US4559497A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ranged voltage monitor with out-of-range enunciators
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1982-07-06
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Granted: 1985-12-17
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Expires: 2002-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A ranged precision voltage monitor with out-of-range enunciator characterized by a power supply and reference voltage stage, a voltage sensing stage, and an enunciator stage. The power supply stage provides power for the monitor, and further provides a reference voltage and a sensing voltage. The voltage sensing stage senses and displays voltage levels within a predetermined range, and further senses and displays over-range and under-range conditions. The enunciator produces a first audible tone for under-range conditions, and a second audible tone for over-range conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony Farrugia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:31
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R19/00; G01R19/165; G01R19/16566; G01R19/1659; G01R19/16595
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A ranged voltage monitor comprising: (a) under-range sensing means having a reference input, a sensing input, and an output, said under-range sensing means being operative to develop an under-range signal at said output when the voltage level at said sending input drops below a first predetermined level; (b) over-range sensing means having a reference input, a sensing input, and an output, said over-range sensing means being operative to develop an over-range signal at said output when the voltage level at said sensing input rises above a second predetermined level; (c) at least one mid-range sensing stage having a reference input and at least one sensing input, said at least one mid-range sensing stage being operative to develop at least one mid-range voltage level signal; (d) a plurality of visual indicators and means for connecting at least one of said indicators to each of said under-range sensing means, said over range sensing means, and said mid-range sensing stage; (e) a dual-level audible enunciator having inputs coupled to signals produced by the outputs of said under-range sensing means and said over-range sensing means; and (f) disabling means coupled to said indicators for disabling all but one indicator associated with the highest sensed voltage level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
A ranged voltage monitor comprising: (a) under-range sensing means having a reference input, a sensing input, and an output, said under-range sensing means being operative to develop an under-range signal at said output when the voltage level at said sending input drops below a first predetermined level; (b) over-range sensing means having a reference input, a sensing input, and an output, said over-range sensing means being operative to develop an over-range signal at said output when the voltage level at said sensing input rises above a second predetermined level; (c) at least one mid-range sensing stage having a reference input and at least one sensing input, said at least one mid-range sensing stage being operative to develop at least one mid-range voltage level signal; (d) a plurality of visual indicators and means for connecting at least one of said indicators to each of said under-range sensing means, said over range sensing means, and said mid-range sensing stage; (e) a dual-level audible enunciator having inputs coupled to signals produced by the outputs of said under-range sensing means and said over-range sensing means; and (f) disabling means coupled to said indicators for disabling all but one indicator associated with the highest sensed voltage level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
A ranged voltage monitor as recited in claim 1 wherein said mid-range stage includes a plurality of mid-range sensing means each operative to develop an over-voltage signal when the voltage level at their inputs rises above a predetermined level, said mid-range sensing means being cascaded so that each succeeding mid-range sensing means in the stage triggers at a higher predetermined voltage level than the one preceding it, wherein an indicator is associated with each on of the mid-range sensing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A ranged voltage monitor as recited in claim 2 further comprising power supply and regulation means having a polarity independent input coupled to a power source to be monitored, and having a power output, a reference voltage output, and a sensing voltage output.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
A ranged voltage monitor as recited in claim 3 wherein said under-range sensing means includes an operational amplifier having an inverting input coupled to said reference voltage and having a non-inverting input coupled to said sensing voltage, and wherein said over-range sensing means and said mid-range sensing means each include and operational amplifier having an inverting input coupled to said sensing voltage and having a non-inverting input coupled to said reference voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A ranged voltage monitor as recited in claim 4 wherein each of said indicators are coupled to respective ones of said operational amplifiers by a driving transistor, and wherein said disabling means is operative to bias said driving transistors to shut-off.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
A ranged voltage monitor as recited in claim 5 wherein said disabling means includes a plurality of base bias switches, each base bias switch having a control lead and two input/output leads such that it is operative to switch on and off the base bias current of an associated mid-range driving transistor, and wherein the control lead of each of said base bias switches is coupled to a subsequent mid-range sensing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A ranged voltage monitor as recited in claim 6 wherein said disabling means further includes a plurality of rectifiers coupling the control leads of said base bias switches together.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A ranged voltage monitor as recited in claim 7 wherein said disabling means further includes a plurality of indicator sensing switches, each indicator sensing switch being operative to disable the base bias switch of a preceding stage when its associated indicator is actuated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A ranged voltage monitor as recited in claim 1 wherein said enunciator produces a first audible tone for a first signal input, and a second audible tone for a second signal input.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A ranged voltage monitor as recited in claim 1 wherein said enunciator includes a pair of user selectable switches coupling the two signal inputs of said enunciator various ones of said output signals of said under-range sensing means, said over-range sensing means, and said mid-range sensing stage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A ranged voltage monitor as recited in claim 1 wherein said enunciator includes a tone generator and a switching network, said switching network being responsive to said two signal inputs and operative to control the output characteristics of said tone generator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4006412A
Cited
US4004220A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-12-16 | 1989-06-17 | 1989-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-16 | 1993-06-17 | 1993-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-16 | 1997-06-17 | 1997-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |