Patent GB-1040464-A (GB)
Abstract: 1,040,464. Pen recorders. CLEVITE CORPORATION. Feb. 26, 1964 [March 15, 1963], No. 7961/64. Heading B6P. [Divisions F2 and G1] Pen recorders.-A pen recorder ink supply system of the type described in Specification 938,461 wherein ink is supplied under pressure from a reservoir 48 via a control valve 50 and a manifold 52 to the plurality of flexible pipes 54 each connected to a pen 14, Fig. 3, each pipe 54 is connected to the tubular outlet 112 of a sleeve or valve member 110 of synthetic plastic material such as nylon. The manifold 52 is provided with a plurality of holes 108, Figs. 5-7 (not shown) each of which associates with the tubular outlet 112 of one valve member 110. Each valve member 110 may move longitudinally of the manifold 52 to control the supply of ink as in Fig. 6. The manifold 52 may be rotated relative to the valve members 110 to shut off the supply of ink as in Fig. 7. Each valve member 110 has a flange 116 with a pair of slots 118 which engage a pair of pins 122 fixed to a plate 120. The manifold is supported in a bearing 100 at one end and is connected to a lever 150 which is moved vertically by a slidable member 152. The member 152 co-operates with a notch 164 in a latching lever 124 which forms part of the drawer mechanism of the pen recorder. When the drawer 32 of the recorder is opened as in Fig. 1, to provide access to the interior of the recorder, the slidable member 152 is moved downwards to rotate the manifold 52 and shut off the supply of ink to the pens 14. Prior to opening the drawer a switch 170, Figs. 1 and 3, is opened and as the drawer is opened a switch 38 is automatically opened to break the circuit to the electromagnetically operated control valve 50 and the motor 166 of the record medium drive. Control valve.-The control valve 50, Fig. 4 (not shown), serves to cut off the supply of ink to the pen 14 and also to relieve the pressure on the outlet side of the valve. The valve comprises a body 56 with inlet and outlet passages 58 and 60 respectively with an interconnecting passage 62. A spring 68 biases a valve member 66 against a seat 64 and a hollow stem 80 cooperates with the valve member 66 to open the valve. The stem 80 is attached to a cover-plate 84 of a tubular housing 86 and a piston 88 is slidably retained within the housing. A contractable chamber 90 is defined within the housing 86 by a flexible tubular sealing diaphragm 92. A rod 94 within the piston 88 is biased by a spring 96 against the armature 78 of the solenoid 76. Access of the ink to the chamber 90 is via the hollow stem 80, a slot 82 in the wall thereof, and the outlet passage 60 of the valve. The valve as shown in Fig. 4 is closed. Upon energization of the solenoid 76 the rod 94 is displaced to the left to compress the spring 96 which in turn gradually displaces the piston 88 to compress the chamber 90. When the piston 88 engages the cover-plate 84, the stem 80 moves the valve member 66 away from its seat 64 to open the valve. Upon de-energization of the solenoid, the spring 68 immediately closes the valve member 66 against its seat, and the pressure of the ink in the outlet side of the valve will expand the chamber 90.