Abstract: A light detection and signaling system for attachment to a bicycle, pedestrian, or to any other object. The system includes a housing having a first photosensitive surface mounted therein for detecting the headlights of a vehicle approaching from any direction. The system further includes at least one light source mounted for visibility, along with circuitry responsive to detection of the vehicle headlights for illuminating the light source. A second photosensitive surface may also be provided to receive largely ambient light and to be nonresponsive to the lights of an approaching vehicle, along with circuitry to allow the illumination of the light source only when the second photosensitive surface detects the absence of a predetermined level of ambient light.

Abstract: A neon tube flashing device having a neon tube which emits light upon application of a predetermined voltage thereto to effect indication of operational conditions comprises a capacitor parallel-connected to the neon tube, and switch means series-connected to the capacitor and parallel-connected to the neon tube. The neon tube may be caused to effect flashing by charging-discharging of the capacitor during conduction of the switch means.

Abstract: Deterioration of the electrical contacts of variable load flashers provided for intermittently energizing vehicle signal lamps is inhibited by the provision of a coiled length of a current conductor having a suitable inductance value connecting the flasher contacts with at least one output terminal. In the case of a two-terminal flasher, the conductor extends to the single output terminal from a junction at the flasher contacts and in such a flasher for use in a signal lamp circuit having a relatively high current load, the coiled length is wound about a heat conductive core member connected to the single output terminal and has an inductance value of about 5.8 to 6 microhenrys. In two terminal flashers for use in signal lamp circuits having a lower current load, the coiled length may have an air core and an inductance value of about 2 to 2.2 microhenrys.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes apparatus and method for full wave rectification of commerical alternating current of conventional or standard low frequency (e.g., 50-60 hz.) and for generating substantially square wave pulses of high frequency for transformation to voltage suitable for illumination of gas discharge lamps. The apparatus includes electronic means for rectification and silicone control rectifiers and stearing diodes, plus RC devices, for setting up a primary wave or pulse oscillation to produce a desired form of wave pulses at a suitable high frequency. Apparatus also includes variable potentiometer means for varying the lighting intensity by changing width or duty cycle of power pulses as applied to the primary of the light-operating transformer without substantially changing their frequency. Means which can be on or off also are included to periodically turn off the transformer power for "flashing" or periodic lighting and extinguishing of the lamps when such operation is needed.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for flashing an electric lamp is disclosed which may be fabricated from a small number of components and powered by a low-voltage power source which nevertheless assures that the lamp flashes brightly enough to be prominently visible. The on and off times of the lamp are relatively insensitive to temperature variations.

Abstract: A strobe light circuit adapted for use with a battery including a transformer and oscillator connected to charge a storage capacitor disposed across a discharge tube. A fourth winding in the transformer provides the trigger signal to the tube. By this arrangement the trigger pulse becomes progressively higher with increasing charge on the storage capacitor utilizing to best advantage the parameter relationships of the tube.

Abstract: A lamp is included as a cathode load for a gate-turn-off silicon controlled rectifier (GTO). The conduction path of a transistor is connected between the gate electrode of the GTO and ground. The GTO and lamp are turned off by applying current in the forward direction through the base-emitter junction of the transistor, thereby turning on the transistor and placing the gate electrode of the GTO at ground. The forward current passes through a thermal circuit breaker which periodically opens in response to the heat produced by the current flow, causing the gate electrode of the GTO to become forward biased via the collector load resistance of the transistor and turn on.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for igniting flash tubes, without using an ignition electrode, and having two main electrodes which are supplied with an ignition pulse parallel to a flash capacitor and an electronic switch, employs an electronic switch which also constitutes a gas discharge path. In particular the electronic switch may be realized as a flash tube.

Abstract: Electrical circuitry for delivering to a flashtube a series of flash-producing electrical pulses, the circuitry comprising energy circuitry means for repeatedly storing electrical energy and discharging the energy in the form of such pulses through the flashtube, each pulse producing a flash, each flash being grouped in a flash cycle synchronized with a cycle of an AC voltage source, the energy circuitry means comprising first and second capacitors connected by a switching element responsive to the difference between a first voltage at the junction between the first capacitor and the switching element and a second voltage on the second capacitor, the energy circuitry means stepping up the voltage discharged across the flashtube by the second capacitor, and firing circuitry means for receiving during each flash cycle a portion of the energy discharged by the energy circuitry means, to initiate each flash, the firing circuitry means being timed to initiate the flash, thereby reducing the second voltage upon dis

Abstract: A control circuit for triggering a stroboscope repetitively at successively longer intervals following successive input signals. It enables visual observation of a selected portion of the travel of a repetitively moving object with a cinematic slow motion effect. The circuit is relatively simple and includes a variable delay device, and means for varying the delay produced by it in accordance with a ramp voltage that has a period spanning several of the input signals, that is, several repetitions of the complete motion of the object to be observed.

Abstract: An ornamental ring having a flashing capacity controlled by a minute electrical circuit incorporating one or more light-emitting diodes which are confined in the gem-display region of the ring, is disclosed. A time delay, capacitor-resistor arrangement governs the activation and deactivation of a pair of transistors whose function is to cause the light-emitting diodes to alternately flash or blink in substantially identical intervals.

Abstract: A plurality of flash units mounted as warning, navigational or signal beacons are driven from a remote energy storage power converter with reduced number and or size of discharge current cables by common use of cables combined with sequential flashing such that the discharge current for only one flash lamp is carried by a cable at a given instant. By very close spacing, the sequential flashes may be made to appear simultaneous to the human eye.

Abstract: A lamp rate generator is disclosed which generates signals for controlling the illumination of key lamps at key telephone sets so that they may be illuminated at wink or flash rates. In addition, a "zero-crossing" signal is generated to determine the onset of conduction in a PNPN switch in the ungrounded side of the lamp power lead to ensure that the rise time of current delivered to the lamp load shall follow the rectified ac waveform of the power source. The circuit is most advantageously employed in time division PBXs which must be rendered secure against transient noise signals that could be induced by current surges having steep wave fronts.

Abstract: A strobe lamp power supply control circuit for use with a high intensity strobe lamp operating at a high flashing rate in parallel with a capacitor storage arrangement is disclosed. Strobe lamp after-glow is quickly eliminated after each flash. This is accomplished by providing an SCR which disconnects the power source from the capacitor storage arrangement and the strobe lamp for a sufficient time to allow the after-glow to dissipate. A zero crossing detector is provided to protect the SCR from surge currents by permitting the SCR to be gated on only when there is a zero potential across the terminals of the SCR. Additionally, the capacitor storage arrangement may be used to supply either of two strobe lamps when a voltage limiting circuit is activated to regulate the amount of energy stored.

Abstract: A nonpredictable, nondeterministic actuator for switches or the like having two unsynchronized pulse generators delivering pulses to an AND gate which passes an actuating signal only when the pulses from the generators are coincidental. One generator produces a pulse train at a frequency much higher than the other generator which produces very short pulses and has a maximum timing uncertainty or jitter which is greater than the period of the first mentioned generator.

Abstract: A flasher circuit is disclosed for use with a conventional automotive turn signal system. The flasher circuit comprises a flasher relay under the control of a free-running multivibrator. The multivibrator takes the form of a pair of intercoupled logic gates and an inhibiting means, in the form of a logic gate, disables the multivibrator when the turn signal switch is open and enables it so long as the turn signal switch is closed. The inhibiting logic gate is supplied with logic signals from the output of the multivibrator and a voltage sensing circuit connected with the turn signal switch. The flasher circuit is a two-terminal device and may be substituted for the well known hot-wire flasher without the circuit changes in the turn signal system. The logic gates preferably take the form of an integrated circuit on a single chip.