Patent · US Expired

Dimming circuit for dual display aircraft instruments

US5049869A · kind A · utility

4Cited by
6References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 19, 1989
Grant dateSep 17, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 19, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60Q3/18
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A dimming circuit (10) for use with an illuminated dual display (12) of an aircraft instrument is provided. A voltage divider (14) divides a variable supply voltage, V.sub.S, produces an input voltage, V.sub.IN, and applies V.sub.IN to one input of a switch (16). A threshold voltage circuit (15) receives the V.sub.S voltage and produces a reference voltage, V.sub.REF, and a lower magnitude supply voltage, V'.sub.S. A reference comparator (OA3) compares the V.sub.REF and V'.sub.S voltages and produces a threshold voltage, V.sub.T. The V.sub.T voltage is applied to a second input of the switch (16). A first comparator (OA1) in the switch (16) produces a low output voltage when the V.sub.T voltage exceeds the V.sub.IN voltage and causes a first lamp (L1) to brightly illuminate a first indicia (24). A second comparator (OA2) in the switch (16) produces a low output voltage when the V.sub.T voltage is less than the V.sub.IN voltage, which causes a second lamp (L2) to dimly illuminate a second indicia (26). The illuminated first indicia (24) provides daytime illumination of the dual display (12) and the illuminated second indicia (26) provides nighttime illumination. A night vision goggl…

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