Waveform analyzing system, particularly for chromatographs, wherein the waveform is integrated between selected peaks and valleys

Claim 2

A waveform analyzing system for processing a waveform of fluctuating amplitude between limits defining a plurality of processing periods, comprising: peak sensor means for providing a trigger signal in response to the occurrence of a peak of the waveform, a valley sensor for providing an output pulse in response to the occurrence of a valley of the waveform, timing means responsive to the trigger signal for providing to the peak sensor means an indication of the elapse thereafter of a programmed time interval, the peak sensor means being unresponsive to the waveform during the programmed time interval and being rendered responsive by the timing means indication, processing means receiving the waveform, and controllable readout means connected to the processing means to provide an output indicative of the processed waveform, the readout means being responsive to the trigger signal and to each output pulse following the occurrence of a trigger signal whereby the processing periods are defined between detected successive peaks and valleys, selected periods of which are at least equal to the programmed time interval.

Claim 3

A waveform analyzing system of claim 1, wherein the peak sensor means includes a first bistable device switchable from a first state to a second state in response to the occurrence of a waveform peak, and from the second state to the first state in response to the timing means indication.

Claim 4

A waveform analyzing system as claimed in claim 2, which includes a second bistable device transferable from a first state to a second state in response to the second state of the first bistable device, and transferable from the second state to the first state in response to the valley sensor output pulse, the second bistable device controlling the readout means upon coincidence of such second state and an output pulse thereat.

Claim 5

A waveform analyzing system as claimed in claim 3, which includes controllable readout inhibit circuits connected to the first and second bistable devices to inhibit operation of the readout means in response thereto at certain of the selected peaks and valleys.

Claim 6

A waveform analyzing system as claimed in claim 3, which includes means connected to said first bistable device to delay application of the trigger signal to the second bistable device.

Claim 7

A waveform analyzing system as claimed in claim 2, in which said timing means comprises an electronic counting mechanism arranged to generate pulses to switch said first bistable device to its first state at its first state at preselected count values.

Claim 8

A waveform analyzing system as claimed in claim 6, in which said counting mechanism comprises timer switches connected to input clock lines, a plurality of shift registers equal in number to the number of selected integration periods and having a shift rail excited by the trigger signal, and an equal plurality of coincidence gating means connected to said shift registers and to said timer switches to provide the programmed time interval indication to said first bistable device.

Claim 9

A waveform analyzing system as claimed in claim 2, in which said processing means comprises a voltage-to-frequency converter responsive to said peaked waveform, and a counter connected to the output of said converter to receive a pulse train therefrom whose frequency is proportional to the instantaneous amplitude of said waveform, thereby to perform an integration operation on the waveform.

Claim 10

A waveform analyzing system as claimed in claim 2, which includes a chromatographic analyzer having its output connected to said peak sensor means and to said valley sensor.

Claim 11

A waveform analyzing system for integrating a waveform of fluctuating amplitude between limits defining a plurality of integration periods, comprising input means to which the waveform is applied; a peak maximum sensor connected to said input means to provide trigger signals in response to detection of the peak maxima of the wAveform, a valley minimum sensor connected to said input means to provide output pulses in response to detection of the valley minima of the waveform, a bistable device connected to said peak maximum sensor to be switched from a first state to a second state by a trigger signal from said peak maximum sensor, recycling timing means connected to said bistable device and enabled for a programmed time interval on switching of said bistable device to its said second state, means conveying an indication of the end of each said programmed time interval to said bistable device to switch said bistable device to its said first state in readiness for the nest trigger signal, integrating means connected to receive said waveform from said input means, printout means connected to said integrating means, and means connecting said printout means to said valley minimum sensor and to said bistable device, said timing means being enabled at the occurrence of selected peak maxima of the waveform and programmed to stop during the valley preceding the next selected peak maxima, and said printout means being thereby controlled from the waveform to print out at the occurrence at each of said selected peak maxima and at the occurrence of the first valley minimum after each of said selected peak maxima.

Claim 12

A waveform analyzing system for integrating a waveform of fluctuating amplitude between limits defining a plurality of integration periods, comprising input means to which the waveform is applied; a peak maximum sensor connected to said input means to provide trigger signals in response to detection of the peak maxima of the wAveform, a valley minimum sensor connected to said input means to provide output pulses in response to detection of the valley minima of the waveform, a bistable device connected to said peak maximum sensor to be switched from a first state to a second state by a trigger signal from said peak maximum sensor, recycling timing means connected to said bistable device and enabled for a programmed time interval on switching of said bistable device to its said second state, means conveying an indication of the end of each said programmed time interval to said bistable device to switch said bistable device to its said first state in readiness for the nest trigger signal, integrating means connected to receive said waveform from said input means, printout means connected to said integrating means, and means connecting said printout means to said valley minimum sensor and to said bistable device, said timing means being enabled at the occurrence of selected peak maxima of the waveform and programmed to stop during the valley preceding the next selected peak maxima, and said printout means being thereby controlled from the waveform to print out at the occurrence at each of said selected peak maxima and at the occurrence of the first valley minimum after each of said selected peak maxima.