Adjustable interval time switch device

Abstract

1. In a time switch device, electronic means comprising a power supply circuit, a timer circuit, and an output relay circuit, said timer circit cooperating with said power supply circuit to produce an electrical impulse of predetermined periodicity, said output relay circuit being adapted to dispatch said electrical impulse to initiate operation of a stepping means, said stepping means being adapted to control a timed load function, and said stepping means being further adapted to reset said electronic means after each interval of time so that said electrical impulse may be automatically repeated.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a time switch device, electronic means comprising a power supply circuit, a timer circuit, and an output relay circuit, said timer circuit cooperating with said power supply circuit to produce an electrical impulse of predetermined periodicity, said output relay circuit being adapted to dispatch said electrical impulse to initiate operation of a stepping means, said stepping means being adapted to control a timed load function, and said stepping means being further adapted to reset said electronic means after each interval of time so that said electrical impulse may be automatically repeated. 
     
     
       2. In a time switch device, a camshaft supported by a pair of mounting plates, a driving mechanism for imparting controlled rotation to said camshaft, program circuit contact means responsive to rotation of said camshaft, impulse means for actuating said driving mechanism at predetermined intervals of time, stepping means for controlling the magnitude of camshaft advancement, said stepping means including means for resetting said impulse means during each of said camshaft advancements, said stepping means further including means for independently maintaining drive mechanism rotation during resetting of said impulse means, and rotation of said drive mechanism being interrupted by said stepping means after each of said camshaft advancements. 
     
     
       3. In a time switch device, a camshaft supported by a pair of mounting plates, a driving mechanism for imparting controlled rotation to said camshaft, program circuit contact means responsive to rotation of said camshaft, impulse means for actuating said driving mechanism at predetermined intervals of time, stepping means for controlling the magnitude of camshaft advancement, said stepping means comprising a control cam and a bridging cam on said camshaft with associated electrical contact means, said control cam being adapted to reset said impulse means during each of said camshaft advancements, said bridging cam being adapted to independently maintain driven mechanism rotation during resetting of said impulse means, and rotation of said drive mechanism being interrupted by said bridging cam after each of said camshaft advancements. 
     
     
       4. In a time switch device, a camshaft supported by a pair of mounting plates, a drive motor and reduction gear train for imparting controlled rotation to said camshaft, program circuit contact means responsive to rotation of said camshaft, electronic means for actuating said drive motor at predetermined intervals of time, stepping means for controlling the magnitude of camshaft advancement, said stepping means comprising a control cam and a bridging cam on said camshaft with associated electrical contact means, said control cam and said bridging cam having a plurality of serrations of determined profile, the spacing of said serrations corresponding to the magnitude of camshaft advancement desired in response to each of said drive motor actuations, said control cam being adapted to reset said electronic means during each of said camshaft advancements, said bridging cam being adapted to independently maintain drive motor rotation during resetting of said electronic means, and said drive motor being de-energized by said bridging cam after each of said camshaft advancements. 
     
     
       5. In a time switch device, a camshaft supported by a pair of mounting plates, a drive motor and reduction gear train for imparting controlled rotation to said camshaft, program circuit contact means responsive to rotation of said camshaft, clutch means for allowing manual advancement of said camshaft, electronic means for actuating said drive motor at predetermined intervals of time, said electronic means comprising a power supply circuit, a timer circuit, and an output relay circuit, stepping means for controlling the magnitude of camshaft advancement, said stepping means comprising a control cam and a bridging cam on said camshaft with associated electrical contact means, said control cam being adapted to reset said electronic means during each of said camshaft advancements, said bridging cam being adapted to independently maintain drive motor rotation during resetting of said electronic means, and said drive motor being de-energized by said bridging cam after each of said camshaft advancements. 
     
     
       6. In a time switch device for controlling a plurality of electrical circuits according to a determined cycle program, a camshaft supported by a pair of main mounting plates, a drive motor and reduction gear train for imparting controlled rotation to said camshaft, clutch means for allowing manual advancement of said camshaft, a plurality of program cams of determined profile affixed to said camshaft, circuit contact means cooperating with said program cams, electronic means for actuating said drive motor at predetermined intervals of time, said electronic means comprising a power supply circuit, a timer circuit, and an output relay circuit, the components of said electronic means being disposed on insulating boards affixed to a side plate contiguous with said main mounting plates, stepping means for controlling the magnitude of cam shaft advancement, said stepping means comprising a control cam and a bridging cam on said camshaft with associated electrical contact means, said control cam being adapted to reset said electronic means during each of said camshaft advancements, said bridging cam being adapted to independently maintain drive motor rotation during resetting of said electronic means, and said drive motor being de-energized by said bridging cam after each of said camshaft advancements. 
     
     
       7. In a time switch device for controlling a plurality of electrical circuits according to a determined cycle program, a camshaft supported by a pair of main-mounting plates, a drive motor and reduction gear train for imparting controlled rotation to said camshaft, clutch means for allowing manual advancement of said camshaft, a plurality of program cams of determined profile affixed to said camshaft, fixed and movable circuit contact sets responsive to rotation of said program cams and affixed to a pair of opposed insulating plates contiguous with said main mounting plates, electronic means for actuating said drive motor at predetermined intervals of time, said electronic means comprising a power supply circuit, a timer circuit, and an output relay circuit, said timer circuit cooperating with said power supply circuit to produce an electrical impulse of predetermined periodicity, said output relay circuit being adapted to dispatch said electrical impulse to initiate operation of said drive motor, stepping means for controlling the magnitude of camshaft advancement, said stepping means being adapted to reset said timer circuit and open said output relay circuit during each of said camshaft advancements, said stepping means being further adapted to independently maintain drive motor rotation during resetting of said timer circuit, and said driver motor being de-energized by said stepping means after each of said camshaft advancements while awaiting another of said electrical impulses from said timer circuit through said output relay circuit. 
     
     
       8. In a time switch device for controlling a plurality of electrical circuits according to a determined cycle program, a camshaft supported by a pair of main mounting plates, a drive motor and reduction gear train for imparting controlled rotation to said camshaft, clutch means for allowing manual advancement of said camshaft, a plurality of program cams of determined profile affixed to said camshaft, fixed and movable circuit contact sets responsive to rotation of said program cams and affixed to a pair of opposed insulating plates contiguous with said main mounting plates, electronic means for actuating said drive motor at predetermined intervals of time, said electronic means comprising a power supply circuit, a timer circuit, and an output relay circuit, said timer circuit cooperating with said power supply circuit to produce an electrical impulse of predetermined periodicity, said output relay circuit being adapted to dispatch said electrical impulse to initiate operation of said drive motor, stepping means for controlling the magnitude of camshaft advancement, said stepping means comprising a control cam and a bridging cam on said camshaft with associated electrical contact means, said control cam and said bridging cam having a plurality of peripheral serrations of determined profile, the spacing of said serrations corresponding to the magnitude of camshaft advancement desired in response to each of said electrical impulses, said control cam serrations being adapted to reset said timer circuit and open said output relay circuit during each of said camshaft advancements, said bridging cam serrations being adapted to independently maintain drive motor rotation during resetting of said timer circuit, and said drive motor being de-energized by said bridging cam serrations after each of said camshaft advancements while waiting another of said electrical impulses from said timer circuit through said output relay circuit. 
     
     
       9. In a time switch device for controlling a plurality of electrical circuits according to a determined cycle program, a camshaft supported by a pair of main mounting plates, a drive motor and reduction gear train for imparting controlled rotation to said camshaft, clutch means for allowing manual advancement of said camshaft, a plurality of program and search cams of determined profile affixed to said camshaft, fixed and movable circuit contact sets responsive to rotation of said cams and affixed to a pair of opposed insulating plates contiguous with said main mounting plates, electronic means for actuating said drive motor at predetermined intervals of time, stepping means for controlling the magnitude of camshaft advancement, said means comprising a control cam and a bridging cam on said camshaft with associated electrical contact means, said control cam being adapted to reset said electronic means during each of said camshaft advancements, said bridging cam being adapted to independently maintain drive motor rotation during resetting of said electronic means, searching means for causing continuous advancement of said camshaft for a period determined by the geometry of said search cams, switching means for bypassing said stepping means throughout said search period, and said stepping means being adapted to automatically resume functioning upon expiration of said search period. 
     
     
       10. In a time switch device for controlling a plurality of electrical circuits according to a determined cycle program, a camshaft supported by a pair of main mounting plates, a drive mechanism for imparting controlled rotation to said camshaft, clutch means for allowing manual advancement of said camshaft, a plurality of program cams of determined profile affixed to said camshaft, fixed and movable circuit contact sets responsive to rotation of said cams and affixed to a pair of opposed insulating plates contiguous with said main mounting plates, electronic means for actuating said drive mechanism at predetermined intervals of time, said electronic means comprising a power supply circuit, a timer circuit, and an output relay circuit, time interval adjusting means comprising variable control of the time constant of said timer circuit, stepping means for controlling the magnitude of camshaft advancement, said stepping means including means for resetting said timer circuit and open said output relay circuit during each of said camshaft advancements, said stepping means further including means for independently maintaining drive mechanism rotation during resetting of said timer circuit, and rotation of said drive mechanism being interrupted by said stepping means after each of said camshaft advancements. 
     
     
       11. In a time switch device for controlling a plurality of electrical circuits according to a determined cycle program, a camshaft supported by a pair of mounting plates, a drive mechanism for imparting controlled rotation to said camshaft, a plurality of program cams of determined profile affixed to said camshaft, fixed and movable circuit contact sets responsive to rotation of said cams, electronic means for actuating said drive mechanism at predetermined intervals of time, said electronic means comprising a power supply circuit, a timer circuit, and an output relay circuit, time interval adjusting means cooperating with said electronic means and responsive to camshaft advancement, said time interval adjusting means comprising cam-actuated switch means adapted to change the time constant of said timer circuit by a determined quantity for a determined period, stepping means for controlling the magnitude of camshaft advancement, said stepping means including means for resetting said timer circuit and open said output relay circuit during each of said camshaft advancements, said stepping further including means for independently maintaining drive mechanism rotation during resetting of said timer circuit, and rotation of said drive mechanism being interrupted by said stepping means after each of said camshaft advancements. 
     
     
       12. In a time switch device for controlling a plurality of electrical circuits according to a determined cycle program, a camshaft supported by a pair of mounting plates, a drive mechanism for imparting controlled rotation to said camshaft, a plurality of program cams of determined profile affixed to said camshaft, fixed and movable circuit contact sets responsive to rotation of said cams, electronic means for actuating said drive mechanism at predetermined intervals of time, said electronic means comprising a power supply circuit, a timer circuit, and an output relay circuit, time interval adjusting means cooperating with said electronic means and responsive to camshaft advancement, said time interval adjusting means comprising cam-actuated switch means adapted to change the time constant of said timer circuit from a determined quantity to an infinite quantity so as to interrupt drive mechanism rotation, switch means responsive to the occurrence of an event within said cycle program, said switch means being adapted upon closure to restore a finite time constant within said timer circuit for rapid advancement of said camshaft, said rapid advancement causing said time interval adjusting means to select the original time constant of said timer circuit, stepping means for controlling the magnitude of camshaft advancement during the timed portion of said cycle program, said stepping means including means for resetting said timer circuit and open said output relay circuit during each of said camshaft advancements, said stepping means further including means for independently maintaining drive mechanism rotation during resetting of said timer circuit, and rotation of said drive mechanism being interrupted by said stepping means after each of said camshaft advancements. .Iadd. 13. In a time switch device, electronic means comprising a power supply circuit, a timer circuit, and an output relay circuit, said timer circuit including a pre-conditioning means, said timer circuit cooperating with said power supply to produce an electrical impulse of predetermined periodicity, said output relay circuit being adapted to dispatch said electrical impulse to initiate operation of a stepping means, said stepping means being adapted to control a timed load function and said stepping means being further adapted to reset said electronic means after such interval of time so that said electrical impulse may be automatically repeated. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 14. In an appliance control circuit having an incrementally movable timer device for controlling the duration of a cycle of operation of an appliance and having switch means for actuation a predetermined number of times as a precondition to operation of the appliance, precondition means requiring actuation as a precondition to setting of said appliance in operation,   timer control means controlling actuation of said timer device and responsive to actuation of said switch means to step said timer device through an increment of movement,   timer actuation responsive means coupled to said precondition means and to said timer device and responsive to a predetermined number of increments of movement of said timer device to actuate said precondition means, and   means under the control of said precondition means for thereafter enabling the automatic cycling of said timer device to control the duration of a cycle of operation of the appliance. .Iaddend..Iadd. 15. In an appliance control circuit,   a timer device for actuation step-by-step to drive a plurality of sequencing elements of an appliance,   relay means controlling energization of said timer device and having first and second energizing circuits,   a first switch controlling said first energizing circuit of said relay means,   a second switch controlling said second energizing circuit of said relay means,   means for actuating said first switch a predetermined number of times in response to fulfillment of a predetermined condition to actuate said relay means and thus actuate said timer device a corresponding number of times, and   means controlling said second switch and responsive to actuation of said timer device said predetermined number of times to actuate said second switch. .Iaddend..Iadd. 16. In an appliance control circuit,   a series of sequencing elements for movement to control the operation of an appliance,   a rotatable timer drive device for driving said sequencing elements and having an energizing circuit,   timer operating means controlling said energizing circuit of said timer drive device and operable to incrementally actuate said timer drive device, and   a timing circuit providing a variable timing interval between the incremental actuations of said rotatable timer drive device for controlling operation of said sequencing elements. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 17. In an appliance control circuit,   a series of sequencing elements for movement to sequence the operation of an appliance,   a rotatable timer drive device for driving said sequencing elements and having an energizing circuit,   a relay controlling said energizing circuit of said timer drive device and having a relay actuating circuit operable to incrementally actuate said rotatable timer drive device,   a timing circuit providing a variable timing interval between the incremental actuations of said rotatable timer drive device for controlling the operation of said sequencing elements,   said timing circuit having a plurality of time interval control elements, and   means responsive to rotational movement of said rotatable timer drive device to connect different ones of said time interval control elements in said timing circuit at respective times in the operation of said rotatable timer drive device. .Iaddend..Iadd. 18. In an appliance control circuit,   a series of sequencing elements for movement to control the operation of an appliance,   a rotatable timer drive device for driving said sequencing elements and having an energizing circuit,   timer operating means controlling said energizing circuit of said rotatable timer drive device and operable to incrementally actuate said rotatable timer drive device,   a timing circuit providing a variable timing interval between the incremental actuations of said rotatable timer drive device for controlling the operation of said sequencing elements,   said timing circuit having a plurality of time interval control elements, and   means responsive to movement of said rotatable timer drive device to connect different ones of said time interval control elements in said timing circuit at respective times in the operation of said rotatable   
     
     
        timer drive device. .Iaddend..Iadd. 19.  In an appliance control circuit, a series of sequencing elements for movement to vary the operation of appliance,   a motor for driving said sequencing elements and having an energizing circuit,   a relay controlling said energizing circuit of said motor and having a relay actuating circuit,   a timing circuit providing a variable timing interval and controlling said relay actuating circuit to vary the speed of operation of said sequencing elements, said timing circuit being controlled by a series of variable width pulses, and   means for adjusting the width of said variable width pulses to correspondingly adjust the speed of operation of said sequencing elements. .Iaddend..Iadd. 20. In an appliance,   a step-by-step timer device comprising:   a motor having an alternating current actuating circuit,   a series of sequencing elements driven by said motor, relay means controlling said alternating current actuating circuit of said motor and having a start circuit for periodic energization during operation of the appliance in response to the position of said sequencing elements to incrementally actuate said motor, and   means responsive to movement of said motor at the end of a cycle of operation to automatically interrupt said start circuit. .Iaddend..Iadd. 21. An appliance,   control system comprising:   a step-by-step timer device having an actuating circuit, relay means controlling said actuating circuit of said timer device and having actuating means controlling actuation of said relay means,   means for holding said relay means actuated after actuation thereof for a limited time interval,   time delay means providing a time delay and operable after said time delay to energize said actuating means after each movement of said timer device, and   means responsive to said timing device for automatically changing the time delay provided by said time delay means in respective parts of the appliance cycle. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 22. In an appliance,   a step-by-step timer device having an actuating circuit,   relay means controlling said actuating circuit of said timer device and having a start circuit for actuation to operate said timer device,   means for holding said relay means actuated after actuation thereof,   means for releasing said relay means,   means responsive to an increment of movement of said timer device to momentarily energize said releasing means to release said relay means,   a variable timing circuit controlling actuation of said start circuit and adjustable for selectively changing the speed of operation of said timer device, and   sequencing elements driven by said timer device and having rates of advance which are collectively varied by adjustment of said variable timing circuit. .Iaddend..Iadd. 23. In an appliance control circuit having an incrementally movable timer device for controlling a cycle of operation of an appliance and having a switch for actuation a plurality of times as a precondition to operation of the appliance,   precondition means requiring actuation as precondition to setting of said appliance in operation,   timer control means controlling actuation of said timer device and responsive to each actuation of said switch to step said timer device through an increment of movement,   timer actuation responsive means coupled to said precondition means and to said timer device and responsive to a predetermined number of increments of movements of said timer device to actuate said precondition means,   means under the control of said precondition means for thereafter enabling the automatic cycling of said timer device to control a cycle of operation of the appliance, and   means responsive to the timer device reaching a point near the end of its cycle to continuously energize said timer device for continuous movement thereof to a reset position. .Iaddend..Iadd. 24. In a machine control circuit,   a plurality of sequencing elements for movement to control the operation of a machine,   drive means periodically advanced in increments for driving said sequencing elements,   an energizing circuit for supplying electrical energy to said drive means for actuation thereof and including energizing circuit control means for controlling the energization of said energizing circuit,   a starting circuit for controlling the energizing circuit control means,   a timing circuit periodically completing said starting circuit for closing said energizing circuit through said energizing circuit control means and energizing said drive means, and   a terminating circuit including means operated by the actuation of said drive means for opening said energizing circuit through said energizing circuit control means to deactuate said drive means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 25. A programming device for sequentially actuating a plurality of controlled circuit elements throughout an operational cycle and providing a series of intervals of varying duration between the sequential actuations of said controlled circuit elements comprising:   a control circuit electrically connected to said controlled circuit elements for the energization thereof,   switch means in said control circuit controlling the energization of said controlled circuit elements,   programming means regulating the actuation of said switch means,   drive means driving said programming means through a series of operational positions for sequential actuation of said switch means,   an energizing circuit for supplying electrical energy to said drive means and including energizing circuit control means for controlling the energization of said energizing circuit,   a starting circuit for controlling the energizing circuit control means,   a timing circuit automatically sending periodic pulses to said starting circuit for closing said energizing circuit through said energizing circuit control means and energizing said drive means,   said timing circuit including variable time delay means for establishing the duration of the intervals between said periodic pulses, and   a terminating circuit including means operated by the energization of said drive means for opening said energizing circuit through said energizing circuit control means to deenergize said drive means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 26. A control system for sequentially operating a plurality of devices of a machine, comprising:   a power source,   a drive motor,   a first group of switches for controlling the energizing of said devices,   a second group of switches,   first and second groups of sequencing elements connected to said motor for rotation therewith,   each of said first group of sequencing elements positioned adjacent a corresponding one of said first group of switches for actuation thereof, and each of said second group of sequencing elements positioned adjacent a corresponding one of said second group of switches for actuation thereof, a motor energizing circuit for selectively connecting said drive motor to said power source,   a control circuit including said second group of switches and said second group of sequencing elements for generating sequencing signals,   a starter circuit connected between said motor energizing circuit and said control circuit for actuating said motor energizing circuit in response to said sequencing signal to energize said drive motor, and   a terminating circuit connected between said power source and said drive motor and operable by said drive motor for deenergizing thereof in response to rotation of said drive motor through a preselected guantum of   
     
     
        rotation. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 27.  The control system of claim 26 wherein said motor energizing circuit includes an electronic switching device having anode and cathode electrodes and a controlled electrode, and said controlled electrode being connected to said starting circuit to render said electronic switching device conductive in response to said sequencing signal. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 28. In a machine control circuit, a plurality of sequencing elements for movement to control the operation of a machine, drive means periodically advanced in increments for driving said sequencing elements,   an energizing circuit for supplying electrical energy to said drive means for actuation thereof and including energizing circuit control means having a selectively conductive silicon controlled rectifier for controlling the energization of said energizing circuit,   a start circuit for controlling the energizing circuit control means including a gate circuit connected to said silicon controlled rectifier for controlling the conductive state thereof,   a time circuit periodically completing said starting circuit for closing said energizing circuit through said energizing circuit control means and energizing said drive means, and   a terminating circuit including means operated by the actuation of said drive means for opening said energizing circuit through said energizing circuit control means to deactuate said drive means. .Iaddend.