US3911362A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Statistical analog monitor
Assignee: Oklahoma State University
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Filing: 1974-05-17
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Granted: 1975-10-07
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Expires: 1994-05-17
Abstract
Abstract This abstract describes an instrument for the statistical study of the various analog parameters of a physical operation, which vary with time. The parameters may be, for example, voltage, pressure, volume, etc. A selected one of these parameters is converted by means of a transducer to an electrical voltage, which is proportional to the value of the parameter at all times. This voltage is continuously compared with a reference voltage of a selected magnitude, and means are provided in response to this comparison to record the accumulated time intervals during which the parameter voltage is different in a selected manner from the reference voltage. Means are also provided for determining the number of such times when the parameter voltage is different from the reference voltage, during a selected total time interval. By using a plurality of such systems each with a different reference voltage, statistical data can be accumulated in a simple and inexpensive manner. In an improved embodiment, the voltage comparator is designed to provide a hysteresis characteristic, in which it turns on at a given value of the variable and turns off at a lower or higher value of the variable. Also, in the use of an electrolytic cell to count pulses, the embodiment includes the design of an improved pulse shaper. Means are also provided for limiting the time duration of the entire test period and providing means to shut off power when the time limit is reached.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary A Roberts
- 👤 Jr Ernest C Fitch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:54
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C3/00; G07C3/14; G04; G04F; G04F10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
In a statistical analog monitor for use in providing data related to the average duty cycle of a selected variable parameter of an operation, comprising: a. first means to measure the instantaneous value Es of said parameter in terms of a selected variable V; b. second means to compare the instantaneous value Es of said variable with at least one reference value Er of said variable; c. third means responsive to said second means to compare, to indicate the integrated time Ts that Es is selectively different from Er, during a total elapsed time Tt; and d. fourth means respoNsive to said second means to compare, to indicate the total number of separate times N during the total elapsed time Tt that Es is different from Er; the improvement comprising; feedback means in conjunction with said second means to compare, whereby said second means exhibits hysteresis, in that it produces an output signal when the instantaneous value of said variable Es is equal to or greater than Er and stops producing said output signal when said variable Es is equal to or less than a value Er - Delta E, where Delta E is of a selected magnitude.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
In a statistical analog monitor for use in providing data related to the average duty cycle of a selected variable parameter of an operation, comprising: a. first means to measure the instantaneous value Es of said parameter in terms of a selected variable V; b. second means to compare the instantaneous value Es of said variable with at least one reference value Er of said variable; c. third means responsive to said second means to compare, to indicate the integrated time Ts that Es is selectively different from Er, during a total elapsed time Tt; and d. fourth means respoNsive to said second means to compare, to indicate the total number of separate times N during the total elapsed time Tt that Es is different from Er; the improvement comprising; feedback means in conjunction with said second means to compare, whereby said second means exhibits hysteresis, in that it produces an output signal when the instantaneous value of said variable Es is equal to or greater than Er and stops producing said output signal when said variable Es is equal to or less than a value Er - Delta E, where Delta E is of a selected magnitude.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
The analog monitor as in claim 1 in which said third means comprises electrolytic cell means in which a forwardly directed current causes a metal to be plated from a solution out onto a first electrode, and a current in the reverse direction causes said plated-out metal to be placed back into solution, the amount of metal plated-out, and placed into solution being proportional to the total charge transferred into and out of, respectively, said cell means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
The analog monitor as in claim 2 in which said means to compare produces a selected output voltage when said variable Es is selectively different from Er and including; a. oscillator means producing a train of square wave pulses of period much shorter than the duration of said selected output voltage; and b. AND gate means, said selected output voltage going to one input terminal, the oscillator output going to the other input terminal, and the gate output going to said electrolytic cell means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The analog monitor as in claim 1 in which said fourth means responsive to said means to compare comprises pulse generator means and pulse counter means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The analog monitor as in claim 4 in which said pulse generator means comprises monostable multi-vibrator means adapted to output a square wave pulse of voltage of selected constant amplitude and selected time duration each time that its input terminal changes in potential by a selected magnitude.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The analog monitor as in claim 5 in which said pulse counter means comprises electrolytic cell means to integrate the electrical charge in a succession of said square wave pulses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The analog monitor as in claim 5 in which said pulse counter comprises an electrical pulse counter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
123 words
The statistical analog monitor as in claim 1 including means to provide a measure of the total time duration of a test, and to remove voltage from said statistical analog monitor at the end of a selected time period of test, comprising; a. electrolytic cell means connected across the input power leads to said monitor; b. gate means the output of which is connected to said electrolytic cell means; c. means to pre-plate a selected quantity of metal on a first electrode of said cell said electrolytic cell connected so that the applied potential will cause the preplated metal to pass into solution; and d. means responsive to the instant when all the preplated metal has passed into solution to open said gate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
136 words
The analog monitor as in claim 1 including fifth means to compare the instantaneous value Es of said variable with a second reference value Es of said variable with a second reference value Er'' of said variable; sixth means responsive to sais fifth means to compare, to indicate the integrated time Tt'' that Es is greater than Er'' during a total elapsed time T; and seventh means responsive to said fifth means to compare to indicate the total number of separate times N'' during the total elapsed time T that Es is greater than Er'' is greater than Er'' during the total elapsed time T; and seventh means responsive to said fifth means to compare to indicate the total number of separate times N'' during the total elapsed time T that Es is greater than Er''.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The analog monitor as in claim 1 in which said first, second, third and fourth means are connected to a regulated source of voltage.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of gathering statistical operating data concerning a selected variable V in the operation of a selected apparatus, comprising the steps of; a. generating a voltage Es corresponding to the instantaneous value of said variable V; b. comparing said instantaneous value of voltage Es with a reference value of voltage Er corresponding to a reference value Vr of said variable V; c. integrating a selected value of voltage during the successive times that said voltage Es is selectively different from Er in which said integration is carried out by passing a current Is proportional to Es through an electrolytic cell in which said metal is plated on a first electrode, the mass of metal plated being proportional to the time integral of Is; d. generating an electrical current pulse of selective total charge, each time the voltage Es is selectively different from Er; e. integrating a series of said current pulses in an electrolytic cell as in step (c); and where f. said second value of voltage is switched on when said Es bears a selected relation to Er, and is shut off when Es bears the same relation to Er + or - Delta E, where Delta E can be positive or negative.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of gathering statistical operating data concerning a selected variable V in the operation of a selected apparatus, comprising the steps of; a. generating a voltage Es corresponding to the instantaneous value of said variable V; b. comparing said instantaneous value of voltage Es with a reference value of voltage Er corresponding to a reference value Vr of said variable V; c. integrating a selected value of voltage during the successive times that said voltage Es is selectively different from Er in which said integration is carried out by passing a current Is proportional to Es through an electrolytic cell in which said metal is plated on a first electrode, the mass of metal plated being proportional to the time integral of Is; d. generating an electrical current pulse of selective total charge, each time the voltage Es is selectively different from Er; e. integrating a series of said current pulses in an electrolytic cell as in step (c); and where f. said second value of voltage is switched on when said Es bears a selected relation to Er, and is shut off when Es bears the same relation to Er + or - Delta E, where Delta E can be positive or negative.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3148328A
Cited
US3777266A
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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) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-04-07 | 1979-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-06 | 1983-04-07 | 1983-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-06 | 1987-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |