Music – Accessories – Tuning devices
Patent
1983-02-24
1984-06-12
Perkey, William B.
Music
Accessories
Tuning devices
84419, 73771, G10G 702, G10D 1304, G01B 716
Patent
active
044534485
ABSTRACT:
A tuning device for tympani that displays the pitch of each instrument's tympanum. The pitch is determined by measuring the strain in an adjustable tensioning mechanism employed in all tympani to keep proper tension on the tympanum. The pitch or tone of the tympani is determined by the vibration frequency of the tympanum when the tympani is played and the frequency is determined by the tension in the tympanum. A transducer measures the strain in the tensioning mechanism to give an accurate indication of what the tympanum tension, and therefore the pitch, of the tympani would be when played. The transducer includes a resistance-type strain gage mounted on the tympanum tensioning mechanism. The length of the conductor in the strain gage and therefore its resistance, changes with stress changes in the tensioning mechanism used to tune the tympani. A switch means selects a desired one of the strain gages mounted on each of the one or more tympani for inclusion as one section of a four-section resistance bridge circuit configuration. A signal conditioning module provides excitation to the bridge circuit and also conditions the output of the bridge circuit. The output of the bridge circuit varies as the resistance of the strain gage varies. The conditioned output of the bridge circuit is displayed on a voltmeter whose scale has been calibrated to indicate the pitch of the tympani being monitored.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3163075 (1964-12-01), Toperzer, Jr.
patent: 3197697 (1965-07-01), McCauley
patent: 3509264 (1970-04-01), Green
patent: 3805600 (1974-04-01), Powell et al.
patent: 4023462 (1977-05-01), Denov et al.
patent: 4056998 (1977-11-01), Rampton
patent: 4248094 (1981-02-01), Thompson et al.
patent: 4375180 (1983-03-01), Scholz
Transducer Interfacing Handbook, published by Analog Devices, Inc., Route 1, Industrial Park, PO Box 280, Norwood Mass 02062.
High Performance, Economy Strain Gauge/RTD Conditioners published by Analog Devices, Inc., Route 1, Industrial Park, PO Box 280, Norwood Mass 02062.
Kundert Thomas L.
Perkey William B.
Singer Donald J.
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