Automatic control of light flash pulses

Claim 2

In a device for controlling the operation of an element which converts an electric current into a light flash and including a storage capacitor storing energy for supplying the element, a light sensor arranged for sensing light produced by the element and reflected from an object and for producing an electrical output proportional to the intensity of the light which it receives, and an integrator connected to receive the output from the sensor and to produce a control signal representing the time integral of the received light intensity, the improvement comprising an electronic switch having two main electrodes via which said switch is connected in series between said capacitor and said element, and having a control electrode connected to said integrator to receive the control signal from said integrator, the application of the control signal to said control electrode rendering said switch nonconductive and thus opening the circuit between said capacitor and said element and halting the discharge of said capacitOr for generally conserving energy from said capacitor when the control signal from said integrator reaches a predetermined value.

Claim 3

In a device for controlling the operation of an element which converts an electric current into a light flash and including a storage capacitor storing energy for supplying the element, a light sensor arranged for sensing light produced by the element and reflected from an object and for producing an electrical output proportional to the intensity of the light which it receives, and an integrator connected to receive the output from the sensor and to produce a control signal representing the time integral of the received light intensity, the improvement comprising an electronic switch having two main electrodes via which said switch is connected in series between said capacitor and said element, and having a control electrode connected to said integrator to receive the control signal from said integrator, said electronic switch being conducting when an electric current is flowing through the element, and the application of the control signal to said control electrode rendering said switch nonconductive and thus opening the circuit between said capacitor and said element and halting the discharge of said capacitor for generally conserving energy from said capacitor when the control signal from said integrator reaches a predetermined value.

Claim 4

In a device for controlling the operation of an element which converts an electric current into a light flash and including a storage capacitor storing energy for supplying the element, a light sensor arranged for sensing light produced by the element and reflected from an object and for producing an electrical output proportional to the intensity of the light which it receives, and an integrator connected to receive the output from the sensor and to produce a control signal representing the time integral of the received light intensity, the improvement comprising an electronic switch having two main electrodes via which said switch is connected in series between said capacitor and said element, and having a control electrode connected to said integrator to receive the control signal from said integrator, said electronic switch being conducting when an electric current is flowing through the element, and the application of the control signal to said control electrode rendering said switch nonconductive and thus opening the circuit between said capacitor and said element and halting the discharge of said capacitor for generally conserving energy from said capacitor when the control signal from said integrator reaches a predetermined value.

Claim 5

An arrangement as defined in claim 2 wherein said electronic switch is composed of a semiconductor element.

Claim 6

An arrangement as defined in claim 3 wherein said semiconductor element is constituted by a gate turn off switch.

Claim 7

In a device for controlling the operation of an element which converts an electric current into a light flash and including a storage capacitor storing energy for supplying the element, a light sensor arranged for sensing light produced by the element and reflected from an object and for producing an electrical output proportional to the intensity of the light which it receives, and an integrator connected to receive the output from the sensor and to produce a control signal representing the time integral of the received light intensity, the improvement comprising a normally conducting electronic switch having two main electrodes via which said switch is connected in series between said capacitor and said element, and having a control electrode connected to said integrator to receive the control signal from said integrator, the application of the control signal to said control electrode rendering said switch nonconductive and thus opening the circuit between said capacitor and said element and halting the discharge of said capacitor when the control signal from said integrator reaches a predetermined value.

Claim 8

In a device for controlling the operation of an element which converts an electric current into a light flash and including a storage capacitor storing energy for supplying the element, a light sensor arranged for sensing light produced by the element and reflected from an object and for producing an electrical output proportional to the intensity of the light which it receives, and an integrator connected to receive the output from the sensor and to produce a control signal representing the time integral of the received light intensity, the improvement comprising a normally conducting electronic switch having two main electrodes via which said switch is connected in series between said capacitor and said element, and having a control electrode connected to said integrator to receive the control signal from said integrator, the application of the control signal to said control electrode rendering said switch nonconductive and thus opening the circuit between said capacitor and said element and halting the discharge of said capacitor when the control signal from said integrator reaches a predetermined value.

Claim 9

In a device for controlling the operation of an element which converts an electric current into a light flash and including a storage capacitor storing energy for supplying the element, a light sensor arranged for sensing light produced by the element and reflected from an object and for producing an electrical output proportional to the intensity of the light which it receives, and an integrator connected to receive the output from the sensor and to produce a control signal representing the time integral of the received light intensity, the improvement comprising an electronic gate turn off switch having two main electrodes via which said switch is connected in series between said capacitor and said element, and having a control electrode connected to said integrator to receive the control signal from said integrator, the application of the control signal to said control electrode rendering said switch nonconductive and thus opening the circuit between said capacitor and said element and halting the discharge of said capacitor when the control signal from said integrator reaches a predetermined value.

Claim 10

In a device for controlling the operation of an element which converts an electric current into a light flash and including a storage capacitor storing energy for supplying the element, a light sensor arranged for sensing light produced by the element and reflected from an object and for producing an electrical output proportional to the intensity of the light which it receives, and an integrator connected to receive the output from the sensor and to produce a control signal representing the time integral of the received light intensity, the improvement comprising an electronic gate turn off switch having two main electrodes via which said switch is connected in series between said capacitor and said element, and having a control electrode connected to said integrator to receive the control signal from said integrator, the application of the control signal to said control electrode rendering said switch nonconductive and thus opening the circuit between said capacitor and said element and halting the discharge of said capacitor when the control signal from said integrator reaches a predetermined value.

Claim 11

A control circuit for controlling the operation of flash tube means wherein electrical energy is supplied to said tube means from a supply source foR causing said tube means to emit a light flash and wherein the passage of current through said tube means is controllable for conserving energy of the supply source, said control circuit comprising a supply source, electronic switch means having a pair of main current carrying electrodes, and having a control electrode for receiving an electrical signal for rendering said switch means conductive, biasing means connected to normally apply a biasing voltage across said switch means when said switch is in its nonconductive state, circuit means coupling the main electrodes of said switch means in series with said tube means and said supply source to enable, when said switch means is rendered conductive, passage of current between said pair of main current carrying electrodes to cause ionization of said tube means whereby generation of a light flash therefrom occurs, and control means coupled with said electronic switch means and responsive to light sensing means to render said electronic switch means nonconductive and cause termination of said light.

Claim 12

A control circuit for controlling the operation of flash tube means wherein electrical energy is supplied to said tube means from a supply source foR causing said tube means to emit a light flash and wherein the passage of current through said tube means is controllable for conserving energy of the supply source, said control circuit comprising a supply source, electronic switch means having a pair of main current carrying electrodes, and having a control electrode for receiving an electrical signal for rendering said switch means conductive, biasing means connected to normally apply a biasing voltage across said switch means when said switch is in its nonconductive state, circuit means coupling the main electrodes of said switch means in series with said tube means and said supply source to enable, when said switch means is rendered conductive, passage of current between said pair of main current carrying electrodes to cause ionization of said tube means whereby generation of a light flash therefrom occurs, and control means coupled with said electronic switch means and responsive to light sensing means to render said electronic switch means nonconductive and cause termination of said light.

Claim 13

A circuit as in claim 7 wherein said biasing means includes voltage divider means coupled with said switch means for normally applying a biasing voltage across the main electrodes of said switch means.

Claim 14

A circuit as defined in claim 7 wherein said control means includes a second electronic switch means coupled with said first-named electronic switch means and coupled with light sensing means for sensing light emitted by said lamp means for causing reversal in the polarity of the voltage across the main electrodes of said first-named switch means upon receipt by said light sensing means of a predetermined amount of light.

Claim 15

A circuit as in claim 9 wherein said second switch means comprises a gas-filled tube having two main electrodes and a firing electrode, said firing electrode being responsive to said light sensing means.

Claim 16

A circuit as in claim 9 wherein each of said electronic switch means comprises a thyristor.

Claim 17

A circuit for controlling the operation of a load element which converts an electric current from a supply source into a light flash and which is operatively associated with means for sensing the light produced by the element and producing a signal when a predetermined quantity of light has been produced, said circuit comprising, in combination: electronic switch means having a pair of main current carrying electrodes by which it is connected in series between the load element and the supply source, said switch means being electrically coupled with triggering means of said load element and having a control electrode for receiving an electrical signal which renders said switch means conductive for passing current therethrough to said triggering means to cause said load element to ionize whereby a light flash is produced; and flash terminating means connected between said sensing means and said switch means for rendering said switch means nonconductive upon the production of a signal by said sensing means, to cause termination of the light flash and generally conserve energy of said supply source.

Claim 18

A circuit for controlling the operation of a load element which converts an electric current from a supply source into a light flash and which is operatively associated with means for sensing the light produced by the element and producing a signal when a predetermined quantity of light has been produced, said circuit comprising, in combination: electronic switch means having a pair of main current carrying electrodes by which it is connected in series between the load element and the supply source, said switch means being electrically coupled with triggering means of said load element and having a control electrode for receiving an electrical signal which renders said switch means conductive for passing current therethrough to said triggering means to cause said load element to ionize whereby a light flash is produced; and flash terminating means connected between said sensing means and said switch means for rendering said switch means nonconductive upon the production of a signal by said sensing means, to cause termination of the light flash and generally conserve energy of said supply source.

Claim 19

An arrangement as defined in claim 12 wherein said triggering means comprises a trigger transformer and energy source electrically connected to said switch means.

Claim 20

A circuit for controlling the operation of a load element which converts an electric current from a supply source into a light flash and which is operatively associated with means for sensing the light produced by the element and producing a signal when a predetermined quantity of light has been produced, said circuit comprising, in combination: electronic switch means having a pair of main current carrying electrodes by which it is connected in series between the load element and the supply source, said switch means being electrically connected with triggering means of said load element for passing current to said triggering means for ionizing said load eleMent whereby a light flash is produced by said load element; and flash terminating means connected between said sensing means and said switch means for rendering said switch means nonconductive upon the production of a signal by said sensing means to terminate the light flash and generally conserve energy of said supply source.

Claim 21

A circuit for controlling the operation of a load element which converts an electric current from a supply source into a light flash and which is operatively associated with means for sensing the light produced by the element and producing a signal when a predetermined quantity of light has been produced, said circuit comprising, in combination: electronic switch means having a pair of main current carrying electrodes by which it is connected in series between the load element and the supply source, said switch means being electrically connected with triggering means of said load element for passing current to said triggering means for ionizing said load eleMent whereby a light flash is produced by said load element; and flash terminating means connected between said sensing means and said switch means for rendering said switch means nonconductive upon the production of a signal by said sensing means to terminate the light flash and generally conserve energy of said supply source.

Claim 22

A circuit for controlling the operation of a load element which converts an electric current from a supply source into a light flash and which is operatively associated with means for sensing the light produced by the element and producing a signal when a predetermined quantity of light has been produced, said circuit comprising, in combination: a load element comprising a flash lamp and trigger means therefor; electronic switch means having a pair of main current carrying electrodes by which it is connected in series between the load element and the supply source, said switch means being electrically coupled with said flash lamp and said trigger means, and the conduction of current through said switch means causing both said trigger means to ionize said lamp and said lamp to generate a light flash; and flash terminating means connected with light sensing means and said switch means for rendering said switch means nonconductive upon the production of a signal by said light sensing means to terminate the light flash from said lamp and enable conservation of energy of said supply source.

Claim 23

A circuit for controlling the operation of a load element which converts an electric current from a supply source into a light flash and which is operatively associated with means for sensing the light produced by the element and producing a signal when a predetermined quantity of light has been produced, said circuit comprising, in combination: a load element comprising a flash lamp and trigger means therefor; electronic switch means having a pair of main current carrying electrodes by which it is connected in series between the load element and the supply source, said switch means being electrically coupled with said flash lamp and said trigger means, and the conduction of current through said switch means causing both said trigger means to ionize said lamp and said lamp to generate a light flash; and flash terminating means connected with light sensing means and said switch means for rendering said switch means nonconductive upon the production of a signal by said light sensing means to terminate the light flash from said lamp and enable conservation of energy of said supply source.

Claim 24

A circuit for controlling the operation of a load element which converts an electric current from a supply source into a light flash and which is operatively associated with means for sensing the light produced by the element and producing a signal when a predetermined quantity of light has been produced, said circuit comprising, in combination: first electronic switch means having a pair of main current carrying electrodes by which it is connected in series between the load element and the supply source, said switch means having biasing means coupled therewith to apply voltage across the switch means when said switch means is nonconductive, and having a control electrode for receiving an electrical signal for rendering said switch means conductive for passing electrical current therethrough to ionize said load element whereby said load element produces a light flash; second electronic switch means having two main electrodes and a control electrode; means connecting one main electrode of said second electronic switch means to one of said main electrodes of said first electronic switch means, and means connecting the other main electrode of said second electronic switch means to a voltage source; and said control electrode of said second electronic switch means being connected to said light sensing means for receiving the electrical signal produced thereby to render said second switch means conductive for supplying a voltage at a main electrode of said first switch means which reverses the polarity of the voltage across the main electrodes of said first switch means and thus renders said first switch means nonconductive to cause termination of the light flash for generally conserving energy of said supply source.

Claim 25

A circuit for controlling the operation of a load element which converts an electric current from a supply source into a light flash and which is operatively associated with means for sensing the light produced by the element and producing a signal when a predetermined quantity of light has been produced, said circuit comprising, in combination: first electronic switch means having a pair of main current carrying electrodes by which it is connected in series between the load element and the supply source, said switch means having biasing means coupled therewith to apply voltage across the switch means when said switch means is nonconductive, and having a control electrode for receiving an electrical signal for rendering said switch means conductive for passing electrical current therethrough to ionize said load element whereby said load element produces a light flash; second electronic switch means having two main electrodes and a control electrode; means connecting one main electrode of said second electronic switch means to one of said main electrodes of said first electronic switch means, and means connecting the other main electrode of said second electronic switch means to a voltage source; and said control electrode of said second electronic switch means being connected to said light sensing means for receiving the electrical signal produced thereby to render said second switch means conductive for supplying a voltage at a main electrode of said first switch means which reverses the polarity of the voltage across the main electrodes of said first switch means and thus renders said first switch means nonconductive to cause termination of the light flash for generally conserving energy of said supply source.

Claim 26

A circuit as defined in claim 16 wherein said second electronic switch means is constituted by a gas-filled tube having two main electrodes and one firing electrode and constructed to operate by producing an arc.

Claim 27

A circuit for controlling the operation of a load element which converts an electric current from a supply source into a light flash and which is operatively associated with means for sensing the light produced by the element and producing a signal when a predetermined quantity of light has been produced, said circuit comprising, in combination: first electronic switch means having a pair of main current carrying electrodes by which it is connected in series between the load element and the supply source, means establishing a voltage across said switch means whEn said switch means is nonconductive, and said switch means having a control electrode coupled in series with a voltage source and synchronization contact means for receiving an electrical signal which renders said switch means conductive for applying electrical energy to said load element for producing a light flash; second electronic switch means having two main electrodes and a control electrode; means connecting one main electrode of said second electronic switch means to one of said main electrodes of said first electronic switch means, and means connecting the other main electrode of said second electronic switch means to a voltage source; said control electrode of said second electronic switch means being connected to said light sensing means for receiving the electrical signal produced thereby to render said second switch means conductive for supplying a voltage at a main electrode of said first switch means which reverses the polarity of the voltage across the main electrodes of said first switch means and thus renders said first switch means nonconductive to cause termination of the light flash for generally conserving energy of said supply source; and inductance means in series with said load element and said first electronic switch means for modifying the current impulse to said load element.

Claim 28

A circuit for controlling the operation of a load element which converts an electric current from a supply source into a light flash and which is operatively associated with means for sensing the light produced by the element and producing a signal when a predetermined quantity of light has been produced, said circuit comprising, in combination: first electronic switch means having a pair of main current carrying electrodes by which it is connected in series between the load element and the supply source, means establishing a voltage across said switch means whEn said switch means is nonconductive, and said switch means having a control electrode coupled in series with a voltage source and synchronization contact means for receiving an electrical signal which renders said switch means conductive for applying electrical energy to said load element for producing a light flash; second electronic switch means having two main electrodes and a control electrode; means connecting one main electrode of said second electronic switch means to one of said main electrodes of said first electronic switch means, and means connecting the other main electrode of said second electronic switch means to a voltage source; said control electrode of said second electronic switch means being connected to said light sensing means for receiving the electrical signal produced thereby to render said second switch means conductive for supplying a voltage at a main electrode of said first switch means which reverses the polarity of the voltage across the main electrodes of said first switch means and thus renders said first switch means nonconductive to cause termination of the light flash for generally conserving energy of said supply source; and inductance means in series with said load element and said first electronic switch means for modifying the current impulse to said load element.

Claim 29

A circuit as defined in claim 18 wherein said second electronic switch comprises a gas-filled tube having two main electrodes and a firing electrode, said firing electrode being responsive to said light sensing means.

Claim 30

A circuit for controlling the operation of a load element which converts an electric current from a supply source into a light flash and which is operatively associated with means for sensing the light produced by the element and producing a signal when a predetermined quantity of light has been produced, said circuit comprising, in combination: first electronic switch means having a pair of main current carrying electrodes by which it is connected in series between the load element and the supply source and having a control electrode for receiving an electrical signal which renders said switch conductive for applying electrical energy to said load element for producing a light flash; second electronic switch means having two main electrodes and a control electrode; and means connecting one main electrode of said second electronic switch means to one of said main electrodes of said first electronic switch means, and means connecting the other main electrode of said second electronic switch means to a voltage source; said control electrode of said second electronic switch means being connected to said light sensing means for receiving the electrical signal produced thereby to render said second switch means conductive for supplying a voltage at a main electrode of said first switch means which reverses the polarity of the voltage across the main electrodes of said first switch means and thus renders said first switch means nonconductive to cause termination of the light flash for generally conserving energy of said supply source; said load element having a trigger input which initiates the converting of an electric current from the supply source into a light flash when a signal is applied to the trigger input, and said first electronic switch means being connected with both the load element and said trigger input for enabling current flow through the first electronic switch means to cause the trigger input to ionize the load element and enable the load element to generate a light flash.

Claim 31

A circuit for controlling the operation of a load element which converts an electric current from a supply source into a light flash and which is operatively associated with means for sensing the light produced by the element and producing a signal when a predetermined quantity of light has been produced, said circuit comprising, in combination: first electronic switch means having a pair of main current carrying electrodes by which it is connected in series between the load element and the supply source and having a control electrode for receiving an electrical signal which renders said switch conductive for applying electrical energy to said load element for producing a light flash; second electronic switch means having two main electrodes and a control electrode; and means connecting one main electrode of said second electronic switch means to one of said main electrodes of said first electronic switch means, and means connecting the other main electrode of said second electronic switch means to a voltage source; said control electrode of said second electronic switch means being connected to said light sensing means for receiving the electrical signal produced thereby to render said second switch means conductive for supplying a voltage at a main electrode of said first switch means which reverses the polarity of the voltage across the main electrodes of said first switch means and thus renders said first switch means nonconductive to cause termination of the light flash for generally conserving energy of said supply source; said load element having a trigger input which initiates the converting of an electric current from the supply source into a light flash when a signal is applied to the trigger input, and said first electronic switch means being connected with both the load element and said trigger input for enabling current flow through the first electronic switch means to cause the trigger input to ionize the load element and enable the load element to generate a light flash.

Claim 32

A control circuit for controlling the operation of flash tube means wherein electrical energy is supplied to said tube means from a supply source for causing said tube means to emit a light flash and wherein the passage of current through said tube means is controllable for conserving energy of the supply source, said control circuit comprising a supply source, electronic switch means having a paiR of main current carrying electrodes and a control electrode, circuit means connecting said electronic switch means with said flash tube means and said supply source, said circuit means connecting the main electrodes of said switch means in series with said tube means and said supply source and including biasing means for establishing a voltage across said switch means when said switch means is nonconductive, and including means for applying a signal to said control electrode to render said switch means conductive for (a) enabling current flow between said pair of main current carrying electrodes before said flash tube means ionizes and (b) causing a light flash to be generated by said tube means, and control means coupled with said electronic switch means and responsive to light sensing means to render said electronic switch means nonconductive and cause termination of said light flash.

Claim 33

A control circuit for controlling the operation of flash tube means wherein electrical energy is supplied to said tube means from a supply source for causing said tube means to emit a light flash and wherein the passage of current through said tube means is controllable for conserving energy of the supply source, said control circuit comprising a supply source, electronic switch means having a paiR of main current carrying electrodes and a control electrode, circuit means connecting said electronic switch means with said flash tube means and said supply source, said circuit means connecting the main electrodes of said switch means in series with said tube means and said supply source and including biasing means for establishing a voltage across said switch means when said switch means is nonconductive, and including means for applying a signal to said control electrode to render said switch means conductive for (a) enabling current flow between said pair of main current carrying electrodes before said flash tube means ionizes and (b) causing a light flash to be generated by said tube means, and control means coupled with said electronic switch means and responsive to light sensing means to render said electronic switch means nonconductive and cause termination of said light flash.

Claim 34

A control circuit as in claim 21 wherein said flash tube means includes a flash tube and trigger means therefor, and said circuit means includes means coupling said switch means in series with both said tube and trigger means, and said biasing means includes voltage divider means coupled with the main electrodes of said switch means for establishing said voltage across said switch means.

Claim 35

A circuit for controlling the operation of a load element which converts an electric current from a supply source into a light flash and which is operatively associated with means for sensing the light produced by the element and producing a signal when a predetermined quantity of light has been produced, said circuit comprising, in combination: first electronic switch means having a pair of main current carrying electrodes by which it is connected in series between the load element and the supply source, and having a control electrode for receiving an electrical signal which renders said switch means conductive for applying electrical energy to said load element for producing a light flash; a gas-filled tube having two closely spaced main electrodes and one firing electrode and operative as a switch, means connecting one main electrode of said gas-filled tube to one of said main electrodes of said first electronic switch means, and commutating capacitor means connected between said other main electrode of said gas-filled tube and the junction of said first electronic switch means and said load element; an inductance coil connected in series between said source and said first electronic switch means and said gas-filled tube means for reducing current impulses thereto; and said control electrode of said gas-filled tube being connected to light sensing means for receiving the electrical signal produced thereby to render said gas-filled tube conductive for supplying a voltage at a main electrode of said first switch means which reverses the polarity of the voltage across the main electrodes of said first switch means and thus renders said first switch means nonconductive to cause termination of the light flash from said load element to generally conserve energy of said supply source.

Claim 36

A circuit for controlling the operation of a load element which converts an electric current from a supply source into a light flash and which is operatively associated with means for sensing the light produced by the element and producing a signal when a predetermined quantity of light has been produced, said circuit comprising, in combination: first electronic switch means having a pair of main current carrying electrodes by which it is connected in series between the load element and the supply source, and having a control electrode for receiving an electrical signal which renders said switch means conductive for applying electrical energy to said load element for producing a light flash; a gas-filled tube having two closely spaced main electrodes and one firing electrode and operative as a switch, means connecting one main electrode of said gas-filled tube to one of said main electrodes of said first electronic switch means, and commutating capacitor means connected between said other main electrode of said gas-filled tube and the junction of said first electronic switch means and said load element; an inductance coil connected in series between said source and said first electronic switch means and said gas-filled tube means for reducing current impulses thereto; and said control electrode of said gas-filled tube being connected to light sensing means for receiving the electrical signal produced thereby to render said gas-filled tube conductive for supplying a voltage at a main electrode of said first switch means which reverses the polarity of the voltage across the main electrodes of said first switch means and thus renders said first switch means nonconductive to cause termination of the light flash from said load element to generally conserve energy of said supply source.