US3860912A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power supply monitoring device
Assignee: Aviation Inc
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Filing: 1973-08-08
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Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1993-08-08
Abstract
Abstract A power supply monitoring device for monitoring remote power line connected cathodic protection rectifier operation along a pipeline from pipeline patrol vehicles and comprising transmitter means disposed adjacent to each power supply rectifier and operably connected to the power line for transmitting a signal, monitoring means operably connected to the output of the cathodic protection rectifier for sensing the output current thereof, signal modulating means operably connected between the monitor means and the transmitter means for modulating the transmitter signal in accordance with the rectifier current level; receiver means disposed within the patrol vehicle for receiving the output of the transmitter means when the said patrol vehicle is in the near proximity of the rectifier and audio output means operably connected to the receiver means for indicating the cathodic protection rectifier current level.
Inventors
- 👤 Gleason Romans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:34
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23F; C23F13/00; C23F13/02; C23F13/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A power supply monitoring device for monitoring the output of remote power line connected cathodic protection rectifiers along a pipeline from a pipeline patrol vehicle and comprising transmitter means disposed adjacent to each power supply rectifier for transmitting a signal, monitoring means operably connected to the output of the cathodic protection rectifiEr for sensing the output current level thereof, signal modulating means operably connected to the transmitter means for modulating the transmitter signal, monitor switching means operably connected between the monitor means and the signal modulating means for keying the modulating means in accordance with the rectifier current level; a monitoring device D.C. power supply having an input terminal and output terminal, its input terminal operably connected to the power line and its output terminal connected to the transmitter means, the monitoring means and the signal modulating means; receiver means disposed within the patrol vehicle for receiving the output of the transmitter means when the said patrol vehicle is in the near proximity of the rectifier, and audio output means operably connected to the receiver means for audibly indicating the cathodic protection rectifier status.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A power supply monitoring device for monitoring the output of remote power line connected cathodic protection rectifiers along a pipeline from a pipeline patrol vehicle and comprising transmitter means disposed adjacent to each power supply rectifier for transmitting a signal, monitoring means operably connected to the output of the cathodic protection rectifiEr for sensing the output current level thereof, signal modulating means operably connected to the transmitter means for modulating the transmitter signal, monitor switching means operably connected between the monitor means and the signal modulating means for keying the modulating means in accordance with the rectifier current level; a monitoring device D.C. power supply having an input terminal and output terminal, its input terminal operably connected to the power line and its output terminal connected to the transmitter means, the monitoring means and the signal modulating means; receiver means disposed within the patrol vehicle for receiving the output of the transmitter means when the said patrol vehicle is in the near proximity of the rectifier, and audio output means operably connected to the receiver means for audibly indicating the cathodic protection rectifier status.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A power supply monitoring device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the audio output means is a speaker box disposed within the patrol vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A power supply monitoring device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the audio output means are headphones disposed within the patrol vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A power supply monitoring device as set forth in claim 1 wherein a lamp circuit is connected to the output of the receiver in parallel with the audio output means for visually indicating the cathodic protection rectifier status.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
107 words
A power supply monitoring device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the monitoring means comprises a resistance bridge circuit operably connected to the output of the cathodic protection rectifier across an output ammeter thereof, means for balancing said bridge at the lowest acceptable rectifier threshold output whereby when the rectifier output is below the acceptable level, bridge current will flow in one direction and when the rectifier output is above threshold level bridge current will flow in the opposite direction, operational amplifier means connected across the bridge circuit for amplifying bridge current, the output of said operational amplifier means being connected to the monitor switching means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
A power supply monitoring device as set forth in claim 5 wherein the signal modulating means comprises a notch filter feedback oscillator operably connected to the switching means whereby when said switching means is in one position, oscillator output is a monotone frequency and when the switching means is in the opposite position said output is a different monotone frequency, the output of said oscillator being connected to the transmitter through a transmitter modulator means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
114 words
A power supply monitoring device as set forth in claim 6 wherein the switching means comprises a dual state switch operably connected to the signal modulator means for changing the modulator output thereof from one frequency to the other, a tone modulator free running flip-flop operably connected to a first input of the dual state switch for alternately keying said switch from one position to the other for providing a dual tone output from the signal modulating means, a second input of said switch being operably connected to the output of the monitoring means for locking said monitoring means at one frequency only when the rectifier current is above a lowest acceptable threshold level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A power supply monitoring device as set forth in claim 7 wherein the means for balancing said bridge comprises a voltage divider potentiometer having a resistive element thereof connected in the bridge circuit and a wiper arm thereof being operably connected to the output of the monitoring device D.C. power supply.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
A power supply monitoring device as set forth in claim 8 wherein the monitoring device D.C. power supply includes a rectifier, a ripple voltage output of said monitoring device D.C. power rectifier is connected to the input of the operational amplifier means for causing rapid oscillatory output from the operational amplifier means when the rectifier current level is at oR near the lowest acceptable threshold level thereby providing rapid sporadic switching of the switching means which in turn causes sporadic dual tone output from the signal modulating means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3588860A
Cited
US3696365A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |