Strobe light switching arrangement with reduced transient currents

Abstract

A strobe lamp switching system includes first, second and third capacitors of different value for simultaneously storing energy from a DC power supply. The strobe lamp is connected across the power supply and periodically fired by energizing an ignition electrode. The number of capacitors are permitted to discharge through the strobe lamp determines the intensity of its light output. An intensity control energizes a pair of relay operated switches that complete discharge paths for the second and third capacitors. A diode parallels each of the relay operated switches so that the second and third capacitors are charged whenever the power supply is on. A discharge resistor is coupled across the power supply for discharging energy in all of the capacitors when the power supply is off. A parallel set of contacts are included in the energizing path for the relay operated switches, with one contact operated together with the associated switch and the other operated by the ignition circuit to preclude energizing the relay operated switch until a predetermined time after ignition.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.