Patent US3820070A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3820070A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Control system for a derrick utilizing light multiplex communication link
Assignee: MC CABE POWERS BODY CO
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Filing: 1972-06-16
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Granted: 1974-06-25
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Expires: 1992-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A remote control system for a derrick, having an encoder network for producing a plurality of differing electrical control signal frequencies at one location on the derrick and a discriminator network at a second location on the derrick for identifying each electrical control signal frequency produced by the encoder network. An electro-optical converter communicates with the encoder to covert electrical control signal frequencies to analogous light signal frequencies. A light tube communicating with the electro-optical converter transfers the light signal frequencies from the electro-optical converter to an opticalelectro converter that communicates with the discriminator and reconverts the light signal frequencies back to their corresponding electrical control signal frequencies. The discriminator communicates with a plurality of output networks that correspond to operating members of the derrick and directs an identified control signal frequency to the output network associated with that frequency.
Inventors
- 👤 C Fox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:10
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08C; G08C23/00; G08C23/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A system for controlling remote energization of a plurality of output networks corresponding to operating members and accessories of an aerial device comprising encoder means at one location on said aerial device for producing a plurality of differing electrical control signal frequencies, each different control signal frequency corresponding to a separate said output network, electro-optical conversion means communicating with the electrical control signal frequencies of said encoder means for converting said electrical control signal frequencies to corresponding light signal frequencies, a light transmission member communicating with said electro-optical means for transmitting said light signal frequencies from said electrooptical conversion means to a second location on said aerial device remote from said first location, optical-electro conversion means communicating with said light transmission member at said second location on said aerial device, for converting said light signal frequencies back to their corresponding electrical control signal frequencies, and discriminator means communicating with said optical-electro conversion means for identifying each said electrical control signal frequency from said optical-electro conversion means, said discriminator means further communicating with said output networks and including means for directing each said identified control signal frequency to the output network associated with that frequency.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
194 words
A system for controlling remote energization of a plurality of output networks corresponding to operating members and accessories of an aerial device comprising encoder means at one location on said aerial device for producing a plurality of differing electrical control signal frequencies, each different control signal frequency corresponding to a separate said output network, electro-optical conversion means communicating with the electrical control signal frequencies of said encoder means for converting said electrical control signal frequencies to corresponding light signal frequencies, a light transmission member communicating with said electro-optical means for transmitting said light signal frequencies from said electrooptical conversion means to a second location on said aerial device remote from said first location, optical-electro conversion means communicating with said light transmission member at said second location on said aerial device, for converting said light signal frequencies back to their corresponding electrical control signal frequencies, and discriminator means communicating with said optical-electro conversion means for identifying each said electrical control signal frequency from said optical-electro conversion means, said discriminator means further communicating with said output networks and including means for directing each said identified control signal frequency to the output network associated with that frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said light transmission member comprises an elongated flexible light transmission tube shielded from outside light and having one end portion joined to said electro-optical conversion means and another end portion joined to said optical-electro conversion means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said encoder means comprises a first source generator for generating a first input clock rate frequency, and a first group of divider components communicating with said first source for dividing the frequency of said first input clock rate frequency into a predetermined band of said differing electrical control signal frequencies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said encoder means further comprises a first binary counter communicable with said first source generator, said band of electrical control signal frequencies being produced in said encoder in a predetermined sequence determined by the binary count state of said first binary counter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said encoder means further comprises a first binary counter, said first group of divider components communicating with said first binary counter such that the frequency of the electrical control signals produced by said first group of divider components is determined by the binary count state of said first binary counter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein saId encoder means further comprises a plurality of control signal frequency transmitter switches and a first binary to decimal decoder communicating with said first binary counter, said first decoder further communicating with said transmitter switches one at a time in an order determined by the binary count state of said first binary counter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
125 words
A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said encoder means further includes a first multiplexer interposed between said first source generator and said first binary counter, and arranged to communicate with said frequency transmitter switches, said frequency transmitter switches having at least one operable contact position and an inoperable contact position, said first decoder causing said first multiplexer to inhibit communication between said first source generator and said first binary counter when said decoder interrogates a frequency transmitter switch having an operable contact engaged, the inhibiting action of said first multiplexer enabling said first group of dividers to operate on said first input clock rate frequency to yield a control signal frequency corresponding to the frequency transmitter switch being interrogated by said first decoder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said encoder means further comprises a second multiplexer communicating with said first group of divider components and a second constant divider interposed between said first multiplexer and said second multiplexer, said second constant divider arranged to communicate with said first binary counter through said first multiplexer when said first decoder communicates with a frequency transmitter switch having an operable contact engaged such that said first binary counter is pulsed at a rate equivalent to the control signal frequency divided by the divisor of said second constant divider.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said first binary counter is arranged to communicate with said first source generator through said first multiplexer when said first decoder communicates with a frequency transmitter switch having no operable contact engaged, such that said first binary counter is pulsed at clock rate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said encoder means further include a second multiplexer communicating with said first group of divider components and arranged to interrogate the contacts of a control frequency transmitter switch having at least one operable contact engaged when the binary count state of said first binary counter corresponds to the control frequency transmitter switch having the operable contact engaged.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
155 words
A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said first group of dividers includes a first constant divider communicating with said second multiplexer, and the frequency transmitter switch having at least one operable contact engaged is a multi-contact switch, said second multiplexer including a plurality of terminals corresponding to the operable contacts of said multi-contact switch, said second multiplexer sequentially interrogating the individual operable contacts of said multi-contact switch when said first binary counter is at a binary count state corresponding to said multi-contact switch, the sequence of interrogation by said second multiplexer of said multicontact switch contacts being determined by the binary count state of said first constant divider, said multiplexer producing a pulse when one of the multiplexer terminals corresponding to the engaged operable contact on said multi-contact switch discovers said engaged operable contact, said multiplexer pulse serving to define a duty portion of the control signal frequency corresponding to said multi-contact switch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said encoder means further include means for operating on the control signal frequency produced by said first group of dividers and the pulse produced by said second multiplexer to characterize the control signal frequency with a duty cycle waveform having a duty portion correspOnding to the engaged operable contact of said frequency transmitter switch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said means for operating on said control signal frequency and the pulse produced by said second multiplexer comprise a first flip-flop.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said electro-optical conversion means is communicable with said control signal frequency, said electro-optical conversion means producing a light pulse representative of the duty portion of said control signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
72 words
A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said encoder means further includes first gating means interposed between said electro-optical conversion means and said means for operating on the control signal frequency, said first gating means communicating with said frequency transmitter switches and arranged to permit passage of an electrical control signal frequency to said electro-optical conversion means when said second multiplexer interrogates a frequency transmitter switch having an engaged operable contact.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as claimed in claim 15 wherein said light transmission member comprises an elongated flexible light transmission tube shielded from outside light and having one end portion joined to said electro-optical conversion means and another end portion joined to said optical-electro conversion means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
83 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said discriminator means comprises a second source generator for generating a second input clock rate frequency and first means for combining said second input clock rate frequency with a control signal frequency entering said discriminator means from said optical-electro conversion means, said combining means forming a first composite signal comprising clock pulses for one cycle of said control signal frequency followed by an absence of pulses for the next cycle of said control signal frequency.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein said combining means for forming said first composite signal include a second flip-flop communicating with said control signal frequency, and second gating means communicating with said second flip-flop and said second source generator.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein said discriminator means further comprise a second group of divider components arranged to receive said first composite signal to divide the frequency of the second input clock rate pulses of said first composite signal by a second predetermined divisor to produce a second pulse quotient representing the frequency of the electrical control signal entering said discriminator means from said optical-electro conversion means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as claimed in claim 19 wherein said discriminator means further comprise a second binary counter communicating with said second group of divider components to count said second pulse quotient.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system as claimed in claim 20 wherein said control signal frequency directing means include a second binary to decimal decoder arranged to receive the binary count state of said second binary counter, said second decoder arranged to communicate one at a time with said output networks in an order determined by the binary count state of said second binary counter as received by said second decoder.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system as claimed in claim 21 wherein at least one of said output networks comprises a pulse omission detector and a relay, said relay being actuated when said second decoder communicates with said one of said output networks.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
83 words
A system as claimed in claim 21 wherein said discriminator means further include a first storage register communicating with said second binary counter and said second decoder, said discriminator means further including a first comparator communicating with said second binary counter and said first storage register, said first comparator inhibiting said second decoder from communicating with said first storage register when the binary count states in said second binary counter and said first storage register do not compare eqUally in said first comparator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system as claimed in claim 23 wherein said discriminator means further include fourth gating means interposed between said first comparator and said second decoder such that said fourth gating means inhibit said second decoder from communicating with said first storage register when the binary count states in said second binary counter and said first storage register do not compare equally in said first comparator.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system as claimed in claim 24 wherein said fourth gating means communicate with said second group of divider components, said fourth gating means inhibiting said second decoder from communicating with said first storage register when a first predetermined signal from said second group of divider components enters said fourth gating means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system as claimed in claim 20 wherein said discriminator means include a third flip-flop communicating with said second flip-flop, said second binary counter and said second gating means, said third flip-flop inhibiting said second gating means from communicating with said second group of divider components when said third flip-flop receives a second predetermined signal from said second binary counter.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
99 words
A system as claimed in claim 20 wherein a light signal frequency entering said light transmission member comprises light pulses having a duration representing a duty portion of a control signal frequency cycle said discriminator means further including second means for combining said second input clock rate frequency with the control signal frequency entering said discriminator means from said optical-electro conversion means, said second combining means forming a second composite signal comprising clock pulses for the duty portion of one cycle of said control signal frequency followed by an absence of pulses for the remainder of said one cycle.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said combining means for forming said second composite signal include third gating means communicating with said control signal frequency and said second source generator.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said discriminator means further include a third group of divider components arranged to receive said second composite signal to divide the frequency of the second input clock rate pulses of said second composite signal by a third predetermined divisor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
74 words
A system as claimed in claim 29 wherein said third group of divider components are arranged to receive the binary count state of said second binary counter to determine a third divisor of said third group of divider components, said third divisor causing said third group of divider components to produce a third pulse quotient representing the duty portion of the electrical control signal frequency entering said discriminator means from said optical-electro conversion means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as claimed in claim 30 wherein said discriminator means further include a third binary counter communicating with said third group of divider components to count the third pulse quotient.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system as claimed in claim 30 wherein said control signal frequency directing means include a second binary to decimal decoder arranged to receive the binary count state of said second binary counter, said second decoder arranged to communicate one at a time with said output networks in an order determined by the binary count state of said second binary counter as received by said second decoder.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as claimed in claim 32 wherein said discriminator means further include a third binary counter communicating with said third group of divider components to count the third pulse quotient.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
101 words
A system as claimed in claim 33 wherein said disciminator means further include a first storage register communicating with said second binary counter and said second decoder and a second storage register communicating with said third binary counter and at least one of said output networks, said discriminator further includIng a second comparator communicating with said third binary counter and said second storage register, said second comparator inhibiting said second decoder from communicating with said first storage register when the binary count states in said third binary counter and said second storage register do not compare equally in said second comparator.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system as claimed in claim 34 wherein said discriminator means further include fourth gating means interposed between said second comparator and said second decoder such that said fourth gating means inhibit said second decoder from communicating with said first storage register when the binary count states in said third binary counter and said second storage register do not compare equally in said second comparator.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as claimed in claim 34 wherein said discriminator means further include a quad exclusive OR element communicating with said second storage register and at least one of said output networks.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as claimed in claim 34 wherein at least one of said output networks comprise a fourth binary counter communicating with said second storage register, and said second decoder.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system as claimed in claim 37 wherein said one of said output networks further comprise a digital to analog converter communicating with said fourth binary counter and a pulse omission detector communicating with said second decoder, said one of said output networks further comprising at least one power amplifier communicating with said digital to analog converter, and first solenoid means communicating with said first power amplifier.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
109 words
A system as claimed in claim 38 wherein said one of said output networks further include a second power amplifier communicating with second solenoid means and said digital to analog converter, said one of said output networks further comprising a switching network communicating with said pulse omission detector, said fourth binary counter, and said first and second power amplifiers such that said switching network enables one of said power amplifiers to actuate its corresponding solenoid means with voltage received from said digital to analog converter when said switching network receives a fourth predetermined signal from said fourth binary counter and a fifth predetermined signal from said pulse omission detector.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
66 words
A system as claimed in claim 32 wherein at least one of said output networks is arranged to receive the binary count state of said third binary counter when said second decoder communicates with said one of said output networks, the binary count state of said third binary counter representing the duty portion of the control signal frequency associated with said one of said output networks.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system as claimed in claim 40 wherein said one of said output networks comprise solenoid means and a digital to analog converter for converting the duty portion binary count state of said third binary counter to an analogous voltage to actuate said solenoid means when said second decoder communicates with said one of said output means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as claimed in claim 40 wherein said one of said output networks comprise a fourth binary counter arranged to receive the binary count state of said third binary counter.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system as claimed in claim 42 wherein said one of said output networks further comprise a digital to analog converter communicating with said fourth binary counter and a pulse omission detector communicating with said second decoder, said one of said output networks further comprising at least one power amplifier communicating with said digital to analog converter, and first solenoid means communicating with said first power amplifier.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
106 words
A system as claimed in claim 43 wherein said one of said output networks further include a second power amplifier communicating with second solenoid means and said digital to analog converter, said output network further comprising a switching network communicating with said pulse omission detector, said fourth binary counter, and said first and second power amplifiers such that said switching network enables one of said power amplifiers to actuate its corresponding solenoid means with voltage received from said digital to analog converter when said switching network receives a fourth predetermined signal from said fourth binary counter and a fifth predetermined signal from said pulse omission detector.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said encoder means comprise a plurality of individually controllable control signal frequency transmitter switches, each one of said switches being respectively actuatable to effect production of a respectively different one of said control signal frequencies.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as claimed in claim 45 wherein each one of said switches are actuatable separately or in combination with one or more of said other individually controllable swtiches.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
91 words
A system as claimed in claim 45 wherein at least one of said switches is a multi-contact switch associated with one of said movable operating members of said aerial device, said one of said switches having at least two contact positions for effecting movement of said operating member, said operating member having one rate of movement when said one of said switches is in one of said contact positions and said operating member having a second rate of movement when said one of said switches is in said second contact position.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said control signal frequency transmitter switches are individually controllable for actuation separately or in combination with one or more of the other said switches.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
91 words
A system as claimed in claim 48 wherein at least one of said switches is a multi-contact switch associated with one of said movable operating members of said aerial device, said one of said switches having at least two contact positions for effecting movement of said operating member, said operating member having one rate of movement when said one of said switches is in one of said contact positions and said operating member having a second rate of movement when said one of said switches is in said second contact position.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for remotely controlling a plurality of operating members and accessories of an aerial device comprising providing a plurality of output networks at one location on the aerial device corresponding to predetermined operating members and accessories of the aerial device, the output networks serving to actuate their corresponding operating members and accessories, producing a plurality of differing electrical control signal frequencies at a second location on the aerial device remote from the first location, each different electrical control signal frequency corresponding to a different output network, converting the electrical control signal frequencies produced at the second location into corresponding light signal frequencies at the second location, transmitting all converted signal frequencies from the second location to the first location through a transmission member, converting the light signal frequencies transmitted to the first location back into their corresponding electrical control signal frequencies at the first location, identifying at the first location the frequencies of each of the differing electrical control signals, and directing the differing electrical control signal frequencies at the first location to their corresponding output networks, for energization thereof.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for remotely controlling a plurality of operating members and accessories of an aerial device comprising providing a plurality of output networks at one location on the aerial device corresponding to predetermined operating members and accessories of the aerial device, the output networks serving to actuate their corresponding operating members and accessories, producing a plurality of differing electrical control signal frequencies at a second location on the aerial device remote from the first location, each different electrical control signal frequency corresponding to a different output network, converting the electrical control signal frequencies produced at the second location into corresponding light signal frequencies at the second location, transmitting all converted signal frequencies from the second location to the first location through a transmission member, converting the light signal frequencies transmitted to the first location back into their corresponding electrical control signal frequencies at the first location, identifying at the first location the frequencies of each of the differing electrical control signals, and directing the differing electrical control signal frequencies at the first location to their corresponding output networks, for energization thereof.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 50 wherein the step of producing further includes actuating the production of one of the differing electrical control signal frequencies individually or in combination with one or more of the other differing electrical control signal frequencies.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 50 wherein the step of producing further includes associating a control signal frequency with a duty portion corresponding to a rate of movement of a corresponding operating member of the aerial device.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 52 wherein the step of identifying further includes measuring the duty portion of the control signal frequency.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed in claim 53 further including causing a voltage magnitude analogous to the measured duty portion of the control signal frequency to appear in the output network corresponding to the control signal frequency having the measured duty portion.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
232 words
A system for controlling remote energization of a plurality of output networks corresponding to operating members and accessories of an aerial device comprising, a plurality of signal control means at one location on said aerial device for effecting production of a first plurality of differing electrical control signals, each said signal control means being associated with one of said first plurality of differing electrical control signals, electro-optical conversion means communicating with the first plurality of differing electrical control signals for converting said first plurality of differing electrical control signals to corresponding differing light signals, a light transmission member communicating with said electro-optical means for transmitting said light signals from said electro-optical conversion means to a second location on said aerial device remote from said first location, optical-electro conversion means communicating with said light transmission member at said second location on said aerial device for converting said differing light signals to a second plurality of correspondingly differing electrical control signals, each of said output networks being associated with one of said second plurality of differing electrical control signals, and discriminator means communicating with said optical-electro conversion means for identifying each of said second plurality of differing electrical control signals from said optical-electro conversion means, said discriminator means further communicating with said output networks and including means for directing each said identified control signal to the output network associated with the identified control signal.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
232 words
A system for controlling remote energization of a plurality of output networks corresponding to operating members and accessories of an aerial device comprising, a plurality of signal control means at one location on said aerial device for effecting production of a first plurality of differing electrical control signals, each said signal control means being associated with one of said first plurality of differing electrical control signals, electro-optical conversion means communicating with the first plurality of differing electrical control signals for converting said first plurality of differing electrical control signals to corresponding differing light signals, a light transmission member communicating with said electro-optical means for transmitting said light signals from said electro-optical conversion means to a second location on said aerial device remote from said first location, optical-electro conversion means communicating with said light transmission member at said second location on said aerial device for converting said differing light signals to a second plurality of correspondingly differing electrical control signals, each of said output networks being associated with one of said second plurality of differing electrical control signals, and discriminator means communicating with said optical-electro conversion means for identifying each of said second plurality of differing electrical control signals from said optical-electro conversion means, said discriminator means further communicating with said output networks and including means for directing each said identified control signal to the output network associated with the identified control signal.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as claimed in claim 55 wherein said signal control means comprise individually controllable switches, each one of said switches being respectively actuatable to effect production of a respectively different one of said first plurality of electrical control signals.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as claimed in claim 56 wherein each of said switches is actuatable separately or in combination with one or more of said other individually controllable switches.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
91 words
A system as claimed in claim 56 wherein at least one of said switches is a multi-contact switch associated with one of said movable operating members of said aerial device, said one of said switches having at least two contact positions for effecting movement of said operating member, said operating member having one rate of movement when said one of said switches is in one of said contact positions and said operating member having a second rate of movement when said one of said switches is in said second contact position.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination of claim 51 wherein said transmission member is an elongated light transmission tube having first communicating means at one end thereof for communicating with said encoder means and second communicating means at an opposite end thereof for communicating with said discriminator means.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 59 wherein said first communicating means comprise electro-optical conversion means for converting said control signal frequencies from said encoder means to corresponding light signal frequencies transmissible through said light transmission member.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination of claim 60 wherein said second communicating means comprise optical-electro conversion means for converting said light signal frequencies from said light transmission tube to corresponding electrical control signal frequencies such that said corresponding electrical control signal frequencies enter said Discriminator means for identification and direction into said corresponding output networks.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-24 | 1977-12-24 | 1978-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-24 | 1981-12-24 | 1982-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-24 | 1985-12-24 | 1986-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |