US4009565A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Time measuring device having a periodic signal generator
Assignee: BISOCA RECHERCHES Ste
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Filing: 1974-10-10
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Granted: 1977-03-01
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Expires: 1994-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A time measuring device and an oscillator assembly for generating a periodic signal having a predetermined frequency output is disclosed. The time measuring device may be in the form of a watch, clock or other form of timekeeping device. The oscillator assembly formed by at least one transistor in resonant circuit make-up is energized by a continuous current source.
Inventors
- 👤 Henri Edouard Francois Marie Courier de Mere
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:26
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03B; H03B5/00; H03B5/20; H03B5/24; G; G04; G04F; G04F5/00; G04F5/04; G04F5/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A time measuring device comprising a continuous current source; an indicating device; oscillator means in circuit connection to be energized by said continuous current source and comprising at least one transistor, an inductance having a high overvoltage coefficient, and capacitive means including the inherent capacitance of said inductance connected in a resonant circuit to provide an oscillator assembly having a frequency several orders of magnitude greater than the control frequency of said indicating device, said frequency being determined by the values of said inductance and capacitive means, first means connected to said oscillator assembly for coupling the output to said indicating device, and second means connected directly to a terminal of said inductance and adapted to supply voltage for said indicating device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A time measuring device comprising a continuous current source; an indicating device; oscillator means in circuit connection to be energized by said continuous current source and comprising at least one transistor, an inductance having a high overvoltage coefficient, and capacitive means including the inherent capacitance of said inductance connected in a resonant circuit to provide an oscillator assembly having a frequency several orders of magnitude greater than the control frequency of said indicating device, said frequency being determined by the values of said inductance and capacitive means, first means connected to said oscillator assembly for coupling the output to said indicating device, and second means connected directly to a terminal of said inductance and adapted to supply voltage for said indicating device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The time measuring device according to claim 1 wherein said oscillator means comprises first and second transistors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The time measuring device according to claim 2 wherein said first and second transistors are silicon transistors, said inductance in said resonant circuit being included in the emitter-collector circuit of said first transistor, and said capacitive means including a highly stable capacitor coupling the collector of said first transistor to the base of said second transistor, the dielectric of said coupling capacitor being of silica.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The time measuring device according to claim 3 characterized in that the capacitance of said capacitor is substantially less than the capacitances of the junctions of said first and second transistors, said resonant circuit being in part constituted by said inductive means and the junction capacitances of said first and second transistors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The time measuring device according to claim 1 wherein said inductance includes an inductor wound on a ferrite core.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The time measuring device according to claim 5 which comprises means for displacing said inductor with respect to said core so as to vary said oscillator frequency.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The time measuring device according to claim 1 wherein said capacitive means has a value less than about 100 picofarads.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The time measuring device according to claim 2 wherein said inductance includes an inductor wound on a ferrite core and wherein said source comprises a battery, and a Zener diode connected across said source, the voltage of said Zener diode being less than the emitter-base starting voltage of said second transistor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The time measuring device according to claim 2 wherein said first and second transistors are opposite conductive types.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The time mesuring device according to claim 1 wherein said oscillator comprises one transistor, and said inductance includes a first winding, said first winding connected in the collector circuit of said transistor, and a second winding, said second winding connected in the base circuit of said transistor and coupled to said winding by a ferrite core.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The time measuring device according to claim 10 wherein said resonant circuit comprises said capacitive means and the junction capacitances of the said transistor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The time measuring device according to claim 10 wherein the supply voltage for said indicating device derives from said first winding.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The time measuring device according to claim 1 wherein said current source includes a mercury battery providing a voltage of about 1.3 volts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The time measuring device according to claim 1 wherein said indicating device comprises liquid crystals and wherein the value of said inductance and capacitive means is selected so that the overvoltage provided by said inductance supplies a feed voltage of at least 3 volts.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The time measuring device according to claim 1 wherein said coupling means comprises frequency divider means and decoder means, and said indicating device is formed by liquid crystals including seven segments.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
The time measuring device according to claim 2 wherein said inductance is installed in the load circuit of said first transistor and a highly stable capacitor couples the collector of said first transistor to the base of said second transistor, the capacitance of this capacitor being low compared to the inherent capacitance of said inductance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The time measuring device according to claim 16 wherein said inductance includes an inductor wound on a ferrite core.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The time measuring device according to claim 17 wherein said ferrite is of the type without hysteresis.
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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) | 1980-02-29 | 1980-08-30 | 1981-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-29 | 1984-08-30 | 1985-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-29 | 1988-08-30 | 1989-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |