Patent GB-1197876-A (GB)
Title: Fluidic Programme Device for Automatic Sequential Control
IPC: F15B13/07
Filed: 1969-02-13
Abstract: 1,197,876. Fluid logic and switching circuits. PHILIPS ELECTRONIC & ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES Ltd. Feb. 13, 1969 [Feb. 16, 1968], No.7915/69. Heading F1P. A fluidic programming device for sequentially controlling a plurality of strokes of a single motor or for sequentially controlling a plurality e.g., six single-stroke motors provides a command signal connected at 44--49 to each motor to initiate its stroke and the device receives a fluidic information signal delivered by each motor in turn at the end of its stroke to connections 50--55, also each command connection 44--49 receives its signal through an assoicated pair of bi-stable flap valves 21 and 27, 22 and 28--26 and 32 on reception of an information signal provided at the end of the stroke of the motor just having been actuated. Each of the six pairs of bi-stable valves has four inputs a 1 , b 1 , a 2 , b 2  two outputs C 1 , C 2 , two set inputs d 1 , d 2  and two. reset inputs e 1 , e 2 . Each command connection 44--49 is coupled to the outputs C 1  of valves 21--26 respectively and each information connection 50--54 is coupled to the set inputs d 1 , d 2  of the next valve whilst connection 55 is coupled to the set inputs d 1 , d 2  of valve pair 21, 27. Also each input a 1 , b 2  is open to atmosphere, each input a 2  is connected to a compressed air supply line 34 as is the input b 1  of switch 26. Each output C 1  is connected to its associated command connection 44--49 whilst each output C 2  except the last is coupled to the reset inputs e 1 , e 2  of the next valve pair. Also each output C 2  except the first is coupled to the input b 1  of the preceding valve pair and the output C 1  of the last valve 26 is coupled through a manually operated valve 36 and a line 58 to the reset inputs e 1 , e 2  of the first valve pair 21, 27. The device also includes a fluidic valve 33 having an input a connected to the supply line 34, an input b open to atmosphere, a set input d coupled to the output C 1  of valve 26, a reset input e coupled to the output C 2  of valve 32 and an output c which delivers air through a manual switch 37 to a line leading to a connection 59 and to a limit switch for each motor which when opened passes an information signal to an appropriate connection 50--55. A further manual valve 35 has an inlet a open to atmosphere, an inlet b connected to supply line 34 and an output c connected to the next inputs e of valves 36, 37. To initiate the sequential operation of the six motors and with valves 21--32 in their dash-line position, valves 33, 35 in the full-line position, valves 36, 37 in dash-line position and valve 38 in full-line position the valve 38 is moved to the dash-line position whereby valves 36, 37 are moved to the full-line positions. Compressed air from line 34 thus passes through valves 33, 37 to connection 59 and through an open limit valve to the information connection 55. The pressure at connection 55 switches valve pair 21, 27 to the full-line position whereby pressure is passed through valve 28 to the input b1 and output C 1  of valve 21 to the command connection 44 and from thence to one end of a distributing valve of the first motor to be actuated. At the end of the stroke of the first motor its associated limit valve is opened to deliver an information signal to the input 50 and which signal switches valve pair 22, 28 to the full-line position whereby the output C 1  of valve 22 is connected to supply line 34 through valve 29 to provide a command signal at 45 which opens the distributing valve of the second motor, and this motor at the end of its stroke opens its associated limit valve to provide an information signal at 51. At the end of the stroke of the fifth motor the information signal at hearing at 54 causes valve pair 26, 32 to switch to their fullline positions whereon compressed air passes through valve 26 to command connection 49 which initiates the stroke of the last motor in the series. Air from valve 26 also switches valve 33 to the dash-line position in which it interrupts passage of air through valve 37 to connection 59 and hence to the limit valve to be actuated by the last motor at the end of its stroke and which when actuated is unable to transmit an information signal. Switching of valve 26 to full-line position also connects supply line 34 through valve 36 in its full-line position to line 58 leading to the reset inputs e 1 , e 2  of valve pair 21, 27 which are thus returned to their initial dash-line positions and which results in the remaining valve pairs being successively switched to their initial positions. Valve 33 is also switched to its initial full-line position whereby compressed air passes through valves 33, 37 to the limit valve of the last motor resulting in a signal being pre -set at 55 in readiness for start of a new cycle. Instead of their being six motors a single motor may be actuated in three phases by connecting command connections 44, 46, 48 through an OR element to the end of the distributing valve and by connecting the signal output of the limit valve in parallel with information connections 50, 52, 54.