Electric multi-point positioner
First Claim
1. An apparatus for indexing a rotary component which controls the rotation of one or more flexible sealing flappers adapted to seal one or more ports within a multi-port valve, for use in a water distribution system between a water source and a livewell in a boat, the valve including a valve chamber defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, a cylindrical sidewall and two or more ports communicating with the chamber, comprising:
- (a) a housing having a sidewall defining an internal periphery, said housing sidewall supporting a plurality of indexing electrical contacts spaced circumferentially around said internal periphery;
(b) a rotatable, electrically conductive, annular band contained within said housing and operatively connected to the rotary component, said band being configured to have a first band portion which slidably engages said indexing contacts and a second band portion which is not engageable with said indexing contacts;
(c) at least one bridging electrical contact adapted to remain in electrical engagement with said band throughout the rotation of said band;
(d) electrically actuated drive means for rotating said band within said housing; and
(e) electrical circuit means, including an electrical supply means and switching means, for selecting one indexing contact and applying power through said drive means to rotate said band and the rotary component until said band disengages from the selected one of said indexing contacts, thereby simultaneously halting further movement of the rotary component.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus having a variety of applications is provided for indexing a rotary component. The apparatus of the present invention includes a housing, a resilient electrically conductive band contained within the housing and connected to the rotary component, at least two indexing electrical contacts located on the housing internal periphery and is slidable contact with the band, and a bridging electrical contact electrically connected to the band while the band rotates. The band exerts a biasing force on the housing, thereby mainaining band contact with the housing internal periphery, while also causing a point of separation of the band from the housing. Drive means is provided for rotating the band within the housing. Finally, electrical circuit means, including electrical supply means and switching means, are provided for selecting one indexing contact and applying power through the drive means to rotate the band and the rotary component until the band disengages from the selected indexing contact, thus halting further movement of the band and rotary component.
61 Citations
8 Claims
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1. An apparatus for indexing a rotary component which controls the rotation of one or more flexible sealing flappers adapted to seal one or more ports within a multi-port valve, for use in a water distribution system between a water source and a livewell in a boat, the valve including a valve chamber defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, a cylindrical sidewall and two or more ports communicating with the chamber, comprising:
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(a) a housing having a sidewall defining an internal periphery, said housing sidewall supporting a plurality of indexing electrical contacts spaced circumferentially around said internal periphery; (b) a rotatable, electrically conductive, annular band contained within said housing and operatively connected to the rotary component, said band being configured to have a first band portion which slidably engages said indexing contacts and a second band portion which is not engageable with said indexing contacts; (c) at least one bridging electrical contact adapted to remain in electrical engagement with said band throughout the rotation of said band; (d) electrically actuated drive means for rotating said band within said housing; and (e) electrical circuit means, including an electrical supply means and switching means, for selecting one indexing contact and applying power through said drive means to rotate said band and the rotary component until said band disengages from the selected one of said indexing contacts, thereby simultaneously halting further movement of the rotary component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification