GB476094A - Apparatus for obtaining the appearance of handwriting or the like by means of electrical discharge luminous tubes and like devices - Google Patents

Abstract

476,094. Supply systems for discharge lamps. SOC. COOPERATIVE NEOLUMEN. March 30, 1937, No. 9043. Convention date, March 31, 1936. [Class 38 (iv)] [Also in Group XVIII] Switching control.-In apparatus for illu.. minating progressively an electric discharge tube sign in which the tube is divided by intermediate electrodes into a plurality of sections illuminated successively by switches to give the appearance of luminous writing or drawing, the voltage on the low and on the high tension sides of a single transformer are regulated simultaneously by means of a variable resistance on the low tension winding in such a, manner that an increasing number of sections of a tube are connected one by one in series with a single circuit including the high tension winding, the whole current passing through each section of the tube, so that the correct striking voltage is applied successively to each portion of the tube. The Figure shows a tube H<1> .... L having intermediate electrodes 1-16 which are connected each respectively to contact studs 1-16 on the high voltage side of a rotary switch. The rotary arm Sch carries a contact C connecting a conducting rim in the secondary circuit of the transformer with, in succession, an insulating segment A, the studs 1-16 and a conducting segment D. The arm Sch also carries a contact K connecting a conducting ring in the primary circuit of the transformer with, in succession, an insulating segment B, conducting segments a joined together by resistances R1, R2, R3 and a conducting segment G. It is stated that one transformer will function for a length of tube up to 12 metres. For greater lengths additional transformers are provided, a single rotary switch being adapted for working them in parallel.