US3676736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aircraft flasher unit
Assignee: PHYSITECH Inc
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Filing: 1969-06-06
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1989-06-06
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is disclosed which provides for the pulsing of a plurality of high intensity white lights, which lights are synchronized to flash simultaneously, and during the off period of navigation lights already installed on the airplane. Each high intensity light is controlled by a transistorized circuit coupled to the power supply lead which supplies the navigation light. Said circuit charges two storage capacitors and holds the charge on same during the on period of the navigation lights. During the off period of same, a short circuit is presented, causing a discharge of one of the capacitors, which acts to trigger the high intensity light, the burst of light being energized by the discharge of the other capacitor.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L Starer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 03:44
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/30; H05B41/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A system on an aircraft for synchronizing a plurality of high intensity navigation lights, to be operated with already installed navigation lights and utilizing the power supply provided to said navigation lights, comprising: a. aircraft power supply means to generate a periodic on-off voltage signal; b. transmission means, transmitting said voltage signal to the location of said navigation lights; c. oscillator means, coupled to and driven by said transmitted voltage signal; d. step-up voltage means, coupled to the output of said oscillator means, to generate a high voltage; e. charge storage means, coupled to and driven by said step-up voltage means; f. electronic switch means, the input of which is coupled to and driven by said transmitted voltage signal; g. transformer means, coupling said charge storage means to said electronic switch means; h. high intensity light means, having a trigger input terminal; and, i. coupling means, coupling said high intensity light means to said charge storage means and to said transformer means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
162 words
A system on an aircraft for synchronizing a plurality of high intensity navigation lights, to be operated with already installed navigation lights and utilizing the power supply provided to said navigation lights, comprising: a. aircraft power supply means to generate a periodic on-off voltage signal; b. transmission means, transmitting said voltage signal to the location of said navigation lights; c. oscillator means, coupled to and driven by said transmitted voltage signal; d. step-up voltage means, coupled to the output of said oscillator means, to generate a high voltage; e. charge storage means, coupled to and driven by said step-up voltage means; f. electronic switch means, the input of which is coupled to and driven by said transmitted voltage signal; g. transformer means, coupling said charge storage means to said electronic switch means; h. high intensity light means, having a trigger input terminal; and, i. coupling means, coupling said high intensity light means to said charge storage means and to said transformer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
The invention as described in claim 1 wherein said electronic switch means include: a. a first transistor, having its base coupled to said transmitted voltage signal; b. a second transistor, having its base coupled to the collector of said first transistor; c. a capacitor, coupled resistively to the base of said second transistor; d. resistor-diode coupling means, coupling said transmitted voltage signal to said capacitor; and, e. diode means in parallel with said second transistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention as described in claim 2 wherein said charge storage means are comprised of: a. diode means to halfway rectify said high voltage; b. first capacitor means, coupled to and charged directly through said diode means; c. second capacitor means in series with a large resistor, the combination driven by said diode means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention as described in claim 3 wherein said transformer means consists of a transformer coil which is coupled at a center tap to the high voltage side of said second capacitor means, one end of which is coupled to the output of said electronic switch means, and one end of which is coupled to the trigger input terminal of said high intensity light means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
165 words
A system on an aircraft for flashing a plurality of high intensity navigation lights, said flashing to be synchronized, and for controlling the operation of navigation lights, comprising: a. switching means, to control the mode of operation of said high intensity navigation lights and said navigation lights; b. voltage supply means, which couple to and drive said high intensity navigation lights and said navigation lights; c. electronic switch means; d. high intensity light means; e. charge storage means, coupled to said high intensity light means, to provide a short duration, high intensity discharge through same when it is triggered; f. trigger means, to trigger said high intensity light means; g. coupling means, coupling said alternating voltage supply means to said electronic switching means and said charge storage means; and, h. said electronic switching means cooperating with said trigger means and said charge storage means to cause said high intensity light means to flash during the alternate time periods that said navigation light is turned off.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
165 words
A system on an aircraft for flashing a plurality of high intensity navigation lights, said flashing to be synchronized, and for controlling the operation of navigation lights, comprising: a. switching means, to control the mode of operation of said high intensity navigation lights and said navigation lights; b. voltage supply means, which couple to and drive said high intensity navigation lights and said navigation lights; c. electronic switch means; d. high intensity light means; e. charge storage means, coupled to said high intensity light means, to provide a short duration, high intensity discharge through same when it is triggered; f. trigger means, to trigger said high intensity light means; g. coupling means, coupling said alternating voltage supply means to said electronic switching means and said charge storage means; and, h. said electronic switching means cooperating with said trigger means and said charge storage means to cause said high intensity light means to flash during the alternate time periods that said navigation light is turned off.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The invention as described in claim 5 wherein said electronic switch means include: a. a first transistor, having its base coupled to said transmitted voltage signal; b. a second transistor, having its base coupled to the collector of said first transistor; c. a capacitor, coupled resistively to the base of said second transistor; d. resistor-diode coupling means, coupling said transmitted voltage signal to said capacitor; and, e. diode means in parallel with said second transistor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
The invention as described in claim 6 wherein a. said charge storage means include an oscillator, the output of same being transformer-coupled to obtain a stepped-up voltage, diode rectifier means driven by said stepped-up voltage to provide a rectified voltage, and a first high voltage storage capacitor driven by said rectified voltage to accumulate a large stored charge, b. which stored charge discharges through said high intensity light means when same is triggered to a conducting state.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
The invention as described in claim 7 wherein said trigger means include a second high voltage storage capacitor coupled to said diode rectifier means through a resistor, and a transformer, said transformer being coupled a. at a center tap to said second high voltage storage capacitor, b. at one end thereof to the high intensity light means, and c. at the other end thereof to said electronic switch means, whereby to trigger said high intensity light means into a conducting state when said electronic switch means presents an effective short circuit to aircraft ground.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |