Patent US3609728A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3609728A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable remote location measuring system utilizing pulse width modulation
Assignee: Ball Corp
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Filing: 1969-01-21
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1989-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A portable system for measuring a condition, particularly temperature, and transmitting a signal indicative of the condition to a remote location. A portable insulating and protective dry container adapted for use in extreme temperature environments, such as occasioned within a furnace or oven, houses a small transmitter. The transmitter is connected to a bridgetype transducer responsive to the condition to produce a pulse width modulated output signal that is transmitted to a remote receiving and monitoring location.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard M Quinn
- 👤 Jerome A Kwiatkowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:48
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K1/00; G01K1/02; G01K1/024; G08; G08C; G08C19/00; G08C19/16; G08C19/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A system for monitoring a condition within an oven, the condition existing within the oven at a location remote from the monitoring location, said system comprising: bridge circuit means including a resistance element within the oven having a variable effective resistance, the value of which is controlled by the condition sensed so that said bridge circuit means produces an output signal indicative of the condition sensed; transmitting means including pulse width modulation means responsive to said output signal from said bridge circuit means for producing pulsed signals the width of each of which is indicative of said condition sensed, said transmitting means transmitting a pulse width modulated electromagnetic energy signal carrying sensed condition intelligence; and receiving means for receiving the transmitted signal and deriving said sensed condition intelligence therefrom to indicate the condition sensed within the oven.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A system for monitoring a condition within an oven, the condition existing within the oven at a location remote from the monitoring location, said system comprising: bridge circuit means including a resistance element within the oven having a variable effective resistance, the value of which is controlled by the condition sensed so that said bridge circuit means produces an output signal indicative of the condition sensed; transmitting means including pulse width modulation means responsive to said output signal from said bridge circuit means for producing pulsed signals the width of each of which is indicative of said condition sensed, said transmitting means transmitting a pulse width modulated electromagnetic energy signal carrying sensed condition intelligence; and receiving means for receiving the transmitted signal and deriving said sensed condition intelligence therefrom to indicate the condition sensed within the oven.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the resistance element includes: a platinum resistor having a predetermined characteristic such that resistance varies as a function of temperature; whereby said receiving means indicates the temperature then existing within the oven as sensed by said platinum resistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the pulse width modulating means includes: means for producing a ramp signal of predetermined duration and period of repetition; comparator means for receiving said ramp signal and said signal from said bridge circuit means, said comparator means producing an output signal when said ramp signal exceeds the magnitude of the signal from the bridge circuit means; and oscillating means connected to said comparator means so as to produce an oscillatory signal substantially equal in duration to the output signal from said comparator means; whereby the duration of the oscillatory signal corresponds to the condition sensed within the oven.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for remotely monitoring the temperature within an oven, said system comprising: a bridge circuit including a sensing resistor within an oven, said resistor having a resistance dependent upon the temperature within said oven and connected so that the output signal from said bridge circuit is temperature dependent; an oscillator; signal processing means responsive to the output signal from said bridge circuit to produce a pulsating modulation signal fOr controlling said oscillator, the width of each pulse of said pulsating signal being dependent upon the temperature within said oven; means for transmitting said pulsating modulated signal; and means for receiving said pulse width modulated signal and indicating the temperature within said oven therefrom.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for remotely monitoring the temperature within an oven, said system comprising: a bridge circuit including a sensing resistor within an oven, said resistor having a resistance dependent upon the temperature within said oven and connected so that the output signal from said bridge circuit is temperature dependent; an oscillator; signal processing means responsive to the output signal from said bridge circuit to produce a pulsating modulation signal fOr controlling said oscillator, the width of each pulse of said pulsating signal being dependent upon the temperature within said oven; means for transmitting said pulsating modulated signal; and means for receiving said pulse width modulated signal and indicating the temperature within said oven therefrom.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
122 words
A system for monitoring a temperature condition within an oven, the temperature condition existing within the oven at a location remote from the monitoring location, the system comprising: transducing means for producing a signal indicative of the temperature condition sensed within the oven; converting means for producing output pulses the duration of each of which is controlled by said signal from said transducing means, said duration being indicative of said sensed temperature condition; an oscillator for producing a radio frequency carrier signal pulse width modulated by the output pulses from said converting means; an antenna for radiating the modulated carrier signal from within the oven; and means for receiving the radiated signal and producing therefrom an indication of the sensed temperature condition.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
122 words
A system for monitoring a temperature condition within an oven, the temperature condition existing within the oven at a location remote from the monitoring location, the system comprising: transducing means for producing a signal indicative of the temperature condition sensed within the oven; converting means for producing output pulses the duration of each of which is controlled by said signal from said transducing means, said duration being indicative of said sensed temperature condition; an oscillator for producing a radio frequency carrier signal pulse width modulated by the output pulses from said converting means; an antenna for radiating the modulated carrier signal from within the oven; and means for receiving the radiated signal and producing therefrom an indication of the sensed temperature condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the frequency of said oscillator carrier signal is within the FM broadcast band.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
95 words
A condition sensing and transmitting unit for indicating predetermined conditions within an oven, said unit comprising: transducer means for producing a signal the magnitude of which is indicative of a predetermined condition within said oven; converting means responsive to the signal from said transducer means for producing output pulses the width of each of which is indicative of said predetermined condition; oscillator means for producing a radio frequency carrier signal that is pulse width modulated by the output pluses from said converting means; and means for transmitting said modulated signal produced by said oscillator means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
95 words
A condition sensing and transmitting unit for indicating predetermined conditions within an oven, said unit comprising: transducer means for producing a signal the magnitude of which is indicative of a predetermined condition within said oven; converting means responsive to the signal from said transducer means for producing output pulses the width of each of which is indicative of said predetermined condition; oscillator means for producing a radio frequency carrier signal that is pulse width modulated by the output pluses from said converting means; and means for transmitting said modulated signal produced by said oscillator means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The unit of claim 7 wherein said transducer means is temperature sensitive so that said condition sensed is the temperature within said oven.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The unit of claim 8 wherein said transducer means is a bridge circuit which includes a platinum resistor that is exposed to oven temperatures, the resistance of said platinum resistor being dependent upon temperatures encountered.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The unit of claim 7 wherein said converting means includes means for producing a ramp voltage of predetermined slope; and comparator means for receiving said ramp voltage and said signal from said transducer means for determining the width of each of said output pulses produced by said converting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The unit of claim 10 wherein said converting means includes switch means connected to receive the output pulses from said comparator means, and clock means connected with said comparator means and said switch means for controlling timing of said produced output pulses.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The unit of claim 7 wherein said oscillator means is a crystal controlled radio frequency oscillator the operation of which is controlled by said output pluses from said converting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
166 words
A temperature sensing and transmitting unit for indicating temperature conditions within an oven, said unit comprising: a bridge circuit having a sensing resistor exposed to the temperature within an oven, said bridge circuit producing an output signal the magnitude of which is dependent upon said sensed temperature; signal generating means for producing a ramp voltage of predetermined slope; comparator means for receiving said ramp voltage and said output signal from said bridge circuit and producing a plurality of output pulses the width of each of which is controlled by comparison of the input signals to said comparator means; switching means connected to receive said pulse output from said comparator means; clock means connected with said switching means and said comparator means for timing said produced output pulses; an RF oscillator connected with said switching means and operatively controlled by said output pulses therefrom so that a pulse widTh modulated output signal is produced by said oscillating means; and means for transmitting said pulse width modulated signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
166 words
A temperature sensing and transmitting unit for indicating temperature conditions within an oven, said unit comprising: a bridge circuit having a sensing resistor exposed to the temperature within an oven, said bridge circuit producing an output signal the magnitude of which is dependent upon said sensed temperature; signal generating means for producing a ramp voltage of predetermined slope; comparator means for receiving said ramp voltage and said output signal from said bridge circuit and producing a plurality of output pulses the width of each of which is controlled by comparison of the input signals to said comparator means; switching means connected to receive said pulse output from said comparator means; clock means connected with said switching means and said comparator means for timing said produced output pulses; an RF oscillator connected with said switching means and operatively controlled by said output pulses therefrom so that a pulse widTh modulated output signal is produced by said oscillating means; and means for transmitting said pulse width modulated signal.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
178 words
A system for monitoring an environmental condition at successive locations within an oven having conveying means for conveying articles therethrough, the successive locations being remote from the monitoring location, the system comprising: transducing means for producing an output signal indicative of the condition; means for producing ramp signals of predetermined duration; comparator means for receiving said ramp signal and said output signal from said transducing means and producing a plurality of output pulses the width of each of which is indicative of said condition; oscillating means responsive to each of said output pulses from said comparator means so as to produce an oscillatory signal corresponding to the duration of said pulse; an antenna to radiate the oscillatory signal from said oscillating means; a portable insulated container adapted to receive said oscillating means, comparator means, ramp signal producing means, and at least a portion of said transducing means, said container being adapted to be conveyed through said oven by said conveyor means; and means for receiving the oscillatory signal radiated from said antenna and deriving said sensed condition therefrom.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
178 words
A system for monitoring an environmental condition at successive locations within an oven having conveying means for conveying articles therethrough, the successive locations being remote from the monitoring location, the system comprising: transducing means for producing an output signal indicative of the condition; means for producing ramp signals of predetermined duration; comparator means for receiving said ramp signal and said output signal from said transducing means and producing a plurality of output pulses the width of each of which is indicative of said condition; oscillating means responsive to each of said output pulses from said comparator means so as to produce an oscillatory signal corresponding to the duration of said pulse; an antenna to radiate the oscillatory signal from said oscillating means; a portable insulated container adapted to receive said oscillating means, comparator means, ramp signal producing means, and at least a portion of said transducing means, said container being adapted to be conveyed through said oven by said conveyor means; and means for receiving the oscillatory signal radiated from said antenna and deriving said sensed condition therefrom.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system as defined in claim 14 wherein said transducing means includes: bridge circuit means including a resistance element having a predetermined characteristic of resistance in accordance with the temperature thereof, said resistance element being externally positioned with respect to said container with the remainder of said bridge circuit being within said container; whereby the duration of the oscillatory signal received corresponds to the temperature of said resistance element at the successive locations within the oven.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system as defined in claim 15 wherein said portable insulated container has at least two passageways extending from within and through said container so that at least a portion of said antenna and said resistance element are connected with said circuitry within said container by separate and spaced connecting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |