Abstract: An addressable valve system is described wherein a plurality of valves are embedded into a single, compact valve block. Each valve comprises a piston moving in a bore in the block. A magnet embedded in the piston is positioned within a coil. When energized, the coil attracts the magnet and the plunger upwards away from a valve seat. Magnetic shields disposed between the pistons provide magnetic isolation between the pistons and simultaneously apply a closing force to the pistons by drawing the magnets downward towards the valve seat. When energized, the coils overwhelm the closing force and open the valves. Electronics for the valve block and the coils are provided on a circuit board overlying the pistons and bores. The electronics provide addressability of the valves and automatically generate “pick” and “hold” timing whereby the initial motivating force (voltage) applied to the current is higher to get the valves moving quickly when valve is first commanded to open.

Abstract: A magnetic valve uses neodymium magnets to maintain itself in a state, either closed or open. Upon applying electrical signals to a coil, the valve state is changed. In the open state fluid may readily flow through the valve, whereas the closed state uses one or more magnets to seal a valve member such that fluid flow is blocked. In the open state, the magnitude of the electrical signal can be varied to vary the effective size of the opening through which fluid may flow, thereby providing proportional control. Importantly, the valve is controllable by a computer using a MIDI card such that the valve is especially suitable for adapting a player piano to operate from a computer. Additionally, the valve may be used in a sprinkler system, a fire suppression system, or various other applications.

Abstract: The pipe organ valve is comprised of a soft flexible membrane in the form of a disk adapted to be secured to a suitable actuator such as the armature of a solenoid adjacent the center of the disk and a semi-rigid ring member secured to the perimeter of the disk to maintain the disk taut while permitting flexing of the ring transversely to the plane of the ring and permitting distortion of the ring member from its normal plane. The valve member is a light weight composite of a disk of soft flexible resilient leather and a disk of woven material bonded together. The pipe organ valve may be mounted adjacent the air passage of a wind chest with the center of the disk off set from the axis of the air passage whereby one portion of the periphery of the valve member will separate from the valve seat prior to the remainder of the periphery.

Abstract: An electric valve for pipe organs is adapted to be mounted within an air chest and is provided with a valve member on an armature adapted to cooperate with a valve seat surrounding an air passage in the chest leading to a pipe. The valve member is comprised of a base member, a resilient member and a valve seat engaging member adhesively secured together with sufficient slack in the valve seat engaging member or the base member and air passages which permit direct contact of the pressurized air within the air chest with the valve seal engaging member to allow bounce of the armature while maintaining the valve seat engaging member in engagement with the valve seat. The armature extends through and is pivoted on a bracket by means of two ball bearings press fitted into sockets on opposite sides of the armature. The sides of the bracket are then pressed toward each other against the ball bearings which will then be pressed into the bracket to form complimentary sockets.

Abstract: In a rectangular frame on the accordion box (CA) in correspondence with a single continuous opening (2), a butterfly closure member (3) is pivotally mounted on a fulcrum, and is held in a closed position with a spring (7). A block (9), pushed forward by the lever arm of a white key (B), presses on sliding with its inclined plane (10) against a peg (8) of the pivoted butterfly closure member (3) of any valve operated by the white key to open it. A black key (N) acts directly an a peg (8') of the pivoted butterfly closure member (3') of any valve operated by a black key, to open it.Specialized labor is eliminated; assembly times are reduced by 50%; the seal of the valves and the sound of the instrument are considerably improved (FIG. 1).

Abstract: An automatic tracking apparatus is provided for maintaining alignment of music rolls in player organs and player pianos using an improved, air pressure controlled, sensing and control device. More particularly this system incorporates an air pressure sensing device utilizing a piston/cam controlled pendulum to operate a pneumatic alignment device.

Abstract: The specification discloses a pneumatic player piano which utilizes an electric motor roll drive. The roll drive is actuated by a mechanical switching arrangement which responds to the system vacuum so as to simulate the operation of a conventional air motor. The pneumatic stack is constructed to permit the pouch board and valve boxes of an entire level to be fabricated in a single molding operation. The valves themselves are formed of silicone rubber - and require neither backing, facing nor position adjustment.

Abstract: A valve device, especially for pneumatically operated pianos and organs, in which the valve device is interposed between a source of suction and pneumatic actuators for the keys of the instrument and under the control of a perforated paper strip. The valve of the present invention is particularly characterized in being readily disassembled for adjustment and service and replacement of parts if necessary.