Linear vacuum programmer

This invention discloses a linear programmer for controlling parts of a servo system by a fluid pressure. The programmer comprises a first body with a longitudinal bore. A second body is joined to the first body forming a manifold therebetween. Apertures in the first body provide fluid communication between the bore and manifold. A plunger is disposed so as to be longitudinally movable within the bore to connect and disconnect the manifold to a source of sub-atmospheric fluid pressure to thereby activate the parts of the system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
In one aspect, this invention relates to vacuum control valves. In a 
further aspect, this invention relates to servo-controlled vacuum 
programmers. 
2. Prior Art 
Linear vacuum programmers or diverters are known in the art. One example is 
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,930 issued to Rudolph J. Franz. This patent 
shows a linear diverter valve with an elongated body and a bore extending 
longitudinally therein. A plurality of ports are axially spaced along the 
body and are in fluid communication with the bore. A diverter valve 
assembly is mounted within the bore; the diverter valve has sealing means 
at each end which seal the bore. The diverter valve also has a reduced 
center section which allows fluid flow within the bore between the two 
sealing means. Therefore, any ports which lie between the sealing means 
will be in fluid communication with each other. As the two sealing means 
are moved longitudinally along the bore, selected ports can be 
interconnected by means of the reduced portion of the valve. 
A problem arises with the prior art devices in assembling the valve in a 
system. Where a plurality of devices are to be controlled by the 
programmer, a number of port-connecting nipples are placed on the valve 
body. The ports and nipples are placed in proximity and, therefore, the 
ports are spaced about the same distance apart as the nipples. This has 
created a problem in that the size of the programmer has been determined 
by the port spacing which in turn has been dictated by the size of the 
port-connecting nipples. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of this invention to provide a linear programmer where the 
ports, or switch points, are relatively close together and the nipples for 
attaching ports to the programmer are spaced further apart than the ports. 
In general, the programmer of this invention has a first body portion 
having an inlet port connected to a source of fluid pressure. The first 
portion body has a longitudinal bore therein and at least one control or 
valving aperture. A second body portion defines a manifold which is in 
fluid communication with the bore via the aperture. The manifold generally 
has means associated therewith to attach a device to be operated by the 
fluid pressure. A valve plunger is slidably mounted within the bore. The 
valve plunger can be moved within the bore so as to expose the control 
aperture to normal atmospheric pressure or to the operating fluid pressure 
maintained at the inlet port. 
As a further feature of this invention, the first body portion may have two 
or more, i.e., a plurality of ports or apertures longitudinally disposed 
along the first body portion. In such an arrangement, each of the 
apertures provides operating fluid pressure to a separate device and would 
generally have its own separate through manifold chamber. The manifold 
chambers thus permit the port apertures to be closely spaced for 
convenience of valving, yet permit the port connection nipples to be 
spaced apart to permit ease of installation. 
As yet a further feature, the movable plunger of this invention is provided 
with a single circumferential sealing lip disposed about a core. The seal 
is in sliding contact with the bore and provides an effective seal against 
the inner periphery of the bore.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The linear programmer 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference 
to its function in an automotive heating and air conditioning system such 
as that shown in FIG. 1. The linear programmer comprises a first body 
portion 12 which has a longitudinal bore 14 therein. The first body 
portion 12 has a pair of upstanding solid studs 16 which can be used to 
attach the programmer to the vehicle mounting structure. A plurality of 
port apertures 18, 20 and 22 are provided in the first body portion for 
communicating with the bore 14. 
A second body portion 24 defines a manifold communicating with apertures 
18, 20 and 22. The body portion 24 is preferably a separate member and is 
sealed to the first body member 12 along a seam 26 to create a pressure 
tight seal. The manifold is divided into separate chambers preferably by 
two projections 28 provided on the first body member thereby creating 
three manifold chambers 30, 32 and 34 between the body portions. Three 
nipples 36, 38 and 40 are provided for the manifold chambers and extend 
radially outward from the second body portion, thereby providing means to 
attach the programmer to external parts of the system. The nipples define, 
respectively, ports 37, 39 and 41, each communicating with a separate 
chamber or portion of the manifold. 
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2, the nipples are 
spaced such that port 37 connects to chamber 30, port 39 connects to 
chamber 32, and port 41 connects to chamber 34. In the presently preferred 
practice, the body portions 12 and 24, as mentioned above, are formed of 
separate members and preferably of plastic material. With reference to 
FIG. 3, the second body portion 24 mates with the first body portion 12 at 
a parting line, denoted 26, to typically form manifold chambers 30, 32 and 
34, with only manifold chamber 30 being shown in FIG. 3 for clarity and 
simplicity. The first and second body portions 12 and 24 are joined along 
parting line 26 in a fluid pressure tight seal in any suitable manner, as 
for example by adhesives. However, the technique of weldment by fusion 
using ultrasonic waves has been found particularly suitable and is the 
preferred method of joining the two body portions. It will be understood, 
however, that the first and second body portions could be formed by other 
arrangements, as for example, by molding the programmer in halves about a 
vertical line of symmetry in FIG. 3 and thereafter joining the halves, or 
by molding the portions integrally as a one-piece unit. 
A cap 42, preferably formed of foam material, is attached to one end of the 
first body member 12 to partially close bore 14. An aperture 43 provided 
in cap 42 allows a wire 44 to pass into the bore. A plunger 46 is slidably 
disposed in the bore 14, and has one end of wire 44 connected thereto for 
effecting movement of the plunger. The plunger 46 has a core 48 and a 
radially resilient circumferential seal 50 provided therearound. Movement 
of the wire thus causes movement of the plunger and seal 50 which connects 
and disconnects apertures 20 and 22 successively fluidly to the bore 14. 
The wire 44 can be moved by various means, a solenoid being a preferred 
means. 
In operation, as shown, fluid pressure and typically a vacuum is supplied 
to nipple 36, manifold 30 and to bore 14 via aperture 18. As a result, 
bore 14 from its end wall nearest aperture or inlet 18 to the plunger 46 
is constantly maintained at a reduced pressure. The apertures 20 and 22 
are preferably located at a location in the first body portion 12 most 
remote from the inlet aperture 18, and are closely spaced for quick 
valving with minimal movement of plunger 46. Manifolds 32 and 34 are thus 
shaped so as to permit greater spacing between nipples 38 and 40 for ports 
39, 41 than the spacing between ports 20 and 22. For example, in the 
presently preferred embodiment the apertures 20 and 22 are spaced about 
1/32 of an inch apart while the nipples are spaced 3/10 of an inch apart. 
This configuration allows easy switching or valving of ports 20, 22 and 
yet permits easy assembly. As a further refinement, the ports 20, 22 can 
be disposed in the lower wall of body member 12 at an angle. If the ports 
are disposed at a converging angle, the portions of the ports at the base 
14 can be closer together than the portions of the ports at the manifolds 
32, 34. This allows an even greater spacing differential between the 
valving ports 20, 22 and the nipples. 
To provide a further understanding of the linear programmer's operation, 
FIG. 1 shows a typical automotive air conditioning system with the 
programmer 10 shown installed in the system. 
In general, such systems have a housing (not shown) containing a plenum 
which is mounted in the vehicle. The plenum is defined by a plurality of 
ducts which can be opened or closed in predetermined sequences to feed 
heated, cooled, blended or fresh air into the passenger compartment. A 
blower is normally associated with the plenum to move the air into the 
passenger compartment. The exact plenum and blower arrangement is dictated 
by design considerations of the vehicle to which the plenum is attached. 
In the system shown in FIG. 1, a multifunctional blend servomotor 60 is in 
vacuum connection with a temperature sensor 62 so that changes in 
temperature will cause sensor 62 to vary a vacuum signal to servomotor 62 
to activate the blend motor. The servomotor 60 has output actuator thereof 
operatively connected to the wire 44 of linear programmer 10 for moving 
the plunger 46 to cover and uncover apertures 20 and 22. 
In the system of FIG. 1, the linear programmer 10 ports vacuum to a vacuum 
operated water valve servomotor 66 which controls a flow of heater water 
through a heater core in response to vacuum signal from port 40. 
Nipple 38 is connected by a vacuum line to a selector or distributor 68 
which is used to set the desired cycle of heating and air conditioning. 
The selector 68 in combination with the linear programmer 10 controls flow 
directing doors which direct air flow within the plenum. 
In general, the doors 70, 72 function in a manner well known in the art. 
The recirculating fresh air door 70 controls the circulation of air into 
the plenum from outside the vehicle or from the passenger compartment. A 
temperature blend door, not shown, controls a flow of blended air within 
the plenum and a by pass door, not shown, controls the flow of cooled air 
through the plenum. The blend door and by pass door are controlled by the 
blend servomotor 60. 
A panel/defrost door 72 governs the flow of heated or cooled air to the 
defrosters or air conditioning panels and a floor door 74 controls the 
flow of conditioned air to upper or lower parts of the vehicle passenger 
compartment. 
The workings of the automotive air conditioning system are well known to 
those skilled in the art, and a detailed explanation is omitted in the 
interest of brevity. Further detailed description of such systems can be 
found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,930 issued to Franz, especially columns 3-10, 
and U.S. Pat. No. 3,856,045 issued to Kenny, Et Al, especially columns 
3-8. 
Various modifications and alterations to this invention will become obvious 
to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of 
this invention. It is understood that this invention is not limited to the 
illustrative embodiments set forth hereinbefore, but is limited only by 
the following claims: