Audible speed indicator for hang glider

• US 4,136,562 A
• Filed: 02/03/1978
• Issued: 01/30/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stephen M. Crooker
• Original Assignee: Stephen M. Crooker
• Inventors: Crooker, Stephen M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Woodiel, Donald O.
• Application Number:
  US05/875,067
• Time in Patent Office: 361 Days
• Field of Search: 73/187, 73/189, 73/230
• US Class Current: 73/187
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/08 Arrangements of scales, pointers, lamps or acoustic indicators, e.g. in automobile speedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/486 delivered by photo-electric detectors

Abstract

An audible speed indicator for hang gliders or the like comprises an air driven impeller 16 whose initial point of rotation start-up may be adjusted to correspond to the stall speed by rotating cowling section 14 relative to housing 13 to thereby vary the opening area of side exhaust windows 15. The impeller drives a slotted disc 18 which passes light pulses from a source 19 to a photocell 20, whose output triggers an oscillator 23. The oscillator output energizes a speaker 24, whose audible pulse frequency is thus proportional to air speed. The audio volume may also be reduced or blanked within a predetermined air speed range by a frequency detector 27, whose upper and lower triggering frequencies are adjustable.

Claims

1. An audible speed indicator for a movable vehicle, such as a hang glider or the like, comprising:

(a) a housing adapted to be mounted to the vehicle,

(b) an impeller rotatably mounted in the housing,

(c) means for varying the passage of air through the impeller to thereby adjust the air speed at which the impeller will commence rotation,

(d) electrical pulse generator means driven by the impeller, and

(e) audio generator means energized by the output of the pulse generator means, whereby the frequency of the audio generator means output is proportional to air speed.

2. A speed indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for varying the passage of air through the impeller comprises air vent windows in the housing and a rotationally adjustable cowling section surrounding said windows and having mating openings therein, whereby the rotational adjustment of the cowling section varies the opening area of said windows.

3. A speed indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein the electrical pulse generator means comprises a light source, a photocell spaced therefrom, and a slotted disc driven by the impeller and disposed between the light source and the photocell.

4. A speed indicator as defined in claim 2, wherein the electrical pulse generator means comprises a light source, a photocell spaced therefrom, and a slotted disc driven by the impeller and disposed between the light source and the photocell.

5. A speed indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein the audio generator means comprises an oscillator triggered by the pulse generator means output, and an electro-acoustic transducer driven by the oscillator output.

6. A speed indicator as defined in claim 4, wherein the audio generator means comprises an oscillator triggered by the pulse generatormeans output, and an electro-acoustic transducer driven by the oscillator output.

7. A speed indicator as defined in claim 1, further comprising frequency detector means responsive to the pulse generator means output for reducing the audio generator means output volume when the pulse generator means output is within a predetermined, adjustable frequency range.

8. A speed indicator as defined in claim 4, further comprising frequency detector means responsive to the pulse generator means output for reducing the audio generator means output volume when the pulse generator means output is within a predetermined, adjustable frequency range.

9. A speed indicator as defined in claim 6, further comprising frequency detector means responsive to the pulse generator means output for reducing the audio generator means output volume when the pulse generator means output is within a predetermined, adjustable frequency range.