US3631430A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Position-responsive apparatus
Assignee: Rank Organization Ltd
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Filing: 1969-01-29
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Granted: 1971-12-28
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Expires: 1989-01-29
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for determining the relative position of two members in which a voltage from an adjustable supply is used to match the output voltage of a pickup device sensitive to the relative position of the members. The degree of adjustment necessary to provide the match is used as an indication of the relative position.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon Maurice West
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:00
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/12; G01D5/14; G01D5/20; G01D5/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A position-responsive apparatus for determining the position of two relatively movable members, comprising a pickup means having a first part connected to a first one of said relatively movable members and a second part connected to a second one of said relatively movable members, a first AC power supply means connected to said first part of said pickup means which pickup means provides an output voltage depending on the relative positions of said relatively movable members to which said pickup means are connected, means coupled to said second part of said pickup means determining initial output voltage from said second part of said pickup means corresponding to a given relative Position of said relatively movable members, second AC power supply means connected to said first part of said pickup means and applying thereto a compensating voltage in opposition to said first AC power supply means, means adjusting said compensating voltage from said second AC power supply means to reestablish said initial output voltage from said second part of said pickup means upon relative movement of said relatively movable members from said given relative position, and means determining the adjustment of said adjustment means to provide therefrom an indication of said relative movement of said relatively movable members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
A position-responsive apparatus for determining the position of two relatively movable members, comprising a pickup means having a first part connected to a first one of said relatively movable members and a second part connected to a second one of said relatively movable members, a first AC power supply means connected to said first part of said pickup means which pickup means provides an output voltage depending on the relative positions of said relatively movable members to which said pickup means are connected, means coupled to said second part of said pickup means determining initial output voltage from said second part of said pickup means corresponding to a given relative Position of said relatively movable members, second AC power supply means connected to said first part of said pickup means and applying thereto a compensating voltage in opposition to said first AC power supply means, means adjusting said compensating voltage from said second AC power supply means to reestablish said initial output voltage from said second part of said pickup means upon relative movement of said relatively movable members from said given relative position, and means determining the adjustment of said adjustment means to provide therefrom an indication of said relative movement of said relatively movable members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A position responsive apparatus according to claim 1 in which the two power supplies are independent, means being provided to lock the phase of the output of one said supply with respect to the other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A position responsive apparatus according to claim 1 in which the second power supply is derived from the first power supply, said second power supply being formed of passive elements fed by said main power supply and adapted to deliver said compensating voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A position responsive apparatus according to claim 1 in which the pickup device is formed by a capacitive potentiometer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 3 in which the second power supply is an adjustable voltage generator consisting of a plurality of transformers fed by the main power supply and delivering the compensating voltage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by a display device for indicating the relative position of the movable members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 6 in which the output voltage of said pickup device is amplified by an amplifier and displayed by the display device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 6 in which said display device is a zero reading instrument permitting the determination of the compensated condition of the apparatus; in which the compensating voltage equals the output voltage of the pickup device and cancels it, for which the degree of adjustment of the second power supply corresponds to the relative position of said movable members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 5 in which the plurality of transformers of said second power supply are decade transformers one said transformer for each digit of a number representing the relative position of said movable members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 9 in which each of said decade transformers comprises a primary winding divided in 10 equal winding portions connected in series and in which each said primary winding portion has its ends connected to corresponding transformer taps.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A position responsive apparatus according to claim 10 in which the transformation ratio of each said decade transformers is 1 : 10.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 11 in which the secondary winding of all other decade transforms is connected across the primary winding of the next lower decade transformer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 12 in which the primary winding of the first decade transformer is connected across the secondary winding of a coupling transformer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 13, in which the compensating voltage is taken between two taps of the coupling transformer primary winding and is connected to the output of the main power supply.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 1 in which the first power supply is formed by a voltage generator consisting of a feeding transformer the primary of which is fed by a stabilized voltage supply and the secondary of which delivers, at corresponding taps, the different voltages for the feeding of the pickup device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 13 in which the compensating voltage delivered by the coupling transformer is applied to the secondary winding of the feeding transformer between points intermediate the ends of said secondary winding which correspond to the start and end of the measuring range of the pickup device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 14 in which each tap of the primary winding of each decade transformer and of the coupling transformer is connected, on the one hand, to the corresponding contact of a manual zero-set selector switch, and on the other hand, to the corresponding contact of a position selector switch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
54 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 17 in which the arm of the position selector switch or of the zero-set switch of any decade transformer is grounded whereas the arm of each of the other position selector switches is connected to the arm of the zero-set selector switch of the next lower decade transformer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 17 in which the zero-set selector switch arm of the coupling transformer is connected to the secondary of the feeding transformer at a point of which corresponding to the start or the end of the measuring range of the pickup device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 19 in which the relative position of the movable members is given by the position of the zero-set and position selector switches in the compensated condition of the apparatus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 20 in which the position selector switches are manual ones.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 21 in which said display device is controlled by the position of the zero-set and position selector switches.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 15 in which the pickup device feeding transformer is adapted to deliver nominal voltages corresponding to different pickup devices.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
55 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 23 which comprises a set of program plugs, each adapted to fit in a socket in the apparatus and comprising the necessary connexion means for selecting the adequate feeding voltages for a given pickup device; and the units in which the relative position of the movable members is measured.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
A position-responsive device according to claim 24, an amplifier amplifying said output voltage of said pickup device, said program plug further selecting the gain of the amplifier amplifying the output voltage of said pickup device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 24 in which a pickup-device-matching unit means is provided permitting suitable correcting voltages to be added to the nominal feeding voltages for compensating possible mechanical lack of precision of the pickup device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
42 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 26 in which said matching unit is adapted to deliver any voltage, in increments corresponding to the apparatus precision, up to the one necessary to compensate for the maximum acceptable mechanical error of the pickup device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
A position-responsive apparatus according to claim 27 which is contained in a multipurpose indicator box having the voltage generators and their associated electronics, a set of pickup assemblies, a matching unit and a set of program plugs.
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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) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |