GB1164883A - Improvements in the Decimal Read-Out for Fluidic Counters - Google Patents

Abstract

1,164,883. Fluid radix converters. RESEARCH ASSOCIATION FOR THE PAPER & BOARD PRINTING & PACKAGING INDUSTRIES. 16 April, 1968 [25 April, 1967], No. 18925/67. Heading G4P. [Also in Division G2] A fluid-mechanical apparatus for conversion of fluid signals representing a number in one number system to the corresponding digit in another system comprises a block 1 with a plurality of cavities 2 of appropriate size and shape to accommodate a corresponding number of movable members or pistons 3, and a flexible strip 7. Fluid digital signals representing a number in (say) binary are injected via inputs 4 to cause the pistons to move a predetermined amount within the cavities to displace the strip by an amount corresponding to the input number. The strip is graduated so that as it moves, marks representing the number in (say) the decimal system are brought into alignment with an optical system arranged to display the corresponding decimal digit on a screen. A spring 6 restores the strip to the " zero " position when there is no input. The number of cavities correspond to the number of places needed in the lower-based system to represent the maximum digit in the higher-based system and their sizes correspond to successive powers of the lower radix. To obviate the necessity of inconveniently large cavities, a ball-valve arrangement is described (Fig. 2, not shown) whereby two cavities of identical size can be used to represent, for example in the binary system, an " 8 " or a " 4 " according as the left or right inlet respectively is activated. Means are described (Figs. 10, 11, not shown) whereby substantially friction-free passage of the strip over the piston head is achieved. In a further embodiment (Figs. 7, 8, 9, not shown), a ball valve 23, activated by fluid input via a channel 35, controls the passage of a high-pressure stream input via a channel 28, that activates the pistons of the above apparatus. The action is that of an amplifying switch and the amplified fluid signals are converted as above to give, for example, a decimal read-out. In another arrangement (Fig. 4, not shown), a sampling valve 13, controlled by the fluid input, supplies fluid streams alternately to two control ports of bi-stable devices 14, each one of which has one outlet port connected to an inlet port (4, Fig. 1), of the converter. As a result, an output number signal appears for radix conversion then falls to zero so that the converter is reset for the next number to be input.