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US 6,556,132 B1Granted
Strobe circuit
AssigneeGentex Corporation
InventorsGreg R. Pattok, John R. Pacelli
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A visual alarm device includes a flash tube that provides a visual indication responsive to trigger a signal. A strobe circuit is coupled between the flash tube and a power source and causes a flash tube to emit light at a desired flash rate. The strobe circuit includes a storage circuit, an in-rush current limiting circuit control unit.
Claims22
A visual alarm device, comprising:
- a flash tube for providing a visual indication responsive to a trigger signal;
- and
- a strobe circuit coupled between the flash tube and a power source, the strobe circuit causing the flash tube to emit light at a desired flash rate, the strobe circuit including:
- a storage circuit coupled to the flash tube;
- an in-rush current limiting circuit coupled between the storage circuit and the power source, the in-rush current limiting circuit including a first switching device with a control input;
- and
- a control unit coupled to the control input, the control unit periodically asserting a control signal on the control input, the first switching device providing energy to the storage circuit responsive to the control signal, wherein the control signal includes a plurality of fixed duration pulses during a first predetermined time period.
4 more elements
A visual alarm device, comprising:
- a flash tube for providing a visual indication responsive to a trigger signal;
- and
- a strobe circuit coupled between the flash tube and a power source, the strobe circuit causing the flash tube to emit light at a desired flash rate, the strobe circuit including:
- a storage circuit coupled to the flash tube;
- a monitoring circuit coupled to the storage circuit, the monitoring circuit providing a breakover signal that provides an indication of a breakover voltage on the storage circuit;
- a breakover voltage limiting circuit coupled to the storage circuit and the power source, the breakover voltage limiting circuit including a first switching device with a control input;
- and
- a control unit coupled to the monitoring circuit, the control unit periodically asserting a control signal on the control input, wherein a pulse width of the control signal is varied responsive to the breakover signal and the first switching device provides energy to the storage circuit responsive to the control signal.
5 more elements
An alarm system, comprising:
- a control panel including a controller coupled to a sensor;
- and
- a visual alarm device including:
- a flash tube for providing a visual indication responsive to a trigger signal;
- and
- a strobe circuit coupled between the flash tube and a power source, the strobe circuit causing the flash tube to emit light at a desired flash rate, the controller causing the power source to provide power to the strobe circuit responsive to the sensor, the strobe circuit including:
- a storage circuit coupled to the flash tube;
- an in-rush current limiting circuit coupled between the storage circuit and the power source, the in-rush current limiting circuit including a first switching device with a control input;
- and
- a control unit coupled to the control input, the control unit periodically asserting a control signal on the control input, the first switching device providing energy to the storage circuit responsive to the control signal, wherein the control signal includes a plurality of fixed duration pulses during a first predetermined time period.
7 more elements
An alarm system, comprising:
- a control panel including a controller coupled to a sensor;
- and
- a visual alarm device, including:
- a flash tube for providing a visual indication responsive to a trigger signal;
- and
- a strobe circuit coupled between the flash tube and a power source, the strobe circuit causing the flash tube to emit light at a desired flash rate, the controller causing the power source to provide power to the strobe circuit responsive to the sensor, the strobe circuit including:
- a storage circuit coupled to the flash tube;
- a monitoring circuit coupled to the storage circuit, the monitoring circuit providing a breakover signal that provides an indication of a breakover voltage on the storage circuit;
- a breakover voltage limiting circuit coupled to the storage circuit and the power source, the breakover voltage limiting circuit including a first switching device with a control input;
- and
- a control unit coupled to the monitoring circuit, the control unit periodically asserting a control signal on the control input, wherein a pulse width of the control signal is varied responsive to the breakover signal and the first switching device provides energy to the storage circuit responsive to the control signal.
8 more elements
A visual alarm device, comprising:
- a flash tube for providing a visual indication responsive to a trigger signal;
- and
- a strobe circuit coupled between the flash tube and a power source, the strobe circuit causing the flash tube to emit light at a desired flash rate, the strobe circuit including:
- a storage circuit coupled to the flash tube;
- a monitoring circuit coupled to the storage circuit, the monitoring circuit providing a breakover signal that provides an indication of a breakover voltage on the storage circuit;
- breakover voltage limiting circuit coupled to the storage circuit and the power source, the breakover voltage limiting circuit including a first switching device with a control input;
- and
- a control unit coupled to the monitoring circuit, the control unit periodically asserting a control signal on the control input to provide energy to the storage circuit, wherein a pulse width of the control signal is varied responsive to the breakover signal, and wherein the control unit increases the energy provided to the storage circuit when the control unit determines that the strobe circuit is below a predetermined temperature.
5 more elements
A visual alarm device, comprising:
- a flash tube for providing a visual indication responsive to a trigger signal;
- and
- a strobe circuit coupled between the flash tube and a power source, the strobe circuit causing the flash tube to emit light at a desired flash rate, the strobe circuit including:
- a storage circuit coupled to the flash tube;
- a monitoring circuit coupled to the storage circuit, the monitoring circuit providing a breakover signal that provides an indication of a breakover voltage on the storage circuit;
- a breakover voltage limiting circuit coupled to the storage circuit and the power source, the breakover voltage limiting circuit including a first switching device with a control input;
- and
- a control unit coupled to the monitoring circuit, the control unit periodically asserting a control signal on the control input to provide energy to the storage circuit, wherein a pulse width of the control signal is varied responsive to the breakover signal and wherein the breakover voltage limiting circuit limits the energy provided to the storage circuit when a reference threshold is crossed.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.