US3750473A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Altimeters
Assignee: Kollsman Instrument Corp
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Filing: 1971-03-04
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Granted: 1973-08-07
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Expires: 1991-03-04
Abstract
Abstract An aircraft altimeter which provides a signal indicative of altitude represented in coded form. The altimeter includes an indicator dial, one or more pointers driven by a pointer shaft, and an evacuated capsule coupled to the pointer shaft via a linkage and differential gear mechanism associated with a main shaft cooperating with the linkage such as to effect rotation of the pointer shaft in response to changes in atmospheric pressure with altitude. An encoder disc, which has opaque and non-opaque portions in coded form, is mounted on the main shaft and a light source arranged to direct light on to the disc together with sensing means responsive to the light passing through the disc provide a coded signal representation of the movement imparted to the pointer shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 J Bennett
- 👤 J Read
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:58
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C5/00; G01C5/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
In an altimeter having an evacuated capsule deflectable in accordance with pressure, means for converting the deflection motion of the capsule to corresponding rotAry motion, and an altimeter display responsive to applied rotary motion for indicating altitude, the combination comprising first, second, and third drive trains each for transmitting rotary motion and each having an input and an output, the first of said drive trains having its input connected to be driven by the motion converting means, means responsive to the rotary motion transmitted by the first drive train for producing an electrical signal representative of altitude referenced to a predetermined pressure reference datum, the second of said drive trains having its output connected to apply rotary motion to said altimeter display, control means for selectively driving the input of the third drive train to thereby effect rotary motion transmission thereby, and differential means operatively connecting the input of the second drive train with the outputs of the first and third drive trains to effect rotary motion transmission through the second drive train in accordance with rotary motion transmitted through either of the first and third drive trains, respectively, whereby said altitude display can be adjusted through said control means to display altitude referenced to any selected pressure reference datum with the electric signal remaining referenced to the predetermined datum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
In an altimeter having an evacuated capsule deflectable in accordance with pressure, means for converting the deflection motion of the capsule to corresponding rotAry motion, and an altimeter display responsive to applied rotary motion for indicating altitude, the combination comprising first, second, and third drive trains each for transmitting rotary motion and each having an input and an output, the first of said drive trains having its input connected to be driven by the motion converting means, means responsive to the rotary motion transmitted by the first drive train for producing an electrical signal representative of altitude referenced to a predetermined pressure reference datum, the second of said drive trains having its output connected to apply rotary motion to said altimeter display, control means for selectively driving the input of the third drive train to thereby effect rotary motion transmission thereby, and differential means operatively connecting the input of the second drive train with the outputs of the first and third drive trains to effect rotary motion transmission through the second drive train in accordance with rotary motion transmitted through either of the first and third drive trains, respectively, whereby said altitude display can be adjusted through said control means to display altitude referenced to any selected pressure reference datum with the electric signal remaining referenced to the predetermined datum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
In an altimeter in accordance with claim 1 and further including means responsive to said control means for indicating the selected pressure reference datum, the last named means including a scale having graduations non-linearly spaced in accordance with the pressure-altitude law.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
In an altimeter in accordance with claim 1 wherein the electric signal producing means comprises encoding means including a disc rotatable in accordance with the rotary motion transmitted through the first drive train, a light source arranged to direct light on to said disc and sensing means responsive to the light passing through the disc to provide said electric signal as a coded signal representation of the rotary motion transmitted through the first drive train.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-06 | 1977-02-05 | 1977-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-06 | 1981-02-05 | 1981-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-06 | 1985-02-05 | 1985-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |