US3673502A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Voltage sensing switch
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1971-05-10
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Granted: 1972-06-27
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Expires: 1991-05-10
Abstract
Abstract An improved electronic switch for sensing a voltage applied to either an inverting or a noninverting input of one of two voltage amplifiers uses an alternating sweep voltage applied to one input of each amplifier and means for connecting the output of each amplifier to an input of the other amplifier so that switching of the output state of either amplifier suppresses switching of the other amplifier during any sweep voltage cycle; which one of the two amplifiers changes its output state during any cycle is determined by the polarity and magnitude of the voltage being sensed after a nearly constant time within each cycle.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Gardner Swain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:45
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K3/00; H03K3/02; H03K3/26; H03K3/28; H03K3/281; H03K3/286; H03K3/2893; H03K3/023; H03K3/0233; H03K3/02337
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A voltage-sensing switching circuit comprising: two voltage amplifiers each with an inverting and a noninverting input; a source of alternating voltage applied to one input of each amplifier; means for applying the d.c. voltage input signal being sensed to one input of one amplifier; means for applying other d.c. potentials to the remaining inputs of the amplifiers; means for each amplifier connected between its output and an input of the other amplifier to suppress the switching of the other amplifier in any alternating voltage cycle after the amplifier switches its output state, and continuing to suppress until the switched amplifier is switched back to its original state by said alternating voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A voltage-sensing switching circuit comprising: two voltage amplifiers each with an inverting and a noninverting input; a source of alternating voltage applied to one input of each amplifier; means for applying the d.c. voltage input signal being sensed to one input of one amplifier; means for applying other d.c. potentials to the remaining inputs of the amplifiers; means for each amplifier connected between its output and an input of the other amplifier to suppress the switching of the other amplifier in any alternating voltage cycle after the amplifier switches its output state, and continuing to suppress until the switched amplifier is switched back to its original state by said alternating voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising in addition means for balancing said amplifier to cause the output of a selected one of said amplifiers to be on the verge of switching its output state in response to said alternating voltage when said sensed voltage has a particular value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of said d.c. potentials is a reference potential applied to another input than the one to which the d.c. voltage input signal being sensed is applied.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said voltage amplifiers are operational amplifiers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 having a diode with its anode connected to the amplifier output and its cathode to the inverting input of the other amplifier as said means to suppress switching.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 having a diode with its cathode connected to the amplifier output and its anode to the inverting input of the other amplifier as said means to suppress switching.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising in addition means for providing negative feedback to each amplifier by connecting a resistor from the output of each amplifier to its inverting input.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 7 comprising in addition means for providing positive feedback to each amplifier by connecting a resistor from the output of each amplifier to its noninverting input.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |