Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A system for controlling voltage across a pair of output terminals including a power supply for generating the voltage, means for coupling the supply to the output terminals, means for sensing the output current flowing between the terminals, means for disrupting the impressed voltage, the disrupting means being coupled to the terminals and having at least one control electrode, a control circuit, first circuit means for coupling the control circuit to the sensing means for providing an output current-related signal at a terminal of the control circuit, the control circuit including sample-and-hold circuit means for sampling a signal related to the output current-related signal during successive sampling intervals and for storing the value of such signal between successive sampling intervals, circuit means for generating an input signal related to the output current-related signal by a predetermined non-negative selectively variable multiplier, and a comparator for comparing the value stored in the sample-and-hold circuit means to the input signal and for generating an output signal when the input signal exceeds the stored value and means for coupling the comparator to the control electrode, the output signal controlling the disrupting means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
188 words
A system for controlling voltage across a pair of output terminals including a power supply for generating the voltage, means for coupling the supply to the output terminals, means for sensing the output current flowing between the terminals, means for disrupting the impressed voltage, the disrupting means being coupled to the terminals and having at least one control electrode, a control circuit, first circuit means for coupling the control circuit to the sensing means for providing an output current-related signal at a terminal of the control circuit, the control circuit including sample-and-hold circuit means for sampling a signal related to the output current-related signal during successive sampling intervals and for storing the value of such signal between successive sampling intervals, circuit means for generating an input signal related to the output current-related signal by a predetermined non-negative selectively variable multiplier, and a comparator for comparing the value stored in the sample-and-hold circuit means to the input signal and for generating an output signal when the input signal exceeds the stored value and means for coupling the comparator to the control electrode, the output signal controlling the disrupting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the first circuit means includes a filter for removing alternating current components above a predetermined frequency from the output current-related signal, the output current-related signal thereby containing substantially only low-frequency and direct current components of the output current signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the first circuit means comprises a multiple-pole active filter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein the filter is a three-pole filter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the predetermined frequency is approximately 100 Hz.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 1 and further comprising fixed difference circuit means for generating the signal related to the output current-related signal by a predetermined selectively variable fixed difference, the fixed difference circuit means being coupled to the first circuit means and to the sample-and-hold circuit means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 6 and further comprising a comparator for comparing the value stored in the sample-and-hold circuit means to the output current-related signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the fixed difference circuit means includes a reference voltage source, a summing point and a first, selectively variable resistance for generating a fixed difference signal, the first resistance being coupled to the reference voltage source and to the summing point, the first circuit means being coupled to the summing point, and a summing amplifier, the summing amplifier having an input terminal coupled to the summing point and an output terminal coupled to the sample-and-hold circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein the first circuit means comprises a multiple-pole at active filter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the circuit means for generating the input signal includes a selectively variable resistance for adjusting the signal related to the output current-related signal by a predetermined amount corresponding to the multiplier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the resistance is discretely variable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the sensing means comprises resistive circuit means coupled to the pair of output terminals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the control circuit further comprises selectively variable static overload current-adjust means for limiting the maximum allowable current flow between the output terminals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
103 words
The invention of claim 13 wherein the selectively variable current-adjust means comprises a comparator having first and second input terminals and an output terminal, the first input terminal of the current-adjust comparator being coupled to the first circuit means means for generating a selectively variable signal related to the maximum allowable current flow between the first and second terminals, means for coupling the selectively variable signal generating means to the second input terminal of the current-adjust comparator, and means for coupling the current-adjust comparator output terminal to the control electrode the signal on the current-adjust comparator output terminal also controlling the disrupting means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
191 words
A system for controlling voltage across a pair of output terminals including a power supply for generating the voltage, means for coupling the supply to the output terminals, means for sensing the output current flowing between the terminals, means for disrupting the impressed voltage, the disrupting means being coupled to the terminals and having at least one control electrode, a control circuit, first circuit means for coupling the control circuit to the sensing means for providing an output current-related signal at a terminal of the control circuit, the control circuit including sample-and-hold circuit means for sampling a signal related to the output current-related signal during successive sampling intervals and for storing the value of such signal between successive sampling intervals, circuit means for generating an input signal related to the output current-related signal by a predetermined non-negative selectively variable multiplier less than one, and a comparator for comparing the value stored in the sample-and-hold circuit means to the input signal and for generating an output signal when the input signal exceeds the stored value and means for coupling the comparator to the control electrode, the output signal controlling the disrupting means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
191 words
A system for controlling voltage across a pair of output terminals including a power supply for generating the voltage, means for coupling the supply to the output terminals, means for sensing the output current flowing between the terminals, means for disrupting the impressed voltage, the disrupting means being coupled to the terminals and having at least one control electrode, a control circuit, first circuit means for coupling the control circuit to the sensing means for providing an output current-related signal at a terminal of the control circuit, the control circuit including sample-and-hold circuit means for sampling a signal related to the output current-related signal during successive sampling intervals and for storing the value of such signal between successive sampling intervals, circuit means for generating an input signal related to the output current-related signal by a predetermined non-negative selectively variable multiplier less than one, and a comparator for comparing the value stored in the sample-and-hold circuit means to the input signal and for generating an output signal when the input signal exceeds the stored value and means for coupling the comparator to the control electrode, the output signal controlling the disrupting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 15 wherein the first circuit means includes a filter for removing alternating current components above a predetermined frequency from the output current-related signal, the output current-related signal thereby containing substantially only low-frequency and direct current components of the output current signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 15 and further comprising fixed difference circuit means for generating the signal related to the output current-related signal by a predetermined selectively variable fixed difference, the fixed difference circuit means being coupled to the first circuit means and to the sample-and-hold circuit means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 15 wherein the circuit means for generating the input signal includes a selectively variable resistance for adjusting the signal related to the output current-related signal by a predetermined amount corresponding to the multiplier.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 15 wherein the sensing means comprises resistive circuit means coupled to the pair of output terminals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 15 wherein the control circuit further comprises selectively variable static overload current-adjust means for limiting the maximum allowable current flow between the output terminals.