Variable brightness light display apparatus
OwnerBasil G. Gerontakisinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sequential light flashing circuit usable as a decorative display for Christmas decorations or the like includes a switching circuit for energizing lights in a predetermined sequence to provide a variety of distinct light patterns. A thyristor brightness control circuit is employed in conjunction with the sequential switching circuit to vary the brightness of each light during its operating interval. The operation of the sequential switching circuit may be stopped at any desired point to permit any light pattern in the sequence to be continuously displayed.
Claims17
A sequencing device for applying power from a power source to a plurality of electrical lighting circuits comprising:
- a thyristor having main terminals connectable in circuit with said power source and said electrical lighting circuits, and a control terminal;
- a plurality of sequencing switches each connected in circuit with said thyristor and one of said lighting circuits for selectively connecting one of said lighting circuits in circuit with said thyristor;
- a variable impedance element electrically coupled to said control terminal for varying the flow of current through said main terminals;
- and
- sequencing means operatively coupled to said variable impedance element and to said sequencing switches for simultaneously varying the impedance of said variable impedance element and selectively connecting said thyristor in series with predetermined ones of said electrical lighting circuits in a predetermined sequence.
A sequencing device for driving a plurality of lighting circuits in a decorative lighting display comprising:
- a thyristor having main terminals and a control terminal;
- means connected in circuit with one of said main terminals of said thyristor for sequentially coupling predetermined ones of said lighting circuits to said thyristor;
- means connected to said control terminal for controlling the conduction angle of said thyristor;
- and
- a mechanical drive mechanism operatively coupled to said sequential coupling means and said control means for varying the conduction angle of said thyristor between predetermined limits and coupling different ones of said lighting circuits to said thyristor in a predetermined sequence.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.