US3813664A - Apparatus for supervising equipment with warning lights - Google Patents

Apparatus for supervising equipment with warning lights Download PDF

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Publication number
US3813664A
US3813664A US00256314A US25631472A US3813664A US 3813664 A US3813664 A US 3813664A US 00256314 A US00256314 A US 00256314A US 25631472 A US25631472 A US 25631472A US 3813664 A US3813664 A US 3813664A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
diode
transistor
circuit
light
warning light
Prior art date
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
US00256314A
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English (en)
Inventor
W Geyer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke Fokker GmbH
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Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke Fokker GmbH
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DE19712126905 external-priority patent/DE2126905C3/de
Application filed by Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke Fokker GmbH filed Critical Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke Fokker GmbH
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Publication of US3813664A publication Critical patent/US3813664A/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/28—Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer
    • G01R31/2801—Testing of printed circuits, backplanes, motherboards, hybrid circuits or carriers for multichip packages [MCP]
    • G01R31/2806—Apparatus therefor, e.g. test stations, drivers, analysers, conveyors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/28—Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer
    • G01R31/302—Contactless testing
    • G01R31/308—Contactless testing using non-ionising electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical radiation
    • G01R31/309—Contactless testing using non-ionising electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical radiation of printed or hybrid circuits or circuit substrates
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B29/00—Checking or monitoring of signalling or alarm systems; Prevention or correction of operating errors, e.g. preventing unauthorised operation
    • G08B29/02—Monitoring continuously signalling or alarm systems
    • G08B29/10—Monitoring of the annunciator circuits

Definitions

  • warning lights each including sev- [52] US. Cl 340/248 R, 307/31 1, 340/252 R, eral light emitting gallium-arsenide diodes, a transistor 340/378 for controlling the diodes, a filter and a translucent [51] Int. Cl. G08b 21/00 plate in front of the diode.
  • the warning lights are [58] Field of Search 340/248, 252, 253, 213.1, turned in response to the signals, a logic-or- 340/380, 331, 378; 307/311 configuration receives these signals and turns on, a multivibrator which drives a main warning light, also [56] References Cited including light emitting diodes, transistor, filter and UNITED STATES PATENTS translucent plate 2,144,138 1/1939 Batcheller 340/252 17 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures f SI-l 70 ,1 H r """1 62' 5 g as :44 a 1 I M T M 1 a 1-, ,1
  • the present invention relates to apparatus for supervising and/or testing equipment and includes indication lights which light up as steady light or blinks, whenever the equipment or a particular portion thereof no longer works properly.
  • the diode pertaining to an illuminating unit should be structurally com bined with a transistor to establish an illumination module.
  • the diodes are the load resistors for the transistor, connected, for example. in the collector circuit thereof.
  • the module includes two resistors alternatingly connected to the emitter circuit ofthe transistor for brightdim control.
  • the base electrode of that transistor includes a Zener diode and a resistor in voltage divider configuration.
  • the module construction as outlined above permits reduction in occupied space and weight for the entire apparatus as constructed from many of such modules.
  • the transistor control as suggested limits the current through the light emitting diodes.
  • Plural indicator light modules are connected to be respectively turned on in response to one of a plurality of possible error indicating signals.
  • a main warning light responds, preferably with a delay, to any one error indicating signal, whereby preferably the transistor-diode configuration of the main warning light constitutes a resistance component of an astable multivibrator, turned on in case of error and providing blinking control.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an illumination unit in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. la shows a modification ofa detail in FIG. I and FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram for the control of an alarm equipment with multiple warning lights.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an illuminating control device in push-button construction.
  • a push-button switch 10 has a mount 11 for receiving a socket 12.
  • a plug-in unit 13 is mounted on socket l2, and a miniature printed circuit board 14 is placed into the unit 13.
  • Three light emitting diodes 15 of the gallium arsenide variety are disposed on the upper side of board 14.
  • a board 14' is illustrated as alternative unit with a single diode 15. The underside of the board may carry the electronic circuitry for this particular warning and indicator light module.
  • the p.c. board when placed into container 13 is covered by a filter plate 16 onto which is placed a translucent disk 17.
  • a cap 18 may be provided to maintain the assembly in position in container unit 13.
  • the three diodes 15 illuminate the translucent disk 17 from the back, and the disk 17 establishes a uniformly lit illumination field as seen from above.
  • the particular diodes emit red light; the filter 16, thus, has a passage or transmission range that covers the 650 nanometer wavelength over sufficient bandwidth. Filter cut-off should match complementarily the bandwidth of the emitted light.
  • the push-button 10 may be used to close a switch which is closed upon pushing the button.
  • the switch may be used to extinguish the warning light, and, possibly, to initiate other operations related to the warning condition.
  • the warning device may include plural warning or alerting lights 20 and a main warning light 21.
  • Each alerting light 20, as well as main warning lamp 21, includes three light emitting diodes 15, provided in a module 23 (denoted 23' for the main light).
  • the modules 23 and 23 each include a transistor 22 having its collector circuit established by'parallel circuit connection of the three diodes 15.
  • Two resistors 24 and 25 are connected directly to the emitter of transistor 22. One or the other of these resistors is connected to a source of negative voltage potential. The resulting change in bias permits brightdim control of the respective illumination as resulting from light emission by the diodes.
  • the base electrode of the transistor 22 is connected to the junction between a resistor 27 and a Zener diode 26.
  • Elements 26 27 are serially connected across the source of operating voltage and bias the base of the respective transistor 22 in voltage divider configuration.
  • the cathde of the Zener diode connects to the said base electrode. This way, the transistor provides current limiting control for the light emitting diodes 15.
  • a relay 28 is associated with each module 23 and having a normally open contact 29, positive biasing voltage potential is supplied to the module 23 only when the relay is closed.
  • the relays have their energizing circuit connected to one side of the positive biasing voltage; the other side is under control of the condition that may lead to the need for warning.
  • the equipment to be supervised has plural monitoring lines M, leading out of the equipment and being effective for error indication, for example, through internal closing of a switch applying negative driving voltage potential as an error indicating signal to the particular error monitoring line that leads out of the equipment.
  • such lines are presumed, each leading to the energizing circuit of one out of the ten error indicator relays 28.
  • module 23' constitutes also a load resistance network for a transistor 31 which pertains to an astable multivibrator 30.
  • multivibrator includes another transistor, and they are cross-coupled in the usual manner. Positive voltage potential is applied to the multivibrator whenever a normally open contact 36 of a relay closes.
  • Relay 35 pertains to a delay and timing circuit 40 which is connected for operation to a switch.
  • switch 50 includes a transistor 51 and the circuit 40 as a whole connects to the collector of this transistor 51.
  • the delay circuit 40 includes a uniq'unction transistor 41 whose gate is under control of an RC-circuit, that begins to run when switching transistor 51 is rendered conductive. The delay is given by the period that elapses from turn-on of transistor 51 to the point in time the RC-circuit reaches the firing potential oftransistor 41.
  • the uni-junction transistor 41 controls a thyristor which, when fired. applies directly the switching signal from transistor 5! to relay 35, whereupon the relay responds and closes its contact 36. Whenever transistor 51 is rendered nonconductive, the thyristor in unit 40 extinguishes and relay 35 opens.
  • Switch 50 is operated in response to a disturbance in the system to be supervised. For this each of' the It) error monitor lines M connects via a resistor 60 and a diode 61 to switch 50. The ten diodes 61 together form a logic-OR circuit. Thus. switch 50 can be turned on by any one or several of the disturbance signals in monitor lines M.
  • Each diode 61 with series resistor 60 pertains to a gate circuit 65.
  • the gate is constructed to be normally open, for which condition a thyristor63 in the gate circuit is nonconductive. Thus, each gate permits normally the disturbance signal to pass to the particular OR-gate input for turning switch 50 on. All gates 65 can be disabled when respective thyristors 63 are tired. Such bias causes also the relays 28 to de-energize.
  • Two push-button switches and 71 are provided for turning off the main warning light 21.
  • the switches 70 and 71 are connected in parallel and are respectively associated with the seats for pilot and co-pilot.
  • One contact of each switch connects to the source of positive voltage potential, the other side connects to the anodes of several diodes 62, for control of the thyristors 63 to which they are connected.
  • all gates 65 are closed, and no disturbance signal can reach switch 50.
  • the switch turns off accordingly, opening relay 35.
  • One of the switches may be incorporated as switch 10 (FIG. 1) in the main warning light.
  • each module 23 has a pair of emitter resistors 24 and 25.
  • the one end of all resistors 24 are interconnected to a common terminal 750, and the one end of all resistors 25 are interconnected to a common terminal 75b.
  • a switch 75 is connected to the source of negative voltage potential and operates to provide alternatingly that potential to terminal 75a or 75!). Accordingly, the lights which are turned on otherwise, shine either brightly or dimly.
  • a separate brightdim switch 76 provides the same function for resistors 24 and 25 in module 23. Switches 75 and 76 are mcchanically or otherwise interconnected. They are sepa rately provided so as to insure independency of opera tion of the main warning light.
  • the one particular relay 28 is energized, its contact 29 closes and applies operating voltage to the associated module 23; the alerting light of the latter lights up.
  • Switch 75 has particular position, so that, for example, during the daytime, the emitter is biased for higher current in the transistor and the light emitted by the diodes is bright; during nighttime, dim light suffices.
  • the particular disturbance signal is also applied to the respectively associated gate circuit 65 via the input resistor 60 thereof.
  • the diode 61 being one input element of this OR-configuration as defined, passes the signal to switch 50 which turns on the delay circuit 40.
  • relay 35 responds and closes contact.
  • the multivibrator 30 begins to oscillate and the main warning light 21 begins to blink accordingly.
  • the alerting light particularizes the disturbance and aids in the localization thereof.
  • the alerting lights may be provided with suitable labelling for this purpose.
  • the delayed turn-on of the main warning light makes sure that surges and temporary disturbances do not instigate a main warning condition.
  • the RC-circuit in delay circuit 40 stops charging as soon as switch 50 is turned off (transistor 51 nonconductive). The charge will bleed-off through leakage shortly thereafter.
  • the construction of the time element 40 under utilization of a unijunction transsistors, permits very accurate time metering here, so that the definition of temporary is subject to accurate determination.
  • one or the other switch, 70 or 71 can be pressed.
  • the positive signal as applied to all anodes of diodes 62 serves as disabling signal in that the respective thyristor in gating circuit 65 fires, blocking and disabling diode 61.
  • energizing potential is removed from the time member 40, particularly from the thyristor thereof, so that relay 35 is de-energized.
  • Contact 36 opens and the multivibrator stops. As main warning light 21 receives its operating voltage through the multivibrator, it is turned off.
  • the circuit shown in FIG. 2 is designed to supervise and/or test ten pieces of equipment. That number is selected solely for illustrative purposes and the actual number depends on the equipment to be supervised.
  • the circuit does not offer any difficulties concerning operating temperature as the losses in the circuit generally and in the light emitting diodes in particular are quite low. It is also important, and bears directly on low loss conditions, that the disturbance monitor and primary control circuit is galvanically separated from and decoupled from the indicator and warning circuit.
  • the changeover from bright to-dim is particularly advantageous as ambient light conditions vary greatly, particularly as between day and night.
  • the bright indication may be needed when the outside light is very bright. while dim light is preferred during the night.
  • the relays 28 and others are preferably constructed as micro-reed relays to limit the space per module and indicator circuit. These relays have a long life so that the life of the equipment as a whole and the period of expected faultless performance are very high. Also, since the apparatus is very insensitive to temperature variations, it is very suitable for ground tests of airplanes which quite often last for hours.
  • warning lights each including at least one light emitting diode, a transistor for controlling the diode and a translucent plate in front of the diode;
  • first circuit means connected for respectively controlling the warning lights in response to the signals
  • second circuit means including a logic-orconfiguration connected for providing a control signal when one of the signals indicative of error is developed
  • a main warning light also including a light emitting diode, a transistor for controlling the diode and a translucent plate in front of the diode;
  • switching means responsive to the control signal and connected to the transistor-diode configuration of the main warning light, to turn the main warning light on in response to the control signal.
  • each warning light including plural such diodes connected in parallel and being driven by the respective transistor.
  • circuit means including a resettable delay circuit for rendering the signal effective with a delay as to turning the multivibrator on.
  • the switching means including a micro-reed relay for applying operating voltage to the diode-transistor circuit of the main warning light in response to said signal.
  • the switching means including a resettable delay circuit for developing the control signal only when one of the signals indicative of error persists beyond a particular period.
  • the switching means includes particular means for obtaining an onoff control of the main warning light.
  • the second circuit means including gating means for inhibiting the OR- configuration in response to an external command.
  • the first circuit means including plural relays respectively responsive to the error indicating signals and, when closed, providing supply voltage respectively to the warning lights.
  • the transistor of a warning light of the plurality having the respective diode connected to its collector circuit and having a selectible emitter circuit for bright-dim control of the warning light.
  • each light has plural diodes connected electrically in parallel and being disposed side-by-side.
  • each light includes a filter having transmission range only in the emission range of the diode.
  • the first circuit means includes a relay for applying collector bias to the transistor through the diode as load and in response to the signal.
  • At least one light emitting gallium-arsenide diode at least one light emitting gallium-arsenide diode
  • a transistor connected to the diode for current conduction through the diode in forward direction;

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Fire Alarms (AREA)
  • Audible And Visible Signals (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
US00256314A 1971-05-29 1972-05-24 Apparatus for supervising equipment with warning lights Expired - Lifetime US3813664A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19712126905 DE2126905C3 (de) 1971-05-29 Anordnung zur Überwachung und/oder Prüfung von Geräten

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US (1) US3813664A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2139870B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1358354A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3925690A (en) * 1974-09-30 1975-12-09 Rockwell International Corp Direct drive circuit for light emitting diodes
US3964039A (en) * 1974-12-24 1976-06-15 Monsanto Company Luminescent solid state status indicators
US3969697A (en) * 1974-12-30 1976-07-13 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Voltage drop warning apparatus with negative-resistance device
US4021795A (en) * 1975-08-04 1977-05-03 Hollingsworth Robert Q System for indicating depletion of sliver from a sliver can
US4211956A (en) * 1977-10-14 1980-07-08 Aero-Metric General, Inc. Light indicating system having light emitting diodes and power reduction circuit
US4242677A (en) * 1979-05-24 1980-12-30 Mettler Instrumente Ag Monitoring device and method for a multiplexed segmental display
US4301450A (en) * 1980-02-04 1981-11-17 Burroughs Corporation Error detection for multi-segmented indicia display
US4342947A (en) * 1977-10-14 1982-08-03 Bloyd Jon A Light indicating system having light emitting diodes and power reduction circuit
US4550287A (en) * 1983-08-11 1985-10-29 The Boeing Company Data bus test instrument having a tri-colored LED and indicating continuity, voltage and polarity
US4593276A (en) * 1981-12-29 1986-06-03 Takamatsu Electric Works, Ltd. Overcurrent display device
US4866430A (en) * 1986-12-11 1989-09-12 Motorola, Inc. Low voltage LED driver circuit
US4947161A (en) * 1986-11-17 1990-08-07 White Consolidated Industries, Inc. Light bar
US4987401A (en) * 1989-03-06 1991-01-22 Gray Iii William R Digital logic window panel
US5459478A (en) * 1993-12-27 1995-10-17 Illinois Tool Works, Inc. Aircraft cockpit switch circuitry
US6351211B1 (en) * 2000-01-25 2002-02-26 M&P Ventures, Inc. Brake warning method and system

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2144138A (en) * 1936-04-08 1939-01-17 Standard Mfg Co Current controlling device
US2934752A (en) * 1956-10-22 1960-04-26 Radar Relay Inc Multiple warning system with single reset switch
US3228026A (en) * 1963-08-26 1966-01-04 Robert J Miller Multi-color signal light button for panel mounting
US3412392A (en) * 1965-04-07 1968-11-19 Gen Motors Corp Potential level indicating circuit
US3452347A (en) * 1966-11-03 1969-06-24 Eastman Kodak Co Luminous diode battery condition indicator for camera
US3492488A (en) * 1967-09-11 1970-01-27 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Photon coupling for a communication circuit
US3660674A (en) * 1970-06-22 1972-05-02 Meridian Industries Inc Transistor flasher with preheat circuit for lamp load

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2144138A (en) * 1936-04-08 1939-01-17 Standard Mfg Co Current controlling device
US2934752A (en) * 1956-10-22 1960-04-26 Radar Relay Inc Multiple warning system with single reset switch
US3228026A (en) * 1963-08-26 1966-01-04 Robert J Miller Multi-color signal light button for panel mounting
US3412392A (en) * 1965-04-07 1968-11-19 Gen Motors Corp Potential level indicating circuit
US3452347A (en) * 1966-11-03 1969-06-24 Eastman Kodak Co Luminous diode battery condition indicator for camera
US3492488A (en) * 1967-09-11 1970-01-27 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Photon coupling for a communication circuit
US3660674A (en) * 1970-06-22 1972-05-02 Meridian Industries Inc Transistor flasher with preheat circuit for lamp load

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3925690A (en) * 1974-09-30 1975-12-09 Rockwell International Corp Direct drive circuit for light emitting diodes
US3964039A (en) * 1974-12-24 1976-06-15 Monsanto Company Luminescent solid state status indicators
US3969697A (en) * 1974-12-30 1976-07-13 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Voltage drop warning apparatus with negative-resistance device
US4021795A (en) * 1975-08-04 1977-05-03 Hollingsworth Robert Q System for indicating depletion of sliver from a sliver can
US4342947A (en) * 1977-10-14 1982-08-03 Bloyd Jon A Light indicating system having light emitting diodes and power reduction circuit
US4211956A (en) * 1977-10-14 1980-07-08 Aero-Metric General, Inc. Light indicating system having light emitting diodes and power reduction circuit
US4242677A (en) * 1979-05-24 1980-12-30 Mettler Instrumente Ag Monitoring device and method for a multiplexed segmental display
US4301450A (en) * 1980-02-04 1981-11-17 Burroughs Corporation Error detection for multi-segmented indicia display
US4593276A (en) * 1981-12-29 1986-06-03 Takamatsu Electric Works, Ltd. Overcurrent display device
US4550287A (en) * 1983-08-11 1985-10-29 The Boeing Company Data bus test instrument having a tri-colored LED and indicating continuity, voltage and polarity
US4947161A (en) * 1986-11-17 1990-08-07 White Consolidated Industries, Inc. Light bar
US4866430A (en) * 1986-12-11 1989-09-12 Motorola, Inc. Low voltage LED driver circuit
US4987401A (en) * 1989-03-06 1991-01-22 Gray Iii William R Digital logic window panel
US5459478A (en) * 1993-12-27 1995-10-17 Illinois Tool Works, Inc. Aircraft cockpit switch circuitry
US6351211B1 (en) * 2000-01-25 2002-02-26 M&P Ventures, Inc. Brake warning method and system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1358354A (en) 1974-07-03
FR2139870B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1977-09-30
FR2139870A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-01-12
DE2126905A1 (de) 1972-11-30

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