Patent US3611340A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3611340A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Series circuit monitoring structure
Assignee: BUHR MACHINE TOOL CORP
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Filing: 1968-10-14
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Granted: 1971-10-05
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Expires: 1988-10-14
Abstract
Abstract Structure for and method of monitoring a relay contact circuit to determine closure of each of the contacts and if a contact is opened, to determine if a ground condition exists adjacent the contact, comprising a separate monitoring circuit in parallel with each of the relay contacts for sensing closure of the associated relay contact, a separate relay closed check circuit electrically connected to each monitoring circuit for indicating closure of the associated contact, and a separate ground check circuit electrically connected to the monitoring circuit for checking the ground condition at the relay contact associated with the monitoring circuit only if the associated relay contact is opened.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert B Harte
- 👤 Eric M Aupperle
- 👤 Charles C Hoopes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:43
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02H; H02H3/00; H02H3/02; H02H3/04; H02H3/044
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A series circuit including a plurality of separate series connected circuit closure members, a separate monitoring circuit for each of the plurality of closure members operable to sense closure of the related circuit closure member and a closure member closed check circuit electrically connected to each monitoring circuit responsive to sensing of an open closure member by the associated monitoring circuit wherein each monitoring circuit includes a relatively high resistance and a transformer primary winding in series connected in parallel with the associated circuit closure member, a transformer secondary winding, a rectifier and filter means connected in series to provide a direct current signal representative of the condition of the associated closure member, an operational amplifier connected to receive the direct current signal, a relay coil connected to the operational amplifier and relay contact means connected in the closure member closed check circuit responsive to energizing of the relay coil in the monitoring circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A series circuit including a plurality of separate series connected circuit closure members, a separate monitoring circuit for each of the plurality of closure members operable to sense closure of the related circuit closure member and a closure member closed check circuit electrically connected to each monitoring circuit responsive to sensing of an open closure member by the associated monitoring circuit wherein each monitoring circuit includes a relatively high resistance and a transformer primary winding in series connected in parallel with the associated circuit closure member, a transformer secondary winding, a rectifier and filter means connected in series to provide a direct current signal representative of the condition of the associated closure member, an operational amplifier connected to receive the direct current signal, a relay coil connected to the operational amplifier and relay contact means connected in the closure member closed check circuit responsive to energizing of the relay coil in the monitoring circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
137 words
A series circuit including a plurality of separate series connected circuit closUre members, a separate monitoring circuit for each of the plurality of closure members operable to sense closure of the related circuit closure member, a closure member closed check circuit electrically connected to each monitoring circuit responsive to sensing of an open closure member by the associated monitoring circuit and a ground check circuit electrically connected to the monitoring circuit and responsive to a ground condition at the associated circuit closure member including a resistor, a relay contact, an isolating diode, a relay coil and a power supply in series connected to one side of the associated circuit closure member and the associated monitoring circuit wherein the associated monitoring circuit includes means for closing the relay contact only when the associated circuit closure member is open.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
137 words
A series circuit including a plurality of separate series connected circuit closUre members, a separate monitoring circuit for each of the plurality of closure members operable to sense closure of the related circuit closure member, a closure member closed check circuit electrically connected to each monitoring circuit responsive to sensing of an open closure member by the associated monitoring circuit and a ground check circuit electrically connected to the monitoring circuit and responsive to a ground condition at the associated circuit closure member including a resistor, a relay contact, an isolating diode, a relay coil and a power supply in series connected to one side of the associated circuit closure member and the associated monitoring circuit wherein the associated monitoring circuit includes means for closing the relay contact only when the associated circuit closure member is open.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the closure member closed check circuit is diode isolated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A circuit as set forth in claim 1 and further including a ground check circuit operably associated with the monitoring circuit and responsive to a ground condition at the associated circuit closure member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
Structure as set forth in claim 4 and further including means for indicating a ground condition at the associated circuit closure member only when the associated circuit closure member is open.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
A series circuit including a plurality of separate series connected closure members, a separate monitoring circuit for each of the plurality of closure members operable to sense closure of the associated closure member, a closure member closed check circuit electrically connected to each monitoring circuit responsive to sensing of an open closure member by the associated monitoring circuit, and a ground check circuit electrically connected to the monitoring circuit and means within the monitoring circuit and the ground check circuit to a ground condition at the associated circuit closure member only when the associated circuit closure member is open.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
A series circuit including a plurality of separate series connected closure members, a separate monitoring circuit for each of the plurality of closure members operable to sense closure of the associated closure member, a closure member closed check circuit electrically connected to each monitoring circuit responsive to sensing of an open closure member by the associated monitoring circuit, and a ground check circuit electrically connected to the monitoring circuit and means within the monitoring circuit and the ground check circuit to a ground condition at the associated circuit closure member only when the associated circuit closure member is open.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
165 words
An electric circuit including a plurality of separate, related circuit closure members, a separate monitoring circuit for each of the circuit closure members for sensing closure of the related circuit closure member utilizing only the energy in the circuit of the related closure member, a separate closure member closed check circuit electrically connected to each monitoring circuit responsive to sensing of an open closure member by the related monitoring circuit and a ground check circuit electrically connected to the monitoring circuit and responsive to a ground condition at the related closure member wherein the monitoring circuit includes a relay and means for energizing the relay in response to the related closure member being open and wherein the ground check circuit includes a relay contact in series therein which is electrically connected to the relay in the monitoring circuit to be closed when the relay is energized whereby the ground check circuit is operable only when the closure member related to the monitoring circuit is open.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
165 words
An electric circuit including a plurality of separate, related circuit closure members, a separate monitoring circuit for each of the circuit closure members for sensing closure of the related circuit closure member utilizing only the energy in the circuit of the related closure member, a separate closure member closed check circuit electrically connected to each monitoring circuit responsive to sensing of an open closure member by the related monitoring circuit and a ground check circuit electrically connected to the monitoring circuit and responsive to a ground condition at the related closure member wherein the monitoring circuit includes a relay and means for energizing the relay in response to the related closure member being open and wherein the ground check circuit includes a relay contact in series therein which is electrically connected to the relay in the monitoring circuit to be closed when the relay is energized whereby the ground check circuit is operable only when the closure member related to the monitoring circuit is open.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |