Portable pulsed signal generator

• US 4,012,641 A
• Filed: 12/05/1975
• Issued: 03/15/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Hudson, John A., Brickerd, Millard S. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Feinberg, Samuel
• Application Number:
  US05/637,996
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: 102/18, 102/18 MS, 323/89 C, 321/49, 321/48, 307/106
• US Class Current: 307/106
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/64 by combination of static with dynamic converters; by combination of dynamo-electric with other dynamic or static converters

Abstract

A portable pulsed signal generator which generates a low-frequency, high-ered signal from a constant direct current, low power source is disclosed as including an inverter for driving a plurality of motors which, in turn, actuate control switches by means of cams and cam followers associated therewith. A potentiometer driven by one of said motors, in turn, effectively controls the output of a direct current amplifier, with the varying direct current output signal therefrom having the alternate half-waves thereof polarity reversed by switch controlled relays, the switch of which is timely actuated by one of the aforesaid cams, cam followers, and other switches, respectively, so as to produce a low-frequency, high-power, substantially alternating current signal. After appropriate transduction said low-frequency, high-power, substantially alternating current signal may be employed for sweeping mines.

Claims

1. A portable pulsed signal generator, comprising in combination:

a plurality of series connected batteries;

an inverter, having a pair of inputs and a pair of outputs, with one of the inputs thereof connected to the negative terminal of one of the batteries of the aforesaid plurality of series connected batteries, and with other input thereof connected to the positive terminal of said one battery of the aforesaid plurality of series connected batteries;

a first motor, having an input, an output, and a rotatable shaft, with the input thereof connected to one of the outputs of said inverter;

an on-off switch, having a pair of terminals and means for effecting the timely electrical closure thereof, with one of the terminals thereof connected to the electrical output of said first motor, and with the other terminal thereof connected to the other output of said inverter;

a first cam mounted on the shaft of said first motor for rotation therewith

a first cam follower disposed in slidable engagement with said first cam for timely movement thereby;

a first switch having a fixed contact and a movable arm, with the fixed contact thereof electrically connected to said one terminal of the aforesaid on-off switch, and with the movable arm thereof mechanically connected to said first cam follower;

a second cam mounted on the shaft of said first motor for rotation therewith;

a second cam follower disposed in slidable engagement with said second cam for timely movement thereby;

a second switch having a fixed contact and a movable arm, with the fixed contact thereof electrically connected to the movable arm of said first switch and to the other terminal of the aforesaid on-off switch;

a second motor having an input, an output, and a rotatable shaft, with the input thereof connected to said one output of said inverter, and with the output thereof electrically connected to the movable arm of said second switch;

a third cam mounted on the shaft of said second motor for rotation therewith;

a third cam follower disposed in slidable engagement with said third cam for timely movement thereby.

a third switch having a movable arm and two fixed contacts, with the movable arm thereof mechanically connected to said third cam follower in such manner as to be alternately closed with the fixed contacts thereof in response thereto, and with the movable arm thereof electrically connected to the negative terminal of the aforesaid one of said plurality of series connected batteries;

a fourth cam mounted on the shaft of said second motor for rotation therewith;

a fourth cam follower disposed in slidable engagement with said fourth cam for timely movement thereby;

a fourth switch having a fixed contact and a movable arm, with the fixed contact thereof electrically connected to the output of said second motor, with the movable arm thereof electrically connected to said other output of the aforesaid inverter, and with the movable arm thereof mechanically connected to said fourth cam follower in such manner as to be opened and closed with the fixed contact thereof in response to timely movement of said fourth cam follower;

a direct current power amplifier having a predetermined direct current voltage supply, a positive potential input, a negative potential input with respect to said positive potential input, a control input, and a positive potential output, the potential of which is more positive than that of said negative potential input and less positive than that of said positive potential input, with the positive potential input thereof connected to the positive terminal of said one battery of the aforesaid plurality of series connected batteries, and with the negative potential input connected to the negative of another of the batteries of said plurality of series connected batteries;

a potentiometer having a fixed resistance and a movable arm in slidable engagement therewith, with the fixed resistance thereof connected across the aforesaid predetermined direct current voltage supply of said direct current power amplifier, with the movable arm thereof mechanically connected to the shaft of said second motor for rotation therewith, and with the movable arm thereof electrically connected to the aforesaid control input of said direct current power amplifier;

a pair of output terminals;

a first solenoid relay having first and second switches and a solenoid connected thereto for the simultaneous opening and closing thereof, with the first switch thereof connected between the positive potential output of said direct current power amplifier and one of said pair of output terminals, and with the second switch thereof connected between the positive terminal of said one battery of the aforesaid plurality of series connected batteries and the other of said pair of output terminals, and with the solenoid thereof connected between one of the fixed contacts of the aforesaid third switch and the negative input of said direct current power amplifier;

a second solenoid relay having third and fourth switches and a solenoid connected thereto for the simultaneously opening and closing thereof, with the third switch thereof connected between the positive potential output of said direct current power amplifier and said other of said pair of output terminals, and with the fourth switch connected between the positive terminal of said one of the aforesaid plurality of series connected batteries and said one of said pair of output terminals, and with the solenoid thereof connected between the other of the fixed contacts of said third switch and the negative input of said direct current power amplifier.

2. The invention of claim 1, further characterized by a ground connected to the negative terminal of another of the batteries of said plurality of series connected batteries.

3. The invention of claim 1, further characterized by a load connected to said pair of output terminals.

4. The invention of claim 1, further characterized by a programmer connected to said on-off switch in such manner as to effect the opening and closing thereof in acordance with a predetermined program.

5. A portable pulsed signal generator, comprising in combination;

source of direct current electrical power;

a direct current power amplifier connected to said direct current source and comprising a rotary control potentiometer for varying the output of said amplifier;

reversing relay means, connected between the output of said amplifier and a load when connected to said generator;

an inverter connected to said source so as to provide an alternating current output;

a first motor connected to said inverter and having a rotatable shaft;

an on-off switch connected in series between said inverter and said first motor for controlling energization thereof;

means cam mounted on the shaft of said first motor for rotation therewith;

a second motor, connected to said inverter and having a rotatable shaft connected to said rotary potentiometer;

cam means mounted on the shaft of said second motor for rotation therewith;

first cam operable switch means, responsive to rotation of said shaft of said first motor, for maintaining energization of said first motor for a predetermined period after energization thereof by said on-off switch;

second cam operable switch means, responsive to rotation of said shaft of said first motor, for energizing said second motor;

third cam operated switch means, responsive to rotation of said shaft of said second motor, for energizing said reversing relay means in timed relation to operation of said rotary potentiometer, whereby an alternating current of predetermined waveform is generated; and

fourth cam operated switch means responsive to rotation of said shaft of said second motor, for maintaining energization thereof for a predetermined pulse period, whereby momentary actuation of said on-off switch will result in generation of said alternating current for said predetermined pulse period.