US3693044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Firing means for discharge tubes
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-24
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Granted: 1972-09-19
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Expires: 1990-12-24
Abstract
Abstract A triggering transformer having windings surrounding a photographic flash tube fires the latter when the transformer primary winding is energized by the closure of a switch. This switch closure also turns off a transistor which then unblocks a light sensitive integrator including an LASCR which receives the flash tube light by reflection. When the integrator has received a predetermined quantity of light, the LASCR turns on and energizes the primary winding of a second triggering transformer having windings surrounding a quench tube connected in parallel with the flash tube. This fires the quench tube which in turn extinguishes the flash tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Gareld I Gilman
- 👤 Robert H Wallace
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:03
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/30; H05B41/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
In discharge tube apparatus, the improvement comprising a discharge tube having an envelope containing a pair of electrodes, means arranged for connecting said electrodes across a source of tube energizing voltage capable of producing a discharge between said electrodes once said tube has been fired, winding means surrounding said envelope and having first and second portions arranged on said envelope in mutually inductive coupling relationship to form a voltage step-up tube triggering transformer, one of said portions having a free end connected solely to said one of said portions, and first and second winding input connections so connected to said winding means that the application of a triggering voltage of a given magnitude between said input connections energizes the other of said portions to produce across at least said one of said portions a voltage of a magnitude which is substantially greater than the first-mentioned magnitude, and which fires said tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
In discharge tube apparatus, the improvement comprising a discharge tube having an envelope containing a pair of electrodes, means arranged for connecting said electrodes across a source of tube energizing voltage capable of producing a discharge between said electrodes once said tube has been fired, winding means surrounding said envelope and having first and second portions arranged on said envelope in mutually inductive coupling relationship to form a voltage step-up tube triggering transformer, one of said portions having a free end connected solely to said one of said portions, and first and second winding input connections so connected to said winding means that the application of a triggering voltage of a given magnitude between said input connections energizes the other of said portions to produce across at least said one of said portions a voltage of a magnitude which is substantially greater than the first-mentioned magnitude, and which fires said tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 1, wherein at least said one of said portions of said winding means surrounds said envelope adjacent at least one of said electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 1, wherein said electrodes are adjacent each other within said envelope, and wherein at least said one of said portions of said winding means surrounds said envelope adjacent said electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 1, wherein, said portions of said winding means comprise a primary winding and a secondary winding, wherein each of said windings has first and second end terminals, wherein said input connections are connected, respectively, to said terminals of said primary winding, wherein said one of said portions comprises said secondary winding, and wherein said free end is one of said terminals of said secondary winding.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 4, wherein the other of said terminals of said secondary winding is connected to one of said electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 4, wherein one of said windings surrounds the other of said windings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 4, wherein said secondary winding surrounds said envelope immediately adjacent thereto, and wherein said primary winding surrounds said secondary winding.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 7, wherein each of said windings includes a plurality of turns of wire arranged in coaxial layers and connected between said terminals of that winding, and wherein the other of said terminals of said secondary winding is connected to the end of said turns of wire of said secondary winding which are at the greatest radial distance from said envelope and is connected to one of said electrodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus as specified iN claim 8, wherein the one of said terminals of said primary winding which is connected to the end of said turns of wire of said primary winding which are at the shortest radial distance from said envelope is connected to said other of said terminals of said secondary winding, and wherein said one of said terminals of said secondary winding is connected only to said turns of wire of said secondary winding.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 1, wherein said tube is a photographic discharge tube, wherein said firing of said tube controls the production of light for illuminating an object to be photographed, and wherein there are included means for applying said triggering voltage to said input connections when said tube is to be fired.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 10, wherein said tube is a flash tube, and wherein the last-mentioned means include a triggering capacitor and means connected to said capacitor and to said input connections, and including terminals arranged for connection to the shutter contacts of a photographic camera, for normally maintaining said capacitor in a charged state and for alternatively connecting said capacitor directly between said input connections upon the establishment of an electrically conductive path between said terminals, as by the closure of said shutter contacts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 10, wherein said tube is a quench tube which is connected in quenching relationship to a flash tube, and wherein the last-mentioned means include a triggering capacitor and means connected to said capacitor and to said input connections, and including a normally non-conductive light responsive switching means arranged to receive light produced by said flash tube and to switch to a conductive state upon receiving a predetermined quantity of light, for normally maintaining said capacitor in a charged state and for alternatively connecting said capacitor directly between said input connections upon the switching of said switching means to a conductive state.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |