US3590369A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switching means for automatic testing equipment
Assignee: BAC AND BRITISH AEROSPACE
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Filing: 1969-02-14
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Granted: 1971-06-29
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Expires: 1989-02-14
Abstract
Abstract An automatic testing equipment includes a matrix having two groups of conductors. Energization of any pair of conductors, one in each group, from a pair of binary signal decoding heads is effective to energize a circuit for closing a particular relay associated with the crossing point of the energized conductors, there being a plurality of such relays, one for each test to be performed. The equipment includes a scanning means for scanning the two groups of conductors of the matrix to produce an error signal in the event that more than one conductor of either group is energized at the same time. An inhibit circuit for the relays is energized by such error signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles T Wainwright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/2832; G01R31/2834
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
Automatic testing equipment comprising: means for reading a program specifying a number of test points to which test signals are to be applied in sequence; a relay for each test point having a contact for closing a circuit to the test point; a test point selector including a number of groups of conductive paths, each unique combination of conductive paths from different groups defining a different test point, means responsive to the output of the reading means for energizing one conductive path in each group of such paths, a coincidence detector for each test point, connected to the conductive paths which define that test point, and a contRolled rectifier for each test point for energizing the relay upon operation of the coincidence detector to close the said contact of the relay and thereby to complete the circuit to the selected test point, as determined by the reading means, for the application of a test signal to the selected test point; checking means for scanning each group of conductive paths in the selector when a selection is made and providing a fault indication when more than one conductive path in a single group is energized in a single selection; and switching means responsive to the checking means for preventing the relays from energizing when the checking means provides the said fault indication, the checking means and switching means having a total operating time which is less than the total operating time of any of the said controlled rectifiers and its associated relay.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
Automatic testing equipment comprising: means for reading a program specifying a number of test points to which test signals are to be applied in sequence; a relay for each test point having a contact for closing a circuit to the test point; a test point selector including a number of groups of conductive paths, each unique combination of conductive paths from different groups defining a different test point, means responsive to the output of the reading means for energizing one conductive path in each group of such paths, a coincidence detector for each test point, connected to the conductive paths which define that test point, and a contRolled rectifier for each test point for energizing the relay upon operation of the coincidence detector to close the said contact of the relay and thereby to complete the circuit to the selected test point, as determined by the reading means, for the application of a test signal to the selected test point; checking means for scanning each group of conductive paths in the selector when a selection is made and providing a fault indication when more than one conductive path in a single group is energized in a single selection; and switching means responsive to the checking means for preventing the relays from energizing when the checking means provides the said fault indication, the checking means and switching means having a total operating time which is less than the total operating time of any of the said controlled rectifiers and its associated relay.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
Automatic testing equipment in accordance with claim 1, in which the switching means includes a common transistor in series with a plurality of the said controlled rectifiers, and a gate circuit responsive to the checking means to switch the transistor from a conducting condition to a nonconductive condition when the checking means indicates that more than one conductive path in a single group is energized in a single selection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
Automatic testing equipment in accordance with claim 5, in which the checking means for each group of conductive paths is in the form of a parity checker connected to indicate a fault if there is an even number of energized conductive paths in the group.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3246240A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |