Abstract: A strobe alarm circuit utilizing an optocoupler in the DC-to-DC converter portion of the circuit for repetitively connecting and disconnecting an energy-storing inductor across a DC power source. The light-emitting diode portion of the optocoupler is connected in parallel with a resistor connected in series with the inductor for continuously monitoring the current flowing through the inductor; when the inductor current has attained a particular value at which the voltage drop across the resistor is sufficient to turn on the LED, the switch portion of the optocoupler is turned on and disconnects the inductor from across the source. After a short interval determined by the parameters of the optocoupler and associated circuitry, the cycle is repeated.

Abstract: A lighting and flash device comprises a flash tube with a corresponding ignition device and at least two energy storage device units. The voltage of the energy storage device units is independently adjustable. When the voltage of the energy storage device units is accordingly divided, the resulting color temperature, in practice, is held relatively constant within allowable limits.

Abstract: A stroboscopic controller for illuminating a photographed object by discharging a charge stored to a main capacitor through a light emitting tube has a voltage measuring device for measuring a charging voltage of the main capacitor before light emission; a light quantity calculator for calculating a quantity of light required to illuminate the photographed object; a voltage calculator for calculating a voltage of the main capacitor at a stopping time of the light emission from the charging voltage measured by the voltage measuring device and the quantity of light calculated by the light quantity calculator; a time calculator for calculating a stroboscopic light emitting time for which the voltage of the main capacitor is changed by the stroboscopic light emission from the charging voltage before the light emission to the voltage at the stopping time of the light emission; and a light emission control device for controlling a light emitting operation and a stopping operation thereof with respect to the light e

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 apparatus is provided for controlling the charging of a main capacitor of a flash unit. Comparison means detect the timing at which a voltage V across the main capacitor reaches a reference voltage V.sub.1, at which point a flash photograph can be taken. A timer detects whether a predetermined time period has elapsed since the voltage V across the main capacitor reached the reference voltage V.sub.1 so as to stop charging the main capacitor. When the voltage V across the main capacitor drops to the reference voltage V.sub.1, as a result of the phenomenon known as "spontaneous discharge", recharging of the main capacitor occurs and the above process is repeated. When the recharging of the main capacitor has been performed over a predetermined time period or a predetermined number of times, the charging of the main capacitor is stopped.

Abstract: A series connection of a reverse direction diode 10 and a main capacitor 2 is connected across both terminals of a DC power source 1. Another series connection of a strobe tube 3 and forward semiconductor switching device 9 is connected across both terminals of the DC power source 1. A forward diode 11 is coupled between the series connections. Charging the main capacitor 2 is accomplished by a circuit form the DC power source 1, the main capacitor 2, the forward direciton diode 11 and the semiconductor switching device 9: whereas, discharging the strobe tube 3 is made through the strobe tube 3, the semiconductor device 9 and the reverse direction diode 10. The semiconductor switching device 9 is controlled both by a charge control circuit 14 and a light adjusting circuit 8.

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 strobe light power source includes a capacitor which is alternately charged through an inverter transformer and a rectifier and discharged through a strobe lamp. A MOSFET switch is connected in series with the transformer primary and has applied to its gate electrode a rectangular wave output signal from an oscillator. The oscillator and the transformer primary are coupled to a power supply independently of each other. A breakdown diode is connected in parallel with the MOSFET to limit the voltage thereacross.

Abstract: An automatic battery powered video light (10) is supplied power by a d.c. battery (16). A light (20) is connected between a first terminal of the battery (16) and a MOSFET switch (46), which is connected to a second terminal of the battery (16). A control circuit (24) controls the opening and closing of the MOSFET (46) to supply power to the light (20) and disconnect power from the light (20). The control circuit (24) includes a light sensor (36) for sensing ambient light and reflected radiant light from a scene (14) and a pulse width modulator (40) for controlling the MOSFET switch (46). The modulator (40) increases pulse width and therefore closing time of the switch (46) when the sensor (36) senses time low light levels, and vice versa. Also provided is a dual filament light (20') wherein each filament (52, 54) is independently controlled to enhance color balance.

Abstract: A strobe trigger pulse generator includes a power supply, an energy storage capacitor coupled to the power supply and a trigger pulse generator which intermittently energizes a trigger pulse transformer to ionize the gaseous interior of a strobe flash lamp. The trigger pulse generator includes a trigger capacitor coupled to the trigger pulse transformer. A trigger capacitor charging device is coupled between the power supply and the trigger capacitor to selectively direct a charging current to the trigger capacitor. The trigger capacitor discharge circuit is coupled to the trigger capacitor to periodically discharge the capacitor through the trigger pulse transformer to generate a high voltage trigger pulse. A charge path disabling circuit is coupled to the current flow path between the power supply and the trigger capacitor to control the charging current directed to the trigger capacitor.

Abstract: The DC to DC converter includes a coupled inductor having a primary winding and a feedback winding. A drive current regulator circuit receives a variable input voltage from the feedback winding but transmits a constant base drive current to the base terminal of the converter switching transistor. The base drive regulator circuit thereby enables the DC to DC converter to operate at high levels of efficiency over wide ranges of DC input voltages such as twelve to forty-eight volts DC.

Abstract: A strobe light circuit is provided for flashing a strobe flash unit at a desired frequency. An inductor is repetitively connected and disconnected across a d.c. power line by a switch means so that energy is stored in the inductor during the period when the circuit is complete. The flash unit and a capacitor are connected in parallel so that the capacitor can discharge its stored energy to the flash unit when the voltage across the capacitor exceeds the threshold firing voltage of the flash unit. The parallel combination of the flash unit and the capacitor is in turn connected in series with a diode, and the resulting series circuit is connected across the inductor with the diode being connected in polarity such that current will not flow from the power line through the flash unit or the capacitor.

Abstract: A strobe trigger pulse generator includes a power supply, an energy storage capacitorcoupled to the power supply and a trigger pulse generator which intermittently generates trigger pulses to energize a trigger pulse transformer. The pulse generator includes a trigger capacitor having first and second leads, the first of which is coupled to the trigger pulse transformer. A trigger capacitor charge circuit includes an input terminal coupled to the power supply and an output terminal coupled to the second lead of the trigger capacitor to establish a current flow path between the power supply and the trigger capacitor to direct a charge current to the trigger capacitor. A trigger capacitor discharge circuit is coupled to the second lead of the trigger capacitor to periodically direct a discharge current from the trigger capacitor through the trigger pulse transformer to generator a high voltage trigger pulse.

Abstract: An optical signalling device has a partially transparent envelope (2), a substantially U-shaped luminous tube (10) containing a gaseous atmosphere being placed within the envelope and supplied by a capacitor (C) which is charged and discharged by electric circuits placed on a printed circuit card (17).Within an insulating casing (4) having an end-wall (13) and side walls (14, 15), there is placed and maintained a printed circuit card (17) which carries conductive tracks (38, 39) soldered directly to the supply terminals (36, 37) of the gas tube (10). The gas tube is placed in a plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the casing and has two portions (32a, 33a) adjacent to the ends of its parallel arms (32, 33) which are securely clamped between two resilient lips (44) forming part of the end-wall (13) through which they pass. The bent region (35) of the tube extends externally of the end-wall and is protected by a transparent cover (5) of the envelope (2).

Abstract: A=n apparatus is provided for controlling the charging of a main capacitor of a flash unit. Comparison means detect the timing at which a voltage V across the main capacitor reaches a reference voltage V.sub.1, at which point a flash photograph can be taken. A timer detects whether a predetermined time period has elapsed since the voltage V across the main capacitor reached the reference voltage V.sub.1 so as to stop charging the main capacitor. When the voltage V across the main capacitor drops to the reference voltage V.sub.1, as a result of the phenomenon known as "spontaneous discharge", recharging of the main capacitor occurs and the above process is repeated. When the recharging of the main capacitor has been performed over a predetermined time period or a predetermined number of times, the charging of the main capacitor is stopped.

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: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for supplying and controlling simmer current to a flashlamp 28. A direct current-to-direct current converter including a transformer 12, full-wave bridge rectifier 24, and first and second switching means 20 and 22 produces an output which is always higher than the maximum required by the flashlamp 28 at its lowest simmer current. The converter (12, 20, 22, 24) is coupled to flashlamp 28 through an inductor 26. The current I(s) through a pair of inductors 26, 30 is sensed by a lamp current sensing circuit 34 which turns the converter on or off, respectively, when a preselected minimum or maximum value is reached. The converter transformer 12 is maintained in its operating range by the switching of two devices such as power FET's 20, 22 so that one or the other of the two halves of the primary winding 14 is used alternately. The initial ionization of flashlamp 28 is provided by simmer trigger circuit 38.

Abstract: A device for triggering a thyristor uses light pulses or flashes for achieving a galvanic separation between the triggering circuitry and the load circuit. The light pulses are generated by a flashlamp disposed in a housing in which a number of channels extend radially, each channel having a light conductor therein. The light conductors lead to respective individual thyristors which are to be triggered.

Abstract: An electric lamp for the photopolymerization of dental materials is supplied with constant electric power so that constant light output is obtained. The control circuit used to this end operates with a triac (3) connected between an a.c. voltage supply (2) and the lamp (1), said triac being controlled by signal values stored in a read-only memory of a microprocessor (4). Said stored values are respectively allocated to pairs of instantaneous values of lamp current and lamp voltage, the instantaneous values being detected in each cycle of the a.c. supply voltage and being utilized to address the read-only memory.

Abstract: A circuit for a flash stroboscope for examining vocal chord functions has a number of band-pass filters connected in parallel which have different cut-off frequencies. The acoustic signal generated by the vocal chords is fed to the inputs of these filters as an electrical signal after conversion in an electro-acoustic transducer. The output signal or fundamental wave signal allowed to pass by filter with a fundamental frequency of interest for the examination is supplied to a lamp circuit, which activates a flash lamp by trigger pulses generated from the fundamental wave. The band-pass filters are scanned automatically and successively to determine the presence of an output signal having the fundamental frequency of interest. The scanning operation is stopped upon detection of an output signal of this frequency at one of the filter outputs, so that the output of this filter can be connectd to the lamp circuit.

Abstract: The converter delivers current to an intermittently energized load and includes a coupled inductor having a primary winding, a secondary winding and a feedback winding. A switching transistor is coupled in series with the primary winding of the inductor and switches between conductive and non-conductive states to control the flow of current through the primary winding. A positive drive circuit provides positive bias voltage to the switching transistor. A current limiting circuit senses the voltage across the base-emitter junction of the switching transistor to measure the primary winding current, removes the positive bias voltage when the primary winding current reaches a predetermined value, and thereby switches the transistor out of the conductive state into the non-conductive state.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection circuit limits the output voltage of a DC to DC converter to a maximum desired output voltage. An output voltage sensing circuit includes a semiconductor device such as a sidac having a normal resistive region of operation as well as a negative resistance region of operation which begins at a breakover voltage and extends into a foldback region. One terminal of the sidac is coupled to sense the converter output voltage while the second terminal opposite end of the sidac is coupled to a biasing device in the form of a resistor which generates an overvoltage signal when the sidac conducts current. The overvoltage signal from the biasing resistor is coupled to a converter switching transistor disabling circuit which reduces the converter output voltage to a level below the maximum desired output voltage in response to the overvoltage signal.

Abstract: The DC to DC converter includes a coupled inductor having a primary winding and a feedback winding. A drive current regulator circuit receives a variable input voltage from the feedback winding but transmits a constant base drive current to the base terminal of the converter switching transistor. The base drive regulator circuit thereby enables the DC to DC converter to operate at high levels of efficiency over wide ranges of DC input voltages such as twelve to forty-eight volts DC.

Abstract: A variable frequency DC to DC converter generates a pulsed, variable magnitude output voltage where the frequency of the pulsed output voltage varies with changes in the magnitude of the output voltage. An energy storage capacitor is coupled between the converter coupled inductor and strobe flash lamp or other gaseous discharge tube and is periodically discharged through the flash lamp. A variable impedance device in the form of a capacitor is coupled in series with the flow of current from the coupled inductor into the energy storage capacitor to provide a low impedance current flow path when energy is transferred from the coupled inductor into the capacitor and to provide a high impedance current flow path between the converter DC voltage input terminals and the energy storage capacitor when energy is transferred from the capacitor into the strobe flash lamp.

Abstract: An electric circuit arrangement for use in energising a flash tube (3) to provide a series of pairs of flashes, each pair consisting of a main flash and a rapidly following second flash, includes first and second capacitors (C9, C10) which are controlled to effect discharge of first only the first capacitor (C9) and then both the first and second capacitors (C9, C10) across the flash tube (3), cyclically, to provide the two flashes of each pair, in series. By varying the relative values of the first and second capacitors (C9, C10) the time interval between the flashes of each pair can be varied. All flashes produced can have the same peak intensity while the flashes in each pair can have different energy contents.

Abstract: A panoramic light emitter of an omnidirectional horizontal light beam with very sharp cut-off in the vertical plane is disclosed. The sharp cut-off prevents interference near airports. High average powers are attainable because the light source can be distributed rather than be a point source. The omnidirectional-in-the-horizontal-plane light emitter with a high degree of vertical beam control is achieved by combining a generally cylindrical refractor with an internally emitting open-ended generally conical light source. The internal emitting surface of the conical light source is in the focal plane of the cylindrical refractor. The refractor sharply images the source with its edges, and that image is projected panoramically as the light beam having sharp cut-off at the edges of the image. The external surface of the conical light source does not emit, thus preventing undesired angles of light from passing out through the refractor.

Abstract: A pulse generating apparatus includes a base current supply section for generating a constant DC current having a first prescribed current level for turning on a xenon lamp, and a pulse current section for adding a pulse current having a second current level greater than the first current level and a prescribed pulse duration within a prescribed repetition period to the constant DC current. The base current supply section and pulse current section should satisfy the following equations:1.4.ltoreq.Imax/Imini.ltoreq.60.2.ltoreq.t/T.ltoreq.0.7T.ltoreq.1/40Where Imax is the sum of the first and the second prescribed current levels, Imini is the first prescribed current level, T is the prescribed repetition period, and t is the prescribed pulse duration.When the pulse current added to the DC current is supplied to a xenon lamp, the xenon lamp outputs a strong light during the pulse duration of the pulse current, and a feeble light during the absence of the pulse current.

Abstract: The collision of birds with aircraft is prevented by means of at least one light source installed on an aircraft which produces light flashes. The frequency of the light flashes produced thereby is varied during at least one cycle time period. The frequency of light flashes is advantageously continuously increased one or more times in a range of from approximately 0.1 Hz to 3.0 Hz, and the maximum frequency may then be maintained. Two such light sources are preferably visible to the birds.

Abstract: The operation of a strobe lighting system is electronically monitored from a remote location to verify proper operation of all of the individual elements of the system. A current sensor is coupled in series with the flow of current between the strobe power supply and the strobe lamp and generates a voltage pulse in response to each flash inducing pulse of current through the strobe lamp. A remote indicator is coupled to the current sensor and generates a humanly perceptible output signal (visual or audible) in response to the voltage pulse from the current sensor. The strobe flash monitor enables a strobe lighting system user to continuously monitor system operation without direct observation of the strobe lamp flashes.

Abstract: A compact adaptor for conversion of a conventional hand-held automotive timing light into a stroboscope for industrial troubleshooting comprises a D.C. power source, preferably a twelve volt rechargeable battery, and an integrated circuit oscillator, both mounted in a housing together with a frequency adjustment circuit to adjust the oscillator frequency over a broad, continuous range. A pair of power terminals engageable by the power cord clamps of the timing light project from the housing, and a load element comprising a part of the oscillator load circuit is mounted outside the housing for engagement by the inductive pickup clamp of the timing light.

Abstract: An optical cleaning system for removing matter from underwater surfaces comprising the high energy strobe lamp, a capacitor electrically connected to the strobe lamp, a power supply electrically connected to the capacitor, and a trigger circuit electrically interactive with the capacitor. The strobe lamp is either a xenon or krypton lamp. Stainless steel reflectors are arranged about the strobe lamp so as to reflect and direct light. The power supply is a generator having a capacity of less than 5 kilovolts. The optical cleaning system may further comprise a cooling fluid and a cooling fluid circulation system in heat exchange relationship with the strobe lamp. The trigger circuit is a transformer electrically connected in series with the capacitor and a switch for actuating the transformer. The optical cleaning system further includes a remotely controlled manipulator arm for positioning the strobe lamp in position about the area to be cleaned.

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: The converter delivers current to an intermittently energized load and includes a coupled inductor having a primary winding, a secondary winding and a feedback winding. A switching translator is coupled in series with the primary winding of the inductor and switches between conductive and non-conductive states to control the flow of current through the primary winding. A positive drive circuit provides positive bias voltage to the switching transistor. A current limiting circuit senses the base voltage of the switching transistor to measure the primary winding current, removes the positive bias voltage when the primary winding current reaches a predetermined value, and thereby switches the transistor out of the conductive state into the non-conductive state. A negative drive circuit is coupled between the feedback winding and the base of the switching transistor and supplies a constant negative bias voltage to the transistor base as energy is transferred from the inductor into a load.

Abstract: A strobe light firing circuit is provided with an integrated circuit (10) for deriving both timing and power generating pulses. A field-effect power transistor (16) gates the power generation transients while effectively isolating the timing integrated circuit (10) from high transients during the switching of the transistor (16). Timing pulses from the timing circuit (10) are divided in frequency by a binary counter (38) and then sequentially applied at the output pins of a decade counter (40) for strobe timing sequence selection. A strobe light firing pulse is differentiated (48) to form a pulse for shutting off power generation pulses from time (10) for a time effective for the flash tube (58) to recover for a subsequent discharge.

Abstract: A film video player includes an electronic strobe light operable for repetitively firing a flash tube, to flash illuminate a solid state image sensor via a high-intensity light pulse projected onto photographic film at the vertical retrace rate of a standard television signal. A current sink circuit is provided for drawing a flash tube simmer current, to maintain an arc in the flash tube between sensor-illuminating pulses. Sensing circuitry, coupled to a junction common to the flash tube and the current sink circuit, produces a control signal corresponding to whether or not the flash tube is conducting simmer current. Switching circuitry, responsive to the control signal at the vertical retrace rate, (1) causes the overriding of the operation of a flash tube trigger circuit when the control signal indicates that the flash tube is conducting simmer current, and (2) causes the operating of the trigger circuit when the control signal indicates that the flash tube is not conducting simmer current.

Abstract: A light emission switching circuit for use in a larynx stroboscope in which switching between a mode in which a stroboscopic lamp is flashed in synchronism with vibration of vocal cords and a mode in which the lamp is flashed at a fixed frequency is effected quickly in such a manner that there is no gap in light output at the time of switching. A detection output signal is produced when the frequency of a vocal cords vibration signal falls below a predetermined frequency, typically, about 50 Hz. When this signal is present, a switch circuit is controlled so as to connect the output of a fixed-frequency oscillator to drive the stroboscope. When the signal is absent, a pulse signal synchronous with the vocal cords vibration signal is employed to drive the stroboscopic lamp.

Abstract: A flash strobe power supply adapted for controlling alternately the energization of a pair of flash lamps includes a trigger timing device for generating a series of positive pulses and a series of negative pulses spaced in time from the positive pulses by a predetermined interval. First and second energy storage devices are provided for repeatedly charging incrementally during successive charging cycles and for storing a charge to be applied to respective first and second flash lamps. An inverter oscillator circuit includes a pulse width modulator and a transformer for generating a quasi-squarewave signal whose frequency is greater than the frequency of the positive and negative pulses to control the incremental charging of the energy storage devices. First and second switching devices deliver when conductive the charge stored in the first and second energy storage devices to their respective first and second flash lamps.

Abstract: An electrical illumination device, using a plurality of Xenon stroboscopic lights, with the bulbs mounted around a column that sets on a case containing the principal components of the stroboscopic lights with electrical conductors and switching devices to cause the lights to pulse with a steady even-appearing light. The plurality of lights to be enclosed by a weather-resistant globe fastened to the case.

Abstract: A portable light for emergency illumination which is activated in response to the sound emitted by a smoke alarm device, which light has an efficient and reliable battery conserving circuit. The present light includes a switch interconnecting a battery and a light bulb for selectively activating the light bulb and a circuit interconnecting a microphone and the switch for selectively activating the switch in response to a smoke alarm signal. A strobe circuit interconnects the source of power and the circuit for periodically activating the circuit which, therefore, draws power for only a small fraction of the time.

Abstract: A capacitor discharge apparatus of the kind having a spark gap device for discharging a capacitor to provide a current impulse for conduction through a load. The capacitor and spark gap device both include flat terminals for connecting them directly to a foil strip transmission line. The capacitor is relatively thin and configured such that electrical current flows through it along a short, substantially uni-directional path. The current path of the apparatus is configured such that it retraces itself in a closely-spaced relationship, whereby the magnetic field created by current flowing through each segment of the path is substantially canceled by the magnetic field of the oppositely-directed current flowing through the corresponding, closely-spaced path segment. This substantially reduces the apparatus' inductance, such that it provides an increased peak electrical current and a faster current rise time.

Abstract: A flash lamp in which a flash tube, transformer, capacitor and base are coupled together to form a unitary integral lamp. A portion of the flash tube, the transformer and capacitor may be encapsulated by a plotting compound. An electrical circuit consisting of a flash lamp and a conventional incandescent light is also provided for operation in parallel from a remotely located power supply.

Abstract: A flash beacon is described which uses a strong bright initial flash to attract attention followed by a series of weaker flashes to enable a person to easily locate the beacon source. The weaker flashes may be broken into code groups for identification or other purposes. An electrical circuit utilizing three capacitor banks interacting with each other, is described for operating the flash sequences.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electric flash apparatus which comprises power supplying means, trigger signal generating means, flashlight generating means, trigger signal controlling means for controlling the trigger signal generating means and flashlight quantity control means for adjusting automatically the light quantity of the flashlight. The electric flash apparatus of the invention can operate as a mono-flashing device and as a multi-flashing device, and the electric flash apparatus of the invention further can control quantity of the flashlight of a flash tube in both of the mono-flashing operation and the multi-flashing operation, in spite of the photographing distance.

Abstract: An automatic light-quantity-control speed light which is capable of operating in a direct or an indirect illumination mode incorporates a device for indicating, prior to an exposure, whether or not light quantity control is possible in the direct illumination mode, and for indicating, subsequent to an exposure, whether or not a light quantity control operation occurred during an exposure in the indirect illumination mode. The device includes a first detecting circuit for determining whether or not the guide member determined by preset exposure factors is outside of the guide number range in which light quantity control can be effected and a second detecting circuit for detecting whether or not a light quantity control operation occurs during an exposure. A display circuit is connected to the first detecting circuit in the direct illumination mode, and is connected to the second detecting circuit in the indirect illumination mode.

Abstract: A strobe light power source transfers a constant amount of energy to a capacitor bank for each flash of a strobe lamp by maintaining a constant energy transfer rate between a power source and the capacitor bank and allowing the capacitor bank to charge for a set period of time. The effective value of the input current to a charging circuit connected between the power source and the capacitor bank can be maintained at a constant value to provide an approximately constant energy transfer rate. Such constant current control is most effective for a source having a relatively constant output voltage. In sources where the output voltage varies over time, both the input current and voltage to the charging circuit are monitored, combined and integrated to generate a duty cycle output signal which controls the charging circuit. A timer circuit is provided to set time periods during which the capacitor bank is charged at the constant rate to provide constant energy for each flash of the strobe light.

Abstract: An automobile timing light for use with an internal combustion engine. The timing light includes a skip circuitry for regulating the time between flashes of a flash circuitry for permitting a sufficient charge to develop across a flash powering capacitor between successive flashes. The timing light thus provides a uniformly bright light flash irrespective of engine r.p.m.

Abstract: A variable ramp voltage generated by a first 555 timer is applied to the control electrode of a second 555 timer for controllably varying the delay function of the second timer. The second timer is triggered in accordance with the motion to be observed, several trigger signals being applied during each ramp. The output signals from the second timer are thus timed at progressively longer intervals from the respective input signals during each ramp. The output signals are applied to trigger a stroboscope, producing a cinematographic slow motion view of a selected portion of the motion under observation.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for the pulsed illumination of a stroboscope ring of a record player is formed from a pulsating direct voltage by rectification, and the pulsating direct voltage is applied to a series connection of an ohmic resistor and a light emitting diode.

Abstract: Device for stroboscopically testing the ignition timing of an internal-combustion motor, comprising a flat elongate casing and a flash lamp and a trigger circuit for the flash lamp arranged in the casing, which trigger circuit is adapted to be controlled by impulses received from the ignition system of the motor to be tested, the casing comprising three parts, a middle casing part containing the flash lamp trigger circuit and, at its forward end, mounting means for the flash lamp, a front casing part forming a removable lens cap having a lens mounted in an opening in front of the flash lamp, and a hollow rear casing part provided on its inner wall with a flat metal antenna member operatively connected to the trigger circuit.

Abstract: A stroboscope device for a record player for monitoring at least two speeds such as 331/3 and 45 r.p.m. A turntable rim may be provided with a single stroboscope pattern for the relevant speeds. As they pass a light pulse generator, the marks of the stroboscope pattern are optically comparable with light pulse trains produced by a light pulse generator at one of a plurality of frequencies obtained from a given or a-c mains frequency.