Bicycle lighting system
First Claim
1. In a lighting system having a source of alternating current adapted to be driven mechanically by a bicycle or the like when it is propelled along the ground and having an incandescent lighting device energizable electrically by the source, strobe lighting apparatus comprising:
- a flash tube for producing successive high intensity bursts of light;
energy converting means for supplying a train of high voltage pulses for energizing repeatedly said flast tube; and
an impedance matching arrangement including first unidirectional means for coupling the output of the source of said energy converting means for energizing it periodically during half cycles of the alternating current output of the source, and second unidirectional means for coupling the output of the source to the lighting device to energize it during the alternate half cycles of the source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flash tube is provided for producing successive high intensity bursts of light, and a pulse producing device is provided for supplying a train of high voltage pulses for energizing repeatedly the flash tube. An impedance matching arrangement is provided and includes a first unidirectional device which couples the output of the alternator to the pulse producing device for energizing it periodically during half cycles of the alternating current output of the alternator. The arrangement also includes a second unidirectional device which the output of the alternator to an auxiliary lighting device to energize it during alternate half cycles of the alternator. As a result, the alternator supplies lower instantaneous current to both loads at a favorable operating characteristic of the source.
12 Citations
12 Claims
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1. In a lighting system having a source of alternating current adapted to be driven mechanically by a bicycle or the like when it is propelled along the ground and having an incandescent lighting device energizable electrically by the source, strobe lighting apparatus comprising:
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a flash tube for producing successive high intensity bursts of light; energy converting means for supplying a train of high voltage pulses for energizing repeatedly said flast tube; and an impedance matching arrangement including first unidirectional means for coupling the output of the source of said energy converting means for energizing it periodically during half cycles of the alternating current output of the source, and second unidirectional means for coupling the output of the source to the lighting device to energize it during the alternate half cycles of the source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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- 10. In a system, comprising an impedance matching circuit, a small capacity source of alternating current having an internal impedance coupled to said circuit, a pair of first and second loads, first unidirectional means for coupling the output of the source through its internal impedance to the first load to energize it periodically during half cycles of the alternating current output of the source and to match it to the impedance of said first load so that the source supplies lower current to said first load at a favorable operating characteristic of the source, and second unidirectional means for coupling the output of the source through its internal impedance to the second load to energize it during alternate half cycles of the source and to match it to the impedance of said second load so that the source supplies lower current to said second load at a favorable operating characteristic of the source.
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12. In a lighting system having a source of alternating current and including a lighting device, strobe lighting apparatus comprising:
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a flash tube for producing successive high intensity bursts of light; energy converting means for supplying a train of high voltage pulses for energizing repeatedly said flash tube; an impedance matching arrangement including first unidirectional means for coupling the output of the source to said energy converting means for energizing it periodically during half cycles of the alternating current output of the source, and second unidirectional means for coupling the output of the source to the lighting device to energize it during alternate half cycles of the source; said energy converting means including a flyback circuit including a step-up voltage transformer having its primary winding coupled to said flash tube; said capacitor means comprising a capacitor of relatively small capacitance coupled across said primary winding of said transformer when said second switching means is operative; said energy converting means including a current path to provide an efficiency cut-off level of operation to enhance efficiency of operation, for preventing said capacitor from discharging substantially completely.
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Specification