US3793618A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Depth alarm system
Assignee: Heath Co
•
Filing: 1972-10-30
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Granted: 1974-02-19
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Expires: 1992-10-30
Abstract
Abstract An electronic depth alarm circuit for use with a depth sounder generates an alarm signal when an underwater object located within a preset range depth from the depth sounder is detected. The circuit comprises a first monostable circuit which is triggered by the energy pulses transmitted by the depth sounder and provides pulses having a duration proportional to the preset range depth. The preset range depth pulses enable an AND-gate circuit which also receives the echo pulses detected by the depth sounder as well as inhibiting pulses provided by a second monostable circuit also triggered by the transmitted pulses. The echo pulses will pass through the AND-gate circuit and activate an alarm display only if they appear after the trailing edge of the inhibiting pulses and before the trailing edge of the preset range depth pulses. The inhibiting pulses prevent the alarm signal from being generated when false alarm signals such as ringing of the transmitted pulses in the transducer and air bubbles on the transducer are detected by the receiver. A third monostable circuit triggered by the trailing edge of the preset range depth pulses provides pulses which control the display device of the depth sounder so as to display the preset range depth.
Inventors
- 👤 D Plangger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/02; G01S13/06; G01S13/08; G01S13/10; G01S13/18; G01S15/00; G01S15/02; G01S15/06; G01S15/08; G01S15/10; G01S15/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A depth sounder system comprising; means for transmitting pulses of acoustic energy and for receiving pulses of energy reflected by an underwater object, means for displaying the interval of time between transmission of a pulse and the corresponding receipt of a pulse as a function of the depth of said underwater object; a depth alarm circuit comprising means for generating an alarm signal when an underwater object is detected within a preset range depth; means for adjusting said preset range depth comprising an adjustable width pulse generator circuit responsive to the transmitted pulses to provide electrical pulses each having a duration proportional to the preset range depth; means for gating the electrical pulses provided by said adjustable width generator circuit with signals representative of the reflected pulses to pass the reflected pulses when an underwater object is detected within the preset range depth; means responsive to the electrical pulses provided by the means for gating for providing an alarm signal as long as signals representative of the reflected pulses are passing through said means for gating; means for producing inhibiting pulses concurrently with the pulses proportional to preset depth range but having a shorter duration and for applying said inhibiting pulses to said gating means; and means for controlling said means for displaying to display said preset range depth during adjustment thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
A depth sounder system comprising; means for transmitting pulses of acoustic energy and for receiving pulses of energy reflected by an underwater object, means for displaying the interval of time between transmission of a pulse and the corresponding receipt of a pulse as a function of the depth of said underwater object; a depth alarm circuit comprising means for generating an alarm signal when an underwater object is detected within a preset range depth; means for adjusting said preset range depth comprising an adjustable width pulse generator circuit responsive to the transmitted pulses to provide electrical pulses each having a duration proportional to the preset range depth; means for gating the electrical pulses provided by said adjustable width generator circuit with signals representative of the reflected pulses to pass the reflected pulses when an underwater object is detected within the preset range depth; means responsive to the electrical pulses provided by the means for gating for providing an alarm signal as long as signals representative of the reflected pulses are passing through said means for gating; means for producing inhibiting pulses concurrently with the pulses proportional to preset depth range but having a shorter duration and for applying said inhibiting pulses to said gating means; and means for controlling said means for displaying to display said preset range depth during adjustment thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A depth sounder system according to claim 1 wherein said meaNs for producing inhibiting pulses includes a monostable circuit triggered by the transmitted pulses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
196 words
A depth sounder system comprising, means for transmitting energy pulses, means for receiving reflected pulses corresponding to the energy reflected by an underwater object, means for displaying the interval of time between the transmitted pulses and the corresponding received pulse as a function of the depth of said underwater object, and a depth alarm circuit comprising first means for providing first electrical pulses having a duration proportional to a first depth range within which it is desired to generate an alarm signal when an underwater object is detected, second means associated with said display means for displaying said first depth range, third means for providing second electrical pulses having a duration proportional to a second shorter depth range within which the generation of an alarm signal is not desirable, fourth means responsive to said first and second electrical pulses for providing third electrical pulses when reflected pulses appear during said first electrical pulses but after said second electrical pulses, and fifth means responsive to said third electrical pulses for providing an alarm signal, whereby an alarm signal is generated when an underwater object is detected within said first depth range but outside said second depth range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
196 words
A depth sounder system comprising, means for transmitting energy pulses, means for receiving reflected pulses corresponding to the energy reflected by an underwater object, means for displaying the interval of time between the transmitted pulses and the corresponding received pulse as a function of the depth of said underwater object, and a depth alarm circuit comprising first means for providing first electrical pulses having a duration proportional to a first depth range within which it is desired to generate an alarm signal when an underwater object is detected, second means associated with said display means for displaying said first depth range, third means for providing second electrical pulses having a duration proportional to a second shorter depth range within which the generation of an alarm signal is not desirable, fourth means responsive to said first and second electrical pulses for providing third electrical pulses when reflected pulses appear during said first electrical pulses but after said second electrical pulses, and fifth means responsive to said third electrical pulses for providing an alarm signal, whereby an alarm signal is generated when an underwater object is detected within said first depth range but outside said second depth range.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A depth sounder system according to claim 3 wherein said first means comprises a monostable circuit triggered by the transmitted pulses and having an adjustable unstable state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A depth sounder system according to claim 3 wherein said second means comprises a monostable circuit triggered by the trailing edge of said first electrical pulses and switch means for connecting the display means either to said monostable circuit or to said receiver means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A depth sounder system according to claim 3 wherein said third means comprises a monostable circuit triggered by the transmitted pulses.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A depth sounder system according to claim 3 wherein said fourth means comprises a logic circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A depth sounder system according to claim 7 wherein said fifth means comprises a low-frequency oscillator activating a loudspeaker.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2998591A
Cited
US3223965A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-18 | 1977-08-20 | 1978-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-18 | 1981-08-20 | 1982-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-18 | 1985-08-20 | 1986-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |