US3793531A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic tree light controller
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1971-12-09
•
Granted: 1974-02-19
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Expires: 1991-12-09
Abstract
Abstract An electronic power supply control mechanism is provided to regulate flow of electric power to lights or other loads in pulses where the intensity of the pulse varies with time in a cammed fashion. The control simultaneously permits control of the period or duration of the cammed power pulses to increase and decrease their length as they also undergo their change in intensity with time. This cammed intensity change coupled with change of the duration of the power pulses is achieved by electronic circuitry including a solid state switch, the trigger actuation of which is made responsive to the difference frequency or an oscillator frequency beating against line frequency.
Inventors
- 👤 W Ferrigno
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:49
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21S; F21S4/00; F21S4/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A power control circuit for varying the flow of current through a load in a repetitive cammed fashion, comprising: first and second input terminals for connecting said circuit to a source of alternating current of a first frequency, and first and second output terminals for connecting said circuit to a load, means interconnecting said first input terminal and said first output terminal, a solid state switch between said second input terminal and said second output terminal, said solid state switch including a trigger element, an oscillator operable at a second frequency other than said first frequency, means providing power to said oscillator from said first and second input terminals, and means for connecting the output from said oscillator to said trigger element of said solid state switch to effect a repetitive camming operation of current flowing through said switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A power control circuit for varying the flow of current through a load in a repetitive cammed fashion, comprising: first and second input terminals for connecting said circuit to a source of alternating current of a first frequency, and first and second output terminals for connecting said circuit to a load, means interconnecting said first input terminal and said first output terminal, a solid state switch between said second input terminal and said second output terminal, said solid state switch including a trigger element, an oscillator operable at a second frequency other than said first frequency, means providing power to said oscillator from said first and second input terminals, and means for connecting the output from said oscillator to said trigger element of said solid state switch to effect a repetitive camming operation of current flowing through said switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The power control circuit as defined in claim 1 and in which the frequency of said oscillator is variable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The power control circuit as defined in claim 1 and in which the oscillator is a neon oscillator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The power control circuit as defined in claim 1 and in which the solid state switch is a bidirectional switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The power control circuit as defined in claim 1 and in which the oscillator is a multi-vibrator and an amplifier is provided between the oscillator output and the trigger element of said solid state trigger element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The power control circuit as defined in claim 1 and wherein the load comprises a first load circuit and a second load circuit, said first load circuit including a series diode poled in a first direction and said second load circuit including a series diode poled in a second direction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-18 | 1977-08-20 | 1978-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-18 | 1981-08-20 | 1982-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-18 | 1985-08-20 | 1986-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |