US3887836A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical driver circuit
Assignee: CGEE ALSTHOM NORTH AMERICA Inc
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Filing: 1973-09-20
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1993-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A light-emitting diode is connected through a capacitor to a d-c power supply from which the capacitor accumulates a charge. A thyristor is connected in parallel with the capacitor and the light-emitting diode, and when a control signal is applied to its gate the thyristor turns on and discharges the capacitor through the light-emitting diode which emits a light signal. A commutating circuit responsive to turn on of the thyristor turns off the thyristor after a predetermined time interval.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard D Leete
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:38
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B45/00; H05B45/30; H05B45/37; H05B47/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
In combination: a. a source of light comprising at least one element which when energized by an appropriate electrical input signal causes said source to issue an optical output signal; b. a first capacitor; c. means for coupling said capacitor in series circuit relationship with said element to a d-c power supply from which said capacitor accumulates a charge; d. controllable switching means connected in parallel with said element and said first capacitor; e. means responsive to a control signal for turning on said switching means, whereupon said capacitor discharges through both said switching means and said element, the capacitor discharge current serving as said input signal for said element; f. a series combiNation of an inductor and a second capacitor connected in parallel with said first capacitor, said series combination introducing a ringing action in response to turnon of said switching means so as to turn off said switching means after a predetermined time delay, whereupon said d-c power supply recharges said capacitor; and g. a diode connected across said element and poled to conduct capacitor charging current.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
In combination: a. a source of light comprising at least one element which when energized by an appropriate electrical input signal causes said source to issue an optical output signal; b. a first capacitor; c. means for coupling said capacitor in series circuit relationship with said element to a d-c power supply from which said capacitor accumulates a charge; d. controllable switching means connected in parallel with said element and said first capacitor; e. means responsive to a control signal for turning on said switching means, whereupon said capacitor discharges through both said switching means and said element, the capacitor discharge current serving as said input signal for said element; f. a series combiNation of an inductor and a second capacitor connected in parallel with said first capacitor, said series combination introducing a ringing action in response to turnon of said switching means so as to turn off said switching means after a predetermined time delay, whereupon said d-c power supply recharges said capacitor; and g. a diode connected across said element and poled to conduct capacitor charging current.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
179 words
In combination: a. a source of light comprising at least one element which when energized by an appropriate electrical input signal causes said source to issue an optical output signal; b. a first capacitor; c. means for coupling said capacitor in series circuit relationship with said element to a d-c power supply from which said capacitor accumulates a charge; d. controllable switching means connected in parallel with said element and said first capacitor; e. means responsive to a control signal for turning on said switching means, whereupon said capacitor discharges through both said switching means and said element, the capacitor discharge current serving as said input signal for said element; f. a series combiNation of an inductor and a second capacitor connected in parallel with said first capacitor, said series combination introducing a ringing action in response to turnon of said switching means so as to turn off said switching means after a predetermined time delay, whereupon said d-c power supply recharges said capacitor; and g. a diode connected across said element and poled to conduct capacitor charging current.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
179 words
In combination: a. a source of light comprising at least one element which when energized by an appropriate electrical input signal causes said source to issue an optical output signal; b. a first capacitor; c. means for coupling said capacitor in series circuit relationship with said element to a d-c power supply from which said capacitor accumulates a charge; d. controllable switching means connected in parallel with said element and said first capacitor; e. means responsive to a control signal for turning on said switching means, whereupon said capacitor discharges through both said switching means and said element, the capacitor discharge current serving as said input signal for said element; f. a series combiNation of an inductor and a second capacitor connected in parallel with said first capacitor, said series combination introducing a ringing action in response to turnon of said switching means so as to turn off said switching means after a predetermined time delay, whereupon said d-c power supply recharges said capacitor; and g. a diode connected across said element and poled to conduct capacitor charging current.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said element is a light-emitting diode poled to conduct capacitor discharge current.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 2 in which a resistor is connected in series with said light-emitting diode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination of claim 2 in which said source of light comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes connected in a parallel array, a plurality of resistors are respectively connected in series with the light-emitting diodes in said array, and said capacitor is disposed in series with said array.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said controllable switching means is a thyristor having an anode, a cathode, and a gate to which a gate pulse is supplied in response to said control signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The combination of claim 5 further comprising a diode having an anode connected to the cathode of said thyristor and a cathode connected to said gate, and means for normally forward biasing said diode so as to maintain a relatively negative bias on said gate in the absence of said control signal, whereby the possibility of undesired turn on of said switching means by electrical noise is minimized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 5 further comprising a zener diode connected between said gate and the cathode of said thyristor so as to prevent excessive potential on said gate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said coupling means includes said inductor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3373315A
Cited
US3591829A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |