Abstract: A decorative ornament powered by a vertical axis wind turbine. The turbine includes blades that rotate about a centrally located vertical shaft. An LED illuminated globe is centrally located within the rotating blades and is secured atop the shaft. An alternator is located below the globe and is coupled to the rotating blades. The blades are shaped having a leading cupped section joined to a lagging airfoil section. The leading cup section is defined by a cup radius r and the lagging airfoil section is defined by an airfoil chord length CL. The cup radius r and chord length CL both decrease towards the terminal bottom and top ends of the blade. Also, the airfoil section is located a radial distance Cd from the vertical axis and the radial distance Cd decreases towards the terminal bottom and top ends of the blade.

Abstract: A decorative ornament powered by a vertical axis wind turbine. The turbine includes blades that rotate about a centrally located vertical shaft. An LED illuminated globe is centrally located within the rotating blades and is secured atop the shaft. An alternator is located below the globe and is coupled to the rotating blades. The blades are shaped having a leading cupped section joined to a lagging airfoil section. The leading cup section is defined by a cup radius r and the lagging airfoil section is defined by an airfoil chord length CL. The cup radius r and chord length CL both decrease towards the terminal bottom and top ends of the blade. Also, the airfoil section is located a radial distance Cd from the vertical axis and the radial distance Cd decreases towards the terminal bottom and top ends of the blade.

Abstract: An improved vertical axis wind turbine for generating electric power which includes blades that provide improved performance per unit of surface area. The blades are adapted to rotate about a vertical axis and are shaped having a leading cupped section joined to a lagging airfoil section. The leading cup section is defined by a cup radius r and the lagging airfoil section is defined by an airfoil chord length CL. The leading cupped section and lagging airfoil section extend vertically a distance h between terminal bottom and top ends. The cup radius r and chord length CL both decrease towards the terminal bottom and top ends of the blade. Also, the airfoil section is located a radial distance Cd from the vertical axis and the radial distance Cd decreases towards the terminal bottom and top ends of the blade.

Abstract: An ornament designed for both indoor and outdoor use incorporates a method for automatically detecting if the ornament is being used indoors or outdoors and for thereby activating the ornament at the appropriate desired time for a desired period of time. The method monitors ambient light levels throughout the day to determine if the monitored values match the characteristics expected from either indoor or outdoor operation. When used indoors, the ornament is activated at the same time each day for a predetermined number of hours. When used outdoors, the ornament is activated each day at sunset for a predetermined number of hours. In addition, when used outdoors, the method measures night lengths and adjusts its activation time to run longer when nights are long, as in winter, or shorter when nights are short, as in summer.

Abstract: An artificial flame device that produces a visual effect similar to areal candle flame includes a flame structure made of partially opaque material. The flame structure defines an exterior surface and has a hollow region extending therein. An LED and an optical barrier are provided within the hollow region with the optical barrier located between the LED and a closed end of the flame structure. A second LED is preferably provided between the optical barrier and the flame structure closed end. The first LED is maintained at a constant intensity while the intensity of the second LED is varied between low and high intensities. Alternatively, the intensity of the second LED is inversely varied relative to said intensity of the first LED.

Abstract: An ornament designed for both indoor and outdoor use incorporates a method for automatically detecting if the ornament is being used indoors or outdoors and for thereby activating the ornament at the appropriate desired time for a desired period of time. The method monitors ambient light levels throughout the day to determine if the monitored values match the characteristics expected from either indoor or outdoor operation. When used indoors, the ornament is activated at the same time each day for a predetermined number of hours. When used outdoors, the ornament is activated each day at sunset for a predetermined number of hours. In addition, when used outdoors, the method measures night lengths and adjusts its activation time to run longer when nights are long, as in winter, or shorter when nights are short, as in summer.

Abstract: A method of illuminating an ornament having a light emitting source, a battery power source and a control circuit energizing the light source at desired intensities over desired durations of time. Light from the right source travels through an ornament wall. The method repeats the steps of increasing the light intensity from a low to a high intensity during a rise time period; decreasing the light intensity to a low intensity during a fall time period which is not less than the rise time period; and, maintaining the low intensity of light during a remaining time period which is not less than the combined rise and fall time periods. The low intensity of light is less than one third the high intensity. The light intensity decreased and maintained briefly at zero intensity during an off time period between the remaining and rise time periods in an imperceptible manner.

Abstract: An illuminated ornament having an electronics assembly including a battery holder, a cap, a light emitting source and a control circuit is inserted through a hole axially into the ornament enclosure thereby locating the light source at a distance from the enclosure wall. The enclosure wall allow light to travel therethrough. A diffusing and reflecting cap which is preferably conical shaped converging towards a disk shaped end wall surrounds the light source and both allows light to travel therethrough and reflects light behind the light source to the enclosure wall. The battery holder is permanently attached to the assembly cap and the electronics assembly is removable from the enclosure in one piece. The assembly cap closes the hole. The differential pressure between the inside and outside of the enclosure is relieved preventing air and water entry through the assembly cap to enclosure interface.

Abstract: An artificial flame device that produces a visual effect similar to areal candle flame includes a flame structure made of partially opaque material. The flame structure defines an exterior surface and has a hollow region extending therein. An LED and an optical barrier are provided within the hollow region with the optical barrier located between the LED and a closed end of the flame structure. A second LED is preferably provided between the optical barrier and the flame structure closed end. The first LED is maintained at a constant intensity while the intensity of the second LED is varied between low and high intensities. Alternatively, the intensity of the second LED is inversely varied relative to said intensity of the first LED.

Abstract: A lighted marker for driveways, sidewalks and other various uses. The lighted marker includes a loweer housing and an upper housing. A module including an LED coupled to a battery and a circuit adapted to energize the LED is received in the lower housing through an opening. The upper housing fits over the lower housing preventing water from entering the opening. Alternatively, the module is rigidly secured to the upper housing. The upper housing includes a translucent plastic surface surrounding the LED and viewable from a 360° field of view. The LED lights the translucent surface and the upper housing surface can thereby be seen with night adjusted eyes. The lighted marker is adapted to fit on and preferably be demountably mounted on a fiberglass rod shaped stake which is adapted to be driven into the ground. An umbilical cord is attached between the stake and the lower housing.

Abstract: An illuminated ornament having an electronics assembly including a battery holder, a cap, a light emitting source and a control circuit is inserted through a hole axially into the ornament enclosure thereby locating the light source at a distance from the enclosure wall. The enclosure wall allow light to travel therethrough. A diffusing and reflecting cap which is preferably conical shaped converging towards a disk shaped end wall surrounds the light source and both allows light to travel therethrough and reflects light behind the light source to the enclosure wall. The battery holder is permanently attached to the assembly cap and the electronics assembly is removable from the enclosure in one piece. The assembly cap closes the hole. The differential pressure between the inside and outside of the enclosure is relieved preventing air and water entry through the assembly cap to enclosure interface.

Abstract: A method of illuminating an ornament having a light emitting source, a battery power source and a control circuit energizing the light source at desired intensities over desired durations of time. Light from the right source travels through an ornament wall. The method repeats the steps of increasing the light intensity from a low to a high intensity during a rise time period; decreasing the light intensity to a low intensity during a fall time period which is not less than the rise time period; and, maintaining the low intensity of light during a remaining time period which is not less than the combined rise and fall time periods. The low intensity of light is less than one third the high intensity. The light intensity decreased and maintained briefly at zero intensity during an off time period between the remaining and rise time periods in an imperceptible manner.

Abstract: A motion sensor incorporates an internal light source, typically a super bright LED and an optical projection system visible to an observer standing in the motion sensor coverage zone(s) to simplify orientation of the sensor on installation. A multi-lens system or an arrangement of small windows in front of the LED projects a visible light pattern that mimics the detection pattern of the motion sensor to an observer standing in the detection zone and looking at the sensor.

Abstract: A motion sensor incorporates an internal light source, typically a super bright LED. A multi-lens system or an arrangement of small windows in front of the LED projects a visible light pattern that mimics the detection pattern of the motion sensor to an observer standing in the detection zone and looking at the sensor.

Abstract: An imitation candle having an exterior wax shell and an interior illumination source is structured to reduce cracking of the exterior wax shell by incorporating a bonding layer into a central cavity in the shell between the interior illumination source and the wax shell. The bonding layer terminates well spaced from terminal edges of the shell to transfer stress between the illumination source and the shell caused by differing coefficients of thermal expansion to points removed from edges of the shell to retard crack genesis.

Abstract: A decorative lantern evocative of enclosing a candle or other open flame type light source includes an imitation candle and a super bright light emitting diode hidden with the lantern to illuminate the imitation candle from outside. A wick having a polished tip produces a hot spot of reflected light to heighten the illusion of an open flame being present.

Abstract: Battery powered LEDs operated at a small fraction of their rated capacity to provide a level of illumination useful as a marker for darkness adjusted vision. Long battery life is achieved using super bright, broad spectrum LEDs.