US4012949A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Miles per gallon computer system means
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-03-22
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Granted: 1977-03-22
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Expires: 1996-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A miles-per-gallon computing device in which a chain of pulses is produced with the pulse spacing being a function of one variable and the pulse width being a function of the other variable. The resulting pulse chain is then integrated to obtain the output value.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter J. Lanz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F9/00; G01F9/02; G01F9/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A new computer system means which provides accurate capability for both multiplication and division of two variable quantities and for presenting the result continually on a display indicator, comprising: a first transducer means for converting one variable quantity into an output of a series of a series of electrical pulses varying in frequency; a second transducer means for converting a second variable quantity into a varying output combination of electrical capacitance and resistance; a computer means, technically termed a "monostable retriggerable multivibrator," which, being connected electrically to the outputs of the said first and second transducers, receives pulses from the first transducer and capacitance-resistance information from the second transducer, and provides an output series of pulses constant in amplitude, varying in frequency identically with the frequency of the pulses supplied by the first transducer, and varying in width in proportion to the variation of the capacitance-resistance information supplied by the second transducer, the resulting output voltage averaged with respect to time, being the arithmetical product of pulse amplitude, pulse frequency and pulse width; a regulated d.c. voltage source connected to the said computer which provides energy for its operation and establishes the magnitude of the constant amplitude of the computer output pulses; an indicator means electrically connected to the computer output, whose dynamic damping causes it to respond to the average voltage of the computer output.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
A new computer system means which provides accurate capability for both multiplication and division of two variable quantities and for presenting the result continually on a display indicator, comprising: a first transducer means for converting one variable quantity into an output of a series of a series of electrical pulses varying in frequency; a second transducer means for converting a second variable quantity into a varying output combination of electrical capacitance and resistance; a computer means, technically termed a "monostable retriggerable multivibrator," which, being connected electrically to the outputs of the said first and second transducers, receives pulses from the first transducer and capacitance-resistance information from the second transducer, and provides an output series of pulses constant in amplitude, varying in frequency identically with the frequency of the pulses supplied by the first transducer, and varying in width in proportion to the variation of the capacitance-resistance information supplied by the second transducer, the resulting output voltage averaged with respect to time, being the arithmetical product of pulse amplitude, pulse frequency and pulse width; a regulated d.c. voltage source connected to the said computer which provides energy for its operation and establishes the magnitude of the constant amplitude of the computer output pulses; an indicator means electrically connected to the computer output, whose dynamic damping causes it to respond to the average voltage of the computer output.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
231 words
The computer system means of claim 1 further including: a connection between the first transducer and a component of any liquid fuel operated automotive vehicle with the result that the transducer output pulses vary in frequency directly with the vehicle speed in miles per hour, as a feature of the transducer design, and are applied to the computer input to which the transducer is connected, causing the computer output pulses to vary in frequency as the vehicle speed varies; a connection between the second transducer and the liquid fuel supply of said automotive vehicle with the result that the transducer output, which is a combination of capacitance and resistance, varies inversely with the rate of fuel flow in gallons per hour, as a feature of the transducer design, and said output is applied to the computer to which it is connected, causing the computer output pulse widths to vary inversely with the rate of fuel flow in gallons per hour, and thus in turn, causing the average voltage of the computer output to vary with miles travelled per gallon of fuel consumed for small finite periods of time; and a scale provided on the indicator which is calibrated in miles per gallon so that an indication of miles per gallon will be continually displayed as the indicator responds to the average voltage of the computer output to which it is attached.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
245 words
The computer system means of claim 1 further including: a connection between the first transducer and the liquid fuel supply of any liquid fuel operated automotive vehicle with the result that the transducer output pulses vary in frequency directly with the rate of fuel flow in gallons per hour, as a feature of the transducer design, and are applied to the computer input to which the transducer is connected, causing the computer output pulses to vary in frequency directly as the rate of fuel flow varies; a connection between the second transducer and a component of said automotive vehicle with the result that the transducer output, which is a combination of electrical capacitance and resistance, varies inversely with the vehicle speed in miles per hour, as a feature of the transducer design, and said output is applied to the computer to which the transducer is connected, causing the computer output pulse widths to vary inversely with vehicle speed in miles per hour, and thus in turn, causing the average voltage of the computer output to vary with gallons of fuel consumed per mile of distance travelled and inversely, with distance in miles per gallon of fuel, for small finite periods of time; and a scale provided on the indicator which is calibrated in miles per gallon so that an indication of miles per gallon will be continually displayed as the indicator responds to the average voltage of the computer output to which it is attached.
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) | 1980-03-21 | 1980-09-20 | 1981-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-21 | 1984-09-20 | 1985-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-21 | 1988-09-20 | 1989-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |