Dual pulse train generating apparatus utilizing only one magnetic sensor

Claim 2

A mechanically driven apparatus for effecting multiple magnetic sensor-generated pulse trains, comprising: rotatable means adapted for mounting on and rotation with an associated drive shaft, said rotatable means having a plurality of ferromagnetic protuberances spaced in a circular array about the axis thereof, each of said protuberances being contoured so as to result in a sharply defined pulse being generated in response to each successive protuberance being moved at a predetermined speed through and disrupting in a predetermined manner a magnetic field established by a magnetic sensor when positioned adjacent the path of travel of said protuberances, at least one of said protuberances being formed in part by a selectively displaceable segment which, when displaced and upon being moved through a sensorgenerated magnetic field, effects the generation of an additional time-related, but distinctive magnetic sensorgenerated pulse from the one also effected by said segmented protuberance; each of said fixed protuberances being formed in the outer periphery of said rotatable means with an arcuate, outwardly tapered peripheral surface that is terminated by an abrupt, under-cut portion so as to form a sharply defined notch, means for displacing said segment after each successive predetermined degree of angular displacement of said rotatable means so that two distinct output pulse trains may be generated by a single magnetic sensor; said displacing means including a rotatable member having an oversized aperture so as to allow the positioning thereof coaxially of a common drive shaft in juxtaposition with said rotatable means, said rotatable member having a finger-like portion extending outwardly thereof to form said protuberance segment; coupling means for allowing said rotatable member not only to rotate with said rotatable means, but to be perpendicularly displaced relative to the axis thereof; and cam-actuaTing means associated with said rotatable member for periodically displacing said protuberance segment after each successive predetermined degree of angular displacement of said rotatable means.

Claim 3

A mechanically driven apparatus for effecting multiple magnetic sensor-generated pulse trains, comprising: rotatable means adapted for mounting on and rotation with an associated drive shaft, said rotatable means having a plurality of ferromagnetic protuberances spaced in a circular array about the axis thereof, each of said protuberances being contoured so as to result in a sharply defined pulse being generated in response to each successive protuberance being moved at a predetermined speed through and disrupting in a predetermined manner a magnetic field established by a magnetic sensor when positioned adjacent the path of travel of said protuberances, at least one of said protuberances being formed in part by a selectively displaceable segment which, when displaced and upon being moved through a sensorgenerated magnetic field, effects the generation of an additional time-related, but distinctive magnetic sensorgenerated pulse from the one also effected by said segmented protuberance; said rotatable means including a code wheel which has two spaced and radially oriented keyways formed therein, and wherein each of said fixed protuberances is formed in the outer periphery of said code wheel, each of said protuberances having an arcuate, outwardly tapered peripheral surface that is terminated by an abrupt, under-cut portion so as to form a sharply defined notch, and wherein said means for periodically displacing said protuberance segment; means for displacing said segment after each successive predetermined degree of angular displacement of said rotatable means so that two distinct output pulse trains may be generated by a single magnetic sensor; a substantially planar member having an over-sized aperture so as to allow the positioning thereof coaxially of a common drive shaft in juxtaposition with said code wheel, said planar member having an essentially perpendicularly extending finger-like portion, the terminating end region of which forms said displaceable protuberance segment, said planar member also having at least two coupling pins secured to the side thereof adjacent said code wheel, and spaced apart so as to be respectively aligned with and received in the keyways of said code wheel, said coupling pins thereby allowing said planar member to be rotated with, but capable of being displaced perpendicularly relative to the axis of, said code wheel, and said planar member further including cam-follower means which allows cam-initiated displacement of said protuberance segment after each successive predetermined degree of angular displacement of said code wheel.

Claim 4

A mechanically driven apparatus for effecting multiple magnetic sensor-generated pulse trains, comprising: rotatable means adapted for mounting on and rotation with an associated drive shaft, said rotatable means having a plurality of ferromagnetic protuberances spaced in a circular array about the axis thereof, each of said protuberances being contoured so as to result in a sharply defined pulse being generated in response to each successive protuberance being moved at a predetermined speed through and disrupting in a predetermined manner a magnetic field established by a magnetic sensor when positioned adjacent the path of travel of said protuberances, at least one of said protuberances being formed in part by a selectively displaceable segment which, when displaced and upon being moved through a sensorgenerated magnetic field, effects the generation of an additional time-related, but distinctive magnetic sensorgenerated pulse from the one also effected by said segmented protuberance; said rotatable means including a code wheel which has two spaced and radially oriented keyways formed therein, and wherein each of said fixed protuberances is formed in the outer periphery of said code wheel, each of said protuberances having an arcuate, outwardly tapered peripheral surface that is terminated by an abrupt, under-cut portion so as to form a sharply defined notch, and wherein said means for periodically displacing said protuberance segment; means for displacing said segment after each successive predetermined degree of angular displacement of said rotatable means so that two distinct output pulse trains may be generated by a single magnetic sensor; a substantially planar member having an over-sized aperture so as to allow the positioning thereof coaxially of a common drive shaft in juxtaposition with said code wheel, said planar member having an essentially perpendicularly extending finger-like portion, the terminating end region of which forms said displaceable protuberance segment, said planar member also having at least two coupling pins secured to the side thereof adjacent said code wheel, and spaced apart so as to be respectively aligned with and received in the keyways of said code wheel, said coupling pins thereby allowing said planar member to be rotated with, but capable of being displaced perpendicularly relative to the axis of, said code wheel, and said planar member further including cam-follower means which allows cam-initiated displacement of said protuberance segment after each successive predetermined degree of angular displacement of said code wheel.

Claim 5

In a mechanically driven apparatus in accordance with claim 2, said means for displacing said protuberance segment further including: a rotatable member adapted for mounting on, but for independent rotation relative to, a common drive shaft associated with said code wheel, and being juxtaposed relative to said planar member, said rotatable member having a continuous cam groove formed therein for receiving said cam follower means, said cam groove including at least one asymmetrical region which is initially angularly positioned relative to said code wheel such that after a predetermined angular displacement of the latter relative to said rotatable member, said asymmetrical cam groove region will cause said cam follower means to radially displace both said planar member and the protuberance segment thereof while moved through a sensor-established magnetic field, thereby causing said modified segmented protuberance to effect not only a normal sensor-generated output pulse, but a timerelated second output pulse which is distinguishable therefrom.

Claim 6

In a mechanically driven apparatus in accordance with claim 3, said code wheel and the protuberances thereon are integral and made of ferromaGnetic material, and said rotatable member is formed with a peripheral recess for accommodating a drive pulley coupled thereto.

Claim 7

A mechanically driven, magnetic-sensor responsive, pulse generating apparatus comprising: a magnetic sensor capable of generating a distinct output pulse for each predetermined time-rate-of-change discontinuity produced in a magnetic field established thereby; a rotatable drive shaft; rotatable means mounted on and secured for rotation with said drive shaft, said rotatable means including a code wheel having a plurality of protuberances equally spaced about the outer periphery thereof, with at least one of said protuberances being formed in part with a displaceable segment, and each of said protuberances, including the segmented one when in its normal configuration, being specially contoured so as to present a first predetermined time-rate-of-change discontinuity in said sensor-established magnetic field, when moved therethrough in a given direction, so as to result in said magnetic sensor producing a first train of output pulses of a given polarity, the repetition rate being dependent on both the number of protuberances and the peripheral speed at which said protuberances pass by said magnetic sensor; a first rotatable member supported on said drive shaft but adapted for independent rotation relative thereto, said rotatable member having a continuous cam-groove formed in a side surface thereof which is adjacent said code wheel, said cam groove having at least one asymmetrical region; a second rotatable member interposed between said code wheel and said first rotatable member and positioned coaxially of said drive shaft, said second member having a fingerlike portion extending outwardly therefrom to form said protuberance segment, and further having an oversized aperture and coupling means for allowing it not only to rotate with said code wheel, but to be independently displaced relative to the axis of said drive shaft, said second rotatable member further including cam follower means secured to and extending outwardly from the side of said second member opposite said coupling means, and being positioned so that the terminating end region thereof communicates with said asymmetrical cam groove formed in the adjacent surface of said first rotatable member, the latter initially being angularly displaced and thereafter rotated at a predetermined differential angular rate relative to said code wheel so that after a predetermined degree of displacement therebetween, said cam follower encounters the asymmetrical region of said groove and effects the displacement of said protuberance segment, each such displacement occurring at least during each instant in time when said segment is immediately adjacent said magnetic sensor so as to present a second and different predetermined time-rate-of-change discontinuity in the associated magnetic field, said latter discontinuity effecting a time-related sensor-generated output pulse of opposite polarity from the one normally effected by said segmented protuberance.

Claim 8

A mechanically driven, magnetic-sensor responsive, pulse generating apparatus comprising: a magnetic sensor capable of generating a distinct output pulse for each predetermined time-rate-of-change discontinuity produced in a magnetic field established thereby; a rotatable drive shaft; rotatable means mounted on and secured for rotation with said drive shaft, said rotatable means including a code wheel having a plurality of protuberances equally spaced about the outer periphery thereof, with at least one of said protuberances being formed in part with a displaceable segment, and each of said protuberances, including the segmented one when in its normal configuration, being specially contoured so as to present a first predetermined time-rate-of-change discontinuity in said sensor-established magnetic field, when moved therethrough in a given direction, so as to result in said magnetic sensor producing a first train of output pulses of a given polarity, the repetition rate being dependent on both the number of protuberances and the peripheral speed at which said protuberances pass by said magnetic sensor; a first rotatable member supported on said drive shaft but adapted for independent rotation relative thereto, said rotatable member having a continuous cam-groove formed in a side surface thereof which is adjacent said code wheel, said cam groove having at least one asymmetrical region; a second rotatable member interposed between said code wheel and said first rotatable member and positioned coaxially of said drive shaft, said second member having a fingerlike portion extending outwardly therefrom to form said protuberance segment, and further having an oversized aperture and coupling means for allowing it not only to rotate with said code wheel, but to be independently displaced relative to the axis of said drive shaft, said second rotatable member further including cam follower means secured to and extending outwardly from the side of said second member opposite said coupling means, and being positioned so that the terminating end region thereof communicates with said asymmetrical cam groove formed in the adjacent surface of said first rotatable member, the latter initially being angularly displaced and thereafter rotated at a predetermined differential angular rate relative to said code wheel so that after a predetermined degree of displacement therebetween, said cam follower encounters the asymmetrical region of said groove and effects the displacement of said protuberance segment, each such displacement occurring at least during each instant in time when said segment is immediately adjacent said magnetic sensor so as to present a second and different predetermined time-rate-of-change discontinuity in the associated magnetic field, said latter discontinuity effecting a time-related sensor-generated output pulse of opposite polarity from the one normally effected by said segmented protuberance.

Claim 9

A mechanically driven, magnetic sensor-responsive, pulse generating apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said protuberances, exclusive of said displaceable segment, are each formed as an integral part of said code wheel, which is made of ferromagnetic material, and wherein first driven pulley means is coupled to and allows said drive shaft, code wheel and second member to be rotatably driven, and wherein second driven pulley means is associated with and allows said first rotatable member to be indpendently driven.

Claim 10

A mechanically driven, magnetic sensor-responsive, pulse generating apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein said magnetic sensor is of the analog type, and wherein said second pulley driven means includes a pulley-defining recess formed in the periphery of said first rotatable member.

Claim 11

A mechanically driven, magnetic sensor-responsive, pulse generating apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said coupling means includes two spaced pins that extend perpendicularly outward from the side of said second rotatable member adjacent said code wheel, and wherein said code wheel has a pair of radially oriented keyways formed in the surface thereof adjacent said second member, said keyways being spaced so as to respectively accommodate the terminating end regions of said coupling pins, and wherein said cam follower comprises at least one pin extending perpendicularly outward from the side of said second member opposite said coupling pins, and positioned so as to communicate with said asymmetrical cam groove formed in said first rotatable member.

Claim 12

A mechanically driven, magnetic sensor-responsive, pulse generating apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein said protuberances, exclusive of said displaceable segment, are each formed as an integral part of said code wheel, and each configured with an arcuate, outwardly tapered peripheral surface which terminates in an abrupt, notch-forming undercut region, for a preferred direction of rotation of said code wheel, and wherein said first rotatable member has a pulley-defining recess formed in the periphery thereof, which allows the rotation of said first member relative to said drive shaft and code wheel.

Claim 13

An improved timing mechanism of the type wherein a plurality of magnetic field-disrupting control members move in sequence past a magnetic sensing head to effect the generation of a stream of normal electrical control pulses synchronized with the movement of the control members, wherein the improvement comprises: at least one magnetic field-disrupting insert, means for mounting the insert movably with respect to at least one of the control members so that the insert is movable between a first and a second position with respect to the associated control member, the insert and control member being shaped with respect to each other so that, in the first position, only the normal control pulse is generated as the associated control member and insert pass the sensing head, and means for moving the insert to the second position at a predetermined time, the insert and associated control member being further shaped with respect to each other so that, in the second position, a different and distinctive control pulse is generated as the control member and insert pass the sensing head.

Claim 14

An improved timing mechanism of the type wherein a plurality of magnetic field-disrupting control members move in sequence past a magnetic sensing head to effect the generation of a stream of normal electrical control pulses synchronized with the movement of the control members, wherein the improvement comprises: at least one magnetic field-disrupting insert, means for mounting the insert movably with respect to at least one of the control members so that the insert is movable between a first and a second position with respect to the associated control member, the insert and control member being shaped with respect to each other so that, in the first position, only the normal control pulse is generated as the associated control member and insert pass the sensing head, and means for moving the insert to the second position at a predetermined time, the insert and associated control member being further shaped with respect to each other so that, in the second position, a different and distinctive control pulse is generated as the control member and insert pass the sensing head.

Claim 15

A mechanism as recited in claim 10, wherein the insert and control member are so shaped that, in the second position of the insert, a leading surface of the associated control member first causes generation of the normal control pulse, after which a discontinuity between the surface of the insert and control member thereafter causes generation of a distinctive control pulse of opposite polarity from the normal control pulses, and which distinctive control pulse occurs at a time between two consecutive normal control pulses.