Apparatus and method for controlling a pneumatically powered music-maker
AssigneeH. & K. Automated Musical Creations Co.
InventorsNorman Heischober, Paul Keogler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An appartus for controlling a mechanical music-maker, such as a player-piano has a multiplicity of mechanical actuators and uses a vacuum as the motive force therefor. The mechanical actuators, which actuate corresponding musical keys, are each controlled by a valve which connects the vacuum to the mechanical actuator when opened. The valve is opened when the vacuum side thereof is vented to atomsphere by the first venting system. A second venting system is provided, which can be isolated from the first venting system. The second venting system utilizes electrically energizable solenoid valves to control the venting of the vacuum side of each valve when the first venting system is isolated therefrom.
Claims7
An apparatus for controlling a mechanical music-maker of the type using a vacuum as the motive force for driving a multiplicity of mechanical actuators, each mechanically actuating a corresponding musical key, the music-maker includes a multiplicity of valves for connecting the vacuum to the multiplicity of mechanical actuators when opened, the valves being held closed by a vacuum applied to a vacuum side thereof and opened upon having the vacuum side thereof vented to atmosphere, the music-maker including a first means for opening the valves by coupling the vacuum side of selected valves to atmosphere, the apparatus further comprising:
- second means for opening the valves by coupling the vacuum side of selected valves to atmosphere;
- said second means including an electrically energizable solenoid valve directly connected to said vacuum side of each of said valve means and venting said vacuum side to atmosphere upon energization of the solenoid thereof;
- and
- selector means for selectively isolating said first means from the valves so that opening selected valves by coupling the vacuum side of each selected valve to atmosphere is accomplished solely by said second means.
A method for controlling a mechanical music-maker of the type using a vacuum as a motive force for driving a multiplicity of mechanical actuators for actuating corresponding musical keys, wherein the mechanical actuators are each controlled by a valve held closed by the vacuum, which valve connects the vacuum to the mechanical actuator when opened, the valve being opened when a vacuum side thereof is vented to atmosphere, said method comprising the steps of:
- directly connecting an electrically actuatable venting means to the vacuum side of each valve, said venting means coupled to atmosphere when actuated;
- and,
- actuating selected ones of said venting means in response to an electrical input signal to control the actuation of corresponding musical keys of the mechanical music-maker.
An apparatus for controlling a mechanical music-maker of the type having a plurality of mechanically actuated musical keys, comprising:
- a multiplicity of pneumatically driven mechanical actuators, each mechanically actuating a corresponding musical key;
- a multiplicity of valves for selectively connecting said multiplicity of mechanical actuators to a source of pneumatic power when opened and isolating said mechanical actuators from said source of pneumatic power when closed;
- means for holding said valves in a normally closed position;
- a solenoid directly connected to each of said multiplicity of valves for opening said valves;
- and,
- control means for selectively energizing said solenoid valves to thereby open said valve and actuate corresponding mechanical actuators.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.