US3257598A

US3257598A - Periodically driven rotary valve control

Info

Publication number: US3257598A
Application number: US280060A
Authority: US
Inventors: John D Settles
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-05-13
Filing date: 1963-05-13
Publication date: 1966-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 1983-06-21

Description

June 21, 1966 J. D. SETTLES PERIODICALLY DRIVEN ROTARY VALVE CONTROL 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed y 13. 1963 All-4; Illl I INVENTOR. Lia/5n D. SeZZZas' O [M L V5.5

ATTORNEYS June 21, 1966 J. D. SETTLES 3,257,598

PERIODICALLY DRIVEN ROTARY VALVE CONTROL Filed May 13, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Jo/zn fl Se ZZZes' JET-i BY flung W1 June 21, 1966 J. D. SETTLES PERIODICALLY DRIVEN ROTARY VALVE CONTROL 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 13, 1963 INVENTOR.

v United States Patent 3,257,598 PERIQDICALLY DRIVEN ROTARY VALVE CONTROL John D. Settles, Costa Mesa, alif., assignor to Donald G. Griswold, Newport Beach, Calif. Filed May 13, 1963, Ser. No. 280,060 17 Claims. (Cl. 318-443) This invention relates generally to control systems for controlling the rotational position of rotatable mechanisms, and more particularly to a novel control system incorporating a synchronous motor and especially adaptable to position a rotary pilot valve in a fluid system controller. I

Control systems of the general type to which this invention relates are commonly utilized in fluid system controllers to position a rotary pilot valve that is itself arranged to operate a plurality of remotely positioned, fluid-actuated control valves, or other fluid-operated devices. The remotely controlled valves can be positioned in a fluid distribution system, or can be utilized to control the operating cycle of a water softener, a sand filter, or similar apparatus, and the controller usually includes a timer mechanism arranged to automatically cause the pilot valve to pass through a complete operating cycle.

The controller of the present invention includes a rotary disk type multi-port, pilot valve, which is rotated by a high-torque synchronous motor. The pilot valve is ported to actuate a plurality of remotely positioned fluid-operated devices, such as fluid-operated flow control valves. A timer mechanism is associated with the pilot valve and the synchronous motor, and operates to cause the pilot valve to move through a series of positions, or steps, in a cyclic program, the time duration of each of said steps being controlled by clips inserted into a dial on the timer mechanism.

The invention further includes a novel circuit for interconnecting the timer mechanism with the synchronous motor, which circuit includes a plurality of switches arranged to be operated so that the pilot disk will be rapidly rotated from one position to the next, and precisionally positioned in each of its program positions. The circuitry also includes a manual pushbutton for starting a program cycle, and the control system is designed to cause the pilot valve to automatically go through a complete cycle once it has been started and to then be de-enerized in a service position. Further, the invention is constructed so that, in the event of power failure, the pilot valve can be operated manually to rotate the same through its normal cycle.

It is an object of this invention to provide a fluid system controller for automatically operating a plurality of remotely positioned fluid-actuated devices in a time cyclic sequence.

Another object is to provide a control system for controlling a rotary pilot valve in a fluid system controller, said controlsystem incorporating a synchronous motor connected and arranged in an electric circuit to quickly and precisely position said pilot Valve.

Still another object is to provide a control system for a synchronous motor-driven pilot valve, said system including a timer mechanism and being constructed to automatically control the operation of said synchronous motor in response to lapsed time intervals as measured by said timer mechanism.

A further object is to provide a control system for a motor-driven pilot valve, wherein the motor is energized only while it is driving said pilot valve.

It is also an object to provide a control system incorporating a timer mechanism and a motor interconnected by an electrical circuit, and arranged to automatically de- 3,257,598 Patented June 21, 1966 energize said circuit at the conclusion of an operating cycle as measured by said timer mechanism.

Another object is to provide a control system for operating a pilot valve that is economical to construct and maintain.

Additional and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art, as the description proceeds in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the controller of the invention, with the housing cover partially broken away to show the pilot valve actuator assembly;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the line '22 of FIG. 1, and showing. some of the details of construction of the timer mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view, looking downwardly, taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1, and showing the cam disk and its associated microswitch;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, rear elevational view of the mechanism shown removed from its housing;

FIG. 5 is a sectional, rear elevational view of the timer' disk, taken generally along the line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view, partially revolved, through the pilot valve and showing the means for securing the same to the housing;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view, taken along the line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal sectional view, taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 6, and showing in detail the porting arrangement within the pilot disk;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view through the pilot disk, taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a horizontal, sectional plan view of the top of the manifold or distributor portion of the pilot valve, taken along the line 10-40 of FIG. 6;

.FIG. 11 is a tabulation showing which distributor ports are subject to Drain and Supply corresponding to various positions assumed by the ports of the rotary pilot disk as it is operated through a complete cycle; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the novel electrical control circuit of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, the fluid system controller of the present invention is indicated generally at 20, and includes a housing 22 within which is mounted a pilot valve 24 and a timer mechanism 26. The housing 22 includes a back panel 28 having integral top, bottom and

side panels

30, 32 and 34, respectively, projecting therefrom, the top and

bottom panels

30 and 32 having outwardly projecting

flanges

36 and 38, respectively, thereon.

A cover plate 40 having a U-shaped bend 42 along its top edge is received over the opening defined by the top, bottom and side walls of the housing 22, the top flange 36 being received within said U-shaped bent portion. The cover plate 40 includes

side flanges

44 and 46 which embrace the lateral edges of the housing 22, and the lower edge of the cover plate has an opening 48 centrally therein positioned to confront a like opening in the bottom flange 38. The cover plate 40 can thus be secured in position on the housing 22 by passing a suitable padlock 50 through said aligned openings.

The back panel 28 of the housing 22 has a transversely extending, Z-shaped bracket 52, FIG. 2, secured thereto 'a short distance below the top edge thereof, said bracket opening downwardly. A like-shaped bracket 54 is secured by suitable screws 56 to a wall or other suitable structure 58, and opens upwardly to receive the downwardly extending portion of the bracket 52. Thus, the cooperating

brackets

52 and 54 function to hang the housing 22- upon the wall 58. A tab 60 is welded centrally to the lower edge of the back panel 28, and projects therebelow; said tab having an opening through which is passed a screw 62 that is mounted in the wall 58. The tab and

screw

60 and 62 function to insure that the housing 22 will remain in position on the bracket 54.

The bottom wall 32 of the housing 22 has a circular opening 64 therein near the right-hand end of said housing, and the pilot valve 24 is secured to said bottom plate to extend below said opening. As is best shown in FIGS. 6-9, the pilot valve 24 includes a pilot disk housing 68 and a manifold or distributor body 70, the pilot housing having a downwardly opening cylindrical chamber 72 therein confronting the upper end of said manifold.

,The manifold body 70 has a raised circular boss 74 positioned concentrically about the longitudinal, vertical axis thereof, said boss having a flat top surface 76 thereon. A vertical drain port 78 is positioned concentrically about said longitudinal axis, and extends from the center of the circular surface 76 downwardly through the manifold 70 to a threaded opening 80, within which opening a conventional fitting 82 is secured.

As is' best shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the manifold body 70 has a plurality of L-shaped ports or passages 1 through 18 therein, the upper ends of said passages terminating in the flat surface 76 and being arranged to lie on a common circle concentrically about the central axis of the drain port 78, The passages 1 to 18in the manifold housing are arranged in three sets of six. Passages 1 through 6 of the first set are disposed concentrically about the central axis of the port 78, and are spaced apart a distance of 60 degrees. Passages 7 through 12 of the second series are also positioned concentrically about the port 78, on the same radius as the passages 1 to 6, and are spaced apart clockwise 40 degrees from their adjacent passages 1 to 6; that is, the passage 7 is spaced 40 degrees counterclockwise from the passage 1, and so on. The third series of passages, numbered 13 through 18, are disposed to lie on the same circle as the other two series of passages, and are positioned to lie 20 degrees from the passages of the first two sets positioned on either side thereof.

As is best shown in FIG. 6, the L-shaped passages 1 through 6 terminate at their lower ends in a top plane of threaded, horizontal bores 83, the passages 7 through 12 terminate at their lower ends in an intermediate plane of horizontal, threaded bores 85, and the third set of passages 13 through 18 terminate at their lower ends in a bottom plane of horizontal, threaded bores 87. The

bores

83, 85 and 87 have tube-connecting

fittings

84, 86 and 88, respectively, threaded therein, each of which connects its associated L-shaped passage to a fluid-operated valve, or some other fluid-operated device, positioned remotely from the fluid system controller 20.

- Disposed to rest upon the top surface of the manifold 70, radially outwardly of the boss 74, is an annular gasket 90 having an inner diameter somewhat greater than that of the diameter of the boss 74, said gasket being partially received within an annular recess on said manifold member. The pilot housing 68 and the manifold body 70 are secured together by bolts 92 received within aligned bores therein, the upper ends of said bolts passing through openings in a washer 94 and in the bottom wall 32 of the housing 22. The washer 94 is positioned in an annular recess in the top of the pilot housing 68, and has a height slightly greater than the depth of said recess. The openings in the bottom plate 32 are positioned so that the longitudinal central axis of the pilot Valve will pass through the center of the opening 64.

' Disposed within the pilot housing chamber 72 and resting upon a seat 76 is a rotary pilot disk 96, the construction of which is best shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9. The pilot disk includes a cylindrical body 98 having a flat surface 100 on the bottom thereof, which surface rests upon and sealingly engages the seat surface'76 on the boss 74. The body 98 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced, vertical pressure ports 102 through 122 therein, lying on a 4. radius identical to that of. the circle upon which the passages 1 through 18 lie, the ports 102 through 116 being spaced apart 20 degrees. The port 118 lies 40 degrees clockwise from passage 116, the port 120 lies 40 degrees clockwise from port 118, and the port 122 lies degrees clockwise from port 120.

The bottom face of the pilot disk body 98 has a vertical drain port 124 in the center thereof, said drain port extending only about halfway through said body. A plurality of transverse exhaust ports 126 through 138 are disposed within said body and are in communication at their inner ends with the drain port 124, the outer ends thereof being in communication with vertical ports through 152 positioned in the bottom face of the body member and lying on the same circle as is defined by the ports 182 thorugh 122. It will be noted that the adjacent exhaust ports 132, 134 and 136 merge into each other as shown in FIG. 8.

The port 140 is displaced 20 degrees counterclockwise from the port 102, and the port 142 is diametrically opposite thereto. The port 144 is spaced 40 degrees clockwise from port 142, and the port 146 is spaced clockwise 40 degrees from the port 144. The

ports

146, 148 and 150 are spaced 20 degrees apart, and the port 152 is spaced 20 degrees counterclockwise from the port 140. Because of the 20 degree spacing therebetween, the ports 102 through 122 and the ports 140 through 152 will become aligned with the passages 1 through 18 as the pilot disk 96 is rotated.

The transverse ports 126 through 138 extend to the periphery of the body 98, which body has a radially extending circumferential flange 154 on the bottom thereof. A cylindrical sleeve 156 is telescoped over the body 98, and is soldered or otherwise secured thereto to closer the outer ends of said transverseports 126 through 138. The sleeve 156 has three equally spaced, vertical slots 158 therein, said slots having a vertical height less than the distance which the cylinder projects above the top surface of the body member 98. The body 98 also has a plurality of circumferentially spaced bores 160 therein positioned radially inwardly of the circle on which the ports 184 through 122 and 140 through 152 lie, said bores 160 being filled with a suitable lubricant for lubricating the mating fiat seat surface 76 and the pilot disk face 100 The pilot housing 68 has a vertical bore 162, FIG. 6, therethrough positioned in alignment with the drain port 78, and a shaft 164 is rotatably received therein. The shaft 164 has driver 166 secured to the lower end thereof and provided with three equally spaced, radially projecting lugs 168, each of which is receivable within one of the vertical slots 158. The diameter of the driver 166 is substaintially smaller than the inner diameter of the sleeve 156, whereby fluid =may flow freely therebetween. A pair of washers 170 is positioned on the shaft 164 above the driver 166, the upper one of said washers engaging with a resilient O-ring seal 172 received within an annular recess in a boss on the inner side of the top wall of the chamber 72.

A compression spring 174 is positioned between the driver 166 and the pilot disk body 98, and functions to urge said driver and its attached shaft upwardly toward the seal 172 and to urge the pilot disk 96 downwardly into engagement with the seat 76. The top surface of the body 98 has a recess 176 positioned centrally thereof for reception of the lower end of said spring 174, where-by the spring will remain properly positioned. A radial, threaded supply bore 178 is positioned in the side wall of the pilot housing 68, and functions to admit a supply of operating fluid into the chamber 72.

The pilot valve 24 is thus constructed to control as many as eighteen different fluid-actuated devices, such as fluid-operated valves, or other devices arranged in sets of six. One set of the six devices is connected with the passages 1 through 6, a second set .with the passages 7 through 12, and the third set with passages 13 through 18. Rotation of the pilot disk 96 will alternately admit the fluid to and drain fluid from the passages 1 through 18, in the following manner.

The pilot valve disk 96 is rotated through exactly 60 degrees for every step of its program. Referring to FIGS. 8, and 11, the manner in which the valve operates may be readily understood. The valve disk 96 in FIG. 8 is positioned in its zero, or Service, position. In such position, the passage 1 is in communication with the drain 78 through the transverse port 126, the passage 7 is in communication with the chamber '72 through the port 184, and the passage 13 is in communication with said chamber through the port 102.

The pilot disk 96 is then rotated through 60 degrees. whereupon the passage 1 will be in communication with the drain 78 through the transverse port 136, the passage 7 will be in communication with said drain through transverse port 126, and the passage 13 Will be in communication with the chamber 72 through the port 122. It is thus seen that as the pilot member rotates through six positions (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5), spaced exactly 60 degrees apart, the various combinations tabulated in FIG. 11 will result. At each of the six positions, certain of the seat ports 1 through 18 will be connected to supply (8) and others to drain (D). By properly connecting the fluid-operated devices to said passages, various operating cycles can be obtained.

It is to be understood that the tabulation of FIG. 11 is only illustrative of the manner in which the threeplane pilot valve of the invention may be utilized to control a plurality of fluid-actuated devices. The pressure ports 102 through 122 and the exhaust ports 126 through 138 may be arranged within the contemplation of this invention to produce other desired combination of supply and drain conditions through the seat ports 1 through 18. In each instance, however, it is obvious that as the pilot member 96 rotates through 60 degrees, the three diiferent sets of ports will simultaneously have their condition altered. The three sets of ports also make it possible to simultaneously control three different sets of remotely positioned equipment, such as three water softeners. If any port is not required in any instance, a plug is merely threaded into its outlet bore.

It will be noted that each of the supply ports in the pilot body 98 must pass over the upper end of two of the ports 1 through 18 before coming to rest over a third one of said ports during each 60 degree step of the program. In order to avoid difficulties that might otherwise arise from alternate drain and supply through the two passages over which a pilot disk supply port passes during each program step, the pilot disk 96 is rotated rapidly between its different stop positions. Further, because the circumferential spacing between the eighteen passages 1 to 18 and the passages themselves is quite small, it is necessary that the rotating pilot disk 96 be precisely indexed in each of its sequential operating positions. Unless these two conditions are satisfied, the operation of fluid-actuated members controlled by the pilot valve may overlap and create undesirable operating characteristics.

The controller, or pilot-actuator, of the invention utilizes a high-torque synchronous motor in conjunction with a novel control circuit to rotate the pilot disc 96 and to precisely position it relative to the passages 1 through 18, the pilot actuator assembly being indicated at 180 (FIGS. 1 and 3). A horizontal mounting plate 182 is supported above the bottom plate 82 on two

posts

184 and 186, said posts being secured to the mounting plate 182 and the bottom housing panel 32 by screws 187. The mounting plate 182 extends over the opening 64 and has a hightorque synchronous electric motor and one-way clutch unit 188 mounted on the top thereof, said motor having an output shaft 189 (FIG. 3) that extends through an opening in said mounting plate and which is aligned with the pilot disc drive shaft 164.

As is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the upper end of the shaft 164 has the lower end of a cylindrical collar 192 telescoped thereover and secured thereto by a pin 194, the upper end of said collar having a pair of diametrically opposed vertical slots 196 therein. The lower, cylindrical end 198 of a shaft is received within the upper end of said cylindrical collar 192, and has a transevrse pin 200 extending therethrough which is received within the slots 196. The upper end of the shaft 190 has an axial, non-' circular bore therein of a size to receive a non-circular end 181 of the shaft 189, FIG. 3. Thus, the shafts are secured together against relative rotation.

The pin 200 has a diameter corresponding to the width of the slots 196, and functions to transmit torque from the motor 188 to the pilot drive shaft 164. The vertically elongated slots 196 allow a degree of vertical play between the shaft 190 and the shaft 164 of the pilot valve.

The shaft 190 has a washer 202, FIG. 1, secured thereto at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 198, and the portion of the shaft 190 above said washer is flattened at 204 and 206 on its diametrically opposed sides (FIG. 3), whereby a non-circular configuration is attained. Telescopically received on the non-circular portion of the shaft 190 is a cam disk 208, said disk including a central hub portion 210 which has a non-circular axial bore therethrough corresponding in configuration and dimensions to that of the non-circular portion of the shaft 190. The cam disk can be constructed of a suitable plastic material or the like.

Disposed to rest upon the top surface of the cam disk and extending about the shaft 190 is a compression coil spring 212, the upper end of said spring engaging against the bottom of a position indicating and manual control disk 214, which is securedon the shaft 190 by a screw 216. Thus, the spring 212 functions to urge the hub on the cam disk downwardly into engagement with the washer 202.

The cam disk208 is shown in plan view in FIG. 3, and

has six V-shaped, circumferentially spaced notches 218 in the peripheral edge thereof, said notches being spaced apart a distance of 60 degrees. Positioned behind the cam disk, and supported below the mounting plate 182 by support posts 220, is a two-position microswitch 222, said microswitch having a pivoted blade 224 mounted thereon which engages a pushbutton 226 of said switch. The tip 228 of the blade 224 is inclined outwardly from the body of the microswitch, and engages the periphery of the cam disk 208. The microswitch 222, the blade 224 and the cam disk 208 are proportioned and positioned relative to each other so that the microswitch 222 will be operated in response to movement of the blade tip 228 into and out of each of the V-shaped notches 218, occurring a the cam disk rotates. The tapered walls of the notches 218 function as cam surfaces to facilitate movement of the blade tip 228, and the cam disk is designed to be rotated by the motor 188 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3.

The notches 218, as has been mentioned, are spaced 60 degrees apart. Thi spacing corresponds to the 60-degree spacing between the different program positions to be assumed by the pilot disk 96. The notches 218 are positioned relative to the pilot disk so that when the microswitch blade tip 228 is received in one of said notches, the pilot disk 96 will be positioned in one of its six program positions, with the ports in the pilot disk properly aligned with their intended associated seat passages 1 through 18. It is thus seen that the number of notches 218 in the cam disk 208 must correspond to the number of program positions desired during one cycle of rotation of the pilot disk 96. Further, it is seen that the notches 218 must be related relative to the pilot disk 96 so that the microswitch 222 will be operated when the pilot disk is properly positioned in each of its six positions.

The timing motor 188 rotates at a speed of about 1 rpm. and thus functions to rotate the pilot disk 96 fairly rapidly from one program position to another in ten seconds. The microswitch 222 is connected into the novel control circuit of the invention so as to cause the motor 188 to be de-energized at the instant that the pilot disk 96 is properly positioned in registration to its seat associated ports. The control disk 214 has indicia thereon to indicate the posit-ion of the cam disk 208, and hence of the pilot disk 96. Further, in the absence of electric power, or in the event of power failure, the control disk 214 may be turned manually to properly position the pilot disk 96. During such manual turning, the resistance felt when the blade tip 228 is positioned within the notches 218 is sufficient to indicate to the operator that the pilot disk 96 is properly positioned relative to its associated ports. However, while the pilot valve of the invention may be manually operated, in the preferred embodiment of the invention automatic operation is attained in combination with the timer unit 26.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the top wall 30 and the left-hand side wall 34 of the housing 22 have

angle members

232 and 234 secured thereto, respectively, upon which angle members a rectangular panel 236 is mounted with screws 238. As is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the panel 236 has an electric clock motor 240 secured thereto on the rear face thereof, the output shaft 242 of said clock motor extending through an opening in the mounting plate 236. A hub 244 having a bore therein is mounted on the outer end of the shaft 242, and is secured in position by a screw 246 (FIG. 5). The hub 244 has a flange 248 on its outer end, and a ratchet gear 250 fixed thereto in a position spaced from said flange 248. The ratchet gear 250 has escapement teeth 251 on the periphery thereof.

Positioned on the cylindrical portion of the hub 244 between the flange 248 and the fixed ratchet gear 250 is a timer disk 252, said timer disk having a central opening of a diametercorresponding to that of the hub 244. Referring to FIG. 5, an escapement pawl 254 is pivoted intermediate its ends to the timer disk 252 by a headed pin 256, said pawl including a tooth 258 on its forward end positioned to engage with the teeth 251 on the ratchet gear 250. A post 260 is secured to the rear face of the timer disk 252 radially outwardly beyond the ratchet gear 250, and one end of a wire spring 262 is attached thereto. The opposite end of the spring 262 is received within a notch 264 in the end of the escapement pawl opposite to the tooth 258, whereby the spring 262 functions to resiliently urge the escapement tooth 258 radially inwardly into engagement with the teeth 251 on the ratchet gear 250. It is .thus apparent that the timer disk 252 may be rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as vie-wed in FIG. 1, relative to the hub 244, but that it cannot be rotated in the opposite direction because of the one-way action permitted by the

escapement mechanism

250, 254.

The timer disk 252 preferably rotates once during each operating cycle of the pilot valve 24, and is divided into equal time segments. Typically, the disk 252 will be rotated at a uniform rate once every 90 minutes by the clock motor 240, although it is to be understood that various other periods of rotation might be utilized.

The front face of the timer disk 252 is divided into fifteen radial segments, each segment representing six minutes of time. The timer disk 252 has circumferentially spaced radial notches 266 therein throughout its periphery, said notches being spaced 3 degrees apart in FIG. 1. Thus, for the disk of FIG. 1, which rotates through 360 degrees once in every 90 minutes, each of the notches 266 will represent a time interval of three-quarters of a minute. Indicia on the front face of the timer disk 252 indicates the time intervals in minutes, in units of six, to wit, 6, 12, 18, 24, etc. An OFF position is indicated in alignment with the notch 266 midway between the time indicating indicia 6 and 84.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the mounting panel 236 has a bore therethrough about which is mounted, on the rear face of said panel, a sleeve 268. A shaft 270 is rotatably received within the sleeve 268, and projects beyond both the front and the rear face of the mounting panel. One end of a program arm 272 is secured to the portion of said shaft projecting from the front face of the panel 236, said arm extending generally tangentially to the bottom portion of the timer disk 252, as is best shown in FIG. 1. The free end of the arm 272 terminates directly under the center of the disk 252, and has an upwardly inclined cam surface 274 thereon, the center portion of said cam surface being positioned directly below the center of the disk 252.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, an actuator arm. 276 is secured to the portion of the shaft 270 which extends to the rear of the panel 236, said actuator arm having an inclined flange 278 on its free end disposed to extend substantially perpendicularly to the panel 236. A two-position microswitch 280 is secured by screws 282 to the rear face of the panel 236 below the actuator arm 276, with the pushbutton 284 of said microswitch being disposed to lie under and normally in engagement with the flange 278. Thus, when the cam tip 274 of the program arm 272 is depressed, the pushbutton 284 will corresponding be depressed by the actuator arm .27 6. A pair of spaced posts 286 project forwardly from the panel 236, one on either side of the program arm 272, and function to limit the degree of angular movement of said arm.

The panel 236 has a rectangular opening 288 (FIG. 4) therein positioned directly below the shaft of the clock motor, the horizontal center line of said opening lying a distance from the output shaft of said motor corresponding generally IIO the radius of the ratchet gear 250. A horizontally extending mounting plate 290 is secured to the backface of the panel 236 by screws 292 in position so that it can be moved horizontally toward and away from the opening 288, the mounting plate having an elongated slot 294 therein to facilitate such movement. A shaft 296 is secured to the forward end of the mounting plate 290, and extends rearwardly normally therefrom. One end of an actuator arm 298 is mounted on the shaft 296, and the other end of said actuator arm extends unwardly at an inclined angle and has a flange 300 on its outer end which extends perpendicularly to the panel 236. A trip arm 302 is secured to the pivoted end of the actuator arm 298, said trip arm including a normally projecting finger 304, which extends forwardly through the opening 288 toward the ratchet gear 250.

The post 260 is postioned to lie behind the OFF position of the timer disk. As is best shown in FIG. 5, said post 260 has a semicircular portion removed therefrom on the side facing the escapement pawl 254, which removed portion defines a radial wall 306; the wall 306 is positioned to bisect the notch 266 on the timer disk 252 positioned 3 degrees counterclockwise from the OFF position, or at the 89% minute position in FIG.

1. The front surface 308 of the post is left rounded, and

functions as a cam surface when engaged by the finger 304.

The post 260 is positioned a radial distance from the center of the timer disk 252 suflicient so that when the the timer disk rotates, the front curved portion of said post will engage and cam upwardly the finger portion 304 of the trip arm 302. The semicircular cutout portion 306 on the post 260 extends axially a distance greater than the forwardly projecting length of the finger 304, whereby when the post 260 has rotated sufliciently vthe finger 304 will drop off said post and will lie immediately adjacent the radial surface 306.

Disposed to confront the upper end of the actuator arm 298 is a two-position microswitch 310, FIG. 4, said microswitch being secured to the rear face of the panel 236 by screws 312. The pushbutton 314 of the switch 310 is positioned to be engaged by the flange 300 on the end of said actuator arm 298, and consequently the switch will be operated in response to movement of the actuator arm caused by engagement of the front rounded portion of the shaft 260 with the finger 304.

Secured to project downwardly from the lower edge of the panel 236 is a terminal strip 316, said strip being supported in spaced relationship to the plate by angle members 318. An ON-OFF master toggle switch 320 is mounted on the panel 236 below the pivoted end. of the program arm 272, and a pushbutton switch 322 is mounted on said panel to the left of said program arm, both of said switches being operable manually from the front of the panel. A relay' 324 is also mounted on the rear face of the panel 236, and said relay, the clock motor 240, the two

microswitches

280 and 310, the pushbutton switch 322, the toggle switch 320, and the terminal strip 316 'are all interconnected by electrical conductors in a manner fully described hereinfter. The conductors necessary to operate the assembly 180' terminate in a socket 326, FIGS. 1 and 2, mounted along the right edge of the panel 236 that faces the pilot valve 24, and a plug 328, FIG. 1, mounted on the end of a cable 330 has contacts that are receivable within said socket to engage contacts therein, said plug having additional conductors connected thereto that function to electrically connect the timer motor 240 with the pilot valve motor 188. By this arrangement, either the pilot valve unit or the timer unit can be readily removed for inspection or replacement without affecting the other.

The novel control circuit of the invention is illustrated schematically in FIG. 12, wherein is shown the timer microswitch 310, the toggle ON-OFF switch 320, the pushbutton starting switch 322, the relay assembly 324, etc. Thus, a pair of

main terminals

332 and 334 is mounted on the terminal strip 316. Electrical current is supplied to the

terminals

332 and 334 through

conductors

336 and 338, respectively. A lead 340 connects the main terminal 332 with a supply terminal 342 of the toggle switch 320, and a conductor 344 has one end thereof connected with the other terminal 346 of said toggle switch and extends to an input terminal 348 on the timer microswitch 310. Another conductor 350 extends from the input terminal 348 of the timer microswitch 310 to a contact 352 of a normally open relay switch 354. The switch 354 is one of a pair of normally open. switches of the relay assembly 324, the other relay switch being designated 356. The

switches

354 and 356 are arranged to be closed simultaneously upon energization of a relay coil 358, which actuates an armature 360, as will be understood by those familiar with relay structures. The relay coil 358 has one of its contacts 362 connected by a conductor 364 with the main terminal 334.

A conductor 366 connects a contact 352 of the relay switch 354 to. a terminal 370 of the pushbutton switch 322. A lead 372 connects the same terminal 370 with a main terminal 374 on the terminal strip 316. A conductor 376 connects the other terminal 378 of the pushbutton switch 322 with the other contact 380 of the relay coil 358. A lead 382 connects the pushbutton terminal 378 with a main terminal 384 on the terminal strip 316.

Leads

386 and 388 extend from the

main terminals

374 and 384, respectively, to

contacts

390 and 392 of an optional remote control pushbutton switch 394.

The timer microswitch 310 has an arm 396 connected with the input terminal 348 and is movable to alternately engage N.C. (normally open) contact 398 or N.C. (normally closed) contact 400 of said switch. The NO. contact 398 is connected by a conductor 402 with a contact 404 of the relay switch 356. The N.C. contact 400 of the microswitch 310 is connected by a conductor 406 with a contact 407 of the relay switch 354. The contact 407 of the relay switch 354 is connected by a conductor 408 with a main terminal 410 on the terminal strip 316. A lead 412 extends from the main terminal 410 and may be connected with a signal light 414, or other means for indicating that the device is in Service.

A-conduc-tor 416 connects a contact 418 of the relay switch 356 with the contact 380 of the relay coil 358. Another conductor 420 connects the other contact 362 of the relay coil 358 with one terminal 422 of the timer motor 240. The other terminal 424 of the timer motor 240 is connected by a lead 426 with the input terminal 428 of the program switch 280. A lead 430 connects said input terminal 428 with the main terminal 410 on the terminal strip 316. The program switch 280 includes an arm 432, connected with the input terminal 428, which is movable to alternately engage N.C. contact 434 and N.O. contact 436 of said program switch. A conductor 43S conects the N.C. contact 434 with a contact 440 of the socket 326, and a conductor 442 connects the ND. contact 436 with a contact 444 on said socket. A lead 446 connects the main terminal 334 on the terminal strip 316 with a contact 448 on the socket 326.

The pilot motor 188 and the pilot microswitch 222 have

conductors

450, 452 and 454 associated therewith, which are conected with the plug 328, FIG. 4, having projections 444a, 446a and 448a for engaging the

contacts

448, 444 and 440, respectively, of the socket 326. Thus, the conductor 450 establishes a connection between socket contact 448 and one terminal 456 of the pilot motor 188; the conductor 452 provides a connection between the socket contact 444 and N.C. contact 458 of th pilot microswitch 222; and the conductor 454 establishes a connection between socket contact 440 .and N0. contact 460 of said switch. A conductor462 connects the other terminal 464 of the pilot motor 188 with an input terminal 466 of the pilot microswitch 222.

The electrical circuit as schematically illustrated in FIG. 12 illustrates all of the switches corresponding to the pilot valve being in the Service position and the timer motor 240 in its OFF position. It will be understood that the control device 20 can be placed in operation by depressing either the pushbutton switch 322 on the control panel 236, or by actuating the remote control pushbutton switch 394. A clock or a flow meter (not shown) may be utilized in lieu of the remote switch 394,.if desired. In either event, but assuming the switch 322 is depressed, the relay coil 358 will be energized by current flow through he lead 364, which extends to the contact 362 at one end of said coil, and through the conductor 340, toggle switch 320,

conductors

344, 350 and 366 supplying current to the terminal 370 of the pushbutton switch 322, through said pushbutton switch and conductor 376 to the contact 380 at the other end of said relay coil.

Momentary actuation of the pushbutton switch 322 (with toggle switch 320 closed) will energize the relay coil 358 and the armature 360 will simultaneously close the two normally-open relay switches 354 and 356. Upon closing of the relay switch 356, a shunt circuit will be completed to keep the relay coil 358 energized after the pushbutton switch is released. Thus, current will always be available to the coil contact 362 through conductor 364; and upon closing of the relay switch 356, current will be supplied to the coil contact 380 through the toggle switch 320, timer microswitch 310, conductor 402, relay switch 356 and conductor 416. Simultaneously, closing of the relay switch 354 will establish a circuit to the timer motor 240. Thus, electrical current is always available to the terminal 422 of the timer motor 240 through the

conductors

364 and 420. Upon closing of the relay switch 354, current is supplied to the other terminal 424 of the timer motor through conductor 340, toggle switch 320,

conductors

344 and 350, relay switch 354 and

conductors

408, 430 and 426.

After the timer disc 252 has rotated through but a few degrees, which in time requires less than a minute, the microswitch 310 will be released and the arm 396 thereof will move from N0. contact 398 to N.C. contact 400, whereby current flow to the relay coil 358 will be discontinued and the relay switches 354 and 356 will open.

However, because of the arm 396 immediately establishing contact with the N.C. contact 400, current flow to the clock motor 240 will suffer no measurable interruption since a circuit to said motor will be established through the

conductors

406, 408, 430 and 426. The arm 3% will remain in contact with N.C. contact 400 until the timer disc 252 has rotated through 360 degrees and the timed program has been completed, at which time it will be returned to the Service position shown in FIG. 12 by the interaction of the post 260 and the finger 304; when the arm 396 is returned to its original position, current flow to the timer motor 240 and conductor 406 will be broken, and the circuit will become inactive.

It should be noted that the relay coil 358 is energized for less than one minute during the timed program, wherefor no substantial build-up will occur, and the life of the relay will be greater than if the period of current fiow were longer.

I The arm 432 of the programmicroswitch 280 normally engages N.C. contact 434 when the pushbutton 284 thereof is not depressed, which condition occurs when the program arm 272 is in engagement with the upper one of the restricting posts 286, FIG. 1. the pilot microswitch 222 is normally in contact with the N.C. contact 458, which condition occurs when the blade tip 228 is received within one of the cam notches 218. Thus, when the program and

pilot microswitches

280 and 222, respectively, are in their normal state, as shown in FIG. 12, no current will flow to the pilot motor 188 and the pilot disc 96 will remain stationary.

The program microswitch 280 is actuated in response to downward pivoting movement of the program arm '272, which arm is itself actuated by interaction between the cam tip 274 thereof and the program clips 470 (FIG. 1) mounted on the rotating timer disc 252.

The clips 470 are bifurcated, and are receivable Within the radial notches 266 on the periphery of the timer disc 252. Each clip 470projects radially from the outer periphery of the disc 252 a sufficient distance such that when a clip is moved clockwise over the cam surface on the free end of the actuator arm 272, said arm Will pivot downwardly sufficiently to actuate the program switch 280, whereby the arm 432 thereof will momentarily shift from N.C. contact 434 to NO. contact 436. As soon as the timer disc 252 has rotated sufficiently to cause the clip 470 to ride off the tip of the actuator arm 272, the arm 432 will again return to N.C. contact 434.

During the briefperiod when the arm 432 establishes a circuit between supply terminal 428 and NO. contact 436, current will flow through conductor 442 to the N.C. contact 458 of the pilot microswitch 222 and thence through switch arm 459 to the lead 462. Thus, the pilot motor 188 will be actuated, and the output shaft thereof will revolve, carrying the pilot disc 96 and the cam disc 208 therewith. As the cam disc 208 begins to revolve, the blade tip 228 of the pilot microswitch 22 will begin to ride out of the cam notch 218 within which it is disposed. After the cam disc 208 has been revolved a sufficient angular distance, for example about 2 degrees, the blade 224 will have been moved toward the switch 222 a sufficient distance to cause the arm 459 to swing to the terminal contact 460. After the arm 459 swings to the N.C. contact 460, and for so long as the arm 432 of the program switch 280 remains against N.O. contact 436, no further flow of current to the pilot motor 188 can occur. Thus, the motor 188 wi1l stop and will hold the cam disc 208 and the pilot valve 96 in their 2 degree, partially revolved position. The arm 432 will remain in contact with NO. contact 436 only for so long as the program clip 470 dwells on the free end of the program arm 272, which dwell is typically but a fraction of a minute in duration. After the clip 470 rides off the program arm 272, switch arm 432 will revert to the N.C. contact 434.

Similarly, the arm 459 of 12 When the switch arm 432 establishes contactwith the N.C. contact 434, and with the switch arm 459 in contact with the terminal 460, current will again flow to the pilot motor 188 to assume rotation of the pilot disc 96, with the tip 28 of the blade 224 riding on the continuous smooth rim portion of the cam disc 208 until the next notch 218 is reached. The blade tip 228 will enter such notch, and the switch arm 459 will immediately swing to N.C. contact 458, interrupting the flow of current to the pilot motor 188. The pilot motor 188 will then stop and the pilot disc 96 will be properly positioned in its new station relative to the seat ports 1 through 18. The pilot disc 96 will remain in this position until the program switch 280 is againactuated, or until manually revolved by the control disc 214.

As has been described hereinabove, the pilot valve disc 96 has six stations, starting with the 0 or Service position, the remaining stations being numbered 1, 2, 3,

4 and 5, respectively. The cam disc 208 correspondingly.

has six notches 218 therein, one for each of the pilot disc positions 0 to 5. Thus, if the pilot disc 96 is to be rotated from its 0 or Service position, through positions 1 to 5, and back to its Service position during a single rotation of the timer disc, six program clips 470 must be mounted on the timer disc 252.

Once the timer motor 240 has been started and the timer disc 252 has rotated sufficiently to open the timer microswitch 310 and allow its switch arm 396 to swing to N.C. contact 400, current will be constantly available to the conductor 406. Thus, as the timer disc 252 rotates and each clip 470 encounters the program arm 272, the pilot volve disc 96 will be automatically rotated through 60 degrees in the manner described hereinabove, to its next position. The angular spacing between the program clips 470 will determine the amount of time that the pilot valve disc 96 remains in each station of its program cycle.

The sixth program clip, which returns the pilot valve disc 96 to its 0 or Service position, is placed counterclockwise from the minute, or OFF position, whereby the pilot valve disc 96 will be placed in its Service position before the post 260 actuates the timer microswitch 310 to swing the switch arm 396 back to the NO. contact 398. After the microswitch 310 has been so actuated, the entire circuit will be de-ener-gized until the pushbutton switch 322 (or the remote control switch 394) is again momentarily closed to start a new cycle of operation. The ON-OFF toggle switch 320 may, of course, be used to deenergize the entire circuit at any desired time during the operating cycle. As has been indicated hereinbefore, the signal 414 is actuated during the period of time that the timer motor 240 is energized.

The manner in which the cam disc 208 is mounted makes it possible to rotate said disc between stations without actuating the pilot microswitch 222. To effect such rotation, the cam disc 208 is urged upwardly on its shaft against the force of the spring 212 until said disc is above the blade 228. The shaft can then be manually rotated by manipulating the control disc 214, without affecting the pilot switch 222.

The various conductors leading into the terminal strip 316 from the exterior of the housing 22 may be contained in a single cable 472 and passed through a suitable opening in the lower wall 32, said opening preferably'having a grommet 474 fitted therein. Further, the side walls 34 have angle members 476 welded thereto at the bottom thereof and a protective strip 478 is detachably secured thereto by screws 490, said strip having a pair of rectangular notches 492 in its bottom edge positioned to confront the upper ends of the bolts 92.

While the pilot valve shown herein utilizes six stations, it is to be understood that a pilot valve incorporating a greater or smaller number of stations is Within the teachings of the invention.

In such instances, the cam' 13' disk 208 would need to be suitably modified, and the number of program clips 470 would have to be changed to correspond thereto. Further, the 60 degree angular spacing between the pilot valve stations can also be readily changed, with corresponding changes in the cam disk.

The escapement mechanism on the timer dial or disc 252 makes it possible to manually return said disc to its fOFF position at any time, whereby the time cycle may be readily accelerated and the timer switch 310 actuated to de-energize the control circuit. It has been found that the best manner for setting the timer dial 252 in its initial OFF position is to first slip the toggle switch 320 to OFF, and to then manually rotate the timer dial to within a few degrees of OFF. The toggle switch 320 is then turned ON, and the timer, or clock, motor 240 will operate to further rotate the timer dial 252 until post 260 actuates switch 310 to interrupt the flow of current to the timer motor 240'. The timer dial 252 is then properly positioned to begin an operating cycle.

It is thus seen that a program controller has been provided which is uncomplicated and economical to construct, and which readily fulfills the objects set forth for the invention.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, 'to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

I claim:

1. Fluid distribution control means, comprising a housing including a cover having a chamber for operating fluid under pressure, a fluid distribution base having a seat confronting said chamber, and rotatable member in said chamber engaged with said seat and rotatable thereon between a plurality of operative positions, said fluid distribution base having a plurality of sets of ports all terminating at one end thereof in said seat with adjacent ports belonging to different sets, the other end of the ports of each set being disposed in a different plane, said rotatable member having certain pressure ports and certain drain ports simultaneously registrable with certain of said seat ports of each set in each operative position of said rotatable member, and said certain pressure and drain ports in said rotatable member being arranged to pass across certain of said ports in said seat as said rotatable member is rotated from one operative position to another operative position; and a control system for successively and relatively rapidly rotating said rotatable member from one operative position to the next by relatively rapidly moving the same across a plurality of successive ports in said seat corresponding in number to the number of sets of ports in said seat, said control means including an electrically-operated timer mechanism, an electrical circuit containing said timer mechanism, a motor connected in said circuit,'drive means connecting said motor to said rotatable member, cam means driven by said drive means and rotatable with said rotatable member, and switch means connected in said circuit and operable alternately by said timer mechanism and said cam means for energizing said motor to rotate said rotatable member from one operative position to another, said switch means being constructed and arranged to be operated by said timer mechanism to energize said motor and initiate rotation of said rotatable member from one operative position to the next successive operating position thereof, and to be operated by said cam means to de-energize said motor and thus stop rotation of said rotatable member when said rotatable member attains an operative position.

2. A control system for intermittently driving a rotatable-mechanism between successive operational positions, comprising: an electrically-operated timer mechanism; an electrical circuit containing said time-r mechanism; a motor connected in said circuit; driving means for connecting said motor to said rotatable mechanism;

cam means driven by said driving means and rotatable with said rotatable mechanism; and switch means connected in said circuit and operable alternately by said timer mechanism and said cam means for energizing said motor to rotate said rotatable mechanism from one operational position to another, said switch means being constructed and arranged to be operated by said timer mechanism to energize said motor and initiate rotation of said rotatable mechanism from one operational position to the next successive operational position thereof, and to be operated by said cam means to de-energize said motor and thus stop rotation of said rotatable mechanism when said rotatable mechanism attains an operational position, said switch means including: a first, two-position switch connected in said circuit and operable by said timer mechanism; and a second, two-position switch connected in said circuit in series with said first switch between said first switch and said motor and operable by said cam means, said first and said second switches being arranged to be operated in alternation to energize said motor when said first switch is operated by said timer mechanism, to de-energize said motor while said first switch is being operated by said timer mechanism and said second switch is being operated by said cam means, to energize said motor after said first switch ceases to be operated by said timer mechanism and while said second switch is operated by said cam means, and to deenergize said motor when both of said switches have ceased to be operated.

3. A control system as recited in claim 2, wherein said timer mechanism includes: a clock motor connected in said circuit; a timer disk driven by said clock motor and having at least one radially projecting element thereon; and an actuator arm pivotally mounted adjacent said timer disk in position to be engaged by said element, said actuator arm being arranged to operate said first switch when said actuator arm is engaged by said element.

4. A control system as recited in claim 3, including additionally: a normally-closed switch in said circuit; means on said timer disk to open said normally closed switch to thereby de-energize said circuit; and relay switch means connected in said circuit to provide a shunt across said normally closed switch, said relay switch means including a normally-open relay switch connected in said circuit; and a normally-open starting switch connected in said circuit and operable to energize and close said relay switch.

5. A control system for intermittently driving a rotatable mechanism between successive operative positions, comprising: an electric circuit; an electricallyoperated timer mechanism connected in said circuit; a motor connected in said circuit; drive means for connecting said motor with said rotatable mechanism; cam means driven by said drive means and rotatable with said rotatable mechanism; a first, two-position switch connected in said circuit and operable by said timer mechanism to move between a first position and a second position; and a second, two-position switch connected in said circuit and operable by said cam means to move between a first and a second position, said second switch being connected in said circuit in series between said motor and said first switch to establish a flow of current to said motor when said first switch is in its second position and said second switch is in its first position, to interrupt said current flow when both of said switches are in their second positions, to re-establish said current flow when said first switch returns to its first position and said second switch is in its second position, and to interrupt said current flow when both of said switches are in their first positions.

6. A control system as recited in claim 5, wherein said timer mechanism includes: a clock motor connected in said circuit; a timer disk rotatably driven by said clock motor, and having at least one radially projecting element mounted on the periphery thereof; an actuator arm pivotally mounted adjacent said timer disk in position to be engaged by said radially projecting element, said actuator arm being arranged to operate said first switch when engaged by said element; a normally-closed switch connected in said circuit to control the flow of current to said first-mentioned motor, said clock motor, and said first and said second switches; and means operable by said timer disk to open said normally-closed switch when said timer disk assumes a preselected rotary position, whereby to de-energize said circuit.

7. A control system as recited in claim 6, including additionally: an axially projecting element on said timer disk; and wherein said means operable to open said normally closed switch comprises: an actuator arm assembly pivotally mounted adjacent said timer disk and said normally closed switch, and operable when engaged by said axially projecting element to open said normally-closed switch. 1

8. A control system as recited in claim 6, including additionally: switch means connected in said circuit and operable to shunt across said normally-closed switch, whereby to energize said circuit when said norm-allyclosed switch is open.

9. A control system as recited in claim 8, wherein said shunt switch means includes: a normally-open relay switch connected in said circuit; and a normally-open starting switch connected in said circuit and operable to energize and close said relay switch.

10. A control system as recited in claim 5, wherein said rotatable mechanism comprises a multi-port, m-ultiposition pilot valve, including a rotable pilot disk connected by said drive means to said motor, and rotatable between a plurality of operative positions.

11. A control system as recited in claim 5, including additionally, means on said drive means operable manually to rotate said mechanism, and to indicate the position of said cam means.

12. A control system for driving a rotatable pilot valve between successive operative positions, said pilot valve including a rotary driven member rotatable from an initial;

position through a predetermined number of positions and returnable to said initial position, comprising: an electric circuit; an electrically-operated timer mechanism connected in said circuit; a motor connected in said circuit; drive means for connecting said motor to an associated rotary driven pilot valve member; cam means driven by said drive means and rotatable with said associated rotary driven pilot valve member; a'first, two-position switch connected in said circuit and operable by said timer mech-anism to move from a first position to a second position and return once for each predetermined position of an associated rotary driven pilot valve member;-and a second, two-position switch connected in said circuit and positioned adjacent said cam means, and movable by said cam means from a first position to a second position and return once for ea-ch predetermined position of an associated rotary driven pilot valve member, said second switch being connected in said circuit in series between said motor and said first switch to establish a flow of current to said motor when said first switch is in its second position and said second switch is in its first position, to interrupt said current flow when both of said switches are in their second positions, to re-establish said current flow when said first switch returns to its first position and said second switch is in its second position, and to interrupt said current flow when both of said switches are in their first positions.

13. A control system as recited in claim 12, wherein said first and said second switches are both resiliently biased toward their first positions.

14. A control system as recited in claim 13, wherein said timer mechanism includes: a clock motor connected in said circuit; a timer disk rotatably driven by said clock motor and arranged to rotate from an initial position through 360 degrees, said timer disk having at least radially projecting element mounted on the periphery thereof; an actuator arm pivotally mounted adjacent said timer disk in position to be engaged by said radially projecting element during rotation of said disk, said actuator arm being arranged to move said first switch to its second I position when said actuator arm is engaged by said element; a normally closed switch connected in said circuit to control the flow of current to said first-mentioned motor, said clock motor, and said first and said second switches; and means operable by said timer disk to open said normally-closed switch when said timer disk assumes said initial position, whereby to de-energize said circuit.

15. A control system as recited in claim 14, including additionally: switch means connected in said circuit and operable to shlunt across said normally-{open switch, whereby to energize said circuit when said normallyclo'sed switch is open.

16. A control system as recited in claim 15, wherein said shunt switch means includes: a normally-open relay switch connected in said circuit; and a normally-open starting switch connected in said circuit and operable to energize and close said relay switch.

17. A control system as recited in claim 12, including additionally means on said drive means operable manually.

to rotate an associated rotary driven pilot valve member, and means operable manually to elfect disengagement of said cam means from said second switch during manual rotation of said rotary driven member.

References Cited by the Examiner oRrs L. RADER, Primary Examiner.

ISADOR WAIL, Examiner.

J. C. BERENZWEIG, A. COHAN, Assistant Examiners.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent NOD 3, 257, 598 June 21, 1966 John D. Settles It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 34, for "closer" read close column 8, line 43, for "unwardly" read upwardly column 10, line 43, for "he" read the column 13, line 34, after "and" insert a column 16, line 15, after "least" insert one Signed and sealed this 22nd day of August 1967.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Offioer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. FLUID DISTRIBUTION CONTROL MEANS, COMPRISING A HOUSING INCLUDING A COVER HAVING A CHAMBER FOR OPERATING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE, A FLUID DISTRIBUTION BASE HAVING A SEAT COFNRONTING SAID CHAMBER, AND ROTATABLE MEMBER IN SAID CHAMBER ENGAGED WITH SAID SEAT AND ROTATABLE THEREON BETWEEN A PLURALITY OF OPERATIVE POSITIONS, SAID FLUID DISTRIBUTION BASE HAVING A PLURALITY OF SETS OF PORTS ALL TERMINATING AT ONE END THEREOF IN SAID SEAT WITH ADJACENT PORTS BELONGING TO DIFFERENT SETS, THE OTHER END OF THE PORTS OF EACH SET BEING DISPOSED IN A DIFFERNT PLANE, SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER HAVING CERTAIN PRESSURE PORTS AND CERTAIN DRAIN PORTS SIMULTANEOUSLY REGISTRABLE WITH CERTAIN OF SAID SEAT PORTS OF EACH SET IN EACH OPERATIVE POSITION OF SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER, AND SAID CERTAIN PRESSURE AND DRAIN PORTS IN SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER BEING ARRANGED TO PASS ACROSS CERTAIN OF SAID PORTS IN SAID SEAT AS SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER IS ROTATED FROM ONE OPERATIVE POSITION TO ANOTHER OPERATIVE POSITION; AND A CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SUCCESSIVELY AND RELATIVELY RAPIDLY ROTATING SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER FROM ONE OPERATIVE POSITION TO THE NEXT BY RELATIVELY RAPIDLY MOVING THE SAME ACROSS A PLURALITY OF SUCCESSIVE PORTS IN SAID SEAT CORRESPONDING IN NUMBER TO THE NUMBER OF SETS OF PORTS IN SAID SEAT, SAID CONTROL MEANS INCLUDING AN ELECTRICALLY-OPERATED TIMER MECHANISM, AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTAINING SAID TIMER MECHANISM, A MOTOR CONNECTED IN SAID CIRCUIT, DRIVE MEANS CONNECTING SAID MOTOR TO SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER, CAM MEANS DRIVEN BY SAID DRIVE MEANS AND ROTATABLE WITH SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER, AND SWITCH MEANS CONNECTED IN SAID CIRCUIT AND OPERABLE ALTERNATELY BY SAID TIMER MECHANISM AND SAID CAM MEANS FOR ENERGIZING SAID MOTOR TO ROTATE SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER FROM ONE OPERATIVE POSITION TO ANOTHER, SAID SWITCH MEANS BEING CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED TO BE OPERATED BY SAID TIMER MECHANISM TO ENERGIZE SAID MOTOR AND INITIATE ROTATTION OF SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER FROM ONE OPERATIVE POSITION TO THE NEXT SUCCESSIVE OPERATING POSITION THEREOF, AND TO BE OPERATED BY SAID CAM MEANS TO DE-ENERGIZE SAID MOTOR AND THUS STOP ROTATION OF SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER WHEN SAID ROTATABLE MEMEBR ATTAINS AN OPERATIVE POSITION.