US3881094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Signal for evaluating sailboat performance
Assignee: Velcon Filters Inc
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Filing: 1973-07-05
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1993-07-05
Abstract
Abstract A system for evaluating sailboat performance comprising averaging circuits for producing average boat speed, average apparent wind speed and average apparent wind direction. Instantaneous values of the speed parameters are sampled at a predetermined frequency and a running average of N samples is generated by adding the most recent sample and discarding the oldest sample at periodic intervals. Display of the wind speed is delayed with respect to the display of boat speed to compensate for the effect of the inertia of the boat.
Inventors
- 👤 Lucian W Taylor
- 👤 Jr John M Yarborough
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:32
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F17/00; G06F17/10; G06F17/18; G01; G01P; G01P5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A system for evaluating sailboat performance comprising: a signal source representing apparent wind direction; means responsive to said apparent wind direction signal source for producing an average apparent wind direction signal; a source of a continuous input signal representing apparent wind speed; means responsive to said apparent wind speed signal source for producing a running average apparent wind speed signal; a source of a continuous input signal representing boat speed; means responsive to said boat speed signal source for producing a running average boat speed signal; means for time delaying said running average apparent wind speed signal relative to said running average boat speed signal to compensate for the effect of the inertia of said sailboat; and means responsive to said time delayed average apparent wind direction signal, said running average apparent wind speed signal, and said running average boat speed signal for displaying said average signals whereby sailboat performance characteristics can be determined.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
A system for evaluating sailboat performance comprising: a signal source representing apparent wind direction; means responsive to said apparent wind direction signal source for producing an average apparent wind direction signal; a source of a continuous input signal representing apparent wind speed; means responsive to said apparent wind speed signal source for producing a running average apparent wind speed signal; a source of a continuous input signal representing boat speed; means responsive to said boat speed signal source for producing a running average boat speed signal; means for time delaying said running average apparent wind speed signal relative to said running average boat speed signal to compensate for the effect of the inertia of said sailboat; and means responsive to said time delayed average apparent wind direction signal, said running average apparent wind speed signal, and said running average boat speed signal for displaying said average signals whereby sailboat performance characteristics can be determined.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said continuous input signals is cyclic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said continuous input signals is a pulse train.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said means for delaying includes at least one latch and means for clocking said latch to transfer said running average apparent wind speed signal to the outputs of said latch a predetermined time interval after said signal appears at the inputs to said latch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said means responsive to said average signals are visual indicators.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said means responsive to said average signals is a computer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein each of said means for producing a running average includes means for sampling the corresponding one of said input signals at a predetermined frequency and storing N of said samples, adding the most recent sample and discarding the oldest sample at periodic intervals, for said running averages.
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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) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |