US3757519A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic circuit arrangement for controlling an exhaust gas decontaminator
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1971-12-06
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1991-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A control circuit arrangement for an exhaust gas decontaminator is provided. A voltage generating circuit produces a voltage indicative of the recurrence frequency of the ignition pulses up to a desired limit engine speed, and a differentiating stage provides from the voltage generator signal a voltage to a threshold switch indicative of the engine acceleration. The threshold voltage output signal controls operation of the exhaust gas decontaminator.
Inventors
- 👤 W Graewert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:17
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01N; F01N9/00; F01N3/00; F01N3/08; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
313 words
A threshold control electrical circuit arrangement adapted to control the operation of an exhaust gas decontaminator associated with an internal combustion engine wherein the exhaust gas decontaminator is to be actuated only when the internal combustion engine is being operated at a speed below a predetermined limit speed while having a rate of acceleration exceeding a predetermined magnitude, said electrical circuit arrangement comprising: a voltage signal generating circuit having an input terminal adapted to be connected to an internal combustion engine in such a manner as to receive the ignition pulses thereof, said voltage signal generating circuit being responsive to the ignition pulses of the internal combustioN engine for generating a voltage signal proportional to the recurring frequency of the ignition pulses and representative of the speed of the internal combustion engine, a maximum value limiting circuit connected to the output of the voltage signal generating circuit and having a predetermined maximum voltage threshold value, said maximum value limiting circuit being constructed to pass the output voltage signal from said voltage signal generating circuit to its own output provided its predetermined maximum voltage threshold value is not exceeded thereby but preventing the passage of the output voltage signal from said voltage signal generating circuit when its predetermined maximum voltage threshold value is exceeded thereby, differentiating circuit means connected to the output of said maximum value limiting circuit for producing an output voltage as the derivative with respect to time of the input voltage received thereby such that the output voltage produced by said differentiating circuit means is representative of the rate of acceleration of the internal combustion engine, and switching means operably associated with said differentiating circuit means and responsive to the output voltage of said differentiating circuit means upon said latter output voltage reaching a predetermined minimum voltage threshold value for producing an output signal adapted to actuate the exhaust gas decontaminator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
313 words
A threshold control electrical circuit arrangement adapted to control the operation of an exhaust gas decontaminator associated with an internal combustion engine wherein the exhaust gas decontaminator is to be actuated only when the internal combustion engine is being operated at a speed below a predetermined limit speed while having a rate of acceleration exceeding a predetermined magnitude, said electrical circuit arrangement comprising: a voltage signal generating circuit having an input terminal adapted to be connected to an internal combustion engine in such a manner as to receive the ignition pulses thereof, said voltage signal generating circuit being responsive to the ignition pulses of the internal combustioN engine for generating a voltage signal proportional to the recurring frequency of the ignition pulses and representative of the speed of the internal combustion engine, a maximum value limiting circuit connected to the output of the voltage signal generating circuit and having a predetermined maximum voltage threshold value, said maximum value limiting circuit being constructed to pass the output voltage signal from said voltage signal generating circuit to its own output provided its predetermined maximum voltage threshold value is not exceeded thereby but preventing the passage of the output voltage signal from said voltage signal generating circuit when its predetermined maximum voltage threshold value is exceeded thereby, differentiating circuit means connected to the output of said maximum value limiting circuit for producing an output voltage as the derivative with respect to time of the input voltage received thereby such that the output voltage produced by said differentiating circuit means is representative of the rate of acceleration of the internal combustion engine, and switching means operably associated with said differentiating circuit means and responsive to the output voltage of said differentiating circuit means upon said latter output voltage reaching a predetermined minimum voltage threshold value for producing an output signal adapted to actuate the exhaust gas decontaminator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
110 words
A threshold control electrical circuit arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said voltage signal generating circuit includes a pulse generator connected to said input terminal and responsive to the ignition pulses of the internal combustion engine for producing pulses of constant width and amplitude having a frequency proportional to the frequency of the ignition pulses, and discriminating circuit means connected to the output of said pulse generator and responsive thereto for producing a continuous voltage signal proportional to the mean DC value of the pulses applied at its input from said pulse generator, said continuous voltage signal being the output voltage signal of said voltage signal generating circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A threshold control electrical circuit arrangement as set forth in claim 2, further including a potentiometer interposed between said pulse generator and said discriminating circuit means, said potentiometer being connected to the output of said pulse generator and having an adjustable tap connected to the input of said discriminating circuit means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A threshold control electrical circuit arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said maximum value limiting circuit comprises a Zener diode connected at its input to the output of said voltage signal generating circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A threshold control electrical circuit arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said switching means includes a Schmitt trigger circuit connected at its input to the output of said differentiating circuit means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
A threshold control electrical circuit arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said differentiating circuit means includes a capacitor and an operational amplifier connected in series, said capacitor being connected to the output of said maximum value limiting circuit and said operational amplifier being connected to the input of said switching means, said operational amplifier being provided with a feedback line connected at its output and extending back to its input at a connecting terminal located between said capacitor and said operational amplifier, and a resistor included in said feedback line.
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) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |