US3836856A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for limiting the range of a-c signals
Assignee: Italtel SpA
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Filing: 1972-05-11
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1992-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A sinusoidal signal voltage of varying amplitude Vi is compared with a triangular voltage wave of relatively elevated frequency and amplitude to generate a binary voltage with a first value for signal amplitudes higher than the wave amplitude and a second value for signal amplitudes lower than the wave amplitude. The resulting pulse train, upon integration, produces a replica of the original signal having an amplitude Vo. To vary the ratio Vo/Vi, specifically to reduce it for higher signal amplitudes, a square wave giving rise to the triangular wave is amplitudemodulated in response to the peaks of the signal voltage Vi.
Inventors
- 👤 A Lovadina
- 👤 F Morelli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:45
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03G; H03G7/00; H03G7/06; H03G3/00; H03G3/20; H03G3/30; H03G3/3005; H03G3/3026; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/62; H04B1/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of modifying the ratio between the amplitudes of an incoming signal voltage and an outgoing voltage representing a substantial replica thereof, comprising the steps of: generating a triangular voltage wave of a constant frequency and a peak amplitude both substantially exceeding those of said signal voltage; varying the amplitude of said triangular wave in a manner bearing a nonlinear relationship with the maximum amplitude of said signal voltage; continuously comparing the instantaneous magnitudes of said signal voltage and said triangular wave; generating a binary voltage having a first pulse width when the instantaneous magnitude of said signal voltage exceeds that of said triangular wave and having a second pulse width when the instantaneous magnitude of said triangular wave exceeds that of said signal voltage; and integrating said binary voltage over periods of said first and second pulse widths to produce said outgoing voltage.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of modifying the ratio between the amplitudes of an incoming signal voltage and an outgoing voltage representing a substantial replica thereof, comprising the steps of: generating a triangular voltage wave of a constant frequency and a peak amplitude both substantially exceeding those of said signal voltage; varying the amplitude of said triangular wave in a manner bearing a nonlinear relationship with the maximum amplitude of said signal voltage; continuously comparing the instantaneous magnitudes of said signal voltage and said triangular wave; generating a binary voltage having a first pulse width when the instantaneous magnitude of said signal voltage exceeds that of said triangular wave and having a second pulse width when the instantaneous magnitude of said triangular wave exceeds that of said signal voltage; and integrating said binary voltage over periods of said first and second pulse widths to produce said outgoing voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the peak amplitude of said triangular wave is maintained constant upon said maximum amplitude remaining below a predetermined level and is progressively varied upon said maximum amplitude rising above said level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 2 wherein the peak amplitude of said triangular wave is progressively increased upon said maximum amplitude rising above said level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said triangular wave is derived from a square wave of proportional amplitude, the step of varying the amplitude of said triangular wave being performed by amplitude-modulating said square wave.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
184 words
A system for modifying the ratio between the amplitudes of an incoming signal voltage and an outgoing voltage representing a substantial replica thereof, comprising: input means for receiving said signal voltage; circuitry including an oscillator for generating a triangular voltage wave of a constant frequency and a peak amplitude both substantially exceeding those of said signal voltage; amplitude-modulating means connected to said circuitry for varying said peak amplitude; peak-riding means connected to said input means for receiving said signal voltage and determining the maximum amplitude thereof, said amplitude-modulating means being controlled by said peak-riding means for varying the peak amplitude of said triangular wave in a nonlinear relationship with said maximum amplitude; comparison means connected to said circuitry and to said input means for generating a binary voltage having a first pulse width when the instantaneous magnitude of said signal voltage exceeds that of said triangular wave and having a second pulse width when the instantaneous magnitude of said triangular wave exceeds that of said signal voltage; and filter means connected to said comparison means for converting said binary voltage into said outgoing voltage.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
184 words
A system for modifying the ratio between the amplitudes of an incoming signal voltage and an outgoing voltage representing a substantial replica thereof, comprising: input means for receiving said signal voltage; circuitry including an oscillator for generating a triangular voltage wave of a constant frequency and a peak amplitude both substantially exceeding those of said signal voltage; amplitude-modulating means connected to said circuitry for varying said peak amplitude; peak-riding means connected to said input means for receiving said signal voltage and determining the maximum amplitude thereof, said amplitude-modulating means being controlled by said peak-riding means for varying the peak amplitude of said triangular wave in a nonlinear relationship with said maximum amplitude; comparison means connected to said circuitry and to said input means for generating a binary voltage having a first pulse width when the instantaneous magnitude of said signal voltage exceeds that of said triangular wave and having a second pulse width when the instantaneous magnitude of said triangular wave exceeds that of said signal voltage; and filter means connected to said comparison means for converting said binary voltage into said outgoing voltage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system as defined in claim 5 wherein said amplitude-modulating means comprises a clamping circuit including rectifying means for generating a constant control voltage upon said maximum amplitude remaining below a predetermined threshold, said control voltage progressively increasing upon said maximum amplitude rising above said threshold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system as defined in claim 6 wherein said rectifying means comprises a transistor with a base/emitter circuit including a Zener diode and with a collector connected to a source of constant reference voltage, the emitter of said transistor being connected to the output of said peak-riding means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as defined in claim 5 wherein said peak-riding means comprises a full-wave reCtifier and capacitive storage means connected to said rectifier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as defined in claim 5 wherein said oscillator comprises a square-wave generator and said circuit means further includes integrating means connected to said generator for producing said triangular wave.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as defined in claim 9 wherein said square-wave generator has an output stage working into said integrating means and forming part of said amplitude-modulating means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |