US3979600A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sense circuit arrangement
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1974-11-14
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Granted: 1976-09-07
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Expires: 1994-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A unique, two-node sense circuit is disclosed. The circuit includes a bridge comprised of resistance elements and a differential amplifier. The two-node circuit is suitably adapted to be arranged in an array comprised of a plurality of discrete bridge-amplifiers which can be selectively energized. The circuit is arranged so as to form a configuration with minimum power utilization and a reduced number of components and interconnections therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 Oliver D. Bohning
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R17/00; G01R17/10; G01R33/00; G01R33/02; G01R33/06; G01R33/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A sense circuit including a bridge arrangement comprised of first impedance means, the impedance of said bridge arrangement adapted to change in response to a condition to be sensed, first source means connected to energize said bridge arrangement, second source means, third source means, a differential amplifier connected between said bridge arrangement and said second source means to receive a signal from said bridge arrangement in response to a change in the impedance of said first impedance means, second impedance means electrically connected between said third source means and said differential amplifier so as to provide a signal related to the signal received by said differential amplifier, and output terminal means connected to said differential amplifier and said second impedance means to provide a signal in response to the operation of said differential amplifier to thereby indicate a change in the impedance of said bridge arrangement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A sense circuit including a bridge arrangement comprised of first impedance means, the impedance of said bridge arrangement adapted to change in response to a condition to be sensed, first source means connected to energize said bridge arrangement, second source means, third source means, a differential amplifier connected between said bridge arrangement and said second source means to receive a signal from said bridge arrangement in response to a change in the impedance of said first impedance means, second impedance means electrically connected between said third source means and said differential amplifier so as to provide a signal related to the signal received by said differential amplifier, and output terminal means connected to said differential amplifier and said second impedance means to provide a signal in response to the operation of said differential amplifier to thereby indicate a change in the impedance of said bridge arrangement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sense circuit of claim 1, including diode means connected between said differential amplifier and said second source means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The sense circuit of claim 2, wherein said differential amplifier includes current source means to control the current therethrough, said current source means connected to said impedance bridge and to said diode means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sense circuit of claim 1, wherein said differential amplifier includes a balanced pair of three-terminal semiconductor devices.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The sense circuit of claim 1, wherein said third source means supplies a potential which is equal to or greater than the potential supplied by said second source means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
203 words
A sense circuit including a plurality of bridge arrangements each of which includes at least one respective first impedance means, the impedance of said first impedance means of at least one of said plurality of bridge arrangements adapted to change in response to a condition to be sensed, first source means, first means to selectively connect a respective bridge arrangement to said first source means for energization thereof, second source means, third source means, at least one differential amplifier, each of said at least one differential amplifier connected between a bridge arrangement and said second source means to receive a signal from said bridge arrangement in response to a change in the impedance of said at least one respective first impedance means, second impedance means electrically connected between said third source means and said at least one differential amplifier so as to provide a signal related to the signal received by said at least one differential amplifier, and output terminal means electrically connected to said at least one differential amplifier and said second impedance means to provide a signal in response to the operation of said at least one differential amplifier to thereby indicate a change in the impedance of said bridge arrangement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
203 words
A sense circuit including a plurality of bridge arrangements each of which includes at least one respective first impedance means, the impedance of said first impedance means of at least one of said plurality of bridge arrangements adapted to change in response to a condition to be sensed, first source means, first means to selectively connect a respective bridge arrangement to said first source means for energization thereof, second source means, third source means, at least one differential amplifier, each of said at least one differential amplifier connected between a bridge arrangement and said second source means to receive a signal from said bridge arrangement in response to a change in the impedance of said at least one respective first impedance means, second impedance means electrically connected between said third source means and said at least one differential amplifier so as to provide a signal related to the signal received by said at least one differential amplifier, and output terminal means electrically connected to said at least one differential amplifier and said second impedance means to provide a signal in response to the operation of said at least one differential amplifier to thereby indicate a change in the impedance of said bridge arrangement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sense circuit of claim 6, including a second means to selectively connect said at least one differential amplifier to said second source means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sense circuit of claim 7, wherein said first and second selection means are switches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sense circuit of claim 6, including a unilaterally conducting means connected between a respective differential amplifier and said second source means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sense circuit of claim 6, including a signal processing means connected to said output terminal means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The sense circuit of claim 4, wherein each of said pair of three-terminal semiconductor devices has respective control terminal means and second and third conduction path terminal means, each of said control terminal means connected to said bridge arrangement, and each of said second and third conduction path terminal means connected to said second impedance means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
88 words
The sense circuit of claim 11, each of said pair of three-terminal semiconductor devices having respective first control terminal means and second and third conduction path terminal means, said second impedance means including first and second resistance means, each of said control terminal means connected to said bridge arrangement, said first resistance means connected to the conduction path terminal means of a first of said pair of devices, and said second resistance means connected to the conduction path terminal means of the second of said pair of devices.
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) | 1979-09-07 | 1980-03-08 | 1980-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-07 | 1984-03-08 | 1984-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-07 | 1988-03-08 | 1988-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |