US4523472A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic transceiver circuit
Assignee: Wells Fargo Credit Inc
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Filing: 1983-08-08
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Granted: 1985-06-18
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Expires: 2003-08-08
Abstract
Abstract An improved transceiver for use in ultrasonic echo-ranging systems is disclosed together with a system for its use. The transceiver comprises a capacitor to store power received from a central location during an inactive mode, and switching means to disconnect the capacitor from the power supply during the active mode. The capacitor is used both to supply power to an electrostatic transducer to generate an ultrasonic pulse and also to provide a noise free bias voltage to the transducer to enable it to receive the reflected pulse. An amplifier is provided as part of the transceiver so that long transmission lines between transceiver and controller are possible without undue noise. The power supply line can also be used as the signal transmission line and can be provided in a simple two-wire shielded cable, the other wire being used for logic level control signal transmission, thus allowing simplified multiplexing of a plurality of transceivers.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick K. Blades
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/296; G01F23/2962; G01N; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02836; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A transceiver comprising: receiver means for receiving a signal; means for emitting an ultrasonic pulse in response to a received signal; electrostatic transducer means for detecting a reflected ultrasonic pulse; amplifier means for amplifying a detected pulse; transmitter means for transmitting the amplified pulse; means adapted to be connected to a power supply line for storing energy; means for disconnecting said means for storing energy from said power supply line such that said stored energy may be supplied in a substantially noise-free manner to said electrostatic transducer for biasing said electrostatic transducer for detecting said pulse; means for operating said transceiver in a first quiescent mode during which energy is stored in said means for storing energy and in a second active mode during which said stored energy is supplied to said electrostatic transducer for biasing it; and means for making the transition between said first and second modes of operation upon receipt of said signal by receiver means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A transceiver comprising: receiver means for receiving a signal; means for emitting an ultrasonic pulse in response to a received signal; electrostatic transducer means for detecting a reflected ultrasonic pulse; amplifier means for amplifying a detected pulse; transmitter means for transmitting the amplified pulse; means adapted to be connected to a power supply line for storing energy; means for disconnecting said means for storing energy from said power supply line such that said stored energy may be supplied in a substantially noise-free manner to said electrostatic transducer for biasing said electrostatic transducer for detecting said pulse; means for operating said transceiver in a first quiescent mode during which energy is stored in said means for storing energy and in a second active mode during which said stored energy is supplied to said electrostatic transducer for biasing it; and means for making the transition between said first and second modes of operation upon receipt of said signal by receiver means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transceiver of claim 1 wherein energy is supplied to said transceiver for storage at a relatively high voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transceiver of claim 2 wherein said signal received by said receiver means is of relatively low voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The transceiver of claim 1 wherein said transmitted amplified pulse is a relatively low amplitude, high-frequency superimposition on substantially DC voltage supplied to said receiver for storage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The transceiver of claim 4 wherein the ultrasonic pulse emitted has the frequency of said signal received by said receiver means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
140 words
A transceiver for emitting and detecting ultrasonic pulses, operable in a first quiescent mode and a second active mode, comprising: means adapted to be connected to a power supply line for storage of energy received in said quiescent mode; means for detecting a first signal; means for terminating said quiescent mode by disconnection of said means for storing energy from said power supply line upon detection of said first signal and entering said active mode; means for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse; means for detecting a reflected ultrasonic pulse, said means for detecting comprising: an electrostatic transducer for detecting an ultrasonic pulse, and for outputting a second signal in response thereto; and means for supplying energy stored in said means for storage to said transducer in a substantially noise-free manner, for biasing said transducer; and means for amplifying said second signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
140 words
A transceiver for emitting and detecting ultrasonic pulses, operable in a first quiescent mode and a second active mode, comprising: means adapted to be connected to a power supply line for storage of energy received in said quiescent mode; means for detecting a first signal; means for terminating said quiescent mode by disconnection of said means for storing energy from said power supply line upon detection of said first signal and entering said active mode; means for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse; means for detecting a reflected ultrasonic pulse, said means for detecting comprising: an electrostatic transducer for detecting an ultrasonic pulse, and for outputting a second signal in response thereto; and means for supplying energy stored in said means for storage to said transducer in a substantially noise-free manner, for biasing said transducer; and means for amplifying said second signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The transceiver of claim 6 wherein said energy received is relatively high voltage DC and said amplified second signal is a relatively high frequency low amplitude signal superimposed on said high voltage DC.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The transceiver of claim 6 wherein said first signal is a high-frequency, low-level signal and said ultrasonic pulse is emitted at a frequency equal to said high frequency.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
113 words
A system comprising a central controller and at least one transceiver, said controller adapted to supply high voltage DC energy and logic level control pulses over respective connecting lines to said at least one transceiver, said transceivers each comprising: means for storing said DC energy; means for emitting an ultrasonic pulse upon receipt of said logic level control pulses; an electrostatic transducer for detecting reflected ultrasonic pulses; means for effectively disconnecting said transceiver from said DC energy connecting line; means for supplying said stored energy to said electrostatic transducer to bias the same in a substantially noise-free manner, and means for amplifying and transmitting the output of said transducer to said central controller.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
113 words
A system comprising a central controller and at least one transceiver, said controller adapted to supply high voltage DC energy and logic level control pulses over respective connecting lines to said at least one transceiver, said transceivers each comprising: means for storing said DC energy; means for emitting an ultrasonic pulse upon receipt of said logic level control pulses; an electrostatic transducer for detecting reflected ultrasonic pulses; means for effectively disconnecting said transceiver from said DC energy connecting line; means for supplying said stored energy to said electrostatic transducer to bias the same in a substantially noise-free manner, and means for amplifying and transmitting the output of said transducer to said central controller.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said means for storing DC energy is capacitor means, and said means for supplying said stored energy to said transducer in a noise-free manner is means for disconnecting said capacitor from the line connecting said controller to said transceiver over which said DC energy is carried.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said means for disconnecting is means for back-biasing a diode connected between said line over which said DC is carried out said capacitor means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said means for emitting an ultrasonic pulse and said electrostatic transducer are one and the same.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said controller comprises means for multiplexing signals received from plural ones of said transceivers by supplying said control pulses to them in succession.
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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) | 1988-06-17 | 1988-12-17 | 1989-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-06-17 | 1992-12-17 | 1993-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-06-17 | 1996-12-17 | 1997-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |