US5929663A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control circuit for distributed electrical equipment
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1997-08-12
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Granted: 1999-07-27
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Expires: 2017-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A control circuit for distributed electrical equipment includes a relaxation oscillator configured for voltage to frequency conversion whereby the output frequency is proportional to the input voltage signal. An opto-coupler provides voltage isolation to the circuit and a standard 8-bit counter translates the frequency signals to a low voltage count data.
Inventors
- 👤 John J. Dougherty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:37
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J13/00; H02J13/13; H02J13/1311; H02J13/1313; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B90/00; Y02B90/20; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y04; Y04S; Y04S40/00; Y04S40/12; Y04S40/121
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
An input control circuit for use with distributed electrical equipment comprising: means for receiving an input voltage and converting said input voltage to a DC voltage; a capacitor receiving said DC voltage and discharging said DC voltage at a first predeternined capacitor voltage; a semiconductor switch connected between said capacitor and a relaxation oscillator, said relaxation oscillator thereby outputting a frequency pulse in proportion to said received input voltage; and output circuit means arranged for providing said frequency pulse to an output circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
An input control circuit for use with distributed electrical equipment comprising: means for receiving an input voltage and converting said input voltage to a DC voltage; a capacitor receiving said DC voltage and discharging said DC voltage at a first predeternined capacitor voltage; a semiconductor switch connected between said capacitor and a relaxation oscillator, said relaxation oscillator thereby outputting a frequency pulse in proportion to said received input voltage; and output circuit means arranged for providing said frequency pulse to an output circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The input control circuit of claim 1 including a voltage divider connected in parallel with said capacitor, the voltage divider including at least one resistor in parallel with said semiconductor switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The input control circuit of claim 2 wherein said output circuit means includes an opto-coupler.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The input control circuit of claim 3 wherein said input voltage receiving means includes a bridge rectifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The input control circuit of claim 1 wherein said semiconductor switch comprises a FET.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The input control circuit of claim 4 wherein said relaxation oscillator includes a band gap regulator IC.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The input control circuit of claim 1 wherein said output circuit includes a digital counter arranged for connection with a digital latch and a remote processor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The input control circuit of claim 7 wherein said digital counter comprises an 8-bit counter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The input control circuit of claim 7 wherein said digital latch comprises an 8-bit latch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The input control circuit of claim 8 wherein said 8-bit counter is reset at fixed time intervals by a remote processor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The input control circuit of claim 6 wherein said capacitor turns off said semiconductor switch and said relaxation oscillator at a second predetermined capacitor voltage lower than said first predetermined capacitor voltage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The input control circuit of claim 6 wherein an input to said band gap regulator IC connects with said bridge rectifier and an output from said band gap regulator IC connects with said opto-coupler.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The control circuit of claim 11 wherein a gate to said band gap regulator IC connects with said voltage divider.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The input control circuit of claim 13 wherein said voltage divider comprises a first and second resistor connected in series and a third resistor, said third resistor being connected in parallel with said first resistor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The input control circuit of claim 14 wherein said first and third resistor are connected with a reference input to said band gap regulator IC.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The input control circuit of claim 1, wherein the relaxation oscillator inclueds a zener diode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 2002-07-26 | 2003-01-25 | 2003-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-26 | 2007-01-25 | 2007-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-26 | 2011-01-25 | 2011-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |