US3783442A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Depth sounder
Assignee: ANDREA RADIO CORP
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Filing: 1972-04-10
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Granted: 1974-01-01
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Expires: 1992-04-10
Abstract
Abstract A depth sounding instrument including an oscillator for supplying AC energy to a transducer. The oscillator is keyed on by a multivibrator which produces clock pulses. Each clock pulses switches the state of a flip flop and starts a time measuring interval each time a clock pulse is supplied to the oscillator. A receiver receives the reflected sonic energy and terminates the time measuring interval of the flip-flop. A meter responds to the measured time interval to provide a visual indication of the depth from which energy was reflected.
Inventors
- 👤 G Feinman
- 👤 R Haven
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/02; G01S13/06; G01S13/08; G01S13/10; G01S13/14; G01S15/00; G01S15/02; G01S15/06; G01S15/08; G01S15/10; G01S15/14; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A depth sounder of the echo pulse ranging type comprising a transducer, oscillator means connected to said transducer to supply electrical energy thereto for conversion into source energy which is converted into an electrical signal by said transducer upon reflection, clock means for producing periodic timing signals, switching means connected to said clock means and to said oscillator means and for producing keying signals in response to said timing signals, said switching means preventing signal feedback from said oscillator means to said clock means, said oscillator being keyed into operation to produce pulses at a first rate in response to said keying signals, means responsive to a keying signal produced by said switching means to initiate a time measuring interval, means for receiving the electrical signal produced by reflected sonic energy, means responsive to said electrical signal for terminating the time measuring interval, and means responsive to the time interval measured for indicating the depth from which the sonic energy was reflected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A depth sounder of the echo pulse ranging type comprising a transducer, oscillator means connected to said transducer to supply electrical energy thereto for conversion into source energy which is converted into an electrical signal by said transducer upon reflection, clock means for producing periodic timing signals, switching means connected to said clock means and to said oscillator means and for producing keying signals in response to said timing signals, said switching means preventing signal feedback from said oscillator means to said clock means, said oscillator being keyed into operation to produce pulses at a first rate in response to said keying signals, means responsive to a keying signal produced by said switching means to initiate a time measuring interval, means for receiving the electrical signal produced by reflected sonic energy, means responsive to said electrical signal for terminating the time measuring interval, and means responsive to the time interval measured for indicating the depth from which the sonic energy was reflected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A depth sounder as in claim 1 further comprising means for selectively changing the rate of production of said timing signals produced by said clock means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A depth sounder as in claim 2 wherein said oscillator means produces substantially the same amplitude pulse level of electrical energy in response to keying signals of different rates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A depth sounder as in claim 1 wherein said clock means comprises a free-running asymmetrical type multivibrator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A depth sounder as in claim 1 wherein said means for measuring the time interval comprises a flip-flop circuit means which is set to a first state in response to the commencement of a said keying signal and to a second state in response to the electrical signal for tErminating said time measuring interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A depth sounder as in claim 5 wherein the depth indicating means comprises a current responsive meter, and means connecting said meter to said flip-flop circuit means to receive current during the time measuring interval.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A depth sounder as in claim 6 wherein said clock means comprises a free-running asymmetrical type multivibrator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A depth sounder as in claim 5 further comprising means for selectively changing the rate of production of said timing signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A depth sounder as in claim 8 wherein said oscillator means produces substantially the same amplitude pulse level of electrical energy in response to keying signals of different rates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A depth sounder as in claim 5 wherein said receiving means further comprises means for preventing the transmitted pulse from affecting the state of the flip-flop circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A depth sounder as in claim 1 wherein said receiver means includes means to limit the amplitude of the electrical signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A depth sounder as in claim 1 wherein said switching means comprises transistor means, said transistor means becoming conductive in response to said timing signals and non-conductive in the absence of said timing signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A depth sounder as in claim 12 further comprising an RF choke between said oscillator means and said switching means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3061812A
Cited
US3564490A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |