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Timing apparatus

  • US 5,189,246 A
  • Filed: 09/25/1990
  • Issued: 02/23/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for activating a plurality of electrical loads after predetermined time delays comprising:

  • a) a central control unit for generating timing signals;

    b) a plurality of remote electrical delay devices, each delay device being associated with a corresponding electrical load and arranged to be serially programmed by a timing signal originating from the central control unit, the timing signal determining the time delay;

    c) at least one bidirectional timing signal line for allowing the timing signals to be transmitted in series from the central control unit to each remote electrical delay device in either of two alternative directions;

    d) sensing means for sensing a fault in the timing signal line; and

    e) direction selection means for selecting the direction of transmission of the timing signals along the bidirectional timing signal line, the direction selection means in use selecting a direction of transmission opposite to the initial direction of transmission of the timing signals from the control unit in the event of said fault being sensed in the timing signal line, for programming those delay devices which cannot be programmed in the initial direction.

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