US3742388A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coulometer controlled method and apparatus for generating an electrical function
Assignee: Curtis Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1971-07-13
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-07-13
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for generating an electrical function utilizing a coulometer integrator which modulates an AC signal in accordance with the integral of a variable DC input current. The modulated signal is amplified and demodulated by a detector and fed to a utilization device. Both the AC signal source and the variable DC current source may be controlled by the same or separate control signals, thereby generating a signal having the form of the integral of a function multiplied by either the same function or by a different function.
Inventors
- 👤 E Finger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 01:19
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06G; G06G7/00; G06G7/12; G06G7/18; G06G7/184; G06G7/16; G06G7/163
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A function generator comprising: a signal voltage source, a variable amplitude oscillator having an input and output, means for controlling the amplitude of the output of said oscillator in accordance with said signal voltage, means for generating a current, means for modulating the output of said oscillator in accordance with the integral of said current, and means for demodulating said modulated signal to give a signal having an amplitude that is proportional to the amplitude of the output of said oscillator multiplied by the integral of said current with respect to time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A function generator comprising: a signal voltage source, a variable amplitude oscillator having an input and output, means for controlling the amplitude of the output of said oscillator in accordance with said signal voltage, means for generating a current, means for modulating the output of said oscillator in accordance with the integral of said current, and means for demodulating said modulated signal to give a signal having an amplitude that is proportional to the amplitude of the output of said oscillator multiplied by the integral of said current with respect to time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The generator of claim 1 wherein said means for modulating the output of said oscillator in accordance with the integral of said current comprises a variable capacitance coulometer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
135 words
The generator of claim 2 wherein said variable capacitance coulometer comprises: a body of non-conductive material having a bore, two columns of liquid metal positioned in said bore, an electrolyte separating the innermost ends of said columns and being in electrical contact therewith, a conductive sheath about the outer surface of said body, said conductive sheath and said liquid metal columns forming a differential variable capacitance, and means for electrically connecting said current generating means and said oscillator to said liquid metal columns, said metal from one of said columns being deposited on the other of said columns when said current is conducted through the columns of said coulometer, the change of capacitance between said columns and said sheath being indicative of the integral of the current conducted through the coulometer with respect to time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The function generator of claim 1 further comprising means for varying the amplitude of said current.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The function generator of claim 4 wherein said means for varying the amplitude of said current is said means for controlling the amplitude of the output of said oscillator, the demodulated output of said function generator being proportional to the amplitude of said output of voltage of said means for varying the amplitude of said current multiplied by the integral of said current with respect to time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The function generator of claim 5 wherein said means for modulating the output of said oscillator in accordance with the time integral of said current is a variable capacitance coulometer.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of generating an electrical function having an amplitude that is proportional to the amplitude of a first signal multiplied by the integral of a second signal comprising the steps of generating an AC signal having a controllable amplitude, controlling the amplitude of said AC signal, generating a second signal, modulating said AC signal in accordance with the integral of said second signal, and demodulating said modulated signal to give a signal having an amplitude that is proportional to said AC signal multiplied by the time integral of said second signal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of generating an electrical function having an amplitude that is proportional to the amplitude of a first signal multiplied by the integral of a second signal comprising the steps of generating an AC signal having a controllable amplitude, controlling the amplitude of said AC signal, generating a second signal, modulating said AC signal in accordance with the integral of said second signal, and demodulating said modulated signal to give a signal having an amplitude that is proportional to said AC signal multiplied by the time integral of said second signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said modulating step further comprises conducting said AC signal and said second signal through the liquid metal columns of a coulometer, varying the output capacitance of said coulometer in accordance with the time integral of said second signal, and detecting said AC signal across said output capacitance of said coulometer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of controlling the amplitude of said second signal.
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) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |