U.S. patent number 3,576,277 [Application Number 04/834,717] was granted by the patent office on 1971-04-27 for sterile scrub apparatus with selection of washing liquid, and method.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Don Curl. Invention is credited to Herbert S. also known as Steve Blackman Blackman.
United States Patent |
3,576,277 |
Blackman |
April 27, 1971 |
STERILE SCRUB APPARATUS WITH SELECTION OF WASHING LIQUID, AND
METHOD
Abstract
Apparatus for control of wash water at different temperatures
for scrubbing or washing with avoidance of contamination by contact
with nonsterile surfaces and the steps accomplished therewith using
radiant energy sensing and control means to easily, selectively,
rapidly, and fully start and stop flow of a selection of one or
another or both of the streams of washing liquid.
Inventors: |
Blackman; Herbert S. also known as
Steve Blackman (Fort Worth, TX) |
Assignee: |
Don Curl (Memphis, TX)
|
Family
ID: |
25267617 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/834,717 |
Filed: |
June 19, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/1; 4/623;
4/676; 222/52; 250/221; 4/668; 137/606; 222/144.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H03K
17/941 (20130101); Y10T 137/87684 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
H03K
17/94 (20060101); B67d 005/60 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/1,144.5,145,52,76,504 ;4/1 ;137/637.1,606 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reeves; Robert B.
Assistant Examiner: Lane; H. S.
Claims
I claim:
1. A process for providing washing liquid comprising the steps
of:
a. supplying each of a plurality of sources of washing liquid to a
dispenser therefor through each of a plurality of valves, and
holding each of said valves in normally closed position;
b. creating and passing each of a plurality of sources of radiant
energy into a sensing zone and to a sensing and control assembly
therefor sensitive to a change thereof produced by the presence of
a body member, said sensing and control assemblies being
operatively connected to said plurality of valves;
c. producing said change in one of said plurality of sources by the
presence of a body member; and
d. locating a switch means in active position in response to such
change and thereby
i. routing power from said switch means to one selection of said
plurality of valves, and
ii. disconnecting power to all other selections of said plurality
of valves, and thereby
iii. dispensing said washing liquids through said selection of said
plurality of valves and discharging a selection of said washing
liquids from the dispenser therefor.
2. Process as in claim 1 comprising the additional steps of
a. removing said body portion from said sensing zone and
b. relocating a body member in said sensing zone, thereby locating
said switch means in another position, which connects power to all
selections of said plurality of valves and
c. stops said discharge of said selection of washing liquid.
3. Process as in claim 2 wherein said change is a momentary change
and said disconnecting of power provides a stable state of
disconnection of said power to said valves.
4. Process as in claim 3 comprising the further step of
a. selectively locating a body member in another of said sensing
zones and thereby
b. locating another switch means in active position in response to
such change and thereby
i. routing power to another selection of said plurality of valves
and
ii. disconnecting power to all other selections of said plurality
of valves and
iii. dispensing another selection of said liquids through said
another selection of said plurality of valves and discharging
another selection of said washing liquids from the dispenser
therefor.
5. Apparatus for sterile scrubbing comprising a housing assembly, a
radiant energy interruption sensing and valve control assembly and
a water supply and dispensing assembly, the radiant energy
interruption sensing and valve control assembly located and
supported in said housing assembly and said water supply and
dispensing assembly being operatively connected to said radiant
energy interruption sensing and valve control assembly,
said radiant energy interruption sensing mechanism comprising a
plurality of sets of a radiant energy source and a reverse electric
circuit sensitive to such radiant energy therefor and spaced apart
from each other in each set, a beam of radiant energy connecting
each said radiant energy source and said circuit for each set,
said valve control assembly comprising a plurality of valves,
each said circuit including means responsive to temporary changes
in said beam of radiant energy in said set and, for each set of
radiant energy source and circuit, switch means connectable in each
of a plurality of positions and connectable in one position to
actuate one of a selection of said valve means and to disconnect
power from all other selections of said plurality of valve means,
said switch means being operatively connected to said means
responsive to temporary changes in said beam of radiant energy in
each said set of radiant energy source and electric circuit
sensitive to said radiant energy.
6. Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein, for each set of radiant energy
source and electric circuit sensitive thereto, visual indicator
means are located on the outer surface of the housing near to the
said source of radiant energy of said set and are operatively
connected to the said switch means.
7. Apparatus as in claim 6 which includes means stably holding said
switch means in one or another position with a force less than the
force applied to the switch means by said means responsive to
temporary changes in said beam of radiant energy.
8. Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said radiant energy interruption
sensing and valve control assembly is a light interruption sensing
and valve control assembly,
and wherein said radiant energy interruption sensing mechanism is a
light interruption sensing mechanism and comprises a plurality of
sets of a light source and a reverse photoelectric circuit
therefor, and wherein a beam of light connects each said light
source and said circuit for each set,
and wherein each said circuit includes a means responsive to
temporary breaks in said beam of light in said set and, for each
set of light source and circuit, said switch means is operatively
connected to said means responsive to temporary breaks in said beam
of light in each of said set of light and photoelectric
circuit.
9. Apparatus as in claim 8 wherein for each set of light source and
electric circuit sensitive thereto, visual indicator means are
located on the outer surface of the housing near to the said beam
of light of said set and are operatively connected to the said
switch means.
10. Apparatus as in claim 9 which includes means stably holding
said switch means in one or another position with a force less than
the force applied to the switch means by said means responsive to
temporary breaks in said beam of light.
11. Process as in claim 1 wherein said each of said plurality of
sources of radiant energy creates a beam of light and the location
of a body member in said sensing zone for each of said plurality of
beams breaks said light beam, each of said sensing and controlling
assembly is sensitive to the breaking of the light beam thereto,
and wherein said location of a body member in each of said
plurality of zone breaks said light beam in said sensing zone and
wherein said switch means is located in an active position in
response to such breaking.
12. Process as in claim 11 comprising the additional steps of
a. reforming said beam of light and
b. selectively breaking said beam of light and thereby
i. locating said switch means in another position and
ii. connecting power to another selection of said plurality of
valves and
c. stopping said discharge of said selection of said washing
liquids.
13. Process as in claim 12 wherein said such breaking of said beam
of light is a momentary breaking and said disconnection of power
provides a stable state of disconnection of said power to said
valves.
14. Process as in claim 13 comprising the further step of
a. selectively breaking another of said beams of light and
thereby
b. locating another switch means in active position in response to
such breaking and thereby
i. routing power to another selection of said plurality of valves
and
ii. disconnecting power to all other selections of said plurality
of valves and
iii. dispensing another selection of said liquids through said
another selection of said plurality of valves and discharging
another selection of said washing liquids from the dispenser
therefor.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to outlet valves combined with hot and cold
supply for sinks, basins and baths.
2. Description of the Prior Art
After and during washing, usually called scrubbing in hospital
surgical theaters, manipulation of hand or foot valves largely
vitiates sterilization procedures; sterilization of hand and foot
controls is expensive if not impractical although necessary for
technicians as well as surgeons needed for present day surgical
techniques; and even if such disadvantages are overlooked, the flow
of water for such scrubbing is not rapidly and easily or completely
changed and effort is required by the surgeon or technician to
maintain the flow of washing liquid.
By this invention washing liquid is turned on rapidly and fully; no
effort is required to maintain the flow of washing liquid and the
flow of liquid is turned off rapidly, easily, and completely
without soiling, wetting or contamination of the hands or arms or
gown of the user. Either hand can be used to effect such washing
liquid control.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Temporary breaking of one of a set of light beams selectively
routes power to one selection of a plurality of corresponding
valves and causes full and immediate delivery of one selection of
washing liquid while disconnecting power to all other selections of
valves controlling flow of a corresponding plurality of washing
liquids to a dispenser therefor; that one light beam reforms and a
second breaking thereof selectively removes power from said one
selection of valve and resets apparatus for full and immediate
delivery of a subsequent selection of washing liquid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of the overall assembly 20 according to this
invention with parts thereof broken away.
FIG. 2 is a side view partly shown in section along the planes 2A
and 2B of FIG. 1 and showing the assembly 20 with an operator 26
using the apparatus.
FIG. 3 is an upward oblique view along the direction of arrow 3A of
FIG. 2 with a panel 55 of the control assembly housing subassembly
removed to show the structures to the rear thereof.
FIG. 4 is a schematic overall wiring diagram of the control
assembly of the invention in the "shut-off" array of parts thereof
wherein no water is delivered to the sink 25 from the water outlet
line 30.
FIG. 5 is a schematic overall wiring diagram of the control
assembly of the invention in the array of parts thereof wherein hot
water is delivered to sink 25 by water outlet line 30.
FIG. 6 is a schematic overall wiring diagram of assembly 20 in the
array of parts thereof wherein medium temperature water is
delivered to sink 25 by water outlet line 30.
FIG. 7 is a schematic overall wiring diagram of assembly 20 in a
third array of the parts thereof wherein cold water is delivered to
sink 25 by water outlet line 30.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of zone 8A of FIG. 3 taken along the
direction of arrow 8B of FIG. 11.
FIG. 9 shows the details of the circuit connections to boxes 106,
106M, 106C in the array of parts shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 10 is a schematic wiring diagram of the photoelectric circuit
103.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view along the direction of the arrow 11A
of FIG. 1 with the left sidewall of the upper housing subassembly
removed to provide a side view into the interior of the upper
control assembly housing subassembly in position of parts shown in
FIG. 4.
Linear dimensions of the particular embodiment shown are provided
in Table I. The electrical characteristics of the components shown
in FIG. 1--11 are set out in Table II.
The accompanying text discusses and explains the significance of
the referent numerals used in the above-mentioned FIGS. as well as
description of the structures and zones identified by the referent
numerals. The symbols used in the wiring diagram are those set out
in the 1965 Rules of Practice in Patent cases unless otherwise
specified in the accompanying text.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The overall apparatus 20 comprises a sensing and control assembly
21 and water supply and disposal assembly 22 for manipulation and
use by an operator 26. The sensing and control assembly 21 and the
water supply assembly 22 are supported on a wall 29. An operator,
26, is able to project one (left) hand as 27 into a sensing zone of
the sensing and control assembly 21 while his other hand 28 is
below the discharge opening of the water outlet line 30.
The sensing and control assembly 21 comprises an upper housing
subassembly 31, a lower housing subassembly 41, a rear housing
subassembly 51, a water valve assembly 61, and sensing and control
circuits 81, 84 and 87 for the hot, medium and cold water
respectively.
The upper housing subassembly 31, the rear housing subassembly 51,
and the lower housing subassembly 41 are rigid sturdy housing
structures joined and supported on a rigid housing frame 40; frame
40 is located in a hole 50 therefor in the wall 29 and the upper
housing subassembly 31 projects interiorly of the room 19 in which
the apparatus 20 is located and the lower housing subassembly 41
also projects into that room the same amount. Housing subassemblies
31 and 41 are firmly attached to the wall 29 and supported thereby.
Housing subassembly 51 is located within wall 29, i.e. interiorly
of the wall 29 and exterior of the room 19 in which the operator as
26 is located.
The upper housing subassembly comprises, in operative combination
an imperforate top wall 32, a front wall 33, a horizontal bottom
wall 34, a vertical right sidewall 35, a vertical left sidewall
(not shown) and a rear vertical wall 36. These walls are joined at
their edges and, except as below described as to the openings
therein, are imperforate and are joined at their edges as shown in
the FIGS. 1--3 to form an imperforate and watertight housing except
for openings as hereinbelow described. The bottom wall 34 has a
left opening 37, a right opening 39 and a middle opening 38 therein
for passage of light therethrough to the photoelectric components
as 102, 102M and 102C respectively located thereabove. The upper
housing subassembly 31 supports and houses phototube elements 102,
102M and 102C above the holes 37, 38 and 39 respectively. The front
wall 32 supports colored signal lights 57, 58 and 59 respectively
in holes therefor to the front of each of the holes 37, 38 and 39
respectively.
The lower housing subassembly 41 comprises a horizontal top wall
42, a vertical front wall 43, a right vertical end wall 45, a
similar left wall (not shown) a sloped bottom wall 44, a vertical
rear wall 46. Walls 42--46 are rigid and firmly joined as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 to form a rigid substantially imperforate and
watertight compartment housing except for openings as hereinbelow
described.
The top wall 42 of the lower housing subassembly 41 has transparent
lenses 47, 48 and 49 firmly fixed thereto and fitted in watertight
manner into the openings therefor in that top wall 42 and below
openings 37, 38 and 39 respectively. There is thereby provided a
sensing space or zone 120 between the top wall 42 of the lower
housing subassembly and the lenses therein and the bottom wall 34
of the upper housing subassembly. This opening is large enough for
an operator as 26 to conveniently put either his left or right hand
located above one of the lenses as 47, 48 and 49. The centers of
lenses 47, 48 and 49 are located in a vertical plane which plane is
normal to the walls 34 and 42. The walls 33 and 43 extend an equal
distance from the wall 29. Light generating lamps 101, 101M and
101C are supported in subassembly 41 and located directly below the
lenses 47, 48 and 49 therefor in the housing subassembly 41; other
forms of radiant energy may obviously be used.
The rear housing subassembly 51 is composed of a horizontal top
wall 52, a rigid vertical rear wall 53, a horizontal bottom wall
54, a rigid front panel 55. The walls 52, 53 and 54 are rigid and
firmly joined to each other to form a rigid housing structure which
is in turn rigidly attached to a vertical frame 40. Frame 40 is
rigidly attached to the rear vertical walls 36 and 46 as well as to
the horizontal walls 52 and 54. The wall 52 is positioned slightly
above the wall 34 and the wall 54 is located slightly below wall
42.
The vertical displacement of wall 52 relative to the wall 34
provides for passage of wires from the phototubes 102, 102M and
102C located in the upper housing subassembly 31 above the top of
wall 46 to the rear housing subassembly 51. The rear housing
subassembly 51 is provided with a removable front panel 55 on the
left-hand side of which is located an on-off switch 56 and on-off
indicator signal lamp 60.
A water valve assembly 61 is located in and supported on the walls
54 and 53 of the rear housing subassembly 51. The water valve
assembly 61 comprises a hot water valve unit 62 and a cold water
valve unit 72, each of which (62 and 72) is the same as the other
in structure, hot water line 23, cold water line 24, and discharge
manifold 70.
The hot water line 23 is connected through the hot water valve
assembly structure 62, wherein is located in operative connection a
conventional valve seat 66, valve seal 65, valve shaft 64, to a
manifold pipe 70 which extends to the wall 29 and extends therefrom
as water discharge pipe 30. The valve assembly 62 comprises a
standard solenoid coil 63 which is firmly seated in assembly 51
and, on actuation operates on valve shaft 64 to seat seal 65 in
valve seat 66. The shaft 64 and seal 65 are urged to the normally
closed position by a biasing spring 67.
The cold water line 24 is connected through the cold water valve
assembly structure 72, wherein is located in operative connection a
conventional valve seat 76, valve seal 75, valve shaft 74, to the
manifold pipe 70 which extends to the wall 29 and extends therefrom
as water discharge pipe 30. Valve assembly 72 comprises a standard
solenoid coil 73 which is firmly seated in assembly 51 and, on
actuation, operates on the valve shaft 74 to seat the seal 75 in
the valve seat 76 therefor. Element 75 and 74 are urged to the
normally closed position by a spring 77.
The hot water sensing and control assembly 81 comprises an
electromechanical control subassembly 82 in operative combination
with a sensing photoelectric circuit 83. The medium temperature
sensing and control assembly 84 comprises an electromechanical
control subassembly 85 and a photoelectric sensing circuit 86; the
cold water sensing and control assembly 87 comprises an
electromechanical control subassembly 88 and a photoelectric
sensing circuit 89; other forms of receptors with other forms of
radiant energy may obviously be used.
The photoelectric circuit 83 for hot water, circuit 86 for medium
temperature water and circuit 89 for cold water are the same in
structure. Therefore the description of the hot water photoelectric
circuits can be applied to that for the medium temperature
photoelectric circuit and cold water photoelectric circuit with the
understanding that a structure in the circuit 86 with a given
referent numeral and the letter "M" (e.g. 101M) is the same as or
corresponds to the structure in circuit 83 with referent of same or
corresponding number (e.g. 101) of the hot water circuit; and with
the understanding that a structure in the circuit 89 with a given
referent numeral and the letter "C" (e.g. 101C) is the same as or
corresponds to the structure in the circuit 83 with referent of
same or corresponding number (e.g. 101) in the hot water circuit
83.
The electromechanical subassemblies 82 and 88 structurally are
identical with only a small, but significant structural change
therebetween in the medium temperature subassembly 85; the referent
numbers given to the structures in the hot water subassembly 82 are
also applied to similar structures given similar referent numbers
in the cold water subassembly 88 and in the medium water
subassembly 85 with the exception that the additional referent
letter "C" applies to the corresponding structure in the cold water
circuit and the additional referent "M" applies to the
corresponding structure in medium water circuit; structurally such
correspondingly numbered elements so referred to are the same.
The sensing photoelectric circuit 83 comprises a connection to an
AC power source 150, light source (incandescent lamp 101) which is
operatively connected by a light beam as 90 to a photoelectric tube
102 and a relay 104 connected thereto by a circuit 103. This
circuit is a standard reverse alternating current photoelectric
circuit (c.f. chapter 18, Phototube Relays, pages 331--354 of
"Electronics for Electricians and Radio Men" Coyne Electrical
School, Chicago, Ill, 1945). That phototube circuit relay 104 is
provided with a relay switch arm 105 operatively connected
thereto.
The hot water circuit photoelectric relay switch arm 105 is
connected, when closed by action of the solenoid 104, to one end of
a hot water electromechanical subassembly terminal box 106 which
box is connected at its other end by a conventional wire conductor
to one terminal of the hot water control subassembly main relay
solenoid 107; that solenoid is provided with a spring loaded rigid
arm 108 which has a pivotal support at one end, 118, the spring
loading of which arm urges that arm to a position distant from the
solenoid 107 as shown in FIG. 4. The arm 108 has pivotally attached
to its free end a vertically depending rigid tongue 109; arm 109
has limited pivotal motion only about a horizontal axis at the
juncture of arms 108 and 109. A spring 99 urges the bottom of arms
109 into contact with wheel 110. When arm 108 is pulled in by
solenoid 107 the bottom of tongue 109 engages with a hot water
control assembly drive ratchet wheel 110; wheel 110 has a plurality
of eight radially equispaced teeth as 111; the bottom of the tongue
109 engages the teeth 111 seriatim during repeated operation of the
solenoid 107. The normal position of each arm as 108 is spaced
slightly but definitely from the coil 107 as shown in FIGS. 4 and
11. On activation of the solenoid 107 the arm 109 engages and moves
the adjacent tooth 111 and rotates the wheel 110 counterclockwise,
as seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, for the angular distance of (45.degree.)
covered by one such tooth on each such stroke of a tongue 109.
The ratchet wheel 110 is firmly joined at its center and is
concentric with a hot water electromechanical control subassembly
ratchet drive shaft 112. This is a rigid straight, horizontally
extending shaft which is rotatably mounted in journals as 117 and
117' for rotation about its longitudinal axis when urged by the
tongue 109 as above described.
A first hot water control subassembly drived lobed cam 113 is fixed
to the shaft 112 and is coaxial therewith; it has a series of four
equispaced lobes or teeth as 114 and 116 each separated by a recess
as 105 between neighboring lobes as 114 and 116. The lobes are
equally spaced and the relationship of the number of lobes or teeth
on the cam 113 to the teeth on the ratchet wheel 110 is that the
angular distance between centers of one lobe or tooth as 114 on cam
113 and the next, as 116, is twice the angular distance between the
neighboring teeth on the ratchet wheel 110 so that each actuation
of arm 108 by the solenoid 107 moves the lobed cam 113 one half the
angular distance between centers of adjacent lobes on the cam
113.
A second hot water control subassembly driven lobed cam 123 is
fixed to the shaft 112 and is coaxial therewith. It has a series of
four equispaced lobes or teeth as 124 and 126 separated by recesses
as 125 between neighboring lobes as 124 and 126. The lobes or teeth
are equally spaced and the relationship of the number of lobes or
teeth on the cam 123 to the teeth on the ratchet wheel 110 is that
the angular distance between centers of one lobe or tooth as 124 on
cam 123 to the next as 126 is twice the angular distance between
the neighboring teeth on the ratchet wheel 110 so that each
actuation of arm 108 by the solenoid 107 moves the lobed cam 123
the same amount as cam 113. The lobes and recesses of each pair of
cams as 113 and 123 are arrayed on each shaft as 112 so that when
the radially exterior surface of a lobe of cam 113 extends to its
maximum vertical height over shaft 112, the radially exterior
surface of a lobe of cam 123 simultaneously extends to its maximum
vertical height over shaft 112. All lobes and recesses on each cam
as 113 and 123 are of the same size and shape; the lobes and
recesses of cams 113 and 123 are identical in size and shape.
A hot water control assembly left lower switch arm 131 is pivotally
supported at a pivot point 133 which is somewhat spaced away from a
contact point 132, generally as shown in FIGS. 11 and 8 and
schematically as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. The movable point of the
arm 131 is slidably in contact with and rides on a tooth or in a
recess of the first lobed cam 113, as shown in FIGS. 11, 4 and 5.
Switch arm 131 is electrically conductive.
A hot water circuit left upper switch arm 134 is pivotally yet
firmly attached to a pivot support 136 therefor and at the free end
of that arm 134 is supported on an electrically insulating
connector arm 137. The connector arm 137 is supported on and
attached to the hot water circuit left lower switch arm 131 so that
the arm 134 alternately moves away from and towards the shaft 112
as the lobed cam 113 contacts free end of the arm 131 at the lobe
as 114 or at the recess as 115 of the lobed cam 113 (as shown in
FIGS. 11, 4 and 5). In the tooth (or lobe of cam 113) contacting
position of the arm 131 a fixed contact point 132 effects
electrical contact with the arm 131 and a circuit is completed
through the arm 131. When the arm 131 is at the position whereat it
contacts a recess as 115 of the lobed cam 113 the circuit through
contact point 132 is broken. When the contact is made through the
arm 131 with the contact point 132 concurrently an electrical
circuit is made by contact of the arm 134 with a fixed contact
point 136. The contact of arm 131 with point 132 connects AC power
to and lights up the signal light 57. The contact of the
electrically conductive switch arm 134 with the contact point 136
closes a circuit through the hot water solenoid coil 63 and draws
in the shaft 64 and moves the seal 65 away from the seat 66,
overcoming the force of the spring 67 and allows hot water to pass
through the orifice in the seat 66 from hot water line 23 to the
manifold pipe 70 and out the water discharge line 30. Arm 137 is
rigid.
The hot water control assembly right lower switch arm 141 is
electrically conductive and is pivotally supported at a pivotal
support point 143 and is supported at its other end on either a
tooth as 124 or in a recess as 125 of the second hot water circuit
cam 123. In the position of the arm 141 whereat that arm contacts
the raised tooth or lobe as 124 of the cam 123 as in FIG. 5 and 9
that arm is taken out of contact with the fixed contact point 142
and a circuit therethrough, below described in reference to the
terminal boxes 106M and 106C, is broken or open.
Hot water circuit right switch arm 144 is pivotally connected at a
fixed point 146 and is supported at its other, free, end by an
insulated connector 147 so that the switch arm 144 moves parallel
to and concurrently with the arm 141 on rotation of the shaft 112.
In the position of arm 144 when the arm 141 is contacting a raised
tooth of the lobed cam 124 as in FIG. 5, there is no electrical
contact between the arm 144 and its fixed switch contact point 145
and the circuit therethrough, below described in relation to
terminal box 106M is open. In the position of parts when arm 141 is
in contact with a recess as 125 of the lobed cam 123 as in FIG. 4,
the arm 144 contacts the contact point 145 and a circuit
therethrough is closed. Arm 147 is also rigid.
The circuits for actuation of the coil 63 of the hot water valve
assembly 62 are shown in FIGS. 5 and 9.
FIG. 7 shows the actuation of the position of parts of the circuit
when the solenoid 73 of the cold water valve assembly is actuated.
FIG. 6 shows the position of parts in the overall circuit when the
medium temperature water is to be delivered.
The hot water sensing and control assembly elements 101--149 of
assembly 81 and their connections are identical to that in the cold
water sensing and control assembly 87 comprising elements
101C--149C and medium temperature water sensing and control
assembly 84 comprising elements 101M--149M with the following
exceptions:
a. as to elements 101C--149C, their connection and attachment to
cold water solenoid 73 and signal lamp 39 instead of hot water
valve solenoid 63 and signal lamp 37 for elements 101--149C;
b. and the connections in terminal boxes 106, 106C and 106M: the
connections for terminal boxes 106, 106C and 106M are shown in FIG.
9 and below discussed;
c. the connection and relations of switch arm 144M does not
parallel those of switch arms 144C and 144 and the relations of
switch arm 141M differ slightly from those of switches 141 and
141C; details thereof are set out herebelow in description of FIG.
9 and also illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6.
The connections and relations of switch arm 134C and 131C provide
that, with switch 56 in "on" position, as shown in FIGS. 4, 2 and 1
interruption of beam of light 90C between lamp 101C and tube 102C
causes, via circuit 83C, movement of shaft 112C as above described
for shaft 112. Arm 134C then contacts point 135C and closes a
circuit shown in FIGS. 4 and 7 that actuates solenoid coil 73 of
cold water assembly 72 by connection thereof to voltage source 150.
Concurrently, arm 131C then contacts point 132C and closes a
circuit through signal lamp 59. The array of parts is then as shown
in FIG. 7 and cold water passes out of line 30.
The connections and relations of switch arm 141M and 131M provide
that with switch 56 in "on" position, as shown in FIGS. 4, 2 and 1
interruption of beam of light 90M between lamp 101M and tube 102M
causes, via circuit 83M, movement of shaft 112M as above described
for shaft 112. Accordingly, arm 131M then contacts point 132M and
closes a circuit through signal lamp 58 and arm 144M contacts point
145M and concurrently switch arm 134M then contacts point 135M and
closes a circuit that actuates a solenoid coil 73 of cold water
assembly 72 by connection thereof to voltage source 150, and switch
arm 144M then contacts point 145M and close a circuit that actuates
a solenoid coil 63 of hot water valve assembly 62 by connection
thereof to voltage source 150. The mixture of hot water and cold
water passes into manifold 70 and to outlet line 30 and array of
parts is as in FIG. 6.
As shown in FIG. 9 the pivotally fixed end of the switch arm 144
and fixed contact point 145 are operatively electrically connected
to the terminal box 106M of the medium temperature water circuit
and the switch arm 141 and the fixed switch contact point 142 are
electrically connected to and, when closed, provide an electrical
connection across points 127C and 128C of the terminal box 106C.
Similarly one end of the switch arm 144C and the fixed contact
point 145C are connected to and, when connected, close the
electrical connection across terminals 129 and 130 of box 106 and,
when in contact, the switch arm 141C and the contact point 142C
close an electrical connection across the terminals 129M and 130M
of box 106M.
As shown in FIG. 9 the pivotally fixed end of the switch arm 141M
and contact arm 145M are operatively connected to the terminals 127
and 128 of terminal box 106 of the hot water circuit and the
pivotally fixed end of switch arm 141M and switch point 142 when
closed provide a connection across points 127 and 128 of the
terminal box 106. The pivotally fixed end of switch arm 141M and
the contact point 145M are similarly connected to and close the
connection across terminals 129C and 130C of box 106C and the
closure of the switch arm 141M and the contact point 142M
concurrently closes connections across the terminals 129C--130C in
box 106C and 127--128 in box 130. Accordingly, the calling into
operation any one of the assemblies 81, 84 or 87 of the sensing and
control assembly 21 prevents operation of any of the circuits of
the other two assemblies by opening up (or "breaking") the
connection through the electrical series connected terminals in
terminal boxes as 106, 106M and 106C through which the main relay
solenoids as 107, 107M or 107C are actuated.
Each of the shafts as 112, 112M and 112C is at a stable position at
each of their positions shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 4 and 11. When for
instance the circuit through one (e.g. the hot water) circuit as 81
is closed, the circuits through the other (cold water and the
medium temperature water) circuits are kept open as detailed in
FIG. 9 so that only the (hot) water provided by that (81) circuit
passes out of the discharge 30. The system 21 then is insensitive
to moving the hands of the operator through zone 120 to interrupt
any of the other beams of light as 90M (between the photoelectric
elements as 102M and 101M of the assembly 84) or beam 90C, however,
when the beam 90 is again interrupted and the photoelectric circuit
83 is thereby actuated by blocking the passage of light from
element 101 to element 102 the system is brought to the array of
parts shown in FIG. 4 and one of the other circuits may then be
actuated. Similarly, when the circuit 84 has been actuated blocking
the passage of light beam 90 from the elements from 101 to 102
and/or blocking the passage of lights from 101C to 102C will not
cause any change in the temperature of the water discharged from
the water discharge outlet 30 until the beam of light 90M from the
elements 101M to 102M has again been interrupted to move the arm
109M from the position thereof shown in FIG. 6 to the position
thereof shown in FIG. 4.
Each lobed cam as 113 has a series of flat faces as 121 at the
bottom of each recess; the free end of each arm, as 131 resting on
such cam holds the cam in place against radial movement (as the arm
has some resiliency and force) until such stabilizing force is
overcome by action of the tongue therefor, as 109, on the ratchet
wheel, as 110, therefor overcoming such restraining force when the
solenoid therefor, as 107 is actuated and the periphery of wheel
110 is moved the distance of the stroke of tongue 109.
FIG. 10 shows a reverse phototube circuit as 83 employing a type
2051 gas tetrode 156 for relay 105 operation. (A circuit in which
light or increased light on the phototube causes plate electron
flow in the amplifier circuit is called a "forward" circuit; when
light or increased light at the phototube causes amplifier plate
electron flow to decrease or stop, the circuit is a "reverse"
circuit.) The transformer 151 has, in addition to its 6.3-volt
heater winding 152, a tapped secondary winding 153 providing 75
volts between plate 154 and cathode 155 of the gas tetrode tube 156
and 25 volts between anode 156 and cathode 157 of the phototube
102. Grid bias voltage for the gas tetrode is supplied by and
adjusted by the adjustable voltage divider 161 since the grid 157
of the tube 156 is connected through a resistor 162 to the slider
163 on voltage divider 161 and its cathode 155 is connected
directly to the upper (as shown in FIG. 11) end 164 of the divider
161.
With the phototube 102 illuminated, its electron flow is from anode
156 to slider 163 through resistor 162, making the right (as shown
in FIG. 11) end 165 of this resistor negative and the slider end
positive: the negative potential is applied, as shown in FIG. 11,
to the control grid 157 of the gas tetrode 156 and the positive
potential to its cathode 155 through voltage divider 161. With the
phototube illuminated, and the grid of the gas tetrode made
negative as just explained, the slider 163 of voltage divider 161
is adjusted to a point just below that which allows the gas tetrode
to "break down." When illumination of the phototube 102 is reduced
or cut off the reduction of phototube electron flow decreases the
negative grid voltage being supplied from resistor 162 and this
decrease of negative grid voltage allows the gas tetrode 156 to
break down and pull in the relay 104. With the phototube 102 again
illuminated, the grid voltage of the gas tetrode 156 again is made
sufficiently negative to keep this tube from breaking down and the
relay 104 drops out as the AC voltage applied to the plate circuit
of tube 156 falls to zero on every half-cycle of alternating
current. Source 150 is an AC source.
The sequence of operations of the apparatus 20 is as follows:
Starting with the array shown in FIG. 4 wherein 110--120 volt AC
power source 150 is operatively connected by the switch 56 to
actuate the power to the photoelectric circuits 83, 86 and 89 and
signal light 60 is then lit. In the normal start position of the
apparatus light 60 is on but the lights 57, 58 and 59 are
extinguished indicating that no water is to come through the outlet
30. The operator may then pass a hand through beam 90, 90M or 90C
below and interior of any corresponding indicator light therefor,
as 37, 38 and 39 generally as is shown in FIG. 2, for any actuation
of the water system which is desired to be started. The
photoelectric circuits 83, 86 and 89 thereby selectively provide
actuation to operate the corresponding electromechanical
subassembly as 82, 85 or 88 of the system 81 and provide hot,
medium or cold temperature as indicated by lights 37, 38 or 39
respectively. When a change is desired the operator's hand
interrupts the beam of light as 90, 90M or 90C behind the lighted
signal light therefor, as 37, 38 or 39 respectively to stop that
system from delivering water of that type. Flow of water of another
type of temperature may then be started (when 56 is closed, as
indicated by light 60 shining) from discharge outlet line 30 by
interrupting another light beam as 90M or 90C.
Apparatus 20 incorporates the idea of a contamination free method
of turning off and on the water in a hospital scrub sink 25,
utilizing a beam of light for the switching apparatus as well as a
more economical method of installation as compared to the present
cost of the knee valve and wrist handles.
The whole system contains only eight (8) moving parts, the relays
104, 104C, 104M, 107, 107M and 107C are impulse type and are never
on but just for a few milliseconds.
The medium temperature can be preset to the users liking never
requiring further adjustment. The whole apparatus 20 may be
connected to the emergency circuit with switch 56 permanently
closed so it will never be off. The phototube circuit as 103
illustrated is exemplary and may be transistorized.
The sequence of operation may be summarized as follows: the light
sources 101, 101M, 101C actuate the receivers 102, 102M 102C. As
the beam 90 of light is broken, (assume hot water is needed)
starting from array shown in FIG. 4 power is then routed through
relay 104 energizing coil 107 at the same time making the contacts
bringing on the red indicator light 57 and energizing the hot water
solenoid 63 and at the same time opening the contacts 141 and 144
thus isolating relay coils 107M and 107C and providing array shown
in FIG. 5.
For medium temperature water, the light beam 90M between 101M and
102M is broken, contact across 105M is made on the FIG. 4 array,
thus putting power to 107M. When 107M is energized the contacts
135M, 132M and 145M are made energizing both the hot water and cold
water solenoid and the indicator or light 58 and at the same time
breaking the contacts 142M--141M thus isolating relay coils 107 and
107C and providing array of FIG. 6.
For cold water, the light beam 90C between 101C and 102C is broken,
starting from the array of FIG. 4, thus energizing the coil 107C.
Contacts 135C and 132C are made bringing on the indicator light 59
and cold water solenoid at the same time contacts 144C-- 145C and
141C--142C are broken thus isolating the coils 107 and 107M and
providing array shown in FIG. 7.
Although the light beams (as 90) may be and usually are broken only
for a very short time, of the order of 1/2 to 1/20 of a second,
i.e., substantially momentarily, the above described response of
the relay as 104 to such breaking is complete and causes advance of
the wheel 110 for the full stroke of the tongue 109. Thereafter,
the beam as 90 is automatically reestablished. The reestablishment
of the beam does not affect the phototube circuits as 83, 86 or 89
and the shafts as 112 (and/or 112M and/or 112C) are maintained for
a period as permanent as desired in a stable position as above
described with the switches in the array shown in FIG. 5, 6, or 7
until the light beam first broken is again broken and the resultant
array of components shown in FIG. 4 are again achieved. Thereby one
stream of water, e.g. hot water, is fully and rapidly turned on for
as long as desired and then rapidly and completely turned off and
another stream, e.g. cold water, is fully and rapidly turned on for
as long as desired and then rapidly and completely turned off all
with a brief wave of either hand of user or operator 26. ##SPC1##
##SPC2##
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