Definition

GENERAL STATEMENT OF CLASS SUBJECT MATTER

1. Class Scope

This is the generic class for electrical systems wherein a single electrical source is coupled to a single electrical load circuit and means are provided which control the magnitude or level of the current or voltage of either or both of said circuits and/or the phase angle between the current or voltage of either or both of said circuits.

This is also the generic class for transformer systems, see TRANSFORMER SYSTEMS below.

This is also the generic class for impedance systems, see IMPEDANCE SYSTEMS, below.

2. Voltage Magnitude and Phase Control Systems

In order to be classified in this class, the system must operate to control only (1) the magnitude of the current or voltage and/or (2) the phase angle between the current and voltage of an electric circuit. Where the system operates to perform some other additional function, classification is not herein. For a partial list of the classes which provide for such excluded systems, see the classes listed in the class definition, under "SEARCH CLASS."

3. Load in Output Circuit

This class provides for voltage and/or current magnitude and phase control systems as defined in Class Scope and Voltage Magnitude and Phase Control Systems, above, even though the electric load in the output circuit is recited by its characteristics (e.g., "an inductive load", a load having a negative current-resistance characteristic, etc.).

Systems wherein a particular load device is recited in the output circuit are classified with the particular art even though the load device is recited by name only (e.g., "a motor", "an electric furnace", etc.). For a partial list of such art systems, see classes listed in the class definition, under "SEARCH CLASS."

This class does not provide for systems having plural load circuits whether the plural load circuits are in different output circuits (see Voltage Magnitude and Phase Control Systems Having Plural Input and/or Plural Output Circuits below) or in the same circuit, except where the plural loads in a single output circuit are similar type loads that are not excluded by the paragraph above. Therefore, if there are a plurality of diverse loads in the same output circuit even though recited only by their characteristics (e.g., a highly inductive load and a low inductive load), then the system is excluded from this class.

4. Voltage Magnitude and Phase Control Systems Having Plural Input and/or Plural Output Circuits

This class excludes systems having a plurality of either electrical source (input) circuits or output circuits. Where the system including the plurality of input and/or output circuits comprises or is part of an art device, classification is with the art device. See References to Other Classes, below.

5. Regulating or Control Device Structure

This class provides for the electrical system as distinguished from the structure of the devices which may be used in or as part of the system. For the structure of such regulating and control devices, see the class definition, under "SEARCH CLASS."

SYSTEMS HAVING PLURAL DIVERSE TYPE MEANS USED FOR CONTROL PURPOSES

Where the system includes a plurality of different types of devices which form the basis of the principal subdivision of the class, that is, a dynamoelectric system, and/or an electronic tube, and/or a transformer, and/or an impedance, the original classification is in the first occurring (lowest numbered) subclass which has a definition that will include one or more of such types of devices.

DYNAMOELECTRIC MACHINES

This class provides for voltage and/or current magnitude and/or phase control systems as defined in GENERAL STATEMENT OF CLASS SUBJECT MATTER above, where the means interposed between the source circuit and the load circuit for controlling the voltage and/or current magnitude and/or phase includes a dynamoelectric machine, excepting the following:

1. Motor-Generator Sets

This class does not take those systems wherein an electrical source energizes an electric motor which drives a generator whose output supplies an electric load circuit. This organization is considered to be an electric motor driven generator system classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below) "SEARCH CLASS" reference to single generator systems,

2. Dynamoelectric Machine Conversion Systems

This class does not take dynamoelectric machine conversion systems wherein the input electrical energy is converted into output electrical energy whose character differs from the input energy. For a partial list of such systems, see classes listed in the class definition, under "SEARCH CLASS."

ELECTRONIC TUBE SYSTEMS

This class provides for voltage and/or current magnitude control systems as defined in the class definition where the means interposed between the electrical source circuit and the load circuit for controlling the voltage and/or current magnitude includes an electronic tube. An electronic tube may be a vacuum tube, a gas tube, a vapor tube, or an open gap.

Where the electronic tube system operates to perform any function not provided for in this class, or any function in addition to the functions provided for by this class (e.g., rectification, phase conversion, frequency conversion), classification is not herein. For a partial list of such systems, see classes listed in the class definition, under "SEARCH CLASS."

See Lines With Other Classes, below, for the line between this class and other classes providing for electronic tube systems.

TAP-CHANGING SYSTEMS

This is the generic class for tap-changing systems, that is, systems for changing by electric switch means the connection of a circuit from one point to another point on a winding or for changing by electric switch means one value of impedance to another value of impedance of a system.

Where the tap-changing system is applied to a particular art, classification is with the art device, e.g., a tap-changing system for changing the connection of a generator armature circuit from one point on the generator field winding to another point on the field winding is classified elsewhere (see References to Other Classes, below).

This class also provides for tap changing wherein a tap-changing system is part of a significant system for which provision is made in the class, (e.g., see Subclasses References to the Current Class, below.)

Usually, but not necessarily, the current flowing to or from the circuit from or to the winding or impedance is not interrupted during the tap-changing operation.

TRANSFORMER SYSTEMS

This class takes subject matter under the class definition, wherein the means interposed between the electrical source and the electrical load circuit for controlling the voltage and/or current magnitude and/or phase comprises a transformer. Systems within the class definition are included herein even though the transformer is recited by name only.

This is the generic class for transformer systems, that is, systems in which a transformer supplies an output circuit, or in which a load device not otherwise classified is supplied with electricity by a transformer.

This class will therefore take any system of supply to a transformer if no other class provides for the subject matter claimed. Many classes have systems specialized for the purposes of such class with a transformer system as a part of the combination.

This class excludes systems where a plurality of electrical source circuits are coupled to one or more output circuits, or where a plurality of output circuits are coupled to one or more source circuits.

This excludes systems where a plurality of distinct transformers which are coupled to a single source have their outputs coupled in current and/or voltage adding or subtracting relation. Likewise, systems having a single transformer with plural primary windings are excluded if the connection of the primary windings to the source is diverse; that is, if one primary winding circuit contains different circuit elements or has different circuit characteristics than another. Likewise, systems having a single transformer with plural secondaries connected to supply output circuits are excluded from this class.

1. Polyphase Systems

Although this class excludes systems wherein a plurality of electrical source circuits are coupled to one or more output circuits, systems wherein the energy of a single polyphase source is transferred by a polyphase transformer to a single polyphase output circuit having the same number of phases as the input circuit for energizing a single polyphase load circuit are considered to be systems having a single source and a single load circuit within the definition of this class.

2. Tuning Systems and Coupling Systems Involving Frequency Characteristics

This class excludes tuning systems wherein the combination of transformer and impedance is used to control the resonant characteristics of the system with respect to a particular impressed frequency. For systems having the combination of a transformer and capacitance element connected in such a manner as to form a variable tuned circuit, the mean resonant frequency of which is adjustable, see the reference to Tuners under "SEARCH CLASS" below.

This class excludes coupling systems which are effective over predetermined frequency ranges or wherein frequency characteristics are controlled or varied. For such systems, see Wave Transmission Lines and Networks in "SEARCH CLASS" below.

IMPEDANCE SYSTEMS

This class takes subject matter under the Class Definition wherein the means interposed between the electrical source and the electrical load circuit for controlling the voltage and/or current magnitude and/or phase consists of one or more impedances.

This is the generic class for impedance systems, that is, systems in which there is an impedance between a single source and single output circuit, or in which a load device per the GENERAL STATEMENT OF CLASS SUBJECT MATTER, "Load in Output Circuit," above, combined with an impedance in the single circuit supplying the same. Many other classes provide for systems where the output of the system is defined as having an impedance connected in the output.

1. Turning Systems and Coupling Systems Involving Frequency Characteristics

This class excludes tuning systems where the impedance means is used to control the resonant characteristics of the system with respect to a particular impressed frequency and coupling systems using impedances which are effective over a predetermined frequency range or where frequency characteristics are controlled or varied. For the excluded systems, see the reference to: Wave Transmission Lines and Networks; and Tuners, under "SEARCH CLASS" below.

VOLTAGE MAGNITUDE CONTROL SYSTEMS INVOLVING CIRCUIT INTERRUPTION

This class takes those systems wherein the voltage, current, or power are regulated or controlled by the interruption of the circuit carrying the load current except where a claimed load would cause classification elsewhere.

CONVERSION SYSTEMS

This class excludes systems where the input energy is converted into output energy whose characteristics differ from the input energy, such as converting direct current to alternating current or vice versa, changing the number of phases of polyphase current, or changing the frequency.

Lines with other classes and within this class

CLASSES FOR ELECTRONIC TUBE SYSTEMS

The lines between this class (323) and Class 327, Miscellaneous Active Electrical Nonlinear Devices, Circuits, and Systems, appropriate subclasses, and Class 315, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Systems, are as follows:

Class 315 provides for systems which include a gas vapor type electronic tube and means for supplying electric current and/or potential to the tube where the tube is the sole ultimate load device and where the result of the system is to merely cause a discharge to take place or to merely regulate the discharge in the tube. Also included in subclass 94 of Class 315 are systems for merely supplying heating current to the cathode or cathode heater of any type of electronic tube, which systems may also include the anode supply for the tube without being excluded from the class. Merely claiming an output circuit does not exclude the system from Class 315 as long as no load device in the output circuit is claimed, or as long as no other circuit elements which limit the system to use in supplying current and/or potential to another load device are claimed. The limitations on Class 315 will therefore not exclude a system from Class 315 where the operation of the discharge device is controlled so as to maintain the discharge voltage and/or current at a predetermined value or to vary the discharge current and/or voltage from one value to another even though such regulation of the discharge device results in regulating the current and/or voltage in the output circuit.

Class 323 provides for systems where the sole function of the electronic tube system is to control the magnitude of the electric current and/or voltage supplied to a circuit, either to maintain the current and/or voltage at a predetermined value or to vary the current and/or voltage at a predetermined value or to vary the current and/or voltage from one value to another.

Class 327 is a miscellaneous place to classify electronic tube systems, and as among these three classes takes any such system excluded from the other classes. In Class 327 will be found miscellaneous systems including an electronic tube and having means for supplying current and/or potential to the electronic tube (power supply systems). Among the other types of electronic tube systems classified in Class 327 are wave shaping systems, plus producing systems and switching systems (electronic tubes utilized to connect an input circuit to an output circuit in the manner of a circuit maker or breaker).

In general, for electronic tube systems as among these three classes, classification is determined as follows: If restricted to the functions provided for under Class 323, classification is therein unless it is of the special type provided for in Class 315. If the system involves some function not provided for by Class 323, classification is in Class 327, appropriate subclasses, unless it is for a special type provided for in Class 315.

GENERAL NOTE

Subclasses 201 through 371 and 901-911 are the result of a reclassification of the subject matter originally contained in subclasses 1-129, now abolished, of Class 323. In this reclassification, no substantive change has been made in the class definition or the scope of subject matter covered in this class. The reclassification was done for the purpose of rearranging that subject matter in a manner which facilitates efficient searching of the more modern technology and which more obviously delineates the miscellaneous transformer and impedance systems from the control systems. As a result of the delineation noted above, many of the cross-references which were present in the earlier subclasses have been eliminated. Appropriate search notes have been placed throughout the definitions as a guide to other areas containing similar subject matter and as a caution against burdensome cross-referencing between the similar areas.