Theatre Design & Technology - Feb 1966 - 30

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
(Following the outlining system described for this column in the
lost issue, the first digit of the identifying numerals heading
each item below refers to the operating orea, the second digit
refers to the orgoni zotionol phase, and the third digit refer

the operating level.)

6.1.3.

The development of infinite preset control (using cords
and light sensors) and the isolated, not always satisfactory
installation of such systems pose a problem in the intelligent
formulation of performance needs and their subsequent translation
into di scriminating specifications. The necessary detoi I 5 of
such information ore hard to come by and, therefore, the ovoilo·
bi lity of Q pattern-setting potent description of a preset lighting
control system filed in 1957 by Stephen J. Skirpon (Patent
li2,994,804), can serve to introduce us to this sophisticated
area of stogelighting control. U.S. Patent numbers 3.049,645,
3.193.725, and 3.193,728 refer to the more recent work of Mr.
Skirpan.

2,994,804
LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM
Stephen James Sklrpan, New York, N.Y.
(34-15 Parsons Blvd., flushing, N.Y.)
Flied June 17, 1957, Ser. No. 666,004
10 Claims. (CI. 315-319)

2. A pparatus for effecting a predetermined operation
of control mechanism for a lighting control circuit or the
like, said apparatus comprising a translating device
adapted for the reception of a member control indicia
bearing a plur~lity of signal voltage sources of different
predetermined values, normally open switch means in
circuit between each voltage source and said control
mechanism. said transl~ling device having a control
means in circuit with each switch means, e~ch of said
control means being responsive to a predetermined control indicia of a control indicia bearing member to effect
the closing of its associ~ted switch means to apply the
~ssociated signal voltage to sail! conlrol mechanism, said
control means in circuit with each switch means being a
photo-sensitive device, and each switch means comprising a de-energized gate circuit provided with a bridge
which is b~lanced when the associated photo-sensitive
device is subjected to light and is unbalanced when light
is removed from said photo-sensitive device to trigger said
gate ci rcuit.
3,049,645
PRESET L1GIITING CONTROL SYSTEM
Stephen James Sklrpan, New York, N.Y.
(34-15 ParsonS Blvd., flushing, N.Y.)
FlIed June 29, 1959, Ser. No. 823,632
15 Claims. (CI. 315--316)

7. A lighting control system compnsmg fader means,
a first and a second control channel energized by said
fader means. a control console connected in circuit in
each control channel, each console comprising a plurality
of voltage busses mounted in stacked relation, said busses
being mutually insulated, means defining a plurality of
channels e~tending through said busses. each channel baving an inlet opening and an outlet opening, a terminal
means at each outlet opening spaced from said stacked
busses, and control plug means insertable in said channels through said inlet openings and having provision to
electrically connect a predetermined bus with the terminal means of the channel in which the plug is inserted,
each control channel having means to apply stepped voltage values to the respective busses of the associated console, and means in circuit with each terminal means to
energize a lighting circuit in accordance with the voltage
applied to the associated terminal means, said means to
apply stepped voltage values being a stepped transformer
secondary baving equally spaced taps connected to said
busses, respectively, and a common tap on a return circuit
witb tbe associated lighting circuit energizing means, and
means to increase the voltage at each bus by a fraction
of a voltage step.
3,193,725
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SOLID STATE
CONTROLLED RECTIFIERS
Stephen J. Skirpan, Flushing, N.Y., assignor to Ward
Leonard Electric Co., Mount Vernon, N.Y., a corporation of New York
Filed Mar. 3, 1961, Set. No. 93,253
6 Claims. (CI. 315-194)
t. Apparatus for controlling the load current supplied
to an incandescent lamp load comprising first and second
silicon controlled rectifiers connected to alternately pass
and control the amount of load current supplied to the
load, a magnetic amplifier having main windings rapidly
saturating to pass a substantially increased current and a
control winding producing a f1u~ adjustable to vary the
time of saturation of the amplifier during a half cycle. 1
pulse producing transformer having a primary windln!
~nd two secondary windings, means for connecling laid
secondary windings to a respective rectifier to apply a Un;.
direction~l g~te pulse to a respective rectifier thcre~\
rendering said rectifiers conductive on alternate hair
cycles, a rectifying means, means for connecting said main
windings, said rectifying means and said primary windinl

in series across a voltage supply for passing current satu·
rating said magnetic amplifier and thereby causing a rapid
increase in current through s~id primary winding, square
wa ve producing means connected aeross said main and
primary windings to limit the voltage and current thereacross to a given value thereby producing unidirectional
gate pulses in said secondary windings of a substantially
constant amplitude over the range of phase shift of the
gate pulses.

(continued on page 33)

IOSITT

THEATRE DESIGN AND TECHNOlOOY

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Feb 1966