Patent US3729702A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3729702A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Acoustic sensing device
Assignee: Automatic Switch Co
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Filing: 1970-12-21
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Granted: 1973-04-24
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Expires: 1990-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A sensing device having a high frequency sonic wave source that generates an acoustic beam is supplied by a fluid source at above ambient pressure serially connected through a normally open fluidic switch connected in the circuit as an OR gate. The sonic wave generator is disposed to direct an acoustic beam toward a target where it is reflected towards the control input of an acoustically sensitive fluidic receiver whose output is connected to the control input of the fluidic switch. The latter is modulated by the output of the receiver which is responsive to the acoustic beam in such a way that the fluidic switch is changed to a flow inhibiting condition by the receiver when the reflected acoustic beam is present and to a flow passing condition by the receiver when the reflected acoustic beam is absent. The sonic wave generator is thereby maintained in an oscillatory mode in an on-off sequence such as an equal wave multivibrator. The period of the multivibrator in the sensing device is dependent on two factors: (1) the time constant of the fluidic circuit and (2) the time of propagation of the sound from the generator to the acoustically sensitive fluidic receiver. The former is a constant which can be determined for each circuit and the latter is dependent on variable conditions external to the fluidic circuit. This permits measurement of dependent variable conditions of the system, through which the acoustic beam passes, viz. distance that the acoustic beam travels as well as temperature, density and composition of the fluid medium through which the acoustic beam travels.
Inventors
- 👤 B Beeken
- 👤 Keefe R O
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:03
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K5/00; G10K5/02; F; F15; F15C; F15C1/00; F15C1/005; G01; G01H; G01H3/00; G01H3/10; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/02; G01N29/024; G01N29/22; G01N29/24; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/02; G01S13/06; G01S13/08; G01S13/10; G01S13/12; G01S15/00; G01S15/02; G01S15/06; G01S15/08; G01S15/10; G01S15/12; G01S15/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
340 words
An acoustic sensing system comprising: a. a whistle for propagating a sonic wave in a medium, said whistle having a fluid supply inlet b. wave receiving means including a flow mode type amplifier having a signal input channel, an emitter channel and a collector output channel, said emitter channel being connected to a supply of fluid under pressure so as to cause a jet of fluid to be issued from said emitter channel towards said collector, oUtput channel, said signal input channel being adapted to receive said sonic wave and direct the same against said jet of fluid so as to thereby switch the mode of operation of said amplifier and thus vary the output pressure in said collector output channel c. a fluidic amplifier for supplying fluid pressure to said fluid inlet of said whistle under the control of said fluid output pressure in said collector output channel of said flow mode type amplifier; said fluidic amplifier having a supply channel connected to the supply of fluid under pressure, a control channel connected to the output channel of the flow mode type amplifier, and a collector channel connected to the fluid supply inlet of the whistle; said fluidic amplifier being operatively connected to change the amount of fluid pressure applied to said inlet of said whistle from a first level to a second level when said fluid output pressure from the collector output channel of the flow mode type amplifier is indicative of said sonic wave being present at said signal input channel and to reverse the amount of fluid pressure applied to said whistle fluid inlet to said first level when said sonic wave is absent at said signal input channel, said whistle producing said sonic wave only when the fluid pressure applied to its inlet is at said first level, whereby said sonic wave is intermittently automatically generated by said whistle in a periodic manner such that the wave period is a function of inter alia the distance that said sonic wave travels through said propagating medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
340 words
An acoustic sensing system comprising: a. a whistle for propagating a sonic wave in a medium, said whistle having a fluid supply inlet b. wave receiving means including a flow mode type amplifier having a signal input channel, an emitter channel and a collector output channel, said emitter channel being connected to a supply of fluid under pressure so as to cause a jet of fluid to be issued from said emitter channel towards said collector, oUtput channel, said signal input channel being adapted to receive said sonic wave and direct the same against said jet of fluid so as to thereby switch the mode of operation of said amplifier and thus vary the output pressure in said collector output channel c. a fluidic amplifier for supplying fluid pressure to said fluid inlet of said whistle under the control of said fluid output pressure in said collector output channel of said flow mode type amplifier; said fluidic amplifier having a supply channel connected to the supply of fluid under pressure, a control channel connected to the output channel of the flow mode type amplifier, and a collector channel connected to the fluid supply inlet of the whistle; said fluidic amplifier being operatively connected to change the amount of fluid pressure applied to said inlet of said whistle from a first level to a second level when said fluid output pressure from the collector output channel of the flow mode type amplifier is indicative of said sonic wave being present at said signal input channel and to reverse the amount of fluid pressure applied to said whistle fluid inlet to said first level when said sonic wave is absent at said signal input channel, said whistle producing said sonic wave only when the fluid pressure applied to its inlet is at said first level, whereby said sonic wave is intermittently automatically generated by said whistle in a periodic manner such that the wave period is a function of inter alia the distance that said sonic wave travels through said propagating medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said whistle includes a cavity, and said cavity and said signal input channel are mutually spaced from the surface of a sound reflecting medium to be sensed whereby said sonic wave propagated through said medium by said whistle is reflected at said surface toward said singal input channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein said flow mode type amplifier includes a first and second stage amplifier, said first stage amplifier having a first stage collector channel, said emitter groove channel and said signal input channel and said second stage amplifier having said collector channel, a second stage emitter groove channel and a second stage signal input channel, said first stage collector channel being operatively connected to said second stage signal input channel so that said signal appearing at said first stage collector channel is amplified thereby.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 3, wherein said emitter groove of said first stage amplifier includes an exponential ear having its output connected to said emitter groove and its input at the opposite end thereof and the axis of said exponential ear being substantially parallel to the axis of said cavity of said whistle.
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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) | 1976-04-23 | 1976-10-23 | 1977-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-23 | 1980-10-23 | 1981-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-23 | 1984-10-23 | 1985-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |