Voltage converter and regulator

Claim 2

A direct current voltage converter, comprising: a. a direct current voltage source; b. storage capacitor means; c. semi-conductor oscillator means driven by said direct current voltage source, and in energizing relation with said storage capacitor means to produce charging current for said storage capacitor means; d. voltage sensing and regulating means comprising glow lamp means, first zener diode means and resistance means serially connected across said storage capacitor means, responsive to the voltage across said storage capacitor means to regulate said voltage within a narrow range; and e. second zener diode means, the cathode of said second zener diode means being serially connected to the positive terminal of said direct current voltage source to prevent current from being drawn from said voltage source when its voltage falls below a value determined by said second zener diode means.

Claim 3

A direct current voltage converter, comprising: a. a direct current voltage source; b. storage capacitor means; c. semi-conductor oscillator means driven by said direct current voltage source, and in energizing relation with said storage capacitor means to produce charging current for said storage capacitor means; d. voltage sensing and regulating means comprising glow lamp means, zener diode means and resistance means serially connected across said storage capacitor means, responsive to the voltage across said storage capacitor means to regulate said voltage within a narrow range; and e. inductive coupling means coupled between said semi-conductor oscillator means and said storage capacitor means; wherein during a first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, current is drawn from said direct current voltage source and provided to energize said inductive coupling means, and no charging current is provided to said storage capacitor means, and during a second portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, no current from said direct current voltage source is provided to said inductive coupling means, and charging current is provided from said inductive coupling means to said storage capacitor means; wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means comprises inductive feed-back means inductively coupled to said inductive coupling means and comprising transistor means to prevent the commencement of said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means while current is being supplied from said inductive coupling means to said storage capacitor means by shunting current from said voltage source away from said inductive coupling means; and wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means further comprises capacitive means connected to charge during said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, and connected to said transistor means in said semi-conductor oscillator means to prevent the commencement of said first portion of said cycle after the completion of the first portion of the prior cycle and before said inductive feed-back means is operative to energize said transistor means when current is being suppLied by said inductive coupling means to said storage capacitor means, to independently prevent the commencement of the first portion of

Claim 4

A direct current voltage converter, comprising: a. a direct current voltage source; b. storage capacitor means; c. semi-conductor oscillator means driven by said direct current voltage source, and in energizing relation with said storage capacitor means to produce charging current for said storage capacitor means; d. voltage sensing and regulating means comprising glow lamp means, zener diode means and resistance means serially connected across said storage capacitor means, responsive to the voltage across said storage capacitor means to regulate said voltage within a narrow range; and e. inductive coupling means coupled between said semi-conductor oscillator means and said storage capacitor means; wherein during a first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, current is drawn from said direct current voltage source and provided to energize said inductive coupling means, and no charging current is provided to said storage capacitor means, and during a second portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, no current from said direct current voltage source is provided to said inductive coupling means, and charging current is provided from said inductive coupling means to said storage capacitor means; wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means comprises inductive feed-back means inductively coupled to said inductive coupling means and comprising transistor means to prevent the commencement of said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means while current is being supplied from said inductive coupling means to said storage capacitor means by shunting current from said voltage source away from said inductive coupling means; and wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means further comprises capacitive means connected to charge during said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, and connected to said transistor means in said semi-conductor oscillator means to prevent the commencement of said first portion of said cycle after the completion of the first portion of the prior cycle and before said inductive feed-back means is operative to energize said transistor means when current is being suppLied by said inductive coupling means to said storage capacitor means, to independently prevent the commencement of the first portion of

Claim 5

A direct current voltage converter, comprising: a. a direct current voltage source; b. storage capacitor means; c. semi-conductor oscillator means driven by said direct current voltage source, and in energizing relation with said storage capacitor means to produce charging current for said storage capacitor means; d. voltage sensing and regulating means comprising glow lamp means, zener diode means and resistance means serially connected across said storage capacitor means, responsive to the voltage across said storage capacitor means to regulate said voltage within a narrow range; and e. inductive coupling means coupled between said semi-conductor oscillator means and said storage capacitor means; wherein during a first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, current is drawn from said direct current voltage source and provided to energize said inductive coupling means, and no charging current is provided to said storage capacitor means, and during a second portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, no current from said direct current voltage source is provided to said inductive coupling means, and charging current is provided from said inductive coupling means to said storage capacitor means; wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means comprises switching means to control the frequency of oscillation of said semi-conductor oscillator means; and wherein said switching means is operable to switch the capacitance within said semi-conductor oscillator means.

Claim 6

A direct current voltage converter, comprising: a. a direct current voltage source; b. storage capacitor means; c. semi-conductor oscillator means driven by said direct current voltage source, and in energizing relation with said storage capacitor means to produce charging current for said storage capacitor means; d. voltage sensing and regulating means comprising glow lamp means, zener diode means and resistance means serially connected across said storage capacitor means, responsive to the voltage across said storage capacitor means to regulate said voltage within a narrow range; and e. inductive coupling means coupled between said semi-conductor oscillator means and said storage capacitor means; wherein during a first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, current is drawn from said direct current voltage source and provided to energize said inductive coupling means, and no charging current is provided to said storage capacitor means, and during a second portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, no current from said direct current voltage source is provided to said inductive coupling means, and charging current is provided from said inductive coupling means to said storage capacitor means; wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means comprises switching means to control the frequency of oscillation of said semi-conductor oscillator means; and wherein said switching means is operable to switch the capacitance within said semi-conductor oscillator means.

Claim 7

A voltage converter, comprising: a. storage capacitor means; b. semi-conductor oscillator means responsive to a unidirectional power source, and in energizing relation with said storage capacitor means to produce charging current for said storage capacitor means; c. voltage sensing and regulating means responsive to the voltage across said storage capacitor means to regulate said voltage within a narrow range; and d. inductive coupling means coupled between said semi-conductor oscillator means and said storage capacitor means and comprising a first inductive winding and a second inductive winding, wherein during a first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, current is provided to energize said first winding of said inductive coupling means and no charging current is provided to said storage capacitor means from said second winding of said inductive coupling means, and during a second portion of a cycle of said oscillator means, no current is provided to said first winding from said oscillator means, and charging current is provided from said second winding to said storage capacitor means; and wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means comprises a transistor switching means and inductive feedback means inductively coupled to said first winding of said inductive coupling means and responsive to changes in the current flowing through said first winding, to prevent the commencement of said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means while current is being supplied from said second winding of said inductive coupling means to said storage capacitor means, by energizing said transistor switching means when current ceases to be supplied to said first winding of said inductive coupling means from said semi-conductor oscillator means, to shunt current away from said first winding of said inductive coupling means; and wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means further comprises variable resistance means to control the duration of said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means.

Claim 8

A voltage converter, comprising: a. storage capacitor means; b. semi-conductor oscillator means responsive to a unidirectional power source, and in energizing relation with said storage capacitor means to produce charging current for said storage capacitor means; c. voltage sensing and regulating means responsive to the voltage across said storage capacitor means to regulate said voltage within a narrow range; and d. inductive coupling means coupled between said semi-conductor oscillator means and said storage capacitor means and comprising a first inductive winding and a second inductive winding, wherein during a first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, current is provided to energize said first winding of said inductive coupling means and no charging current is provided to said storage capacitor means from said second winding of said inductive coupling means, and during a second portion of a cycle of said oscillator means, no current is provided to said first winding from said oscillator means, and charging current is provided from said second winding to said storage capacitor means; and wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means comprises a transistor switching means and inductive feedback means inductively coupled to said first winding of said inductive coupling means and responsive to changes in the current flowing through said first winding, to prevent the commencement of said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means while current is being supplied from said second winding of said inductive coupling means to said storage capacitor means, by energizing said transistor switching means when current ceases to be supplied to said first winding of said inductive coupling means from said semi-conductor oscillator means, to shunt current away from said first winding of said inductive coupling means; and wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means further comprises variable resistance means to control the duration of said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means.

Claim 9

A voltage converter, comprising: a. storage capacitor means; b. semi-conductor oscillator means responsive to a unidirectional power source, and in energizing relation with said storage capacitor means to produce charging current for said storage caPacitor means; c. voltage sensing and regulating means responsive to the voltage across said storage capacitor means to regulate said voltage within a narrow range; and d. inductive coupling means coupled between said semi-conductor oscillator means and said storage capacitor means and comprising a first inductive winding and a second inductive winding, wherein during a first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, current is provided to energize said first winding of said inductive coupling means and no charging current is provided to said storage capacitor means from said second winding of said inductive coupling means, and during a second portion of a cycle of said oscillator means, no current is provided to said first winding from said oscillator means, and charging current is provided from said second winding to said storage capacitor means; wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means comprises a transistor switching means and inductive feed-back means inductively coupled to said first winding of said inductive coupling means and responsive to changes in the current flowing through said first winding, to prevent the commencement of said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means while current is being supplied from said second winding of said inductive coupling means to said storage capacitor means, by energizing said transistor switching means when current ceases to be supplied to said first winding of said inductive coupling means from said semi-conductor oscillator means, to shunt current away from said first winding of said inductive coupling means, and wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means further comprises variable capacitance means to control the frequency of oscillation of said semi-conductor oscillator means.

Claim 10

A voltage converter, comprising: a. storage capacitor means; b. semi-conductor oscillator means responsive to a unidirectional power source, and in energizing relation with said storage capacitor means to produce charging current for said storage caPacitor means; c. voltage sensing and regulating means responsive to the voltage across said storage capacitor means to regulate said voltage within a narrow range; and d. inductive coupling means coupled between said semi-conductor oscillator means and said storage capacitor means and comprising a first inductive winding and a second inductive winding, wherein during a first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, current is provided to energize said first winding of said inductive coupling means and no charging current is provided to said storage capacitor means from said second winding of said inductive coupling means, and during a second portion of a cycle of said oscillator means, no current is provided to said first winding from said oscillator means, and charging current is provided from said second winding to said storage capacitor means; wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means comprises a transistor switching means and inductive feed-back means inductively coupled to said first winding of said inductive coupling means and responsive to changes in the current flowing through said first winding, to prevent the commencement of said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means while current is being supplied from said second winding of said inductive coupling means to said storage capacitor means, by energizing said transistor switching means when current ceases to be supplied to said first winding of said inductive coupling means from said semi-conductor oscillator means, to shunt current away from said first winding of said inductive coupling means, and wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means further comprises variable capacitance means to control the frequency of oscillation of said semi-conductor oscillator means.

Claim 11

A voltage converter, comprising: a. storage capacitor means; b. semi-conductor oscillator means responsive to a unidirectional power source, and in energizing relation with said storage capacitor means to produce charging current for said storage capacitor means; c. voltage sensing and regulating means responsive to the voltage across said storage capacitor means to regulate said voltage within a narrow range; and d. inductive coupling means coupled between said semi-conductor oscillator means and said storage capacitor means and comprising a first inductive winding and a second inductive winding, wherein during a first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, current is provided to energize said first winding of said inductive coupling means and no charging current is provided to said storage capacitor means from said second winding of said inductive coupling means, and during a second portion of a cycle of said oscillator means, no current is provided to said first winding from said oscillator means, and charging current is provided from said second winding to said storage capacitor means; wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means comprises a transistor switching means and inductive feed-back means inductively coupled to said first winding of said inductive coupling means and responsive to changes in the current flowing through said first winding, to prevent the commencement of said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means while current is being supplied from said second winding of said inductive coupling means to said storage capacitor means, by energizing said transistor switching means when current ceases to be supplied to said first winding of said inductive coupling means from said semi-conductor oscillator means, to shunt current away from said first winding of said inductive coupling means.

Claim 12

A voltage converter, comprising: a. storage capacitor means; b. semi-conductor oscillator means responsive to a unidirectional power source, and in energizing relation with said storage capacitor means to produce charging current for said storage capacitor means; c. voltage sensing and regulating means responsive to the voltage across said storage capacitor means to regulate said voltage within a narrow range; and d. inductive coupling means coupled between said semi-conductor oscillator means and said storage capacitor means and comprising a first inductive winding and a second inductive winding, wherein during a first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, current is provided to energize said first winding of said inductive coupling means and no charging current is provided to said storage capacitor means from said second winding of said inductive coupling means, and during a second portion of a cycle of said oscillator means, no current is provided to said first winding from said oscillator means, and charging current is provided from said second winding to said storage capacitor means; wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means comprises a transistor switching means and inductive feed-back means inductively coupled to said first winding of said inductive coupling means and responsive to changes in the current flowing through said first winding, to prevent the commencement of said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means while current is being supplied from said second winding of said inductive coupling means to said storage capacitor means, by energizing said transistor switching means when current ceases to be supplied to said first winding of said inductive coupling means from said semi-conductor oscillator means, to shunt current away from said first winding of said inductive coupling means.

Claim 13

A voltage converter as in claim 6 wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means further comprises capacitive means connected to charge during said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, and also connected to said transistor switching means in said semi-conductor oscillator means to energize said tranSistor switching means to prevent the commencement of said first portion of said cycle after the completion of the first portion of a prior cycle and before said inductive feed-back means is operative.

Claim 14

A voltage converter, comprising: a. storage capacitor means; b. semi-conductor oscillator means responsive to a unidirectional power source, and in energizing relation with said storage capacitor means to produce charging current for said storage capacitor means; c. voltage sensing and regulating means responsive to the voltage across said storage capacitor means to regulate said voltage within a narrow range; and d. inductive coupling means coupled between said semi-conductor oscillator means and said storage capacitor means and comprising a first inductive winding and a second inductive winding, wherein during a first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, current is provided to energize said first winding of said inductive coupling means and no charging current is provided to said storage capacitor means from said second winding of said inductive coupling means, and during a second portion of a cycle of said oscillator means, no current is provided to said first winding from said oscillator means, and charging current is provided from said second winding to said storage capacitor means; wherein said voltage sensing and regulating means comprises transistor switching means and a circuit connected across said storage capacitor means, said circuit comprising serially connected glow lamp means and zener diode means, whereby energy is discharged from said storage capacitor means through said circuit when and so long as the voltage across said storage capacitor means is sufficient to cause said glow lamp means and said zener diode means to conduct current, and wherein said transistor switching means is responsive to current flowing through said circuit to shunt current away from said first winding of said inductive coupling means to prevent the commencement of said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means when said glow lamp means and zener diode means are conducting.

Claim 15

A voltage converter, comprising: a. storage capacitor means; b. semi-conductor oscillator means responsive to a unidirectional power source, and in energizing relation with said storage capacitor means to produce charging current for said storage capacitor means; c. voltage sensing and regulating means responsive to the voltage across said storage capacitor means to regulate said voltage within a narrow range; and d. inductive coupling means coupled between said semi-conductor oscillator means and said storage capacitor means and comprising a first inductive winding and a second inductive winding, wherein during a first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, current is provided to energize said first winding of said inductive coupling means and no charging current is provided to said storage capacitor means from said second winding of said inductive coupling means, and during a second portion of a cycle of said oscillator means, no current is provided to said first winding from said oscillator means, and charging current is provided from said second winding to said storage capacitor means; wherein said voltage sensing and regulating means comprises transistor switching means and a circuit connected across said storage capacitor means, said circuit comprising serially connected glow lamp means and zener diode means, whereby energy is discharged from said storage capacitor means through said circuit when and so long as the voltage across said storage capacitor means is sufficient to cause said glow lamp means and said zener diode means to conduct current, and wherein said transistor switching means is responsive to current flowing through said circuit to shunt current away from said first winding of said inductive coupling means to prevent the commencement of said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means when said glow lamp means and zener diode means are conducting.

Claim 16

An electronic photoflash apparatus, comprising: a. a battery; b. storage capacitor means; c. semi-conductor oscillator means responsive to said battery and in energizing relation with said storage capacitor means to produce charging current fro said storage capacitor means; d. voltage sensing and regulating means responsive to the voltage across said storage capacitor means to regulate said voltage within a narrow range; e. inductive coupling means coupled between said semi-conductor oscillator means and said storage capacitor means and comprising a first inductive winding and a second inductive winding, wherein during a first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, current is provided to energize said first winding of said inductive coupling means and no charging current is provided to said storage capacitor means, and during a second portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means no current is provided to said first winding from said semi-conductor oscillator means, and charging current is provided from said second winding to said storage capacitor means; and f. flashtube means, connected to said storage capacitor means; wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means comprises a transistor switching means and inductive feed-back means inductively coupled to said first winding of said inductive coupling means and responsive to changes in the current flowing through said first winding, to prevent the commencement of said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means while current is being supplied from said second winding of said inductive coupling means to said storage capacitor means, by energizing said transistor switching means when current ceases to be supplied to said first winding of said inductive coupling means from said semi-conductor oscillator means, to shunT current away from said first winding of said inductive coupling means.

Claim 17

An electronic photoflash apparatus, comprising: a. a battery; b. storage capacitor means; c. semi-conductor oscillator means responsive to said battery and in energizing relation with said storage capacitor means to produce charging current fro said storage capacitor means; d. voltage sensing and regulating means responsive to the voltage across said storage capacitor means to regulate said voltage within a narrow range; e. inductive coupling means coupled between said semi-conductor oscillator means and said storage capacitor means and comprising a first inductive winding and a second inductive winding, wherein during a first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, current is provided to energize said first winding of said inductive coupling means and no charging current is provided to said storage capacitor means, and during a second portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means no current is provided to said first winding from said semi-conductor oscillator means, and charging current is provided from said second winding to said storage capacitor means; and f. flashtube means, connected to said storage capacitor means; wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means comprises a transistor switching means and inductive feed-back means inductively coupled to said first winding of said inductive coupling means and responsive to changes in the current flowing through said first winding, to prevent the commencement of said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means while current is being supplied from said second winding of said inductive coupling means to said storage capacitor means, by energizing said transistor switching means when current ceases to be supplied to said first winding of said inductive coupling means from said semi-conductor oscillator means, to shunT current away from said first winding of said inductive coupling means.

Claim 18

A photoflash apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means further comprises capacitive means connected to charge during said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, and also connected to said transistor switching means in said semi-conductor oscillator means to energize said transistor switching means to prevent the commencement of said first portion of said cycle after the completion of the first portion of a prior cycle and before said inductive feed-back means is operative.

Claim 19

An electronic photoflash apparatus, comprising: a. a battery; b. storage capacitor means; c. semi-conductor oscillator means responsive to said battery and in energizing relation with said storage capacitor means to produce charging current for said storage capacitor means; d. voltage sensing and regulating means responsive to the voltage across said storage capacitor means to regulate said voltage within a narrow range; e. inductive coupling means coupled between said semi-conductor oscillator means and said storage capacitor means and comprising a first inductive winding and a second inductive winding, wherein during a first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, current is provided to energize said first winding of said inductive coupling means and no charging current is provided to said storage capacitor means, and during a second portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means no current is provided to said first winding from said semi-conductor oscillator means, and charging current is provided from said second winding to said storage capacitor means; and f. flashtube means, connected to said storage capacitor means; wherein said voltage sensing and regulating means comprises transistor switching means and a circuit connected across said storage capacitor means, said circuit comprising serially connected glow lamp means and zener diode means, whereby energy is discharged from said storage capacitor means through said circuit when and so long as the voltage across said storage capacitor means is sufficient to cause said glow lamp means and said zener diode means to conduct current, and wherein said transistor switching means is responsive to current flowing through said circuit to shunt current away from said first winding of said inductive coupling means to prevent the commencement of said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means when said glow lamp means and zener diode means are conducting.

Claim 20

An electronic photoflash apparatus, comprising: a. a battery; b. storage capacitor means; c. semi-conductor oscillator means responsive to said battery and in energizing relation with said storage capacitor means to produce charging current for said storage capacitor means; d. voltage sensing and regulating means responsive to the voltage across said storage capacitor means to regulate said voltage within a narrow range; e. inductive coupling means coupled between said semi-conductor oscillator means and said storage capacitor means and comprising a first inductive winding and a second inductive winding, wherein during a first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means, current is provided to energize said first winding of said inductive coupling means and no charging current is provided to said storage capacitor means, and during a second portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means no current is provided to said first winding from said semi-conductor oscillator means, and charging current is provided from said second winding to said storage capacitor means; and f. flashtube means, connected to said storage capacitor means; wherein said voltage sensing and regulating means comprises transistor switching means and a circuit connected across said storage capacitor means, said circuit comprising serially connected glow lamp means and zener diode means, whereby energy is discharged from said storage capacitor means through said circuit when and so long as the voltage across said storage capacitor means is sufficient to cause said glow lamp means and said zener diode means to conduct current, and wherein said transistor switching means is responsive to current flowing through said circuit to shunt current away from said first winding of said inductive coupling means to prevent the commencement of said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means when said glow lamp means and zener diode means are conducting.

Claim 21

A photoflash apparatus as in claim 11, wherein said semi-conductor oscillator means comprises variable resistance means to control the duration of said first portion of a cycle of said semi-conductor oscillator means.

Claim 22

A photoflash apparatus as in claim 12, wherein said flash tube means comprises a flash tube and switching means adapted to be attached to a camera so that energy is provided from said storage capacitor means to cause said flash tube to flash synchronously with operation of the camera shutter.

Claim 23

A photoflash apparatus as in claim 13, further comprising second zener diode means, the cathode of said second zener diode means being serially connected to the positive terminal of said battery to prevent current from being drawn from said battery when the voltage of the battery falls below a certain value.