Relaxation oscillator gated by transistor switch

Claim 2

In combination: a device of the type which fires in response to a voltage of greater than a given magnitude applied across two of its electrodes and extinguishes when said voltage reduces to lower than a second value; charge storage means connected at one terminal thereof to one of said electrodes of said device; means connected across said charge storage means for charging the same at a rate such that, when said device is extinguished, the voltage developed across said charge storage means exceeds said given magnitude; switch means connected between the other terminal of said charge storage means and the other electrode of said device so that said device instantaneously fires when said switch means is closed; and constant current means connected to said switch means to selectively cause operation thereof.

Claim 3

A pulse generator comprising, in combination: a unijunction transistor having two base electrodes and an emitter electrode; a capacitor connected between said emitter electrode and a point of reference potential; two terminals for a power supply, one of said terminals connected to supply operating potential to one base electrode of said unijunction transistor and connected also to said emitter electrode for charging said capacitor to a value such that the voltage across it exceeds the firing potential of said transistor, and the other terminal connected to said pOint of reference potential; a second transistor having a base and an emitter-to-collector path, said path being connected in the forward direction between the other base electrode of said unijunction transistor and said point of reference potential; means for applying to said second transistor base a signal for causing said transistor to conduct or to be cutoff; the last-named said means including a constant current source; and means for applying to said constant current source a signal to turn it on or off, such that when said source is turned on it supplies sufficient current to instantaneously drive said second transistor into saturation.

Claim 4

A pulse generator comprising, in combination: a unijunction transistor having two base electrodes and an emitter electrode; a capacitor connected between said emitter electrode and a point of reference potential; two terminals for a power supply, one of said terminals connected to supply operating potential to one base electrode of said unijunction transistor and connected also to said emitter electrode for charging said capacitor to a value such that the voltage across it exceeds the firing potential of said transistor, and the other terminal connected to said pOint of reference potential; a second transistor having a base and an emitter-to-collector path, said path being connected in the forward direction between the other base electrode of said unijunction transistor and said point of reference potential; means for applying to said second transistor base a signal for causing said transistor to conduct or to be cutoff; the last-named said means including a constant current source; and means for applying to said constant current source a signal to turn it on or off, such that when said source is turned on it supplies sufficient current to instantaneously drive said second transistor into saturation.

Claim 5

The combination as claimed in claim 2, said last-named means including means for applying a signal of duration>nT to said constant current source to turn it on and means for generating n+ 1 output pulses of period T in response to said signal.

Claim 6

A pulse generator comprising, in combination: a unijunction transistor having two base electrodes and an emitter electrode; a two terminal power supply; a two terminal impedance element having one terminal connected to one terminal of said power supply and the other terminal connected to one base electrode of said unijunction transistor; charge storage means coupled to said emitter electrode; means connected across said charge storage means to charge it to a value such that the voltage across it exceeds the firing potential of said unijunction transistor; a second transistor having a base, collector, and emitter electrodes; means for connecting the collector electrode of said second transistor to the other base electrode of said unijunction transistor; pulse forming means; means for coupling said pulse forming means to the emitter electrode of said second transistor; and means for selectively rendering said second transistor conductive or nonconductive such that when said second transistor is nonconductive, it is a high impedance to said unijunction transistor such that said charge storage means is unable to fire said unijunction transistor and when said second transistor is conductive, said charge storage means instantaneously fires said unijunction transistor and an output pulse is instantaneously formed across said pulse forming means.

Claim 7

A pulse generator comprising, in combination: a unijunction transistor having two base electrodes and an emitter electrode; a two terminal power supply; a two terminal impedance element having one terminal connected to one terminal of said power supply and the other terminal connected to one base electrode of said unijunction transistor; charge storage means coupled to said emitter electrode; means connected across said charge storage means to charge it to a value such that the voltage across it exceeds the firing potential of said unijunction transistor; a second transistor having a base, collector, and emitter electrodes; means for connecting the collector electrode of said second transistor to the other base electrode of said unijunction transistor; pulse forming means; means for coupling said pulse forming means to the emitter electrode of said second transistor; and means for selectively rendering said second transistor conductive or nonconductive such that when said second transistor is nonconductive, it is a high impedance to said unijunction transistor such that said charge storage means is unable to fire said unijunction transistor and when said second transistor is conductive, said charge storage means instantaneously fires said unijunction transistor and an output pulse is instantaneously formed across said pulse forming means.

Claim 8

The combination claimed in claim 4: said last-named means comprising a constant current source; means for applying a signal of duration > nT to said constant current source to turn it on; and means for generating n+ 1 output pulses of period T in response to said signal.

Claim 9

In combination, input means, output means, bistable means, energy storage means for continuously storing energy therein, said energy storage means connected to said bistable means to selectively supply energy thereto, switch means connected between said bistable means and said output means such that said bistable means is connected in circuit and enabled to receive and operate on energy from said energy storage means when said switch means is activated, and circuit means connected between said input means and said switch means such that said switch means is selectively activated by said input means, said circuit means including current source means which selectively supplies current to said switch means in accordance with the condition of said input means.

Claim 10

In combination, input means, output means, bistable means, energy storage means for continuously storing energy therein, said energy storage means connected to said bistable means to selectively supply energy thereto, switch means connected between said bistable means and said output means such that said bistable means is connected in circuit and enabled to receive and operate on energy from said energy storage means when said switch means is activated, and circuit means connected between said input means and said switch means such that said switch means is selectively activated by said input means, said circuit means including current source means which selectively supplies current to said switch means in accordance with the condition of said input means.

Claim 11

The combination recited in claim 6 including control means connected to said energy storage means such that said energy storage means stores energy greater than the switching threshold level for said bistable means when said switch means is deactivated.