US3577135A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Unattended flashing navigation beacon system
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1968-03-26
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Granted: 1971-05-04
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Expires: 1988-03-26
Abstract
Abstract An unattended flashing navigation beacon system comprising a solid-state thermoelectric generator to supply power to the system, a Zener voltage limiter to regulate the system voltage, a capacitor bank to store power supply energy during eclipse time, a solid-state flasher, a motorized lamp changer, a first time delay circuit means for controlling the amount of time said flasher is actuated and a second time delay circuit means for controlling the amount of time said flasher is eclipsed. The flasher and lamp changer are interconnected such that a relay is activated when a lamp burns out. The relay initiates operation of the lamp changer motor and simultaneously prevents the flasher from switching to the eclipse state until a new lamp bulb is placed into position at which time the relay turns off the motor and allows the flasher to resume operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald B Steen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:42
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B39/00; H05B39/10; H05B39/105; B; B64; B64F; B64F1/00; B64F1/18; B64F1/20; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/30; H05B41/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A flashing navigation beacon system comprising: power supply means having a voltage output; energy storage means coupled to said power supply output; voltage regulator means coupled to said energy storage means and having an output; illumination means coupled to said voltage regulator means; first time delay circuit means for controlling the amount of time said illuminating means is actuated; second time delay circuit means for controlling the amount of time said illuminating means is eclipsed; said first and second time delay circuit means being connected to said illuminating means; charger means for replacing illumination means which have failed; and sensing means responsive to current flowing in said illumination means for actuating said changer means; said first time delay cirCuit means comprises a first unijunction transistor having first and second base electrodes and an emitter electrode, said emitter electrode being coupled through a first resistance-capacitance network to said power supply means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A flashing navigation beacon system comprising: power supply means having a voltage output; energy storage means coupled to said power supply output; voltage regulator means coupled to said energy storage means and having an output; illumination means coupled to said voltage regulator means; first time delay circuit means for controlling the amount of time said illuminating means is actuated; second time delay circuit means for controlling the amount of time said illuminating means is eclipsed; said first and second time delay circuit means being connected to said illuminating means; charger means for replacing illumination means which have failed; and sensing means responsive to current flowing in said illumination means for actuating said changer means; said first time delay cirCuit means comprises a first unijunction transistor having first and second base electrodes and an emitter electrode, said emitter electrode being coupled through a first resistance-capacitance network to said power supply means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A flashing navigation beacon system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said power supply means comprises thermoelectric generator means operating between a heat source and heat sink.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A flashing navigation beacon system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said energy storage means comprises first capacitor means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A flashing navigation beacon system as set forth in claim 3 wherein: said voltage regulator means comprises first Zener diode means connected across said capacitor means; and said power supply means voltage output having first and second polarity terminals:
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
A flashing navigation beacon system as set forth in claim 4 wherein: said illumination means comprises a plurality of electric lamps each having a filament winding; one end of the filament winding of each of said lamps being connected in common; the other end of the filament winding of each of said lamps capable of being coupled to said power supply means; and only one of said lamps being coupled to said power supply means at a given time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A flashing navigation beacon system as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said second time delay circuit means comprises a second unijunction transistor having first and second base electrodes and an emitter electrode; said emitter electrode being coupled through a second resistance-capacitance network to said power supply means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
A flashing navigation beacon system as set forth in claim 6 further comprising: a first and second silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) each having an anode, cathode, and gate electrode; the gate of said first SCR being connected to the first base electrode of said first unijunction transistor; the gate of said second SCR being connected to the first base electrode of said second unijunction transistor; second capacitor means connected between the anodes of said first and second SCR''s; the anode of said second SCR being coupled to said first polarity terminal of said power supply means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
100 words
A flashing navigation beacon system as set forth in claim 7 further comprising: switch means connected to said first polarity terminal for selectively applying power to either a first or second switch terminal; said first switch terminal being connected to the anode of said first SCR; electric motor means mechanically coupled to said illumination means for effecting the coupling of said illuminating means to said power supply means; one terminal of said electric motor means being connected to said second switch terminal; and the other terminal of said electric motor means being connected to the anode of said second SCR.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A flashing navigation beacon system as set forth in claim 8 further comprising: first relay coil means for controlling the position of said switch means connected between said first polarity terminal and the anode of said second SCR; second relay coil means for controlling the position of said switch means connected between said first polarity terminal and said illuminating means which is being coupled to said power supply means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
A flashing navigation beacon system as set forth in claim 9 wherein: the second base electrode of said first unijunction transistor is connected through a diode-resistor network to the anode of said first SCR; the second base electrode of said second unijunction transistor is connected through a diode-resistor network to the anode of said second SCR; and second and third Zener diodes connected across said first and second resistance-capacitance networks, respectively.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
130 words
A flashing navigation beacon system as set forth in claim 10 wherein: said power supply means comprises thermoelectric generator means oPerating between a heat source and heat sink; said energy storage means comprises first capacitor means; said voltage regulator means comprises first Zener diode means connected across said capacitor means; said power supply means voltage output having first and second polarity terminals; and said illumination means comprises a plurality of electric lamps each having a filament winding one end of the filament winding of each of said lamps being connected in common the other end of the filament winding of each of said lamps capable of being coupled to said power supply means and only one of said lamps being coupled to said power supply means at a given time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1700226A
Cited
US2797342A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-03 | 1974-11-02 | 1975-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-03 | 1978-11-02 | 1979-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-03 | 1982-11-02 | 1983-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |