Static charge detector having fail-safe voltage surge protection means

Claim 1

In a static charge detector including receptor means for detecting a signal, neon tube means for grounding a signal in excess of a predetermined voltage, a gating field effect transistor receiving a signal of voltage between predetermined limits below said predetermined voltage, an emitter follower connected to the emitter of said field effect transistor, a switching transistor controlled by said emitter follower, an oscillating transistor controlled by said switching transistor, a transformer receiving the output of said oscillating transistor, and an audible transducer receiving the output of said transformer, the improvement comprising: improved means for preventing excessive voltage surges as a result of failure of said transformer during use, said means comprising first and second pairs of Zener diodes, each connected in parallel with the output of said transformer, said pairs of transistors being mutually interconnected to provide multiple paths, to enable the same to function upon the simultaneous failure of not more than two of said Zener diodes.