Efficient and manufacturable mechanical computing
AssigneeCBN Nano Technologies Inc.
InventorsJames F. Ryley, III, Mark N. Jobes, James MacArthur, Jeffrey E. Semprebon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Logic mechanisms operate to define the position of at least one mechanical output based on the position of at least one mechanical input. Some mechanisms are configured to determine, based on the input position(s), whether a path to transmit motion to an output exists or does not exist. Some mechanisms are configured to determine, based on the input position(s), whether or not motion of a driven element can be accommodated without moving an output. Some mechanisms are configured to determine, based on the input position(s), whether or not one or more elements are constrained to transmit motion to an output.
Claims23
A logic mechanism comprising:
- a driven element;
- a mechanical output;
- and
- at least one mechanical input;
- the mechanism being configured such that the position(s) of said input(s) determine whether elements of the mechanism are aligned to form a path to transmit movement of said driven element to said output, in which case movement of said driven element is transmitted to said output, the elements of the mechanism otherwise being positioned such that they do not form any path for transmitting motion of said driven element to said output.
A logic mechanism comprising:
- a driven element;
- a mechanical output;
- and
- at least one mechanical input;
- the mechanism being configured such that the position(s) of said input(s) determine whether elements of the mechanism are positioned to constrain free motion of said driven element such that movement of said driven element can only be accommodated by transmitting motion to said output.
A logic mechanism comprising:
- a driven element;
- a mechanical output;
- at least one mechanical input;
- and
- a motion-controlling structure having at least one motion-control element positioned by said input(s) to selectively place said motion-controlling structure in at least a motion-accommodating configuration, where motion of said driven element can be accommodated without causing movement of said output, and a motion-transmitting configuration, where motion of said driven element is transmitted to said output by at least one element of said motion-controlling structure,
- the mechanism being configured such that the position(s) of said input(s) determine whether or not movement of said driven element is transmitted to said output by determining whether or not a path for transmitting such motion exists.
A logic mechanism comprising:
- a driven element;
- a mechanical output;
- at least one mechanical input;
- and
- a motion-controlling structure having at least one motion-control element positioned by said input(s) to selectively place said motion-controlling structure in at least a motion-accommodating configuration, where motion of said driven element can be accommodated without causing movement of said output, and a motion-transmitting configuration, where motion of said driven element is transmitted to said output by at least one element of said motion-controlling structure,
- the mechanism being configured such that the position(s) of said input(s) determine whether or not free motion of said driven element is constrained, and thus determine whether or not movement of said driven element can be accommodated without transmitting motion to said output.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.