US4013944A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure insensitive system for measuring the length of a cable deployed underwater using magnet actuated reed switches
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1976-01-02
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Granted: 1977-03-22
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Expires: 1996-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A pressure insensitive counter for a towed array deployed underwater provs accurate readings of the deployment of the array from a winch. Several magnets are carried on the side of a fairlead sheeve to actuate associated reed switches as the magnets pass by them. The reed switches are oriented with respect to one another to provide binary coded decimal (BCD) signals which are fed to an electronic counter circuit carried inside of a pressurized hull. Mounting the reed switches inside of fluid filled conduits assures that the BCD signals are generated reliably. The electronic counter circuit assures a positive indication of how much of the array has been deployed.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Benya
- 👤 Gale W. McGuffey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/02; G01B7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for measuring the length of cable deployed from a winch submerged in water comprising: a fairlead sheave disposed in the water to receive the cable directly from the winch having a predetermined grooved circumference for rotatably receiving the cable; a plurality of magnets radially mounted on the fairlead sheave for radiating electromagnetic energy; a plurality of reed switches disposed adjacent to the magnets to be magnetically actuated by the magnets for thereby providing coded signals representative of the deployed length of the cable. a plurality of sections of tubing disposed in the water, each being fluid filled and each containing at least one of the reed switches for ensuring compensation for ambient pressure variations and to assure reliable actuation thereof means coupled to the reed switches for presenting a visual readout of the signals; and means coupled to the sections of tubing and connecting the reed switches and the presenting means for maintaining a watertight integrity thereacross.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for measuring the length of cable deployed from a winch submerged in water comprising: a fairlead sheave disposed in the water to receive the cable directly from the winch having a predetermined grooved circumference for rotatably receiving the cable; a plurality of magnets radially mounted on the fairlead sheave for radiating electromagnetic energy; a plurality of reed switches disposed adjacent to the magnets to be magnetically actuated by the magnets for thereby providing coded signals representative of the deployed length of the cable. a plurality of sections of tubing disposed in the water, each being fluid filled and each containing at least one of the reed switches for ensuring compensation for ambient pressure variations and to assure reliable actuation thereof means coupled to the reed switches for presenting a visual readout of the signals; and means coupled to the sections of tubing and connecting the reed switches and the presenting means for maintaining a watertight integrity thereacross.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the magnets and the reed switches are arranged with respect to each other to provide BCD signals representative of bidirectional extension of the fairlead sheave.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 in which the presenting means includes circuitry interconnected to provide BCD signals indicative of a successive playing out or reeling in of the cable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 in which the circuitry includes at least an interconnected shift register and exclusive or gates to indicate the direction of winch travel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 in which the circuitry is fabricated from TTL and CMOS boards electronically interconnected for indicating direction and extent of winch travel.
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 |