US3651373A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic flash unit with adjustable flash energy
Assignee: Loewe Opta GmbH
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Filing: 1969-05-02
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Granted: 1972-03-21
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Expires: 1989-05-02
Abstract
Abstract An electronic flash unit with flash energy adjustable by switching on or off storage capacitors interconnected in parallel which are connected to a high-tension source. For increasing the number of flash energy stages (guide numbers) obtainable with a definite number of storage capacitors an energy switch is provided with whose contacts the storage capacitors can be as required connected in parallel and are at the same time connectable at various high potentials of the high-tension source.
Inventors
- 👤 Joachim Ratsch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:36
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/30; H05B41/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
Electronic flash unit for photographic purposes with flash energy adjustable by switching on or off of storage capacitors with respect to a high-tension source, comprising a plurality of storage capacitors, an energy switch with a plurality of contacts, a high-tension source with a plurality of taps conducting various high-tension potentials, a conducting line between said contacts, a flash discharge reproducing circuit containing a flash discharge tube, ignition means and an energizing potential source, said energy switch being adapted to interconnect said storage capacitors as required in parallel and at the same time to connect one of said taps for supplying various high-tension potentials to said flash discharge circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
Electronic flash unit for photographic purposes with flash energy adjustable by switching on or off of storage capacitors with respect to a high-tension source, comprising a plurality of storage capacitors, an energy switch with a plurality of contacts, a high-tension source with a plurality of taps conducting various high-tension potentials, a conducting line between said contacts, a flash discharge reproducing circuit containing a flash discharge tube, ignition means and an energizing potential source, said energy switch being adapted to interconnect said storage capacitors as required in parallel and at the same time to connect one of said taps for supplying various high-tension potentials to said flash discharge circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Electronic flash unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said energy switch has five contacts and two storage capacitors and three taps of said high-tension source are provided.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Electronic flash unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein as storage capacitors electrolytic capacitors accommodated in a common case are provided.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Electronic flash unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the capacitance values of said storage capacitors are in about 10:1 ratio.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
Electronic flash unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said energy switch has four normally open contacts, three of which are each connected with one of said taps, whilst the fourth contact is connected with one of said storage capacitors to which a resistor is connected in parallel, said resistor lying in series with a second storagE capacitor, said four contacts being further interconnected by said conducting line which leads to the connecting point between said resistor and said second storage capacitor and to an electrode of said flash discharge tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
Electronic flash as claimed in claim 1, wherein said energy switch has an additional contact, one connection of which is connected with said conducting line and the other connection of which is connected via a capacitively bridged resistor to said energizing potential source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
Electronic flash unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ignition voltage for said ignition means of said flash discharge tube is taken from that of said taps of said high-tension source supplying the highest potential and led via a diode to said ignition means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
Electronic flash unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the various switch positions of said energy switch are marked by signs corresponding to the various distances usable between the camera and the subject to be photographed.
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) | 1975-03-21 | 1975-09-20 | 1976-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-21 | 1979-09-20 | 1980-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-21 | 1983-09-20 | 1984-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |