Technical Notes - Carter Reservoir. Analyzer Timing Circuit

The timing circuit generally employed in Carter Reservoir Behavior Analyzers consists of a synchronous motor driven cam which actuates a microswitch. A mechanically actuated timer of this type has several inherent disadvantages, among which are the following: 1. The first time interval may not be of uniform length, depending on the exact position of the cam at the conclusion of a previous run. 2. The positioning adjustments on the microswitch lever arms are critical and require periodic readjustment. 3. The mechanical system is subject to wear which will ultimately impair its accuracy. It was therefore considered desirable to devise an alternate method which would eliminate these difficulties without introducing others that would be equally troublesome. This note describes the design of an electronic timing device which has been incorporated in the analyzer constructed by the Field Research Laboratories of Magnolia Petroleum Co. The electronic timer circuit is built around a simple neon glow tube relaxation oscillator, the complete circuit diagram of which is shown in Fig. l. The operation of the circuit is as follows: Condenser C, is charged to the critical firing voltage of the neon glow tube VR-75 by battery B1 through resistors R1 and R2. When the neon glow tube fires, the condenser C, is discharged, The charging cycle then repeats itself,