Originally Posted by
double_barrel
You can think of them as mechanical logical 'OR' devices. The output is 1 if either input is 1
True enough, in telecom at least the diodes isolating the redundant -48V power inputs are referred to as 'orring diodes' on the schematic.
Still have a hard time looking at the schematic with the diodes pointing the 'wrong way' due to negative supplies.
One of the first integrated circuit logic families was DTL, Diode Transistor Logic
The diode analogy is probably closer since it is an analog function, higher pressure (as mediated by spring or different diameters) wins,
Of course analogies only go so far, I remember a a kid being puzzled by water analogies for electricity that never seemed to include a return path that closed the circuit.