Variable rate measuring device

Claim 2

A variable rate signal measuring device comprising energy storage means, energizing means coupled to said energy storage means, means for applying a variable rate signal, energy dissipating means activated by said variable rate signal and having a linear dissipation characteristic upon activation, said dissipating means responsive to said variable rate signal for linearly dissipating energy from said energy storage means in accordance with the activation of said variable rate signal and means coupled to said energy storage means for indicating the net energy level of said energy storage means.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1, wherein said energy storage means comprises an RC circuit.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 1, wherein said energy dissipating means is a constant current generator, said constant current generator energizable in response to a signal from said means for applying said variable rate signal.

Claim 5

A signal rate measuring device comprising means for applying a series of pulses, energy storage means having a maximum charge level, linear energy dissipating means energizable by said means for applying a series of pulses for linearly discharging said energy storage means to a level determined by the rate of said series of pulses, a differential amplifier having a first input responsive to the discharged level of said energy storage means, and a second input responsive to a reference source, said differential amplifier providing an output level indicative of the rate of said series of pulses, and an activity timing means, said activity timing means connected to said energy storage means and said differential amplifier, and responsive to an increase in charge level of said energy storage means beyond a predetermined charge level for reducing said differential amplifier output level to zero.

Claim 6

A signal rate measuring device comprising means for applying a series of pulses, energy storage means having a maximum charge level, linear energy dissipating means energizable by said means for applying a series of pulses for linearly discharging said energy storage means to a level determined by the rate of said series of pulses, a differential amplifier having a first input responsive to the discharged level of said energy storage means, and a second input responsive to a reference source, said differential amplifier providing an output level indicative of the rate of said series of pulses, and an activity timing means, said activity timing means connected to said energy storage means and said differential amplifier, and responsive to an increase in charge level of said energy storage means beyond a predetermined charge level for reducing said differential amplifier output level to zero.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 4 further including means for integrating said output level, and means for digitally accumulating a count corresponding to the integral of said output level over a period of time.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 4, wherein said energy storage means comprises an RC circuit.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 4, wherein said energy dissipating means is a constant current generator, said constant current generator energizable in response to a pulse applied by said means for applying a series of pulses.

Claim 10

A signal rate measuring device comprising a normally charged energy storage means in the form of an RC circuit, a variable rate pulse producing switching means, a constant current generator coupled to said switching means and activated by closure of said switch, said constant current generator coupled to said RC circuit for linearly discharging said RC circuit in accordance with the rate of occurrence of said variable rate pulses to provide a net charge level signal representative of said rate, a differential amplifier, a reference source, said differential amplifier having a first input coupled to said RC circuit and responsive to said net charge level signal, and a second input coupled to said reference source, said differential amplifier providing an output level representing the differential of said net charge level signal above said reference source, indicating means coupled to said differential amplifier for indicating said net charge level signal, and an activity timing means, said activity timing means connected to said energy storage means and said differential amplifier, and responsive to an increase in charge level of said energy storage means beyond a predetermined charge level for reducing said differential amplifier output level to zero.

Claim 11

A signal rate measuring device comprising a normally charged energy storage means in the form of an RC circuit, a variable rate pulse producing switching means, a constant current generator coupled to said switching means and activated by closure of said switch, said constant current generator coupled to said RC circuit for linearly discharging said RC circuit in accordance with the rate of occurrence of said variable rate pulses to provide a net charge level signal representative of said rate, a differential amplifier, a reference source, said differential amplifier having a first input coupled to said RC circuit and responsive to said net charge level signal, and a second input coupled to said reference source, said differential amplifier providing an output level representing the differential of said net charge level signal above said reference source, indicating means coupled to said differential amplifier for indicating said net charge level signal, and an activity timing means, said activity timing means connected to said energy storage means and said differential amplifier, and responsive to an increase in charge level of said energy storage means beyond a predetermined charge level for reducing said differential amplifier output level to zero.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 8 further including integrating means coupled to said indicating means, and means coupled to said integrating means for digitally accumulating a count corresponding to the integral of said output level over a period of time.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 8, wherein said constant current generator comprises a transistor, means for applying a fixed potential to the base electrode of said transistor, means coupling the emitter electrode of said transistor to said switching means for periodic activation of said transistor by said switching means, and means coupling the collector electrode of said transistor to said RC circuit.

Claim 14

The combination of claim 8, wherein said activity timing means comprises a further normally charged RC circuit, and a second transistor, means coupling said RC circuit to said switching means for discharging said further RC circuit at a rate corresponding to the rate of actuation of said switching means, said second transistor responsive to a build up of charge on said further RC circuit above a predetermined limit for switching from a non-conductive to a conductive condition, said further transistor coupled across the storage element of said RC circuit of said energy storage means to completely dissipate the charge therein in response to the conductive state of said further transistor.