WARNING SYSTEM FOR WARNING OF DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS AND THE LIKE ON MOTOR VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, MARINE CRAFT AND THE LIKE

• US 3,624,629 A
• Filed: 10/30/1968
• Issued: 11/30/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles A. Donaldson
• Original Assignee: Charles A. Donaldson
• Inventors: Donaldson, Charles A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Leimer, Kenneth N.
• Application Number:
  US04/771,948
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• Field of Search: 340/80,81,331,251,252
• US Class Current: 340/458
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 11/005 for lighting devices, e.g. indicating if lamps are burning or not
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/21 of two or more light sources connected in parallel

Abstract

In one embodiment, an oscillator circuit is used to drive a warning light which is located on the dashboard of the vehicle. One winding of a coil device having a saturable core is connected in series in the direct current supply circuit for the vehicle lights, while a second winding is included in an oscillationdetermining portion of the oscillator circuit. Proper flow of direct current to the vehicle lights saturates the core and disables the oscillator. Improper operation of one of the vehicle lights takes the core out of saturation and enables the oscillator to energize the warning light circuit. In another embodiment, the oscillator signal is supplied by way of a tuned amplifier circuit to the warning light and the saturable core device is used to detune a tuned circuit in the amplifier when the warning light should not be lit.

Claims

1. A warning system for motor vehicles, aircraft, marine craft and like means for transportation for warning the operator when a vehicle or craft light becomes defective comprising:

a. at least one electric light located on such means for transportation;

b. direct current circuit means for supplying direct current to such light for turning it on;

c. alternating-current circuit means for providing an alternating-current signal;

d. warning circuit means responsive to the alternating-current signal for producing a warning signal, comprising;

1. voltage-doubling rectifier means for producing a rectified voltage from the alternating-current signal;

2. relaxation oscillator means, including a gaseous discharge lamp, responsive to the rectified voltage for producing a visible flashing warning signal and e. current-sensitive saturable core circuit means coupled to both the direct current circuit means and the alternatingcurrent circuit means and responsive to the flow of a direct current for controlling the magnitude of the alternatingcurrent signal supplied to the warning circuit means whereby the warning signal is not produced so long as the electric light is drawing a proper amount of direct current.

2. A warning system for motor vehicles, aircraft, marine craft and like means for transportation warning the operator when a vehicle or craft light becomes defective comprising:

a. at least one electric light located on such means for transportation;

b. a direct current circuit connected to the electric light and including a direct current voltage source and switch means for turning the light on and off;

c. an oscillator circuit for generating an alternating-current signal of predetermined frequency;

d. amplifier circuit means including an inductor-capacitor circuit tuned to the predetermined oscillator frequency for amplifying the alternating-current signal;

e. a warning device;

f. circuit means coupled to the warning device and to the amplifier circuit means and responsive to the amplified alternating-current signal for actuating the warning device;

g. inductor means connected in series in the direct current circuit on the light side of the switch;

h. and saturable core means located in operative relationship with the inductor means in the direct current circuit and the inductor in the amplifier tuned circuit for detuning the tuned circuit for decreasing the magnitude of the Amplified alternating-current signal below the value needed for actuating the warning device so long as the electric light is drawing a proper amount of current.