Traffic light and back-up traffic controller

• US 5,208,584 A
• Filed: 09/03/1991
• Issued: 05/04/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Albert Briffa, Jonathan Kaye
• Original Assignee: Albert Briffa, Jonathan Kaye
• Inventors: Kaye, Jonathan, Briffa, Albert
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US07/753,921
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: 340/907, 340/478, 340/908, 340/916, 340/924, 340/931, 340/918, 340/932
• US Class Current: 340/907
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/07 Controlling traffic signals
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/097 Supervising of traffic control systems, e.g. by giving an alarm if two crossing streets have green light simultaneously

Abstract

A traffic controller system to be utilized as a primary or a back-up unit capable of operating both with an A.C. or a D.C. power supply. The apparatus utilizes a single timing capacitor and an array of timing resistors to generate all timing information for the operation of a traffic light.

Claims

1. Apparatus for operating a traffic control having a plurality of lights, said apparatus comprising:

variable timer means for generating time interval signals having a timing sequence for controlling said plurality of lights, and

timer capacitor means operatively connected to said variable timer means for holding an electrical charge whose rates of discharge determines the time intervals generated by said variable timer means, and

timer resistor array for varying a resistance-capacitance constant of a discharge path of said timer capacitor means, comprising timer resistor means, said timer resistor means being sequentially connected to said timer capacitor means for providing said rates of discharge, and

coupling array for sequentially connecting said timer capacitor means with said timer resistor means of said timer resistor means array, and

rectifier bridge array for supplying direct current to said coupling array comprising rectifier bridge means, said rectifier bridge means being operatively interposed between said timer capacitor means and said timer resistor array for obtaining a unidirectional current flow in said coupling array, and

sequencing register means for sequentially selecting a particular coupling within said coupling array, said sequencing register means being responsive to said variable timer means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said coupling array comprises photo coupler devices containing a semiconductor which is gated by the light output of a photo active device, said semiconductor being conductive when the photoactive device is energized and wherein a collector side of said semiconductor is connected to a cathode direct current junction of the corresponding rectifier bridge array and an emitter side is connected to an anode direct current junction of said rectifier bridge array.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 and further including:

sequencing amplifier array for conditioning the output of said sequencing register means for driving said coupling array, and

output buffer means array operatively connected to said sequencing amplifier array for providing sequential timing information for said plurality of lights.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 and further including:

first and second impedance means connected in series with said timer resistor array for adjusting an impedance of said resistor array when ambient temperature increases, and

temperature sensing means for sensing the ambient temperature in the apparatus, and

first temperature controller means connected to said temperature sensing means for enabling said first impedance means when a first preselected temperature t1 is sensed in the apparatus, and

second temperature controller means connected to said temperature sensing means for enabling said second impedance means when a second preselected temperature t2 is sensed in the apparatus.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 and further including an

alternating current driver means operatively connected to said output buffer means array for sequentially connecting said plurality of lights to an alternating current power source.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 and further including:

noise filter array for reducing noise signals in said alternating current driver means, and

conditioning amplifier array for increasing a power level and improving signal shape of said time interval signals, and

time interval signals combining means for selectively combining said time interval signals to obtain the desired timing sequence to operate said traffic control, and

isolation amplifier array for increasing a power level of the output of said interval signals combining means, and

power output module array controlled by said isolation amplifier array for applying alternating current power to light filaments of said traffic control.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said power output module array consists of an array of triacs.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 and further including direct current driver means operatively connected to said output buffer means array for sequentially connecting said plurality of lights to a direct current power source.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said power output module array consists of an array of field effect semiconductors.

10. Apparatus according to claim 6 and further including:

power isolation means for isolating a power supply and the apparatus from alternating current line voltage, and

first transformer and rectifier means connected to said power isolation means for reducing the alternating current line voltage to a desired level and rectifying it to provide a direct current voltage, and

first voltage regulator means connected to said first transformer and rectifier means for generating a first lower level direct current voltage, and

second voltage regulator means connected to said first transformer and rectifier means for generating a second intermediate level direct current voltage, and

second transformer and rectifier means connected to said power isolation means to provide a third higher level direct current voltage, and

A.C. power failure detection means for detecting a power failure in the alternating current line supply, and

power source selection means, controlled by said A.C. power failure detection means, for connecting an auxiliary direct current power source to said first and second voltage regulator means, and to said third higher level direct current voltage in case of an alternating current power failure.