US3914754A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machine element position detection system
Assignee: Martonair Ltd
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Filing: 1974-06-24
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1994-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A positional detection system employs a transmitter of a stream of coded fluid pressure wave pulses connected by a waveguide to a plurality of outlets arranged adjacent various operative machine elements whereby movement of any of these elements varies the effective output of fluid pressure wave signals from an associated outlet. A common receiver is employed to respond to the fluid pressure wave pulses emanating from any of the outlets associated to identify the particular outlet and thus the machine element with which the pulses are associated by means of the coding employed. The fluid pressure waves are essentially nondirectional and both transmitter and receiver may incorporate fluidic devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Colin John Kirk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:56
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15C; F15C1/00; F15C1/005; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8158; Y10T137/8225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of detecting the position of an operative element of a machine whereby to enable the position of the element to be controlled, which method comprises transmitting a stream of fluid pressure wave pulses of predetermined duration and at predetermined intervals in a code which identifies said machine element through waveguide means to an outlet which is occluded in one position of the element and is unobstructed in another position of the element, in which other position said coded pulses emanate from said outlet as a coded non-directional pressure wave signal which permeates the atmosphere and detecting the emanation of said coded signal with a receiver arranged in a position independent of the position of said outlet to produce for control purposes an output signal which varies according to the position of said machine element.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of detecting the position of an operative element of a machine whereby to enable the position of the element to be controlled, which method comprises transmitting a stream of fluid pressure wave pulses of predetermined duration and at predetermined intervals in a code which identifies said machine element through waveguide means to an outlet which is occluded in one position of the element and is unobstructed in another position of the element, in which other position said coded pulses emanate from said outlet as a coded non-directional pressure wave signal which permeates the atmosphere and detecting the emanation of said coded signal with a receiver arranged in a position independent of the position of said outlet to produce for control purposes an output signal which varies according to the position of said machine element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid is pneumatic whereby transmission directly into the atmosphere between transmitter and receiver may be effected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frequency of the pressure waves is sonic, that is below the ultrasonic frequency range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
139 words
Positional detection apparatus for performing the method as claimed in claim 1, comprising a transmitter of a stream of fluid pressure wave pulses of predetermined duration and at predetermined intervals in a code which identifies said machine element whose position is to be detected, an outlet for said fluid pressure wave pulses, waveguide means connecting said transmitter to said outlet which is so arranged that said machine element will occlude that outlet at a position over its possible range of movement and will otherwise leave said outlet unobstructed to allow the emanation of a non-directional coded pressure wave signal therefrom, and a receiver arranged at a position independent of the position of said outlet to detect the coded signal emanating from said outlet and to produce an output representing the position of the machine element for subsequent control thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Positional deTection apparatus, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said receiver includes a fluidic device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Positional detecting apparatus, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said transmitter includes a fluidic device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
113 words
Positional detection apparatus, as claimed in claim 4, for detecting the position of a plurality of different machine elements, and including a corresponding plurality of outlets each associated with a particular one of said machine elements and connected by said waveguide means to said transmitter which includes means for producing separate streams of coded pulses for identifying particular machine elements, said pulse streams being separately transmitted to the appropriate outlet for control by the associated machine element, to produce, in the unobstructed conditions of said outlets simultaneous non-directional coded pressure wave signals which are received by a common receiver which identifies the position of particular machine elements by means of the coding employed.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of detecting the position of a plurality of separate movable elements of a machine whereby to enable the position of each element to be controlled, which method comprises producing separate streams of coded pulses, each stream being associated with and coded to identify a particular one of a plurality of different machine elements, separately transmitting said pulse streams through respective waveguide means to a corresponding plurality of outlets, each of which is associated with a particular machine element and is arranged to be occluded by that machine element at a position over its range of movement, but is otherwise unobstructed, whereby to produce, in the unobstructed condition of said outlets, simultaneous coded non-directional pressure wave signals which identify and indicate the position of individual machine elements, and receiving said simultaneous coded signals in a common receiver and identifying the position of particular machine elements by means of the coding employed.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of detecting the position of a plurality of separate movable elements of a machine whereby to enable the position of each element to be controlled, which method comprises producing separate streams of coded pulses, each stream being associated with and coded to identify a particular one of a plurality of different machine elements, separately transmitting said pulse streams through respective waveguide means to a corresponding plurality of outlets, each of which is associated with a particular machine element and is arranged to be occluded by that machine element at a position over its range of movement, but is otherwise unobstructed, whereby to produce, in the unobstructed condition of said outlets, simultaneous coded non-directional pressure wave signals which identify and indicate the position of individual machine elements, and receiving said simultaneous coded signals in a common receiver and identifying the position of particular machine elements by means of the coding employed.
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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) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |