EDGE GUIDE

• US 3,563,484 A
• Filed: 11/21/1968
• Issued: 02/16/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Harry C. Bray Jr
• Original Assignee: Harry C. Bray Jr
• Inventors: Bray, Harry C. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US04/777,696
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• US Class Current: 242/563.1
• CPC Class Codes: F15C 1/003 for process regulation, (e.g. chemical processes, in boilers or the like); for machine tool control (e.g. sewing machines, automatic washing machines); for liquid level control; for controlling various mechanisms; for alarm circuits; for ac-dc transducers for control purposes automatic washing machines D06F33/00; electric regulation of mechanical working machines B23Q35/00, G05B19/00; valve-controlled servomotors F15B9/08; thread feeding devices for sewing machines D05B51/00; special provisions on lathes B23B25/00, B23Q; non-electric signal transmission G08C23/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2071 And causing change or correction of sensed condition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2142 With variable or selectable source of control-input signal

Abstract

A fluidic circuit and manifold arrangement is provided for achieving control of the position of the edge of a moving web of paper or other strip material. The circuit manifold is provided with a cavity to which pressurized fluid is supplied from an external source. Pressurized fluid is then available to any part of a fluid circuit disposed over the cavity and selectively communicating therewith through a subplate. The fluid circuit, comprising only three fluid elements, senses fluid signals supplied by a pair of fluid edge sensors to move the web left or right as commanded by the signals from the sensors.

Claims

1. An edge guide for a traveling strip of material comprising:

first and second sensor means for sensing the position of the edge of a web of material;

said sensor means being located such as to establish first and second signals respectively when said web is in a proper position and third and fourth signals when said web has moved a predetermined distance to one side and another, respectively, of its proper location;

signal responsive means for moving a web in one and another direction upon the application of one and another control signal thereto;

fluidic means responsive to said third signal for generating said one control signal;

further fluidic means responsive to said fourth signal for generating said another control signal;

means for applying said control signals to said signal responsive means;

wherein said fluidic means and said further fluidic means each comprises;

a monostable fluidic switch having two stable states, a power nozzle, an output passage and control means comprising a control nozzle for changing said states;

wherein said sensor means each comprises an orifice for issuing a stream of fluid, means for issuing a further stream of fluid toward said orifice of sufficient dynamic pressure to restrict flow of fluid from said orifice when said further stream is directed theretoward, and means for connecting said orifice to said control means to switch said fluidic means in response to restriction and termination of restriction of flow from said orifice;

a source of pressurized fluid; and

means for connecting said pressurized fluid and a control nozzle of different fluidic switches to different ones of said orifices, respectively.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said fluidic means comprise:

a. a plate;

b. channels in a surface of said plate defining said fluidic means;

c. a subplate sealing channels found in said plate;

d. a manifold having a recessed surface defining a volume;

e. said subplate being secured to said recessed surface to seal said volume;

f. means supplying pressurized fluid to said volume; and

g. apertures in said subplate providing communications between said pressurized fluid to said power nozzles and orifices.

3. An edge guide for a traveling strip of material comprising:

sensor means for sensing the position of said traveling strip of material in a direction transverse to the direction of travel, said sensor means including means for developing a fluid signal at first and second amplitudes, respectively, when said traveling strip of material is in first and second positions;

a fluidic element including an interaction region, a power nozzle responsive to pressurized fluid applied thereto for issuing a power stream of fluid into said interaction region, an output passage positioned to receive said power stream as a function of deflection of said power stream in said interaction region, and a control passage responsive to fluid signals applied thereto for issuing a control stream to deflect said power stream as a function of the amplitude of the applied fluid signals; and

means for applying the fluid signal developed at said sensor means to said control passage.

4. The combination according to claim 3 further comprising means responsive to reception of substantially all of said power stream at said output passage for moving said traveling strip of material transverse to its direction of travel.

5. The combination according to claim 4 further comprising means responsive to power stream fluid received by the output passage of said first fluidic element when said first fluid signal is at said first pressure for movIng said strip in said second direction, and responsive to power stream fluid received by the output passage of said second fluidic element when said second fluid signal is at said one pressure for moving said strip in said first direction.

6. An edge guide for a traveling strip of material comprising:

first sensor means for sensing displacement of said traveling strip of material from a proper position in a first direction transverse to the direction of travel of said strip, said first sensor means including means for developing a first fluid signal at a first pressure when said strip is displaced from said proper position in said first direction by at least a predetermined distance and at a second pressure when said strip is otherwise positioned;

second sensor means for sensing displacement of said traveling strip of material from said proper position in a second direction opposite said first direction, said second sensor means including means for developing a second fluid signal at one pressure when said strip is displaced from said proper position in said second direction by at least a predetermined distance and at another pressure when said strip is otherwise positioned;

first and second fluidic elements, each including an interaction region, a power nozzle responsive to application of pressurized fluid thereto for issuing a power stream of fluid into said interaction region, an output passage for receiving said power stream as a function of power stream deflection in said interaction region, and a control passage responsive to pressurized fluid applied thereto for issuing a control stream to deflect said power stream relative to said output passage as a function of the pressure of the applied fluid;

means for applying the fluid signal developed at said first sensor means to the control passage of said first fluidic element; and

means for applying the fluid signal developed at said second sensor means to the control passage of said second fluidic element.