Signal transmission and control system

• US 4,076,039 A
• Filed: 01/14/1976
• Issued: 02/28/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert E. Hartsock
• Original Assignee: Robert E. Hartsock
• Inventors: Hartsock, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cline, William R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spiegel, H. Jay
• Application Number:
  US05/649,192
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 335/151, 335/154, 335/282, 335/2, 335/107, 335/153, 335/152, 340/58, 340/189 M, 340/271, 340/325, 307/117, 137/344, 239/177, 239/212, 239/213, 318/254
• US Class Current: 239/737
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/09 Watering arrangements making use of movable installations on wheels or the like

Abstract

The present invention relates to a signal transmission and control system wherein a signal is transmitted from one member of co-acting members to another member; the signal being transmitted without mechanical contact -- and being transmitted regardless of the spatial relation, the angular relation, or the relative motion of the members. The present invention may be designed to transmit various types of signals; and may be used as a remote control for controlling any of a variety of systems.

Claims

1. A signal transmitting system adapted to transmit a signal between coacting members, at least one of said members being movable relative to the other member, comprising:

means for producing a single-pulse magnetic field having magnetic sub-fields of substantially equal magnetic strengths at each magnetic space of said magnetic field-producing means;

means, ccomprising a magnetic reed switch, for detecting the presence or the absence of said single-pulse magnetic field;

means for mounting said magnetic-field-producing means on one of said members;

means for mounting said detecting means on the other of said members, for causing said detecting means to always be exposed -- during the existance of said single-pulse magnetic field -- to one of said equal strength magnetic sub-fields regardless of the instantaneous spatial relation and relative movement between said members;

said magnetic-field-producing means comprising a multi-turn coil of electric wire positioned in a torroidally shaped housing of magentic material having a channel configuration;

means comprising said channel housing of magnetic material, for concentrating magnetic flux to provide increased magnetic strength at the magnetic spaces of said magnetic field producing means.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said magnetic reed switch is positioned closely adjacent to the open mouth of said channel-configurated torroidally-shaped housing;

said magnetic reed switch being thus located in said concentrated magnetic field.

3. A signal transmitting system adapted to transmit a signal between coacting members, at least one of said members being movable relative to the other member, comprising:

means for producing a single-pulse magnetic field having magnetic sub-fields of substantially equal magnetic strengths at each magnetic space of said magnetic field-producing means;

means, comprising a magnetic reed switch, for detecting the presence or the absence of said single-pulse magnetic field;

means for mounting said magnetic-field-producing means on one of said members;

means for mounting said detecting means on the other of said members, for causing said detecting means to always be exposed -- during the existance of said single-pulse magnetic field -- to one of said equal strength magnetic sub-fields regardless of the instantaneous spatial relation and relative movement between said members;

said magnetic-field-producing means being attached to a rotatable shaft;

said substantially-equal-strength magnetic sub-fields being equidistant from the rotational axis of said rotatable shaft;

and said magnetic detector being mounted in a fixed location relative to the axis of rotation of said magnetic-field-producing means, and positioned adjacent to said sub-fields.

4. In combination with a farmland irrigating apparatus having a frame;

an engine, mounted on said frame for powering the movement of said apparatus;

a set of driving wheels for permitting movement of said apparatus; and

a rotatable hub adapted to fasten a central irrigating pipe thereto, said pipe being adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis;

the combination comprising;

a magnetic-field-producing multi-turn wire coil mounted on said rotatable pipe;

said coil being mounted to rotate with said pipe, and to produce a magnetic field that is substantially concentric with the axis of rotation of said pipe;

means for detecting the magnetic field produced by said coil regardless of the angular orientation of said coil, and regardless of whether said coil is rotating or is stationary;

said detector comprising a magnetic-reed-switch;

means for mounting said magnetic-reed-switch on said frame, and positioned in the magnetic area of said coil;

means, comprising a control box, for remotely energizing said coil;

whereby when said control box energizes said coil, the magnetic field from said coil causes said detector to produce a signal;

means for utilizing said signal from said detector.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said utilization means is adapted to start and stop said engine, to cause the apparatus to move forward and backward, and to stop the movement of said apparatus.

6. The invention of claim 4 including a second magnetic-reed-switch mounted on said frame, and positioned in the magnetic area of said coil;

whereby when said control box energizes said coil, the magnetic field from said coil causes said second magnetic-reed-switch to produce a signal;

means for causing said signal from said second magnetic-reed-switch to enable and to disable a magneto-type ignition system.