Patent US3801916A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3801916A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electro-chemical odometer
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1972-10-13
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1992-10-13
Abstract
Abstract Described is an electro-chemical pulse counter suitable for use as a vehicle odometer. The pulse counter may include a number of identical stages, each of the stages having an electro-chemical cell. When DC current pulses pass between cell electrodes, metal is transferred from one electrode to another and this changes the cell''s electrical resistance. If the DC pulses are related to distance traveled by a vehicle, the cell resistance is proportional thereto. This is detected by an AC signal applied to the electro-chemical cell. The AC signal does not change the cell''s resistance.
Inventors
- 👤 W Brittain
- 👤 J Lindre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:59
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04F; G04F13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
An electro-chemical pulse counter suitable for use as an odometer, which comprises: an electro-chemical cell including first and second electrodes immersed in an electrolyte, said electrodes being capable of reversible metal transfer from one electrode to the other upon the application across them of a DC voltage; an AC oscillator having first and second terminals, said first terminal of said oscillator being connected to said first electrode of said electro-chemical cell; a first gate, said first gate having one of its terminals connected to said second terminal of said oscillator; a first resistor having first and second terminals, said first terminal of said first resistor being connected to another terminal of said first gate and said second terminal of said first resistor being connected to said second electrode of said electro-chemical cell; a second resistor having first and second terminals, said first terminal of said second resistor being connected to said second electrode of said electro-chemical cell; circuit means for controlling said first gate; and circuit means for applying a train of fixed duration pulses to said second terminal of said second resistor, thereby, to produce a train of uni-directional current pulses through said electrochemical cell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
An electro-chemical pulse counter suitable for use as an odometer, which comprises: an electro-chemical cell including first and second electrodes immersed in an electrolyte, said electrodes being capable of reversible metal transfer from one electrode to the other upon the application across them of a DC voltage; an AC oscillator having first and second terminals, said first terminal of said oscillator being connected to said first electrode of said electro-chemical cell; a first gate, said first gate having one of its terminals connected to said second terminal of said oscillator; a first resistor having first and second terminals, said first terminal of said first resistor being connected to another terminal of said first gate and said second terminal of said first resistor being connected to said second electrode of said electro-chemical cell; a second resistor having first and second terminals, said first terminal of said second resistor being connected to said second electrode of said electro-chemical cell; circuit means for controlling said first gate; and circuit means for applying a train of fixed duration pulses to said second terminal of said second resistor, thereby, to produce a train of uni-directional current pulses through said electrochemical cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
122 words
An electro-chemical pulse counter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said circuit means for applying a train of fixed duration pulses to said second terminal of said second resistor includes a second gate, said second gate having an output line connected to said second resistor, said circuit means for controlling said first gate comprising a line connecting said first gate with said second gate output line, said first gate being open when said second gate is closed; said electro-chemical pulse counter further comprising circuit means for amplifying AC voltages across said electro-chemical cell and a comparator coupled to said amplifying circuit means, said comparator having a plurality of output lines, one of said comparator output lines being connected to said second gate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
An electro-chemical pulse counter in accordance with claim 2, which further comprises: a second electro-chemical cell; a third gate having an input line coupled to said one of said comparator output lines and having an output line coupled to said second electro-chemical cell; and a fourth gate having a control input coupled to said output line of said third gate, the output line of said fourth gate being coupled to said first electro-chemical cell, said fourth gate when open reversing the direction of current through said first electro-chemical cell.
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) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |