Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for simultaneously actuating navigational lanterns

US4620190A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
2References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 30, 1984
Grant dateOct 28, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 30, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB63B2045/005
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for causing a plurality of navigational lanterns, each equipped with an independent light sensing device and connected to a common synchronizing terminal, to actuate simultaneously at dusk, and deactuate simultaneously at dawn. The light sensing device senses the three levels of day, twilight and night. When a sensing device senses day, the connected lantern is disabled from flashing and is disabled from sending a synchronizing signal to other lanterns to flash. When a sensing device senses twilight, the connected lantern is enabled to receive the synchronizing signal, but is disabled from sending a synchronizing signal. When the sensing device senses night, the connecting lantern is enabled and a synchronizing signal to flash is sent to all of the lanterns.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.