Patent US4220849A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4220849A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Circuit arrangement for the control of a digitally settable load
Assignee: Wandel and Golterman GmbH and Co
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Filing: 1978-05-24
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Granted: 1980-09-02
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Expires: 1998-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A manually operated direct-current generator, with an output voltage whose polarity and magnitude depend on the direction and speed of rotation of a control knob, charges a storage capacitor in an input circuit of an operational amplifier which works into two comparators respectively responsive to positive and negative voltages exceeding selected thresholds. A triggerable pulse source, upon actuation by either comparator, feeds back one or more discharge pulses to the storage capacitor and also steps a reversible pulse counter in either a forward or a reverse sense.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Harzer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:19
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03J; H03J5/00; H03J5/02; H03J5/0245
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A circuit arrangement for controlling a digitally settable load, comprising: a manually rotatable control knob; a tachometer mechanically coupled with said control knob for producing a driving voltage of variable polarity and magnitude depending upon the direction and speed of rotation; discriminating means connected to said tachometer for emitting one of two control signals upon detecting a driving voltage of a respective polarity exceeding a corresponding threshold, said discriminating means further including an operational amplifier and a pair of comparators each having a first input connected to the output of said operational amplifier and having a second input connected to a supply of reference potential, said operational amplifier being provided with an input circuit containing a storage capacitor chargeable by said driving voltage; a reversible pulse counter with a plurality of stage outputs connectable to the load; pulse-generating means operatively connected between said pulse counter and said discriminating means for respectively translating said two control signals into forward-stepping and reverse-stepping pulses applied to said pulse counter; and feedback means connected between said pulse-generating means and said storage capacitor for depleting the charge of the latter in response to the generated stepping pulses.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A circuit arrangement for controlling a digitally settable load, comprising: a manually rotatable control knob; a tachometer mechanically coupled with said control knob for producing a driving voltage of variable polarity and magnitude depending upon the direction and speed of rotation; discriminating means connected to said tachometer for emitting one of two control signals upon detecting a driving voltage of a respective polarity exceeding a corresponding threshold, said discriminating means further including an operational amplifier and a pair of comparators each having a first input connected to the output of said operational amplifier and having a second input connected to a supply of reference potential, said operational amplifier being provided with an input circuit containing a storage capacitor chargeable by said driving voltage; a reversible pulse counter with a plurality of stage outputs connectable to the load; pulse-generating means operatively connected between said pulse counter and said discriminating means for respectively translating said two control signals into forward-stepping and reverse-stepping pulses applied to said pulse counter; and feedback means connected between said pulse-generating means and said storage capacitor for depleting the charge of the latter in response to the generated stepping pulses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A circuit arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said input circuit includes nonlinear impedance means for varying the recurrence rate of said stepping pulses generally exponentially with the magnitude of said driving voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A circuit arrangement as defined in claim 2 wherein said nonlinear impedance means comprises a resistor shunted by a pair of antiparallel diodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A circuit arrangement as defined in claim 3 wherein said resistor and diodes are connected in a charging path of said storage capacitor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A circuit arrangement as defined in claim 3 wherein said operational amplifier has a noninverting input connected to said storage capacitor and an inverting input connected to a voltage divider lying between the output thereof and a point of fixed potential, said resistor and diodes being part of said voltage divider.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A circuit arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said pulse-generating means comprises a Schmitt trigger.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A circuit arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said pulse-generating means comprises a source of periodically recurring pulses and gating means controlled by said discriminating means for selectively passing the pulses from said source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A circuit arrangement as defined in claim 7 wherein said load is a digital frequency synthesizer provided with a reference oscillator, said source being driven by said reference oscillator.
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) | 1983-09-02 | 1984-03-03 | 1984-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-02 | 1988-03-03 | 1988-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-02 | 1992-03-03 | 1992-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |