US3909668A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable duty cycle arc lamp modulator
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1966-12-22
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1986-12-22
Abstract
Abstract The disclosed variable arc lamp modulator comprises a bistable switch connected in series with an arc lamp and a power supply. The switch is triggered ON (closed) by a series of pulses of constant frequency from a clock pulse generator, and the switch is triggered OFF (open) by a series of pulses from another pulse generator. The time interval between the ON and OFF pulses is varied in accordance with the impedance of the arc lamp as detected by a current integrator and a level sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Laakmann
- 👤 Charles U Boutin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:23
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/30; H05B41/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for controlling the supply of power from a power source to an arc lamp comprising: an arc lamp; a power supply connected to said arc lamp; a bistable switch connected in series with the lamp and the power supply having an ON state in which the power supply is electrically connected to the arc lamp and an OFF state in which the power supply is not electrically connected to the arc lamp; first means to supply first electrical pulses to the switch at regular intervals to trigger the switch into the ON state; and second means to supply second electrical pulses to the switch to trigger the switch into the OFF state, said second means comprising a current integrator for sensing current flow through the arc lamp and pulse generating means for generating the second pulses when a predetermined value of the time integral of the sensed current is provided by the integrator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for controlling the supply of power from a power source to an arc lamp comprising: an arc lamp; a power supply connected to said arc lamp; a bistable switch connected in series with the lamp and the power supply having an ON state in which the power supply is electrically connected to the arc lamp and an OFF state in which the power supply is not electrically connected to the arc lamp; first means to supply first electrical pulses to the switch at regular intervals to trigger the switch into the ON state; and second means to supply second electrical pulses to the switch to trigger the switch into the OFF state, said second means comprising a current integrator for sensing current flow through the arc lamp and pulse generating means for generating the second pulses when a predetermined value of the time integral of the sensed current is provided by the integrator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 in which the pulse generating means comprises: level sensor means connected to the current integrator for receiving from the current integrator a signal corresponding to the time integral of current which has passed through the arc lamp, and for generating an electrical pulse when the signal from the current integrator reaches a predetermined value; and a turn-off pulse generator connected between the level sensor and the switch for delivering a pulse to the switch when the generator receives a stimulus from the level sensor to trigger the switch into the OFF state.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
73 words
The method of controlling the supply of power from a power supply to an arc lamp comprising: providing a switch in series with said arc lamp; closing said switch at pRedetermined time intervals; integrating, with respect to time, the amount of current which flows through said arc lamp each time said switch closes; and opening said switch when the time integral of current which passes through said arc lamp reaches a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
73 words
The method of controlling the supply of power from a power supply to an arc lamp comprising: providing a switch in series with said arc lamp; closing said switch at pRedetermined time intervals; integrating, with respect to time, the amount of current which flows through said arc lamp each time said switch closes; and opening said switch when the time integral of current which passes through said arc lamp reaches a predetermined value.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
69 words
The method of controlling the supply of power from a power supply to an arc lamp comprising: initiating a flow of current from said power supply to said arc lamp at intermittent time intervals; integrating the amount of current which passes through said arc lamp each time said flow of current is initiated; and interrupting said flow of current when the time integral of current reaches a predetermined value.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
69 words
The method of controlling the supply of power from a power supply to an arc lamp comprising: initiating a flow of current from said power supply to said arc lamp at intermittent time intervals; integrating the amount of current which passes through said arc lamp each time said flow of current is initiated; and interrupting said flow of current when the time integral of current reaches a predetermined value.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3265930A
Cited
US3278800A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |