GB835404A - Improvements in and relating to non-linear electric circuit arrangements - Google Patents

Abstract

835,404. Electric correspondence control systems. ENGLISH ELECTRIC CO. Ltd. June 15, 1956 [June 17, 1955], No. 17550/55. Class 40 (1). [Also in Groups XXXV and XXXVI] An electric circuit arrangement arranged to produce an output voltage which varies non linearly with the input voltage comprises input terminals 16a, 16b to which are applied a voltage, from a tachometer generator 15, which varies linearly with the speed of the generator 15, the circuit arrangement 11, 12, 13, 14 being arranged so that the voltage which appears across the output terminals 19a, 19b decreases at a progressively decreasing rate with increase in input voltage whilst the voltage which appears across output terminals 19b, 19c increases at a progressively increasing rate with increase in input volts. The resistor 11 has a linear characteristic whilst the circuit components 12b, 13b, 14b are non-linear resistors of the kind which offer high resistance to current flow therethrough at low-current values and a low resistance at high current values, the transition from the high to the resistance conditions taking place rapidly over a small current range. The elements 12b, 13b, 14b may be oppositely connected barrier-layer-type rectifiers and each network has a different number of elements so that each network requires a different value of current therethrough to cause it to change from the highto the low-resistance condition. By a suitable choice of components the voltage developed across the terminals 19a, 19b can be made to vary in accordance with the square root of the input voltage, that is the rate of increase progressively decreases. Concomitantly, the resistor 11 being linear, the voltage developed across it will show a rate of increase which progressively increases.