US3668529A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Measuring closely spaced pulses using time expansion
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1971-01-11
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Granted: 1972-06-06
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Expires: 1991-01-11
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for measuring the time between first and second pulses where the time is expanded by comparing the voltage held in a first fast ramp generator with that being developed by a second slow ramp generator. The expanded time is directly proportional to the actual time between pulses and is used to gate a clock, providing a digital signal proportional to the actual time.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack R Meyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:37
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04F; G04F10/00; G04F10/10; G04F10/105; H; H03; H03K; H03K5/00; H03K5/01; H03K5/04; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/12; H03M1/50; H03M1/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for indicating the time spacing between first and second pulses comprising: means responsive to the first pulse for generating a first ramp signal with a first predetermined slope and responsive to the second pulse for storing the magnitude of the ramp signal present at the time of the second pulse; means responsive to the first pulse for generating a second ramp signal with a second predetermined slope, less than the first predetermined slope; means responsive to the stored magnitude of the first ramp signal and the instantaneous magnitude of the second ramp signal, comparing them and generating a third pulse when they are equal; clock means providing periodic pulses; and, means responsive to the first and third pulses for gating the pulses from the clock means during the time between the first and third pulses, the gated pulses being a digital representation of an expanded time which is proportional to that between the first and second pulses.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for indicating the time spacing between first and second pulses comprising: means responsive to the first pulse for generating a first ramp signal with a first predetermined slope and responsive to the second pulse for storing the magnitude of the ramp signal present at the time of the second pulse; means responsive to the first pulse for generating a second ramp signal with a second predetermined slope, less than the first predetermined slope; means responsive to the stored magnitude of the first ramp signal and the instantaneous magnitude of the second ramp signal, comparing them and generating a third pulse when they are equal; clock means providing periodic pulses; and, means responsive to the first and third pulses for gating the pulses from the clock means during the time between the first and third pulses, the gated pulses being a digital representation of an expanded time which is proportional to that between the first and second pulses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first recited means includes a ramp generator actuated by a flip-flop which is set by the first pulse and reset by the second pulse.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second slope is about 1/100th of the first slope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first slope is about 1 volt/10 nanoseconds and the second slope is about 1 volt/microsecond.
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) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |