US5570077A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ambient condition detector with high intensity strobe light
Assignee: First National Bank of Chicago
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Filing: 1995-04-21
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Granted: 1996-10-29
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Expires: 2015-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A drive circuit for use with an ambient condition detector limits heat dissipation and associated temperature rises in the presence of varying RMS values of an applied AC signal. The drive circuit includes a voltage doubler with a current regulator located between first and second storage elements. In the presence of a sensed ambient condition, which exceeds a predetermined threshold the regulator is enabled permitting one of the storage elements to be charged to a voltage on the order of twice the peak value of the applied AC voltage. A digital timer is used to trigger a flashable visual indicator from the stored DC voltage. The regulator provides a substantially constant DC voltage to the visual indicator in the presence of a varying AC line voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael A. Swieboda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:57
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B7/00; G08B7/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
An ambient condition detector with a visual output comprising: a housing; a condition sensor carried on said housing; a control circuit coupled to said sensor wherein said circuit provides a control electrical signal on a selected output line indicative of a predetermined sensed, ambient condition; a high intensity visual output device carried by said housing; a drive circuit coupled to said control circuit and to said visual output device wherein said drive circuit includes a first energy storage device operatively connected to an AC power supply and a second energy storage device with a regulator circuit coupled therebetween, wherein said regulator circuit is coupled to said output line and wherein said regulator circuit is enabled by said control signal thereby fully charging said second storage device with sufficient energy to energize said high intensity output device at spaced apart time intervals thereby providing a high intensity indicium of said predetermined condition, said drive circuit including a digital timer for establishing said time intervals, wherein said visual output device is coupled across said second storage device and said second storage device is not fully charged absent said control signal that enables said regulator circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
An ambient condition detector with a visual output comprising: a housing; a condition sensor carried on said housing; a control circuit coupled to said sensor wherein said circuit provides a control electrical signal on a selected output line indicative of a predetermined sensed, ambient condition; a high intensity visual output device carried by said housing; a drive circuit coupled to said control circuit and to said visual output device wherein said drive circuit includes a first energy storage device operatively connected to an AC power supply and a second energy storage device with a regulator circuit coupled therebetween, wherein said regulator circuit is coupled to said output line and wherein said regulator circuit is enabled by said control signal thereby fully charging said second storage device with sufficient energy to energize said high intensity output device at spaced apart time intervals thereby providing a high intensity indicium of said predetermined condition, said drive circuit including a digital timer for establishing said time intervals, wherein said visual output device is coupled across said second storage device and said second storage device is not fully charged absent said control signal that enables said regulator circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A detector as in claim 1 wherein said visual output device includes an ionizable gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A detector as in claim 1 wherein said drive circuit includes a semiconductor switching element coupled between said regulator circuit and said visual output device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A detector as in claim 1 including first and second input terminals coupled to said drive circuit for receiving an AC type input in a range of 90-140 V RMS.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A detector as in claim 4 wherein said drive circuit constitutes a voltage doubler circuit and wherein said visual output device is energized by a substantially constant potential in the presence of a variable AC-type input.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
An ambient condition detector with a triggerable strobe light, comprising: a voltage doubler which includes a regulator circuit which has an input port, an output port, and a control port, a first capacitor coupled between an AC power source and said input port, and a second capacitor coupled to said output port; and circuitry for detecting the presence of a predetermined ambient condition and for producing an electrical signal indicative thereof wherein said signal is coupled to said control port thereby enabling said regulator circuit for as long as the predetermined condition is present, and wherein said regulator, only when enabled, permits said second capacitor to be fully charged to energize the strobe light when the light is triggered.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
119 words
An ambient condition detector with a triggerable strobe light, comprising: a voltage doubler which includes a regulator circuit which has an input port, an output port, and a control port, a first capacitor coupled between an AC power source and said input port, and a second capacitor coupled to said output port; and circuitry for detecting the presence of a predetermined ambient condition and for producing an electrical signal indicative thereof wherein said signal is coupled to said control port thereby enabling said regulator circuit for as long as the predetermined condition is present, and wherein said regulator, only when enabled, permits said second capacitor to be fully charged to energize the strobe light when the light is triggered.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A detector as in claim 6 which includes a source of trigger pulses of a predetermined period wherein said trigger pulses are coupled to the triggerable strobe light and wherein the strobe light will flash once each said period in response to said regulator circuit being enabled.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
168 words
An ambient condition detector with a visual output comprising: a housing; a condition sensor carried on said housing; a control circuit coupled to said sensor wherein said circuit provides a control signal indicative of a predetermined, sensed, ambient condition; a regulator circuit carried on said housing, coupled to said control circuit, and enabled only in the presence of said control signal; first energy storage element operatively connected to a source of varying electrical signals of a predetermined frequency and a second energy storage element wherein said regulator circuit is coupled therebetween, wherein a predetermined illumination producing quantity of energy is stored in said second storage element only while said regulator circuit is enabled; a visual output device coupled across said second storage element; and a trigger circuit, coupled to said output device wherein said trigger circuit is operatively connected to said source of varying electrical signals of a predetermined frequency for triggering said output device when said second storage element has stored said illumination producing quantity of energy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
168 words
An ambient condition detector with a visual output comprising: a housing; a condition sensor carried on said housing; a control circuit coupled to said sensor wherein said circuit provides a control signal indicative of a predetermined, sensed, ambient condition; a regulator circuit carried on said housing, coupled to said control circuit, and enabled only in the presence of said control signal; first energy storage element operatively connected to a source of varying electrical signals of a predetermined frequency and a second energy storage element wherein said regulator circuit is coupled therebetween, wherein a predetermined illumination producing quantity of energy is stored in said second storage element only while said regulator circuit is enabled; a visual output device coupled across said second storage element; and a trigger circuit, coupled to said output device wherein said trigger circuit is operatively connected to said source of varying electrical signals of a predetermined frequency for triggering said output device when said second storage element has stored said illumination producing quantity of energy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A detector as in claim 8 wherein a timer is coupled between said source of varying electrical signals and said trigger circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A detector as in claim 8 wherein said regulator circuit and said energy storage elements form a voltage doubler.
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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) | 1999-10-29 | 2000-04-29 | 2000-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-29 | 2004-04-29 | 2004-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-29 | 2008-04-29 | 2008-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |