US3793731A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Angle position indicator
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1972-07-12
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Granted: 1974-02-26
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Expires: 1992-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A sensor mechanism is provided to detect movements of rudders about axes which are perpendicular to a propeller axis on a propeller-driven vehicle. Follower arms are configured to engage rudders of the propeller-driven vehicle and be moved in response to movements thereof. The followers are constrained to rotate about a fixed shaft, the rotation of which is coupled, via suitable mechanical amplifier means, to electro-mechanical transducer. An interlock is provided to cause the arms to engage the rudders when the mechanism is mounted on the propeller shaft and to retract the followers to inoperative position when the device is removed from the propeller shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 E Hyyppa
- 👤 C Reed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:32
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H25/00; B63H25/06; B63H25/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A sensor mechanism for detecting the movement of a rigid member about an axis of rotation comprising: supporting means including a frame member for supporting the sensor mechanism in a predetermined position with respect to the rigid member; follower means having an extended and a withdrawn position and mounted on the frame member of said supporting means for rotational movement about an axis thereon and configured to engage the rigid member when in the extended position; generating means connected to said follower means for generating an electrical analog signal in response to the mechanical movement of the rigid member; securing means effectively connected to said supporting means for selectively securing said supporting means in a fixed position with respect to the rigid member and releasing said supporting means from the fixed position; and actuation means connected between the follower means and the securing means for actuation of the follower means to its extended position when the supporting means is secured in the fixed position by said securing means and for actuation of the follower means to the withdrawn position in all other nonsecured positions of the supporting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A sensor mechanism for detecting the movement of a rigid member about an axis of rotation comprising: supporting means including a frame member for supporting the sensor mechanism in a predetermined position with respect to the rigid member; follower means having an extended and a withdrawn position and mounted on the frame member of said supporting means for rotational movement about an axis thereon and configured to engage the rigid member when in the extended position; generating means connected to said follower means for generating an electrical analog signal in response to the mechanical movement of the rigid member; securing means effectively connected to said supporting means for selectively securing said supporting means in a fixed position with respect to the rigid member and releasing said supporting means from the fixed position; and actuation means connected between the follower means and the securing means for actuation of the follower means to its extended position when the supporting means is secured in the fixed position by said securing means and for actuation of the follower means to the withdrawn position in all other nonsecured positions of the supporting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sensor mechanism according to claim 1 (amended) wherein said follower means includes an arm having an elbow joint at a point intermediate its length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sensor mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said elbow joint is spring biased to the unflexed position and thereby straighten the follower arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A sensor mechanism according to claim 1 (amended) in which the generating means is connected to said follower means by a mechanical amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A sensor mechanism according to claim 4 (amended) further including first spring means effectively connected between said follower means and the aforesaid supporting means for biasing the follower means to a position where it contacts the aforesaid rigid member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
139 words
A sensor mechanism according to claim 5 (amended) wherein the aforesaid actuation means includes: a rod reciprocally held by the aforesaid supporting means; coupling means connecting the rod to the follower means for rotation to a retracted position where it does not contact the rigid member when the rod is displaced in one direction; second spring means connected to the rod for urging the rod in said one direction; and a pressure member engaged by the aforesaid securing means and positioned to drivingly engage the rod so as to force the rod in a direction opposing the urging of the second spring means to cause the follower means to engage the rigid member when said securing means secures said supporting means in the fixed position and to retract said follower means when said securing means releases said supporting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sensor mechanism according to claim 1 (amended) in which said frame member of said supporting means is of annular shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A sensor mechanism according to claim 7 (amended) in which the aforesaid securing means is configured to hold the annular frame member about the drive shaft of a propeller driven vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
A sensor mechanism according to claim 8 (amended) in which the aforesaid rigid member engaged by said follower means comprises the rudder of said propeller driven vehicle which is displaced in a rotary motion about an axis extending at a right angle tO said drive shaft of the propeller driven vehicle.
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) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |