US4275523A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for keeping under control a population of selected species of insects
Assignee: Centro Ricerche Fiat SCpA
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Filing: 1979-03-14
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Granted: 1981-06-30
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Expires: 1999-03-14
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for use in monitoring the numbers of a selected species of insect comprising one or more traps into which is put a synthesized pheromone to attract that particular insect. Each trap has a grille comprising a plurality of bars between which is applied a high voltage by means of a high voltage generator, so that when an insect of the selected species tries to enter the trap it touches adjacent bars and is electrocuted by the electric discharge between them. This discharge is detected by a discharge detector connected to the trap and the detector passes a signal to a transmitter which transmits it to a central receiver equipped with a discriminator for ignoring signals other than those from the transmitter and for passing the signals representing discharges to a pulse counter whereby a total of the number of insects trapped in a given time can be obtained at a central station without visiting each trap. An astable circuit, which is interposed between the high voltage generator and a portable voltage source such as an accumulator, operates to feed the high voltage generator from a battery at spaced intervals so as to lengthen the duration of the charge of the battery and therefore the duration of efficient operation of the device. The high voltage generator is capable of providing the high voltage even during those periods in which the astable circuit cuts off the supply from the battery. The signal transmitted to the central receiver can be a coded signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Mario Baima
- 👤 Gian P. Tavoni
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:01
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01M; A01M1/00; A01M1/02; A01M1/026; A01M1/22; A01M1/223; A01M2200/00; A01M2200/01; A01M2200/012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
331 words
A device for use in keeping insect infestations under control; said device comprising: at least one trap, electrical conductor means on said at least one trap, a high voltage generator, said electrical conductor means being connected across the output of said voltage generator and being so formed as to produce an electrical discharge when an insect above a given size comes into contact with said electrical conductor means, radio transmitter means, discharge detector means operable to detect electrical discharges across said electrical conductor means and to enable, in response thereto, and for a limited time period, operation of said radio transmitter means, radio receiver means for receiving signals transmitted by said radio transmitter means, an impulse counter means connected to the output of said radio receiver means, said impulse counter means operating to count each time said transmitter means is operated, whereby to provide an indication, at a location remote from said trap of the number of insects trapped thereby, and an astable circuit interposed between said high voltage generator and an electrical voltage source therefor, said astable circuit operating to feed said high voltage generator from said voltage source at spaced intervals, wherein said high voltage generator includes: an oscillator, a first step-up transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, the output of said oscillator being connected to said primary winding of said step-up transformer, a first capacitor, the secondary winding of said first step-up transformer being connected to said first capacitor, a trigger unit and a circuit interruptor, a second step-up transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, said trigger circuit controlling the connection of said first capacitor to said primary winding of said second step-up transformer through said circuit interruptor, a second capacitor connected across said secondary winding of said second step-up transformer and said electrical conductor means of said at least one trap, and a diode connected between said secondary winding of said second step-up transformer and one terminal of said second capacitor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
331 words
A device for use in keeping insect infestations under control; said device comprising: at least one trap, electrical conductor means on said at least one trap, a high voltage generator, said electrical conductor means being connected across the output of said voltage generator and being so formed as to produce an electrical discharge when an insect above a given size comes into contact with said electrical conductor means, radio transmitter means, discharge detector means operable to detect electrical discharges across said electrical conductor means and to enable, in response thereto, and for a limited time period, operation of said radio transmitter means, radio receiver means for receiving signals transmitted by said radio transmitter means, an impulse counter means connected to the output of said radio receiver means, said impulse counter means operating to count each time said transmitter means is operated, whereby to provide an indication, at a location remote from said trap of the number of insects trapped thereby, and an astable circuit interposed between said high voltage generator and an electrical voltage source therefor, said astable circuit operating to feed said high voltage generator from said voltage source at spaced intervals, wherein said high voltage generator includes: an oscillator, a first step-up transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, the output of said oscillator being connected to said primary winding of said step-up transformer, a first capacitor, the secondary winding of said first step-up transformer being connected to said first capacitor, a trigger unit and a circuit interruptor, a second step-up transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, said trigger circuit controlling the connection of said first capacitor to said primary winding of said second step-up transformer through said circuit interruptor, a second capacitor connected across said secondary winding of said second step-up transformer and said electrical conductor means of said at least one trap, and a diode connected between said secondary winding of said second step-up transformer and one terminal of said second capacitor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the duration of said spaced intervals is of the order of tenths of seconds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said voltage source is an electrical battery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said radio transmitter is operable to transmit a coded signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A device as set forth in claim 4, wherein there is provided a decoder between said radio receiver and said impulse counter, said decoder operating to generate an output signal to be fed to said impulse counter only when the output signal from said radio receiver is a signal coded with the code transmitted by said radio transmitter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said coded signal comprises two signals of different frequencies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said decoder includes two band pass filters each operable to pass signals over a narrow range of frequencies centered on a respective one of the frequencies of said two signals constituting the coded signal from said transmitter.
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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) | 1984-06-29 | 1984-12-29 | 1985-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-06-29 | 1988-12-29 | 1989-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-06-29 | 1992-12-29 | 1993-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |