DE2033347A1 - Circuit arrangement for acoustic control of the flow of current through an electrical device connected in series with an electrical power source - Google Patents

Description

Andrejewski & Honke patent attorneys Physicist Dr. Walter Andrejewski

α ι ι _7C , _11A , graduate engineer

Attorney's file: 35> 11 / üh _Dr .. _{| ng>} ^ „^ _{Hon | ce}

Essen, July 3rd I97O Ketfwiger Strasse 36 ( ^fch )

Patent application

Novar Electronics Corporation

24 Brown Street

Barberton, Ohio 44203 / - USA -

Circuit arrangement for acoustic control of the flow of current through one in series with an electrical one Power source switched electrical device.

The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for acoustic control of the current flow through an electrical device connected in series with an electrical current source. Such a circuit arrangement is particularly suitable for acoustic control of the electrical lighting device. In this way, a device can be created by means of which an immediately appealing visual reproduction of noises can be achieved. Such a device can be used, for example, when someone Stereo music using

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Eavesdropping on stereo headphones, inevitably missing the ringing of the telephone, the ringing of the doorbell or the word spoken by another person, for example. ^; With the aid of the subject matter of the invention, however, such tones which normally do not reach the music listener can be made immediately visible by an acoustically controlled lighting device. On the other hand, such an acoustically controlled lighting device can also be used as a speech teaching device for the deaf or hard of hearing

Use P, as this directly "affects the effect of the Speech, especially the volume, can be reproduced visually. The light intensity of the lighting device fluctuates to a certain extent according to the type of sound, so that the device can be used to indicate the type of sound is. Another area of application of the subject of the invention are hospitals, booklets or study rooms, where a low noise level is desired. If a specified noise level is exceeded, the Lighting equipment flickers, so immediately for remedy could be taken care of. Also as burglary and theft protection the subject of the invention can be understood very well

* turn because when opening a window, when stepping in the room or the lighting device immediately when an object is removed would flare up and sound the alarm, which is often enough for the intruder to flee. One interesting effect of the subject invention results but also, for example, in a conversation between two or more people, because the voice of the speaker modulated light intensity of the lighting device the other interlocutors his way of speaking better into consciousness brings. Finally, you can also use the subject matter of the invention to use a songbird such as a

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caged canary to teach singing there the bird through the result of the given by it Sounds generated fluctuations in light feels rewarded for his singing and likes to continue singing.

The circuit arrangement according to the invention is identified essentially by a converter to convert an incoming sound signal into an electrical output signal and one connected in series with the electrical device and connected to the converter output via its control gate controllable rectifier.

Further features of the invention emerge from the following description of some exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in particular the application for an acoustically controllable lighting device should be described. Show it:

FIG. 1 shows a basic scheme of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram of a preferred exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a modification; and

Figure 4 shows a further modification of the invention Circuit arrangement.

Figure 1 shows the general principles of the invention, wherein a converter, for example a microphone 1, is provided, which converts incoming sound signals into electrical output signals. A controlled rectifier is also included a control gate 2 is provided, which works as a switch 2,

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The output of the microphone 1 is connected to the control gate 2 of this controlled rectifier switch 3 via, for example, a sound amplifier 4, in order to apply an audio frequency control signal derived from the microphone to the control gate 2. The main terminals 5 and 6 of the controlled rectifier are connected to an electrical device J, for example an incandescent lamp, which is connected in series with an electrical power source 8, so that the electrical current flow through this electrical device 7 is controlled.

Not only triacs and silicone-controlled rectifiers (SCR) can be used as controlled rectifiers, which are preferred are used, but also all other types of controlled rectifiers such as thyratrons or others at the moment possibly as yet unknown devices which have the properties required for the circuit according to the invention.

As far as sound signals or audio signals are mentioned in the description, these are not only sinusoidal To understand sound waves, but also sound impulses of all kinds *. Therefore, when from an audio frequency control signal or an audio signal at the control gate of the controlled rectifier When talking about it, this is to be understood as a signal which shows substantial fluctuations in the height of a tone shows. The term "audio frequency signal" therefore does not include a voltage or a current which, although it does can cause certain hums, is used with its average value over several tone or hum periods.

The preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2 has an electrical power source of 117 V with the

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Terminals 9 and 10, as usually available in the home stands, which with a mechanical on-off switch 11 is in series, as well as with an electrical device such as the incandescent lamp 12 and a controlled rectifier such as the thyristor Ij5> which has a control gate 14. the Main terminals 15 and 16 of the thyristor 13 are connected to the incandescent lamp 12 and the electrical power source with its terminals 9 and 10 connected in series. The thyristor 13 acts as a Switch, which enable the flow of current through the bulb 12 or prevent. A microphone 17 converts an incoming sound signal such as sound waves into an electrical one output audio signal, which is from the sound amplifier 18 of the Class A is amplified and to the control gate 14 of the thyristor 13 is submitted. The microphone 17 * for which preferably a darlington microphone is used on the input connected to a first sound amplifier stage, which has a Has transistor 19 and a load resistor 20. Of the amplified output of transistor 19 becomes directly the next Sound amplifier stage · with a transistor 22 and bias or. Load resistors 24 and 26 supplied. An emitter capacitor is used to bridge the resistor 24 28 provided. The load resistor 26 is preferably in the form of a stator of a non-linear stroke potentiometer educated. The adjustable slider of the potentiometer gives a variable tone sensitivity control and is via a coupling capacitor 32 to the input of a third sound amplifier stage connected to a transistor 34. To stabilize the temperature and to achieve a A feedback resistor 44 is provided for bias voltage. The third stage has a load resistor 42 and a HUokkqpplungswlderstand 43 * around the operating bias and achieve stability. The exit of the third TranaLstorj 34 i «t with the control core 14 of the thyristor 13 over

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a capacitor * \ 8 coupled. A resistor 50 is provided to achieve the correct bias and to protect against voltage overload and to prevent the control gate from "sliding".

To the main terminals 15 and 16 of the thyristor 1? is a DC power supply part 51 connected through which the sound amplifier 18 is transmitted a bias voltage and this is supplied with power. Such a circuit will therefore preferred, because thereby the entire electrical circuit, which makes up the acoustically controllable circuit arrangement, with the incandescent lamp 12 and the electrical Power source can be connected in series at terminals 9 and 10. With such a connection, when it burns through the incandescent lamp 12 or when unscrewing the same the acoustically controlled circuit is immediately completely de-energized. In addition, the incandescent lamp 12 serves as an impedance, which the current flow through the acoustically controlled switching arrangement limited. The illustrated half-wave power supply part 5I has an input resistor 52, a diode 54, a Pilter resistor 56 and two filter capacitors 58 and 60.

Although the power supply part can be connected to a thyristor, it cannot normally be connected to a triac. With a thyristor, the switch-on time never exceeds half a period, so that the other half period is available for the direct current supply part 51. In a triac, however, the Einsohaltzeit may comprise a full 360 ^0, so that each power supply which is applied to its main terminals, is actually reduced. The use of a triac is described in connection with the modification according to FIG. 3 .. * _ _: _.

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In the preferred embodiment of Figure 2, the incandescent lamp 12, the thyristor 13 and the electric power source with their terminals 9 and 10 connected in series in such a way that the amplifier and the lamp base are connected to ground. This eliminates the coupling of any background noise from the power lines to the amplifier, which causes an ignition of the thyristor could cause decreased. Such sources of noise are numerous in the power supply network and result from electric motors of any kind, such as refrigerators or the like, but also through a wide variety of light switches.

To start up this preferred exemplary embodiment, the mechanical switch 11 is first closed, so that the electrical power source is connected to its terminals 9 and Io is. So long in the vicinity of the microphone 17 no Noise is present, there is no control signal at the control gate 14 of the thyristor 13, so that the incandescent lamp 12 does not light up. However, as soon as sound waves strike the microphone 17, the sound becomes an electrical audio signal implemented and amplified by the stages of the sound amplifier 18. This results in an audio signal at the control gate 14. As long as the peaks of this audio signal at the control gate 14 are below the ignition voltage, the lamp 12 cannot yet light up. However, as soon as the peaks of the audio signal at If the control gate 14 exceeds the ignition voltage, the lamp is supplied with current during the part of each half cycle during which the main terminals 15 and 16 of the thyristor 13 are applied.

The strength of the audio signal at the control gate 14 does not just depend from the noise level arriving at the microphone 17, but rather also on the position of the slide 30 on the potentiometer 26.

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This slider 30 is therefore a sensitivity control which can be set in such a way that the thyristor 1? ignites at a desired switching level. The control curve of the potentiometer 26 preferably runs logarithmically, so that there is perfect control at low and high noise levels at the microphone 17.

Therefore, in this preferred exemplary embodiment, the voltage at the control gate 14, a hair dryer from the sound input on the micro-W 17-resultant audio signal. Within an amplitude range for each setting of the slide 30, the amplitude of the control signal controls the luminosity of the incandescent lamp the frequency of the electrical power source at terminals 9 and 10 which is applied to the main terminals of the thyristor.

Most sounds, such as the sound of the human voice, are continuous currents of more variable nature ^ Strength. If the slider is adjusted so that the

If the circuit arrangement is very sensitive, the light bulb lights up almost every time a word is spoken. When the sensitivity however, if it is set low, the lamp will only illuminate and the lamp will turn on during the occasional louder sound only switched on for a few half-periods. With a medium sensitivity, the lamp shines for a number of times Sounds to flicker depending on the number of half-periods during which the light bulb is switched on and the Number of half-periods during which it is not switched on.

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A special feature of the preferred embodiment according to Figure 2 is that, since the control pulses at the control gate "14 have the same frequency as the input on the microphone 17 practically no tent delay between the moment in which no more sound waves at microphone 1? arrive, and the moment at which the light bulb 12 goes out, exists. This causes the bulb 12 to flicker very precisely without a time delay corresponding to the words and syllables of a speaker speaking into the microphone 17. As soon as the speaker speaks a word or a syllable loud enough into the microphone, the light bulb will light up immediately, while it goes out immediately as soon as the word or the sentence is over. This gives the speaker the absolute certainty that the light bulb is actually on his voice reacts. Usual acoustically operated switches have rectifiers and filter capacitors that rectify and filter the audio signal. This results in a lighting device, which depending on the arriving Sound waves are switched on and in the absence of Sound waves continue to burn, especially for a brief moment, until the capacitor can discharge. One such establishment can never be a close match between the lighting of a light bulb and the sounds of a speaker or singer.

The coupling of the output of a sound amplifier with the control gate a thyristor by means of a capacitor is therefore unquestionably novel. For this reason, a capacitor 48 is used, which gives such a small impedance that the input impedance on the control circuit at terminal 62 and ground with the output impedance of the third amplifier stage, i.e., the transistor 34 is brought into correspondence.

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According to the invention, all suitable arrangements can be used, which the output of the converter I7 with the Control gate 14 of thyristor 13 connect to the control gate to apply an audio frequency control signal. A certain amplitude limitation of the signal 1st is allowed, so that one or more of the transistors I9 * 22 and 34 under bias Could be set to class AB, B or C to be able to work. This would actually cut part of the audio signal. Also a stronger non-linear one Distortion of the audio signal is allowed so that the amplifier stage can be operated in the non-linear range of its characteristics. It is only necessary that for this it is ensured that there are noticeable sound fluctuations · Even with amplitude limitation or distortion, therefore, without that some oil saturation capacitor somewhere is used, the control gate 14 is impressed with an audio frequency control signal. Such a signal achieves a mode of operation which is very similar to the mode of operation which is achieved by the preferred embodiment according to FIG. Such a way of working would be different than before known circuit arrangements result in a flickering of the light, which is an instantaneous and direct reproduction

"of the audio input on converter I7, i.e. on the microphone.

The modification of the invention shown in FIG. 3 shows firstly the use of a triac 113 instead of a thyristor and secondly a gleiohstroniversuperteil I5I, which with the controlled Glelchriohtersohalter not held in parallel 1st. In this circuit arrangement, a microphone 11? provided which the sound amplifier 118 an electrical AucUoalgnal eLnspeiot, the output of the

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Amplifier 118 is connected to the via a capacitor 148 Control gate 114 of triac 115 coupled. To terminals 109 and 110 a normal 117 V main voltage is applied so that when the triac 113 is conductive, the incandescent lamp 112 lights up.

A further modification of the invention is shown in FIG. 4, this circuit arrangement having a full-wave rectifier without filtering, which is connected to an alternating current network via terminals 202 and 203, so that a full-wave rectified sinusoidal voltage is obtained at terminals 209 and 210. This rectification only results in positive half-cycles at the thyristor 213 * so that its main terminals are practically constantly acted upon in such a way that it is conductive. In this case the conductivity can reach almost a full 360 ^o , so that the control sensitivity of a thyristor has the advantage of the performance of a triac. Since the rectification is carried out by the full-wave rectifier 201, only a filter 255 needs to be connected to this rectifier in order to supply the amplifier 218 with the microphone 217 with current.

Expectations:

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Claims (10)

Expectations. Circuit arrangement for ... acoustic control of the current flow through an electrical device connected in series with an electrical power source, characterized by a converter (1, 17, 117, 217) converting an incoming sound signal into an electrical output signal and one in series with the electrical device (7 # 12, 112) and the controllable rectifier (3 * 15 * H3, 215) connected to the converter output via its control gate (2, 14, 114). 2. Circuit arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection between the converter and the controlled rectifier a sound amplifier (4, 18 * 118, 218), a biasing device and a coupling. 3. Circuit arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that that the sound amplifier is designed as a class A amplifier and that the control gate of the controlled rectifier The applied control signal is analogous to the input sound signal. 4. A circuit arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in ·· net that the controlled rectifier is a thyristor (13) and a connected with its input terminals to the main terminals (15, 16) of the thyristor direct current power supply part (51) for power supply and output a bias voltage to the sound amplifier (18) is provided, the main power source (9, 10), the electrical device (12) and the parallel combination of thyristor and DC power supply part being connected in series so that when the electrical device is switched off, the thyristor and the DC power supply part can be deenergized , whereby the current flow through both parts can be limited by the impedance of the electrical device. 0 0 9883/160 4 ο. 5 circuit arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that that the sound amplifier (18) has several amplifier stages, one of which has a load resistance in the form of a. Has potentiometer (26), the slide (30) with the Input of the subsequent amplifier stage is coupled, whereby a setting and selection of a desired sound level for controlling the controlled rectifier (13) achievable is. 6. Circuit arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the control curve of the potentiometer (26) is logarithmic runs. 7. Acoustically controllable lighting device, thereby characterized in that it has a circuit arrangement according to claim 1 and thereby the electrical device as Incandescent lamp (7, 12, 1.12) is formed. 8. Lighting device according to claim 7, characterized in that that the electrical power source is an AC power source. 9. Lighting device according to claim 8, characterized in that that the connection between the converter and the controlled rectifier has a sound amplifier and a coupling arrangement for outputting a sound signal derived from the sound signal having an electrical signal to the control gate of the rectifier and that a device emitting a bias voltage is provided, by means of which the rectifier accordingly a predetermined sound level is controllable. U ¹ JJ U "i ι ■■, //>, BAD 10. Acoustically controllable lighting device, characterized in that it has a circuit arrangement according to claim 4 and the electrical device is an incandescent lamp and that the one derived from the incoming sound signal electrical signal to the thyristor (15) as a control signal emitting sound amplifier (18) stage several amplifiers which has one of which a Belästungswiderstand in the form of a potentiometer (26), the slide is w (30) coupled to the input of the subsequent amplifier stage achieved 1st of a desired sound level for controlling the controlled rectifier (IJ) whereby adjustment and choice. PAe Dr Andrejewski, Dr Honke. Π 0 3 0 8 3 Blank page