G
PHYSICS

Note(s)

  • In this section, the following term is used with the meaning indicated:
    • "variable" (as a noun) means a feature or property (e.g., a dimension, a physical condition such as temperature, a quality such as density or colour) which, in respect of a particular entity (e.g., an object, a quantity of a substance, a beam of light) and at a particular instant, is capable of being measured; the variable may change, so that its numerical expression may assume different values at different times, in different conditions or in individual cases, but may be constant in respect of a particular entity in certain conditions or for practical purposes (e.g., the length of a bar may be regarded as constant for many purposes).
  • Attention is drawn to the definitions of terms or expressions used, appearing in the notes of several of the classes in this section, in particular those of "measuring" in class G01 and "control" and "regulation" in class G05.
  • Classification in this section may present more difficulty than in other sections, because the distinction between different fields of use rests to a considerable extent on differences in the intention of the user rather than on any constructional differences or differences in the manner of use, and because the subjects dealt with are often in effect systems or combinations, which have features or parts in common, rather than "things", which are readily distinguishable as a whole. For example, information (e.g., a set of figures) may be displayed for the purpose of education or advertising ( G09), for enabling the result of a measurement to be known ( G01), for signalling the information to a distant point or for giving information which has been signalled from a distant point ( G08). The words used to describe the purpose depend on features that may be irrelevant to the form of the apparatus concerned, for example, such features as the desired effect on the person who sees the display, or whether the display is controlled from a remote point. Again, a device which responds to some change in a condition, e.g., in the pressure of a fluid, may be used, without modification of the device itself, to give information about the pressure ( G01L) or about some other condition linked to the pressure (another subclass of class G01, e.g., G01K for temperature), to make a record of the pressure or of its occurrence ( G07C), to give an alarm ( G08B), or to control another apparatus ( G05).
    • The classification scheme is intended to enable things of a similar nature (as indicated above) to be classified together. It is therefore particularly necessary for the real nature of any technical subject to be decided before it can be properly classified.
INSTRUMENTS
G05
CONTROLLING; REGULATING

Note(s)

  • This class covers methods, systems, and apparatus for controlling, in general.
  • In this class, the following terms or expressions are used with the meanings indicated:
    • "controlling" means influencing a variable in any way, e.g. changing its direction or its value (including changing it to or from zero), maintaining it constant, limiting its range of variation;
    • "regulation" means maintaining a variable automatically at a desired value or within a desired range of values. The desired value or range may be fixed, or manually varied, or may vary with time according to a predetermined "programme" or according to variation of another variable. Regulation is a form of control;
    • "automatic control" is often used in the art as a synonym for "regulation".
  • Attention is drawn to the Notes following the title of section G, especially as regards the definition of the term "variable".
G05B
CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (fluid-pressure actuators or systems acting by means of fluids in general F15B; valves per se F16K; characterised by mechanical features only G05G; sensitive elements, see the appropriate subclasses, e.g. G12B, subclasses of G01, H01; correcting units, see the appropriate subclasses, e.g. H02K)

Note(s)

  • This subclass covers features of control systems or elements for regulating specific variables, which are clearly more generally applicable.
  • This subclass does not cover :
    • systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables in general, which are covered by subclass G05D;
    • systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables in general, which are covered by subclass G05F;
    • systems specially adapted for the control of particular machines or apparatus provided for in a single other subclass, which are classified in the relevant subclass for such machines or apparatus, provided that there is specific provision for control or regulation relevant to the special adaptation (see Note (5), below). Otherwise, classification is made in the most appropriate place in this subclass.
  • In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meanings indicated:
    • "automatic controller" means a system, circuit, or device in which a signal from the detecting element is compared with a signal representing the desired value and which operates in such a way as to reduce the deviation. The automatic controller generally does not include the sensitive element, i.e. that element which measures the value of the condition to be corrected, or the correcting element, i.e. that element which adjusts the condition to be corrected;
    • "electric" includes "electromechanical", "electrohydraulic" or "electropneumatic".
  • In this subclass, details of specific control systems are classified in the group relevant to the system, if not otherwise provided for.
  • This Note lists places in the IPC where there is specific provision of the kind referred to in Note (2)(c), above; where such provision is at a general level, the places are listed under the heading "General references"; where the provision is related to programme control, the places are listed under the heading "Places related to group G05B 19/00".
Subclass index
CONTROL SYSTEMS
Adaptive 13/00
Controlled by computer 15/00
Involving the use of models or simulators 17/00
Controlled by programme 19/00
Involving sampling 21/00
Open-loop automatic control systems not otherwise provided for 24/00
SYSTEM DETAILS
Comparing elements 1/00
Anti-hunting arrangements 5/00
Internal feedback arrangements 6/00
Obtaining smooth engagement or disengagement of automatic control 7/00
Safety arrangements 9/00
Automatic controllers 11/00
TESTING, MONITORING 23/00
SUBJECT MATTER NOT PROVIDED FOR IN OTHER GROUPS OF THIS SUBCLASS 99/00
G05D
SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES (for continuous casting of metals B22D 11/16; valves per se F16K; sensing non-electric variables, see the relevant subclasses of G01; for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F)

Note(s)

Subclass index
CONTROL OF: SPEED OR ACCELERATION; FORCE; PRESSURE; POWER; MECHANICAL OSCILLATIONS 13/00, 15/00, 16/00, 17/00, 19/00
CONTROL OF: FLOW; LEVEL; RATIO 7/00, 9/00, 11/00
CONTROL OF: TEMPERATURE; HUMIDITY; VISCOSITY; CHEMICAL OR PHYSICO-CHEMICAL VARIABLES; LIGHT INTENSITY 23/00, 22/00, 24/00, 21/00, 25/00
CONTROL OF: POSITION, DIRECTION, DIMENSIONS 1/00-5/00
SIMULTANEOUS CONTROL OF TWO OR MORE VARIABLES 27/00, 29/00
SUBJECT MATTER NOT PROVIDED FOR IN OTHER GROUPS OF THIS SUBCLASS 99/00
G05F
SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES (regulating the timing or recurrence frequency of pulses in radar or radio navigation systems G01S; regulation of current or voltage, specially adapted for use in electronic time-pieces G04G 19/02; closed-loop systems for regulating non-electric variables by electric means G05D; regulating power supply of digital computers G06F 1/26; for obtaining desired operating characteristics of electromagnets with armatures H01F 7/18; regulating electric power distribution networks H02J; regulating the charging of batteries H02J 7/00; regulating of the output of static converters, e.g. switching regulators, H02M; regulation of the output of electric generators H02N, H02P 9/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils H02P 13/00; regulating frequency response, gain, maximum output, amplitude or bandwidth of amplifiers H03G; regulating tuning of resonant circuits H03J; controlling generators of electronic oscillations or pulses H03L; regulating characteristics of transmission lines H04B; controlling electric light sources H05B 37/02, H05B 39/04, H05B 41/36; electric control of X-ray apparatus H05G 1/30) [5]

Note(s)

  • This subclass covers:
    • systems only;
    • use of hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, and electrical motors for varying electric characteristics of devices which restore the quantity regulated;
    • the combination of static converters and current or voltage regulators, if the essential characteristic resides in the combination.
  • This subclass does not cover elements per se, which are covered by the relevant subclasses.
G05G
CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY ("Bowden" or like mechanisms F16C 1/10; gearings or mechanisms not peculiar to this purpose F16H; speed changing or reversing mechanisms for gearings conveying rotary motion F16H 59/00-F16H 63/00)

Note(s)

  • This subclass covers :
    • members of general applicability for mechanical control;
    • mechanical systems for moving members to one or more definite settings.
  • Systems peculiar to the control of particular machines or apparatus provided for in a single other class are classified in the relevant class for such machines or apparatus, for example:
    A61G 13/02Controls for adjusting operating tables
    A61G 15/02Controls for adjusting operating chairs
    A63F 13/20, , A63F 13/98Accessories for games using an electronically generated display
    B25JManipulators, e.g. controls therefor
    B60K 26/00Arrangement or mounting of propulsion-unit control devices in vehicles
    B60T 7/00Vehicle brake-action initiating means
    B62D 33/073Adaptations of control devices for movable vehicle cabs
    B62K 21/00Cycle-steering devices
    B62K 23/00Rider-operated controls specially adapted for cycles
    B62L 3/00Brake-actuating mechanisms specially adapted for cycles
    B63H 25/02Marine steering initiating means
    B66B 1/00Controls for elevators
    B66C 13/18Control systems or devices for cranes
    B66C 13/56Arrangements of handles or pedals for crane operation
    E02F 9/20Control devices for dredging or soil shifting machines
    F16C 3/28Adjustable cranks or eccentrics
    F16D 43/00Automatic clutches
    F16K 31/00, , F16K 33/00Controls for valves
    F16P 3/00Safety devices acting in conjunction with the control or operation of a machine
    F16P 7/02Stopping machines on occurrence of dangerous conditions therein
    G02B 21/32Micromanipulators structurally combined with microscopes
    G04B 1/00-G04B 18/00Driving mechanisms in clocks or watches
    G06CDigital computers in which all the computation is effected mechanically
    G06F 3/01Manual computer input arrangements
    G06K 11/00Converting a pattern of mechanical parameters into electric signals
    G21C 7/08Displacement of solid control elements in nuclear reactors
    H01HMechanisms for operating switch contacts
    H03J 1/00Mechanical control of resonant circuits.
Subclass index
MANUALLY-ACTUATED CONTROL MECHANISMS, ONE OR MORE CONTROLLING MEMBERS ACTUATING ONE OR MORE CONTROLLED MEMBERS 7/00, 9/00, 11/00, 13/00
AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT-INITIATING DEVICES; TRIP MECHANISMS 15/00, 17/00
SERVO-MECHANISMS 19/00
PROGRAMME-CONTROL DEVICES 21/00
LOCKING MEANS, LIMITING MEANS; POSITIONING MEANS 5/00, 23/00
COMPONENT PARTS 1/00, 3/00, 25/00