US3586992A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clock generator with frequency control loop containing an oscillatory limiter
Assignee: Mannesmann Tally Corp
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Filing: 1969-10-09
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Granted: 1971-06-22
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Expires: 1989-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A clock generator which produces a stabilized clock output signal and which is used with a storage system including a storage medium and wherein the storage medium includes a reference track to produce a reference signal which is coupled as an input to the clock generator. The clock generator includes a variable voltage-controlled oscillator and incorporates a feedback path to control the output from the clock generator. The feedback path includes an active limiter so as to provide for a very fast response in the feedback path without producing unwanted modes in the output signal from the clock generator. The active limiter includes a pair of voltage sensors for sensing excessive plus or minus excursions of the feedback signal relative to the reference potential and wherein the voltage sensors control an electronic switch to short out the feedback path when the excursion of the feedback signal is above a particular level in a plus or minus direction relative to the reference potential. The electronic switch operates in an oscillatory manner until the level of the feedback signals falls within the permissible range of excursion.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen E Garfein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:43
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03L; H03L7/00; H03L7/06; H03L7/08; H03L7/083; G; G11; G11B; G11B20/00; G11B20/10; G11B20/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
In a clock generator including a voltage-controlled oscillator and with a first reference signal coupled to the voltage-controlled oscillator, including: first means responsive to an output signal from the voltagecontrolled oscillator and to the reference signal coupled to the voltage-controlled oscillator for comparing the output signal and the reference signal to produce an error signal in accordance with differences in the characteristics of the output signal and the reference signal; second means responsive to the error signal from the first means for actively limiting the error signal and with the second means operating when the error signal exceeds a predetermined level and with the second means providing an oscillatory switching of the error signal to a reference potential when the error signal exceeds the predetermined level; and third means responsive to the error signal for averaging the error signal when the error signal is in the oscillating mode and for coupling the error signal to the voltage-controlled oscillator to control the voltage-controlled oscillator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
In a clock generator including a voltage-controlled oscillator and with a first reference signal coupled to the voltage-controlled oscillator, including: first means responsive to an output signal from the voltagecontrolled oscillator and to the reference signal coupled to the voltage-controlled oscillator for comparing the output signal and the reference signal to produce an error signal in accordance with differences in the characteristics of the output signal and the reference signal; second means responsive to the error signal from the first means for actively limiting the error signal and with the second means operating when the error signal exceeds a predetermined level and with the second means providing an oscillatory switching of the error signal to a reference potential when the error signal exceeds the predetermined level; and third means responsive to the error signal for averaging the error signal when the error signal is in the oscillating mode and for coupling the error signal to the voltage-controlled oscillator to control the voltage-controlled oscillator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
93 words
In the clock generator of claim 1, wherein the first means includes a flip-flop having set and reset inputs and wherein the output signal from the voltage-controlled oscillator and the reference signal are out of phase with each other and are coupled to the set and reset inputs of the flip-flop and wherein the output signal from the flip-flop is a square wave having characteristics in accordance with the relative frequencies of the inputs to the flip-flop and wherein the first means includes means for averaging the square wave output from the flip-flop.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
In the clock generator of claim 1 wherein the second means operates when the error signal exceeds a predetermined level in either a positive or negative direction with respect to the reference potential.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
In the clock generator of claim 1 wherein the second means includes a positive voltage sensor and a negative voltage sensor to sense excursions of the error signal above the predetermined level either in the positive or negative direction relative to the reference potential and wherein the second means includes a switch means controlled by the positive or negative voltage sensors which switch means couples the error signal to the reference potential when either the positive or negative voltage sensor senses an excursion of the error signal above the predetermined level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
163 words
A clock generator, including: first means for producing a reference signal; a voltage-controlled oscillator responsive to the first reference signal and with the voltage-controlled oscillator producing an output signal; second means responsive to the output signal from the voltage-controlled oscillator and to the reference signal from the first means for comparing the output signal and the reference signal to produce an error signal in accordance with differences in the characteristics of the output signal and the reference signal; third means responsive to the error signal from the second means for actively limiting the error signal and with the third means operating when the excursions of the error signal exceed a predetermined level and with the third means including means for successively switching of the error signal to a reference potential when the excursions of the error signal exceed the predetermined level; and fourth means responsive to the error signal for coupling the error signal to the Voltage-controlled oscillator to control the voltage-controlled oscillator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
163 words
A clock generator, including: first means for producing a reference signal; a voltage-controlled oscillator responsive to the first reference signal and with the voltage-controlled oscillator producing an output signal; second means responsive to the output signal from the voltage-controlled oscillator and to the reference signal from the first means for comparing the output signal and the reference signal to produce an error signal in accordance with differences in the characteristics of the output signal and the reference signal; third means responsive to the error signal from the second means for actively limiting the error signal and with the third means operating when the excursions of the error signal exceed a predetermined level and with the third means including means for successively switching of the error signal to a reference potential when the excursions of the error signal exceed the predetermined level; and fourth means responsive to the error signal for coupling the error signal to the Voltage-controlled oscillator to control the voltage-controlled oscillator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The clock generator of claim 5, wherein the second means includes a flip-flop having set and reset inputs, and wherein the output signal from the voltage-controlled oscillator and the reference signal from the first means are coupled to the set and reset inputs of the flip-flop and wherein the output signal from the flip-flop is in accordance with the relative frequencies of the inputs to the flip-flop.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The clock generator of claim 5, wherein the third means operates when the excursions of the error signal exceed the predetermined level in either the positive or negative direction with respect to either reference potential.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
The clock generator of claim 5, wherein the third means includes a positive voltage sensor and a negative voltage sensor to sense the excursions of the error signal above the predetermined level either in the positive or negative direction relative to the reference potential and wherein the third means includes a switch means controlled by the positive or negative voltage sensors which switch means couples the error signal to the reference potential when either the positive or negative voltage sensor senses the excursion of the error signal above the predetermined level.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a clock generator including a voltage-controlled oscillator and with a first reference signal coupled to the voltage-controlled oscillator and including means for comparing the output signal from the voltage-controlled oscillator and the reference signal to produce a feedback signal for controlling the voltage-controlled oscillator, a limiter included in the feedback path for limiting excursions of the feedback signal; first means responsive to the feedback signal from the means for comparing; second means coupled to the first means for detecting when the feedback signal exceeds a predetermined level; third means coupled to the second means for providing an oscillatory switching of the feedback signal to a reference potential when the second means detects that the feedback signal has exceeded the predetermined level.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a clock generator including a voltage-controlled oscillator and with a first reference signal coupled to the voltage-controlled oscillator and including means for comparing the output signal from the voltage-controlled oscillator and the reference signal to produce a feedback signal for controlling the voltage-controlled oscillator, a limiter included in the feedback path for limiting excursions of the feedback signal; first means responsive to the feedback signal from the means for comparing; second means coupled to the first means for detecting when the feedback signal exceeds a predetermined level; third means coupled to the second means for providing an oscillatory switching of the feedback signal to a reference potential when the second means detects that the feedback signal has exceeded the predetermined level.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
In the clock generator of claim 9, additionally including means responsive to the feedback signal for averaging the feedback signal when the feedback signal is in the oscillating mode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
In the clock generator of claim 9, wherein the second means detects when the feedback signal exceeds the predetermined level in either a positive or negative direction with respect to the reference potential.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
91 words
In the clock generator of claim 9, wherein the second means includes a positive voltage sensor and a negative voltage sensor to detect excursions of the feedback signal above the predetermined level either in the positive or negative direction relative to the reference potential and wherein the third means is a switch means controlled by the positive or negative voltage sensors which switch means couples the feedback signal to the reference potential when either the positive or negative voltage sensor detects an excursion of the error signal above the predetermined level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-21 | 1974-12-21 | 1975-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-21 | 1978-12-21 | 1979-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-21 | 1982-12-21 | 1983-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |