US3678474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Marine speedometer and anemometer with digital readout
Assignee: Computech Inc
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Filing: 1970-09-03
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1990-09-03
Abstract
Abstract A marine speedometer and anemometer utilizing a common computer circuit and having an electro-luminescent display. A selector switch connects a pulse source and at the same time selects the proper computer circuits to produce a direct digital readout of ship or wind speed in knots or miles per hour. The pulses sources are a propeller device installed beneath the boat in the water and a cup or vane type anemometer rotor device mounted in the open where it can be driven by the wind. The digital display is mounted in a deep enclosure along with the computer circuitry and is fitted with a non-reflecting filter and window for protection against water and weather and to insure good legibility in bright or dark lighting.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:13
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/12; H03M1/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
A digital readout boat speedometer-anemometer system, providing means for counting and displaying in velocity units the electrical pulses received from an anemometer device or a water speed device over a predetermined period, including; means for resetting the electrical pulse counting portion of the system to zero prior to starting a new counting period; means for signalling the count device to start counting after it has been reset; means for providing and selecting control signals from a plurality of predetermined count time interval circuits to provide a stop count signal after the selected time interval has elapsed; means for providing a signal to a storing device to store and display digitally the sum of counts made; means for steadily holding and displaying digitally the period count just made while the consecutive period count is being made; means for selecting and providing electrical pulses to the counter at a rate proportional to the velocity of either an anemometer or a water speed device; means for interlocking the said proper predetermined count time interval with the said selected velocity source such that the sum of the period count when displayed reads directly in standard velocity units whereby said system functions to select a velocity source, count its pulses over a selected time period, then store and convert this count to a digital display while a consecutive count is being made, thus a velocity reading is continuously displayed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
A digital readout boat speedometer-anemometer system, providing means for counting and displaying in velocity units the electrical pulses received from an anemometer device or a water speed device over a predetermined period, including; means for resetting the electrical pulse counting portion of the system to zero prior to starting a new counting period; means for signalling the count device to start counting after it has been reset; means for providing and selecting control signals from a plurality of predetermined count time interval circuits to provide a stop count signal after the selected time interval has elapsed; means for providing a signal to a storing device to store and display digitally the sum of counts made; means for steadily holding and displaying digitally the period count just made while the consecutive period count is being made; means for selecting and providing electrical pulses to the counter at a rate proportional to the velocity of either an anemometer or a water speed device; means for interlocking the said proper predetermined count time interval with the said selected velocity source such that the sum of the period count when displayed reads directly in standard velocity units whereby said system functions to select a velocity source, count its pulses over a selected time period, then store and convert this count to a digital display while a consecutive count is being made, thus a velocity reading is continuously displayed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system according to claim 1 which includes circuitry and trimming devices such that the predetermined time periods can be adjusted so that installation variations in the velocity indicators either anemometers or water speed devices can be compensated for and true velocity readings displayed, this same trimming device permits adjustment to display knots or miles per hour.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
91 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the anemometer rotor for wind speed indication and submerged propeller for water speed indication provide pulses at a rate proportional to velocity, said rate being controlled by anemometer arm length and propeller angle and number of pulses generated by each revolution of same, said pulse rate chosen by design to provide updating of the display over intervals of 0.2 to 2.5 seconds to provide a pleasing and easily readable display without sacrifice of dynamic response and means to provide longer or shorter periods.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system according to claim 1 in which since the air and water driven devices provide pulses per unit of velocity and the display is in units controlled directly by the time period control, and with a plurality of predetermined time periods different scale ranges are provided to be selected by the operator as desired, permitting the operator to select various wind or ship speed ranges as desired for display.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 1 including an electroluminescent display with shades and polarized filter to permit viewing of the digital display of speed in daylight or at night without supplementary illumination.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system according to claim 1 which includes a conventional conversion circuit such that a single source of low voltage DC as available in small boats is also used to supply high voltages where required for proper operation, said circuit is designed for minimum consumption of electric power.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 1 which by sealing all cable and switch entries and enclosing the display with a transparent cover is completely sealed for use in a marine environment.
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) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |