US3681631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Generator of electrical signal pulses
Assignee: Neptune Meters Ltd
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Filing: 1971-07-19
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Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1991-07-19
Abstract
Abstract This generator of electrical signal pulses is intended for use in a remote meter reading system in which the generator is driven by a meter, e.g., a water meter, and produces a single pulse upon the completion of a predetermined number of revolutions of the meter rotor.
Inventors
- 👤 Franz Haener
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:39
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K39/00; G; G01; G01F; G01F15/00; G01F15/06; G01F15/061; G01F15/063; H02K35/00; H02K35/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A generator of electrical signals, comprising: a. a cylindrical permanent magnet assembly having two poles of opposite polarity spaced apart along the axis of the assembly and directed radially of said axis; b. a cylindrical magnetic circuit assembly concentric with the magnet assembly and comprising: 1.two radially extending flanges spaced apart along said axis by a distance substantially equal to the axial spacing between the poles; and 2.an axially extending core connecting said flanges; c. means supporting the magnet assembly and the magnetic circuit assembly for relative axial movement; d. means including said magnet assembly biasing the assemblies toward rest positions in which the poles are radially aligned with the flanges; e. means holding one of said assemblies against axial movement; f. means for driving the other of said assemblies away from its rest position for a predetermined distance and then releasing it for restoration by the biasing means to its rest position; and g. a coil encircling said axis and having an electrical signal potential induced therein during relative axial movement of said two assemblies.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A generator of electrical signals, comprising: a. a cylindrical permanent magnet assembly having two poles of opposite polarity spaced apart along the axis of the assembly and directed radially of said axis; b. a cylindrical magnetic circuit assembly concentric with the magnet assembly and comprising: 1.two radially extending flanges spaced apart along said axis by a distance substantially equal to the axial spacing between the poles; and 2.an axially extending core connecting said flanges; c. means supporting the magnet assembly and the magnetic circuit assembly for relative axial movement; d. means including said magnet assembly biasing the assemblies toward rest positions in which the poles are radially aligned with the flanges; e. means holding one of said assemblies against axial movement; f. means for driving the other of said assemblies away from its rest position for a predetermined distance and then releasing it for restoration by the biasing means to its rest position; and g. a coil encircling said axis and having an electrical signal potential induced therein during relative axial movement of said two assemblies.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A generator as in claim 1, in which said driving means moves the other assembly relatively slowly away from its rest position, and the biasing means moves the assembly rapidly back toward its rest position, so that said coil produces a substantially larger signal during the restoration of the other assembly to its rest position than during its movement away from that position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
88 words
A generator as defined in claim 2, in which said driving means comprises: a. a first cylindrical cam element encircling said axis and connected to said other assembly for axial movement therewith; b. a second cam element encircling the axis and connected to said one assembly and cooperating with the first cam element; and c. means holding one of the cam elements against rotation; and d. means for rotating the other cam element so that the cam elements engage and produce relative axial movement of the two assemblies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
A generator as in claim 3, in which: a. one of the cam elements has circularly spaced helical risers separated by axially extending recesses; b. the other cam element includes circularly spaced projections which engage the helical risers during rotation of said driven assembly, and which becomes aligned with said recesses after passing beyond the high ends of the risers, whereupon said biasing means becomes effective to restore the driven assembly rapidly to its rest position and thereby to generate a substantial signal potential in said coil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A generator as in claim 3, in which the drive means includes a peripheral gear on the other assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A generator as in claim 1, in which the coil is supported on the magnetic circuit assembly between the flanges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A generator as in claim 1, in which said biasing means includes a spring compressed by said other assembly as it moves through said predetermined distance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A generator as in claim 7, in which said spring is compressed only during the latter part of the travel of said other assembly through said predetermined distance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A generator as in claim 1, in which said driving means permits limited overtravel of the other assembly during its restoration to its rest position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A generator as in claim 9, in which said overtravel is limited to about 25 percent of the distance between the position of maximum displacement and the rest position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A generator as in claim 9, including resilient stop means for limiting said overtravel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A generator as in claim 9, in which said assemblies have mating conical surfaces for limiting the overtravel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-01 | 1976-01-31 | 1976-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-01 | 1980-01-31 | 1980-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-01 | 1984-01-31 | 1984-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |