US3697973A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Sound hazard integrator
Assignee: QUEST ELECTRONICS CORP
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Filing: 1970-03-19
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1990-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A cumulative sound exposure instrument has an alarm indicator responsive to a selected maximum instantaneous loudness level and has a second indicator which is responsive to a selected value of accumulated exposure. A register provides a continuous reading of the amount of exposure. The instrument integrates a function over time to give a reading that accumulates faster for higher loudness levels. The elements that accomplish these functions include a sound pickup system which applies a signal to a frequency compensating shaping system for shaping the signal output in accordance with an ear''s response. An amplitude responsive shaping network receives the signal and applies an output to a pulser in accordance with the function which will be integrated. The pulser output is proportional to the voltage of the input and drives a counter to accumulate an exposure reading. Minimum and maximum threshold detectors control the pulser output so that the counter is driven only when the loudness level lies between two preset limits.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan F Stevens
- 👤 Arnold A Bergson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01H; G01H3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A sound level instrument for indicating exposure to sound, comprising; a transducer which establishes an electrical signal in accordance with sensed sound; amplitude shaping means coupled to said transducer with said electrical signal constituting an input signal for establishing an amplitude shaped output which is weighted in response to amplitude of said electrical signal and is increased in amplitude in response to higher amplitude input signals; integrator means connected to said shaping means for establishing a cumulative count with time proportional to the amplitude of said shaped output; whereby said cumulative count is varied in accordance with the sensed sound, and means for establishing a signal representative of said cumulative count.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A sound level instrument for indicating exposure to sound, comprising; a transducer which establishes an electrical signal in accordance with sensed sound; amplitude shaping means coupled to said transducer with said electrical signal constituting an input signal for establishing an amplitude shaped output which is weighted in response to amplitude of said electrical signal and is increased in amplitude in response to higher amplitude input signals; integrator means connected to said shaping means for establishing a cumulative count with time proportional to the amplitude of said shaped output; whereby said cumulative count is varied in accordance with the sensed sound, and means for establishing a signal representative of said cumulative count.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The sound level instrument of claim 1 and including a minimum threshold detector operatively connecting the shaping means and integrator means and having networks which start and stop said cumulative count in response to a predetermined minimum sound level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The sound level instrument of claim 1 wherein said signal establishing means includes a digital readout apparatus driven by said integrator means and continuously indicating said cumulated count.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sound level instrument of claim 1 and including an alarm indicator means for providing a signal when said sensed sound reaches a predetermined maximum loudness level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The sound level instrument of claim 1 and including frequency shaping means connected to said transducer and to said amplitude shaping means and establishing a frequency shaped input signal to said amplitude shaping means for weighting said frequency shaped output in accordance with a predetermined scale.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sound level instrument of claim 1 wherein said amplitude shaping means comprising an amplifier and a diminishing feed back network across said amplifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
The sound level instrument of claim 1 wherein said integrator means comprises: a pulser which pulses at a rate proportional to the voltage of said amplitude shaped output, said rate being variable over a predetermined high range; a pulse divider Connected to receive said pulses; a counter driven by said pulse divider and having means for providing a counter signal when said maximum value is reached; an indicator; and a flip flop control by said counter signal and providing a conducting path to energize said indicator when said counter signal is provided.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The sound level instrument of claim 7 and including a cumulative digital register driven by said counter and indicating the per cent of a predetermined maximum cumulative exposure over time experienced by said transducer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
A sound hazard integrator for establishing an indication of the noise hazard for varied sensed sound waves, the integrator comprising, in combination: a microphone; an amplitude shaping network connected to said microphone; a pulser connected to said amplitude shaping network, said pulser having a voltage controlled pulse rate which in cooperation with said amplitude shaping network establishes a pulse rate output proportional to the sound level received by said microphone whereby said pulse rate output is varied in accordance with the sensed sound; and means for cumulating said pulse output and operative to establish a signal representative of said pulse output cumulation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
A sound hazard integrator for establishing an indication of the noise hazard for varied sensed sound waves, the integrator comprising, in combination: a microphone; an amplitude shaping network connected to said microphone; a pulser connected to said amplitude shaping network, said pulser having a voltage controlled pulse rate which in cooperation with said amplitude shaping network establishes a pulse rate output proportional to the sound level received by said microphone whereby said pulse rate output is varied in accordance with the sensed sound; and means for cumulating said pulse output and operative to establish a signal representative of said pulse output cumulation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The integrator of claim 9, and including a frequency shaping network connected to said microphone for shaping a signal applied to said amplitude shaping network, said frequency shaping network being a cascaded R-C system which discriminates against lower audible frequency waves in accordance with an A Scale weighted curve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sound level instrument of claim 1 wherein said means for establishing a signal includes an indicator for establishing a signal in response to said cumulative count.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sound level instrument of claim 1 wherein said means for establishing a signal includes a digital readout apparatus for continuously indicating said cumulated count.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
Sound level instrument of claim 1 wherein said signal establishing means includes an indicator for establishing a signal, and a flip flop controlled in accordance with said cumulative count and operative to provide a conducting path to energize said indicator when a preselected cumulative count is reached.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
141 words
A sound hazard integrator for establishing an indication of the noise hazard for varied sensed sound waves, the integrator comprising in combination; a microphone; an amplitude shaping network connected to said microphone and comprising an amplifier and feed back network which weights an output signal in accordance with a predetermined accelerated increase in amplitude for higher sound levels; a pulser connected to said amplitude shaping network, said pulser being a voltage controlled voltage to frequency converter which generates pulses at a rate proportional to the amplitude of the input signal from said amplitude shaping network and which in cooperation with said amplitude shaping network establishes a pulse output in accordance with a function of the total time at a specific decibel level divided by a predetermined total time permissible at said specific level; and a counter for cumulating said pulse output.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
141 words
A sound hazard integrator for establishing an indication of the noise hazard for varied sensed sound waves, the integrator comprising in combination; a microphone; an amplitude shaping network connected to said microphone and comprising an amplifier and feed back network which weights an output signal in accordance with a predetermined accelerated increase in amplitude for higher sound levels; a pulser connected to said amplitude shaping network, said pulser being a voltage controlled voltage to frequency converter which generates pulses at a rate proportional to the amplitude of the input signal from said amplitude shaping network and which in cooperation with said amplitude shaping network establishes a pulse output in accordance with a function of the total time at a specific decibel level divided by a predetermined total time permissible at said specific level; and a counter for cumulating said pulse output.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The integrator of claim 14 and including an indicator driven by said counter.
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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) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |