US3690754A - Control system for an optical imaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical control system is used to regulate the operation of a photoelectrophoretic imaging machine. Included is a lead peaked ballast circuit for driving metallic additive gas discharge lamps. Lamp output is controlled by coupling capacitors in series with a lamp and by varying the input current to the primary of a step-up transformer coupled to a lamp. A controller meter is used to automatically maintain the transformer primary current within desired limits.

Description

United States Patent Urbanek [54] CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN OPTICAL 51 3,690,754 51 Sept. 12,1972

2,403,711 7/1946 Egan ..355/64 3,474,019 10/ 1 969 Krieger ..204/181 3,535,221 10/1970 Tulagin ..204/181 Primary Examiner-John M. Horan Attorney-David C. Petre, James J. Ralabate and Michael H. Shanahan [5 7] ABSTRACT An electrical control system is used to regulate the operation of a photoelectrophoretic imaging machine. Included is a lead peaked ballast circuit for driving metallic additive gas discharge lamps. Lamp output is controlled by coupling capacitors in series with a lamp and by varying the input current to the primary of a step-up transformer coupled to a lamp. A controller meter is used to automatically maintain the transformer primary current within desired limits.

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Claims (2)

1. An imaging machine comprising first and second electrodes supported for relative movement and having means for coupling to voltage sources to establish an electric field between them, inking means for applying photoelectrophoretic ink to at least one of said electrodes, exposure means, having a gas discharge electric lamp for generating electromagnetic radiation, for exposing photoelectrophoretic ink on one of said electrodes to electromagnetic radiation to form an image from ink exposed to radiation and subjected to electric field, a ballast circuit for changing the electrical energy applied to said lamp which includeS an input transformer having primary and secondary coils, a first constant current limiting device coupled to said secondary coil and said lamp, a variable current limiting device comprising a variable inductor having adjustment means that includes a wiper arm said variable current limiting device coupled to said primary coil having adjustment means for varying the current flow from an electrical energy source to said primary coil, a motor coupled to said wiper arm to vary the impedance of said inductor, monitor means coupled to said primary coil to monitor the current through the primary coil and coupled to said adjustment means of the variable current limiting device for maintaining current flow through the primary coil within predetermined limits, and said monitor means including a controller meter having first and second switching means actuated by a meter indicating means when high and low energy levels are registered by the indicating means, said first switching means being actuated upon registering a high energy level energizing said motor to decrease current flow to said primary coil and said second switching means being actuated upon registering a low energy level energizing said motor to increase the current flow to said primary coil whereby the electromagnetic radiation generated by said lamp is maintained within desired limits.

2. The machine of claim 1 further including a transfer electrode, elevator means and controls means, said control means initiating travel of said first electrode from a park to a turn position past said second electrode, activating said elevator means to move said first and second electrodes into mutually operative positions, coupling a voltage source to said second electrode to establish an electric field between said first and second electrodes, energizing said lamp to generate electromagnetic radiation sufficient for formation of an image, furthermore, initiating travel of said first electrode from the turn to the park positions past said transfer electrode, activating said elevator means to move said first and transfer electrodes into mutually operative positions and coupling a voltage source to said transfer electrode to establish an electric field between said first and transfer electrodes for removing an image from the first electrode.

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