US3665759A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wind direction recording system
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1970-05-27
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1990-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A signal is developed that is proportional to the position of a wind-direction vane. The positions which may be occupied by the vane are divided into a plurality of sectors. Each of the sectors develops a signal when the vane is located in such sector. A time-interval signal also is generated at regular intervals. Each signal is recorded in a separate track of a recording medium such as magnetic tape. From these recorded signals the average wind direction during a time interval may be calculated.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas J Daley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:01
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P13/00; G01P13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
A device for use in determining the average value of a variable which may fluctuate in a predetermined path comprising first means for producing a first signal representative of the presence of the variable in a first portion of the path, second means for producing a second signal representative of the presence of the variable in a second portion of the path, with the first and second portions of the predetermined path being less than the total path, third means for producing a third signal dependent in value on the position of the variable in the path, with said third signal starting at a minimum value at one end of the path and increasing to a maximum value at the other end of the path, and fourth means separately recording each of said first, second, and third signals, said recorded first and second signals indicating the time, of a predetermined period of time, spent by the variable in their associated portions of the path, the sum of said recorded first and second signals relative to a value representative of the predetermined period of time, indicating the time spent by the variable in the portion of the path other than the first and second portions, and the sums of the first, second and third signals enabling the average position of the variable in the path to be determined.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
227 words
A device for use in determining the average value of a variable which may fluctuate in a predetermined path comprising first means for producing a first signal representative of the presence of the variable in a first portion of the path, second means for producing a second signal representative of the presence of the variable in a second portion of the path, with the first and second portions of the predetermined path being less than the total path, third means for producing a third signal dependent in value on the position of the variable in the path, with said third signal starting at a minimum value at one end of the path and increasing to a maximum value at the other end of the path, and fourth means separately recording each of said first, second, and third signals, said recorded first and second signals indicating the time, of a predetermined period of time, spent by the variable in their associated portions of the path, the sum of said recorded first and second signals relative to a value representative of the predetermined period of time, indicating the time spent by the variable in the portion of the path other than the first and second portions, and the sums of the first, second and third signals enabling the average position of the variable in the path to be determined.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first means comprises means for producing pulses at a fixed rate during presence of the variable in the first portion of the path, the second means comprises means for producing pulses at a fixed rate during presence of the variable in the second portion of the path and the third means comprises means for producing pulses at a rate dependent on the position of the variable in the path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 in combination with means for producing a time interval fourth signal comprising pulses at a predetermined fixed frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 in combination with a translator for responding to each of said recorded signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
227 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said variable is wind direction, said first means comprising a wind vane rotatable in a 360* angular path about a predetermined axis to a position corresponding to instantaneous wind direction, said angular path being divided into first, second and third successive sectors, the first sector extending substantially from a point adjacent a 0* wind direction, and the third sector terminating substantially adjacent a 360* wind direction, and means for generating pulses at a fixed rate only during the presence of said wind vane in the first sector, said second means comprising means for generating pulses at a fixed rate only during the presence of said wind vane in the third sector, and the third means comprising means for generating pulses at a rate which varies from an initial rate as the wind vane rotates in one direction from a first position Corresponding substantially to a 0* wind direction to a final rate as the wind vane reaches a position adjacent the 360* wind direction, whereby each position of the wind vane between the first and second positions has a distinctive rate of pulse generation for the third signal, the rate of pulse generation for the third signal returning to said initial rate as the wind vane rotates in said one direction from the second position to the first position.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
134 words
The method of ascertaining data for use in averaging wind direction which comprises generating first pulses (C) at a rate which varies from a first value when the wind direction is adjacent 0* towards a second value (K) as the wind direction varies in a first direction of change towards a point adjacent 360* , generating second pulses (A) at a fixed rate only while the wind direction is in a first sector extending from substantially the 0* direction in said first direction for substantially less than 360* , generating third pulses (B) at a fixed rate only while the wind direction is in a second sector located between the first sector and the 360* wind direction, and counting the numbers of the first, second and third pulses occurring during a predetermined time interval.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
134 words
The method of ascertaining data for use in averaging wind direction which comprises generating first pulses (C) at a rate which varies from a first value when the wind direction is adjacent 0* towards a second value (K) as the wind direction varies in a first direction of change towards a point adjacent 360* , generating second pulses (A) at a fixed rate only while the wind direction is in a first sector extending from substantially the 0* direction in said first direction for substantially less than 360* , generating third pulses (B) at a fixed rate only while the wind direction is in a second sector located between the first sector and the 360* wind direction, and counting the numbers of the first, second and third pulses occurring during a predetermined time interval.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 6 in combination with the step of computing the average wind direction (AWD) from the numbers of the pulses A, B, C occurring during a predetermined interval by the equation: AWD 360/K (C + AK/A + B).
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) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |