US3694745A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and circuit for providing a frequency meter having improved gate period means
Assignee: Aiken Industries Inc
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Filing: 1971-08-13
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Granted: 1972-09-26
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Expires: 1991-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A frequency meter in which a reference voltage is applied to an integrator circuit for the time period required to count out a given reference frequency, and the polarity of the reference voltage is then switched discharging the integrator circuit for the same time period to provide a fixed gate time period for counting the Hertz of an unknown frequency and displaying same.
Inventors
- 👤 Guy A Thrap
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R23/00; G01R23/02; G01R23/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A frequency meter for determining the frequency of a given signal comprising, an integrator circuit and a counter means, first means including said counter means for charging said integrator circuit for a first given time period, second means for discharging said integrator circuit for a second time period that is the same time period as said first given time period, said counter means being responsive to said second means for counting the cycles of the given signal for said second time period, and means for displaying the number of cycleS counted by said counter means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A frequency meter for determining the frequency of a given signal comprising, an integrator circuit and a counter means, first means including said counter means for charging said integrator circuit for a first given time period, second means for discharging said integrator circuit for a second time period that is the same time period as said first given time period, said counter means being responsive to said second means for counting the cycles of the given signal for said second time period, and means for displaying the number of cycleS counted by said counter means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
A frequency meter as claimed in claim 1 including, means for supplying a reference frequency signal to said counter means, and said counter means provides a first control signal to said first means upon starting to court the cycles of said reference frequency signal and a second control signal to said first means and a third control signal to said second means upon said counter means counting a given number of cycles of said first control signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A frequency meter as claimed in claim 2 in which, said first means includes means for connecting a source of constant DC voltage to said integrator circuit, and said second means includes switch means responsive to said third control signal for switching the polarity of said DC voltage source across said integrator circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A frequency meter as claimed in claim 3 including, zero detector means for detecting a zero potential condition of said integrator circuit and in response to such detection providing an output signal resetting said counter means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A frequency meter as claimed in claim 4 including, control means responsive to said counter means and said zero detector for providing control signals to said first means and said second means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A frequency meter as claimed in claim 5 in which, said given number of counted signals of said first control signal comprises the full count of said counter means, and said control means is responsive to a signal from said counter means upon said counter means reaching a full count for de-energizing said first means and energizing said second means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
78 words
The method of counting a frequency comprising the steps of, counting with a counter the cycles of a given reference frequency to the full count of the counter, charging an electrical power storage device with a reference DC voltage during the period of the counting, discharging the storage device by said reference DC voltage, counting the cycles of a signal frequency of interest during the period of discharging the storage device, and displaying the number of cycles counted.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
78 words
The method of counting a frequency comprising the steps of, counting with a counter the cycles of a given reference frequency to the full count of the counter, charging an electrical power storage device with a reference DC voltage during the period of the counting, discharging the storage device by said reference DC voltage, counting the cycles of a signal frequency of interest during the period of discharging the storage device, and displaying the number of cycles counted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 is characterized by said electrical power storage device being an integrator circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 including the step of, dividing the frequency of the signal of interest to the range of the counter.
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) | 1975-09-26 | 1976-03-27 | 1976-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-26 | 1980-03-27 | 1980-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-26 | 1984-03-27 | 1984-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |