Capacitance responsive circuit

Claim 2

A relaxation oscillator circuit comprising: a. first input circuit means operative to carry alternating current power; b. second input circuit means operative to carry direct current power; c. circuit means comprising variable capacitance means, first and second resistance means connected in series with one another and with said variable capacitance means, and voltage breakdown means connected across said variable capacitance means and said first resistance means, and operative to generate an output comprising a series of pulse trains, the first pulse of each pulse train having a substantially greater magnitude than the subsequent pulses in said pulse train, when alternating current power and substantially constant direct current power are simultaneously and continuously applied to said first and second input circuit means, respectively, said circuit means including means for varying said output; and d. output circuit means operative to carry said output.

Claim 3

The oscillator circuit as described in claim 1 wherein: a. said variable capacitance means of said circuit means comprises: i. a first capacitance means substantially constant in value, the first terminal of which is connected to said voltage breakdown means, and the second terminal of which is connected to said first resistance means; ii. a second capacitance means connected in parallel with said first capacitance means, and having an antenna connected to one side for varying the value of said variable capacitance means by detecting variations in capacitance between said antenna and ground; and b. said voltage breakdown means comprises a gas-filled tube.

Claim 4

The oscillator circuit as described in claim 2 wherein said second capacitance means comprises a coaxial cable having first and second conductors, said antenna being connected to the end of said first conductor remote from said circuit means.

Claim 5

The oscillator circuit as described in claim 2 wherein said variable capacitance means further comprises: a. first and second blocking capacitance means connecting the first and second terminals, respectively, of said first capacitance means to opposite sides of said second capacitance means, said second blocking capacitance being on the order of 100 times greater in value than said first blocking capacitance; and b. resistance means connecting the junction of said second capacitance means and said second blocking capacitance means to ground.

Claim 6

A capacitance-responsive circuit comprising: a. conversion circuit means for converting alternating current power to direct current power; b. an oscillator circuit comprising: i. first input circuit means adapted to carry alternate current power; ii. second input circuit means adapted to carry direct current power; iii. circuit means operative to generate an output comprising a pulse train of predetermined polarity and magnitude during no more than one-half of each cycle of the applied alternating current power, when alternating current power and direct current power are applied to said first and second input means, respectively; said circuit means including means for varying said output; iiii. output circuit means for carrying said output, said first input circuit means being connected to a source of alternating current power and said second input circuit means being connected to said conversion circuit means; c. amplification means operative to amplify the output of said oscillator circuit and including: i. a transistor; and ii. bias means including a gas-filled tube for regulating bias voltage; d. switching means including anode, cathode and gate electrodes and controlled by applYing the output of said amplification means to said gate electrode, said anode and cathode electrodes being connected in a current load path; e. bias storage means connected between said gate electrode of said switching means and ground.

Claim 7

A capacitance-responsive circuit comprising: a. conversion circuit means for converting alternating current power to direct current power; b. an oscillator circuit comprising: i. first input circuit means adapted to carry alternate current power; ii. second input circuit means adapted to carry direct current power; iii. circuit means operative to generate an output comprising a pulse train of predetermined polarity and magnitude during no more than one-half of each cycle of the applied alternating current power, when alternating current power and direct current power are applied to said first and second input means, respectively; said circuit means including means for varying said output; iiii. output circuit means for carrying said output, said first input circuit means being connected to a source of alternating current power and said second input circuit means being connected to said conversion circuit means; c. amplification means operative to amplify the output of said oscillator circuit and including: i. a transistor; and ii. bias means including a gas-filled tube for regulating bias voltage; d. switching means including anode, cathode and gate electrodes and controlled by applYing the output of said amplification means to said gate electrode, said anode and cathode electrodes being connected in a current load path; e. bias storage means connected between said gate electrode of said switching means and ground.

Claim 8

The capacitance responsive circuit according to claim 5 wherein the output load path of said amplification means is connected to said conversion circuit means.

Claim 9

The capacitance responsive circuit as described in claim 5 and further including electromagnetic relay means having a winding connected across said anode and cathode electrodes of said switching means, whereby said winding is energized when said switching means is nonconductive and deenergized when said switching means is conductive.

Claim 10

The capacitance responsive circuit as described in claim 7 wherein: a. said switching means comprises a complementary transistor pair connected in the regenerative feedback configuration, the emitter electrodes of said transistor pair forming said cathode and anode electrodes of said switching means, and the collector and base electrodes of the first and second of said transistor pair are electrically connected to form said gate electrode of said switching means; b. said bias storage means comprise a resistor and a capacitor; c. a first and a second resistor are connected in series in said switching means, said second resistor being connected in parallel with a first half-wave rectifying means, the anode of which is connected to the emitter of the first of said transistor pair; and d. said winding of said relay is connected in parallel with a capacitor, and in series with a second half-wave rectifying means, the cathode of which is connected to anode of said first half-wave rectifying means.

Claim 11

The capacitance responsive circuit as described in claim 5 wherein: a. in said oscillator circuit, said circuit means comprises: i. variable capacitance means; ii. first and second resistance means connected in series between one side of said capacitance means and said second input means; and iii. voltage breakdown means connected across said variable capacitance means and said first resistance means; and b. in said amplification means, said gas-filled tube of said bias means is connected in series with a resistor between the base and collector of said transistor, and is placed in proximity with the gas-filled tube of said oscillator circuit so as to bathe the latter with its light.