Acceleration and deceleration sensing and indicating system for boats and the like vessels

Claim 2

Method for sensing and indicating acceleration and deceleration of a boat and the like vessel comprising the steps of: a. producing an input voltage indicative of the speed of said vessel, b. changing the charge of a capacitor in accordance with the change in value of said input voltage, c. generating control signals indicative of an acceleration and a deceleration of said vessel in accordance with the changing charge of said capacitor, d. supplying a constant reference signal ground voltage, e. applying said reference voltage to said capacitor and to a means for generating said control signals and to electrical switch means, f. equalizing said charge on said capacitor to said reference signal when no acceleration and deceleration of said vessel occur, g. activating said electrical switch means with said control signals, h. energizing indicator means when said electrical switch means are activated to indicate an acceleration and deceleration of said vessel, and i. rapidly adjusting said capacitor charge when sudden large changes in said speed occur to prevent said indicator means from being energized for undesirably long periods of time which may mask subsequent small changes in speed of said vessel.

Claim 3

An acceleration and deceleration sensing and indicating system for a boat and the like vessel comprising: a. circuit means including means to produce an input voltage indicative of the speed of said vessel, b. said circuit means including a capacitor which changes charge in accordance with the change in value of said input voltage, c. means connected with said capacitor for generating a control signal indicative of an acceleration or deceleration of said vessel in accordaNce with the change in charge of said capacitor, said control signal being a positive or negative signal, d. adjusting means connected with said capacitor for rapidly adjusting said capacitor charge when a sudden large change in said speed of said vessel occurs, e. power supply means connected with said circuit for producing a constant reference signal ground voltage and the operating voltages for said indicating system, said reference voltage applied to said capacitor through said means to rapidly adjust said charge of said capacitor and to said means to generate control signals, and to electrical switch means, f. said electrical switch means connected in said circuit and activated by said positive or negative control signals, g. lighted indicator means connected with said switch means and turned on by said switch means to indicate said acceleration or deceleration, h. said means connected with said capacitor for rapidly adjusting said capacitor charge preventing said lighted indicator means from being turned on for undesirably long periods of time which may mask subsequent small changes in said speed of said vessel.

Claim 4

An acceleration and deceleration sensing and indicating system for a boat and the like vessel comprising: a. circuit means including means to produce an input voltage indicative of the speed of said vessel, b. said circuit means including a capacitor which changes charge in accordance with the change in value of said input voltage, c. means connected with said capacitor for generating a control signal indicative of an acceleration or deceleration of said vessel in accordaNce with the change in charge of said capacitor, said control signal being a positive or negative signal, d. adjusting means connected with said capacitor for rapidly adjusting said capacitor charge when a sudden large change in said speed of said vessel occurs, e. power supply means connected with said circuit for producing a constant reference signal ground voltage and the operating voltages for said indicating system, said reference voltage applied to said capacitor through said means to rapidly adjust said charge of said capacitor and to said means to generate control signals, and to electrical switch means, f. said electrical switch means connected in said circuit and activated by said positive or negative control signals, g. lighted indicator means connected with said switch means and turned on by said switch means to indicate said acceleration or deceleration, h. said means connected with said capacitor for rapidly adjusting said capacitor charge preventing said lighted indicator means from being turned on for undesirably long periods of time which may mask subsequent small changes in said speed of said vessel.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said means to produce an input voltage includes a hull-mounted transducer means the output of which is connected to a sensitivity adjustment means connected to the input of a buffer amplifier means.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said capacitor is connected in series with a relatively high resistance, said high resistance connected in parallel with a relatively low resistance which is connected to said reference voltage and connected in series with said adjusting means which comprises a pair of reverse connected diodes, through which said capacitor rapidly adjusts its charge to the cut-off voltage of said diodes when said sudden large changes in said speed of said vessel occur.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said means for generating said control signals comprises an operational amplifier connected in said circuit means as an inverter including a feedback resistor and an input resistor, said input resistor being said high resistance through which said capacitor changes charge, said amplifier being grounded to said reference voltage.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said electrical switch means comprises first and second electrical switches, said first switch activated by said positive control signal and said second switch actuated by said negative control signal, said switches comprising complementary transistors connected as a common emitter to said reference voltage.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said electrical switches are connected to said indicator means, said indicator means comprising superimposed horizontal and vertical segment display means, said horizontal segment energized through said first electrical switch activated by said positive control signal to display a minus symbol indicative of a deceleration of said vessel, and both of said horizontal and vertical segments being energized through said second switch means activated by said negative control signal to display a plus symbol indicative of an acceleration of said vessel.