US3916185A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuitry for encoding altimeter
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
•
Filing: 1974-03-01
•
Granted: 1975-10-28
•
Expires: 1994-03-01
Abstract
Abstract In an altimeter having a commutator disc attached to the output shaft of the aneroid, an encoder for supplying a digital analyzer with an operational signal upon a change in altitude. Opaque and translucent segments are concentrically located at various radii on the commutator disc. A series of light emitting diodes are located at the various radii to present illumination to the opaque and translucent segments. A corresponding series of photosensitive transistors are located in line with the light emitting diodes. Each of the photosensitive transistors upon receiving illumination from the light emitting diodes will produce an electrical current signal. The electrical current signal from each photosensitive transistor is carried to the base of a switching transistor where a voltage level translation is carried out to produce a series of operational signals representative of a code on the commutator disc associated with a particular altitude which are compatible with the digital analyzer. The operational signals are transmitted to the digital analyzer for retention in a memory of an aircraft air traffic control transponder until said transponder is interrogated, at which time said operational signals are recorded and transmitted to the air traffic control ground station. When the aircraft altitude is changing, each new altitude increment to the transponder destroys the previous altitude input such that only the most recent data is stored in the transponder memory. An inhibitor, connected to the power supply of the photosensitive transistors and the digital analyzer, in response to a command signal will interrupt the creation of the operational signal and allow information, other than altitude, to be retrieved from the memory without interference.
Inventors
- 👤 Lynn Charles Jehly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:37
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L9/00; G01L9/0082; G01L9/0088; G01C; G01C5/00; G01C5/06; G01L7/00; G01L7/02; G01L7/10; G01L7/104; H; H03; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/12; H03M1/22; H03M1/24; H03M1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
In an altimeter having a disc with opaque and translucent segments interspersed at radii thereon from which a binary signal is created to inform an air traffic ground control receiver of flight parameters, encoder means for converting the opaque and translucent segments into said binary signal, said encoder means comprising: light means adjacent a first side of said disc located at various radii for presenting illumination to said opaque and translucent segments from which a code is established to represent a flight parameter; sensor means adjacent a second side of said disc on said radii in axial alignment with said light means for converting said code into a series of electrical signals; transmitting means including a plurality of switching transistors connected to said sensor means for translating the voltage level of said electrical signals into compatible operational signals to energize a digital analyzer to produce said binary signal; and inhibitor means connected to an operational energy source for the light means and sensor means for interrupting the operational signal from the series of switching transistors in response to an input command to permit information stored in an external transponder memory to be presented to said air traffic ground control receiver without interference.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
In an altimeter having a disc with opaque and translucent segments interspersed at radii thereon from which a binary signal is created to inform an air traffic ground control receiver of flight parameters, encoder means for converting the opaque and translucent segments into said binary signal, said encoder means comprising: light means adjacent a first side of said disc located at various radii for presenting illumination to said opaque and translucent segments from which a code is established to represent a flight parameter; sensor means adjacent a second side of said disc on said radii in axial alignment with said light means for converting said code into a series of electrical signals; transmitting means including a plurality of switching transistors connected to said sensor means for translating the voltage level of said electrical signals into compatible operational signals to energize a digital analyzer to produce said binary signal; and inhibitor means connected to an operational energy source for the light means and sensor means for interrupting the operational signal from the series of switching transistors in response to an input command to permit information stored in an external transponder memory to be presented to said air traffic ground control receiver without interference.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
In the altimeter, as recited in claim 1, wherein said light means includes: a plurality of light emitting diodes, each of which presents illumination at a single radius without being dispersed to adjacent radii to prevent the possibility of said sensor means receiving an erroneous code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
In the altimeter, as recited in claim 2, wherein said sensor means includes: a plurality of photosensitive transistors mated with said light emitting diodes, each of which upon receiving illumination permitting an electrical current signal to flow to said transmitter means and in the absence of illumination preventing the flow of the electrical current signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
In the altimeter, as recited in Claim 3, wherein said plurality of switching transistors are connected in series with said photosensitive transistors and said digital analyzer for changing the operational signal in a direct relationship with said electrIcal current signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
In the altimeter, as recited in claim 4, wherein said transmitting means further includes: resistor means connected in parallel with the switching means between each of said photosensitive transistors and the digital analyzer for preventing an electrical current signal below a predetermined value from affecting the operational signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
In the altimeter, as recited in claim 5, wherein said plurality of switching transistors, each has its base connected to receive said electrical current signal from a single photosensitive transistor, a collector connected to said digital analyzer, and an emitter connected in a common lead with the other emitters in said series of transistors to the digital analyzer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
208 words
In an altitude sensor having a disc with opaque and translucent segments interspersed at radii thereon from which a binary signal is created to inform an air traffic ground control receiver of flight parameters, encoder means for converting the opaque and translucent segments into said binary signal, said encoder means comprising: transmitter means adjacent a first side of said disc located at various radii for presenting illumination to said opaque and translucent segments from which a code is established to represent a flight parameter; receiver means adjacent a second side of said disc on said radii in axial alignment with said transmitter means for converting said code into an electrical signal; amplifier means connected to said receiver means for translating the voltage level of said electrical signal into a compatible operational signal to energize a digital analyzer to produce said binary signal; and inhibitor means connected to the operational energy source for the transmitter means and receiver means for momentarily interrupting the development of said code from which the operational signal is derived in response to a remote input command from said air traffic ground control receiver to permit information stored in an external transponder memory to be presented to said air traffic ground control receiver without interference.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
208 words
In an altitude sensor having a disc with opaque and translucent segments interspersed at radii thereon from which a binary signal is created to inform an air traffic ground control receiver of flight parameters, encoder means for converting the opaque and translucent segments into said binary signal, said encoder means comprising: transmitter means adjacent a first side of said disc located at various radii for presenting illumination to said opaque and translucent segments from which a code is established to represent a flight parameter; receiver means adjacent a second side of said disc on said radii in axial alignment with said transmitter means for converting said code into an electrical signal; amplifier means connected to said receiver means for translating the voltage level of said electrical signal into a compatible operational signal to energize a digital analyzer to produce said binary signal; and inhibitor means connected to the operational energy source for the transmitter means and receiver means for momentarily interrupting the development of said code from which the operational signal is derived in response to a remote input command from said air traffic ground control receiver to permit information stored in an external transponder memory to be presented to said air traffic ground control receiver without interference.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
In the altitude sensor, as recited in claim 7, wherein said transmitting means includes: a plurality of light emitting diodes, each of which presents illumination at a single radius without being dispersed to adjacent radii to prevent the possibility of said sensor means receiving an erroneous code.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
In the altitude sensor, as recited in claim 8, wherein said receiver means includes: a plurality of photosensitive transistors mated with said light emitting diodes, each of which upon receiving illumination permitting an electrical current signal to flow to said amplifier means and in the absence of illumination preventing the flow of the electrical current signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
In the altitude sensor, as recited in claim 9, wherein said amplifier means includes: switching means connected in series with each of said photosensitive transistors and said digital analyzer for changing the operational signal in a direct relationship with said electrical current signal; and resistor means connected in parallel with the switching means between each of said photosensitive transistors and the digital analyzer for preventing an electrical current signal below a predetermined value from affecting the operational signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
In the altitude sensor, as recited in claim 9, wherein said switching means includes: a series of transistors, each of which having a base connected to receive said electrical current signal from a single photosensitive transistor, a collector connected to said digital analyzer and an emitter connected in a common lead with the other emitters in said series of transistors to the digital analyzer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
255 words
In an altitude sensor having a disc with opaque and translucent segments interspersed at radii thereon from which a binary signal is created to inform an air traffic ground control receiver of flight parameters, encoder means for convertIng the opaque and translucent segments into said binary signal, said encoder means comprising: transmitter means having a plurality of light emitting diodes adjacent a first side of said disc located at various radii for presenting illumination to said opaque and translucent segments from which a code is established to represent a flight parameter; receiver means having a plurality of photosensitive transistors adjacent a second side of said disc on said radii in axial alignment with said light emitting diodes for converting said code into an electrical signal; amplifier means having a switching transistor means connected in series with said receiver means and transmitter means for translating the voltage level of said electrical signal into a compatible operational signal to energize a digital analyzer to produce said binary signal; resistor means connected in parallel with said switching transistor means between the photosensitive transistors and the digital analyzer to prevent an electrical signal below a predetermined value from affecting said operational signal; and inhibitor means connected to the operational energy source for the transmitter means and receiver means for interrupting the development of said code from which the operational signal is derived in response to an input command to permit information stored in an external transponder memory to be presented to said air traffic ground control receiver without interference.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
255 words
In an altitude sensor having a disc with opaque and translucent segments interspersed at radii thereon from which a binary signal is created to inform an air traffic ground control receiver of flight parameters, encoder means for convertIng the opaque and translucent segments into said binary signal, said encoder means comprising: transmitter means having a plurality of light emitting diodes adjacent a first side of said disc located at various radii for presenting illumination to said opaque and translucent segments from which a code is established to represent a flight parameter; receiver means having a plurality of photosensitive transistors adjacent a second side of said disc on said radii in axial alignment with said light emitting diodes for converting said code into an electrical signal; amplifier means having a switching transistor means connected in series with said receiver means and transmitter means for translating the voltage level of said electrical signal into a compatible operational signal to energize a digital analyzer to produce said binary signal; resistor means connected in parallel with said switching transistor means between the photosensitive transistors and the digital analyzer to prevent an electrical signal below a predetermined value from affecting said operational signal; and inhibitor means connected to the operational energy source for the transmitter means and receiver means for interrupting the development of said code from which the operational signal is derived in response to an input command to permit information stored in an external transponder memory to be presented to said air traffic ground control receiver without interference.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
64 words
In the altitude sensor, as recited in claim 12, wherein said switching means includes: a series of transistors, each of which having a base connected to receive said electrical current signal from a single photosensitive transistor, a collector connected to said digital analyzer and an emitter connected in a common lead with the other emitters in said series of transistors to the digital analyzer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
In the altitude sensor, as recited in claim 12 wherein each of said plurality of light emitting diodes presents illumination at a single radius without being dispersed to adjacent radii to reduce the possibility of any of said plurality of photosensitive transistors receiving erroneous information which could affect the development of said code.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
In the altitude sensor, as recited in claim 14, wherein each of said plurality of photosensitive transistors is mated with said light emitting diodes, each of said photosensitive transistors upon receiving illumination permitting an electrical current signal to flow to a single transistor in the switching transistor means and in the absence of illumination preventing the flow of the electrical current signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |