Remotely operated net output ticket printer

• US 3,873,814 A
• Filed: 02/20/1973
• Issued: 03/25/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mohammad Kian Mirdadian
• Original Assignee: Mohammad Kian Mirdadian
• Inventors: Mirdadian, Mohammad Kian
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaw, Gareth D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thesz, Jr., Joseph M.
• Application Number:
  US05/334,080
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 235/92FL,92DM,92MT,92EA,92EL,92V,92H,92NT 73/194E
• US Class Current: 377/21
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/0755 involving digital counting
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 3/10 Geared or lobed impeller meters
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 1/108 by electronic means

Abstract

The pulsating output signal from a metering device is conveyed to a K factor selection circuit which counts the number of pulses present in the meter signal and, when a predetermined, selectable number of pulses has been counted, produces a unit output pulse representing a unit volume of flow past the metered point. The unit output pulse is supplied to a second circuit which regulates the supply of pulsating DC power to an incremental motor which in turn mechanically turns the rotatable drive shaft of a register and ticket printer. A revolution sensor interrupts the pulsating power supply to the motor when the shaft completes a single revolution. The occurrence of another unit input pulse reactivates the motor and the described cycle is repeated. Each revolution of the drive shaft advances the register display by one unit and means are provided whereby the accumulated count in the register may be imprinted on a ticket.

Claims

1. A metering system for forming a net output comprising:

a. meter means for producing a meter signal functionally related to the value of a monitored, variable value parameter;

b. measuring means connected with said meter signal for forming a net output signal each time said meter signal provides a predetermined input to said measuring means;

c. selector means included with said measuring means for selecting the value of said meter signal required to form a net output signal, said selector means including a factor control setting means which may be set at a value equal to the meter signal value desired for forming a net output signal;

d. register means supplied with said net output signal for accumulating a count of said net output signals, e. ticket printing means included with said register means for selectively printing the accumulated register count of net output signals in said register means onto a recording medium;

f. power means connected with said register means for supplying power for mechanically advancing the count of said register means and for imprinting the register count onto said recording medium;

g. feedback control means connected with said power means for causing said power means to advance said register count when said net output signals are supplied to said control means and for causing said power means to stop advancing said register count when the accumulated count in said register has advanced by a preselected amount;

h. an incremental electrical motor included in said power means, said electrical motor having a rotor adapted to rotate one angular increment for each pulse of a pulsating electrical power supply applied to said motor;

i. a rotatable drive shaft included in said register means for mechanically driving said printing means and for advancing said register count by an amount related to the angular position of said drive shaft, said motor being mechanically connected with the rotor of said drive shaft to rotate said shaft when said rotor is rotated;

j. sensing means included in said control means for forming a sensing feedback signal indicating the angular position of said drive shaft; and

k. switching means further included in said control means for applying said pulsating power supply to said motor in response to the formation of net output signals by said measuring means and for removing said pulsating power supply from said motor when said sensing feedback signal indicates that said drive shaft is at a predetermined angular position.

2. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein:

a. said selector means includes a synchronous down-counter circuit;

b. said factor control setting means incluDes means for loading said down-counter with a selected count; and

c. the output of said down-counter is connected with an output circuit for forming a relatively narrow reload pulse for reloading said down-counter with said selected count after a full count of said meter pulses occurs and before the next meter pulse following a full count is supplied to said down counter.

3. A system as defined in claim 2 wherein:

a. said register includes means for advancing said register count by one unit for each revolution of said drive shaft; and

b. said control means includes means for applying said pulsating power supply to said rotor in response to the formation of one net output signal by said measuring means and for removing said pulsating power supply when said sensing means indicates that said drive shaft has completed a single revolution.

4. A system as defined in claim 3 wherein:

a. said control means includes logic circuitry for forming a first output signal when supplied with a net output signal and a second different output signal when supplied with a sensing feedback signal;

b. said first signal functions to apply said pulsating power to said motor; and

c. said second signal functions to terminate the supply of said pulsating power to said motor.

5. A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said net output signals are supplied to said control means through a first relay switching circuit for isolating electrical noise from said control means.

6. A system as defined in claim 5 wherein said sensing feedback signal is supplied to said control means through a second relay switching circuit for isolating electrical noise from said control means.

7. A system as defined in claim 6 wherein both said first and second relay switching circuits include means for generating a short duration electrical pulse each time the switch contacts of said first and second relay circuits are moved to a predetermined position.

8. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said sensing means includes a magnetic reed switch and a magnetic element associated with said drive shaft whereby the position of the switching contacts of said reed switch are changed by rotation of said shaft.

9. A system as defined in claim 8 wherein said magnetic element is carried by said rotating shaft and said reed switch is fixed relative to the rotary movement of said shaft.

10. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein:

a. said register means includes means for advancing said register count by one unit for each revolution of said drive shaft; and

b. said control means includes means for applying said pulsating power supply to said rotor in response to the formation of one net output signal by said measuring means and for removing said pulsating power supply when said sensing means indicates that said drive shaft has completed a single revolution.

11. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said net output signals are supplied to said control means through a second relay switching circuit for isolating electrical noise from said control means.

12. A system as defined in claim 11 wherein said sensing feedback signal is supplied to said control means through a relay switching circuit for isolating electrical noise from said control means.

13. A system as defined in claim 12 wherein both said first and second relay switching circuits include means for generating a short duration electrical pulse each time the switch contacts of said first and second relay circuits are moved to a predetermined position.

14. A system as defined in claim 13 wherein:

a. said selector means includes a synchronous down-counter circuit;

b. said factor control means includes means for loading said down-counter with a selected count; and

c. the output of said down-counter is connected with an output circuit for forming a relatively narrow reload pulse for reloading said down-counter with said selected count after a full count of said meTer pulses occurs and before the next meter pulse following a full count is supplied to said down-counter.

15. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein:

a. said control means includes logic circuitry for forming a first output signal when supplied with a net output signal and a second different output signal when supplied with a sensing feedback signal;

b. said first signal functions to apply said pulsating power to said motor; and

c. said second signal functions to terminate the supply of said pulsating power to said motor.

16. A measuring and printing system comprising:

a. a conventional register and printing mechanism of the type having a rotatable drive shaft which, when rotated, advances a register count and simultaneously advances a printing means by an amount related to the angular position of said drive shaft whereby the printing means is selectively capable of imprinting the register count on a recording medium;

b. meter means located remotely from said register and printer mechanism for producing a meter signal functionally related to the value of a monitored, variable value parameter;

c. measuring means located remotely from said register and printer mechanism and connected with said meter signal for forming a unit output signal each time said meter signal provides a predetermined input to said measuring means;

d. register means, included as a part of said conventional register and printing mechanism, supplied with said unit signal for forming a register count representative of the integral of the values of said parameter;

e. ticket printing means included as a part of said conventional register and printing mechanism for selectively imprinting the accumulated register count of unit output signals in said register means onto a recording medium;

f. power means connected with said conventional register and printing mechanism for supplying power for mechanically advancing the count of said register means and for imprinting the count onto said recording medium; and

g. feedback control means connected with said power means for causing said power means to advance said register count when said unit output signals are supplied to said control means and for causing said power means to stop advancing said register count when the accumulated count in said register means has advanced by a preselected amount.

17. A system for remotely operating a conventional register and printing mechanism of the type having a rotatable drive shaft which, when rotated, advances a register count and simultaneously advances a printing means by an amount related to the angular position of said drive shaft whereby the printing means is selectively capable of imprinting the register count on a recording medium comprising:

a. meter means for producing a meter signal functionally related to the value of a monitored, variable value parameter;

b. measuring means connected with said meter signal for forming a unit output signal each time said meter signal provides a predetermined input to said measuring means;

c. register means, included as a part of said conventional register and printing mechanism, supplied with said unit signal for forming a register count representative of the integral of the values of said parameter;

d. ticket printing means included as a part of said conventional register and printing mechanism for selectively imprinting the accumulated register count of unit output signals in said register means onto a recording medium;

e. power means connected with said conventional register and printing mechanism for supplying power for mechanically advancing the count of said register means and for imprinting the count onto said recording medium;

f. feedback control means connected with said power means for causing said power means to advance said register count when said unit output signals are supplied to said control means and for causing said power means to stop advancing said register couNt when the accumulated count in said register means has advanced by a preselected amount;

g. an incremental electrical motor included in said power means, said electrical motor having a rotor adapted to rotate one angular increment for each pulse of a pulsating electrical power supply applied to said motor, said motor being mechanically connected with the rotor of said drive shaft to rotate said shaft when said rotor is rotated;

h. sensing means included in said control means for forming a sensing feedback signal indicating the angular position of the drive shaft; and

i. switching means included in said control means for applying said pulsating power supply to said motor in response to the formation of unit output signals by said measuring means and for removing said pulsating power supply from said motor when said sensing feedback signal indicates that said drive shaft is at a predetermined angular position.

18. A system as defined in claim 17 wherein:

a. said conventional register and printing mechanism includes means for advancing said register count by one unit for each revolution of said drive shaft; and

b. said control means includes means for applying said pulsating power supply to said rotor in response to the formation of one unit output signal by said measuring means and for removing said pulsating power supply when said sensing means indicates that said drive shaft has completed a single revolution.

19. A system as defined in claim 18 wherein said unit output signals are supplied to said control means through a first relay switching circuit for isolating electrical noise from said control means.

20. A system as defined in claim 19 wherein said sensing feedback signal is supplied to said control means through a second relay switching circuit for isolating electrical noise from said control means.

21. A system as defined in claim 20 wherein both said first and second relay switching circuits include means for generating a short duration electrical pulse each time the switch contacts of said first and second relay circuits are moved to a predetermined position.

22. A system as defined in claim 17 wherein:

a. said control means includes logic circuitry for forming a first output signal when supplied with a unit output signal and a second different output signal when supplied with a sensing feedback signal;

b. said first signal functions to apply said pulsating power to said motor; and

c. said second signal functions to terminate the supply of said pulsating power to said motor.

23. A system as defined in claim 17 wherein said sensing means includes a magnetic reed switch and a magnetic element associated with said drive shaft whereby the position of the switching contacts of said reed switch are changed by rotation of said shaft.