US3878488A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital non-linear frequency control
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1974-04-30
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1994-04-30
Abstract
Abstract An electro-mechanical apparatus is disclosed with which one may effect fine/coarse frequency tuning by means of a single tuning knob. The rate of rotation of the tuning knob is sensed to control the rate of a digital pulse train, which in turn is sensed and compared with predetermined threshold values. Below a first threshold value, the tuner frequency is altered at a rate proportional to the rate of rotation of the tuning knob, thereby providing fine tuning control. Between the first and a second threshold value the tuner frequency is altered at a constant rate which may be several times the maximum proportional tuning rate, thereby providing intermediate coarse tuning. Above the second threshold value the tuner frequency is altered at a constant rate which may be many times the intermediate coarse tuning rate, thereby providing rapid coarse tuning.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne T Blythe
- 👤 Albert J Micheizler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:53
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03J; H03J3/00; H03J3/02; H03J3/16; H03J3/18; H03J3/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A frequency control apparatus for effecting fine/coarse tuning by means of a single tuning knob, comprising: means for providing a first pulse train whose rate is proportional to the rate of rotation of the tuning knob; means for comparing the rate of the first pulse train with a predetermined rate; means for providing a second pulse train, the second pulse train having a rate greater than the predetermined rate; a tuning apparatus; and means for switching to the tuning apparatus the first pulse train if the rate of the first pules train is less than the predetermined rate, and the second pulse train if the first pulse train is greater than the predetermined rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A frequency control apparatus for effecting fine/coarse tuning by means of a single tuning knob, comprising: means for providing a first pulse train whose rate is proportional to the rate of rotation of the tuning knob; means for comparing the rate of the first pulse train with a predetermined rate; means for providing a second pulse train, the second pulse train having a rate greater than the predetermined rate; a tuning apparatus; and means for switching to the tuning apparatus the first pulse train if the rate of the first pules train is less than the predetermined rate, and the second pulse train if the first pulse train is greater than the predetermined rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the switching means includes means for detecting the direction of rotation of the tuning knob, the direction information being used to determine the direction of frequency tuning.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the rate-comparing means includes: means for providing a constant pulse width reference; means for providing a pulse whose width is proportional to that of the first pulse train; and means for comparing the pulse with the pulse width reference.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the switching means is coupled to the tuning apparatus through a pair of terminals, one of which receives pulses from the switch for tuning up the frequency scale and the other of which receives pulses from the switch for tuning down the frequency scale.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the rate-comparing means includes: a retriggerable monostable multivibrator having an unstable state of some predetermined period after being triggered by a pulse from the first pulse train; a non-retriggerable monostable multivibrator having an unstable state of some predetermined period which is fractionally longer than the period of the retriggerable multivibrator, and which is triggered by a pulse from the first pulse train; and means for detecting whether the non-retriggerable multivibrator has returned to its stable state before the retriggerable multivibrator has been retriggered by the next pulse from the first pulse train.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the means for providing the first pulse train includes an electronic optical shaft encoder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the pulse trains are digital pulse trains.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
178 words
A frequency control apparatus for effecting fine/coarse tuning by means of a single tuning knob, comprising: means for providing a first pulse train whose rate is proportional to the rate of rotation of the tuning knob; means for comparing the rate of the first pulse train with a first and a second predetermined rate, the second predetermined rate being greater than the first predetermined rate; means for generating a second and a third pulse train, the third pulse train having a rate greater than the second pulse train and the second pulse train having a rate greater than the second predetermined rate; a tuning apparatus; and means for switching to the tuning apparatus, the first pulse train if the rate of the first pulse train is less than the first predetermined rate, the second pulse train if the rate of the first pulse train is greater than the first predetermined rate but less than the second predetermined rate, and the third pulse train if the rate of the first pulse train is greater than the second predetermined rate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
178 words
A frequency control apparatus for effecting fine/coarse tuning by means of a single tuning knob, comprising: means for providing a first pulse train whose rate is proportional to the rate of rotation of the tuning knob; means for comparing the rate of the first pulse train with a first and a second predetermined rate, the second predetermined rate being greater than the first predetermined rate; means for generating a second and a third pulse train, the third pulse train having a rate greater than the second pulse train and the second pulse train having a rate greater than the second predetermined rate; a tuning apparatus; and means for switching to the tuning apparatus, the first pulse train if the rate of the first pulse train is less than the first predetermined rate, the second pulse train if the rate of the first pulse train is greater than the first predetermined rate but less than the second predetermined rate, and the third pulse train if the rate of the first pulse train is greater than the second predetermined rate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3299295A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |