Multi-point recorder with solid state programmer

Claim 2

In a multiple point recorder wherein a plurality of input channels are sequentially sensed and the values of the signals sensed at the several channels are sequentially recorded on a record member, the improvement comprised, in combination with said recorder of solid state electronic digital programming means operable to program the sequential sensing of said input channels and the recordation of the values of said sensed signals on said record member.

Claim 3

The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said digital programming means includes: means for generating a series of control signals having predetermined time intervals, said signals corresponding in time sequence with the sequential scanning of said input signals; and wherein said recorder includes: selection means selectively operable to select predetermined ones of said control signals; print means operable to effect said recordation; and actuating means responsive to said selected control signals to operate said print means in timed intervals corresponding with said selected control signals.

Claim 4

The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said digital programming means further includes: means for generating a series of pulses, each pulse being operative to cause the recordation of an identifying indicium corresponding to the related input channel; and wherein said recorder further includes: second print means operable to effect said recordation of said identifying indicium; and second actuating means responsive to said pulses to operate said second print means.

Claim 5

The invention as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said digital programming means includes: a reference signal generating means for generating a series of reference signals; second signal generating means responsive to said reference signals and operable conditionally to produce base timing signals to a fixed time relationship with respect to said reference signals; third signal generating means responsive to signals from said second signal generating means and conditionally operable to produce a plurality of recorder timing signals, each of said recorder timing signals having a different predetermined time relationship with respect to said base timing signals; first pulse generating means responsive to selected ones of said recorder timing signals to conditionally generate a plurality of control pulses with predetermined time relationships with respect to said recorder timing signals; second pulse generating means responsive to selected ones of said control pulses, selected ones of said base timing signals and selected ones of said recorder timing signals, to conditionally generate recorder coordinating and recorder actuating pulses in a predetermined sequence.

Claim 6

The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said digital programming means further includes: third pulse generating means responsive to said coordinating pulses and selected oNes of said base timing signals conditionally to generate a series of identifying indicium actuating pulses at a predetermined rate with respect to said sequential sensing of said input channels; and wherein said recorder includes: first actuating means responsive to a predetermined one of said recorder actuation pulses; first print means responsive to said actuating means and operable to effect said recordation of said values of the signals sensed at said input channels; second actuating means responsive to said identifying indicium actuating pulse; second print means responsive to said second actuating means and operable to effect the recordation of an identifying indicium corresponding to the related input channel, wherein said second print means comprises a print wheel having a plurality of marking indicia substantially equally spaced around the periphery of said print wheel.

Claim 7

The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein said recorder includes: first selection means operable to select identifying indicium actuating pulses from said series at one of a plurality of rates less than said predetermined rates; and wherein said third pulse generating means includes: first decoding means responsive to said selection means and operable in conjunction with said second signal generating means and said second pulse generating means conditionally to generate identifying indicium actuating pulses at said one of a plurality of rates less than said predetermined rate.

Claim 8

The invention as set forth in claim 6 wherein said recorder is further characterized by: first selection means operable to select identifying indicium actuating pulses from said series at a rate which is a submultiple of said predetermined rate; and wherein said third pulse generating means is further characterized by: decoding means responsive to said selection means and operable in conjunction with said second signal generating means and said second pulse generating means conditionally to generate identifying indicium actuating pulses at said rate which is a submultiple of said predetermined rate.

Claim 9

The invention as set forth in claim 7 wherein said recorder means further includes: second selection means operable to select one of a plurality of individual input channel recorder cycle times; and wherein said digital control means further includes: second decoding means responsive to said second selection means and operable in conjunction with said third signal generating means conditionally to generate pulses of a time interval representative of said selected individual channel recorder cycle times.

Claim 10

The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein said recorder further includes: servo means; position detecting means responsive to said servo means and operable to generate a signal representative of the position of said servo means with respect to said record member; alarm detecting means responsive to signals from said position detecting means conditionally to generate an alarm condition signal; and wherein said digital control means further includes: fourth pulse generating means responsive to selected ones of said third signal generating means and selected ones of said first and second pulse generating means and operable conditionally to generate alarm detecting pulses wherein said pulses conditionally actuate said alarm detecting means repetitively at a preselected time interval after the beginning of said individual input channel print cycles.

Claim 11

The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein said recorder further includes: third selection means operable to select one of a plurality of said preselected time intervals: and wherein said digital control means further includes: gating means responsive to said third selection means and operable to vary the time duration of said preselected time intervals.

Claim 12

The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein said recorder further includes: first Indexing means; third actuating means coupled to said first indexing means, and operable to effect rotation of said first indexing means; second indexing means responsive to first indexing means and coupled to said second print means and operable to effect rotation of said second print means one identifying indicium per activation of said third actuating means; and wherein said second pulse generating means includes: fifth pulse generating means responsive to said coordinating pulses and operable to produce third actuating means energization pulses.

Claim 13

The invention as set forth in claim 11 wherein said recorder includes: sixth pulse generating means coupled to said second indexing means and operable to periodically generate one cycle coordinating pulse for every 360* rotation of said second print means; scanning means responsive to one of said actuating pulses and operable to sequentially sense said input channel; seventh pulse generating means coupled to said scanning means and conditionally operable to periodically generate one cycle coordinating pulse for every 360* rotation of said scanning means; and wherein said digital control means includes: first pulse coordinating means responsive to said cycle coordinating pulses and operable to synchronizing said second print means with said scanning means.

Claim 14

The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein said digital programming means further including: second pulse coordinating means responsive to said first pulse coordinating means and a plurality of coordinating pulses external to said recorder, and operable to synchronize all of said coordinating pulses.

Claim 15

The invention as set forth in Claim 13 wherein said recorder includes: selection means operable to predetermine one of a plurality of modes of operation of said recorder; display means responsive to said values of said signals present at said input channels and operable to visually indicate the magnitude of said values; and wherein said digital control means further includes: eight pulse generating means responsive to said fourth selection means and conditionally operable to arrest the sequential scanning of said input channels, and to allow said display means to follow the variation in magnitude of any one of said input channels.

Claim 16

The invention as set forth in claim 14 wherein said recorder includes: fifth selection means; and wherein said digital control means includes: ninth pulse generating means responsive to said fifth selection means and operable to produce a pulse whereby to establish a reference starting point in time for subsequent signal generation sequensing.

Claim 17

A multiple point recorder wherein a plurality of input channels are sequentially sensed and the values of the input signals sensed at the several channels are sequentially recorded on a record member, said recorder comprising: a servo amplifier; a scanning means connecting said input channels sequentially to said servo amplifier; print means operable to effect a recordation of the signals from said input channels; servo means responsive to output signals from said servo amplifier to position said print means relative to said record member; solid state electronic digital control means operable to produce a series of control pulses for programming the operation of said recorder; first actuating means coupled to said scanning means and responsive to said control signals to selectively actuate said scanning means whereby to preform the sequential scanning of said input channels; and second actuating means coupled to said print means and responsive to selected ones of said control signals from said digital control means to actuate said print means whereby to effect a recordation on said record member in time-phase relationship to the sequential sensing of said input channels by said scanning means.

Claim 18

A multiple point recorder wherein a plurality of input channels are sequentially sensed and the values of the input signals sensed at the several channels are sequentially recorded on a record member, said recorder comprising: a servo amplifier; a scanning means connecting said input channels sequentially to said servo amplifier; print means operable to effect a recordation of the signals from said input channels; servo means responsive to output signals from said servo amplifier to position said print means relative to said record member; solid state electronic digital control means operable to produce a series of control pulses for programming the operation of said recorder; first actuating means coupled to said scanning means and responsive to said control signals to selectively actuate said scanning means whereby to preform the sequential scanning of said input channels; and second actuating means coupled to said print means and responsive to selected ones of said control signals from said digital control means to actuate said print means whereby to effect a recordation on said record member in time-phase relationship to the sequential sensing of said input channels by said scanning means.

Claim 19

The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said solid state electronic digital programming means includes an electronic multivibrator clock means as a basic timing element.

Claim 20

The invention as set forth in claim 16 wherein said solid state electronic digital control means includes an electronic multivibrator clock means as a basic timing element.