Patents by Inventor Frank E. Zalar

Frank E. Zalar has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6586864
    Abstract: The invention is related to a reflector lamp comprising a parabolic primary reflecting section, a parabolic or spheric secondary reflecting section joined to the primary reflecting section, a parabolic or spheric tertiary reflecting section joined to the secondary reflecting section, and an incandescent or discharge light source. The secondary and tertiary reflecting sections have faceted surfaces which longitudinally extend along the surface thereof so that most (at least 50%) or substantially all the light reflected by the faceted surfaces avoids the light source and thus the light, which would be absorbed or scattered by the light source, is minimized or substantially eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yutao Zhou, Denis A. Lynch, Jr., Tianji Zhao, Thomas M. Golz, Rolf S. Bergman, Frank E. Zalar
  • Publication number: 20020011767
    Abstract: The invention is related to a reflector lamp comprising a parabolic primary reflecting section, a parabolic or spheric secondary reflecting section joined to the primary reflecting section, a parabolic or spheric tertiary reflecting section joined to the secondary reflecting section, and an incandescent or discharge light source. The secondary and tertiary reflecting sections have faceted surfaces which longitudinally extend along the surface thereof so that most (at least 50%) or substantially all the light reflected by the faceted surfaces avoids the light source and thus the light, which would be absorbed or scattered by the light source, is minimized or substantially eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Yutao Zhou, Denis A. Lynch, Tianji Zhao, Thomas M. Golz, Rolf S. Bergman, Frank E. Zalar
  • Patent number: 5751095
    Abstract: A reflector lamp unit is provided having a light source which is capable of meeting the efficiency requirements mandated by law. The reflector lamp unit includes a pressed glass reflector member having a curved portion and a lower neck portion on which is secured a conventional threaded screw base. The light source can be a high efficiency light source such as a discharge light source of a tungsten-halogen light source contained within a pressurized lamp envelope. The light source is disposed within the curved portion of the reflector member at a position along the longitudinal axis and ahead of the optical focal point of the reflector. In this manner, a beam pattern is generated which is widely scattered and unfocused as compared to that beam pattern which would be produced from a light source disposed at the focal point. The reflective surface of the curved portion of the reflector member is lightly roughened thereby resulting in an increased diffusion characteristic of the beam pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Frank E. Zalar
  • Patent number: 5670840
    Abstract: A tungsten-halogen lamp has a light transmissive, IR coated, filament chamber enclosing a filament, the filament chamber being enclosed within an outer envelope. Fuses are connected to opposite ends of the filament to limit the magnitude and duration of an electrical arc across a break in the filament which, in combination with a fill gas pressure of no greater than 2500 Torr reduces the likelihood of containment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventors: Gustino J. Lanese, Frank E. Zalar, Ronald J. Olwert
  • Patent number: 5057735
    Abstract: A simplified lamp mount structure for a reflector lamp unit is disclosed enabling improved automated assembly on existing manufacturing equipment. The lamp mount arrangement physically supports a tungsten-halogen lamp entirely with electrical conductors protruding from the lamp envelope and secured to refractory closure means located at the bottom portion of a reflector member. Various lamp unit embodiments employing such modified lamp mounts are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Frank E. Zalar, Richard G. Lynce, Vito J. Arsena
  • Patent number: 5019743
    Abstract: An elongated tubular lamp such as an arc lamp or tungsten halogen lamp mounted in a reflector or lamp mount by means of a long and a short mount wire is more resistant to breaking off the mount wires if the short mount wire is smaller in diameter than the long mount wire, but not smaller than the diameter of the lamp lead wire to which it is welded in combination with the lamp lead wire being molybdenum alloy having a recrystallization temperature at least about 200.degree. C. higher than molybdenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald J. Olwert, Frank E. Zalar, Walter R. Chapman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4987343
    Abstract: A combined glare and heat shield configuration is disclosed for vehicle headlamp applications. Such composite heat shield member is configured and located inside the headlamp assembly with particular respect to the light source so as to avoid shadowing by this lamp component in the projected light beam pattern. Efficacy of the hermetically sealed electric lamp providing a light source in the present vehicle headlamp construction can be further improved with an infrared reflective coating being deposited on the lamp envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Walter J. Kosmatka, Frank E. Zalar, Dean R. Tener
  • Patent number: 4959583
    Abstract: A structure for supporting a light source within an electric lamp having an internal reflective surfaces of reduced dimensions is disclosed. The structure spatially supports the central portion of the light source relative to the reflective surface and comprises a pair of electrically conductive post which are affixed within openings in the bottom portion of the reflector. Barrier means are provided to prevent a cement substance filling the opening from escaping and entering the inner confines of the reflector lamp. In one embodiment the barrier means for preventing such escape is a washer positioned over each of the post and in another embodiment a glass bead is placed around each of the post to provide such barrier means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vito J. Arsena, Harvey C. Clough, Frank E. Zalar
  • Patent number: 4754373
    Abstract: An improved vehicle headlamp for developing forward illumination and having reduced dimensions relative to prior art headlamps is disclosed. The lamp comprises an enclosed concave parabolic reflector of a rectangular cross section type and having a single tungsten-halogen light source coaxially located within the enclosed reflector. The headlamp has a glare shield arranged around the light source when the headlamp is utilized for low beam application and a heat shield located about the light source for both low and high beam applications. The light source is of a tubular shape and has a bulbous portion preferably of an ellipsoidal shape. The efficacy of the light source is improved by means of an infrared reflective coating placed on its outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lee W. Otto, Walter J. Kosmatka, Frank E. Zalar
  • Patent number: 4464600
    Abstract: A light bulb is held by a base having an outer base member surrounding an inner member holding the bulb and which is secured to the outer base member after being adjusted longitudinally, laterally, and rotationally with respect thereto, as needed, to accurately position the bulb's filament with respect to the outer base member. No cement or adhesive is in contact with the light bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Walter J. Kosmatka, Frank E. Zalar
  • Patent number: 4463278
    Abstract: A light bulb is held by a base to which the bulb is secured after being adjusted longitudinally, laterally, and rotationally, as needed, to accurately position the bulb's filament with respect to the base. No cement or adhesive is in contact with the light bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Walter J. Kosmatka, Frank E. Zalar