US3814950A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Timing circuit
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-12-08
•
Granted: 1974-06-04
•
Expires: 1992-12-08
Abstract
Abstract An electronic timing circuit that utilizes a three-element glow discharge lamp and operates from either alternating current or direct current power sources to provide a direct current control voltage upon completion of a desired timing interval, for example, when the power source is interrupted for more than a predetermined period of time and is then restored. A predetermined time delay is provided before the direct current control voltage is removed following removal of the power source. Another time delay is provided before the direct current control voltage returns following restoration of the power source. The circuit includes independently operable reset means which can be operated either locally and manually or by a remotely operated electronic circuit arrangement.
Inventors
- 👤 W Adams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:02
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/51; H03K17/52; H03K17/22; H03K2017/226
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A timing circuit comprising a gaseous glow discharge lamp having an anode, a cathode and a trigger electrode, an energizing circuit including a source of direct current connected to said anode and cathode and including a terminating impedance across which a device-controlling voltage is developed when the lamp is ionized, means to provide a maintaining voltage across said anode and cathode sufficient to maintain ionization, a triggering circuit branch connected to said energizing circuit and including a resistor and capacitor in series, means connecting the junction of said resistor and capacitor to the triggering electrode, said triggering circuit branch developing a triggering voltage at said triggering electrode after a predetermined period of charging of said capacitor sufficient to cause ionization of the lamp, a diode connected between said junction and said anode, and a second capacitor connected between said anode and a portion of the energizing circuit to sustain said maintaining voltage for a second predetermined period of time when the source of current is removed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A timing circuit comprising a gaseous glow discharge lamp having an anode, a cathode and a trigger electrode, an energizing circuit including a source of direct current connected to said anode and cathode and including a terminating impedance across which a device-controlling voltage is developed when the lamp is ionized, means to provide a maintaining voltage across said anode and cathode sufficient to maintain ionization, a triggering circuit branch connected to said energizing circuit and including a resistor and capacitor in series, means connecting the junction of said resistor and capacitor to the triggering electrode, said triggering circuit branch developing a triggering voltage at said triggering electrode after a predetermined period of charging of said capacitor sufficient to cause ionization of the lamp, a diode connected between said junction and said anode, and a second capacitor connected between said anode and a portion of the energizing circuit to sustain said maintaining voltage for a second predetermined period of time when the source of current is removed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The timing circuit of claim 1, and a controlled rapid-discharge circuit branch connected across said second capacitor to at times rapidly remove said device-controlling voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The timing circuit of claim 2, and wherein said controlled circuit branch includes a manually operated switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The timing circuit of claim 2, and wherein said controlled circuit branch includes an electronic switch device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The timing circuit of claim 2, and wherein said energizing circuit is provided with a pair of input terminals and a series-connected rectifier at one terminal, and a filter capacitor connected between the output of the rectifier and the other terminal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The timing circuit of claim 2, and respective zener-controlled voltage stabilizing means connected to said anode and to said triggering circuit branch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
The timing circuit of claim 2, and wherein said energizing circuit includes a voltage-divider branch, a transistor connected across said second capacitor, switch means normally shunting a portion of the voltage-divider branch, means to open said switch means responsive to deionization of the lamp, and means to render said transistor conductive responsive to opening said switch means, whereby to enhance the discharging of the first-named capacitor through said diode when the lamp becomes deionized.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The timing circuit of claim 7, and wherein said means to render said transistor conductive comprises circuit means connecting the base of said transistor to said voltage-divider branch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The timing circuit of claim 8, and wherein said circuit means connecting the base of said transistor to said voltage-divider branch comprises a series capacitor and a discharge resistor connected across the base and emitter of the transistor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The timing circuit of claim 8, and wherein said switch means comprises a second transistor connected across said portion of the voltage-divider branch, and circuit means connecting the device-controlling voltage terminal of the terminating impedance to the base of Said second transistor so as to remove forward bias from said last-named base when the device-controlling voltage is removed.
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) | 1977-06-03 | 1977-12-03 | 1978-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-03 | 1981-12-03 | 1982-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-03 | 1985-12-03 | 1986-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |