Patent US3631392A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3631392A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control system for alternately energizing two signal lamps at a predetermined rate and in a fail-safe manner
Assignee: Cooper Industries LLC
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Filing: 1968-05-09
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Granted: 1971-12-28
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Expires: 1988-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A control system for alternately energizing first and second lamp loads at a predetermined rate wherein a bistable circuit is connected with the lamp loads so that one lamp load is energized when the bistable circuit is in one stable operating state and the other lamp load is energized when the bistable circuit is in the other stable operating state. An oscillator system is coupled with the bistable circuit to effect triggering thereof between the two stable operating states. The oscillator system may be supplied from a first power source, such as a battery, and the switching system for a second power source, such as a rectifier operating from commercial power, with means provided to detect failure of the second power source and change the connection of the bistable circuit from the second to the first power source. Means may also be provided to assure that if one lamp load is short circuited the bistable circuit will toggle to and remain in the other stable state and thereby prevent damage to the system while continuing to energize the other lamp load.
Inventors
- 👤 William B Zelina
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:56
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B5/00; G08B5/22; G08B5/36; G08B5/38; B; B61; B61L; B61L29/00; B61L29/24; B61L29/28; B61L29/288
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
316 words
A control system for alternately energizing a pair of electrical loads at a predetermined rate comprising: A. A bistable circuit having first and second output means connectable with first and second electrical loads, said first load being adapted to be energized when said bistable circuit is in one stable operating statE and said second load being adapted to be energized when said bistable circuit is in the other stable operating state; B. An oscillator system connectable with said bistable circuit for causing said bistable circuit to be triggered between its two stable operating states at a rate determined by the repetition rate of said oscillator system; and C. Means coupled to the electrical loads and responsive thereto for protecting said control system from damage in the presence of a sustained short-circuit condition at one of said electrical loads while allowing for the continued energization of the other electrical load, said means for protecting said control from damage in the presence of a sustained short-circuit condition at one of the electrical loads while allowing for the continued energization of the other electrical load comprises means for rendering said oscillator circuit inoperative in the presence of a sustained short-circuit condition at one of said electrical loads, said means for rendering said oscillator system inoperative comprises: A. First and second transistors each operatively coupled with a respective one of said loads and arranged to be rendered conductive in correspondence with such load when the load is free of any short-circuit condition; B. A third transistor operatively coupled with said first and second transistors and arranged to remain nonconducting so long as said first and second transistors become conductive in correspondence with the energization of said loads and to become conductive when either of said first and second transistors fails to become conductive; and C. Switch means responsive to said third transistor becoming conductive for rendering said oscillator system inoperative.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
316 words
A control system for alternately energizing a pair of electrical loads at a predetermined rate comprising: A. A bistable circuit having first and second output means connectable with first and second electrical loads, said first load being adapted to be energized when said bistable circuit is in one stable operating statE and said second load being adapted to be energized when said bistable circuit is in the other stable operating state; B. An oscillator system connectable with said bistable circuit for causing said bistable circuit to be triggered between its two stable operating states at a rate determined by the repetition rate of said oscillator system; and C. Means coupled to the electrical loads and responsive thereto for protecting said control system from damage in the presence of a sustained short-circuit condition at one of said electrical loads while allowing for the continued energization of the other electrical load, said means for protecting said control from damage in the presence of a sustained short-circuit condition at one of the electrical loads while allowing for the continued energization of the other electrical load comprises means for rendering said oscillator circuit inoperative in the presence of a sustained short-circuit condition at one of said electrical loads, said means for rendering said oscillator system inoperative comprises: A. First and second transistors each operatively coupled with a respective one of said loads and arranged to be rendered conductive in correspondence with such load when the load is free of any short-circuit condition; B. A third transistor operatively coupled with said first and second transistors and arranged to remain nonconducting so long as said first and second transistors become conductive in correspondence with the energization of said loads and to become conductive when either of said first and second transistors fails to become conductive; and C. Switch means responsive to said third transistor becoming conductive for rendering said oscillator system inoperative.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The control system recited in claim 1 wherein said switch means comprises a fourth transistor operatively connected with a fifth transistor arranged to latch said fourth transistor in its conducting condition once said fourth transistor has been rendered conductive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
312 words
A control system for alternately energizing a pair of electrical loads at a predetermined rate comprising: A. A bistable circuit having first and second output means connectable with first and second electrical loads, said first load being adapted to be energized when said bistable circuit is in one stable operating state and said second load being adapted to be energized when said bistable circuit is in the other stable operating state; B. An oscillator system connectable with said bistable circuit for causing said bistable circuit to be triggered between its two stable operating states at a rate determined by the repetition rate of said oscillator system; and C. Means coupled to the electrical loads and responsive thereto for protecting said control system from damage in the presence of a sustained short-circuit condition at one of said electrical loads while allowing for the continued energization of the other electrical load, said means for protecting said control from damage in the presence of a sustained short circuit condition at one of the electrical loads while allowing for the continued energization of the other electrical load comprises means for rendering said oscillator circuit inoperative in the presence of a sustained short-circuit condition at one of said electrical loads, said oscillator system includes a pair of transistor devices connected with a saturating core feedback coupling means so that switching of the conducting conditions of said transistor devices is determined by the period between the occurrence of opposite sense flux saturations in said core, said oscillator system also including voltage reference means connected with said feedback coupling means to set the rate of change of flux in said core and means for limiting the current controlled by said transistor devices whereby the repetition rate of the output signals produced by the oscillator system is substantially independent of voltage vAriations in the power supplied to the oscillator system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
312 words
A control system for alternately energizing a pair of electrical loads at a predetermined rate comprising: A. A bistable circuit having first and second output means connectable with first and second electrical loads, said first load being adapted to be energized when said bistable circuit is in one stable operating state and said second load being adapted to be energized when said bistable circuit is in the other stable operating state; B. An oscillator system connectable with said bistable circuit for causing said bistable circuit to be triggered between its two stable operating states at a rate determined by the repetition rate of said oscillator system; and C. Means coupled to the electrical loads and responsive thereto for protecting said control system from damage in the presence of a sustained short-circuit condition at one of said electrical loads while allowing for the continued energization of the other electrical load, said means for protecting said control from damage in the presence of a sustained short circuit condition at one of the electrical loads while allowing for the continued energization of the other electrical load comprises means for rendering said oscillator circuit inoperative in the presence of a sustained short-circuit condition at one of said electrical loads, said oscillator system includes a pair of transistor devices connected with a saturating core feedback coupling means so that switching of the conducting conditions of said transistor devices is determined by the period between the occurrence of opposite sense flux saturations in said core, said oscillator system also including voltage reference means connected with said feedback coupling means to set the rate of change of flux in said core and means for limiting the current controlled by said transistor devices whereby the repetition rate of the output signals produced by the oscillator system is substantially independent of voltage vAriations in the power supplied to the oscillator system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The control system recited in claim 3 wherein said oscillator system is normally connectable with a first power source and said bistable circuit is normally connectable with a second power source, and including means responsive to an under-voltage condition for disconnecting said bistable circuit from said second power source and connecting it with said first power source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
114 words
The control system recited in claim 1 wherein said oscillator system includes a pair of transistor devices connected with a saturating core feedback coupling means so that switching of the conducting conditions of said transistor devices is determined by the period between the occurrence of opposite-sense flux saturations in said core, said oscillator circuit also including means to limit the current controlled by said transistor devices and voltage reference means connected with said feedback coupling means to set the rate of change of flux in said core whereby the repetition rate of the output signals produced by the oscillator system is substantially independent of voltage variations in the power supplied to the oscillator system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
The control system recited in claim 5 wherein said oscillator system is normally connected with a first power source and said bistable circuit with a second power source and including means responsive to detection of a voltage at said second power source below a preselected level for disconnecting said bistable circuit from said second power source and connecting it with said first power source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The control system recited in claim 6 wherein said first power source comprises batteries and said second power source comprises a rectifier operating from an AC source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
196 words
A control system for alternately energizing a pair of electrical loads at a predetermined rate comprising: A. A bistable circuit having first and second output means connectable with first and second electrical loads, said first load being adapted to be energized when said bistable circuit is in one stable operating state and said second load being adapted to be energized when said bistable circuit is in the other stable operating state; B. An oscillator system connectable with said bistable circuit for causing said bistable circuit to be triggered between its two stable operating states at a rate determined by the repetition rate of said oscillator system; and C. Means coupled to the electrical loads and responsive thereto for protecting said control system from damage in the presence of a sustained short-circuit condition at one of said electrical loads while allowing for the continued energization of the other electrical load, a voltage reference means, and means connected with said bistable circuit and said voltage reference means for energizing both electrical loads connected therewith whenever the voltage supplied to said control system exceeds said reference so that said control system will not be damaged by such higher voltages.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
196 words
A control system for alternately energizing a pair of electrical loads at a predetermined rate comprising: A. A bistable circuit having first and second output means connectable with first and second electrical loads, said first load being adapted to be energized when said bistable circuit is in one stable operating state and said second load being adapted to be energized when said bistable circuit is in the other stable operating state; B. An oscillator system connectable with said bistable circuit for causing said bistable circuit to be triggered between its two stable operating states at a rate determined by the repetition rate of said oscillator system; and C. Means coupled to the electrical loads and responsive thereto for protecting said control system from damage in the presence of a sustained short-circuit condition at one of said electrical loads while allowing for the continued energization of the other electrical load, a voltage reference means, and means connected with said bistable circuit and said voltage reference means for energizing both electrical loads connected therewith whenever the voltage supplied to said control system exceeds said reference so that said control system will not be damaged by such higher voltages.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The control system recited in claim 7 including a voltage reference means, and means connected with said bistable circuit and said voltage reference means for energizing both electrical loads connected therewith whenever the voltage supplied to said control system exceeds said reference so that said control system will not be damaged by such higher voltages.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
231 words
A signal lamp-flasher control for alternately energizing and deenergizing a pair of lamp loads at a preselected rate comprising: A. A bistable circuit having first and second output means connectable respectively with said lamp loads, said bistable circuit being adapted for normal connection with a first power source so that said first output means is energized when said bistable circuit is in one stable operating state and said second output means is energized when said bistable circuit is in the other stable operating state; B. An oscillator system connectable with a DC voltage supplY and including a pair of transistor devices connected with a saturating core feedback coupling means so that the switching of the conducting conditions of said transistor is determined by the period between the occurrence of opposite sense flux saturation in said core, said system also including voltage reference means connected with said feedback coupling means to set the rate of change of flux in said core and means for limiting the current controlled by said transistor devices whereby the repetition rate of the output signal produced by the oscillator system is substantially independent of voltage variations in the power supplied to the oscillator system; and C. Means coupling said oscillator system with said bistable circuit so that said bistable circuit is triggered from one stable state to the other in accordance with the operation of said oscillator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
231 words
A signal lamp-flasher control for alternately energizing and deenergizing a pair of lamp loads at a preselected rate comprising: A. A bistable circuit having first and second output means connectable respectively with said lamp loads, said bistable circuit being adapted for normal connection with a first power source so that said first output means is energized when said bistable circuit is in one stable operating state and said second output means is energized when said bistable circuit is in the other stable operating state; B. An oscillator system connectable with a DC voltage supplY and including a pair of transistor devices connected with a saturating core feedback coupling means so that the switching of the conducting conditions of said transistor is determined by the period between the occurrence of opposite sense flux saturation in said core, said system also including voltage reference means connected with said feedback coupling means to set the rate of change of flux in said core and means for limiting the current controlled by said transistor devices whereby the repetition rate of the output signal produced by the oscillator system is substantially independent of voltage variations in the power supplied to the oscillator system; and C. Means coupling said oscillator system with said bistable circuit so that said bistable circuit is triggered from one stable state to the other in accordance with the operation of said oscillator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The signal lamp-flasher control recited in claim 10 including means coupled to the lamp loads and responsive thereto for protecting said control from damage in the presence of a sustained short-circuit condition at one lamp load while allowing for the continued energization of the other lamp load.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
The signal lamp-flasher control recited in claim 11 wherein said means for protecting said control system from damage includes means for detecting the presence of a sustained short-circuit condition and switch means responsive to the detection of such a condition for causing said oscillator system to be rendered inoperative.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The signal lamp-flasher control recited in claim 12 wherein said switch means is operative when actuated to reverse bias the pair of transistor devices in the oscillator system and maintain them in a nonconducting condition.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
The signal lamp-flasher control recited in claim 10 including a voltage reference means and means connected with said bistable circuit and said voltage reference means for simultaneously energizing both said lamp loads whenever the voltage of said reference means has been exceeded so that voltages greater than said reference cannot cause damage to the control.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
68 words
The signal lamp-flasher control recited in claim 10 wherein said oscillator system is normally connected with a first power source and said bistable circuit with a second power source and including means responsive to the detection of a voltage of said second power source below a preselected level for causing said bistable circuit to be disconnected from said second power source and connected with said first power source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The signal lamp-flasher circuit recited in claim 15 wherein said second power source comprises a rectifier operating from an AC supply and said first power source comprises batteries.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
164 words
A control system for alternately energizing a pair of electrical loads at a predetermined rate comprising: A. A bistable circuit having first and second output means connectable with first and second electrical loads, said first load being adapted to be energized when said bistable circuit is in one stable operating state and said second load being adapted to be energized when said bistable circuit is in the other stable operating state; B. An oscillator system connectable with said bistable circuit for causing said bistable circuit to be triggered between its two stable operating states at a rate determined by the repetition of said oscillator system; C. A first power source connected to supply said oscillator system; D. A second power source connected to supply said bistable circuit; and E. Means responsive to detection of a voltage at said second power source below a preselected reference level for disconnecting said bistable circuit from said second power source and connecting it with said first power source.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
164 words
A control system for alternately energizing a pair of electrical loads at a predetermined rate comprising: A. A bistable circuit having first and second output means connectable with first and second electrical loads, said first load being adapted to be energized when said bistable circuit is in one stable operating state and said second load being adapted to be energized when said bistable circuit is in the other stable operating state; B. An oscillator system connectable with said bistable circuit for causing said bistable circuit to be triggered between its two stable operating states at a rate determined by the repetition of said oscillator system; C. A first power source connected to supply said oscillator system; D. A second power source connected to supply said bistable circuit; and E. Means responsive to detection of a voltage at said second power source below a preselected reference level for disconnecting said bistable circuit from said second power source and connecting it with said first power source.
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) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |