US3622769A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Analog-type resistance programmable counter
Assignee: Allegheny Ludlum Corp
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Filing: 1969-10-01
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Granted: 1971-11-23
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Expires: 1989-10-01
Abstract
Abstract An electric analog counter which in its basic assembly includes a pulse former, a pluse accumulator and an output generator wherein the pulse accumulator includes an external variable program resistor whose value is preselected to control the rate of accumulation of an electric charge in said accumulator thereby varying the number of pulses, or counts, necessary for the pulse accumulator to trigger the output generator which signals the completion of the counting event. In a preferred embodiment a delay and filter section and a trigger section are incorporated within a input signal conditioner which preconditions the inputs to cause the counter respond only to input signal counts and not to extraneous noise signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter A Lajoie
- 👤 Jack W Skinner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:13
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K25/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
An electronic analog counter having input terminal means to which pulses to be counted are applied and adapted to produce an output pulse whenever a predetermined number of pulses are applied to said input terminal means, said counter comprising: pulse-forming means electrically connected to said input terminal means for producing a pulse of essentially fixed width and height each time an input pulse is applied to said input terminal means; integrating pulse-accumulator means coupled to said pulseforming means and including an integrating capacitor provided with a charging path which incorporates variable resistance means whereby the number of pulses required to charge said capacitor to a predetermined voltage level can be varied by varying the resistance of said variable resistance means; an output generator for producing said output pulse, said generator being coupled to said integrating capacitor and including a switch device which is triggered to produce said output signal when the voltage across said integrating capacitor reaches said predetermined level, and a feedback path connecting said output generator to said pulseforming means to disable the pulse-forming means during the occurrence of an output pulse to prevent input pulses from charging said integrating capacitor during the occurrence of said output pulse.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
An electronic analog counter having input terminal means to which pulses to be counted are applied and adapted to produce an output pulse whenever a predetermined number of pulses are applied to said input terminal means, said counter comprising: pulse-forming means electrically connected to said input terminal means for producing a pulse of essentially fixed width and height each time an input pulse is applied to said input terminal means; integrating pulse-accumulator means coupled to said pulseforming means and including an integrating capacitor provided with a charging path which incorporates variable resistance means whereby the number of pulses required to charge said capacitor to a predetermined voltage level can be varied by varying the resistance of said variable resistance means; an output generator for producing said output pulse, said generator being coupled to said integrating capacitor and including a switch device which is triggered to produce said output signal when the voltage across said integrating capacitor reaches said predetermined level, and a feedback path connecting said output generator to said pulseforming means to disable the pulse-forming means during the occurrence of an output pulse to prevent input pulses from charging said integrating capacitor during the occurrence of said output pulse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The counter of claim 1 wherein said pulse-forming means includes a semiconductive controlled rectifier and a breakover diode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
The counter of claim 2 wherein said pulse forming means additionally includes a capacitor, circuit means connecting said semiconductive controlled rectifier to said input terminal means whereby the semiconductive controlled rectifier is fired each time a pulse is applied to said input terminal means, circuit means connecting said semiconductive controlled rectifier to said last-mentioned capacitor, circuit means connecting said last-mentioned capacitor to said breakover diode such that the diode will fire to produce a spike when the voltage across the last-mentioned capacitor reaches a level at which the diode will fire, and means for causing cutoff of said semiconductive controlled rectifier when the breakover diode fires.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The counter of claim 3 wherein said pulses of essentially fixed width and height are derived from a terminal of said semiconductive controlled rectifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The counter of claim 4 wherein said variable resistance means is connected between said integrating capacitor and said terminal of the semiconductive controlled rectifier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The counter of claim 1 wherein said output generator includes a unijunction transistor coupled to said integrating capacitor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The counter of claim 6 wherein saId unijunction transistor is coupled to a semiconductive controlled rectifier and said feedback path connects a terminal of said semiconductive controlled rectifier to said pulse-forming means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The counter of claim 7 wherein said pulse-forming means includes a second semiconductive controlled rectifier to which input pulses on said input terminal means are applied, and means including said feedback path for preventing said second semiconductive controlled rectifier from firing when the semiconductive controlled rectifier in said output generator is conducting.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The counter of claim 8 including a breakover diode in said output generator for forming said output pulse when the semiconductive controlled rectifier in said output generator fires.
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) | 1974-11-22 | 1975-05-24 | 1975-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-22 | 1979-05-24 | 1979-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-22 | 1983-05-24 | 1983-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |