US3873962A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aircraft warning lamp system
Assignee: SYMBOLIC DISPLAYS Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1973-11-28
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-11-28
Abstract
Abstract An aircraft warning lamp system is disclosed herein which utilizes the aircraft''s alternating current power supply for its control as well as its power. A combination of integrated circuits and discrete components break down the cyclical signal of the power supply by causing a digital counter to divide the 400 cycle input into a usable control pulse for flashing high intensity warning lamps. A series of anti-collision flashing light modules contain a high voltage power supply to operate a xenon flash tube by means of a pulse derived from the alternating current by a timing and synchronization circuit. The module produces simultaneous flashing of the units, or alternate operation of each flashing unit with or without the navigation lights. The operation of the flash tubes is cyclical and continues as long as there is a power input. The entire system provides a single wire connection to the flash tubes without the requirement of rewiring the aircraft or providing substantial control circuits at various portions extrinsic to the power supply.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederich W Eggers
- 👤 Gerald K Brewer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:00
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/30; H05B41/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
An aircraft warning lamp system adapted to function with an alternating current power supply from said aircraft comprising: means adapted to connect said system to the alternating source of current from said aircraft; A power supply module connected to said alternating current connection means; means connected to said power supply module for dividing the cyclical fluctuations of said alternating current for purposes of providing signal pulses; and, a high intensity light connected to and adapted to be driven by said power supply when triggered by said dividing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
An aircraft warning lamp system adapted to function with an alternating current power supply from said aircraft comprising: means adapted to connect said system to the alternating source of current from said aircraft; A power supply module connected to said alternating current connection means; means connected to said power supply module for dividing the cyclical fluctuations of said alternating current for purposes of providing signal pulses; and, a high intensity light connected to and adapted to be driven by said power supply when triggered by said dividing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The aircraft warning lamp system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for dividing the cyclical alternating current comprises: a flip-flop in combination with a second flip-flop connected through Said source of alternating current
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An aircraft warning lamp system as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: means to limit the current within said power supply module.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The aircraft warning lamp system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said current limiting means comprise: a capacitor in combination with at least one diode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The aircraft warning lamp system as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: a Schmitt trigger for substantially squaring the wave form of said alternating current prior to the signal therefrom being introduced to said flip-flops.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The aircraft warning lamp system as claimed in claim 5 further comprising: a voltage multiplying means connected to said power supply module comprising at least two diodes and a capacitor; and, a capacitor for storing energy connected to said voltage multiplying means for providing a voltage to said high intensity lights.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The aircraft warning lamp system as claimed in claim 6 further comprising: a trigger wire adjacent said high intensity light connected to said flip-flop circuit which provides the timing means for purposes of providing a signal and trigger wire to ionize the gas in said high intensity lights.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: a plurality of high intensity lights connected to said power supply; and, switching means for causing one or both of said high intensity lights to function.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: an incandescent bulb mounted in combination with said high intensity lights for providing an incandescent light and a flashing light driven from the same power supply module.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system as claimed in claim 7 further comprising: a separable head containing said high intensity light for electrical connection to said power supply module.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system claimed in claim 5 wherein: said alternating current source is provided from an aircraft generator having approximately a 400 cycle 115 volt or less output; and, said flip-flop circuits divide said 400 cycles to provide a cyclical signal of 4 cycles or less per second.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
95 words
The combination of an aircraft having an alternating current power supply and a warning lamp system wherein at least one of said warning lamps is a flashing high intensity lamp comprising: a power module adapted to be connected to the existing wires of said aircraft which serve the previously existing lamps of said aircraft; a high intensity lamp adapted to be powered by the alternating current delivered to said power module; and, means within said power module for dividing the cyclical changes of said alternating current into pulses for sequentially flashing the high intensity lamps.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
95 words
The combination of an aircraft having an alternating current power supply and a warning lamp system wherein at least one of said warning lamps is a flashing high intensity lamp comprising: a power module adapted to be connected to the existing wires of said aircraft which serve the previously existing lamps of said aircraft; a high intensity lamp adapted to be powered by the alternating current delivered to said power module; and, means within said power module for dividing the cyclical changes of said alternating current into pulses for sequentially flashing the high intensity lamps.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination as claimed in claim 12 further comprising: a plurality of high intensity lamps for service in said aircraft.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination as claimed in claim 13 further comprising: a switch for alternately lighting said high intensity lamp.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination as claimed in claim 12 wherein said cyclical division means comprise: at least one flip-flop circuit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination as claimed in claim 12 further comprising: a circuit for squaring the wave form of said alternating current interconnected between said cyclical division means so that the input thereto is a substantially squared wave form.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system as claimed in claim 12 further comprising: a voltage multiplier; and, storage capacitors connected to said voltage multiplier and said high intensity lamps for providing power thereto.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination as claimed in claim 14 wherein said switching comprises: a diode matrix; and, means to select between said diode matrix and a second source of power to said power module.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination as claimed in claim 18 wherein said diode matrix comprises: a plurality of diodes in parallel with a lesser amount of diodes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
THe combination as claimed in claim 19 wherein: said flip-flops are connected to said diode matrix and controlled from an operative mode to a reset mode by said diode matrix.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination as claimed in claim 20 further comprising: a transistorized switching means between said diode matrix and said flip-flops for causing said flip-flops to be placed in a reset or operative condition.
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) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |