Solid state strobe tube control circuit with programmable flash pattern
US5189344A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 1991 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B47/155
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A solid state control circuit for storing a preset pattern and discharging a strobe tube in accordance with the preset pattern. A solid state control circuit has a programmable memory comprising a plurality of selective partitioned memory locations, each for storing a separate preset pattern, each said pattern for producing a series of timing pulses for discharging the strobe tube. For example, the patterns many include one, two or three flashes per cycle, depending on operator selection. A transformer in the "flyback" configuration and current mode control for charging the strobe tube circuitry. The current mode control uses "lossless" current sensing to limit current flows within the circuitry. The intensity of the strobe tube discharge is varied as a function of the ambient light. An anti-neoning signal disconnects power from the strobe tube after a discharge for a minimum period of time wherein the minimum period is greater than the period of time during which the connection of any electrical power to the strobe tube would result in neoning.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.