US3935592A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recording instrument adapted for use in remote unattended locations
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1974-02-22
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Granted: 1976-01-27
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Expires: 1994-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A recording instrument for use in ocean depths and like remote locations and adapted to provide meaningful readings of temperatures and pressure, for example, at such locations over a long period of time without attendance. Analog signals from transducers, which indicate the level of the thing-to-be-measured, are processed to give an averaged digital signal that is then stored on a magnetic tape. The system is battery powered. The instrument detailed is for use at ocean depths where the instrument housing and attachment to a mooring line are of particular importance.
Inventors
- 👤 John M. Dahlen
- 👤 William E. Toth
- 👤 John T. Shillingford, Jr.
- 👤 John F. McKenna, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:31
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D9/00; G01D9/005; G01D1/00; G01D1/02; G01D11/00; G01D11/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A recording instrument for use at remote locations and adapted to provide large amounts of data relating to a condition of the environment at such location, that comprises, in combination: transducer means operable to sense during relatively short intervals a condition of the environment at said location and to produce electrical analog signals representative thereof over relatively long periods of time; an electronic data acquisition system connected to receive the electrical analog signals and to condition the analog signals and convert the same to digital words during data sampling intervals, said data acquisition system containing electronic means for averaging the digital words over said long periods of time to produce output words; a magnetic tape recorder connected to receive the digital output words from the data acquisition system and to store the same during recording intervals; a battery to power the foregoing elements; and a housing to receive and protect the foregoing elements, said means for averaging comprising a serial digital adder providing a sum of consecutive ones of said digital words, a plurality of accumulators which store the sum of said consecutive digital words, and means for dividing the sum of said consecutive digital words by a power of two.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
A recording instrument for use at remote locations and adapted to provide large amounts of data relating to a condition of the environment at such location, that comprises, in combination: transducer means operable to sense during relatively short intervals a condition of the environment at said location and to produce electrical analog signals representative thereof over relatively long periods of time; an electronic data acquisition system connected to receive the electrical analog signals and to condition the analog signals and convert the same to digital words during data sampling intervals, said data acquisition system containing electronic means for averaging the digital words over said long periods of time to produce output words; a magnetic tape recorder connected to receive the digital output words from the data acquisition system and to store the same during recording intervals; a battery to power the foregoing elements; and a housing to receive and protect the foregoing elements, said means for averaging comprising a serial digital adder providing a sum of consecutive ones of said digital words, a plurality of accumulators which store the sum of said consecutive digital words, and means for dividing the sum of said consecutive digital words by a power of two.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 1 in which means is provided for altering the output word length of said digital output words.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 1 that includes two sequence generators which act independently to cause said sampling and recording intervals to occur thereby permitting sampling and recording events to take place at independent frequencies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 3 that includes an analog-to-digital converter connected as input to said serial digital adder as well as means for selecting the contents of one of the accumulators for addition to the output of the analog-to-digital converter by the serial digital adder and for delivering to the magnetic tape recorder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 that further includes a clock to provide timing for the active elements in the instrument, and to produce a time word to be recorded, and to provide timing for initiation of said events.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which said clock comprises a crystal oscillator and digital countdown circuitry.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 that further includes means for introducing a time indication on the magnetic tape of the magnetic tape recorder.
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) | 1979-01-26 | 1979-07-28 | 1980-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-26 | 1983-07-28 | 1984-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-26 | 1987-07-28 | 1988-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |