US2892966A - Automatic lamp changers - Google Patents

Automatic lamp changers Download PDF

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Publication number
US2892966A
US2892966A US664605A US66460557A US2892966A US 2892966 A US2892966 A US 2892966A US 664605 A US664605 A US 664605A US 66460557 A US66460557 A US 66460557A US 2892966 A US2892966 A US 2892966A
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United States
Prior art keywords
lamp
turret
circuit
base
motor
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US664605A
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English (en)
Inventor
Smyth Henry Lyall Ross
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National Research Council of Canada
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National Research Council of Canada
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Priority to US664605A priority Critical patent/US2892966A/en
Priority to DEN15180A priority patent/DE1116581B/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2892966A publication Critical patent/US2892966A/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B39/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for operating incandescent light sources
    • H05B39/09—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for operating incandescent light sources in which the lamp is fed by pulses
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B39/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for operating incandescent light sources
    • H05B39/10—Circuits providing for substitution of the light source in case of its failure
    • H05B39/105—Circuits providing for substitution of the light source in case of its failure with a spare lamp in the circuit, and a possibility of shunting a failed lamp

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to light-responsive controls associated with lamp flashing apparatus of the type incorporating a monitor to detect failure of a lamp and to control lamp changing mechanism for automatically substituting a replacement in response to a detected failure. More specifically the invention is concerned with providing monitor means responsive to absence of light output when a lamp is defective to cause a lamp-holding turret mechanism to be rotated tol bring another lamp into the flashing circuit.
  • Navigational marker lights installed on buoys are required to operate reliably for long periods of time without attention.
  • Such lights desirably are fitted with automatic lamp replacement apparatus to provide continuity of service, and in some installations lamps are deliberately burned under over-voltage conditions to increase efficiency, necessitating frequent replacement.
  • the number of inspections per year or per season which it has heretofore been found necessary to carry out in order to maintain a given standard of performance of the complete installation has incurred a costly upkeep charge.
  • the maintenance problem is particularly aggravated when the marker lights are located in hazardous waters and at very distant sites.
  • the apparatus presently in use is characterized by complexity and bulk, involving motoractuated switch devices and circuit breakers for interruptedly energizing a stepping motor magnet in response to an open lamp circuit condition. These devices have required frequent attention to the switching contacts.
  • this invention is concerned to provide the combination of a periodic switching circuit which does not use moving contacts employing transistor devices for energizing a signal lamp at intervals, with motor-driven lamp-changing mechanism energiza'ole under control of a monitor circuit responsive to lamp fiashing to inhibit functioning of the mechanism unless the lamp fails to light in an energizing interval.
  • Yet another object is the provision of low cost and efficient monitor means for detecting the light output of a flashing lamp and for controlling energization of simple and reliable solenoid powered pawl-and-ratchet driven lamp changing mechanism during. the flash interval in response to detection by the monitor of a lamp failure condition.
  • Figurel is a schematic circuit diagram of a complete lamp flasher with changing mechanism operative according to the invention.
  • Figurey 2 is an elevation View partly in cross section of a lamp turret, a complete flashing light assembly showing'a lamp turret, Fresnel lens and control devices;
  • Figures 3a and 3b are graphs relating keying waveform, lumen output, and monitor responses of the apparatus of Figures l and 2;
  • Figure 4 is an alternative corrective circuit for the monitor amplifier.
  • Figure 5 is an enlarged cut-away elevation view of the mechanical drive for a lamp turret of Figure l.
  • a pair of transistors TR1 and TR2 preferably PNP junction type have their collectors and bases cross-connected by relatively large capacitance means C1 and C2; each base is shunted to its respective collector by individual shunt resistors, R3 and R4, with individual resistors R2 and R5 in series with the collectors whereby with emitters positively polarized by a source of supplyV a multivibrator operation is achieved with one' transistor switched to fully on state while the other is biassed off for a predetermined duration, and thereafter a reversal of states ensuing.
  • the circuit is freely running ⁇ as long as operating voltages are applied.
  • capacitor C2 is the smaller, the on time for TR2 is made to be a fraction of the recurrence period, the value of shunt resistor R4 being adjustable to control the flashes per minute switching rate.
  • the keying waveform appearing on the collector of TR2 may be examined by reference to Figure 3a, wherein substantially full supply voltage potential appears as TR2 is duly biassed on during the interval F, and substantially negative supply potential appears during the remainder of the recurrence period T.
  • the latter is preferably a relatively high current type of transistor whose emitter passes the total of all the base currents of the switching stage comprising TRS, TR6 TRn connected in parallel.
  • the base current of the switching stage group of transistors is held substantially at zero by interposing the bias cell 27 and its shunting resistor R20 between R12 and the bases, as more fully described in the aforesaid copending application.
  • Cell 27 opposes the supply to polarize the bases positively and thereby minimizes current.
  • a group of lamps which may be four or any other convenient number, of which but 12 and 12' are indicated in Figure l, have one terminal of their filaments connected to the common collector bus of the keying stage and their individual other filament terminals connected to-corresponding commutator segments of which 16 and 16 are indicated.
  • Photocell 17 which is of the type that generates a potential difference between its terminals 18, 19 when light is incident upon it, has its negative pole 18 directly connected to the base of TRA and its positive pole to the base of TRB.
  • a type of cell is preferably chosen which is able to deliver at least a fractional part of a volt output in response to 'the full light output of the lamp 12, when cell 17 is mounted adjacent to the lamp base.
  • the cell In the dark state the cell is passive and exhibits only a series resistance indicated by the dotted outline of R21.
  • the resistance appearing between the base of TRA and ground or negative supply is greater than that between the base of TRB and ground by the value of R21. Accordingly if the emitters of the stages were biassed positively, base current would tend to flow from TRB to bias it on while TRA would be biassed off due to substantially zero base current.
  • the monitor cell 17 When lamp 12 is energized and if it is functioning correctly so that substantially full lumen output is delivered as in Figure 3b, the monitor cell 17 generates an output so that positive voltage is applied to the base yof TRB and a negative voltage to the base of TRA.
  • the conductor 29 is made positive in this interval by virtue of the switching stage being fully on, so that base current iows in TRA.
  • TRB is strongly biassed oli due both to the cell voltage appearing on the base of TRB and to the fact that the collector of TRA assumed substantially the full positive potential of lead 29. Therefore the stage TRC is strongly biassed on and TRD is biassed off during the interval.
  • the waveform of lumen output with time by an energized lilamentary lamp such as 12 shown in Figure 3b does not coincide with the keying wave form of Figure 3a due to the nite time or delay interval AF required for the filament to heat up to a light-emitting temperature.
  • the delay interval is reducible by choice of a lamp with a filament of relatively small mass.
  • the application of the positive voltage keying wave to the stages TRA, TRB and TRC is deliberately delay by an interval of at least the length yof AF by interposing resistor R13 in series with lead 23 ahead of these stages, and by use of a shunting capacitor C3, to provide a finite build-up time before appreciable positive voltage is applied to the emitters of these stages.
  • the light output continues shortly after the end of each flash interval F, however electromagnet 2t) cannot operate after positive voltage has been removed from lead 29.
  • stage TRD is shown, having a delay capacitor C4 connected from the positive bus to the base.
  • Charging current through the capacitor liowing in resistors R19 and R15 to negative supply effectively biasses the stage olf until the capacitor has reached a degree of charge, the delay being arranged to be not less than the build up time for full lumen output.
  • a lamp turret 32 having a capacity of four lamps has its axle journalled in a frame comprising the upward extension of a casting 33 having a gear train housing closed by cover plate 5S and a back bearing plate 36.
  • the lamp turret assembly is supported with the frame base 37 secured to a thick disc cap 40, as by screws or other suitable fastening means, thereby securing a strap 38 to the assembly. Stud bolt means 39 passed through the ends of the strap are threadedly engaged in holes tapped into the main lamp base 10.
  • a Fresnel type lens 11 is carried upon a sturdy metal base ring 50 having a series of captive bolts 51 spaced about the circumference, the base seating on bevelled face 49 of the lower housing. Suitable resilient sealing gasket means are provided to prevent dust and moisture from gaining entry when the bolts 51 are tightened down upon the slotted ears 52.
  • the upper lens assembly is made to pivot upon the lower housing, hinging on pin 56 which is received in the hole 57 of the base shoulder provided.
  • Base 10 may be supported in any suitable manner upon a buoy, tower, mast or other vertically extended structure, negative supply lead 14 from the battery being grounded to frame and positive lead 13 into the bore preferably through a sealing gland received in the side of the base.
  • a daylight-sensing photocell 34 is housed on the side of the back gear train plate 55 and is preferably shielded from direct lamp illumination as by a blackened sheet metal rectangular structure 3S built around it.
  • the cell receives ambient illtunination incident upon it as is transmitted inwards through the lens 11.
  • the disabling relay M is supported on the amplifier chassis 43 which depends from the lid 4t) and is hermetically enclosed in the cup 4I, showt; ⁇ inf cut-away section. ro-ring seals are provided Between the upper haring part otic'arr 41 andthe hevelled face of lid 40, and wing nut means' (not shown) attached to the sides of the can are provided, to be received in slots 42 in ears projecting laterally from the upper part of lid 40.
  • Light dash monitor celi 17 is' supported adac'ent thebase of the operating lamp, indicated iti Figure 5 as lar'ilpf 12, preferably being set at an angle of 45 degrees with the vertical and facing upwardly towards the filament, so as not to obstruct ⁇ light which is' radiated substantially uniformly through the equatorial plane of the lens.
  • a sheet metal tab supporting structure 28 is suitably aliixed upon the upper part of the casting 33.
  • the series of lamps are detachably supported in any convenient manner upon the turret block 32, the support herein being indicated as pairs of screw heads 54, under which the lamp sockets are received and against which they are pressed outwardly by spring tension of the base contact.
  • Lamp energizing circuit leads are taken from the switching circuit by way of binding posts 47, 48, the latter being grounded to the frame and the former being insulated and connected to suitable wiper means (not shown) for contacting segments located on the turret on which the lamp lament leads term-inate.
  • a solenoid stepping motor of conventional type is shown in Figure 5, operating ratchet wheel 23 by means of a pawl spring 22, wherein the turret 32 is driven by means of the gear train comprising gear 46, pinion 45, gear 44, and pinion 24.
  • the armature 21 pulls down and advances pawl 23 by one tooth distance.
  • a lesser or a greater number of gears and other gear ratios may be used depending on the particular application in which the lamp is used. In the present instance, where the flashing rate is approximately 12 ashes per minute, a new lamp may be restored into the circuit in less than half a minute.
  • the invention extends also to motor means other than the solenoid-actuated pawl-and-ratchet stepping motor shown.
  • the latter is preferred as completely avoiding any moving contacts, but it is ⁇ to be understood as entirely an equivalent to employ a brush ⁇ type D. C. powered rotary electric motor, whose shaft is linked in driving relation to turret 32 by means. of a suitable gear train.
  • a spring motor of only such capacity as would suice to rotate the turret only a few revolutions and powered adequately for at least one revolution may be employed, in conjunction with a solenoid actuated brake, stop, or dog to release the stop when a new lamp is to be substituted.
  • a solenoid actuated brake, stop, or dog to release the stop when a new lamp is to be substituted.
  • the invention extends moreover to devices wherein the lamp energization is intermittent but the length of a flash may be several hours or even days, provided that the means controlling the motor operation is itself powered in common with the lamp energizing circuit, so that the motor is ineffective to drive the lamp changer mechanism except in periods when the lamp is supplied with energizing current.
  • While the invention has been particularly described with reference to a small type of lamp used in navigational marker lights, it is applicable to a wide range of installations and extends to all signal and illuminating devices as are required to operate reliably in steady or iiashing light generating service, on fixed installations or in vehicles such as automobiles, boats and aircraft..
  • lamp changer apparatus of the type comprising a carrier bearing a plurality of lamps, means revolubly supporting the carrier in a frame, drive means associated with the carrier for elfecting rotation thereof when the drive means is energized to locate one of said lamps in a reference position, and selector means in said frame for connecting said lamp with an electrical supply
  • the improvement which comprises the combination of a drive energization control Iunit, a monitor element disposed adjacent said selected lamp and having a pair of terminals and effective to deliver a unidirectional potential difference therebetween, means to apply said output as input to said control unit, said control unit comprising a first and a' second transistor, means connecting the bases of said first and second transistors respectively with the negative and positive terminals' of said element, resistor means connecting the collector off the lirst transistor with the base of the second transistor, a pair of impedance means respectively connected between each collector and the negative terminal of the supply, means connecting the positive terminal of said supply to the emitters in parallel with said lamp, a motor having a
  • Lamp changer apparatus as in claim l wherein said positive supply terminal is connected with said lamp periodically and said motor means comprises a solenoid having an armature, a pawl carried by the armature, a ratchet wheel engaged by said pawl and coupled with said carrier to effect limited angular rotation of the carrier at each periodic energization of the solenoid.
  • Lamp changer apparatus as in claim l wherein said drive means comprises a spring motor having an escapement and said motor means comprises a solenoid having an armature coupled with the escapement to effect limited angular rotation of the carrier at each periodic energization of the solenoid.
  • Lamp changer apparatus as in claim l wherein said drive means comprises the motor means and the means in circuit with the ysecond transistor comp-rises one or more transistor amplier stages in cascade relation.
  • a signalling device of the type comprising a lamp turret having lamp circuit selecting means, motor means coupled in drive relation with said turret, and electrical supply means for energizing a lamp circuit selected by a said selecting means, the improvement co-mprising a two-terminal light-responsive generator of E.M.F.
  • control means having said generated applied as input responsive thereto and effective to hold said motor means inoperative when said exceeds a predetermined magnitude and eiective to cause said motor means to drive said turret when said corresponds to a light output less tha-n a predetermined light output
  • said control means comprises a rst and a second transistor, means connecting the bases of said lirst and said second transistor respectively with the negative and positive terminals of said generator, resistor means connecting the collector of the rst transistor with the base of the second transistor, a pair of impedance means respectively connected between each collector and the negative terminal of the supply, means connecting the positive terminal of said supply to the emitters in parallel with said lamp, and circuit means connecting said motor means in circuit with said second transistor for energizing said motor Winding.
  • a signalling device of the type comprising a frame, a multiple lamp turret journalled for rotation in said frame, said frame supporting lamp circuit selector means and a solenoid motor means associated in powered drive relation with said turret, for advancing said turret, a source of electric supply, and switching means adapted to connect said source to intermittently energize a selected lamp circuit, the improvement which comprises a twoterminal monitor element generating a D.C.
  • control means responsive to an output from said element less than a predetermined voltage occurring when said lamp circuit is energized effective to cause the motor to drive said turret, said control means comprising a rst and a second transiston'means connecting the bases of said rst and said second transistors respectively with the negative and positive terminals of said element, resistor means connecting the collector of said first transistor with the base of said second transistor, a pair of impedance means respectively connected between each collector and the negative terminal of the supply, and circuit means including said switching means connecting the positive terminal of said supply with said emitters in parallel with said lamp, and means connecting the winding of said solenoid between said negative terminal and the collector of said second transistor.

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  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
US664605A 1957-06-10 1957-06-10 Automatic lamp changers Expired - Lifetime US2892966A (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US664605A US2892966A (en) 1957-06-10 1957-06-10 Automatic lamp changers
DEN15180A DE1116581B (de) 1957-06-10 1958-06-07 Vorrichtung zum Auswechseln einer schadhaft gewordenen Gluehbirne

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Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3034017A (en) * 1959-07-02 1962-05-08 Honeywell Regulator Co Warning indicator control apparatus
US3146375A (en) * 1961-02-24 1964-08-25 Wallace & Tiernan Inc Lamp changer mechanism and control circuit therefor responsive to both light emission and filament continuity
US3308338A (en) * 1964-07-06 1967-03-07 Seidler Robert Device for automatically replacing an open circuited lamp with a new lamp
US3562580A (en) * 1969-01-10 1971-02-09 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Lamp-failure detection and change device
US3577173A (en) * 1969-01-10 1971-05-04 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Lamp failure detection and change device
US3585442A (en) * 1968-02-07 1971-06-15 Rollei Werke Franke Heidecke Flashlamp circuit having automatic light termination means
US4142129A (en) * 1976-05-25 1979-02-27 Victor Hasselblad Ab Lamp changing system for projectors
FR2488197A1 (fr) * 1980-08-11 1982-02-12 Gillet Andre Circuit d'allumage automatique d'un phare de secours
DE10103242C1 (de) * 2001-01-25 2002-08-22 Zuelfikar Celik Kraftfahrzeug-Beleuchtungsvorrichtung

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1194295B (de) * 1962-05-21 1965-06-03 Franz Baumgartner Fabrik Elek Lichtelektrisches Kontrollsystem fuer Signallampen in Verkehrssignalanlagen
DE1225080B (de) * 1962-05-21 1966-09-15 Franz Baumgartner Fabrik Elek Schaltelement fuer ein lichtelektrisches Kontroll-system fuer Signallampen in Verkehrssignalanlagen
DE1220292B (de) * 1962-08-16 1966-06-30 Siemens Ag Meldungsgeber fuer den Betriebszustand der Signallampen einer Strassenverkehrssignalanlage
US3781853A (en) * 1971-12-23 1973-12-25 Tideland Signal Corp Navigational light system

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2054013A (en) * 1931-02-10 1936-09-08 Wallace & Tiernan Inc Signal device
US2097250A (en) * 1932-03-07 1937-10-26 Welsbach Traffic Signal Compan Signal light
US2195374A (en) * 1936-10-06 1940-03-26 Wallace & Tiernan Inc Signal device
US2299501A (en) * 1941-03-01 1942-10-20 Gen Electric Control system

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE598290C (de) * 1932-12-06 1934-06-08 Naamlooze Vennootschap Machine UEberwachungseinrichtung fuer Blinkanlagen
GB503333A (en) * 1936-10-06 1939-04-04 Wallace & Tiernan Inc Improvement in signal devices
FR1076176A (fr) * 1953-02-02 1954-10-25 Perfectionnements aux signaux lumineux

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2054013A (en) * 1931-02-10 1936-09-08 Wallace & Tiernan Inc Signal device
US2097250A (en) * 1932-03-07 1937-10-26 Welsbach Traffic Signal Compan Signal light
US2195374A (en) * 1936-10-06 1940-03-26 Wallace & Tiernan Inc Signal device
US2299501A (en) * 1941-03-01 1942-10-20 Gen Electric Control system

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3034017A (en) * 1959-07-02 1962-05-08 Honeywell Regulator Co Warning indicator control apparatus
US3146375A (en) * 1961-02-24 1964-08-25 Wallace & Tiernan Inc Lamp changer mechanism and control circuit therefor responsive to both light emission and filament continuity
US3308338A (en) * 1964-07-06 1967-03-07 Seidler Robert Device for automatically replacing an open circuited lamp with a new lamp
US3585442A (en) * 1968-02-07 1971-06-15 Rollei Werke Franke Heidecke Flashlamp circuit having automatic light termination means
US3562580A (en) * 1969-01-10 1971-02-09 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Lamp-failure detection and change device
US3577173A (en) * 1969-01-10 1971-05-04 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Lamp failure detection and change device
US4142129A (en) * 1976-05-25 1979-02-27 Victor Hasselblad Ab Lamp changing system for projectors
FR2488197A1 (fr) * 1980-08-11 1982-02-12 Gillet Andre Circuit d'allumage automatique d'un phare de secours
DE10103242C1 (de) * 2001-01-25 2002-08-22 Zuelfikar Celik Kraftfahrzeug-Beleuchtungsvorrichtung

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Publication number Publication date
DE1116581C2 (fr) 1962-05-17
DE1116581B (de) 1961-11-02

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