcome the plunger spring tension between the solenoid and the solenoid plunger; the coil functioning such that when the solenoid receives a second electronic pulse of reverse polarity and of a predetermined specific duration from the electronic control module the coil, during the duration of the second pulse, generates a second momentary magnetic field, the second momentary field of the coil being of polarity opposite to that of the permanent magnetic field of the permanent magnet, the second momentary field of the coil acting in concert with the plunger spring to overcome the magnetic force of the permanent magnetic field of the permanent magnet, thus repelling the solenoid plunger away from the permanent magnet; the diaphragm assembly having a first diaphragm atrium and a second diaphragm atrium, the diaphragm assembly having a first diaphragm housed within the first diaphragm atrium, and a having second diaphragm housed within the second diaphragm atrium, the diaphragm assembly having a first external atrium and a second external atrium; the first external atrium having an aperture capable of providing fluid communication between the first external atrium and atmosphere external to the apparatus; the second external atrium having a first aperture and a second aperture, the first aperture being capable of providing fluid communication between the second atrium and the vacuum system, the second aperture being capable of providing fluid communication between the second atrium and a vacuum outlet; the first diaphragm atrium having an aperture and a plunger, the plunger having a first end and a second end, the first end of the plunger being attached to the first diaphragm, the plunger extending snugly and movably through the aperture into the first external atrium, the plunger having a seal gasket attached to the second end, the seal gasket being adapted to occluding the aperture in the first external atrium when the solenoid is actuated; the second diaphragm atrium having an aperture and a plunger, the plunger having a first end and a second end, the first end of the plunger being attached to the second diaphragm, the plunger extending snugly and movably through the aperture, the plunger having a seal gasket attached to the second end, the seal gasket being adapted to obstruct fluid communication between the vacuum system and the vacuum outlet when the solenoid is not actuated; a pilot valve, the pilot valve having a housing and a piston; the piston being attached to the second end of the solenoid plunger, the piston being enclosed by the housing; an air passageway, the air passageway having a first aperture, a second aperture, and a third aperture; the pilot valve housing having an internal atrium, the pilot valve housing having a first aperture, a second aperture, and a third aperture, the first aperture being adapted to receive the second end of the solenoid plunger, the second aperture providing fluid communication between the vacuum system and the internal atrium, the third aperture providing fluid communication between the internal atrium and the first aperture of the air passageway; the air passageway being capable of providing fluid communication between the internal atrium of the pilot valve housing and the first and second atria of the diaphragm assembly; the pilot valve being situated so as to obstruct vacuum pressure from communication with the air passageway, the pilot valve piston being attached to the second end of the solenoid plunger such that when the solenoid is actuated, the solenoid plunger moves the pilot valve piston to a position allowing fluid communication between the vacuum system and the air passageway.