US3947692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital transducers
Assignee: VIRON E PAYNE Inc
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Filing: 1974-08-05
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Granted: 1976-03-30
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Expires: 1994-08-05
Abstract
Abstract A digital transducer comprises a container having two disparate materials therein defining an interface, the interface being movable through the container responsive to a force, or forces, applied to one, or both, of the materials. A plurality of sensors are spaced along the container for sensing the interface, each of which is responsive to the presence of one of the materials. Means are included for suppressing the outputs of all of the sensing means responsive to the one material except that one sensing means which is responsive to the one material and nearest the interface.
Inventors
- 👤 Viron E. Payne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:49
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/24; G01F23/241; G01G; G01G5/00; G01G5/04; G01G5/06; G01K; G01K5/00; G01K5/02; G01K5/18; G01L; G01L9/00; G01L9/0091; G01L9/0092; G01L9/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
A digital transducer comprising: a container; two disparate materials in said container defining an interface therebetween, said interface being movable through said container responsive to a force applied to one of said materials; a plurality of means spaced along said container for sensing said interface, each of said sensing means responding to the presence of one of said materials; means coupled to all of said sensing means for electrically suppressing outputs from all of said sensing means responding to said one material except that one sensing means which responds to said one material and is nearest said interface, said output suppressing means comprising a plurality of active circuit elements, each having first and second terminals and another terminal for controlling current flow between said first and second terminals, one of said first and second terminals of each circuit element being coupled to the output of one of said sensing means, said control terminal of each said circuit element being coupled to the next adjacent circuit element at said one terminal of said first and second terminals which is coupled to the output of the corresponding sensing means; and means interposed between said control terminal and said one terminal of said next adjacent circuit element for allowing current flow therebetween only in one direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
A digital transducer comprising: a container; two disparate materials in said container defining an interface therebetween, said interface being movable through said container responsive to a force applied to one of said materials; a plurality of means spaced along said container for sensing said interface, each of said sensing means responding to the presence of one of said materials; means coupled to all of said sensing means for electrically suppressing outputs from all of said sensing means responding to said one material except that one sensing means which responds to said one material and is nearest said interface, said output suppressing means comprising a plurality of active circuit elements, each having first and second terminals and another terminal for controlling current flow between said first and second terminals, one of said first and second terminals of each circuit element being coupled to the output of one of said sensing means, said control terminal of each said circuit element being coupled to the next adjacent circuit element at said one terminal of said first and second terminals which is coupled to the output of the corresponding sensing means; and means interposed between said control terminal and said one terminal of said next adjacent circuit element for allowing current flow therebetween only in one direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1 further comprising: said container being defined by a tube, said tube comprising a transparent material having a relatively thick wall defining a double inverted, convex arrangement relative to light perpendicular to said tube; one of said materials comprising an opaque fluid which expands and contracts responsive to changes in temperature; said sensing means comprising a plurality of photoemitting devices along one side of said tube and corresponding photodetecting means on the opposite side of said tube; and a reservoir for said fluid communicating with said tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said material to which said sensing means are responsive comprises a conductive fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein said conductive fluid comprises a fluid opaque to light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein said conductive fluid comprises an electrically conductive liquid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein said sensing means are disposed along said container, and wherein said fluid moves directly responsive to said force.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus recited in claim 6 wherein said conductive fluid is opaque to light and said sensing means comprises a plurality of photo-sensing devices spaced alongside said container and adapted to detect the presence of said fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus recited in claim 6 further comprising: a reservoir for said conductive fluid; a conduit for said fluid communicating between said tube and said reservoir; a piston movably positioned in said reservoir; and wherein said piston moves into said reservoir responsive to said force.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus recited in claim 6 wherein said sensing means comprises a plurality of electrically conductive electrodes disposed along the path of movement of said conductive fluid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus recited in claim 9 further comprising: a member adapted to be inserted into a body of said conductive fluid, said body defining said container; said sensing means constituting a plurality of conductive electrodes fixed to said member, each said electrode being disposed so that one end thereof is distributed in spaced relationship in a vertical direction one with respect to the other when said member is inserted into said conductive fluid body; and wherein said output-suppressing means is coupled to the other end of said electrodes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus recited in claim 6 wherein said container comprises a sphere.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus recited in claim 11 wherein said sphere comprises concentric conductive rings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus recited in claim 12 further comprising concentric rings of non-conductive material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus recited in claim 13 wherein each said non-conductive ring is interposed between conductive rings, with said fluid disposed within said sphere.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3186224A
Cited
GB1110175A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-03-30 | 1979-09-29 | 1980-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-30 | 1983-09-29 | 1984-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-30 | 1987-09-29 | 1988-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |