US3743946A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable frequency multiplier and phase shifter
Assignee: Halliburton Co
•
Filing: 1971-06-11
•
Granted: 1973-07-03
•
Expires: 1991-06-11
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for generating an output signal selectively displaced in phase from an input signal wherein the phase displacement remains the same irrespective of changes in the input signal frequency. A reference signal related in amplitude to the frequency of the input signal and a comparing signal which varies at a predetermined rate for a period of time related to the frequency of the input signal are compared, and a pulse is generated in response to the comparison. More specifically, a capacitor is charged and discharged from alternately enabled positive and negative constant current sources during successive interpulse periods of the input signal. The voltage on the capacitor is stored at the end of each charging period and the varying voltage across the capacitor is compared with one or more percentages of the stored voltage to generate output pulses. The output pulses may be combined with the input signal to provide frequency multiplication or the percentage may be made variable to provide variable phase shifting. A system for increasing the resolution of measurements obtained from a digital transducer and a system for generating selectively phase shifted control signals are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 E Gass
- 👤 F Paramore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F15/00; G01F15/02; G01F15/022; G01F15/024; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/10; G01F1/12; G01F1/125; G06; G06F; G06F7/00; G06F7/60; G06F7/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
Apparatus comprising: means for generating a reference signal related in amplitude to the duration of one cycle of an input signal; means for generating a comparing signal having an amplitude which varies at a predetermined rate for a period of time related in duration to the duration of a subsequent cycle of the input signal; and, means for generating an output pulse in response to the existence of a predetermined relationship between the amplitude of the comparing signal and the amplitude of the reference signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus comprising: means for generating a reference signal related in amplitude to the duration of one cycle of an input signal; means for generating a comparing signal having an amplitude which varies at a predetermined rate for a period of time related in duration to the duration of a subsequent cycle of the input signal; and, means for generating an output pulse in response to the existence of a predetermined relationship between the amplitude of the comparing signal and the amplitude of the reference signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for generating said reference signal includes: means for charging a capacitor at a predetermined rate for a period of time related to the duration of the period of said input signal; and, means for storing the voltage on said capacitor at the end of said period of time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for generating said comparing signal includes means for charging and discharging said capacitor at said predetermined rate for said period of time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 3 including means for combining said input signal with the generated outPut signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for generating said reference signal includes means for selecting a predetermined percentage of the voltage stored by said storing means to permit selective phase displacement between said input signal and said output signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said reference signal generating means includes means for selecting a plurality of different predetermined percentages of the amplitude of said reference signal and wherein said output signal generating means includes means for generating an output signal in response to the substantial equality of the amplitude of said comparing signal with each of said selected percentages.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
160 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for generating said reference signal includes: means for generating binary signals related in duration to said period of time; means for charging a capacitor at a substantially linear rate responsively to a first binary signal from said binary signal generating means; means for storing the value of the voltage on said capacitor after said period of time; wherein said means for generating said comparing signal includes: means for discharging and charging said capacitor responsively to binary signals generated by said binary signal generating means subsequent to the generation of said first binary signal; and including: means for generating an electrical pulse at the beginning of said period of time; means for generating an electrical pulse at the end of said period of time, the duration of said generated electrical pulses being less than the duration of said period of time; and, means for combining said generated electrical pulses with said output signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus comprising: means for successively charging and discharging a capacitor at a predetermined rate during successive interpulse periods of a series of pulses to develop a varying voltage across the capacitor; means for storing the voltage across the capacitor at the end of one of said interpulse periods; means for comparing a portion of the stored voltage with the voltage across the capacitor during a subsequent interpulse period; and, means for generating a pulse responsively to the comparing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus comprising: means for successively charging and discharging a capacitor at a predetermined rate during successive interpulse periods of a series of pulses to develop a varying voltage across the capacitor; means for storing the voltage across the capacitor at the end of one of said interpulse periods; means for comparing a portion of the stored voltage with the voltage across the capacitor during a subsequent interpulse period; and, means for generating a pulse responsively to the comparing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 8 including means for combining said generated pulse with said series of pulses to thereby increase the repetition frequency of said series of pulses.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said portion of the stored voltage is selectable to permit selective phase displacement between said generated pulse and the pulses in said series of pulses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said means for successively charging and discharging said capacitor comprises: a positive constant current source connected to said capacitor; a negative constant current source connected to said capacitor; and, means for alternately enabling said constant current source during successive interpulse periods.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means for successively charging and discharging said capacitor includes means for returning the voltage across said capacitor to the same initial voltage at the end of those interpulse periods during which the capacitor is discharged.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 12 including means for combining said generated pulse with said series of pulses to thereby increase the repetition frequency of said series of pulses.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said portion of stored voltage is selectable to permit selective phase displacement between said generated pulse and the pulses in said series of pulses.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for generating a pulse displaced in phase from a pulse in a periodic signal independently of variations in the pulse repetition rate of the input signal comprising: means for generating a reference signal related in amplitude to the interpulse period of an input signal; means for generating a comparing siGnal having a rate of change related to the amplitude of the reference signal divided by the same interpulse period of the input signal to which the reference signal is related; and, means for generating an output signal in response to the reference signal and the comparing signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for generating a pulse displaced in phase from a pulse in a periodic signal independently of variations in the pulse repetition rate of the input signal comprising: means for generating a reference signal related in amplitude to the interpulse period of an input signal; means for generating a comparing siGnal having a rate of change related to the amplitude of the reference signal divided by the same interpulse period of the input signal to which the reference signal is related; and, means for generating an output signal in response to the reference signal and the comparing signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus for generating a pulse displaced in phase from a pulse in a periodic signal independently of variations in the pulse repetition rate of the input signal comprising: means for generating a reference signal related in amplitude to an interpulse period of the input signal; means for generating a comparing signal varying in amplitude from a value related to the reference signal toward zero; and, means for generating an output pulse responsively to said reference signal and said comparing signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus for generating a pulse displaced in phase from a pulse in a periodic signal independently of variations in the pulse repetition rate of the input signal comprising: means for generating a reference signal related in amplitude to an interpulse period of the input signal; means for generating a comparing signal varying in amplitude from a value related to the reference signal toward zero; and, means for generating an output pulse responsively to said reference signal and said comparing signal.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for generating a signal displaced in phase from an input signal comprising the steps of: generating a reference signal related in amplitude to the repetition frequency of the input signal; generating a comparing signal having an amplitude which varies at a predetermined rate for a period of time related in duration to the repetition frequency of the input signal; and, generating an output signal in response to substantial equality of the amplitude of the varying signal and the amplitude of the reference signal.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for generating a signal displaced in phase from an input signal comprising the steps of: generating a reference signal related in amplitude to the repetition frequency of the input signal; generating a comparing signal having an amplitude which varies at a predetermined rate for a period of time related in duration to the repetition frequency of the input signal; and, generating an output signal in response to substantial equality of the amplitude of the varying signal and the amplitude of the reference signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 17 including the step of combining the input signal with the generated output signal whereby the frequency of the combined signal is greater than the frequency of the input signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
98 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the reference signal is generated by: charging a capacitor at a substantially linear rate for a period of time related to the repetition frequency of the input signal; storing the voltage on the capacitor after said period of time; wherein the comparing signal is generated by: charging and discharging a capacitor at the substantially linear rate for the period of time; and wherein the output signal is generated by: comparing a predetermined percentage of the reference signal with the comparing signal; and, generating a pulse when the compared signals are substantially equal.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for increasing the repetition frequency of an input signal comprising the steps of: charging a capacitor at a predetermined rate for a period of time related in duration to the repetition frequency of said input signal; sampling the voltage on said capacitor after said period of time to establish a reference voltage; thereafter discharging said capacitor at said predetermined rate; comparing the voltage of said capacitor with at least one voltage level related to a predetermined percentage of said established reference voltage; generating an output signal when the voltage on said capacitor is substantially equal to each of the established voltage levels; and, combining said output signal with said input signal whereby the repetition frequency of said combined signal is equal to the repetition frequency of said input signal multiplied by (N + 1) where N is the number of said voltage levels compared.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for increasing the repetition frequency of an input signal comprising the steps of: charging a capacitor at a predetermined rate for a period of time related in duration to the repetition frequency of said input signal; sampling the voltage on said capacitor after said period of time to establish a reference voltage; thereafter discharging said capacitor at said predetermined rate; comparing the voltage of said capacitor with at least one voltage level related to a predetermined percentage of said established reference voltage; generating an output signal when the voltage on said capacitor is substantially equal to each of the established voltage levels; and, combining said output signal with said input signal whereby the repetition frequency of said combined signal is equal to the repetition frequency of said input signal multiplied by (N + 1) where N is the number of said voltage levels compared.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for generating a pulse displaced in phase from a pulse in a periodic input signal independently of variations in the pulse repetition rate of the input signal comprising the steps of: generating a reference signal related in amplitude to an interpulse period immediately preceding the generation of the comparing signal; generating a comparing signal having a rate of change related to the amplitude of the reference signal divided by the interpulse period of the input signal to which the reference signal is related; and, generating an output signal in response to the reference signal and the comparing signal.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for generating a pulse displaced in phase from a pulse in a periodic input signal independently of variations in the pulse repetition rate of the input signal comprising the steps of: generating a reference signal related in amplitude to an interpulse period immediately preceding the generation of the comparing signal; generating a comparing signal having a rate of change related to the amplitude of the reference signal divided by the interpulse period of the input signal to which the reference signal is related; and, generating an output signal in response to the reference signal and the comparing signal.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for generating a pulse displaced in phase from a pulse in a periodic input signal independently of variations in the pulse repetition rate of the input signal comprising the steps of: generating a reference signal related in amplitude to an interpulse period of the input signal; generating a comparing signal of one polarity varying in amplitude from a value related to the reference signal toward a value of the opposite polarity and varying in amplitude at a rate related both to the amplitude of the reference signal and to the same interpulse period to which the reference signal is related; and, generating an output pulse responsively to said reference signal and said comparing signal.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for generating a pulse displaced in phase from a pulse in a periodic input signal independently of variations in the pulse repetition rate of the input signal comprising the steps of: generating a reference signal related in amplitude to an interpulse period of the input signal; generating a comparing signal of one polarity varying in amplitude from a value related to the reference signal toward a value of the opposite polarity and varying in amplitude at a rate related both to the amplitude of the reference signal and to the same interpulse period to which the reference signal is related; and, generating an output pulse responsively to said reference signal and said comparing signal.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of generating a plurality of pulses selectively displaced in phase from a pulse in a periodic input signal independently of variations in the pulse repetition rate of the input signal comprising the steps of: establishing a plurality of reference signals each selectively related in amplitude to the pulse repetition rate of the input signal; generating a comparing signal varying in amplitude at a rate related to the pulse repetition rate of the input signal; comparing the amplitude of the varying amplitude comparing signal with the amplitude of each of the reference signals; and, generating an output pulse responsively to the comparing of the equal amplitude of the comparing signal and each of the reference signals.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of generating a plurality of pulses selectively displaced in phase from a pulse in a periodic input signal independently of variations in the pulse repetition rate of the input signal comprising the steps of: establishing a plurality of reference signals each selectively related in amplitude to the pulse repetition rate of the input signal; generating a comparing signal varying in amplitude at a rate related to the pulse repetition rate of the input signal; comparing the amplitude of the varying amplitude comparing signal with the amplitude of each of the reference signals; and, generating an output pulse responsively to the comparing of the equal amplitude of the comparing signal and each of the reference signals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2602151A
Cited
US3058013A
Cited
US3314014A
Cited
US3286101A
Cited
US3322973A
Cited
US3474259A
Cited
US3518558A
Cited
US3573637A
Cited
US3600688A
Cited
US3659117A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |