U.S. patent number RE41,299 [Application Number 11/067,618] was granted by the patent office on 2010-05-04 for solenoid valve control system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Numatics, Incorporated. Invention is credited to Bradly J. Atkin, Dennis L. Bonacorsi, Donald E. McGeachy, William S. Smith.
United States Patent |
RE41,299 |
Atkin , et al. |
May 4, 2010 |
Solenoid valve control system
Abstract
A fluid control system that includes a fluid manifold having a
plurality of manifold bodies fastened to each other end-to-end so
as to form at least first and second passages extending
continuously through the manifold and each of the bodies. A
plurality of solenoid valves are each mounted on a side of an
associated body with valve ports opening into the body to the fluid
passage(s) that extend through the manifold. An electrical
connection arrangement is mounted at one end of the manifold for
receiving control signals from an external source. A plurality of
circuitboards are disposed one within the second passage of each
body, with each of the circuitboards including male and female
connectors at opposed ends for connecting the circuitboards in
series with each other to the electrical connection arrangement at
the end of the manifold. A third connector on each circuitboard
extends laterally from the circuitboard for connection to the
solenoid valve mounted on the side of the associated manifold
body.
Inventors: |
Atkin; Bradly J. (Commerce
Township, MI), Bonacorsi; Dennis L. (Howell, MI),
McGeachy; Donald E. (Commerce Township, MI), Smith; William
S. (World Trade Center, PA) |
Assignee: |
Numatics, Incorporated (Novi,
MI)
|
Family
ID: |
25527751 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/067,618 |
Filed: |
February 25, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
08980668 |
Dec 1, 1997 |
06053198 |
Apr 25, 2000 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/315.01;
137/884; 137/554; 137/551; 137/271 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K
27/003 (20130101); F15B 13/0864 (20130101); F15B
13/0807 (20130101); F15B 13/0828 (20130101); F15B
13/0857 (20130101); F15B 13/085 (20130101); F15B
13/0839 (20130101); F15B 13/0875 (20130101); F15B
13/0825 (20130101); F15B 13/0889 (20130101); F15B
13/0867 (20130101); F15B 13/0853 (20130101); Y10T
137/87885 (20150401); Y10T 137/5987 (20150401); Y10T
137/6011 (20150401); Y10T 137/8242 (20150401); Y10T
137/8158 (20150401); Y10T 137/5283 (20150401); Y10T
137/598 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
F16K
11/10 (20060101); F16K 31/02 (20060101); F16K
43/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;137/269,270,271,315.01,560,561,596.16,596.17,596.18,625.64,884,551,554
;251/129.01,129.15 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Fox; John
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Reising Ethington P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fluid control system that comprises: a fluid manifold having a
plurality of manifold bodies fastened to each other end-to-end so
as to form fluid passage means extending through said manifold,
said manifold bodies including first through passage means that
align with each other and collectively form said fluid passage
means in said manifold, and second through passage means that align
with each other and collectively form a continuous second passage
through said manifold parallel to and offset from said fluid
passage means.[.,.]. .Iadd.;.Iaddend. a solenoid valve .Iadd.being
.Iaddend.mounted on a side of at least one of said manifold bodies
with fluid ports opening into said body to said fluid passage
means.[.,.]. .Iadd.;.Iaddend. electrical connection means
.Iadd.being .Iaddend.mounted at one end of said manifold for
receiving control signals from an external source.[., and.].
.Iadd.;.Iaddend. a plurality of individual circuitboards
.Iadd.being .Iaddend.disposed one in each of said second through
passage means, said plurality of circuitboards having
interconnection means and conductors printed thereon, and being
electrically interconnected in series through said continuous
second passage, by means of said interconnection means and said
conductors, electrically connecting said connection means to said
solenoid valve.Iadd.; said interconnection means comprising a
female connector at one end of each circuitboard and a mating male
connector at an opposing end of each said circuitboard for enabling
series connection of said circuitboards through said continuous
second passage; each of said circuitboards further including a
third connector on a lateral side thereof not extending above said
passage means adjacent to said side of said manifold body for
electrical interconnection of said circuitboard to said solenoid
valve mounted on said side of said body; and said second passage
means including upper and lower opposed slots extending at least
partway through said body for slidably receiving in a longitudinal
direction along the axis of the slots and retaining said
circuitboard; and said circuitboard being constructed to be
slidably receivable in a longitudinal direction in said opposed
slots.Iaddend..
.[.2. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said interconnection
means comprising female interconnection means at one end of each
said circuitboard and mating male interconnection means at an
opposing end of each said circuitboard for enabling said series
connection of said circuitboards through said continuous second
passage..].
.[.3. The system set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said
circuitboards further includes third electrical interconnection
means on a lateral side thereof adjacent to said side of said
manifold body for electrical interconnection of said circuitboard
to said solenoid valve mounted on said side of said body..].
.[.4. The system set forth in claim 3 wherein said second passage
means includes a slot extending at least partway through said body
for slidably receiving and retaining said circuitboard..].
5. The system set forth in claim .[.4.]. .Iadd.1 .Iaddend.wherein
said third .[.electrical interconnection means.]. .Iadd.connector
.Iaddend.includes an opening in said body extending from said
second through passage means to said side of said body, and an
electrical connector disposed in said opening for electrical
connection to said circuitboard by mating engagement with said
third .[.electrical interconnection means.]. .Iadd.connector
.Iaddend.on said circuitboard.
6. .Iadd.A fluid control system that comprises: a fluid manifold
having a plurality of manifold bodies fastened to each other
end-to-end so as to form fluid passage means extending through said
manifold, said manifold bodies including first through passage
means that align with each other and collectively form said fluid
passage means in said manifold, and second through passage means
that align with each other and collectively form a continuous
second passage through said manifold parallel to and offset from
said fluid passage means; a solenoid valve being mounted on a side
of at least one of said manifold bodies with fluid ports opening
into said body to said fluid passage means; electrical connection
means being mounted at one end of said manifold for receiving
control signals from an external source; a plurality of individual
circuitboards being disposed one in each of said second through
passage means, said plurality of circuitboards having
interconnection means and conductors printed thereon, and being
electrically interconnected in series through said continuous
second passage, by means of said interconnection means and said
conductors, electrically connecting said connection means to said
solenoid valve; said interconnection means comprising a female
connector at one end of each circuitboard and a mating male
connector at an opposing end of each said circuitboard for enabling
series connection of said circuitboards through said continuous
second passage; each of said circuitboards further including a
third connector on a lateral side thereof adjacent to said side of
said manifold body for electrical interconnection of said
circuitboard to said solenoid valve mounted on said side of said
body; said second passage means including a slot extending at least
partway through said body for slidably receiving and retaining said
circuitboard; said third connector including an opening in said
body extending from said second through passage means to said side
of said body, and an electrical connector being disposed in said
opening for electrical connection to said circuitboard by mating
engagement with said third electrical interconnection means
connector on said circuitboard; and.Iaddend. .[.The system set
forth in claim 5.]. .Iadd.said system being .Iaddend.adapted for
use in conjunction with single-solenoid and dual-solenoid valves
mounted on said body, wherein said connector is color coded to
identify said circuitboard for use with either a single-solenoid or
a dual-solenoid valve.
7. The system set forth in claim .[.3.]. .Iadd.1 .Iaddend.wherein
each said circuitboard has at least one first conductor printed
thereon that extends from a preselected contact of said male
connector to the same preselected contact of said female connector
so as to extend continuously through said manifold and supply a
common connection to all valves on said manifold, and a plurality
of second conductors at least one of which extends to said third
connector and the remainder of which extend from corresponding
contacts of one of said male and female connectors to a contact on
the other of said male and female connectors reduced as compared
with said corresponding contacts by the number of said second
conductors that connect to said third connector.
8. The system set forth in claim 7 for use in conjunction with
single-solenoid and dual-solenoid valves mounted on said body,
wherein said circuitboard has either one of said second conductors
extending to said third connector for use in conjunction with
single-solenoid valves or two of said second conductors extending
to said third connector for use in conjunction with dual-solenoid
valves.
9. .Iadd.A fluid control system that comprises: a fluid manifold
having a plurality of manifold bodies fastened to each other
end-to-end so as to form fluid passage means extending through said
manifold, said manifold bodies including first through passage
means that align with each other and collectively form said fluid
passage means in said manifold, and second through passage means
that align with each other and collectively form a continuous
second passage through said manifold parallel to and offset from
said fluid passage means; a solenoid valve being mounted on a side
of at least one of said manifold bodies with fluid ports opening
into said body to said fluid passage means; electrical connection
means being mounted at one end of said manifold for receiving
control signals from an external source; a plurality of individual
circuitboards being disposed one in each of said second through
passage means, said plurality of circuitboards having
interconnection means and conductors printed thereon, and being
electrically interconnected in series through said continuous
second passage, by means of said interconnection means and said
conductors, electrically connecting said connection means to said
solenoid valve; said interconnection means comprising a female
connector at one end of each circuitboard and a mating male
connector at an opposing end of each said circuitboard for enabling
series connection of said circuitboards through said continuous
second passage; each of said circuitboards further including a
third connector on a lateral side thereof adjacent to said side of
said manifold body for electrical interconnection of said
circuitboard to said solenoid valve mounted on said side of said
body; said second passage means including a slot extending at least
partway through said body for slidably receiving and retaining said
circuitboard; and .Iaddend. .[.The system set forth in claim 3
wherein.]. said solenoid valve .[.comprises.]. .Iadd.comprising
.Iaddend.a valve body mounted on said manifold body with valve
ports coupled to said first passage means, a solenoid mounted to
said valve body and operatively coupled to a valve element in said
valve body, and valve circuitboard means sandwiched between said
solenoid and said valve body, said valve circuitboard means
including first valve connection means for interconnection with
said third connector and second valve connection means for
connection to said solenoid and thereby operatively interconnecting
said solenoid to said third connector.
10. The system set forth in claim 9 wherein said solenoid has
connector means for mating engagement with said second valve
connection means on said valve circuitboard means when said valve
circuitboard means is sandwiched between said solenoid and said
valve body.
11. .[.The system set forth in claim 10 wherein.]. .Iadd.A fluid
control system that comprises: a fluid manifold having a plurality
of manifold bodies fastened to each other end-to-end so as to form
fluid passage means extending through said manifold, said manifold
bodies including first through passage means that align with each
other and collectively form said fluid passage means in said
manifold, and second through passage means that align with each
other and collectively form a continuous second passage through
said manifold parallel to and offset from said fluid passage means;
a solenoid valve being mounted on a side of at least one of said
manifold bodies with fluid ports opening into said body to said
fluid passage means; electrical connection means being mounted at
one end of said manifold for receiving control signals from an
external source; a plurality of individual circuitboards being
disposed one in each of said second through passage means, said
plurality of circuitboards having interconnection means and
conductors printed thereon, and being electrically interconnected
in series through said continuous second passage, by means of said
interconnection means and said conductors, electrically connecting
said connection means to said solenoid valve; said interconnection
means comprising a female connector at one end of each circuitboard
and a mating male connector at an opposing end of each said
circuitboard for enabling series connection of said circuitboards
through said continuous second passage; each of said circuitboards
further including a third connector on a lateral side thereof
adjacent to said side of said manifold body for electrical
interconnection of said circuitboard to said solenoid valve mounted
on said side of said body; said solenoid valve comprising a valve
body mounted on said manifold body with valve ports coupled to said
first passage means, a solenoid mounted to said valve body and
operatively coupled to a valve element in said valve body, and
valve circuitboard means sandwiched between said solenoid and said
valve body, said valve circuitboard means including first valve
connection means for interconnection with said third connector and
second valve connection means for connection to said solenoid and
thereby operatively interconnecting said solenoid to said third
connector;.Iaddend. said solenoid having connector means for mating
engagement with said second valve connection means on said valve
circuitboard means when said valve circuitboard means is sandwiched
between said solenoid and said valve body; and said solenoid valve
.[.comprises.]. .Iadd.comprising .Iaddend.a dual-solenoid valve
having a second solenoid mounted at an opposing end of said valve
body, and solenoid interconnection means extending through a
passage within said valve body from said valve circuitboard to the
connection means on said second solenoid thereby operatively
interconnecting said second solenoid to said third connector.
12. The system set forth in claim .[.11.]. .Iadd.41
.Iaddend.wherein said solenoid interconnection means is adapted for
releasable mating engagement with said second solenoid and with
said valve circuitboard such that said second solenoid may be
disconnected from said valve body and said solenoid interconnection
means and said valve body and said solenoid interconnection means
may be disconnected from said solenoid and said valve
circuitboard.
13. The system set forth in claim 10 wherein said connector means
on said solenoid is adapted for releasable mating engagement with
said valve circuitboard such that said solenoid may be disconnected
from said valve circuitboard and said valve body.
14. The system set forth in claim 9 further comprising fluid
control means mounted between said valve body and said side of said
manifold body, and valve interconnection means extending through
said fluid control means between said third connectors and said
first valve interconnection means.
15. The system set forth in claim 14 wherein said valve
interconnection means is adapted for releasable mating engagement
with said third connector and said first valve interconnection
means such that said solenoid valve may be disconnected from said
fluid control means and said fluid control means may be
disconnected from said body.
16. The system set forth in claim 9 wherein said first valve
interconnection means is adapted for releasable mating engagement
with said third connector.
17. The system set forth in claim 9 wherein said solenoid valve
further comprises indicator means on said valve circuitboard means
and visible from outside of said valve body for indicating
energization of said solenoid.
18. The system set forth in claim 1 further comprising means on
each of said bodies for fastening said bodies to each other.
19. The system set forth in claim 18 wherein said fastening means
comprises at least one screw carried by each of said bodies having
a male end and a female end for receiving the male end of the at
least one screw in the adjacent body.
20. The system set forth in claim 19 further comprising a gasket on
each said body for sealing engagement with the adjacent body for
sealingly surrounding said first through passage means.
21. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said bodies are
identical.
22. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrical
connection means comprises a circuitboard assembly having first
connection means for connection to the external source and second
connection means for connection to said circuitboards.
23. The system set forth in claim 22 wherein said first connection
means comprises terminal strip means for hardwire connection to the
external source.
24. The system set forth in claim 22 for communication with the
external source in accordance with a predetermined input/output
protocol, wherein said first connection means is of a configuration
coordinated with said predetermined input/output protocol.
25. The system set forth in claim 22 wherein said circuitboard
assembly includes electronic circuit means for communication with
the external source.
26. The system set forth in claim 25 wherein said electronic
circuit means includes valve driver circuit means responsive to
control signals from the external source for feeding valve solenoid
control signals to said solenoid valve through said
circuitboards.
27. The system set forth in claim 22 wherein said circuitboard
assembly includes electronic circuit means for driving multiple
input/output connector means.
28. The system set forth in claim 27 including a shell mounted to
said manifold and having a predetermined number of input/output
connectors thereon, and wherein said circuitboard assembly includes
master circuitboard means having an input/output driver with plural
input/output capability connected to said input/output
connectors.
29. The system set forth in claim 28 including a plurality of said
shells and associated input/output connectors mounted in series to
said manifold, said master circuitboard means being mounted within
one of said shells and connected to the associated connectors, and
slave circuitboard means being mounted in the other of said shells
and connecting said driver with the connectors on said shells.
30. The system set forth in claim 1 comprising a plurality of said
solenoid valves mounted on associated ones of said bodies.
31. A fluid control system that comprises.[.;.]. .Iadd.:.Iaddend. a
fluid manifold having a plurality of manifold bodies fastened to
each other end-to-end so as to form first passage means and second
passage means parallel to and offset from each other and extending
continuously through said manifold and each of said bodies, a
plurality of solenoid valves each mounted on a side of an
associated body with valve ports opening into said body to said
first passage means, electrical connector means mounted at one end
of said manifold for receiving valve control signals from an
external source.[., and.]. .Iadd.;.Iaddend. a plurality of
circuitboards disposed one within the second passage means of each
body, each .[.said.]. circuitboard including male and female
.[.connection means.]. .Iadd.connectors .Iaddend.at opposed ends
connecting said circuitboards in series with each other to said
electrical connector means, and third .[.connection means.].
.Iadd.connectors .Iaddend.extending laterally from each
circuitboard for connection to the valve mounted on the side of the
associated body.Iadd.; each circuitboard having at least one first
conductor printed thereon that extends from a preselected contact
of said male connector to the same preselected contact of said
female connector so as to extend continuously through said manifold
and supply a common connection to all valves on said manifold
through said third connector, and a plurality of second conductors
at least one of which extends to said third connector and the
remainder of which extend from corresponding contacts of one of
said male and female connectors to a contact on the other of said
male and female connectors reduced as compared with said
corresponding contacts by the number of said second conductors that
connect to said third connector; and at least one said circuitboard
having two of said second conductors extending to said third
connector for providing two control lines for use in conjunction
with dual-solenoid valves having two solenoids mounted on one of
said manifold bodies; the remainder of second conductors in said at
least one said circuitboards extending from a preselected contact
position at one of said male or female connectors and decremented
two contact positions at the other of said male or female
connectors.Iaddend..
.[.32. The system set forth in claim 31 wherein each said
circuitboard has at least one first conductor printed thereon that
extends from a preselected contact of said male connector to the
same preselected contact of said female connector so as to extend
continuously through said manifold and supply a common connection
to all valves on said manifold, and a plurality of second
conductors at least one of which extends to said third connector
and the remainder of which extend from corresponding contacts of
one of said male and female connectors to a contact on the other of
said male and female connectors reduced as compared with said
corresponding contacts by the number of said second conductors that
connect to said third connector..].
.[.33. The system set forth in claim 32 for use in conjunction with
single-solenoid and dual-solenoid valves mounted on said body,
wherein each said circuitboard has either one of said second
conductors extending to said third connector for use in conjunction
with single-solenoid valves or two of said second conductors
extending to said third connector for use in conjunction with
dual-solenoid valves..].
34. .Iadd.A fluid control system that comprises: a fluid manifold
having a plurality of manifold bodies fastened to each other
end-to-end so as to form first passage means and second passage
means parallel to and offset from each other and extending
continuously through said manifold and each of said bodies; a
plurality of solenoid valves each mounted on a side of an
associated body with valve ports opening into said body to said
first passage means; electrical connector means mounted at one end
of said manifold for receiving valve control signals from an
external source; a plurality of circuitboards disposed one within
the second passage means of each body, each circuitboard including
male and female connectors at opposed ends connecting said
circuitboards in series with each other to said electrical
connector means, and third connectors extending laterally from each
circuitboard for connection to the valve mounted on the side of the
associated body; each circuitboard having at least one first
conductor printed thereon that extends from a preselected contact
of said male connector to the same preselected contact of said
female connector so as to extend continuously through said manifold
and supply a common connection to all valves on said manifold, and
a plurality of second conductors at least one of which extends to
said third connector and the remainder of which extend from
corresponding contacts of one of said male and female connectors to
a contact on the other of said male and female connectors reduced
as compared with said corresponding contacts by the number of said
second conductors that connect to said third connector; at least
one said circuitboard having two of said second conductors
extending to said third connector for providing two control lines
for use in conjunction with dual-solenoid valves having two
solenoids mounted on one of said manifold bodies; and .Iaddend.
.[.The system set forth in claim 31.]. wherein each said solenoid
valve comprises a valve body mounted on said manifold body with
valve ports coupled to said first passage means, a solenoid mounted
to said valve body and operatively coupled to a valve element in
said valve body, and valve circuitboard means sandwiched between
said solenoid and said valve body, said valve circuitboard means
including first valve connection means for interconnection with
said third connector and second valve connection means for
connection to said solenoid and thereby operatively interconnecting
said solenoid to said third connector.
35. The system set forth in claim 34 wherein said solenoid has
connector means for mating engagement with said second valve
connection means on said valve circuitboard means when said valve
circuitboard means is sandwiched between said solenoid and said
valve body.
36. The system set forth in claim 35 wherein at least one of said
solenoid valves comprises a dual-solenoid valve having a second
solenoid mounted at an opposing end of said valve body, and
solenoid interconnection means extending through a passage within
said valve body from said valve circuitboard to the connection
means on said second solenoid thereby operatively interconnecting
said second solenoid to said third connector.
37. The system set forth in claim 34 further comprising fluid
control means mounted between said valve body and said side of said
manifold body, and valve interconnection means extending through
said fluid control means between said third connector and said
first valve interconnection means.
38. The system set forth in claim 31 further comprising means on
each of said bodies for fastening said bodies to each other.
39. The system set forth in claim 38 wherein said bodies are
identical.
.Iadd.40. A fluid control system for use with dual solenoid valves
that comprises: a fluid manifold having a plurality of manifold
bodies fastened to each other end-to-end so as to form fluid
passage means extending through said manifold, said manifold bodies
including first through passage means that align with each other
and collectively form said fluid passage means in said manifold,
and second through passage means that align with each other and
collectively form a continuous second passage through said manifold
parallel to and offset from said fluid passage means; a solenoid
valve being mounted on a side of at least one of said manifold
bodies with fluid ports opening into said body to said fluid
passage means; electrical connection means being mounted at one end
of said manifold for receiving control signals from an external
source; a plurality of individual circuitboards being disposed one
in each of said second through passage means, said plurality of
circuitboards having interconnection means and conductors printed
thereon, and being electrically interconnected in series through
said continuous second passage, by means of said interconnection
means and said conductors, electrically connecting said connection
means to said solenoid valve; said interconnection means comprising
a first connector at one end of each said circuitboard and a mating
connector at an opposing end of each said circuitboard for enabling
said series connection of said circuitboards through said
continuous second passage; each of said circuitboards further
including a third connector on a lateral side thereof adjacent to
said side of said manifold body for electrical interconnection of
said circuitboard to said solenoid valve mounted on said side of
said body; each circuitboard having at least one first conductor
printed thereon that extends from a preselected contact of said
mating connector to the same preselected contact of said first
connector so as to extend continuously through said manifold and
supply a common connection to all valves on said manifold, through
said third connector and a plurality of second conductors at least
one of which extends to said third connector and the remainder of
which extend from corresponding contacts of one of said first and
mating connectors to a contact on the other of said first and
mating connectors reduced as compared with said corresponding
contacts by the number of said second conductors that connect to
said third connector; and at least one of said circuitboards having
more than one of said second conductors extending to said third
connector for providing two control lines for use in conjunction
with dual-solenoid valves having two solenoids mounted on one of
said manifold bodies, the remainder of second conductors in said at
least one of said circuitboards extending from a preselected
contact position at one of said first and mating connectors and
decremented two contact positions at the other of said first and
mating connector..Iaddend.
.Iadd.41. The system set forth in claim 10 wherein said solenoid
valve comprises a dual-solenoid valve having a second solenoid
mounted at an opposing end of said valve body, and solenoid
interconnection means extending through a passage within said valve
body from said valve circuitboard to the connection means on said
second solenoid thereby operatively interconnecting said second
solenoid to said third connector..Iaddend.
Description
The present invention is directed to solenoid-actuated fluid
control valves, and more particularly to an electronic system for
actuating and controlling solenoid valves. Yet more specifically,
the present invention relates to improvements in the solenoid valve
control system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,431, assigned to
the assignee hereof.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Solenoid valve systems for controlling flow of hydraulic or
pneumatic fluid have been used in automated manufacturing
equipment, production lines and numerous industrial applications. A
plurality of solenoid valves typically are mounted on a manifold
having a plurality of passages for supplying fluid to the valves
and providing passages for connecting fluid couplings to various
outlet ports of each valve. Each solenoid of each valve typically
is separately electrically wired to an electronic system for
controlling operation of the several solenoids and valves. The
controller may be located at a position remote from the manifold
assembly, requiring a multiplicity of extended conductor lengths
for individual connection to the valve solenoids.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,431 discloses an improved solenoid valve
manifold system in which each solenoid is mounted on one side face
of a manifold module. The several modules are mounted end-to-end to
form a manifold with interconnected through-passages for feeding
fluid to and from the several valves. Each manifold module has a
terminal block and valve control electronics for hard-wire
connection to input/output connectors at the ends of the manifold,
and for connection to the associated valve solenoid(s). Although
the modular manifold system so disclosed addresses and overcomes
problems theretofore extant in the art, further improvements remain
desirable. In particular, the manifold system disclosed in the
noted patent requires extensive interconnection by hard-wiring,
greatly increasing the cost and complexity of manufacture, field
installation and repair.
It is therefore a general object of the present invention to
provide a solenoid valve control system that is constructed of
interchangeable modular components, that is readily adapted for use
in a variety of applications having differing input and output
requirements and specifications, and that requires little or no
hard-wiring within the modular manifold itself. Another and related
object of the present invention is to provide a solenoid valve
fluid control system of the described character that is versatile
in design, and economical to assemble, install and repair.
A fluid control system in accordance with the present invention
includes a fluid manifold having a plurality of manifold bodies
fastened to each other end-to-end so as to form one or more fluid
passages extending through the manifold. A solenoid valve is
mounted on a side of at least one of the manifold bodies with fluid
ports opening into the manifold body to the fluid passages
extending therethrough. An electrical input/output connection is
mounted at one end of the manifold for receiving control signals
from an external source. A circuitboard arrangement extends within
the manifold from the input/output connection and has conductors
printed thereon for connecting the input/output connection to the
solenoids of the various valves.
Each of the manifold bodies in the preferred embodiments of the
invention includes a passage that extends in assembly through the
entire manifold offset from the fluid passages and through which
the circuitboard arrangement extends for connection to the various
solenoid valves. Both the circuitboard passage and the fluid
passages comprise through-passage segments in each of the manifold
bodies that align with each other when the bodies are assembled
end-to-end to form the manifold. The circuitboard arrangement
preferably comprises a plurality of individual circuitboards
disposed one within each of the manifold bodies, the various
circuitboards being electrically interconnected in series. Each of
the circuitboards includes .[.complimentary.]. .Iadd.complementary
.Iaddend.male and female electrical connectors at opposed ends for
connecting the boards in series, and a third connector along one
lateral side disposed in assembly adjacent to the side of the
manifold body on which the solenoid valve is mounted for making
electrical connection from the circuitboard to the valve solenoid.
This electrical interconnection is made through an opening in the
side of the manifold body that is sealed by the electrical
interconnection to the valve solenoid. The circuitboards in the
preferred embodiments of the invention are provided in two forms,
one providing a single output for lateral connection to a
single-solenoid valve, and the other providing dual outputs for
lateral connection to a dual-solenoid valve. The conductors printed
on the circuitboards are arranged such that the output or outputs
to the solenoid valve are always taken from the same connection
terminal(s) at the upstream connector, with the remaining connector
terminals being interconnected in such a way that the control
signals for the remaining solenoid valves on the manifold are
sequentially presented at the selected terminal (s) of the
connectors.
The solenoid valves in the preferred embodiments of the invention
comprise a valve body having a spool for selectively controlling
flow of fluid through the valve body from and to the manifold, and
from and to the output ports on each manifold body. A solenoid is
mounted on one end of the valve body, and has an actuator
operatively coupled to the valve spool. A valve control
circuitboard is sandwiched between the solenoid and the valve body.
The valve circuitboard has a first valve connector for
interconnection with the third connector on the circuitboard in the
underlying manifold body, and a second connector for connection to
the coil of the solenoid in such a way that mounting of the
solenoid onto the valve body automatically implements electrical
connection to the valve control circuitboard. In implementations in
which dual-solenoid valves are employed, with solenoids being
mounted on opposed ends of the valve body, a solenoid
interconnection extends through the valve body at a position offset
from the valve spool for interconnecting the second solenoid with
the solenoid control circuitboard. Fluid control means, such as a
pressure regulator or a velocity controller, may be mounted between
the solenoid valve and the corresponding manifold body side face.
Electrical connection between the third connector of the
circuitboard within the manifold body and the solenoid control
board sandwiched between the solenoid and the control body is made
by a valve interconnection circuitboard that extends through the
fluid controller.
The manifold bodies carry screws for releasably fastening the
manifold bodies end-to-end to form the manifold assembly. These
screws have an externally threaded male end and an internally
threaded female end for receiving the male end of a screw in the
adjacent manifold body. The screws have a central portion of
reduced diameter that is captured by a web within the manifold
body. The manifold bodies preferably are of identical construction,
and the manifold body assemblies preferably are provided in two
forms, one for use in conjunction with a single-solenoid valve and
the other for use in conjunction with a dual-solenoid valve. The
third connectors on the circuitboards for making connection to the
valve solenoids preferably are color-coded to distinguish between
single-solenoid and dual-solenoid manifold bodies.
The electrical input/output connection at one end of the manifold
preferably comprises an input/output circuitboard assembly
contained within an appropriate end housing assembly. These end
housing assemblies may be provided in differing forms having
standardized input/output connectors and/or standardized
communication protocol. The input/output circuitry may include
valve drivers for supplying valve control signals to the valve
solenoids by means of the series-connected circuitboards within
each of the several manifold bodies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention, together with additional objects, features and
advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following
description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings in
which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fluid control system in
accordance with one presently preferred embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the fluid control system
illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of a manifold body assembly in
the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of the assembly illustrated
in FIG. 3;
FIG. 4 is an opposing end elevational view of the assembly
illustrated in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along
the line 5--5 of FIG. 3;
FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a manifold interconnection circuitboard
for a dual-solenoid valve in the system of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a manifold interconnection circuitboard
for a single-solenoid valve in the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary partially sectioned view of a manifold body
assembly, pressure regulator and dual-solenoid valve in the system
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the manifold body/pressure
regulator/solenoid valve interconnection in FIG. 8, being taken
substantially along the line 9--9 in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the solenoid interconnection in FIG.
8;
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan view taken substantially from the
direction 11 in FIG. 8;
FIGS. 12 and 12A are electrical schematic diagrams that illustrate
interconnection to the solenoids of a dual-solenoid valve for d.c.
and a.c. control respectively;
FIG. 13 is a partially sectioned elevational view of a manifold
body/velocity control/single-solenoid valve arrangement in the
system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 14 is an elevational view of the input/output circuitboard in
the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 15 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of an
alternative input/output connection arrangement that can be
employed in the system of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 16 and 17 are elevation and plan views of the input/output
circuitboard in the modified embodiment of FIG. 15;
FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a modified fluid control
system;
FIG. 19 is an elevational view of the signal transfer board
assembly employed in the system of FIG. 18;
FIGS. 20 and 21 are elevational views of the input/output board
assembly in the system of FIG. 18;
FIGS. 22 and 23 are elevational views of a master input/output
board assembly in the embodiment of FIG. 18; and
FIG. 24 is an elevational view of an input/output slave board
assembly in the embodiment of FIG. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1-14 illustrate a fluid control system 30 in accordance with
a presently preferred embodiment of the invention as comprising a
unitary manifold assembly 32. A plurality of identical manifold
bodies 34 each have machined end faces 34a, 34b that are disposed
in spaced parallel planes. Fluid passages 36, 38, 40 extend through
each manifold body 34 between the end faces and, in assembly of
several manifold bodies 34 to form manifold 32, extend
longitudinally end-to-end through the manifold assembly. Ports 36a,
38a, 40a (FIGS. 2 and 3A) on a side face 34c of manifold body 34
open respectively into fluid passages 36, 38, 40. Return ports on
side face 34c of manifold body 34 are internally coupled to outlet
ports 41, 42 on the manifold body. A pair of screws 44 are captured
within each manifold body 34 at positions on opposed sides of fluid
passages 36, 38, 40. Each screw 44 includes an externally threaded
male end 46, and an internally threaded female end 48
interconnected by a shank 50 of reduced diameter. End 48 contains a
slot 52 for receiving the head of a screwdriver or the like. Male
screw end 46 is self-tapping and threaded through a web 54 in
manifold body 34, so that following such self-tapping insertion
through web 54, screw 44 is effectively captured in assembly by web
54. The spaced screws 44 in the several manifold bodies 34 are
employed to assemble the manifold bodies end-to-end to form unitary
manifold assembly 32. A gasket 56 extends around one end face 34b
of each manifold body 34 for sealing fluid passages 36, 38, 40 from
each other and from the external atmosphere.
A passage 60, which is laterally offset from fluid passages 36, 38,
40 and screws 44, extends end-to-end through each manifold body 34
so as to form a continuous passage that extends end-to-end through
the manifold assembly when the manifold bodies are assembled to
each other. A circuitboard assembly 62 is received within passage
60 by .Iadd.longitudinally .Iaddend.sliding fit of the circuitboard
side edges into opposed slots 64 that extend partway through
passage 60. Circuitboard assembly 62 preferably is provided in two
forms: assembly 62a illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, and assembly
62b illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The purposes of these two
circuitboard forms or configurations will be explained later. Each
circuitboard assembly 62 has a male connector 66 disposed at one
end and a female connector 68 disposed at the opposing end, with
the connectors 66, 68 being of .[.complimentary.].
.Iadd.complementary .Iaddend.mating configuration so that the
circuitboard assemblies 62 disposed within the several manifold
bodies 34 may be connected in series end-to-end as the manifold
bodies are assembled to each other. A third connector 70 extends
from one lateral side of each circuitboard assembly 62 through an
opening 72 in side face 34c of manifold body 34. The contacts of
connectors 66, 68 are connected to each other by conductors printed
on circuitboard assembly 62, as best seen in FIGS. 6A and 7A.
Selected contacts of connector 66 are also connected to the
contacts of connector 70, for purposes to be described. In
assembly, the female duck-bill contacts 74 of connector 70 are
assembled to circuitboard 62 (see FIG. 3A) and the circuitboard
assembly is then slid into slots 64 of passage 60 .Iadd.with the
contacts 74 not extending above the passage 60.Iaddend.. The body
of connector 70 is then inserted through opening 72 in manifold
body 34 to protect the contacts 74, and to fasten circuitboard
assembly 62 in position within the manifold body. Connector 70
preferably is color-coded in embodiments 70a and 70b so as to
distinguish between the circuitboard assembly constructions 62a,
62b of FIGS. 6A and 7A.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate manifold assembly 32 as comprising three
manifold body sub-assemblies 34 assembled to each other end-to-end
between a pair of end plate assemblies 80, 82. End plate assemblies
80, 82 close the ends of fluid passages 36, 38, 40 and provide
ports 84, 86 for external fluid connection to the fluid passages.
The end plate assemblies also have pilot supply ports 88. A plate
89 (FIG. 2) closes end plate assembly 80. End plate assembly 80 is
fastened to the adjacent manifold boy 34 by screws 44, and end
plate assembly 82 is fastened to the adjacent manifold body 34 by
screws 83 received in heads 48 of screws 44 in that manifold body.
An end housing assembly 90 is mounted by screws 92 to end plate
assembly 82. End housing assembly 90 includes an input/output
circuitboard assembly 100 (FIG. 14), which may be provided in
several forms, as will be described. The particular circuitboard
assembly 100 illustrated in FIG. 14 has an input/output connector
102 mounted along one side edge for exposure through an opening in
the housing 104 of housing assembly 90. The contacts of connector
102 are connected by conductors printed on circuitboard 100 to the
contacts of a second connector 106 disposed on circuitboard
assembly 100 for longitudinal alignment with circuitboards 62
within manifold bodies 34. The number and configuration of contacts
in connector 106 is the same as in connectors 66, 68 of
circuitboards 62. A transfer connector 108 (FIG. 2) connects
connector 106 to the connector 66 of the first circuitboard
assembly 62 in the first manifold body 34. Thus, input connector
102 is effectively connected by circuitboard 100, connector 106 and
transfer connector 108 to the several manifold body circuitboards
62 in series. Manifold 32 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as being
mounted on a standard DIN mounting rail 110. A gasket 112 is
disposed between end plate assembly 82 and end housing assembly
90.
In the .[.embodiment.]. .Iadd.embodiments .Iaddend.illustrated in
FIGS. 1-14, three manifold bodies 34 are shown. Beginning from the
right end in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first manifold body is coupled
through a dual pressure regulator 120 to a dual-solenoid valve 122.
The second manifold body 34 is connected through a speed control
module 124 to a single-solenoid valve 126. The third manifold body
34 is unused, with the ports on the upper side face being covered
by a blank station plate 128. At each of the valved manifold
bodies, the supply and return ports, to which fluid passage is
controlled by the solenoid valve, are disposed at .[.40.]. ,
.Iadd.41, .Iaddend.42 on a side face of the manifold body, and may
also open to the side face opposite to which the valve is mounted.
The manifold station containing dual pressure regulator 120 and
dual-solenoid valve 122 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS.
8-12A. Valve 122 and pressure regulator 120 are mounted to manifold
body 34 by screws 121, with gaskets 123 being disposed between each
body. Dual pressure regulator 120 has a body 130 through which
passages extend between the side face ports of manifold body 34 and
the supply, return and controlled ports of valve 122. A valve
connector assembly 132 extends through a passage 134 in body 130 of
regulator 120 from connector 70a of manifold body 34 to provide
control signals to the overlying solenoid valve 122. Solenoid valve
122 includes a valve body 136 within which a valve spool 138 is
slidably disposed for providing controlled fluid communication
between input/output and exhaust ports on the valve body. A pair of
solenoids 140, 142 are mounted on the opposed ends of valve body
136. Each solenoid 140, 142 includes a coil 144 and an armature 146
in respective abutting engagement with an associated end of spool
138. To provide electrical connection to the coils 144 of solenoids
140, 142, a solenoid control circuitboard assembly 150 is
sandwiched in assembly between solenoid 140 and the opposing end of
valve body 136. Solenoid control board assembly 150 has a pair of
female duck-bill contacts 152 that are positioned for mating
engagement with male contacts on solenoid 140 as solenoid 140 is
fastened to valve body 136 with board 150 sandwiched
therebetween.
A solenoid interconnector 154 extends through a passage 155 in
valve body 136 offset from spool 138. Interconnector 154 has a pair
of spaced parallel male contacts 156 at one end that are slidably
received within associated female duck-bill contacts on solenoid
control board 150 as solenoid 140 is mounted to valve body 136. The
opposing end of interconnected 154 carries a pair of female
duck-bill contacts 158 that slidably receive the male contacts of
solenoid 142 as solenoid 142 is mounted on the opposing end of
valve body 36. Solenoid control board 150 comprises a circuitboard
160 on which contacts 152 are mounted. Conductors printed on
circuitboard 160 connect contacts 152 to a three-terminal male
connector 162 on one edge of circuitboard 160. Connector 162 is
removably received in a female connector 164 on circuitboard 132 as
solenoid valve assembly 122 is mounted on pressure regulator 120.
Circuitboard assembly 132 has printed conductors that connect the
three terminals of connector 164 to the three male contacts of
connector 166, which is received in mating engagement with
connector 70a on circuitboard 62a as pressure regulator 120 is
mounted on manifold body 34. Circuitboard assembly 150 also carries
a pair of LED's 168, 170 for indicating when the associated
solenoids are energized. Connectors 162, 166 are of identical
contact configuration, so that solenoid control board 150 may be
plugged directly into connector 70a (or 70b) in applications where
pressure regulator 120 (or other intervening control) is not
used.
Valve control circuitboard 150 preferably is provided in two forms
150a and 150b, of which schematic diagrams are illustrated in FIGS.
12 and 12A respectfully. FIG. 12 illustrates interconnection for
d.c. activation of the solenoid coils in which a positive voltage
is applied to each coil through a .[.COMMon.]. .Iadd.common
.Iaddend.line (.Iadd.COMM.Iaddend.). Each coil is connected to a
negative line for activation of the coil when the negative line is
pulled to ground. LED's 168, 170 are connected across respective
coils through a current limiting resistor for illumination when
voltage is applied to the associated coil. Are suppression diodes
172, 174 are connected across each coil. FIG. 12A illustrates
solenoid control board 150b for a.c. activation of the coils. Once
again, the .[.COMMon.]. .Iadd.common .Iaddend.line
(.Iadd.COMM.Iaddend.) is connected to both coils, which have
respective separate return lines. LED's 168, 170 are connected
across the respective coils through associated sets of series
current-limiting resistors. LED's 168, 170 are positioned adjacent
to the upper edge of assembly 150 as shown in FIG. 9. LED's 168,
170 are disposed in assembly beneath a clear window 180 on the
outer wall of valve body 136 adjacent to indicia 182 for indicating
to an operator which of the LED's is illuminated, and therefore
which solenoid coil has been energized.
FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 8, but illustrates single-coil solenoid
valve 126 coupled to its associated manifold body 34 through speed
control module 124. Valve body 136 again has a passage within which
spool 138 is disposed. Solenoid 140 is again mounted on one end of
valve body 136, with solenoid control assembly 150 sandwiched
therebetween. The opposing end of valve body 136 is enclosed by a
cover plate 184, with a coil spring 186 being captured in
compression between cover plate 184 and spool 138. Thus, in
single-solenoid valve 126, valve 142 (FIG. 8) is replaced by coil
spring 186, and solenoid interconnector 136 is deleted. Valve
connector 132 is disposed within a passage 188 of speed control
124, interconnecting solenoid control 150 with manifold card 62b.
Speed control 124 has the usual screws 124a and 124b for
controlling air passage orifice size, and thereby controlling speed
of operation of valve 126 and any equipment coupled thereto.
The purpose of providing manifold circuitboard 62 in two versions
62a, 62b will be clear. Version 62a illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B
provide two control lines to connector 70a, thus being suitable for
use in conjunction with a dual-solenoid valve 122, while version
62b provides a single valve control line to connector 70b, thus
being suitable for use in conjunction with a single-solenoid valve.
In both assemblies, contacts "1" and "10" of connector 66 is
connected to contacts "1" and "10" of connector 68 and to one
contact of connector 70a, thus providing the .[.COMMon.].
.Iadd.common .Iaddend.connection (.Iadd.COMM.Iaddend.) for the
valve solenoids. This .[.COMMon.]. .Iadd.common .Iaddend.connection
(.Iadd.COMM.Iaddend.), connected to positive (or negative) d.c.
potential, or to one side of a.c. potential, is connected in series
throughout the manifold, providing a single common connection to
all valve solenoids. Contacts "2" and "3" of connector 66 in
circuitboard 62a are connected to the A and B contacts of connector
70a, while the remaining contacts of connector 66 are connected to
correspondingly numbered contacts of connector 68 minus two. Thus,
contacts "4" and "5" of connector 66 are connected by circuitboard
62a to contacts "2" and "3" of connector 68, thus being positioned
for connection to the A and B contacts of connector 70a in the next
manifold body. In the same way, assuming that there is a dual
solenoid valve at each manifold section, contacts "6" and "7" of
connector 66 in FIG. 6B are connected to contacts "4" and "5" of
connector 68, and will be connected to contacts "2" and "3" in
connector 68 in the next manifold section preparatory to connection
to the A and B terminals of connector 70a in the third manifold
section. .Iadd.In other words, each circuitboard has at least one
first conductor printed thereon that extends from a preselected
contact of said male connector to the same preselected contact of
said female connector so as to extend continuously through said
manifold and supply a common connection to all valves on said
manifold, and a plurality of second conductors at least one of
which extends to said third connector and the remainder of which
extend from corresponding contacts of one of said male and female
connectors to a contact on the other of said male and female
connectors reduced as compared with said corresponding contacts by
the number of said second conductors that connect to said third
connector..Iaddend.
In contrast, within circuitboard 62b (FIGS. 7A and 7B) there is a
decrement of only a single contact number between connectors 66 and
68 because only one line is required for energization of the single
coil in the associated single-solenoid valve. Thus, in both
embodiments 62a and 62b, the connector contact number is
decremented at each manifold station in accordance with the number
of solenoids in the associated valve. It will also be noted that
manifold circuitboards 62a, 62b automatically accommodate mixing of
solenoid valves, such as single-coil valve 126 and dual-coil valve
122. The valve control signal at contact "2" of connector 66 at the
station at which single-coil valve 126 is disposed will provide the
valve control signal to the valve solenoid, while contacts "3" and
"4" are decremented by one in connection to contacts "2" and "3" of
connector 68. At the next station at which dual-coil valve 122 is
disposed, the control signals appearing at contacts "2" and "3" of
connector 66 are fed as the A and B coil control signals to
connector 70a of the manifold circuitboard 62a employed at that
section. Thus, manifold circuitboards 62 (62a and 62b)
automatically accommodate differing combinations of single--and
dual-solenoid valves while appropriately decrementing the conductor
contact at which valve control signals are provided. In the
particular embodiment illustrated in which connectors 66, 68
comprise eighteen-pin connectors, sixteen single-valve solenoids or
eight dual-valve solenoids, or combinations thereof, may thus be
accommodated in a single manifold assembly.
It will also be noted that the three contacts (COMM,A and B) of
connector 70 (70a or 70b) are directly interconnected by valve
connector circuitboard 132 with the corresponding three contacts at
input connector 164 of solenoid control circuitboard 150. In
applications where no pressure regulator or speed control device is
required, valve interconnection circuitboard 132 may be eliminated,
and the valve mounted directly on the side face of the manifold
body with connector 162 in mating engagement with connector 70 (70a
or 70b). Connectors 162, 166 are dimensioned to seal opening 72 of
manifold body 34, and the corresponding opening of pressure
regulator 132 or speed control 124 (or any other intermediate
device disposed between a manifold body and a solenoid valve).
FIGS. 15-17 illustrate a modified end housing assembly 90a that may
be employed in place of end housing assembly 90 in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Basically, end housing assembly 90a comprises a shell 200 having an
internally threaded gland 202 extending from one sidewall for
receiving an interconnection cable connected to remote control
electronics. An end plate 204 and a gasket 112 are adapted to be
mounted to one end face of housing 200 by means of screws 208.
Likewise, a top plate 210 and a gasket 212 are mounted on housing
200 by screws 214. Within housing 200, an input/output connector
board 216 (FIGS. 15-17) is disposed. Connector 216 includes a
terminal strip 218 having a plurality of screw-type or friction
lock terminals for hardwire connection of conductors extending
through gland 202. The individual contacts of connector 218 are
connected by conductors printed on circuitboard 216 to associated
terminals or contacts of a connector 106 that is mounted along an
edge of circuitboard 216 for alignment in assembly with manifold
interconnection cards 62 (62a or 62b). Thus, end housing assembly
90a provides for hard-wire screw terminal connection of the
input/output cable, in place of connection via connector 102 (FIGS.
1, 2 and 14) in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-14.
FIG. 18 illustrates a modified system 220, in which components
identical to those illustrated in FIGS. 1-17 are indicated by
correspondingly identical reference numerals, and components
similar but not identical to those hereinabove described are
indicated by identical reference numerals with a suffix. In the
system of FIG. 18, there are four manifold bodies 34 disposed
between end plate assemblies 80, 82. In addition to a dual-solenoid
valve 122 mounted to a manifold body 34 by a pressure regulator 120
and a single-solenoid valve 126 mounted to a manifold body 34 by a
speed control 124, the system of FIG. 18 also includes a dual-coil
solenoid valve 122 and a single-coil solenoid valve 126 mounted
directly to associated manifold bodies 34 without intervening
hardware. As noted above, in these mounting arrangements, connector
162 of solenoid control circuitboard 150 is in direct mating
engagement with connector 70 (70a or 70b) of manifold circuitboard
62 (62a or 62b). The end housing assembly 222 of FIG. 18 is
specifically adapted for use in conjunction with bus-type
electronic input/output with the external control apparatus.
Specifically, housing 222 includes a first shell 224 having
bus-type input/output connectors 226 and an auxiliary power
connector 227 mounted thereon. An electronic bus interface assembly
228 (FIGS. 18-21) is disposed within housing 224. Interface
electronics 228 includes a printed circuitboard 230 having a
connector 106 along one edge for alignment and mating engagement
with manifold circuitboards 62 by means of a transfer board 232
(FIGS. 18 and 19). Transfer board 232 comprises a circuitboard 234
having a male connector 66 and a female connector 68 at opposed
ends, and conductors printed thereon directly interconnecting like
or identical contacts of connectors 66, 68. Thus, transfer board
232 connects the contacts of connector 106 on input/output board
228 with manifold boards 62 in sequence. Input/output board 228
also includes an electronic assembly 240 suitable for communication
by means of a selected protocol, differing input/output boards 228
thus being adapted for use in conjunction with differing protocols.
LED's 242 along the upper edge of assembly 228 cooperate with a
window 243 in shell 224 to indicate pendency of communication,
while a connector 244 on the back face of circuitboard 230 provides
for connection to master and slave input/output electronic
interfaces, as will be described. Input/output assembly 228 may
include additional electronics, such as valve driver circuits 245
(FIG. 21), for converting input/output commands from a remote
source into signals suitable for operating the several solenoid
valves 122, 126 in the desired manner.
System 220 further includes facility for operating additional
manifold assemblies in a master/slave technique. A second
input/output housing shell 250 has a pair of input/output bus-type
connectors 252 mounted thereon. Housing shell 250 is mounted
against housing shell 224, with a gasket 112 sandwiched
therebetween. A pair of laterally opposed slots 254 within housing
shell 252 received opposed side edges of a master input/output card
256 (FIGS. 8, 22 and 23). Card 256 includes a circuitboard 258 on
which a connector 260 is mounted for mating engagement with
connector 244 on input/output board 228. An input/output driver
chip 262 on board 258 provides for transmission of control signals
as inputs or outputs through one or both connectors 252. Driver
chip 262 is capable of up to eight input/output connections, of
which two are at 252. For up to six additional input/output
connections, additional shells 250a (only one being shown in FIG.
18) are mounted to shell 250, and the associated input/output
connectors 252a are connected to driver chip 262 by slave boards
264 (FIGS. 18 and 24). Slave board 264 is identical to master board
256, except that driver chip 262 is deleted. Connector 260 on slave
board 264 mates with connector 261 on master board 256. Up to three
shells 250a, three slave boards 264 and six connectors 252a may be
connected to driver 262 on master board 256 in this manner. Further
master and slave boards may be added in the same manner for
additional input/output capability.
* * * * *