US3842371A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Voltage to frequency converter
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1973-10-12
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1993-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A voltage to frequency converter includes an integrating ramp generator the output of which is compared with a reference signal to produce an output pulse whenever the magnitude of the ramp signal reaches equality with the reference signal. The output signal is coupled back through a switching circuit to reset the integrating ramp generator each time an output pulse is produced. The slope of the ramp being a function of the magnitude of the input signal applied to the ramp generator, the frequency of the output pulses will be proportional to the magnitude of the applied input signal. In order to accomplish a relatively high frequency of output pulses without unduly increasing the frequency of the switching operation, a plurality of comparators are provided, each connected directly to the output of the ramp generator and each comparing the ramp signal with a different reference signal level. A pulse signal generator is connected to the output of each of the comparators to produce a pulse whenever the associated comparator recognizes an equality between the ramp signal and its unique reference signal. The output of the several pulse generators are coupled through an OR gate to an output circuit. The output pulse from the pulse generator coupled to the comparator to which the highest reference signal is applied is the only one coupled back to operate the switching circuit to reset the ramp generator.
Inventors
- 👤 T Kelley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:14
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K7/00; H03K7/06; H03K3/00; H03K3/02; H03K3/023; H03K3/0231; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/12; H03M1/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A voltage to frequency converter comprising a ramp signal generator for producing a ramp signal the slope of which is a function of the magnitude of an input voltage signal; a signal comparator connected to said ramp signal generator for comparing said ramp signal with a predetermined reference signal, said comparator being operative to produce an intermediate signal on the occurrence of equality between said ramp signal and said reference signal; a pulse former connected to said comparator and responsive to said intermediate signal to produce an output pulse on the occurrence of each such intermediate signal; a ramp signal generator resetting capacitor, means for charging said resetting capacitor to a predetermined charge; switch means operable in response to said output pulse for connecting said resetting capacitor to said ramp signal generator to reset said ramp signal generator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A voltage to frequency converter comprising a ramp signal generator for producing a ramp signal the slope of which is a function of the magnitude of an input voltage signal; a signal comparator connected to said ramp signal generator for comparing said ramp signal with a predetermined reference signal, said comparator being operative to produce an intermediate signal on the occurrence of equality between said ramp signal and said reference signal; a pulse former connected to said comparator and responsive to said intermediate signal to produce an output pulse on the occurrence of each such intermediate signal; a ramp signal generator resetting capacitor, means for charging said resetting capacitor to a predetermined charge; switch means operable in response to said output pulse for connecting said resetting capacitor to said ramp signal generator to reset said ramp signal generator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
153 words
A voltage to frequency converter comprising a ramp signal generator for producing a ramp signal the slope of which is a function of the magnitude of an input voltage signal; a plurality of signal comparators connected in parallel to the output of said ramp signal generator for comparing said ramp signal with each of a plurality of reference signals, said comparators being operative to produce an intermediate signal on the occurrence of equality between said ramp signal and each of said reference signals; a plurality of pulse formers, one connected to each of said comparators and responsive to said intermediate signals to produce output pulse signals on the occurrence of each of said intermediate signals; and resetting means coupled to the one of said pulse formers corresponding to the reference signal of greatest magnitude for resetting said ramp signal generator on the occurrence of an output pulse from said last mentioned pulse former.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
153 words
A voltage to frequency converter comprising a ramp signal generator for producing a ramp signal the slope of which is a function of the magnitude of an input voltage signal; a plurality of signal comparators connected in parallel to the output of said ramp signal generator for comparing said ramp signal with each of a plurality of reference signals, said comparators being operative to produce an intermediate signal on the occurrence of equality between said ramp signal and each of said reference signals; a plurality of pulse formers, one connected to each of said comparators and responsive to said intermediate signals to produce output pulse signals on the occurrence of each of said intermediate signals; and resetting means coupled to the one of said pulse formers corresponding to the reference signal of greatest magnitude for resetting said ramp signal generator on the occurrence of an output pulse from said last mentioned pulse former.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A voltage to frequency converter as set forth in claim 2 and including combining means coupled to all of said pulse formers to produce a composite output signal comprising the pulse output signals from all of said pulse formers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A voltage to frequency converter as set forth in claim 3 wherein said combining means comprises an OR gate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
A voltage to frequency converter as set forth in claim 2 wherein said reseTting means comprises a capacitor, means for charging said capacitor to a predetermined charge, and switching means operable in response to an output pulse from said one of said pulse formers to connect said capacitor to said ramp signal generator to effect a resetting thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
335 words
A voltage to frequency converter comprising a ramp signal generator for producing a ramp signal the slope of which is a function of the magnitude of an input voltage signal; said ramp signal generator including an integrating amplifier having a summing junction at one input terminal thereof; a plurality of signal comparators connected in parallel to the output terminal of said ramp signal generator for comparing said ramp signal with each of a plurality of reference signals, said reference signals being of progressively different values with respect to each other, said comparators being operative to produce an intermediate signal on the occurrence of equality between said ramp signal and each of said reference signals; a plurality of pulse formers, one connected to each of said comparators, responsive to said intermediate signals to produce output pulse signals on the occurrence of each of said intermediate signals; OR gate means connected to the outputs of all of said pulse formers to produce a composite train of output pulses corresponding to the output pulse signals from all of said pulse formers; a ramp signal generator resetting capacitor having one terminal connected to ground; means for charging said resetting capacitor to a predetermined charge; switch means connected to the other terminal of said resetting capacitor for alternately connecting said other terminal of said capacitor to said charging means and to said summing junction; switch control means connected to the output of the one of said pulse formers corresponding to the comparator to which the largest reference signal is applied, said switch control means being responsive to the output pulse from said one of said pulse formers to actuate said switch means to transfer the connection of said resetting capacitor from said charging means to said summing junction on the occurrence of said output pulse corresponding to the comparison of said ramp signal with the largest of said reference signals whereby to reset said ramp signal generator in response to said output pulse from said one of said pulse formers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
335 words
A voltage to frequency converter comprising a ramp signal generator for producing a ramp signal the slope of which is a function of the magnitude of an input voltage signal; said ramp signal generator including an integrating amplifier having a summing junction at one input terminal thereof; a plurality of signal comparators connected in parallel to the output terminal of said ramp signal generator for comparing said ramp signal with each of a plurality of reference signals, said reference signals being of progressively different values with respect to each other, said comparators being operative to produce an intermediate signal on the occurrence of equality between said ramp signal and each of said reference signals; a plurality of pulse formers, one connected to each of said comparators, responsive to said intermediate signals to produce output pulse signals on the occurrence of each of said intermediate signals; OR gate means connected to the outputs of all of said pulse formers to produce a composite train of output pulses corresponding to the output pulse signals from all of said pulse formers; a ramp signal generator resetting capacitor having one terminal connected to ground; means for charging said resetting capacitor to a predetermined charge; switch means connected to the other terminal of said resetting capacitor for alternately connecting said other terminal of said capacitor to said charging means and to said summing junction; switch control means connected to the output of the one of said pulse formers corresponding to the comparator to which the largest reference signal is applied, said switch control means being responsive to the output pulse from said one of said pulse formers to actuate said switch means to transfer the connection of said resetting capacitor from said charging means to said summing junction on the occurrence of said output pulse corresponding to the comparison of said ramp signal with the largest of said reference signals whereby to reset said ramp signal generator in response to said output pulse from said one of said pulse formers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A voltage to frequency converter as set forth in claim 6 wherein said switch control means is operative to actuate said switch means to reconnect said resetting capacitor to said charging means upon the termination of said pulse.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |