US3792246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vector angle computer
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1972-11-10
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-11-10
Abstract
Abstract An output voltage proportional to the angle of a vector is provided by apparatus including a logarithmic function generator. The output voltage is proportional to the difference between the logarithm of one of two orthogonal components of the vector and the logarithm of the sum of the components. A nonlinear network may be used for providing a correction signal to correct a known deviation of the output voltage. A calibration voltage is periodically applied to the input of the function generator which, in response thereto, provides an error voltage which is fed to an integrator which drives a heater included as an integral part of the function generator, resulting in changes of the temperature of the function generator to change its transfer characteristics in a manner tending to reduce the error voltage to zero.
Inventors
- 👤 D Gilbreath
- 👤 S Kralstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:43
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06G; G06G7/00; G06G7/48; G06G7/78; G06G7/12; G06G7/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for providing output signals substantially representative of the angle of a vector having first and second orthogonal components, said apparatus being responsive to a first signal having an absolute value proportional to said first orthogonal component and a second signal having a value proportional to said second orthogonal component, comprising: input means for receiving said first and second signals; means connected to said input means and concurrently responsive to said first and second signals for providing a third signal proportional to the sum of the absolute values of said orthogonal components; and circuit means responsive to said first and third signals for providing an output signal proportional to the difference of the logarithms of said first and third signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for providing output signals substantially representative of the angle of a vector having first and second orthogonal components, said apparatus being responsive to a first signal having an absolute value proportional to said first orthogonal component and a second signal having a value proportional to said second orthogonal component, comprising: input means for receiving said first and second signals; means connected to said input means and concurrently responsive to said first and second signals for providing a third signal proportional to the sum of the absolute values of said orthogonal components; and circuit means responsive to said first and third signals for providing an output signal proportional to the difference of the logarithms of said first and third signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 additionally comprising: means connected for response to said output signal for providing a correction signal; and means for providing a corrected output signal proportional to the difference in the values of said output signal and said correction signal whereby said corrected output signal is proportional to the angle of the vector, the deviation of said corrected output signal thereby being substantially reduced.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for providing a correction signal comprises a nonlinear network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said circuit means comprises: a source of timing signals; a distributed function generator for providing a logarithm signal proportional to the logarithm of a signal applied to the input thereof; switching means connected for response to said timing signals for alternately applying said first and third signals to the input of said distributed function generator and responsive to the output thereof to alternately provide respective logarithm signals proportional to the logarithms of the values represented by said first and third signals; first and second storage means responsive to said switching means for storing said respective logarithm signals; and subtraction means responsive to said storage means for providing an output signal proportional to the difference of the values represented by the respective logarithm signals stored therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said switching means includes means causing said first and second storage means to respectively store logarithm signals relating to said first and third signals in response to said second signal having a negative sign, and respectively store logarithm signals relating to third and first signals in response to said second signal having a positive sign, said subtraction means providing a signal proportional to the value of the signal stored by said first storage means subtracted from the value of the signal stored by said second storage means, whereby the polarity of said output signal is the same as the sign of said second signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 additionally comprising: means for heating said function generator; a calibration signal source connected to said switching means; an integrator connected to said switching means, the output of said integrator being connected to said heating means; and said switching means including means periodically connecting said calibration signal source to the input of said function generator and connecting the output of said function generator to said integrator, said function generator thereby periodically providing an error voltage to said integrator.
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) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |