GB560029A - Improvements in or relating to light beacons - Google Patents

Abstract

560,029. Electricity supply. LONDEX, Ltd., and STERN, W. L. July 16, 1942, No. 9895. [Class 38 (iv)] [Also in Group XXXVIII] Relates to a light beacon or light buoy of the kind in which the illuminant is a gaseous discharge lamp 6 operated by a low voltage battery 1 through a vibrator 2 and transformer 3, as described in Specification 560,023, [Group XXXVIII]. According to the invention, the lamp is energized intermittently, or flashed, by the discharge of a condenser 5 which is charged through a rectifier 4 by the output of the transformer. Any suitable rectifier may be used, and it may be incorporated with the transforming device to produce a hightension rectified output. An impedance may be included in the condenser discharge circuit for regulating the duration of each flash. A longer period between successive flashes may be obtained by delaying the charging of the condenser, and this may be effected by the coil 7 of a relay, included in the condenser discharge circuit, which when energized by the discharge closes contacts 8 to operate a time-delay relay 9 that opens contacts 10 in the circuit of the vibrator 2. After a discharge, the relay 9 remains energized and keeps the contacts 10 open for the required period. A relay of the kind described in Specification 528,132, [Group XXXVII], may be used. The switching device may be used to regulate the flashes in accordance with a code.