Patent US3777266A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3777266A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Programmable integrator
Assignee: Curtis Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1972-07-26
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus is disclosed for measuring the operational use of a physical system. The apparatus includes an integrator having a reversible coulometer including a bored tube made of a transparent or translucent material with a pair of electrodes connected to each end thereof. A transparent electrolyte is positioned in the bore between two columns of an opaque electrolytically platable metal. A pair of light sensitive elements, spaced from one another, are positioned on one side of the tube, and a source of light is positioned on the opposite side of the tube. At least one source of current having an amplitude which is a function of the use of the system being measured is connected to the electrodes of the coulometer through an interconnector plug. The plug includes a plurality of weighting resistors, one for each source of current, which appropriately adjust the relative contribution of each current source to the total current conducted through the coulometer. A new plug is connected between the coulometer and the current sources at the end of each integrating interval so that current conduction through the coulometer is reversed. The values of the weighting resistors may be varied from plug to plug to vary the effect that machine use has on the integrating interval.
Inventors
- 👤 E Marwell
- 👤 E Finger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R22/00; G01R22/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A programmable integrator comprising an integrator including a coulometer having a bored tube, a pair of columns of electrolytically platable metal positioned in the bore of said tube, said columns being separated by a gap filled with an electrolyte, and a pair of electrodes at each end of said tube in contact with said metal columns, at least one signal generating means, and programmable means for connecting said signal generating means to said coulometer comprising a plurality of interconnector means, said interconnector means being sequentially connected to said signal generating means and to said coulometer to conduct said signals from said signal generating means to said coulometer during an integrating interval, alternate ones of said interconnection means connecting said signal generating means to alternate terminals of said coulometer to thereby reverse current flow through said coulometer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A programmable integrator comprising an integrator including a coulometer having a bored tube, a pair of columns of electrolytically platable metal positioned in the bore of said tube, said columns being separated by a gap filled with an electrolyte, and a pair of electrodes at each end of said tube in contact with said metal columns, at least one signal generating means, and programmable means for connecting said signal generating means to said coulometer comprising a plurality of interconnector means, said interconnector means being sequentially connected to said signal generating means and to said coulometer to conduct said signals from said signal generating means to said coulometer during an integrating interval, alternate ones of said interconnection means connecting said signal generating means to alternate terminals of said coulometer to thereby reverse current flow through said coulometer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The programmable integrator of claim 1 wherein said programmable means includes means for weighting the signals generated by a plurality of said signal generating means, said weighting means adjusting the relative contribution of each of said signal generating means to the total signal conducted through said coulometer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The programmable integrator of claim 2 further comprising means for indicating the completion of an integrating interval.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The programmable integrator of claim 1 wherein said indicating means is a lamp.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The programmable integrator of claim 4 further comprising means for flashing said lamp at the completion of an integrating interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
The programmable integrator of claim 1 further comprising a source of light positioned on one side of said tube and a pair of light sensitive means positioned on the side of said tube and spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis of said tube, said integrating interval being completed when the position of said gap alters the light being received from said light source at one of said light sensitive means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The programmable integrator of claim 6 further comprising means for inhibiting the movement of said electrolytic gap past said light sensitive means at the end of an integrating interval.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
155 words
A programmable integrator for measuring the use of an apparatus comprising at least one means for generating an electrical signal which is a function of the use of at least one portion of said apparatus integrator means responsive to said electrical signals for providing an output proportional to the integral of the sum of said signals, said integral representing the use of said apparatus, programmable means for connecting said signal generating means to said integrator means, said programmable means comprising a plurality of replaceable interconnection circuits for connecting said signal generating means to said integrator means, said circuits being sequentially applied to said integrator means and said signal generating means upon the completion of each integrating interval such that alternate circuits connect said signal generating means to opposite terminals of said integrator means thereby resetting said integrator means at the beginning of each integrating interval, and means for indicating the completion of an integrating interval.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
155 words
A programmable integrator for measuring the use of an apparatus comprising at least one means for generating an electrical signal which is a function of the use of at least one portion of said apparatus integrator means responsive to said electrical signals for providing an output proportional to the integral of the sum of said signals, said integral representing the use of said apparatus, programmable means for connecting said signal generating means to said integrator means, said programmable means comprising a plurality of replaceable interconnection circuits for connecting said signal generating means to said integrator means, said circuits being sequentially applied to said integrator means and said signal generating means upon the completion of each integrating interval such that alternate circuits connect said signal generating means to opposite terminals of said integrator means thereby resetting said integrator means at the beginning of each integrating interval, and means for indicating the completion of an integrating interval.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
133 words
The programmable integrator of claim 8 wherein said integrator means includes a coulometer, said coulometer including a bored tube, a pair of columns of electrolytically platable metal positioned in the bore of said tube, said columns being separated by a gap filled with an electrolyte, and a pair of electrodes at each end of said tube in contact with said metal columns, a source of radiation positioned to one side of said tube, a pair of radiation sensitive means positioned on the side of said tube opposite said radiation source, said radiation sensitive means being spaced from one another along the longitudinal axis of said tube and being responsive to the alignment of said electrolytic gap between said radiation source and said radiation sensitive means to generate a change in signal output thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The programmable integrator of claim 11 wherein said radiation source is a source of light and said radiation sensitive means are light sensitive variable impedances.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The programmable integrator of claim 12 wherein said replaceable circuits are eAch mounted in a plug, said plug being removably connected between said integrator means and said signal generating means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
The programmable integrator of claim 8 wherein said programmable integrator comprises a plurality of means for generating an electrical signal which is the function of the use of a portion of said apparatus and the programmable means further comprises means for weighting the contribution of each of said generated signals to the total signal conducted through said integrator means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The programmable integrator of claim 12 wherein said weighting means comprises a plurality of impedances each of said impedances being connected to one of said signal generating means at one end and to said coulometer at the other end, said impedances limiting the current generated by said signal generating means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
151 words
A programmable integrator for measuring the use an apparatus comprising a plurality of means for generating an electrical signal which is a function of the use of a portion of said apparatus, integrator means responsive to said electrical signals for providing an output proportional to the integral of the sum of said signals, said integral representing the use of said apparatus, and programmable means for connecting said signal generating means to said integrator means, said programmable means comprising a plurality of replaceable interconnection circuits for connecting said signal generating means to said integrator means, said circuits including means for according different weights to the contribution of each of said generated signals to the total signal conducted through said integrator means, said circuits being sequentially applied to said integrator means and said signal generating means to vary the effect of said generated signals on the total signal conducted through said integrator means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
151 words
A programmable integrator for measuring the use an apparatus comprising a plurality of means for generating an electrical signal which is a function of the use of a portion of said apparatus, integrator means responsive to said electrical signals for providing an output proportional to the integral of the sum of said signals, said integral representing the use of said apparatus, and programmable means for connecting said signal generating means to said integrator means, said programmable means comprising a plurality of replaceable interconnection circuits for connecting said signal generating means to said integrator means, said circuits including means for according different weights to the contribution of each of said generated signals to the total signal conducted through said integrator means, said circuits being sequentially applied to said integrator means and said signal generating means to vary the effect of said generated signals on the total signal conducted through said integrator means.
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) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |