Back to results
US 4,066,931 AGranted
Shunt modulator for high current arc lamp
AssigneeFord Aerospace & Communications Corporation
InventorDaniel F. Morrill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Shunt modulator for high current arc lamp using series-connected voltage source, first transistor switch, inductor, and lamp. Whenever second transistor modulating switch in shunt with lamp is turned off, voltage surge from inductor fires lamp and first switch is turned on. When inductor current exceeds threshold, first switch is turned off and flyback diode provides return path for inductor current.
Claims10
In combination:
- a. a circuit comprising the following elements connected in series:
- a potential source, a series switch, an inductor, and a load impedance,
- b. a shunt switch connected across said load impedance,
- c. means for rendering said shunt switch alternately conductive and nonconductive,
- d. means for rendering said series switch conductive when said shunt switch is rendered nonconductive, and
- e. means for rendering said series switch nonconductive when the current in said inductor exceeds a predetermined value.
3 more elements
A gas tube modulator, comprising:
- a. a gas tube comprising an enclosed envelope filled with an ionizable gas and containing two electrodes in contact with said gas,
- b. an inductor and means connecting one of said electrodes to one terminal of said inductor,
- c. a voltage source and means connecting the other of said electrodes to one terminal of said source,
- d. first switch means arranged to connect the other terminal of said inductor to the other terminal of said source only in response to a first predetermined input,
- e. second switch means arranged to connect together said two electrodes of said gas tube only in response to a second predetermined input,
- f. means for intermittently supplying said second predetermined input to said second switch means,
- g. means for supplying said first predetermined input to said first switch means upon each termination of said second predetermined input to said second switch means, and
- h. means for terminating said first predetermined input to said first switch means when the current in said inductor exceeds a predetermined value.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.