US3789352A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for testing depth finders
Assignee: Ensign Electronics Inc
•
Filing: 1972-05-25
•
Granted: 1974-01-29
•
Expires: 1992-05-25
Abstract
Abstract Depth finders are tested and calibrated on the bench without the respective transducer, by generating a delayed pulse responsive to the depth finder''s transmitted pulse, the delayed pulse being applied to the depth finder to simulate an echo pulse. Preferably, the echo pulse is in the form of spikes to shock excite the depth finder. A circuit is also provided to indicate the amplitude and width of the transmitted pulse of the depth finder.
Inventors
- 👤 E Forsyth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of testing a depth finder independently of the operating frequency thereof, wherein said depth finder is of the type having a transducer connected to terminals thereof, said method comprising operating said depth finder with said transducer disconnected from said terminals, generating a delayed series of spike pulses responsive to each output pulse from said depth finder, and applying said delayed series of pulses tO said terminals to shock excite said depth finder.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of testing a depth finder independently of the operating frequency thereof, wherein said depth finder is of the type having a transducer connected to terminals thereof, said method comprising operating said depth finder with said transducer disconnected from said terminals, generating a delayed series of spike pulses responsive to each output pulse from said depth finder, and applying said delayed series of pulses tO said terminals to shock excite said depth finder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the pulse repetition rate of said spike pulses is lower than the normal operating frequency of said depth finder.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
81 words
An apparatus for testing depth finders independently of the operating frequency thereof, said depth finders being of the type having terminals adapted to be connected to a transducer, said apparatus comprising circuit means to be connected to the terminals of said depth finder with said transducer disconnected, said circuit means comprising means responsive to eaCh output pulse from said depth finder for generating a series of delayed spike pulses, and means for applying said series of delayed pulses to said terminals.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
81 words
An apparatus for testing depth finders independently of the operating frequency thereof, said depth finders being of the type having terminals adapted to be connected to a transducer, said apparatus comprising circuit means to be connected to the terminals of said depth finder with said transducer disconnected, said circuit means comprising means responsive to eaCh output pulse from said depth finder for generating a series of delayed spike pulses, and means for applying said series of delayed pulses to said terminals.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for testing depth finders independently of the operating frequency thereof, said depth finders being of the type having terminals to which a transducer is normally connected, said apparatus being adapted to test said depth finder with its transducer disconnected, comprising circuit means connectable to said terminals, said circuit means comprising means for rectifying output pulses from said depth finder to produce an envelope waveform signal, means responsive to said waveform signal for producing a delayed gating pulse, gated oscillator means comprising means for producing a pulse train of spike pulses during the occurrence of said gating pulse, means applying said gating pulse to said gated oscillator to produce an output oscillation signal, and means for applying said output oscillation signal to said terminals of the depth finder, whereby tuned circuits of said depth finder are shock excited.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for testing depth finders independently of the operating frequency thereof, said depth finders being of the type having terminals to which a transducer is normally connected, said apparatus being adapted to test said depth finder with its transducer disconnected, comprising circuit means connectable to said terminals, said circuit means comprising means for rectifying output pulses from said depth finder to produce an envelope waveform signal, means responsive to said waveform signal for producing a delayed gating pulse, gated oscillator means comprising means for producing a pulse train of spike pulses during the occurrence of said gating pulse, means applying said gating pulse to said gated oscillator to produce an output oscillation signal, and means for applying said output oscillation signal to said terminals of the depth finder, whereby tuned circuits of said depth finder are shock excited.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus for testing depth finders of the type having terminals to which a transducer is normally connected, said apparatus being adapted to test said depth finder with its transducer disconnected, comprising circuit means connectable to said terminals, said circuit means comprising means for rectifying output pulses from said depth finder to produce an envelope waveform signal, bistable circuit means connected to be set to one state by said envelope waveform signal, threshold circuit means, charging circuit means connected to apply the output of said bistable circuit means to said threshold circuit means, means connecting the output of said threshold circuit means to set said bistable circuit means to its other stable state, whereby said threshold circuit means provides a gating pulse, gated oscillator means, means for applying said gating pulse to said gated oscillator to produce an output oscillation signal, and means for applying said output oscillation signal to said terminals of the depth finder.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus for testing depth finders of the type having terminals to which a transducer is normally connected, said apparatus being adapted to test said depth finder with its transducer disconnected, comprising circuit means connectable to said terminals, said circuit means comprising means for rectifying output pulses from said depth finder to produce an envelope waveform signal, bistable circuit means connected to be set to one state by said envelope waveform signal, threshold circuit means, charging circuit means connected to apply the output of said bistable circuit means to said threshold circuit means, means connecting the output of said threshold circuit means to set said bistable circuit means to its other stable state, whereby said threshold circuit means provides a gating pulse, gated oscillator means, means for applying said gating pulse to said gated oscillator to produce an output oscillation signal, and means for applying said output oscillation signal to said terminals of the depth finder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said gated oscillator means comprises means for producing a sinosoidal waveform voltage having an operating frequency corresponding to that of said depth finder during the occurrence of said gating pulse.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising means responsive to said envelope waveform signal for producing an output indication of the amplitude and width of said envelope waveform signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said means for producing an output indication comprises a trigger circuit, means applying said envelope waveform signal to said trigger circuit, a ramp generator connected to the output of said trigger circuit, flip-flop circuit means connected to said ramp generator for setting said flip-flop to one stable state, means applying said envelope waveform signal to said flip-flop circuit for setting it to its other stable state, and indicator means connected to the output of said flip-flop circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2522541A
Cited
US3153770A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |