US3767969A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flashing circuitry
Assignee: Brady Corp
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Filing: 1972-07-11
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1992-07-11
Abstract
Abstract Actuating a flashtube with circuitry which delivers a rapid succession of individual flash-producing pulses, and prevents further pulsing after the desired number of flashes. Preferably, capacitors are used to repeatedly store and discharge energy for firing the flash tube and timing the pulse cycles, in conjunction with SCR gating.
Inventors
- 👤 R White
- 👤 F Tobey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:57
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/30; H05B41/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
An electrical circuit for delivering to a flashtube a series of flash-producing electrical pulses in rapid succession, comprising: energy circuit means for repeatedly storing and discharging electrical energy in flash cycles corresponding to the cycles of an alternating current source, firing circuit means for receiving during each of said flash cycles a portion of said energy discharged by said energy circuit means and repeatedly firing said flashtube, timing circuit means for receiving during each of said cycles a portion of said energy discharged by said energy circuit means, accumulating energy so received, and, when said energy so accumulated reaches a predetermined level, disabling said energy circuit means from further effectively discharging energy to said firing circuit means to terminate said series, said energy circuit means being connected to receive said alternating current from a said source of the same and being connected to said firing circuit means and said timing circuit means for delivery of energy from said energy circuit means to said firing circuit means and said timing circuit means, said timing circuit means comprising a first capacitor connected to receive energy from said energy circuit means and a gating element connected to be actuated to cause said disabling thus to terminate said series when said capacitor is charged to a predetermined voltAge, and said energy circuit means comprising a second capacitor connected to store in said energy circuit means said energy from said source of said alternating current, said timing circuit means being connected to draw energy from said second capacitor upon actuation of said gating element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
An electrical circuit for delivering to a flashtube a series of flash-producing electrical pulses in rapid succession, comprising: energy circuit means for repeatedly storing and discharging electrical energy in flash cycles corresponding to the cycles of an alternating current source, firing circuit means for receiving during each of said flash cycles a portion of said energy discharged by said energy circuit means and repeatedly firing said flashtube, timing circuit means for receiving during each of said cycles a portion of said energy discharged by said energy circuit means, accumulating energy so received, and, when said energy so accumulated reaches a predetermined level, disabling said energy circuit means from further effectively discharging energy to said firing circuit means to terminate said series, said energy circuit means being connected to receive said alternating current from a said source of the same and being connected to said firing circuit means and said timing circuit means for delivery of energy from said energy circuit means to said firing circuit means and said timing circuit means, said timing circuit means comprising a first capacitor connected to receive energy from said energy circuit means and a gating element connected to be actuated to cause said disabling thus to terminate said series when said capacitor is charged to a predetermined voltAge, and said energy circuit means comprising a second capacitor connected to store in said energy circuit means said energy from said source of said alternating current, said timing circuit means being connected to draw energy from said second capacitor upon actuation of said gating element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The circuit of claim 1 in which said energy circuit means includes a third capacitor, said third capacitor having a capacitance greater than said capacitor and being connected therewith to supply energy thereto to charge said second capacitor to a voltage higher than the voltage of said source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The circuit of claim 2 in which a second gating element is connected between said second capacitor and said third capacitor, said second gating element during a second portion of said cycles permitting energy to flow from said third capacitor to said second capacitor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The circuit of claim 1 which includes in said firing circuit means a step-up transformer connected to fire said flashtube, a second gating element between a third capacitor and a primary winding of said transformer, and a fourth capacitor connected to store energy while said first capacitor is storing energy, to initiate actuation of said second gating element upon the charging of said fourth capacitor to a predetermined voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The circuit of claim 4 in which said fourth capacitor is connected in series with a neon tube, and said second gating element is an SCR connected to be turned on upon the breakdown of said neon tube when said fourth capacitor is charged to said predetermined voltage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The circuit of claim 1 wherein said timing circuitry includes an element which limits receipt of energy from said energy circuitry to a peak voltage portion of each said flash cycle, thereby to increase the sensitivity of said timing circuitry to fluctuations in the voltage level of said alternating current.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The circuit of claim 6 wherein said element is a zener diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The circuit of claim 1 which includes a switch to discharge said first capacitor to terminate said series.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The circuit of claim 1 in which said timing circuit means includes a thermistor electrically connected for passage therethrough of said energy discharged by said energy circuit means, said thermistor being mounted in heat transfer relationship with said second capacitor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
214 words
An electrical circuit for delivering to a flashtube a series of flash-producing electrical pulses in rapid succession, comprising: energy circuit means for repeatedly storing and discharging electrical energy in flash cycles corresponding to the cycles of an alternating current source, firing circuit means for receiving during each of said flash cycles a portion of said energy discharged by said energy circuit means and repeatedly firing said flashtube, timing circuit means for receiving during each of said cycles a portion of said energy discharged by said energy circuit means, accumulating energy so received, and, when said energy so accumulated reaches a predetermined level, disabling said energy circuit means from further effectively discharging energy to said firing circuit means to terminate said series, said energy circuit means being connected to receive said alternating current from a said source of the same and being connected to said firing circuit means and said timing circuit means for delivery of energy from said energy circuit means to said firing circuit means and said timing circuit means, said timing circuit means comprising a resistor connected between said energy circuit means and portions of said timing circuit means to limit energy level increase per cycle in said timing circuit means, thereby to determine the number of said pulses in said series.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
214 words
An electrical circuit for delivering to a flashtube a series of flash-producing electrical pulses in rapid succession, comprising: energy circuit means for repeatedly storing and discharging electrical energy in flash cycles corresponding to the cycles of an alternating current source, firing circuit means for receiving during each of said flash cycles a portion of said energy discharged by said energy circuit means and repeatedly firing said flashtube, timing circuit means for receiving during each of said cycles a portion of said energy discharged by said energy circuit means, accumulating energy so received, and, when said energy so accumulated reaches a predetermined level, disabling said energy circuit means from further effectively discharging energy to said firing circuit means to terminate said series, said energy circuit means being connected to receive said alternating current from a said source of the same and being connected to said firing circuit means and said timing circuit means for delivery of energy from said energy circuit means to said firing circuit means and said timing circuit means, said timing circuit means comprising a resistor connected between said energy circuit means and portions of said timing circuit means to limit energy level increase per cycle in said timing circuit means, thereby to determine the number of said pulses in said series.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
199 words
An electrical circuit for delivering to a flashtube a series of flash-producing electrical pulses in rapid succession, comprising: energy circuit means for repeatedly storing and discharging electrical energy in flash cycles corresponding to the cyCles of an alternating current source, firing circuit means for receiving during each of said flash cycles a portion of said energy discharged by said energy circuit means and repeatedly firing said flashtube, timing circuit means for receiving during each of said cycles a portion of said energy discharged by said energy circuit means, accumulating energy so received, and, when said energy so accumulated reaches a predetermined level, disabling said energy circuit means from further effectively discharging energy to said firing circuit means to terminate said series, said energy circuit means being connected to receive said alternating current from a said source of the same and being connected to said firing circuit means and said timing circuit means for delivery of energy from said energy circuit means to said firing circuit means and said timing circuit means, said timing circuit means comprising a capacitor connected to receive said energy from said energy circuit means and a switch to discharge said capacitor to terminate said series.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
199 words
An electrical circuit for delivering to a flashtube a series of flash-producing electrical pulses in rapid succession, comprising: energy circuit means for repeatedly storing and discharging electrical energy in flash cycles corresponding to the cyCles of an alternating current source, firing circuit means for receiving during each of said flash cycles a portion of said energy discharged by said energy circuit means and repeatedly firing said flashtube, timing circuit means for receiving during each of said cycles a portion of said energy discharged by said energy circuit means, accumulating energy so received, and, when said energy so accumulated reaches a predetermined level, disabling said energy circuit means from further effectively discharging energy to said firing circuit means to terminate said series, said energy circuit means being connected to receive said alternating current from a said source of the same and being connected to said firing circuit means and said timing circuit means for delivery of energy from said energy circuit means to said firing circuit means and said timing circuit means, said timing circuit means comprising a capacitor connected to receive said energy from said energy circuit means and a switch to discharge said capacitor to terminate said series.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3585444A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |