US3663938A
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Synchronous orbit battery cycler
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1971-05-03
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Granted: 1972-05-16
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Expires: 1991-05-03
Abstract
Abstract A device is activated into first and second different states for differing time intervals in response to periodic pulses from a first clock pulse source which increments a first counter. A second counter is reset by each pulse of the first clock source and is incremented by pulses from a second clock source having a frequency greater than the frequency of the pulses derived from the first clock source. In response to the counts of the two counters being the same, a comparator derives an output response. The device is activated to the first state during the time interval between pulses from the first clock source and the output response and is activated into the second state for a time interval between the derivation of the output response and the next succeeding pulse from the first clock source. In one particular use, the system is employed for alternately connecting a battery to a battery charger and load for simulating the charging and discharging characteristics, respectively, of the battery as if it were located on a synchronous artificial earth satellite.
Inventors
- 👤 David A Baer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:37
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G15/00; H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/44; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
Apparatus for activating a device into first and second states comprising a source of periodic pulses occuring at a predetermined frequency, a first counter responsive to the periodic pulses and incremented by a count of one in response to each of said pulses, a second counter responsive to the periodic pulses and reset to a predetermined count in response to the derivation of each of the periodic pulses, means for incrementing the second counter with a periodicity much greater than the predetermined frequency, means responsive to the counts of the first and second counters for deriving an output response in response to a predetermined relationship between the counts of the first and second counters, and means responsive to the periodic pulses and the output response for activating the device into a first state once during each period between successive ones of the periodic pulses for a duration equal to the interval between the occurrence of a periodic pulse and the derivation of an output response and for activating the device into a second state for a duration equal to the remainder of the period between the successive periodic pulses.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
Apparatus for activating a device into first and second states comprising a source of periodic pulses occuring at a predetermined frequency, a first counter responsive to the periodic pulses and incremented by a count of one in response to each of said pulses, a second counter responsive to the periodic pulses and reset to a predetermined count in response to the derivation of each of the periodic pulses, means for incrementing the second counter with a periodicity much greater than the predetermined frequency, means responsive to the counts of the first and second counters for deriving an output response in response to a predetermined relationship between the counts of the first and second counters, and means responsive to the periodic pulses and the output response for activating the device into a first state once during each period between successive ones of the periodic pulses for a duration equal to the interval between the occurrence of a periodic pulse and the derivation of an output response and for activating the device into a second state for a duration equal to the remainder of the period between the successive periodic pulses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for incrementing the second counter includes means for driving the second counter with plural different periodicities, and means responsive to a predetermined count of The second counter for controlling the periodicity with which the second counter is incremented.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first counter includes means for enabling the count thereof to be selectively increased and decreased in response to attainment of a predetermined count therein, said count being advanced until attainment of said predetermined count and said count being decreased after attainment of said predetermined count.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
248 words
Apparatus for activating a battery to simulate the charge and discharge characteristics of the battery while located on an artificial earth satellite comprising battery charger means for simulating the charging characteristics of the battery as if charged by a solar array illuminated by the sun, a load simulating the drain on the battery while the solar array is not illuminated by the sun, a source of periodic pulses having a predetermined frequency, a first counter responsive to the periodic pulses and incremented by a count of one in response to each of said pulses, a second counter responsive to the periodic pulses and reset to a predetermined count once in every period defined by a pair of successive ones of the periodic pulses, means for incrementing the second counter with a periodicity much greater than the periodicity of the periodic pulses, means responsive to the counts of the first and second counters for deriving an output response in response to a predetermined relationship existing between the counts of the first and second counters, and means responsive to the periodic pulses and the output response for connecting the battery with the load once during every period between successive ones of the periodic pulses for a duration equal to the interval between the occurrence of a periodic pulse and the derivation of an output response and for connecting the battery with the battery charger means for a duration equal to the remainder of the period between the successive periodic pulses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
248 words
Apparatus for activating a battery to simulate the charge and discharge characteristics of the battery while located on an artificial earth satellite comprising battery charger means for simulating the charging characteristics of the battery as if charged by a solar array illuminated by the sun, a load simulating the drain on the battery while the solar array is not illuminated by the sun, a source of periodic pulses having a predetermined frequency, a first counter responsive to the periodic pulses and incremented by a count of one in response to each of said pulses, a second counter responsive to the periodic pulses and reset to a predetermined count once in every period defined by a pair of successive ones of the periodic pulses, means for incrementing the second counter with a periodicity much greater than the periodicity of the periodic pulses, means responsive to the counts of the first and second counters for deriving an output response in response to a predetermined relationship existing between the counts of the first and second counters, and means responsive to the periodic pulses and the output response for connecting the battery with the load once during every period between successive ones of the periodic pulses for a duration equal to the interval between the occurrence of a periodic pulse and the derivation of an output response and for connecting the battery with the battery charger means for a duration equal to the remainder of the period between the successive periodic pulses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for incrementing the second counter includes means for driving the second counter with a plurality of different periodicities, and means responsive to a predetermined count of the second counter for controlling the periodicity with which the second counter is incremented.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first counter includes means for enabling the count thereof to be selectively increased and decreased in response to attainment of a predetermined count therein, said count being advanced until attainment of said predetermined count and said count being decreased after attainment of said predetermined count.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
234 words
Apparatus for activating a battery to simulate the charge and discharge characteristics of the battery while located on a synchronous artificial earth satellite comprising battery charger means for simulating the charging characteristics of the battery as if charged by a solar array illuminated by the sun, a load simulating the drain on the battery while the solar array is not illuminated by the sun, a source of periodic pulses occurring once every 24 hours, a first counter responsive to the periodic pulses and incremented by a count of one in response to each of said pulses, a second counter responsive to the periodic pulses and reset to a predetermined count once every 24 hours in response to the derivation of each of the periodic pulses, means for incrementing the second counter with a periodicity much greater than once every 24 hours, means responsive to the counts of the first and second counters for deriving an output response in response to a predetermined relationship between the counts of the first and second counters, and means responsive to the periodic pulses and the output response for connecting the battery with the load during every 24 hour period for a duration equal to the interval between the occurrence of a periodic pulse and the derivation of an output response and for connecting the battery with the battery charger means dUring the remainder of the 24 hour period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
234 words
Apparatus for activating a battery to simulate the charge and discharge characteristics of the battery while located on a synchronous artificial earth satellite comprising battery charger means for simulating the charging characteristics of the battery as if charged by a solar array illuminated by the sun, a load simulating the drain on the battery while the solar array is not illuminated by the sun, a source of periodic pulses occurring once every 24 hours, a first counter responsive to the periodic pulses and incremented by a count of one in response to each of said pulses, a second counter responsive to the periodic pulses and reset to a predetermined count once every 24 hours in response to the derivation of each of the periodic pulses, means for incrementing the second counter with a periodicity much greater than once every 24 hours, means responsive to the counts of the first and second counters for deriving an output response in response to a predetermined relationship between the counts of the first and second counters, and means responsive to the periodic pulses and the output response for connecting the battery with the load during every 24 hour period for a duration equal to the interval between the occurrence of a periodic pulse and the derivation of an output response and for connecting the battery with the battery charger means dUring the remainder of the 24 hour period.
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) | 1975-05-16 | 1975-11-15 | 1976-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-16 | 1979-11-15 | 1980-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-16 | 1983-11-15 | 1984-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |