US4404498A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiplex strobe light
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-03-05
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Granted: 1983-09-13
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Expires: 2001-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A multiplex strobe light in which several ionized gas flash tubes are fed in parallel from a common power and trigger circuit. The common power circuit has a capacitor which is connected across a charging voltage and all of the flash tubes. The common trigger circuit has an SCR gated on by a zener when the charge on the capacitor reaches the desired voltage. Each flash tube has its own transformer with the secondary connected to its control electrode and the primary connected to a capacitor discharged through the SCR so the flash tubes are turned on simultaneously and share the power capacitor discharge.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Spiteri
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:08
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/30; H05B41/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for the simultaneous energization of a plurality of gas discharge lamps each having an anode, a cathode and a control electrode, said apparatus comprising: capacitive discharge means for storing electric energy and releasing the stored electric energy to the anodes and cathodes of the lamps, trigger capacitor means for storing electric energy and releasing the stored electric energy to the control electrodes and cathodes of the lamps, each lamp having a transformer with a secondary winding connected across its control electrode and its cathode and a primary winding connected across said trigger capacitor means, circuit means for providing electric energy to said capacitive discharge means and to said trigger capacitor means, circuit means for connecting the primary windings in parallel with each other and in series with the trigger capacitor means and for connecting each secondary winding individually to its control electrode, and switch means for discharging the trigger capacitor means through said primary windings, the polarity of the windings being such that the initial voltage induced in the secondary windings is negative at said control electrodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for the simultaneous energization of a plurality of gas discharge lamps each having an anode, a cathode and a control electrode, said apparatus comprising: capacitive discharge means for storing electric energy and releasing the stored electric energy to the anodes and cathodes of the lamps, trigger capacitor means for storing electric energy and releasing the stored electric energy to the control electrodes and cathodes of the lamps, each lamp having a transformer with a secondary winding connected across its control electrode and its cathode and a primary winding connected across said trigger capacitor means, circuit means for providing electric energy to said capacitive discharge means and to said trigger capacitor means, circuit means for connecting the primary windings in parallel with each other and in series with the trigger capacitor means and for connecting each secondary winding individually to its control electrode, and switch means for discharging the trigger capacitor means through said primary windings, the polarity of the windings being such that the initial voltage induced in the secondary windings is negative at said control electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the switch means is further defined as an SCR.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which the SCR is gated on by a zener diode responsive to the voltage to which said capacitive means has been charged.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which the zener diode is connected between a tap on a voltage divider across said capacitive means and the gate electrode of the SCR.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 4 in which the tap on the voltage divider is adjustable to vary the flashing frequency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the trigger capacitor means comprises a plurality of capacitors, one for each lamp and the capacitor for each lamp is connected in series with its primary winding.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said lamps are Xenon lamps.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3772564A
Cited
US4233546A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-09-12 | 1987-03-14 | 1987-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-12 | 1991-03-14 | 1991-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-12 | 1995-03-14 | 1995-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |