US4373271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solid state compass
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1980-12-11
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Granted: 1983-02-15
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Expires: 2000-12-11
Abstract
Abstract The magnetic field strengths in two perpendicularly oriented ferromagnetic core members are converted to voltages and summed to form a composite field strength voltage. The core members are mounted in a vehicle and the slope polarity and amplitude of the composite field strength voltage are used to determine the heading of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry T. Nitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:34
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C17/00; G01C17/02; G01C17/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A motor vehicle compass comprising: perpendicularly oriented ferromagnetic core members mounted in a predetermined relationship with respect to the heading of said vehicle; sensing means associated with each of said core members for providing an electrical signal determined as a function of the magnetic field strength therein, the magnetic field strength in said core members varying as a function of the orientation of said core members relative to the earth's magnetic field; means responsive to said sensing means for summing said electrical signals to form a composite field intensity signal; means responsive to the relative magnitudes of said electrical signals and to the amplitude of said composite signal for developing a direction signal indicative of the heading of the vehicle; and means responsive to said direction signal for visually displaying the heading of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A motor vehicle compass comprising: perpendicularly oriented ferromagnetic core members mounted in a predetermined relationship with respect to the heading of said vehicle; sensing means associated with each of said core members for providing an electrical signal determined as a function of the magnetic field strength therein, the magnetic field strength in said core members varying as a function of the orientation of said core members relative to the earth's magnetic field; means responsive to said sensing means for summing said electrical signals to form a composite field intensity signal; means responsive to the relative magnitudes of said electrical signals and to the amplitude of said composite signal for developing a direction signal indicative of the heading of the vehicle; and means responsive to said direction signal for visually displaying the heading of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
153 words
A motor vehicle compass comprising: perpendicularly oriented ferromagnetic core members mounted in a predetermined relationship with respect to the heading of said vehicle; means for establishing a reference magnetic field in each of said core members; sensing means associated with each of said core members including a Hall Effect device for providing an electrical voltage determined in accordance with the magnetic field strength in a respective core member, the magnetic field strength in said core member varying as a function of the alignment of said core member relative to the earth's magnetic field; means responsive to said sensing means for summing said electrical voltages to form a composite voltage; means responsive to the relative magnitudes of said electrical voltages and to the amplitude of said composite voltage for developing a direction signal indicative of the heading of the vehicle; and means responsive to said direction signal for displaying the heading of the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
153 words
A motor vehicle compass comprising: perpendicularly oriented ferromagnetic core members mounted in a predetermined relationship with respect to the heading of said vehicle; means for establishing a reference magnetic field in each of said core members; sensing means associated with each of said core members including a Hall Effect device for providing an electrical voltage determined in accordance with the magnetic field strength in a respective core member, the magnetic field strength in said core member varying as a function of the alignment of said core member relative to the earth's magnetic field; means responsive to said sensing means for summing said electrical voltages to form a composite voltage; means responsive to the relative magnitudes of said electrical voltages and to the amplitude of said composite voltage for developing a direction signal indicative of the heading of the vehicle; and means responsive to said direction signal for displaying the heading of the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
172 words
A vehicle compass comprising: perpendicularly oriented ferromagnetic core members mounted in a predetermined relationship with respect to the heading of said vehicle; sensing means associated with each of said core members for providing an electrical signal determined as a function of the magnetic field strength therein, the magnetic field strength in said core members varying as a function of the alignment of said core members relative to the earth's magnetic field; means responsive to said sensing means for summing said electrical signals to form a composite field intensity signal; means for retrieving a previously determined direction signal as a function of the amplitude of said composite signal; means responsive to the relative magnitudes of said electrical signals for developing a slope signal indicative of the slope polarity of said composite signal; means for decoding said slope signal and said direction signal to develop a heading signal, said slope signal being used to resolve ambiguity in said direction signal; and means responsive to said heading signal for displaying the heading of the vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
172 words
A vehicle compass comprising: perpendicularly oriented ferromagnetic core members mounted in a predetermined relationship with respect to the heading of said vehicle; sensing means associated with each of said core members for providing an electrical signal determined as a function of the magnetic field strength therein, the magnetic field strength in said core members varying as a function of the alignment of said core members relative to the earth's magnetic field; means responsive to said sensing means for summing said electrical signals to form a composite field intensity signal; means for retrieving a previously determined direction signal as a function of the amplitude of said composite signal; means responsive to the relative magnitudes of said electrical signals for developing a slope signal indicative of the slope polarity of said composite signal; means for decoding said slope signal and said direction signal to develop a heading signal, said slope signal being used to resolve ambiguity in said direction signal; and means responsive to said heading signal for displaying the heading of the vehicle.
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) | 1986-02-14 | 1986-08-16 | 1987-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-14 | 1990-08-16 | 1991-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-14 | 1994-08-16 | 1995-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |