Mechanical timer mechanism for valve control
AssigneeAquion Partners Limited Partnership
InventorsPeter Piacenza, Amy Cotton, Stephen Gaynes, John H. Kargenian
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mechanical timer to control multiple steps of a process comprising a first cam having a shaft, and a second cam having a shaft, wherein the shaft on the first cam extends into the shaft of the second cam. The rotational relationship between the first and second cams determines the length of time for at least one process step. First and second user adjustable elements are attached to the first and second cams. These user adjustable elements do not require any disassembly of the mechanical timer by the user or require any tools. A plurality of switches engage the cams to control various process steps.
Claims6
A mechanical timer comprising:
- a first cam having at least one window;
- a second cam axially aligned with said first cam, said second cam having an adjusting member, wherein said second cam rotates independently with respect to said first cam;
- a control element attached to said second cam for rotating said second cam and said adjusting member with respect to said first cam, thereby adjusting the size of said window, wherein said control element comprises a pointer with a tooth that engages a notch on a dial and said dial is axially aligned with said first and second cams;
- and
- a cam follower that engages said first cam;
- wherein said adjustment element can be adjusted by a user without any tools.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.