US3705342A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dc voltage regulator and impedance converter
Assignee: METRODATA CORP
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Filing: 1971-06-21
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Granted: 1972-12-05
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Expires: 1991-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A voltage regulator and impedance converter is interposed in the connections between a DC power supply and an intercom system having common communication and power circuits. The regulator and converter comprises a series connection of a resistor and an amplifier, preferably two transistors connected in a Darlington configuration. The amplifier regulates the DC output voltage under control of a source reference diode which is coupled to the amplifier''s control electrode through a pair of limiting diodes and a second resistor. The amplifier is connected as an emitter follower, and the output voltage is regulated at the reference voltage of the reference diode minus the base-emitter voltage drop of the amplifier''s transistors. Output transient voltage swings are limited to the forward drops of the limiting diodes. A connection is also provided from the output to the amplifier''s control electrode through a capacitor. The RC time constant of the second capacitor and the second resistor connected to the amplifier''s control electrode provides an output impedance which is low at DC and relatively high at voice frequencies, allowing the use of many communication sets on the common communication and power circuits.
Inventors
- 👤 James A Dalke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 02:29
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05F; G05F3/00; G05F3/02; G05F3/08; G05F3/10; G05F3/16; G05F3/18; H; H04; H04M; H04M19/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
An improved intercommunications system comprising: a. a plurality of voice communication and power circuits, b. at least one intercommunication means coupled to each of said plurality of voice communication and power circuits, each of said intercommunication means including a transmitter and a receiver, c. means providing selective interconnection paths between said voice communication and power circuits, d. a source of DC supply voltage, e. a plurality of voltage regulation and impedance conversion circuits, each of said circuits coupling said source of DC supply voltage to one of said voice communication and power circuits and including 1. an amplifier having input, output and control terminals, 2. means coupling the source of DC supply voltage to said input terminal, 3. means coupling the communication and power circuit to said output terminal, 4. means deriving from said source of DC supply voltage a reference voltage, 5. resistance means coupling said reference voltage to said control terminal, and 6. energy storage means connected between said output terminal and said control terminal, the values of said energy storage means and said resistance means being chosen so as to provide an impedance at said output terminal which is low in DC and which gradually increases to a relatively high value at AC frequencies in the voice range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
An improved intercommunications system comprising: a. a plurality of voice communication and power circuits, b. at least one intercommunication means coupled to each of said plurality of voice communication and power circuits, each of said intercommunication means including a transmitter and a receiver, c. means providing selective interconnection paths between said voice communication and power circuits, d. a source of DC supply voltage, e. a plurality of voltage regulation and impedance conversion circuits, each of said circuits coupling said source of DC supply voltage to one of said voice communication and power circuits and including 1. an amplifier having input, output and control terminals, 2. means coupling the source of DC supply voltage to said input terminal, 3. means coupling the communication and power circuit to said output terminal, 4. means deriving from said source of DC supply voltage a reference voltage, 5. resistance means coupling said reference voltage to said control terminal, and 6. energy storage means connected between said output terminal and said control terminal, the values of said energy storage means and said resistance means being chosen so as to provide an impedance at said output terminal which is low in DC and which gradually increases to a relatively high value at AC frequencies in the voice range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
means coupling the source of DC supply voltage to said input terminal,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
means coupling the source of DC supply voltage to said input terminal,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said voltage regulation and impedance conversion circuits includes first and second diodes connected in reverse-parallel between said reference voltage source and said control terminal of said amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
means coupling the communication and power circuit to said output terminal,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
means coupling the communication and power circuit to said output terminal,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
An improved intercommunications system as recited in claim 1, wherein said amplifier comprises first and second transistors, the base of said first transistor being said control terminal, the emitter of said second transistor being said output terminal, the collectors of said first and second transistors being coupled together and being said input terminal, and the emitter of said first transistor being connected to the base of said second transistor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
145 words
An improved intercommunications system comprising: a. a common voice communications and power circuit, b. a plurality of intercommunications means coupled to said common voice communications and power circuit, each of said intercommunications means including a transmitter and a receiver, c. a source of DC supply voltage, d. a voltage regulation and impedance conversion circuit, said circuit coupling said souRce of DC supply voltage to said common voice communications and power circuit and including: i. an amplifier having input, output and control terminals ii. reference voltage means supplying a DC signal to said control terminal for controlling the voltage on said output terminal, and iii. feedback means coupled between said output terminal for coupling to said control terminal only those portions of any AC signals appearing on the output terminal thereof which have frequencies within the voice range for controlling the impedance at said output terminal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
145 words
An improved intercommunications system comprising: a. a common voice communications and power circuit, b. a plurality of intercommunications means coupled to said common voice communications and power circuit, each of said intercommunications means including a transmitter and a receiver, c. a source of DC supply voltage, d. a voltage regulation and impedance conversion circuit, said circuit coupling said souRce of DC supply voltage to said common voice communications and power circuit and including: i. an amplifier having input, output and control terminals ii. reference voltage means supplying a DC signal to said control terminal for controlling the voltage on said output terminal, and iii. feedback means coupled between said output terminal for coupling to said control terminal only those portions of any AC signals appearing on the output terminal thereof which have frequencies within the voice range for controlling the impedance at said output terminal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
means deriving from said source of DC supply voltage a reference voltage,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
means deriving from said source of DC supply voltage a reference voltage,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
resistance means coupling said reference voltage to said control terminal, and
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
resistance means coupling said reference voltage to said control terminal, and
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
69 words
An improved intercommunications system as recited in claim 4, wherein said amplifier comprises first and second transistors, the base of said first transistor being said control terminal, the emitter of said second transistor being said output terminal, the collectors of said first and second transistors being coupled together and being said input terminal, and the emitter of said first transistor being connected to the base of said second transistor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
115 words
An improved intercommunications system as recited in claim 4, wherein said feedback means of said voltage regulation and impedance conversion circuit comprises a capacitor connected from the output terminal of said amplifier therein to said control terminal, and wherein said reference voltage means of said circuit comprises a zener diode coupled to the source of the DC supply voltage, and further comprising a resistance means coupling said zener diode to said control terminal, the values of said capacitor and said resistance means being chosen so as to provide an impedance at said output terminal which is low at DC and which gradually increases to a relatively high value at AC frequencies in the voice range.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
energy storage means connected between said output terminal and said control terminal, the values of said energy storage means and said resistance means being chosen so as to provide an impedance at said output terminal which is low in DC and which gradually increases to a relatively high value at AC frequencies in the voice range.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
energy storage means connected between said output terminal and said control terminal, the values of said energy storage means and said resistance means being chosen so as to provide an impedance at said output terminal which is low in DC and which gradually increases to a relatively high value at AC frequencies in the voice range.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
An improved intercommunications system as recited in claim 6, wherein said voltage regulation and impedance conversion circuit includes first and second diodes connected in reverse-parallel between said zener diode and said control terminal of said amplifier.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
155 words
In an intercommunications system comprising a common communications and power circuit and a source of DC supply voltage, a new use for a voltage regulation and impedance conversion circuit, said circuit comprising an amplifier having input, output and control terminals, reference voltage means for supply of a DC signal to said control terminal for controlling the voltage on said output terminal, and feedback means coupled between said output terminal for coupling to said control terminal only those portions of any AC signals appearing on the output terminal thereof which have frequencies within the voice range for controlling the impedance at said output terminal, said new use comprising the application of said circuit for isolating the source of DC supply voltage from the common communications and power circuit by applying the DC supply voltage to the amplifier''s input terminal and by coupling signals present on said amplifier''s output terminal to the common communications and power circuit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
155 words
In an intercommunications system comprising a common communications and power circuit and a source of DC supply voltage, a new use for a voltage regulation and impedance conversion circuit, said circuit comprising an amplifier having input, output and control terminals, reference voltage means for supply of a DC signal to said control terminal for controlling the voltage on said output terminal, and feedback means coupled between said output terminal for coupling to said control terminal only those portions of any AC signals appearing on the output terminal thereof which have frequencies within the voice range for controlling the impedance at said output terminal, said new use comprising the application of said circuit for isolating the source of DC supply voltage from the common communications and power circuit by applying the DC supply voltage to the amplifier''s input terminal and by coupling signals present on said amplifier''s output terminal to the common communications and power circuit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
121 words
A new use for an intercommunications system as recited in claim 8, wherein said feedback means of said circuit comprises a capacitor connected from the output terminal of said amplifier therein to said control terminal, and wherein said reference voltage means of said circuit comprises a zener diode coupled to the source of the DC supply voltage, and further comprising a resistance means coupling said zener diode to said control terminal, wherein said new use further comprises the step of choosing the values of said capacitor and said resistance means so as to provide an impedance at said output terminal which is low at DC and which gradually increases to a relatively high value at AC frequencies in the voice range.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
A new use for an intercommunications system as recited in claim 8, wherein said circuit further includes first and second diodes connected in reverse-parallel between said zener diode in said control terminal of said amplifier.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for coupling a DC supply voltage from a source thereof through an amplifier having input, output and control terminals to a common communications and power circuit, while yet isolating any intercommunications means connected to said common communications and power circuit from said source of DC supply voltage, said method comprising the steps of: a. supplying said DC supply voltage to said amplifier''s input terminal, b. coupling an output voltage appearing on said amplifier''s output terminal to said common communications and power circuit, c. regulating said output voltage by supplying a reference voltage to said control terminal of said amplifier, and d. providing an impedance at said amplifier''s output terminal which is low at DC and which gradually increases to a relatively higher value at AC frequencies within the voice range by coupling to said control terminal only those portions of any Ac signals appearing on the output terminal of said amplifier which have frequencies within the voice range.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for coupling a DC supply voltage from a source thereof through an amplifier having input, output and control terminals to a common communications and power circuit, while yet isolating any intercommunications means connected to said common communications and power circuit from said source of DC supply voltage, said method comprising the steps of: a. supplying said DC supply voltage to said amplifier''s input terminal, b. coupling an output voltage appearing on said amplifier''s output terminal to said common communications and power circuit, c. regulating said output voltage by supplying a reference voltage to said control terminal of said amplifier, and d. providing an impedance at said amplifier''s output terminal which is low at DC and which gradually increases to a relatively higher value at AC frequencies within the voice range by coupling to said control terminal only those portions of any Ac signals appearing on the output terminal of said amplifier which have frequencies within the voice range.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as recited in claim 11, further including the step of limiting the output voltage on said amplifier''s output terminal by applying said reference voltage directly to said amplifier''s control terminal whenever said output voltage exceeds said reference voltage by a predetermined amount.
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) | 1975-12-05 | 1976-06-05 | 1976-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-05 | 1980-06-05 | 1980-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-05 | 1984-06-05 | 1984-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |