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US3661089A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Control system employing hall-effect devices
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1970-03-03
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Granted: 1972-05-09
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Expires: 1990-03-03
Abstract
Abstract An automated vehicle which moves along a path is to perform certain tasks at predetermined locations along the path in accordance with codes sensed by a code reader from code magnets located at sensing stations along the path. The code reader contains a number of Hall-effect devices for sensing the orientation of the code magnets. The voltage output of each Halleffect device is coupled to a differential amplifier. The output of each differential amplifier is coupled to a first threshold circuit which produces a first logic level signal when the output of the differential amplifier has a positive polarity and to a second threshold circuit which produces a second logic level signal when the output of the differential amplifier has a negative polarity. A pulse generator may be coupled to a pulse driving circuit to supply current pulses to the Hall-effect devices so that the sensitivity of the Hall-effect devices is increased.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel J Soltz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:51
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/04; B65G1/0407; B65G1/0421
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
In a system having a vehicle movable along a path, means for performing a control operation comprising first and second means, one of said first and said second means being mounted along said path and the other of said first and said second means being mounted on said vehicle for movement therewith, said first means comprising magnetic means for magnetically storing a plurality of binary code bits, said second means comprising a plurality of Hall-effect means for sensing said binary code bits from said magnetic means at substantially the same time, activating means for activating said Hall-effect means with a pulse of activating current by providing pulsed electrical signals as Said bits of said binary code are being sensed by said Hall-effect means, sensing means responsive to Hall-voltages produced by said Halleffect means for providing electrical signals representative of said binary code bits, control means responsive to binary signals for performing a control operation in dependence on the binary code bits stored by said first means, first gate means responsive to said sensing means for establishing binary signals indicative of said bits of said binary code and directing said binary signals to said control means, and second gate means responsive to said activating means for producing a gate pulse which is initiated a predetermined time after said pulse of activating current is initiated for gating the binary signals to the control means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
In a system having a vehicle movable along a path, means for performing a control operation comprising first and second means, one of said first and said second means being mounted along said path and the other of said first and said second means being mounted on said vehicle for movement therewith, said first means comprising magnetic means for magnetically storing a plurality of binary code bits, said second means comprising a plurality of Hall-effect means for sensing said binary code bits from said magnetic means at substantially the same time, activating means for activating said Hall-effect means with a pulse of activating current by providing pulsed electrical signals as Said bits of said binary code are being sensed by said Hall-effect means, sensing means responsive to Hall-voltages produced by said Halleffect means for providing electrical signals representative of said binary code bits, control means responsive to binary signals for performing a control operation in dependence on the binary code bits stored by said first means, first gate means responsive to said sensing means for establishing binary signals indicative of said bits of said binary code and directing said binary signals to said control means, and second gate means responsive to said activating means for producing a gate pulse which is initiated a predetermined time after said pulse of activating current is initiated for gating the binary signals to the control means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
In a control system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first gate means includes means coupled to the plurality of Hall-effect means for producing a first set of electrical signals of a first logic level which are representative of the logical ''''1'''' bits of said binary code bits and for producing a second set of electrical signals of said first logic level which are representative of the logical ''''0'''' bits of said binary code bits.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of providing a control means for controlling a vehicle which is movable along a path with coded control information from magnetic means which stores said coded control information comprising the steps of positioning a plurality of Hall-effect means in a magnetic-coupling relationship with said magnetic means, activating said Hall-effect means at substantially the same time by means of a pulse of activating current, producing a plurality of electrical signals in response to the Hall-voltages that are produced by said activated Hall-effect means, directing said electrical signals to said control means while said Hall-effect means are activated, and initiating a gate pulse to said control means a predetermined time after said pulse of activating current is initiated for gating the electrical signals to the control means.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of providing a control means for controlling a vehicle which is movable along a path with coded control information from magnetic means which stores said coded control information comprising the steps of positioning a plurality of Hall-effect means in a magnetic-coupling relationship with said magnetic means, activating said Hall-effect means at substantially the same time by means of a pulse of activating current, producing a plurality of electrical signals in response to the Hall-voltages that are produced by said activated Hall-effect means, directing said electrical signals to said control means while said Hall-effect means are activated, and initiating a gate pulse to said control means a predetermined time after said pulse of activating current is initiated for gating the electrical signals to the control means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
113 words
A method of providing a control means for controlling a vehicle which is movable along a path with coded information from magnetic means which stores said coded control information as set forth in claim 3 comprising the step of transforming each of said Hall-voltages into a logic level ''''1'''' electrical signal on one output line of an associated pair of output lines to said control means and a logic level ''''0'''' electrical signal on the other output line of the associated pair of output lines to said control means, the relationship of said logic level electrical signals on said pair of associated output lines being representative of the polarity of said associated Hall-voltage.
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) | 1975-05-09 | 1975-11-08 | 1976-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-09 | 1979-11-08 | 1980-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-09 | 1983-11-08 | 1984-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |