GB1006992A - Improvements relating to a fluid-controlled bistable device - Google Patents

Abstract

1,006,992. Valves. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Aug. 11, 1964 [Aug. 29, 1963], No. 32657/64. Heading F2V [Also in Division G3] A fluid-controlled memory device, suitable for use with fluid amplifiers in a fluid computer, comprises a bi-stable reed 10 (Fig. 1) having a snap-action, the stable positions of the reed being those in which it contacts the two concave surfaces 12, 13 of chamber 11. In the position shown, fluid from a sense input opening 18 flows, via a restriction 20, to a sense output 22 to there denote that reed 10 is in its sealing position with respect to port 16, whereas fluid from a sense input opening 19 passes, via a restriction 21, to an exhaust opening 26, thereby denoting to sense output 23 that the reed is not in its sealing position with respect to port 17. To reverse the arrangement, fluid is admitted to an opening 27 and acts at port 24 on the reed to move it to its other stable position closing ports 17 and 25. Each of the openings 18, 19, 22, 23, 27 and 28 may be controlled by solenoid valves or, as shown, they may be associated with fluid amplifiers 30, 31, 40 In the embodiment of Fig. 3, one sense input port 50 is provided and two sense output ports 52, 53, actuation of the reed being achieved by admitting fluid to opening 54 or 55, the supply from which to the respective actuating port may comprise a check valve as shown in Fig. 4, in which reed 61 is biased to close the inlet 65 even when in contact with the opposite wall of the chamber 62. In other embodiments, the reed of Fig. 1 may be replaced by a circular diaphragm, the chamber may have two separate exhaust ports closable by the diaphragm, and the sense output openings may be connected at the point of restriction to create a suction at these points when the diaphragm allows flow from the sense input to exhaust. Specification 995,828 is referred to.