US3631342A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital voltmeter apparatus employing a bipolar amplifier having a unidirectional output and a voltage controlled oscillator
Assignee: VIDAR CORP
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Filing: 1970-01-26
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Granted: 1971-12-28
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Expires: 1990-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A voltage to frequency converter serving, for example, as a digital voltmeter which includes a bipolar amplifier responsive to both positive and negative DC inputs and also AC inputs. Coupled to the amplifier is a voltage-controlled oscillator which in combination with a counter provides an indication of the input voltage magnitude. The oscillator is responsive to a single polarity input voltage produced by the bipolar amplifier. To promote the DC stability of the amplifier a chopper amplifier converts all DC to AC which after reconversion to higher level DC is then coupled into the wide-band bipolar amplifier.
Inventors
- 👤 John C Mcdonald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:32
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F1/00; H03F1/30; H03F1/303; G; G01; G01R; G01R19/00; G01R19/18; G06; G06G; G06G7/00; G06G7/12; G06G7/25; H03F2200/00; H03F2200/261; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/12; H03M1/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A voltage to frequency converter comprising: bipolar amplifier means including two input terminals and an output terminal and responsive to both positive and negative polarities of DC input signals applied to said terminals to produce an amplified unidirectional output voltage of a single polarity on said output terminal having a magnitude directly proportional to the amplitude of said input signals, said bipolar amplifier means including a directly coupled wide-band amplifier having a diode feedback network coupled across its output and input said feedback network providing positive and negative polarity outputs and including an inverter connected to one of such outputs and a summing network coupled to said inverter and to such other output said network producing said unidirectional output which is coupled to said voltage-controlled oscillator; and a voltage controlled oscillator having two input terminals one of said terminals being in common with one of said amplifier input terminals and the other of said terminals being directly coupled to said output terminal, said oscillator being responsive to said unidirectional output and having an output signal whose frequency is proportional to the instantaneous magnitude of such unidirectional input.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A voltage to frequency converter comprising: bipolar amplifier means including two input terminals and an output terminal and responsive to both positive and negative polarities of DC input signals applied to said terminals to produce an amplified unidirectional output voltage of a single polarity on said output terminal having a magnitude directly proportional to the amplitude of said input signals, said bipolar amplifier means including a directly coupled wide-band amplifier having a diode feedback network coupled across its output and input said feedback network providing positive and negative polarity outputs and including an inverter connected to one of such outputs and a summing network coupled to said inverter and to such other output said network producing said unidirectional output which is coupled to said voltage-controlled oscillator; and a voltage controlled oscillator having two input terminals one of said terminals being in common with one of said amplifier input terminals and the other of said terminals being directly coupled to said output terminal, said oscillator being responsive to said unidirectional output and having an output signal whose frequency is proportional to the instantaneous magnitude of such unidirectional input.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A converter as in claim 1 where said bipolar amplifier is responsive to both AC and DC input signals together with means for receiving said output signal and providing a digital indication of its frequency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A converter as in claim 2 including a high-frequency filter having adjustable attenuation means series connected between one output of said bipolar amplifier means and said voltage-controlled oscillator to cause said digital indication to be the root mean square value of said input signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
A converter as in claim 1 where said bipolar amplifier includes means including a chopper amplifier coupled to said wide-band amplifier for stabilizing the DC characteristics of said bipolar amplifier said chopper amplifier converting said DC input signals to AC signals, reconverting said amplified AC signals to higher level DC signals relative to said DC input signals, and coupling such high level DC signals to said wide band amplifier.
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) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |