US4337638A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid gaging system self test circuitry
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
•
Filing: 1980-05-14
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Granted: 1982-07-06
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Expires: 2000-05-14
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is part of a liquid gaging system and comprises an apparatus for self testing the system. Included is an excitation signal generator apparatus for providing an excitation signal and a precision reference component for providing a precise electrical load. The invention also comprises apparatus for monitoring the precision reference component. Also included is apparatus for connecting the precision reference component to the excitation signal generator apparatus and to the apparatus for monitoring.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth L. Leonard
- 👤 Dwight D. Colby
- 👤 William R. Dougherty
- 👤 Jerome A. Fahley
- 👤 Martin J. van Dyke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:42
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/26; G01F23/263
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
In a liquid gaging system, an apparatus for self testing the system, comprising: excitation signal generator means for providing an excitation signal; precision resistor means for providing a precise resistive load; means for monitoring the precision resistor means, the means for monitoring comprising threshold detector means for determining whether the excitation signal has an amplitude above a predetermined threshold; and means for connecting the precision resistor means to the excitation signal generator means and to the means for monitoring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
In a liquid gaging system, an apparatus for self testing the system, comprising: excitation signal generator means for providing an excitation signal; precision resistor means for providing a precise resistive load; means for monitoring the precision resistor means, the means for monitoring comprising threshold detector means for determining whether the excitation signal has an amplitude above a predetermined threshold; and means for connecting the precision resistor means to the excitation signal generator means and to the means for monitoring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for storing a test value related to whether the excitation signal has an amplitude above the predetermined threshold, the means for storing the test value being connected to the means for monitoring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for storing the test value comprises a non-volatile memory for storing a digital number related to the test value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
In a liquid gaging system, an apparatus for self testing the system, comprising: excitation signal generator means for providing an excitation signal; precision resistor means for providing a precise resistive load; means for monitoring the precision resistor means, the means for monitoring comprising means for measuring a signal level through null detection; and means for connecting the precision resistor means to the excitation signal generator means and to the means for monitoring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
In a liquid gaging system, an apparatus for self testing the system, comprising: excitation signal generator means for providing an excitation signal; precision resistor means for providing a precise resistive load; means for monitoring the precision resistor means, the means for monitoring comprising means for measuring a signal level through null detection; and means for connecting the precision resistor means to the excitation signal generator means and to the means for monitoring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising means for storing a predetermined value, the apparatus also comprising means for comparing the measured signal level with the predetermined value, the means for storing the predetermined value and the means for comparing being connected to the means for monitoring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising means for storing a test value related to whether the measured signal level is within predetermined limits of the predetermined value, the means for storing the test value being connected to the means for monitoring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means for storing the test value comprises a non-volatile memory for storing a digital number related to the test value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
In a liquid gaging system, an apparatus for self testing the system, comprising: excitation signal generator means for providing an excitation signal; precision capacitor means for providing a precise capacitive load; means for monitoring the precision capacitor means, the means for monitoring comprising means for measuring a signal level through null detection; and means for connecting the precision capacitor means to the excitation signal generator means and to the means for monitoring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
In a liquid gaging system, an apparatus for self testing the system, comprising: excitation signal generator means for providing an excitation signal; precision capacitor means for providing a precise capacitive load; means for monitoring the precision capacitor means, the means for monitoring comprising means for measuring a signal level through null detection; and means for connecting the precision capacitor means to the excitation signal generator means and to the means for monitoring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising means for storing a predetermined value, the apparatus also comprising means for comparing the measured signal level with the predetermined value, the means for storing the predetermined value and the means for comparing being connected to the means for monitoring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising means for storing a test value related to whether the measured signal level is within predetermined limits of the predetermined value, the means for storing the test value being connected to the means for monitoring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for storing the test value comprises a non-volatile memory for storing a digital number related to the test value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a quadrature filter, the quadrature filter being connected to the means for monitoring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the quadrature filter comprises a demodulator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 12 or 13 further comprising means for storing a predetermined value, the apparatus also comprising means for comparing the measured signal level with the predetermined value, the means for storing the predetermined value and the means for comparing being connected to the means for monitoring.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising means for storing a test value related to whether the measured signal level is within predetermined limits of the predetermined value, the means for storing the test value being connected to the means for monitoring.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the means for storing the test value comprises a non-volatile memory for storing a digital number related to the test value.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a liquid gaging system, an apparatus for self testing the system, comprising: excitation signal generator means for providing an excitation signal; a first precision reference component comprising precision resistor means for providing a precise resistive load; a second precision reference component comprising precision capacitor means for providing a precise capacitive load; means for selectively monitoring a precision reference component, the means for selectively monitoring comprising threshold detector means for determining whether the excitation signal has an amplitude above a predetermined threshold; means for connecting the first precision reference component to the excitation signal generator means and to the means for selectively monitoring; and means for connecting the second precision reference component to the excitation signal generator means and to the means for selectively monitoring.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a liquid gaging system, an apparatus for self testing the system, comprising: excitation signal generator means for providing an excitation signal; a first precision reference component comprising precision resistor means for providing a precise resistive load; a second precision reference component comprising precision capacitor means for providing a precise capacitive load; means for selectively monitoring a precision reference component, the means for selectively monitoring comprising threshold detector means for determining whether the excitation signal has an amplitude above a predetermined threshold; means for connecting the first precision reference component to the excitation signal generator means and to the means for selectively monitoring; and means for connecting the second precision reference component to the excitation signal generator means and to the means for selectively monitoring.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising means for storing a test value related to whether the excitation signal has an amplitude above the predetermined threshold, the means for storing the test value being connected to the means for selectively monitoring.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the means for storing the test value comprises a non-volatile memory for storing a digital number related to the test value.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a liquid gaging system, an apparatus for self testing the system, comprising: excitation signal generator means for providing an excitation signal; a first precision reference component comprising precision resistor means for providing a precise resistive load; a second precision reference component comprising precision capacitor means for providing a precise capacitive load; means for selectively monitoring a precision reference component, the means for selectively monitoring comprising means for selectively measuring a signal level through null detection; means for connecting the first precision reference component to the excitation signal generator means and to the means for selectively monitoring; and means for connecting the second precision reference component to the excitation signal generator means and to the means for selectively monitoring.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a liquid gaging system, an apparatus for self testing the system, comprising: excitation signal generator means for providing an excitation signal; a first precision reference component comprising precision resistor means for providing a precise resistive load; a second precision reference component comprising precision capacitor means for providing a precise capacitive load; means for selectively monitoring a precision reference component, the means for selectively monitoring comprising means for selectively measuring a signal level through null detection; means for connecting the first precision reference component to the excitation signal generator means and to the means for selectively monitoring; and means for connecting the second precision reference component to the excitation signal generator means and to the means for selectively monitoring.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising means for storing a predetermined value, the apparatus also comprising means for comparing the measured signal level with the predetermined value, the means for storing the predetermined value and the means for comparing being connected to the means for monitoring.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising means for storing a test value related to whether the measured signal level is within predetermined limits of the predetermined value, the means for storing the test value being connected to the means for selectively monitoring.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the means for storing the test value comprises a non-volatile memory for storing a digital number related to the test value.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising a quadrature filter, the quadrature filter being connected to the means for selectively monitoring.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the quadrature filter comprises a demodulator.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 24 or 25 further comprising means for storing a predetermined value, the apparatus also comprising means for comparing the measured signal level with the predetermined value, the means for storing the predetermined value and the means for comparing being connected to the means for monitoring.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising means for storing a test value related to whether the measured signal level is within predetermined limits of the predetermined value, the means for storing the test value being connected to the means for selectively monitoring.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the means for storing the test value comprises a non-volatile memory for storing a digital number related to the test value.
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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) | 1985-07-05 | 1986-01-04 | 1986-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-07-05 | 1990-01-04 | 1990-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-07-05 | 1994-01-04 | 1994-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |