US3576557A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Arrangement for controlling marine warning lights as a function of fog density
Assignee: Impulsphysik GmbH
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Filing: 1968-08-08
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Granted: 1971-04-27
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Expires: 1988-08-08
Abstract
Abstract An electronic arrangement for automatically varying the characteristics of warning lights, at sea, independent of the prevailing fog. A platform or floating dock located on the surface of the water supports a warning light which is transmitted through Fresnel lenses. A receiver also located on the floating dock receives a portion of the signal reflected by the surrounding air particles. Under heavy fog conditions greater penetration of the warning light is accomplished by increasing the time duration of the flashing signal, rather than its amplitude. Automatic switching to a greater signal duration is realized with the receiver which receives a larger signal from the backscattered light during heavy fog conditions. When the received signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value, a relay is actuated and switches auxiliary circuit components for increasing the time interval of the transmitted signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Fruengel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 02:07
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B51/00; B63B51/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
A warning signal arrangement transmitting a warning signal under fog conditions, comprising, in combination, a signal transmitter transmitting an optical signal at periodic intervals through an atmospheric environment laden with fog; signal varying means connected to said transmitter for varying the time duration of each of said optical signals transmitted through the fog; signal receiver means mounted in the region of said signal transmitter outside of the path of said optical signals transmitted by said transmitter and adapted to receive a portion of the optical signals back-scattered by the fog in the atmosphere for generating electrical control signals proportional to the intensity of said optical signals received by said signal receiver means, the intensity variations of said electrical control signals thus being proportional to the variations of the intensity of the fog in the atmosphere; and actuating means controlled by said electrical control signals for actuating said signal varying means so as to increase the time duration of said optical signals transmitted by said signal transmitter when the intensity of said electrical control signals increases and so as to decrease the length of said optical signals transmitted by said signal transmitter when the intensity of said electrical control signal decreases, whereby the time duration of the transmitted signals is increased with increasing Fog density and decreased with decreasing fog density, respectively, so that the visibility of said transmitted optical signals at a predetermined distance from said transmitter remains substantially independent of varying fog conditions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
A warning signal arrangement transmitting a warning signal under fog conditions, comprising, in combination, a signal transmitter transmitting an optical signal at periodic intervals through an atmospheric environment laden with fog; signal varying means connected to said transmitter for varying the time duration of each of said optical signals transmitted through the fog; signal receiver means mounted in the region of said signal transmitter outside of the path of said optical signals transmitted by said transmitter and adapted to receive a portion of the optical signals back-scattered by the fog in the atmosphere for generating electrical control signals proportional to the intensity of said optical signals received by said signal receiver means, the intensity variations of said electrical control signals thus being proportional to the variations of the intensity of the fog in the atmosphere; and actuating means controlled by said electrical control signals for actuating said signal varying means so as to increase the time duration of said optical signals transmitted by said signal transmitter when the intensity of said electrical control signals increases and so as to decrease the length of said optical signals transmitted by said signal transmitter when the intensity of said electrical control signal decreases, whereby the time duration of the transmitted signals is increased with increasing Fog density and decreased with decreasing fog density, respectively, so that the visibility of said transmitted optical signals at a predetermined distance from said transmitter remains substantially independent of varying fog conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
A warning signal arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said signal transmitter includes a spark discharge lamp, and a discharge capacitor connected to discharge through said lamp, and wherein said signal varying means includes an inductor that is connected across said discharge capacitor when said actuating means actuates said signal varying means to increase the time duration of said optical signals and that is not connected across said discharge capacitor when said actuating means actuates said signal varying means to decrease the length of said optical signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A warning signal arrangement as defined in claim 2, wherein said signal varying means further includes an auxiliary discharge capacitor connected in series with said inductor, whereby said inductor and auxiliary discharge capacitor are connected in series across said discharge capacitor when said actuating means actuates said signal varying means to increase the time duration of said optical signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A warning signal arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein said signal varying means further includes an auxiliary power supply connected to charge said auxiliary discharge capacitor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
A warning signal arrangement as defined in claim 2, wherein said actuating means includes relay means operated by said electrical control signals for connecting said inductor in parallel with said discharge capacitor to increase the time duration of said optical signals and to remove said inductor from the circuit of said discharge capacitor to decrease the time duration of said optical signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A warning signal arrangement as defined in claim 5, including amplifier means connected to said relay means for amplifying said electrical control signals before application of the latter to said relay means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-26 | 1974-10-26 | 1975-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-26 | 1978-10-26 | 1979-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-26 | 1982-10-26 | 1983-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |