Abstract: An emergency flasher circuit for use with motor vehicles comprising an emergency switch, a signal generator for generating a signal having a frequency of approximately 10 Hz, and logic circuitry for selectively applying the signal to the headlight(s), and/or to one or both of the left and right turn indicator lights, for alerting other drivers to the presence of the motor vehicle. Alternatively, an optical shutter may be connected to the logic circuitry, and the headlight(s) or one or both of the left and right turn indicator lights for causing light generated by the headlight(s) and/or the turn indicator lights to flash at approximately 10 Hz upon activation of the horn switch, for alerting other drivers to the presence of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A device for controlling the surge of electrical current demanded following the discharge of a lighting system comprised of multiple electronic flash units powered from a common source. Individual electronic flash units are re-charged sequentially by the invention after system discharge, thus limiting the current demand to approximately the level produced by a single strobe light apparatus. The power management device for large electronic flash units can be integrated into the circuits of a strobe light apparatus, a generator, inverter or battery pack itself, or it can be configured as a self-contained accessory device.

Abstract: An electro-luminescent seasonal light apparatus includes a pig-tail plug mated with one pig-tail socket which extends from a regular seasonal Christmas/Halloween light string and provides a first AC power having a first voltage and a first frequency, an extension wire electrically connected to the pig-tail plug, a circuit box electrically connected to the extension wire for converting the first AC power to a second AC power which has a second voltage and a second frequency, an electro-luminescent component electrically connected to the circuit box for receiving the second AC power and flashing thereby, and a pattern shaper attached to the electro-luminescent component.

Abstract: A circuit that includes a latch and an oscillator is attached to a common lamp control switch to cause the lamp to flash when the switch is manipulated in accordance with a prescribed pattern. The flashing draws attention to the lamp and is used, for example, in an emergency. In a first embodiment, the circuit is placed in parallel with the switch. In a second embodiment, the circuit is placed in series with the switch. In both embodiments, the circuit is small enough to fit within an existing switch box.

Abstract: A portable flasher device is disclosed in which a pair of body members are connected together to form a housing which has bi-directional planar dimensions and an axial dimension, the planar dimensions being substantially larger than the axial dimensions to give the housing a substantially greater planar extent that the axial extent, and the bi-directional dimensions being such as to define a peripheral extent of the housing to make it suitable for holding the flasher device comfortably within the average human hand. The device includes a pair of battery compartments arranged at an angle to each other to define a space therebetween, with a circuit board and other operating components arranged within the space so as to reduce the thickness of the device to a minimum. A reflector and flasher lamp are mounted within a clear housing over the circuit board. The device is provided with a means for strapping it to a user's wrist or arm, or mounting it on a standard photographic tripod.

Abstract: A light-emitting element drive circuit for a camera comprises a diode and a light-emitting element connected in series with each other between a power source and ground, a first switching element switchable between on and off states for driving the light-emitting element, second and third switching elements connected in series with each other between the power source and ground, and a capacitor connected between a junction point of the diode and light-emitting element and a junction point of the second and third switching elements. The second and third switching elements also constitute switching elements of a drive circuit for driving a DC motor, whereby the light-emitting element can be driven with a voltage which is approximately twice as high as the power source voltage. Since the light-emitting element is driven by a capacitor charge/discharge operation instead of using a boosted power source, the consumption of current is reduced and the light-emitting period is shortened.

Abstract: An LED lamp device is made up of an LED emitter, a pair of DC voltage input terminals, a circuit connecting between the LED emitter and the pair of DC voltage input terminals, and at least one constant-voltage diode and at least one constant-current diode which are interposed in the circuit. The LED lamp device further has an adapter for mounting on one end thereof the LED emitter, and a base fixed to the other end of the adapter. The lighting parts such as the constant-voltage diode or the like are contained inside the adapter and the base.

Abstract: An emergency flasher circuit for use with motor vehicles comprising an emergency switch, a signal generator for generating a signal having a frequency of approximately 10 Hz, and logic circuitry for selectively applying the signal to the headlight(s), and/or to one or both of the left and right turn indicator lights, for alerting other drivers to the presence of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A flash triggering system inductively coupled to a flash tube assembly's flash tube of a through-the-lens (TTL) strobe unit. The flash trigger monitors the electromagnetic field directly surrounding the strobe to which it is affixed using an electromagnetic inductive sensor. The photographic flash trigger is positioned by the mounting mechanism adjacent the flash tube so that the flash monitor detector is responsive to the excitation of a flash tube. The detector provides a detection signal indicative of whether or not the flash tube properly fired. A delay circuit delays any response for a predetermined time to allow for the main TTL flash cycle. Then, the activation circuit enables a separate transmitter to trigger the slave strobes while the camera shutter is still open.

Abstract: A flash monitor alarm system is provided for detection of emergency vehicle flashers or for detection of flashes in photography. For emergency flasher detection the unit is positioned in a vehicle within a direct line of sight of potential emergency flashers. When emergency flashers are detected, an alarm is activated to warn the vehicle's occupants. For a photographic monitor alarm system, a detector is inductively coupled to a flash tube assembly's flash tube or tube power cable for activating a pulsating flash monitor indicator perceptible to the photographer when the flash tube has properly fired. The flash monitor alarm system includes flash monitor electronics and a power source, both of which are built into a compact housing.

Abstract: A flashing lamp set includes a plurality of gas-filled filament bulbs (101) having respective rise-time constants which are different from each other, thereby providing different thermo-optical effects. When power is supplied, the lamps are illuminated in sequence for security purposes or for a decorative effect.

Abstract: A strobe alarm system which includes multiple normally self-timed strobe circuits connected in a common loop to a fire alarm control panel, and a sync control circuit, which may be incorporated in the fire alarm control panel, for causing the strobes to flash in synchronism at a predetermined rate which will insure that a person viewing the multiple strobes would not see flash rates higher than the predetermined synchronized rate, which is preferably less than five flashes per second. The sync control circuit does not interfere with the supervision functions of the alarm system, and when an alarm condition is present it supplies power to the strobe circuits which it then interrupts once every flash cycle to cause a sync trigger circuit in each strobe to fire its flashtube, and to reset the internal timer of each strobe to ready it for arrival of the next sync signal.

Abstract: An enhanced method and apparatus for driving an immersed flashing light system used for enhancing algae growth is disclosed. The flashing light system includes a plurality of light source elements that are arranged to illuminate the algae. The light source elements are electrically connected to form ".eta." banks of light source elements. Power is supplied to each bank of light sources in a predetermined sequence at regular intervals to substantially evenly supply each bank of light source elements with a series of power pulses while maintaining a substantially continuous load on the power supply. The power pulses are substantially half cycles of a square wave.

Abstract: A variable lighting apparatus for visually simulating and translating the frequencies present in an input signal to a light, the characteristics of which may be varied in accordance to the properties of the input sound. The lighting apparatus may be fitted with a plurality of filter channels for filtering the input signal into preselected bands. Each channel may then drive an independent light, each of which may be differently colored and will respond individually to the frequency components of the input signal determined by the filtering channel to which it is attached. The frequency response band and sampling characteristics of each filter may be adjusted to provide for a variable visual effect.

Abstract: A strobe alarm circuit includes a voltage source circuit which has a capacitor connected across its output terminals. The voltage source circuit is connected to a flash circuit which includes a flashtube shunted by a trigger circuit. The trigger circuit causes the flashtube to flash when the voltage across the voltage source circuit capacitor reaches a predetermined threshold firing voltage. A resistor divider network is employed in the trigger circuit to ensure that the flashtube is triggered at virtually the same instant as the voltage across the capacitor exceeds the trigger threshold value.

Abstract: A toy flashlight formed in a configuration including a strobe module. The flashlight includes a handle housing and a releasably mounted transparent enclosure with the strobe module enclosed therebetween. The strobe module is provided to switch a light source between ON state and an OFF state to create a rapidly blinking light. Further, a strobing circuit is provided to control the switching mechanism of the strobe module. In this manner, the strobe module with strobing circuit can be inserted into a conventional flashlight to enhance its play value.

Abstract: An electronic display for amusement or ornamentation includes a CMOS counter chip connected to a low voltage DC source, with each counter output connected directly to one of a plurality of LEDs. An antenna wire, which can be a short length of wire or a wire hook is connected directly to the trigger input of the chip, and the ambient field-induced AC voltage on the antenna is sufficient to actuate the counter chip and cause the LEDs to flicker sequentially as the counter outputs are incremented. The LEDs may be embodied in a wide variety of decorative arrays to represent objects, images, and icons. The visual effect is not monotonous, due to the natural variations of the ambient field about the ornament. The invention also comprises a Christmas tree light assembly, including a plurality of ornaments, each constructed as described and including a hook-shaped antenna wire for hanging on a Christmas tree. Each ornament may be powered by an individual battery included therein.

Abstract: One or more superluminescent light emitting diodes (SLDS) are driven with an oscillatory square wave pulse drive signal Vd varying between OVDC and 1.8-3.2VDC at a frequency between 1Hz to 12Hz, preferably between 6Hz to 8Hz, and having a pulse duty cycle between 5% to 10%, preferably between 6% to 8%, to periodically forward bias the SLDs into illumination and produce a brilliant rapidly flashing light having high on-off contrast for enhanced visibility and perceptibility at a distance, thus being usable for battery-powered visual indicator and warning flasher applications. A low frequency oscillator stage generates an oscillatory square wave voltage signal Vo which drives a power driver stage to produce the correspondingly oscillating drive voltage signal Vd which is supplied to the SLDS.

Abstract: A flashing safety warning light in which a superluminescent light-emitting diode (SLD) light source is driven by an oscillatory drive signal at a visually imperceptible but highly efficient operating frequency, the oscillatory drive signal preferably being a pulse signal of 1 to 5 KHz to cause the SLD to be illuminated and extinguished at the oscillatory drive signal frequency, such that extinction of the SLD is not visually perceptible. The oscillatory drive signal is in turn gated on and off in accordance with a gating signal at a low, highly visually perceptible frequency in the range of 3 to 12 Hz with a pulse duty cycle of between 10 to 60% in order to cause the SLD to be visually perceived as flashing on and off at the gating signal frequency in an attention-getting manner. An implementation of the flashing safety warning light for use as a bicycle safety flasher is described, and offers enhanced warning visibility with extended battery life.

Abstract: An emergency flasher circuit for use with motorcycles and bicycles comprising an emergency switch, a signal generator for generating a signal having a frequency of approximately 10 Hz, and logic circuitry for selectively applying the signal to one or both of the left and right turn indicator lights and a headlight of a motorcycle or bicycle, for alerting drivers of motor vehicles to the presence of the motorcycle or bicycle.

Abstract: An electronic flasher producing various waveforms with user-controllable time durations, connected to a decorative string of dual-polarity dual-color light emitting diodes, in order to generate a controllable sequence of colors with interspersed OFF periods.

Abstract: A rechargeable electronic flasher powered by a solar panel and solar-rechargeable battery. The circuit has particular application as an auxiliary safety measure for use in roadway cats' eyes, or in memorial symbols for mounting on, or near, grave stones and the like so as to provide substantially perpetual illumination. Minimum charging time is necessary, while operation on battery power is extended to many days, rather than hours. The circuit can also be set to flash at a rate above the frequency the eye can distinguish, creating a substantially constant light.

Abstract: A discharge circuit for and method of operating a flashlamp are disclosed in which the flashlamp is reliably operated repetitively while reducing current surges from the electrical power source. A switch means is provided for shunting recharge energy through a non-reactive means around an energy storage means for the flashlamp. The rate of recharging the energy storage means is reduced at the beginning of recharging below the rate which would allow the flashlamp to conduct before intentional triggering of a flash.

Abstract: A flashing safety warning light in which a superluminescent light-emitting diode (SLD) light source is driven by an oscillatory drive signal at a visually imperceptible but highly efficient operating frequency, the oscillatory drive signal preferably being a pulse signal of 1 to 5 KHz to cause the SLD to be illuminated and extinguished at the oscillatory drive signal frequency, such that extinction of the SLD is not visually perceptible. The oscillatory drive signal is in turn gated on and off in accordance with a gating signal at a low, highly visually perceptible frequency in the range of 3 to 12 Hz with a pulse duty cycle of between 10 to 60% in order to cause the SLD to be visually perceived as flashing on and off at the gating signal frequency in an attention-getting manner. An implementation of the flashing safety warning light for use as a bicycle safety flasher is described, and offers enhanced warning visibility with extended battery life.

Abstract: The actuator is connected in series between the power supply and the flashing light. It includes a switch which is connected in series between the power supply and the flashing light so that when the switch is closed the light turns on and when the switch is open the light is turned off. A comparator controls the opening and closing of the switch at a frequency determined by an RC timer. Also, the duty cycle of the flashing light is controlled by the timer. A current overload protector lowers the duty cycle of the flashing light as the magnitude of the overload is increased and, in the event of a short circuit, decreases the duty cycle to approximately zero.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low pressure xenon lamp and the driver circuitry therefore for producing relatively short bursts of intense light from the lamp. The lamp, including its associated driver circuitry, can be used in theatrical, stage, movie and/or video productions to simulate, among other things, bursts of lightning. The lamp is installed in a fixture together with a power supply and a control system is provided for controlling when the lamp is turned on and off. Preferably, the control system includes manually operated switches and preferably one or more controllers can be coupled together in a series fashion, should it be desired to control the lamp for a greater number of time cycles then permitted by a single controller.

Abstract: A flashing warning light assembly of a type including a voltage source (s), a transformer gate (W), first and second storage condensers (C1 and C2), flash tube (B), an ignition circuit (T, Z), and an electrical switch (T1) in series with the first storage condenser which is controllable electrically. A monitoring circuit (R1, R2, V1) is further included which senses the charge voltage of the first storage condenser and compares it with a reference voltage, opening the electrical switch when the charge voltage exceeds the reference voltage. The apparatus of this invention provides a flashing warning light assembly which is easily and cost-effectively producible and which, while reliably igniting the flash tube, makes possible the influencing of energy or light intensity of produced light flashes.

Abstract: An ornamental lighting control system capable of controllably adjusting the intensity of the lights over a relatively long period of time. The fully electronic means for gradually energizing the lights includes a ramp voltage generator whose output is synchronized to a power line zero crossing by a detector means coupled to the ramp voltage generator. The ramp means, in combination with a triangular wave generator and a comparator, achieve adjustable long time constants for controllable fading of the associated lights. The lighting control system can, additionally, be configured to compensate for any non-linearities in the incandescent light strings driven by the system.

Abstract: A strobe light circuit for flashing a flashtube at a desired frequency includes a transformer the primary of which is repetitively connected and disconnected across a D.C. power source by a switch so that energy stored in the primary winding during closed periods of the switch is transferred to the secondary winding of the transformer, with a step-up in voltage, during open periods of the switch, and through a diode to an energy-storing capacitor connected in parallel with the flashtube.

Abstract: A light sequencer for a toy having a simple way for individually varying the on and off times of each stage of a chain or ring. Each stage has a light controlling amplifier/switch whose gain is individually controlled by a hysteresis element. When the voltage across the hysteresis element is below its set breakdown voltage, it non-conducts, thereby causing the amplifier/switch to have negative gain, and the controlled light is not lit. When the voltage across a hysteresis element equals or exceeds its set breakdown voltage, it `fires` into a highly-conductive state, causing the amplifier/switch to have very high gain, and the controlled light is lit. The hysteresis element remains in its conductive state until the voltage across it drops below recovery voltage level. Then it switches back to non-conductive state, causing the amplifier/switch to have negative gain, and the controlled light is not lit. The difference between breakdown or `firing` voltage and recovery voltage is the hysteresis factor.

Abstract: A self contained battery operated table lamp for use in restaurants, and the like. The lamp includes an electric light which is energized on an intermittent basis by a switching circuit to assure long battery life. A feed back loop is included in the switching circuit for establishing the duty cycle of the energizing power intermittingly applied to the lamp. A flicker signal generator is connected to the energizing circuit of the light to introduce a flicker into the output of the light. The flicker signal generator incorporates a plurality of independent oscillators, each operating at a slightly different frequency. The outputs of the various oscillators are summed in a summing network with each being given a slightly different weighting factor, and the resulting signal is injected into a feedback loop to modify the average voltage of the light. The lamp is caused to provide a pseudo-random candle simulating effect.

Abstract: A system employing a stroboscopic light source permits an operator to remotely inspect and analyze high speed repetitive motion of machines. The system enables an operator to freeze motion or permit slow motion in either direction of moving parts in their natural environment. The system effectively shields the electronics incorporated in the light source by separating the electronics into sections and by utilizing a fiber optic cable to carry a control signal which control the firing of the flash lamp of the light source. In addition, the light source provides for control of the phase relationship between an external synchronization signal and a control signal which fires the flash lamp so that the timing of the flash can be controlled to stop a specific event in the cycle.

Abstract: An automotive flasher switch having two terminal pins is disclosed. A relay having a conductive yoke and having a conductive, spring mounted armature, is connected to one terminal. A contact, supported by the armature, intermittently engages the other terminal during cycling of the relay. During cycling of the relay, current passes along a conductive path in the relay. A circuit board, having a timing assembly, functions to determine the cycling frequency and duration of the relay contact operation. An integrated chip may be provided to provide protective safeguards for the circuit. A deflecting plate or buzzer may be incorporated to enhance the audible signal generated during cycling.

Abstract: A continuous tracing light controller for controlling the flashing of a plurality of bulbs comprising:a bridge rectifier for the conversion of AC to DC;an inverter phase circuit for the reverting of the above obtained DC; anda programmable central control integrated circuit having a plurality of outputs for the individual controlling of bulbs in series, a three step switch and 3 variable resistors being connected to said integrated circuit. The controller controls the lighting pattern in a fully lighted, forward tracing or backward reversing pattern. The way of controlling of the controller is by means of Pulse Width Modulation in which a pulse wave synchronized with a current is input and by use of a counting pulse to control the time sequence of the input pulse. By controlling the response time delay of the individual wave such that the individual light bulb responds at different time so as to produce visual effects for which the bulbs are lighted in a continuous tracing manner.

Abstract: A light driver circuit which is activated by an audio signal. The circuit includes three signal channels and four automatic level control circuits. The three channels are high, low and mid-range frequency channels. There is an automatic level control circuit circuit at the input of the circuit and a separate automatic level control circuit incorporated into each of the three channels. An optical isolation unit is provided in each channel to, effectively, isolate the output from the signal source. A typical utilization of the circuit is with strobe-lights, discotheque lights, or the like.

Abstract: A power supply for intermittently energized loads, particularly gas discharge tubes employed as high intensity lights, has a pair of capacitances which are charged to a high voltage level to provide primary and secondary sources of anode voltage for the load. A coupling circuit impedes the discharge of the secondary anode voltage source capacitance when the primary anode voltage source capacitance is discharged through the load whereby a high voltage is present at the load, i.e., a discharge tube anode, immediately subsequent to the tube being extinguished thus reducing the time between successive firings of the tube. The current available for recharging the primary anode voltage source capacitance may also be increased during the time periods when the tube is being rapidly and repetitively fired.

Abstract: An eternal symbolic/religious memorial light having a flickering-candle appearance generated electronically by at least a pair of lamps and operated by a rechargeable battery charged/recharged by a solar cell unit, or by the solar cell unit itself. In an alternative embodiment, a light-dependent resistor (LDR) is incorporated to automatically adjust the current to the lamps in accordance with the background lighting conditions. Thus, the flickering appearance is made brighter during daylight when this is required in order to see the candle, and at nightfall, the brightness is diminished as the candle is more easily visible. In another alternative embodiment, the solar cells continuously run a user-programmed calendar/timer to turn on the lamp units only on specified memorial/anniversity days.

Abstract: An audiovisual signaling device includes in electrical connection: (a) an auditory output portion which produces an auditory output and a corresponding low voltage oscillatory signal; (b) a converter portion which is responsive to and converts the low voltage oscillatory signal to a repetitively produced corresponding high voltage intermittent spike signal; (c) a visual output portion which produces a visual output; and (d) a portion responsive to the high voltage intermittent spike signal to repetitively activate the visual output.

Abstract: A compact capacitor discharge and strobe light beacon system is disclosed which is designed to be used in a conventional incandescent aircraft warning light fixture. The system comprises: a step-up transformer; a pulse shaping network for rectifying the output of the transformer to pulsating DC, capacitor means connected to the output of the pulse shaping network, a choke, at least two xenon lamps with terminals and connected across the terminals of an energy storage capacitor through the choke, and a switch which fires the lamps.

Abstract: Lamp operating voltage levels are reduced by using a boost circuit to initiate a triggering sequence in one of two lamps connected in series. The boost circuit is connected across one of the lamps at a connector point common to the two lamps. In a preferred embodiment, trigger pulses are applied sequentially to each lamp, the boost circuit voltage contained in an associated capacitor is discharged through the first triggered lamp, causing it to begin conduction. Most of the voltage from a main storage capacitor then becomes available to break down the second lamp.

Abstract: A railroad crossing gate arm electrical lamp system provides two flashing lamps and one continuously operated lamp. Each of the lamps has an internal electrical circuit with the internal electrical circuits being identical for each lamp. This permits the lamps to be interchanged in position with the lamp positions determining the function of the lamp. Each lamp electricl circuit has a three-wire input connection and a three-wire output connection. There are identical and reversible three-wire cables connecting the first flashing lamp with the second flashing lamp and the second flashing lamp with the continuously operated lamp. The input for the first flashing lamp includes two power supply terminals and a third common terminal. The lamps are connected in series across the power supply and a relay alternately shunts the lamps to obtain flashing of two of the lamps. The third lamp is connected across the power supply for steady light.

Abstract: A solid state flasher for plural turn signal and emergency warning lamps for trucks or the like, capable of flashing very heavy loads with small voltage drop without contact arching and pitting, including a cylindrical cup-shaped housing can, a dielectric disc-shaped closure wafer closing and sealing the open end of the can, an input terminal/heatsink member in the form of a cylindrical tubular metallic shell axially spanning the can having a contact prong projecting through a slot in the closure wafer, an output terminal member of generally rectangular shape adjacent and paralleling the wafer and including a contact prong extending through another wafer slot, and a circuit board assembly having a solid state flasher circuit thereon supported inwardly parallel to the output terminal member.

Abstract: This device is an electronic module activated by a vehicle's existing brake light switch which, when electrically connected to a motor vehicle's brake light circuit, will flash the brake lights several times before continuous illumination. In the preferred embodiment described, the brake lights flash each time the vehicle's brakes are applied.

Abstract: A heavy duty lamp flasher for turn signals for trucks, trailers and the like including a switching relay having normally open and normally closed contacts and a moveable relay arm and relay coil, and an arc suppression circuit formed of a transistor or pair of transistors connected in parallel with the switching relay to minimize contact arcing and load carrying limitations. A diode and capacitor pair is connected to an integrated circuit oscillator for activating and deactivating the relay and another diode and capacitor pair is connected to the gate of the transistor and to the relay coil, such that the mechanical contacts of the relay, with their inherent mechanical delay, control the transistor circuitry so that the transistor provides the primary current path during movement of the arm between the normally closed and normally open contacts and the normally open contact provides the primary current path when it is closed.

Abstract: A traffic signal made up of a conventional stop and go configuration of lamps and switching means with an improved lamp control and improved lamps. The lamps are of the incandescent type, preferably having two filaments. The filaments are connected to a source of electrical current. The current is supplied through an electronic circuit providing electrical current of a first polarity alternately to one of the filaments and electrical current a second polarity alternately to the second filament. It has been discovered that this alternate energizating of the filaments gives a scanning effect that is more conspicuous and has greater attention getting qualities under all viewing conditions.

Abstract: An electronic flash device fires one or a pair of flash tube sequentially for continuous shooting photography with a motor driven photographic camera, for substantially continuous illumination or for sequential illuminations at intervals, as well as fire the flash tube a single time for one shot photography. The flash device is provided with a main capacitor and an auxiliary capacitor which selectively energize the flash tube or tubes. The auxiliary capacitor is charged by the main capacitor and discharged to energize the flash tube for a small amount of flash light and short-time restoration of the flash firing circuit. When a pair of flash tubes are employed, they are alternatively actuated for the sequential firing and one of them is actuated for the single time firing. The pair of flash tubes are coupled with each other through a commutation capacitor and switch elements for quick repetition of their firings.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved decorative light set with clusters of light bulbs, an electric circuit and a d.c. power source for actuating the bulbs of clusters of the light bulbs and the electric circuit, wherein the circuit has two oscillators for producing pulses, a comparator for comparing the pulses of the two oscillators, a decoder actuated by the comparator. Random output signals are output by the decoding means for lighting the bulbs randomly as if the light set is sparkling and twinkling without using a long extending wire from a power source.

Abstract: A circuit for repetitively firing a flash or strobe lamp with voltage derived from the AC line without large and costly storage capacitors utilizes a voltage doubler having small capacitors one microfarad in capacitance value or less. A trigger circuit provides a high potential pulse to the trigger electrode of the lamp at or near the peak of the voltage from the AC line to provide flashes at a desired rate, say one per second. The circuit may be used in a warning light device.

Abstract: A flashing lamp unit comprising a fluorescent lamp, an ionization electrode in close proximity to the lamp, and an electrical means for exciting the lamp and ionization electrode to cause the lamp to flash. In one embodiment, the lamp is torroidal in shape, the ionization electrode is arc-shaped and abuts the lamp, and an optical scanning device peers through the center space of the lamp so that the lamp provides a substantially uniform illuminated field for viewing by the scanning device.

Abstract: A marker light using an array (2) of light emitting diodes (12) in combination with lenses (3) provides a light beam of required intensity, shape and color for railroad applications. The light emitting diodes are arranged in various configurations to form the array (2). The lenses may be Fresnel lenses. Control circuitry (C) energizes the light emitting diodes at predetermined or variable flashing rates. Sensing circuitry (222) senses the failure of light emitting diodes in the array and provides an indication of such failure.