Light curing device power control system

• US 5,233,283 A
• Filed: 12/03/1991
• Issued: 08/03/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lumen Dynamics Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: John Kennedy
• Inventors: Kennedy, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Peckman, Kristine L.
• Application Number:
  US07/801,937
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: 320/5, 320/13, 320/14, 320/20, 320/21, 320/22, 320/23, 320/24, 320/35, 320/36, 320/37, 320/38, 320/48, 320/2
• US Class Current: 320/115
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/004 Hand-held apparatus, e.g. guns
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/047 with pulse width modulation from a DC power source
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps

Abstract

This electrical system is for use in a portable hand-held battery operated light curing device. The system includes a microprocessor which is activated by the battery to provide a series of square wave signals to the light curing lamp such that the light output of the light curing lamp is constant over a selected period of time. The system also provides a fast charging circuit for recharging the battery over a relatively short period of time.

Claims

1. An electrical system located in a portable battery operated light generating device comprising,

a light lamp means operative to generate a light energy output,

a battery means coupled to said light lamp means and operative to provide electrical voltage for activating said light lamp means,

microprocessor means coupled to said light lamp means and to said battery means, and in response to the energy condition in said battery means to generate a series of electrical pulse signals,

transistor means connected to said microprocessor means and to said battery means, said transistor means receiving said pulse signals from said microprocessor means to operate in a series of varying ON and constant OFF intervals to conduct said pulse signals to said light lamp means for maintaining the light output from said light lamp means at a constant level, and

mode selector means coupled to said microprocessor means and operative to control the length of time said light lamp means being activated by said electrical voltage.

2. An electrical system according to claim 1 including a display means connected to said microprocessor means, said display means operating to display said length of time selected, and said display means operating to count down said length of time when said light lamp means is activated, and said microprocessor means operating to shut off said light lamp means when said display means has counted down to zero.

3. An electrical system according to claim 2 including a sound signal means coupled to said microprocessor means, said sound signal means being responsive to the activation of said light lamp means to emit a sound signal in a predetermined interval during the operation of said light lamp means for indicating said system is operating in a normal condition.

4. An electrical system according to claim 3 including a heat sensor means located in said light curing device, said heat sensor means being connected to said microprocessor means and being operative to disable said system when an abnormal temperature condition is detected from said light lamp means.

5. An electrical system according to claim 4 including a ventilation fan means coupled to said microprocessor means and being operative by said microprocessor means to cool said light lamp means.

6. An electrical system according to claim 5 including a charger means located in a base unit whereupon said light curing device is normally disposed, said charger means comprising a transformer means for reducing high voltage alternate current to a secondary low voltage, a rectifier means coupled to said transformer means for converting said secondary low voltage to a direct current voltage, a logic circuit means coupled to said rectifier means and being operative to activate a monitoring transistor means connected between said rectifier means and connection terminals of said battery means whereby said monitoring transistor means operates to conduct said direct current voltage to said connection terminals for charging said battery means in a substantially high charging rate.

7. An electrical system according to claim 6 including a light indicator means coupled to said logic circuit means, said light indicator means being operative to emit a light signal to indicate said battery means being charged.