US4164686A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Load current pulse control devices
Assignee: Vivitar Corp
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Filing: 1975-08-22
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Granted: 1979-08-14
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Expires: 1995-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A device for controlling the termination of light emission by a flash device including means for detecting the light reflected from the subject being illuminated by the flash, integrating means connected to the detecting means for providing a flash termination signal when the total amount of light received by the detecting means reaches a predetermined value, and flash termination means connected to the integrating device and to the flash device for terminating the delivery of electrical energy to the flash device when the signal from the integrating device reaches its predetermined value. The flash termination device is preferably constituted by a novel gas-filled, arc-producing element having identical, unpolarized electrodes and an internal or external triggering electrode.
Inventors
- 👤 Zoltan Vital
- 👤 Jean Orban
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:04
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/05; G03B15/04; G03B15/0452; H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/30; H05B41/32; H05B41/325; G03B2215/00; G03B2215/05; G03B2215/0514; G03B2215/0517; G03B2215/0525; G03B2215/0528
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
In a device for controlling the delivery of discharge current pulses from a storage capacitor to a flash tube in an electronic photoflash member, the device including an electronic switch connected with the flash tube for terminating the delivery of current to the flash tube, the improvement wherein said device comprises an integrator circuit, including a light sensor disposed to receive light produced by said flash tube, said integrator circuit being connected to produce a signal proportional to the time integral of the energy delivered to said flash tube by each such current pulse and to operate said electronic switch when such time integral reaches a predetermined value, and a manually adjustable optical element disposed in the path of light received by said sensor for varying the proportion of the light produced by said tube which is received by said sensor for causing the amplitude of the input signal delivered to said integrator circuit to be a predetermined proportion of the amplitude of the current delivered to said flash tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
In a device for controlling the delivery of discharge current pulses from a storage capacitor to a flash tube in an electronic photoflash member, the device including an electronic switch connected with the flash tube for terminating the delivery of current to the flash tube, the improvement wherein said device comprises an integrator circuit, including a light sensor disposed to receive light produced by said flash tube, said integrator circuit being connected to produce a signal proportional to the time integral of the energy delivered to said flash tube by each such current pulse and to operate said electronic switch when such time integral reaches a predetermined value, and a manually adjustable optical element disposed in the path of light received by said sensor for varying the proportion of the light produced by said tube which is received by said sensor for causing the amplitude of the input signal delivered to said integrator circuit to be a predetermined proportion of the amplitude of the current delivered to said flash tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a device for controlling the delivery of discharge current pulses from a storage capacitor to a load and including an electronic switch constituted by a gas-filled, arc-producing device connected with the load and arranged to function by producing a current arc, with attendant energy emission, for terminating the delivery of the current to the load, the improvement comprising means for providing a visible indication viewable from outside said device that said control device has functioned, said means including an energy conductor having one end disposed adjacent, and in energy receiving relation to, said gas-filled device, and a photoemission material for emitting light in response to the energy emitted by said gas-filled device during production of a current arc disposed adjacent the other end of said energy conductor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a device for controlling the delivery of discharge current pulses from a storage capacitor to a load and including an electronic switch constituted by a gas-filled, arc-producing device connected with the load and arranged to function by producing a current arc, with attendant energy emission, for terminating the delivery of the current to the load, the improvement comprising means for providing a visible indication viewable from outside said device that said control device has functioned, said means including an energy conductor having one end disposed adjacent, and in energy receiving relation to, said gas-filled device, and a photoemission material for emitting light in response to the energy emitted by said gas-filled device during production of a current arc disposed adjacent the other end of said energy conductor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a device for controlling the delivery of discharge current from a storage capacitor to a light producing load, and including an electronic switch connected with the load for terminating the delivery of current to the load, the improvement comprising integrator circuit means including a light sensor arranged to receive light from said load and connected to produce a signal proportional to the light received thereby and to operate said electronic switch when said signal reaches a predetermined value, means connecting said integrator circuit means to said electronic switch for causing said electronic switch to terminate the delivery of current to said load when said signal from said integrator circuit means reaches said predetermined value, and manually adjustable means for controlling the amount of light from said load which reaches said light sensor, said manually adjustable means including aperture means disposed between said load and said light sensor, and said aperture means being selectively adjustable to vary the amount of light from said load reaching said light sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a device for controlling the delivery of discharge current from a storage capacitor to a light producing load, and including an electronic switch connected with the load for terminating the delivery of current to the load, the improvement comprising integrator circuit means including a light sensor arranged to receive light from said load and connected to produce a signal proportional to the light received thereby and to operate said electronic switch when said signal reaches a predetermined value, means connecting said integrator circuit means to said electronic switch for causing said electronic switch to terminate the delivery of current to said load when said signal from said integrator circuit means reaches said predetermined value, and manually adjustable means for controlling the amount of light from said load which reaches said light sensor, said manually adjustable means including aperture means disposed between said load and said light sensor, and said aperture means being selectively adjustable to vary the amount of light from said load reaching said light sensor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as in claim 3 wherein said aperture means includes an aperture disc having a plurality of apertures therein for selectively regulating the amount of light from said load reaching said light sensor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as in claim 4 wherein said aperture disc includes a plurality of filters disposed in said apertures.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
148 words
In a device for controlling the delivery of discharge current from a storage capacitor to a light producing load, and including an electronic switch constituted by a gas-filled, arc-producing device connected with the load and arranged to function by producing a current arc, with attendant energy emission, for terminating the delivery of current to the load, the improvement comprising integrator circuit means connected with said electronic switch for operating said electronic switch, and indicating means responsive to operation of said electronic switch for providing a visual indication that said electronic switch has been operated, said indicating means comprising an energy conductor having one end disposed adjacent, and in energy receiving relation to, said gas-filled device containing photoemission material a device for emitting light in response to the energy emitted by said gas-filled device during production of a current arc disposed adjacent the other end of said energy conductor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
148 words
In a device for controlling the delivery of discharge current from a storage capacitor to a light producing load, and including an electronic switch constituted by a gas-filled, arc-producing device connected with the load and arranged to function by producing a current arc, with attendant energy emission, for terminating the delivery of current to the load, the improvement comprising integrator circuit means connected with said electronic switch for operating said electronic switch, and indicating means responsive to operation of said electronic switch for providing a visual indication that said electronic switch has been operated, said indicating means comprising an energy conductor having one end disposed adjacent, and in energy receiving relation to, said gas-filled device containing photoemission material a device for emitting light in response to the energy emitted by said gas-filled device during production of a current arc disposed adjacent the other end of said energy conductor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-08-13 | 1983-02-12 | 1983-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-08-13 | 1987-02-12 | 1987-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-08-13 | 1991-02-12 | 1991-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |