PROXIMITY CONTROL APPARATUS

• US 3,601,621 A
• Filed: 08/18/1969
• Issued: 08/24/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edwin E. Ritchie
• Original Assignee: Edwin E. Ritchie
• Inventors: Ritchie, Edwin E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schaefer, Robert K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hohauser, H. J.
• Application Number:
  US04/850,967
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 141/156-162 307/116,117,118,119 331/65,66
• US Class Current: 307/116
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/723 using transformer coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/725 for ac voltages or currents H03K17/722, H03K17/735 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/951 Measures for supplying operating voltage to the detector circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9525 controlled by an oscillatory signal H03K17/9537 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector

Abstract

An electronic control responsive to the presence of an object in predetermined proximity to the probe thereof. The probe is connected to an oscillation generator which supplies electrical oscillations to a circuit which controls the initiation of the timing cycle of a timing device when an object is brought into proximity of the probe and electrical oscillations supplied by the generator are interrupted. The timing device supplies a signal to a control circuit after a predetermined timed interval to shut off the load circuit which was activated when the timing cycle was started.

Claims

1. In an electronic control responsive to the presence of an object in predetermined proximity, the combination of an oscillation generator, a probe connected to said oscillation generator to interrupt the generation of oscillations when an object is placed in proximity thereto, a control circuit for controlling a work circuit, means responsive to the interruption of said oscillation generator activating said control circuit, said last mentioned means includes a first rectifier having a gate electrode which is connected to be fired when said oscillation generator is producing oscillations, said control circuit including a second rectifier having a gate which is connected to be fired when said first rectifier is turned off by the interruption of said oscillation generator, said second rectifier being turned off when said object is removed from the proximity of said probe.

2. In an electronic control responsive to the presence of an object in predetermined proximity, the combination of an oscillation generator, a probe connected to said oscillation generator to control the generation of oscillations when an object is placed in proximity to said probe, a timing device measuring a predetermined time interval, means responsive to said oscillation generator for controlling the operation of said timing device to initiate its cycle of operation, means controlling a work circuit, means actuating said last mentioned means for said predetermined time interval in response to the operation of said timing device, said means controlling a work circuit including a rectifier having a gate and means activating said gate at the beginning of said time interval and means controlled by said timing device for deactivating said gate to turn said rectifier and said work circuit off.

3. In an electronic control responsive to the presence of an object in predetermined proximity, the combination as set forth in claim 2 further characterized in that said means activating said gate comprises means producing a direct current controlled by said means responsive to said oscillation generator.

4. In an electronic control responsive to the presence of an object in predetermined proximity, the combination of an oscillation generator, a probe connected to said oscillation generator to interrupt the generation of oscillation when an object is placed in proximity thereto, a control circuit for controlling a work circuit, said control circuit including a rectifier connected to said work circuit, said rectifier having a gate, means responsive to the interruption of said oscillation generator activating said gate of said rectifier, and means deactivating said gate when said object is moved from the proximity of said probe.

5. In an electronic control responsive to the presence of an object in predetermined proximity, the combination as set forth in claim 4 further characterized in that said control circuit includes another rectifier having a gate which is connected to be fired when said oscillation generator is producing oscillations, said responsive means being connected to said other rectifier to supply an activating potential to said gate of said first mentioned rectifier when said oscillation generator is interrupted and said other rectifier is deactivated.

6. In an electronic control responsive to the presence of an object in predetermined proximity, the combination as set forth in claim 5 further characterized in that said control circuit includes a third rectifier connected to control the gate of said first mentioned rectifier, said third rectifier having a gate and timing means activating said gate of said third rectifier after a predetermined time interval so that said third rectifier deactivates said first mentioned rectifier.