Self-orienting potentiometer

• US 3,893,338 A
• Filed: 08/26/1974
• Issued: 07/08/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Grady O. Floyd
• Original Assignee: Grady O. Floyd
• Inventors: Floyd, Grady O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gill, James J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ciarlante, Anthony V.
• Application Number:
  US05/500,836
• Time in Patent Office: 316 Days
• Field of Search: 73/188,189
• US Class Current: 73/170.09
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 13/02 Indicating direction only, e.g. by weather vane
• CPC Class Codes: H01C 10/36 structurally combined with switching arrangements

Abstract

A potentiometer which is capable of self-orientation with respect to a predetermined reference. The potentiometer has an endless loop of resistive material to which is attached a plurality of fixed conductive taps. An arm having a pair of conductors which terminate in a pair of contacts floats freely above the resistor and aligns itself with the predetermined reference. A clamping disc moves the arm into contact with the resistive loop while a voltage is applied to the conductors. The voltage causes a small portion of the resistive loop to burn and disintegrate thereby creating a potentiometer which is oriented with respect to the predetermined reference.

Claims

1. A potentiometer capable of self-orientation with respect to a predetermined reference comprising:

a plate having an upper surface and a lower surface;

an endless loop of resistive material mounted on said upper surface of said plate;

a first arm including two contacts mounted at one end thereon, said first arm being rotatably mounted on said plate;

means, mounted on said first arm, for aligning said first arm with a predetermined reference;

means mounted on said plate for fixedly positioning said two contacts into conductive contact with said resistive loop;

means connected to each of said contacts for applying a potential across said two contacts, said potential being of sufficient value to remove the smaller portion of said resistive loop conductively connected between said two contacts; and

a second arm including a third contact at one end thereon, said second arm being rotatably mounted on said plate so that said single contact is in conductive contact with said resistive loop throughout the rotation of said second arm.

2. A potentiometer according to claim 1 wherein said alignment means comprises a magnet attached to said first arm.

3. A potentiometer according to claim 1 further comprising:

means connected to said potential applying means for receiving a signal from a remote transmitter and then for activating said potential applying means.

4. A potentiometer according to claim 1 further comprising:

means for converting an input voltage to a standard signal and for transmitting said signal, said converting means having an input connected to said third contact of said second arm and connected to one of said two contacts of said first arm.

5. A potentiometer according to claim 1 and further comprising:

a plurality of spatially related conductive taps attached to said resistive loop, said conductive taps providing discrete points of conductive contact for said two contacts of said first arm and for said single contact of said second arm.

6. A potentiometer according to claim 5 and further comprising:

a wind vane; and

means connected between said second arm and said wind vane for sliding said third contact along said conductive taps in response to the movement of said wind vane.

7. A potentiometer according to claim 5, further comprising:

at least one tooth-like projection mounted on the lower surface of said first arm;

a sawtooth fence mounted on said plate such that when said first arm is fixedly positioned said tooth-like projection is meshed with said sawtooth fence to cause said two contacts of said first arm to make separate conductive contact with at least two of said conductive taps.

8. A potentiometer according to claim 7 wherein:

said first arm further includes a centrally located aperture;

said plate further includes an aperture; and

said positioning means comprises;

a shaft on which said first arm is rotatably mounted, said shaft being engaged in said plate aperture so as to allow longitudinal movement of said shaft;

a pair of caps, each of said caps being mounted on each end of said shaft;

spring means, situated between said lower surface of said plate and said cap, for urging said cap away from said lower surface; and

means for normally compressing and, upon activation, for releasing said spring means.

9. A potentiometer according to claim 8 wherein said compressing and releasing means comprises an electrical fuse having one end attached to said plate and having the other end attached to said cap on the lower end of said shaft.

10. A potentiometer according to claim 8 further comprisIng:

a cover defining a chamber which houses said first arm, said sawtooth fence, the upper portion of said shaft, and said cap mounted on said shaft;

means positioned between said shaft and said plate for permitting a hermetic seal; and

an electrically nonconductive fluid substantially filling said chamber.