US3885230A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for improving the reliability of indicator arrangements
Assignee: CMC Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1973-05-24
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Granted: 1975-05-20
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Expires: 1993-05-24
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a system for improving the reliability of indicators which contain illuminable paths used as indication means. The illuminable paths consist of a series of light sources sequentially arranged and adapted to be turned on and off in sequence to give the impression of a moving line of light. This light is adjacent to a scale on the indicator, and the end of the moving line indicates a value detected by a sensor. In accordance with the invention, a system for improving the reliability of such indicators includes a plurality of n power supplies for energizing the light sources. Each power supply is adapted to energize each nth light source. Thus, with two power supplies, each supply is adapted to energize every second light source, and with three, each supply is adapted to energize each third light source. If one of the power supplies fails, then the only loss which will be suffered is a loss of resolution of the reading on the indicator. This is an improvement over systems using only one power supply in which failure of the power supply leads to a complete loss of the indicator.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Joseph Merk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R13/00; G01R13/40; G01R13/404; G01R13/405; G01R13/406
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A system for improving the reliability of indicators; each indicator comprising an illuminable path; each illuminable path comprising a series of light sources sequentially arranged and adapted to be turned on and off in sequence; said system comprising; a plurality of n separate power supplies for continuously energizing said light sources; the number of light sources in each series being greater than n; the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, . . . nth power supplies being respectively adapted to energize the 1st, 2nd, 3rd . . . nth sources in each series; the 1st power supply being further adapted to energize the n+1st, 2n+1st, 3n+1st . . . sources in each series; the 2nd power supply being further adapted to energize the n+2nd, 2n+2nd, 3n+2nd . . . sources in each series; the 3rd power supply being further adapted to energize the n+3rd, 2n+3rd, 3n+3rd . . . sources in each series; . . . the nth power supply being further adapted to energize the 2nth, 3nth, 4nth . . . sources in each series.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
A system for improving the reliability of indicators; each indicator comprising an illuminable path; each illuminable path comprising a series of light sources sequentially arranged and adapted to be turned on and off in sequence; said system comprising; a plurality of n separate power supplies for continuously energizing said light sources; the number of light sources in each series being greater than n; the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, . . . nth power supplies being respectively adapted to energize the 1st, 2nd, 3rd . . . nth sources in each series; the 1st power supply being further adapted to energize the n+1st, 2n+1st, 3n+1st . . . sources in each series; the 2nd power supply being further adapted to energize the n+2nd, 2n+2nd, 3n+2nd . . . sources in each series; the 3rd power supply being further adapted to energize the n+3rd, 2n+3rd, 3n+3rd . . . sources in each series; . . . the nth power supply being further adapted to energize the 2nth, 3nth, 4nth . . . sources in each series.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said indicator comprises a viewing face; and wherein said illuminable path comprises fibre optic means on said viewing face; and scale means adjacent to said illuminable path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as defined in claim 2 wherein said light sources comprise light emitting diodes (LED''s).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as defined in claim 2 wherein said light sources comprise incandescent light bulbs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as defined in claim 3 wherein said power supplies are connected to their respective light sources through switch means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as defined iN claim 4 wherein said power supplies are connected to their respective light sources through switch means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as defined in claim 3 wherein said power supplies are connected to their respective light sources through digital logic means; said logic means being controlled by an analogue/digital converter; said analogue/digital converter being fed from a sensor means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said power supplies are connected to their respective light sources through digital logic means; said logic means being controlled by an analogue/digital converter; said analogue/digital converter being fed from a sensor means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for improving the reliability of indicators, each indicator comprising a viewing face and an illuminable path comprising fibre optic means on the viewing face, and scale means adjacent to said illuminable path; each illuminable path comprising a series of light emitting diode light sources sequentially arranged and adapted to be turned on and off in sequence; said system comprising; first and second power supplies for continuously energizing said light sources; the number of light sources in each series being greater than 2; the first power supply being adapted to energize the odd numbered sources in each series; the second power supply being adapted to energize the even numbered sources in each series.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for improving the reliability of indicators, each indicator comprising a viewing face and an illuminable path comprising fibre optic means on the viewing face, and scale means adjacent to said illuminable path; each illuminable path comprising a series of light emitting diode light sources sequentially arranged and adapted to be turned on and off in sequence; said system comprising; first and second power supplies for continuously energizing said light sources; the number of light sources in each series being greater than 2; the first power supply being adapted to energize the odd numbered sources in each series; the second power supply being adapted to energize the even numbered sources in each series.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3719940A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |