US3612901A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pulse generator having controllable duty cycle
Assignee: Lanteris Space LLC
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Filing: 1969-12-29
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Granted: 1971-10-12
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Expires: 1989-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A pulse generator responsive to a single input signal for producing a fixed frequency pulse output signal, the duty cycle (pulse width) of which is proportional, at any instant, to the amplitude of said input (modulating) signal. The generator comprises a high gain inverting amplifier whose output is connected to its input via three phase shifting stages, each comprising a series resistor and a shunt capacitor. The modulating signal is applied to the input of the amplifier via an isolating resistor. In absence of a modulating signal, the generator oscillates at a fixed frequency, producing an output pulse train having a 50 percent duty cycle. The modulating signal changes this duty cycle by (1) opposing the discharge of the shunt capacitor of the third delay stage when said capacitor is charged in one direction, and (2) aiding its discharge when it is charged in the opposite direction.
Inventors
- 👤 James M Loe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:04
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K7/00; H03K7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
332 words
A generator for producing periodic pulses having a duty cycle dependent on the value of a modulating signal supplied to said generator, comprising: a. means having an input terminal, an output terminal, and a reference terminal, for producing between said output terminal and said reference terminal, in response to an input voltage applied between said input terminal and said reference terminal, an output voltage which has i. a polarity opposite that of said input voltage, and ii. an amplitude directly dependent on the value of said input voltage when said value lies within a given range bounded by a first voltage and a second voltage more positive than said first voltage, and iii. when said input voltage is less positive than said first voltage, a first fixed amplitude independent of said input voltage, and iv. when said input voltage is more positive than said second voltage, a second fixed amplitude independent of said input voltage, b. means for feeding back a portion of said output voltage from said output terminal to said input terminal, for providing 180* or phase shift at a particular frequency and for providing direct-current coupling from said output terminal to said input terminal, said means for producing said output voltage having a voltage gain, when said input voltage has a value within said given range, sufficiently high to cause said output voltage to change, in response to said fed-back portion of said output voltage, periodically and abruptly at said particular frequency between said first fixed amplitude and said second fixed amplitude, so that said generator produces a pulsiform output signal having a repetition rate equal to said particular frequency and a given duty cycle, and c. means for applying a modulating voltage between said input and reference terminals and for combining said applied modulating voltage with said portion of said output voltage fed back to said input terminal, thereby to produce variations in the duty cycle of said output signal in accordance with variations in said modulating voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
332 words
A generator for producing periodic pulses having a duty cycle dependent on the value of a modulating signal supplied to said generator, comprising: a. means having an input terminal, an output terminal, and a reference terminal, for producing between said output terminal and said reference terminal, in response to an input voltage applied between said input terminal and said reference terminal, an output voltage which has i. a polarity opposite that of said input voltage, and ii. an amplitude directly dependent on the value of said input voltage when said value lies within a given range bounded by a first voltage and a second voltage more positive than said first voltage, and iii. when said input voltage is less positive than said first voltage, a first fixed amplitude independent of said input voltage, and iv. when said input voltage is more positive than said second voltage, a second fixed amplitude independent of said input voltage, b. means for feeding back a portion of said output voltage from said output terminal to said input terminal, for providing 180* or phase shift at a particular frequency and for providing direct-current coupling from said output terminal to said input terminal, said means for producing said output voltage having a voltage gain, when said input voltage has a value within said given range, sufficiently high to cause said output voltage to change, in response to said fed-back portion of said output voltage, periodically and abruptly at said particular frequency between said first fixed amplitude and said second fixed amplitude, so that said generator produces a pulsiform output signal having a repetition rate equal to said particular frequency and a given duty cycle, and c. means for applying a modulating voltage between said input and reference terminals and for combining said applied modulating voltage with said portion of said output voltage fed back to said input terminal, thereby to produce variations in the duty cycle of said output signal in accordance with variations in said modulating voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A pulse generator according to claim 1, wherein said means for feeding back a portion of said output voltage comprises at least three phase-shifting stages connected in cascade from said output and reference terminals to said input and reference terminals, each of said stages comprising a series resistor and a shunt capacitor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A pulse generator according to claim 1, wherein said means for applying and combining said modulating voltage comprises a resistor having one terminal connected to said input terminal of said means for producing said output voltage and having another terminal for receiving said modulating voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A pulse generator according to claim 3, additionally comprising a source of modulating voltage, said source having one terminal connected to said reference terminal and another terminal connected to said terminal for receiving said modulating voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A pulse generator according to claim 1 wherein said means for producing Said output voltage has a voltage gain of at least three thousand, when said input voltage has a value within said given range.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
104 words
A pulse generator according to claim 1, wherein said first voltage is negative by a given amount with respect to the potential of said reference terminal, said second voltage is positive by substantially said given amount with respect to said reference terminal potential, said first fixed amplitude is positive by a given quantity with respect to said reference terminal potential, said second fixed amplitude is negative by substantially said given quantity with respect to said reference terminal potential, and said voltage gain of said means for producing said output signal is substantially constant for input voltages between said first voltage and said second voltage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A pulse generator according to claim 6, wherein said means for feeding back a portion of said output voltage comprises at least three phase-shifting stages connected in cascade from said output and reference terminals to said input and reference terminals, each of said stages comprising a series resistor and a shunt capacitor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A pulse generator according to claim 7, wherein said means for producing said output voltage has a voltage gain, for input voltages between said first and second voltages, of at least three thousand.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A pulse generator according to claim 8 wherein said means for applying and combining said modulating voltage comprises a resistor having one terminal connected to said input terminal of said means for producing said output voltage and having another terminal for receiving said modulating voltage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A pulse generator according to claim 9, additionally comprising a source of a modulating voltage, said source having one terminal connected to said reference terminal and another terminal connected to said terminal for receiving said modulating voltage.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-11 | 1975-04-12 | 1975-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-11 | 1979-04-12 | 1979-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-11 | 1983-04-12 | 1983-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |