Flexible piezoelectric switch activated metering pulse generators
First Claim
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1. A pulse signal generating device for responding to movements of metering elements or the like and transmitting pulse signals to a monitoring station, said device comprising:
- sensor means positionable to be engaged and deformed by a metering element and to develop an electrical signal during movement of the metering element through a certain portion of a path of movement thereof, and an amplifier device having input electrode means coupled to said sensor means and output electrode means arranged for coupling through connecting wire means to the monitoring station, said sensor means comprising a spring member of resilient sheet material having a terminal end portion for extending into the path of movement of the metering element to effect a bending movement in one direction away from an initial rest condition and a return movement in the opposite direction back to said initial rest condition, and deformation sensing means for developing an electrical signal in response to bending movements of said spring member, said spring member being so arranged and positioned in said path of movement of said metering element as to gradually effect said bending movement in said one direction and to relatively rapidly effect said return movement to said initial rest condition after said metering element reaches a certain position, and damping and oscillation inhibiting means for controlling the duration of said return movement to control the duration of the generated pulse signal and for inhibiting oscillatory movement of said spring member following movement of said spring member back to said initial rest condition.
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Abstract
In a metering pulse generator, a metering element engages a spring member to effect a gradual bending movement in one direction followed by a rapid return movement during which a pulse signal is developed by a piezoelectric material on the spring member . Energy is absorbed during each such rapid return movement of the spring member to provide damping, inhibit oscillations and effect reliable generation of a single pulse signal which is applied to an amplifier for transmission to a monitoring station.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A pulse signal generating device for responding to movements of metering elements or the like and transmitting pulse signals to a monitoring station, said device comprising:
- sensor means positionable to be engaged and deformed by a metering element and to develop an electrical signal during movement of the metering element through a certain portion of a path of movement thereof, and an amplifier device having input electrode means coupled to said sensor means and output electrode means arranged for coupling through connecting wire means to the monitoring station, said sensor means comprising a spring member of resilient sheet material having a terminal end portion for extending into the path of movement of the metering element to effect a bending movement in one direction away from an initial rest condition and a return movement in the opposite direction back to said initial rest condition, and deformation sensing means for developing an electrical signal in response to bending movements of said spring member, said spring member being so arranged and positioned in said path of movement of said metering element as to gradually effect said bending movement in said one direction and to relatively rapidly effect said return movement to said initial rest condition after said metering element reaches a certain position, and damping and oscillation inhibiting means for controlling the duration of said return movement to control the duration of the generated pulse signal and for inhibiting oscillatory movement of said spring member following movement of said spring member back to said initial rest condition.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A pulse signal generating device as defined in claim
said deformation sensing means including a piezoelectric film secured to one surface of said spring member for developing said electrical signal in response to bending movements of said spring member said piezoelectric film being operative during said gradual movement in said one direction to develop a charge of one polarity which is gradually bled off during said gradual movement and being operative during said rapid return movement to develop a short duration relatively high charge voltage of the opposite polarity.
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12. A pulse signal generating device for responding to movements of metering elements or the like and transmitting output pulse signals to a monitoring station, said device comprising:
- sensor means positionable to be engaged and deformed by a metering element and to develop an electrical signal during movement of the metering element through a certain portion of a path of movement thereof, and an amplifier device in close proximity to said sensor means and having input electrode means coupled to said sensor means and output electrode means arranged for coupling through connecting wire means to the monitoring station, said sensor means being arranged to develop a single high amplitude pulse signal of one polarity during each movement of the metering element through said certain portion of its path of movement, and said amplifier device being normally non-conductive and being rendered conductive for-transmission of an output pulse signal to a monitoring station in response to application of each high amplitude pulse signal of said one polarity to said input electrode means thereof, whereby significant energy consumption by said amplifier device takes place only during said high amplitude pulse signal and is minimized.
said sensor means comprising a spring member of resilient sheet material having a terminal end portion for extending into the path of movement of the metering element to effect a bending movement in one direction away from an initial rest condition and a return movement in the opposite direction back to said initial rest condition, and deformation sensing means for developing an electric signal in response to bending movements of said spring member, said spring member being so arranged and positioned in said path of movement of said metering element as to gradually effect said bending movement in said one direction and to relatively rapidly effect said return movement to said initial rest condition after said metering element reaches a certain position, and damping and oscillation inhibiting means for controlling the duration of said return movement to control the duration of the generated pulse signal and for inhibiting oscillatory movement of said spring member following movement of said spring member back to said initial rest condition, to facilitate development of said single high amplitude development of said single high amplitude pulse signal of one polarity during each return movement of said metering element. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
- sensor means positionable to be engaged and deformed by a metering element and to develop an electrical signal during movement of the metering element through a certain portion of a path of movement thereof, and an amplifier device in close proximity to said sensor means and having input electrode means coupled to said sensor means and output electrode means arranged for coupling through connecting wire means to the monitoring station, said sensor means being arranged to develop a single high amplitude pulse signal of one polarity during each movement of the metering element through said certain portion of its path of movement, and said amplifier device being normally non-conductive and being rendered conductive for-transmission of an output pulse signal to a monitoring station in response to application of each high amplitude pulse signal of said one polarity to said input electrode means thereof, whereby significant energy consumption by said amplifier device takes place only during said high amplitude pulse signal and is minimized.
Specification