Apparatus and method for selectively activating plural electrical loads at predetermined relative times
AssigneeImperial Chemical Industries PLC
InventorsIan J. Kirby, Michael I. Mitchell, Andrew Stratton
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Abstract
Separate electrical timing and load activation devices are provided for each of plural electrical loads and each device is connected to receive reference timing signals from a central unit. Each of the separate timing and load activation devices measures a reference time interval accurately defined by the reference timing signals and subsequently activates its associated electrical load after a respectively corresponding predetermined time delay which is determined as a function of the locally measured reference time interval.
Claims13
A system for energizing a series of electrical loads in predetermined timed sequence after a starting signal, which system comprises:
- a supply of electrical energy,
- means to generate a train of accurately timed control signals, and
- a time control switching circuit for each load for connecting said supply to the corresponding load at a desired time, each of said switching circuits comprising:
- means to receive said train of control signals,
- a preset signal selecting system having means to select a first and a second of said control signals and to generate first and second timing signals in response to said first and second control signals respectively,
- means to generate a starting signal, and
- timing means to measure the interval between said first and second timing signals by counting locally generated timing pulses and to generate an output signal whereby the corresponding load is connected to an energy supply at a time interval after the starting signal determined by the interval between the first and second timing signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.