Patent EP0423369A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4107516A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Pulse counting apparatus for measuring mechanical movement of a machine such as a mining machine
Assignee: Coal Industry Patents Ltd
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Filing: 1977-03-07
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Granted: 1978-08-15
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Expires: 1997-03-07
Abstract
Abstract Pulse Counter means adapted to determine the position of a mining machine including a rotary member. The pulse counter means includes an arrangement of phototransistors and photodiodes which is adapted to derive electrical pulse signals in response to movement of the rotary member therebetween. Circuitry in the form of logic gates and switching transistors is provided so that operational errors of the phototransistor and diodes are located. The pulse counter means also includes a memory which is kept on by an internal battery when external power is removed so that the counted position is not lost when power failures occur.
Inventors
- 👤 Jan Hagbert Hvidsten
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:34
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/12; G01D5/244; G01D5/245; G01D5/2451; G01D5/26; G01D5/32; G01D5/34; G01D5/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
Pulse counting apparatus for use with a rotary mechanical member, said apparatus receiving electrical power from an external power supply, comrising: an internal battery; a plurality of light emitting diodes coupled across said external power supply and said internal battery; a plurality of phototransistors, said light emitting diodes and said phototransistors being situated on opposite sides of said rotary mechanical member, each phototransistor being controlled by a respective one of said light emitting diodes to generate electrical pulse signals in response to movement of said rotary mechanical member between said diodes and phototransistors; first means comprising an analysis circuit for detecting the sequence of the electrical pulse signals generaed by said phototransistors, and a counting unit for counting the number of electrical pulse signals generated by said phototransistors, said counting unit including a memory for storing the counted number of electrical pulse signals; and second means including a delay circuit for disconnecting a portion of said pulse counting apparatus including said light emitting diodes from said internal battery after said external power supply has been removed from said pulse counting apparatus and only after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
Pulse counting apparatus for use with a rotary mechanical member, said apparatus receiving electrical power from an external power supply, comrising: an internal battery; a plurality of light emitting diodes coupled across said external power supply and said internal battery; a plurality of phototransistors, said light emitting diodes and said phototransistors being situated on opposite sides of said rotary mechanical member, each phototransistor being controlled by a respective one of said light emitting diodes to generate electrical pulse signals in response to movement of said rotary mechanical member between said diodes and phototransistors; first means comprising an analysis circuit for detecting the sequence of the electrical pulse signals generaed by said phototransistors, and a counting unit for counting the number of electrical pulse signals generated by said phototransistors, said counting unit including a memory for storing the counted number of electrical pulse signals; and second means including a delay circuit for disconnecting a portion of said pulse counting apparatus including said light emitting diodes from said internal battery after said external power supply has been removed from said pulse counting apparatus and only after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Pulse counting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said internal battery powers said first means when external power is removed therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Pulse counting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first means comprises gate means for generating an error indication signal in the absence of an electrical signal from at least one of said phototransistors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Pulse counter means as claimed in claim 3, wherein said analysis circuit comprise logic circuitry.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Pulse counter means as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first means includes a visual display of the counted signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Pulse counter means as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first means includes means for transmitting the counted number as an electrically coded signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Pulse counter means as claimed in claim 6 wherein the first means includes switches for inserting a desired reference number into the memory means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
Pulse counter means as claimed in claim 5 wherein the visual display includes a liquid crystal display.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
Pulse counter means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second means further comprises switching transistors interposed between said delay circuit and said light emitting diodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Pulse counter means as claimed in claim 9 wherein the second means includes a capacitor adapted to control time of actuation of the switching transistors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
190 words
A mining machine for use with an external power supply comprising: a rotary mechanical member, and pulse counting apparatus including an internal battery; a plurality of light emitting diodes coupled across said external power supply and said internal battery; a plurality of phototransistors, said light emitting diodes and said phototransistors being situated on opposite sides of said rotary mechanical member, each phototransistor being controlled by a respective one of said light emitting diodes to generate electrical pulse signals in response to movement of said rotary mechanical member between said diodes and phototransistors; first means comprising an analysis circuit for detecting the sequence of the electrical pulse signals generated by said phototransistors, and a counting unit for counting the number of electrical pulse signals generated by said phototransistors, said counting unit including a memory for storing the counted number of electrical pulse signals; and second means including a delay circuit for disconnecting a portion of said pulse counting apparatus including said light emitting diodes from said internal battery after said external power suply has been removed from said pulse counting apparatus and only after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
190 words
A mining machine for use with an external power supply comprising: a rotary mechanical member, and pulse counting apparatus including an internal battery; a plurality of light emitting diodes coupled across said external power supply and said internal battery; a plurality of phototransistors, said light emitting diodes and said phototransistors being situated on opposite sides of said rotary mechanical member, each phototransistor being controlled by a respective one of said light emitting diodes to generate electrical pulse signals in response to movement of said rotary mechanical member between said diodes and phototransistors; first means comprising an analysis circuit for detecting the sequence of the electrical pulse signals generated by said phototransistors, and a counting unit for counting the number of electrical pulse signals generated by said phototransistors, said counting unit including a memory for storing the counted number of electrical pulse signals; and second means including a delay circuit for disconnecting a portion of said pulse counting apparatus including said light emitting diodes from said internal battery after said external power suply has been removed from said pulse counting apparatus and only after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.
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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) | 1981-08-14 | 1982-02-13 | 1982-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-14 | 1986-02-13 | 1986-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-14 | 1990-02-13 | 1990-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |