US3764962A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit for water depth meter
Assignee: Vexilar Inc
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Filing: 1972-01-10
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Granted: 1973-10-09
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Expires: 1992-01-10
Abstract
Abstract A depth meter for use in water, which has a rotating disc carrying a light emitting diode that lights up to give depth indications. The rotating disc also carries a magnet which is used to generate a signal to initiate transmission of a high frequency signal through a crystal. The crystal receives any returned signal reflected from the bottom or an object in the water. The reflected signal is amplified, and a pulse discrimination circuit is used to determine if the amplified signal is acceptable. An acceptable signal trips a power circuit to a light emitting diode to indicate the depth of the bottom or object causing the reflected signal.
Inventors
- 👤 C Bartel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/523; G01S7/526; G01S7/527; G01S7/56; G01S7/58; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
311 words
A depth indicator device for use in water comprising transducer means for transmitting a first signal through the water, said transducer means receiving reflected return signals when said first signal is reflected from surfaces, circuit means powering said transducer means, said circuit means including rotating drive means, signal means carried by said rotating drive means, and means to sense position of said signal means at each revolution of said rotating drive means and to deliver a control signal therefrom including high gain amplifier means for amplifying the control signal from said signal means, said high gain amplifier means providing an output pulse, a signal transmitting circuit connected to said transducer, transmission timing means connected to be responsive to said output pulse and connected to control said transmitting circuit, said output pulse triggering said transmission timing means to cause the transmitting circuit to transmit a selected signal through said transducer means into the water for a length of time set by said transmission timing means, said selected signal reflecting to provide a reflected return signal to said transducer means after striking a surface, second amplifier means having an input connected to receive reflected return signals from said transducer means and having an output providing an amplified reflected return signal, detector means for detecting signals at the output of said second amplifier means, signal discriminator means for determining the duration of signals at the output of said second amplifier means in relation to a preselected time period, said signal discriminator means rejecting signals of less than said preselected time period, indicator means connected to the output of said signal discriminator means, said indicator means including power drive means for driving an indicator to indicate whEn a reflected signal has been received by the transducer and which has not been rejected by said signal discriminator means during each revolution of said rotating drive means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
311 words
A depth indicator device for use in water comprising transducer means for transmitting a first signal through the water, said transducer means receiving reflected return signals when said first signal is reflected from surfaces, circuit means powering said transducer means, said circuit means including rotating drive means, signal means carried by said rotating drive means, and means to sense position of said signal means at each revolution of said rotating drive means and to deliver a control signal therefrom including high gain amplifier means for amplifying the control signal from said signal means, said high gain amplifier means providing an output pulse, a signal transmitting circuit connected to said transducer, transmission timing means connected to be responsive to said output pulse and connected to control said transmitting circuit, said output pulse triggering said transmission timing means to cause the transmitting circuit to transmit a selected signal through said transducer means into the water for a length of time set by said transmission timing means, said selected signal reflecting to provide a reflected return signal to said transducer means after striking a surface, second amplifier means having an input connected to receive reflected return signals from said transducer means and having an output providing an amplified reflected return signal, detector means for detecting signals at the output of said second amplifier means, signal discriminator means for determining the duration of signals at the output of said second amplifier means in relation to a preselected time period, said signal discriminator means rejecting signals of less than said preselected time period, indicator means connected to the output of said signal discriminator means, said indicator means including power drive means for driving an indicator to indicate whEn a reflected signal has been received by the transducer and which has not been rejected by said signal discriminator means during each revolution of said rotating drive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said indicator means comprises a light emitting diode means, and said power drive means supplies current to said light emitting diode means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said circuit means is mounted onto a circuit board, and said rotating drive means comprises a disc-like member rotating substantially parallel to and adjacent said circuit board, said signal means comprising a magnet mounted on said disc member, and said means to sense said signal means comprising a coil mounted on said circuit board positioned in the annular path of said magnet and in position wherein the magnetic field from said magnet passes across said coil as said disc rotates to generate said control signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
97 words
The combination as specified in claim 3 wherein said high gain amplifier means for said control signal comprises a bias control transistor having a collector, emitter and base, means providing a normal bias voltage on the base of said transistor, and said coil being connected in the circuit to the base of said transistor whereby voltage generated in said coil by passage of the magnet adjacent said coil is in series opposition to the voltage normally on said base and whereby the collector of said transistor raises in potential when a voltage is generated in said coil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination as specified in claim 4 wherein said means providing a transmission of signals through said transducer comprises a high frequency oscillator, and drive means to said oscillator, said drive means including a first resistance-capacitor timing clock network, the change in potential at the collector of said bias control transistor triggering action of said first resistance-capacitance network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
151 words
The combination as specified in claim 1 and means to deliver a secondary signal when the return from said transducer is less than a preselected time after the transmission of the first signal through said transducer means, said means to deliver a secondary signal including means to generate a signal proportional to the time after ceasing the transmission of said first signal through said transducer, comparator means to compare the signal generated by said means to generate said proportional signal with a selected signal level, three input gate means delivering an output signal whenever transmission of said transmitted signal has ceased and the signal discriminator gives an output prior to the time when the signal from the means delivering said signal proportional to time equals said comparator signal, and separate indicator means connected to the output of said gate means to give an indication when the gate means delivers an output.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination as specified in claim 6 wherein said separate indicator means comprises an audible signal, and means connected to the output of said gate means to lock said audible signal on for a length of time sufficient to be discerned by human ear.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
The combination as specified in claim 6 wherein said means to develop a signal proportional to time comprises an operational amplifier having an output proportional to the difference between two inputs, a feedback connection between the output of said operational amplifier and one input thereto, capacitance means in said feedback connection to cause generation of an output voltage function from said operational amplifier means, and means to short said capacitance means for a preselected length of time during the transmission of a signal through said transducer at the start of each cycle of said rotating drive means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
The combination as specified in claim 8 wherein said comparator means comprises a second operational amplifier having differential inputs and an open loop gain output, one of the inputs to said second operational amplifier being connected to the output of saiD first mentioned operational amplifier, and the other input of said second operational amplifier being connected to an adjustable voltage source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination as specified in claim 9 and means connected to the output of said second operational amplifier effective to deliver a signal energizing said first indicator means for a preselected length of time whenever the second operational amplifier first delivers an output signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
229 words
In a water depth meter including means for transmitting signals through a transducer and receiving reflected signals from a surface reflecting said transmitted signals, first means to indicate when the reflected signals are received in relation to the time when the reflected signals were first transmitted through said transducer, and second means to give a warning when a signal is returned less than a preselected time after the transmission of said signals through said transducer, said means to give said warning comprising a first operational amplifier, said first amplifier having a differential input, and one of said inputs being connected through a capacitance feedback loop whereby the output of said operational amplifier is a straight line voltage function in relation to time, means to initiate said voltage function at a preselected time in relation to the initiation of transmission of said transmitted signal, and comparator means to determine when said voltage function reaches a preselected level comprising a second operational amplifier having an open loop gain output and a differential input, a first of the differential inputs to said second operational amplifier being connected to receive the output from said first operational amplifier, and a second of said inputs to said second amplifier comprising an adjustable voltage source means, and means to deliver a warning when a reflected signal has been received before the comparator means delivers an output.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
229 words
In a water depth meter including means for transmitting signals through a transducer and receiving reflected signals from a surface reflecting said transmitted signals, first means to indicate when the reflected signals are received in relation to the time when the reflected signals were first transmitted through said transducer, and second means to give a warning when a signal is returned less than a preselected time after the transmission of said signals through said transducer, said means to give said warning comprising a first operational amplifier, said first amplifier having a differential input, and one of said inputs being connected through a capacitance feedback loop whereby the output of said operational amplifier is a straight line voltage function in relation to time, means to initiate said voltage function at a preselected time in relation to the initiation of transmission of said transmitted signal, and comparator means to determine when said voltage function reaches a preselected level comprising a second operational amplifier having an open loop gain output and a differential input, a first of the differential inputs to said second operational amplifier being connected to receive the output from said first operational amplifier, and a second of said inputs to said second amplifier comprising an adjustable voltage source means, and means to deliver a warning when a reflected signal has been received before the comparator means delivers an output.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination as specified in claim 11 and second means to operate said first means comprising a timing circuit tripped by an output of said second operational amplifier operable to operate said first means for substantially the same period of time as a reflected signal operates said first means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
90 words
The combination as specified in claim 11 wherein said first means comprises a light emitting means, a rotating disc means carrying said light emitting means, and means to initiate a transmission of said transmitted signal at a preselected position during each rotation of said rotating disc means, comprising a magnet member and a coil member, one mounted on said rotating disc and the other spaced from and fixed with respect thereto, the magnet and coil being positioned to deliver a control signal each time the rotating disc rotates one revolution.
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) | 1976-10-08 | 1977-04-09 | 1977-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-08 | 1981-04-09 | 1981-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-08 | 1985-04-09 | 1985-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |