High illumination flashbulb array with firing sequence control means

Claim 1

A high illumination flashbulb array with firing sequence control means comprising a power bus, a ground bus an array of m strings of flashbulbs connected in parallel between said power bus and said ground bus, each string of flashbulbs comprising n flashbulbs connected in series, m and n being integers, a switch means in series with each said string of flashbulbs, said switch means being comprised of silicon controlled rectifiers, a pulse generator for generating a pulse train having a given PRF, said pulse generator comprising an IC timer having means for varying the PRF thereof, an n stage shift register each successive stage thereof being outputted to control a discrete successive switch means in said array in response to said pulse train, said shift register being an IC serial to parallel converter, the output of each said shift register stage being connected to a discrete silicon controller rectifier gate, amplification means comprised of an IC HEX inverter buffer/divider for amplifying the outputs of said shift register, a control circuit controlling said pulse generator and said shift register to effect sequential firing of said strings of flashbulbs in response to off, power, arm and fire signals, and an arm circuit, said arm circuit comprising a diode connected between each said silicon controlled rectifier gate and a grounded normally closed relay contact, said relay contact being opened in response to control circuit arm and fire operational sequences, said arm circuits applying a ground to the gate of said silicon controlled rectifier during off and power control circuit operative sequences and removing said ground during arm and fire operational sequences thereby preventing firing from spurious signals.