US3652937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Speed and fault indicator for a model vehicle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-11-02
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Granted: 1972-03-28
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Expires: 1990-11-02
Abstract
Abstract A visual indicator is provided which monitors the operating conditions of a model track system having electrically propelled vehicles and simultaneously provides an indication of the speed of the vehicle on the trackway and of any faulty conditions that may exist along the tracks. A semiconductor transistor circuit separates ripple voltage produced by commutation in the electrical motor that propels the vehicle from the full wave rectified voltage of the energizing source of the model system. Operation of the transistor circuit in response to ripple voltage drives a meter instrument calibrated to indicate speed of the vehicle, while deflections due to faults provide an indication of a fault at the location of the vehicle on the track.
Inventors
- 👤 William L Garrott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/42; G01P3/50; G01P3/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A fault and speed indicator for a model electric railway system comprising a two rail conductor track, means for applying a DC voltage to the track, a DC motor driven model vehicle adapted to be positioned for movement along the track in response to the applied DC voltage, means electrically connecting the DC motor to the track for energization through the track to thereby develop a composite signal comprising a pulsating DC voltage modulated by electrical impulses caused by commutation in the motor, a pair of line conductors each being electrically connected at one end to one of the tracks for picking off the composite signal, circuit means having an input and an output and being operable to separate the combined components of said signal to thereby develop a control signal corresponding to commutation in the motor, said input being connected to the other end of the line conductors, said control signal being present at the output to provide a signal indicative of speed and faulty conditions along the track and an indicator circuit connected to the output for monitoring the control signal to provide a continuous indication of the speed of the vehicle and faulty conditions along the track.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A fault and speed indicator for a model electric railway system comprising a two rail conductor track, means for applying a DC voltage to the track, a DC motor driven model vehicle adapted to be positioned for movement along the track in response to the applied DC voltage, means electrically connecting the DC motor to the track for energization through the track to thereby develop a composite signal comprising a pulsating DC voltage modulated by electrical impulses caused by commutation in the motor, a pair of line conductors each being electrically connected at one end to one of the tracks for picking off the composite signal, circuit means having an input and an output and being operable to separate the combined components of said signal to thereby develop a control signal corresponding to commutation in the motor, said input being connected to the other end of the line conductors, said control signal being present at the output to provide a signal indicative of speed and faulty conditions along the track and an indicator circuit connected to the output for monitoring the control signal to provide a continuous indication of the speed of the vehicle and faulty conditions along the track.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A fault and speed indicator for an electric motor driven model vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said circuit means includes a switching semiconductive device operably connected to develop said control signal in response to the rate at which said semiconductive device is fired.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A fault and speed indicator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said circuit means comprises a unijunction transistor and a capacitor operably connected to separate the commutation produced electrical impulses from the pulsating DC voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A fault and speed indicator as set forth in claim 3 wherein said indicator circuit includes a capacitor and a meter circuit, said capacitor being connected to be charged through the meter circuit and to be discharged through the unijunction transistor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A fault and speed indicator as set forth in claim 2 wherein said circuit means further includes a capacitor connected to said semiconductive device and having a discharge path through said semiconductive device and a charge path through said indicator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A fault and speed indicator as set forth in claim 3 wherein said semiconductive device is a unijunction transistor biased to perform as a linear resistance and forms part of the circuit which separates the signal components.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
178 words
In a fault and speed indicator for an electric motor driven model vehicle adapted to be driven along a two rail conductor track, said motor driven model vehicle being operatively energized through the track, means for applying a DC voltage to the track for energizing the driving motor of the model vehicle such that the motor develops a signal, said signal comprising a first component developed by commutation in the motor and corresponding to speed of the vehicle along the track and a second component corresponding to the applied DC voltage, said first component modulating the second component, the improvement comprising an indicator responsive to a control signal for providing a continuous indication corresponding to speed of the vehicle and faulty conditions along the track, circuit means for separating the combined components of said signal to thereby develop the control signal in response to said first component, said indicator being operably connected to said circuit means and means connecting said circuit means to said track for monitoring the speed of the vehicle and faulty conditions along the track.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
178 words
In a fault and speed indicator for an electric motor driven model vehicle adapted to be driven along a two rail conductor track, said motor driven model vehicle being operatively energized through the track, means for applying a DC voltage to the track for energizing the driving motor of the model vehicle such that the motor develops a signal, said signal comprising a first component developed by commutation in the motor and corresponding to speed of the vehicle along the track and a second component corresponding to the applied DC voltage, said first component modulating the second component, the improvement comprising an indicator responsive to a control signal for providing a continuous indication corresponding to speed of the vehicle and faulty conditions along the track, circuit means for separating the combined components of said signal to thereby develop the control signal in response to said first component, said indicator being operably connected to said circuit means and means connecting said circuit means to said track for monitoring the speed of the vehicle and faulty conditions along the track.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A fault and speed indicator for an electric driven model vehicle as set forth in claim 7 whereiN said circuit means includes a switching semiconductive PNPN device operably connected to develop said control signal in response to the rate at which said PNPN device is fired.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fault and speed indicator as set forth in claim 8 wherein said PNPN device is a thyristor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A fault and speed indicator as set forth in claim 8 wherein said PNPN device is a programmed unijunction transistor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
CA704644A
Cited
US3346725A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-28 | 1975-09-27 | 1976-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-28 | 1979-09-27 | 1980-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-28 | 1983-09-27 | 1984-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |