US4707142A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Master clock system for a parallel variable speed constant frequency power system
Assignee: Sundstrand Corp
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Filing: 1986-12-05
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Granted: 1987-11-17
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Expires: 2006-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A clock control system for a multiple channel electric power system includes a master clock circuit and control circuitry in each parallel connected channel. The channel control circuits are intially phase-locked to a master clock signal. If the master clock signal is out of a preselected frequency range, the individual channel control circuits are decoupled from the master clock signal and one of those circuits produces a backup clock signal. The control circuits in the remaining channels are then phase-locked with the backup clock signal to provide continued parallel system operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Donal E. Baker
- 👤 Mirza A. Beg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:00
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J3/00; H02J3/38; G; G04; G04G; G04G7/00; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/04; G06F1/08; G06F1/12; G06F1/14; G06F1/26; G06F1/263
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A clock control system for an electric power system comprising: means for generating a master clock signal; means for generating a first signal for controlling a first channel of an electric power system, said first signal being initially phase locked to said master clock signal; means for generating a second signal for controlling a second channel of an electric power system, said second signal being initially phase locked to said master clock signal; means for monitoring the frequency of said master clock signal; means for decoupling said first and second signals from said master clock signal when said master clock signal is out of a preselected frequency range; means of operating the decoupled first signal at a preselected frequency to produce a backup clock signal; and means for phase locking the decoupled second signal to said backup clock signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A clock control system for an electric power system comprising: means for generating a master clock signal; means for generating a first signal for controlling a first channel of an electric power system, said first signal being initially phase locked to said master clock signal; means for generating a second signal for controlling a second channel of an electric power system, said second signal being initially phase locked to said master clock signal; means for monitoring the frequency of said master clock signal; means for decoupling said first and second signals from said master clock signal when said master clock signal is out of a preselected frequency range; means of operating the decoupled first signal at a preselected frequency to produce a backup clock signal; and means for phase locking the decoupled second signal to said backup clock signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A clock control system for an electric power system as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for generating a master clock signal includes: means for receiving a reference clock signal; and a first phase-locked loop for phase locking said master clock signal to said reference clock signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A clock control system for an electric power system as recited in claim 2, wherein said means for generating a first signal includes: a second phase-locked loop having a voltage controlled oscillator, wherein the operating frequency range of said second phase-locked loop encompasses the operating frequency range of said first phase-locked loop.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A clock control system for an electric power system as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for generating a first signal includes: a phase-locked loop having a voltage controlled oscillator; and means for connecting a predetermined reference voltage level to an input of said voltage controlled oscillator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A clock control system for an electric power system as recited in claim 1, further comprising: means for monitoring the frequency of said backup clock signal; and means for electrically separating outputs of said first and second channels when said backing clock signal is out of a preselected frequency range.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of controlling a multiple channel electric power system, said method comprising the steps of: generating a master clock signal; generating a first signal for controlling a first channel of an electric power system, said first signal being initially phase locked to said master clock signal; generating a second signal for controlling a second channel of an electric power system, said second signal being initially phase locked to said master clock signal; monitoring the frequency of said master clock signal; decoupling said first and second signals from said master clock signal when said master clock signal is out of a preselected frequency range; operating the decoupled first signal at a preselected frequency to produce a backup clock signal; and phase locking the decoupled second signal to said backup clock signal.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of controlling a multiple channel electric power system, said method comprising the steps of: generating a master clock signal; generating a first signal for controlling a first channel of an electric power system, said first signal being initially phase locked to said master clock signal; generating a second signal for controlling a second channel of an electric power system, said second signal being initially phase locked to said master clock signal; monitoring the frequency of said master clock signal; decoupling said first and second signals from said master clock signal when said master clock signal is out of a preselected frequency range; operating the decoupled first signal at a preselected frequency to produce a backup clock signal; and phase locking the decoupled second signal to said backup clock signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of: monitoring the frequency of said backup clock signal; and electrically separating outputs of said first and second channels when said backup clock signal is out of a preselected frequency range.
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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) | 1990-11-16 | 1991-05-18 | 1991-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-16 | 1995-05-18 | 1995-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-16 | 1999-05-18 | 1999-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |