Patent US4489290A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4489290A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuitry for controlling the reflected torque on a generator driven by a fluid meter
Assignee: AMERICA METER Co
•
Filing: 1983-02-25
•
Granted: 1984-12-18
•
Expires: 2003-02-25
Abstract
Abstract The output of an electrical generator driven by a meter is coupled to a load through circuitry for limiting the reflected forces placed on the meter.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C. Warner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:05
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02P; H02P9/00; H02P9/48; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/14; G; G01; G01F; G01F15/00; G01F15/06; G01F15/061; G01F15/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
In combination with a fluid meter having a rotating output shaft coupled to drive an electrical generator, an arrangement for coupling the output of the generator to a load so that the generator is prevented from supplying output current at speeds of said output shaft below a predetermined threshold speed in order to limit the loading forces applied to said output shaft at those lower speeds, said arrangement comprising: rectifier means for rectifying alternating current to direct current, said rectifier means having an input and an output; means for connecting said rectifier means input to the output of said generator; threshold means connected to said rectifier means output for preventing the flow of current of said load when the voltage level at said rectifier means output is below a predetermined threshold voltage; and current limiting means coupled between said rectifier means output and said load for preventing the current flowing from said rectifier means output to said load from exceeding a predetermined limit value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
In combination with a fluid meter having a rotating output shaft coupled to drive an electrical generator, an arrangement for coupling the output of the generator to a load so that the generator is prevented from supplying output current at speeds of said output shaft below a predetermined threshold speed in order to limit the loading forces applied to said output shaft at those lower speeds, said arrangement comprising: rectifier means for rectifying alternating current to direct current, said rectifier means having an input and an output; means for connecting said rectifier means input to the output of said generator; threshold means connected to said rectifier means output for preventing the flow of current of said load when the voltage level at said rectifier means output is below a predetermined threshold voltage; and current limiting means coupled between said rectifier means output and said load for preventing the current flowing from said rectifier means output to said load from exceeding a predetermined limit value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The arrangement according to claim 1 further including a resistor in series with said threshold means and said current limiting means to provide a linear slope to the rectifier means output current as the speed of said output shaft increases above said predetermined threshold speed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The arrangement according to claim 2 wherein said threshold means comprises a zener diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The arrangement according to claim 2 wherein said current limiting means comprises a current regulator diode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The arrangement according to claim 4 wherein said load includes a rechargeable battery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The arrangement according to claim 5 further including a second zener diode connected across said rechargeable battery.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
115 words
In combination with a fluid meter having an output shaft which rotates at a speed which is a direct function of the flow rate of fluid passing through said meter: an electrical generator coupled to said output shaft; a full wave diode bridge, said bridge having its input terminals connected across the output of said generator; a resistor; a zener diode; a current regulator diode; means for connecting said resistor, said zener diode and said current regulator diode in series, with said diodes having opposite polarities; means for connecting one end of said series connection to the output of said bridge; and means for connecting the other end of said series connection to a load.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
In combination with a fluid meter having an output shaft which rotates at a speed which is a direct function of the flow rate of fluid passing through said meter: an electrical generator coupled to said output shaft; a full wave diode bridge, said bridge having its input terminals connected across the output of said generator; a resistor; a zener diode; a current regulator diode; means for connecting said resistor, said zener diode and said current regulator diode in series, with said diodes having opposite polarities; means for connecting one end of said series connection to the output of said bridge; and means for connecting the other end of said series connection to a load.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2148804A
Cited
US3086160A
Cited
US3750001A
Cited
US3646422A
Cited
US3921052A
Cited
US4061451A
Cited
US4122381A
Cited
US4369373A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-12-18 | 1988-06-18 | 1988-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-12-18 | 1992-06-18 | 1992-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-12-18 | 1996-06-18 | 1996-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |