Abstract: Ignition systems of the kind used to ignite a difficult-to-ignite fuel oil by using energy stored in a capacitor at a breakdown for creating an ignition arc at the electrodes of a resistive arc probe, having a semiconductor resistive film across spark electrodes of the resistive arc probe, designed to preclude interference of contaminants with conduction of an ignition arc across an established current path between the electrodes of the resistive arc probe. An air gap and a resistive arc probe are connected in series. A first high voltage power supply develops a first direct current voltage across a capacitor, which is supplied as a voltage across the air gap and the resistive arc probe. A second high voltage power supply supplies a second pulsed voltage across the air gap and the resistive arc probe, wherein the second pulsed voltage is substantially higher than the first direct current voltage, and the second pulsed voltage jumps the gap of the air gap and thus initiates an ignition arc.

Abstract: A universal multifunction sensor having multiple optical designs and providing a plurality of parameter sensors in one sensor module which can interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems in an occupied space networked environment. The universal multifunction sensor comprises a passive infrared occupancy sensor and an ambient light sensor. A common network communications and control processor coupled to a common communication transceiver are shared in common by the occupancy sensor and the ambient light sensor, such that the multifunction sensor can interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems in an occupied space networked environment.

Abstract: A multifunction user interface provided as an add-on option to a more basic multifunction sensor which does not provide a display or keypad, to provide a local user interface to access and control parameters of a control network. The basic multifunction sensor provides a plurality of parameter sensors in one sensor housing, and can interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems connected by a network bus in an occupied space networked environment. The basic sensor comprises at least an occupancy sensor, a temperature sensor, and a common network communications and control processor coupled to a common communication transceiver. This allows the basic multifunction sensor to interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems in an occupied space networked environment.

Abstract: A sheet metal housing for an HID luminaire which comprises a two piece, fold-up sheet metal housing which provides exceptional strength with minimal usage of materials to support a very heavy ballast therein. The sheet metal housing is suitable for a low cost highbay luminaire with high watt ballasts for Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium, Mercury Vapor (HID) light sources. The sheet metal housing provides reflector adjustability for different size lamps and light centers. A top sheet metal stamping defines a central ballast shelf on which a ballast is mounted, and first and second ends of the top stamping are bent 90.degree. on opposite sides of the central ballast shelf. The first and second ends of the top stamping are further bent back 180.degree. upon themselves to form a double wall. The first and second ends of the top stamping are further bent 90.degree. to project towards each other.

Abstract: A temperature and passive infrared sensor module in which a temperature sensor is mounted so as to not be adversely affected by heat generating electrical components of the sensor module. One embodiment comprises a wallswitch-mounted unit which is designed to be mounted in a wallswitch electrical outlet box with a semi-cylindrical front of the sensor projecting forwardly therefrom. A top section of the projecting semi-cylindrical front has a front curved window, behind which a passive infrared sensor and an ambient light sensor are positioned. A bottom section of the projecting semi-cylindrical front is formed by a removable clip-in door which is provided with air flow vents in a bottom surface and also in projecting front and side surfaces thereof to provide a circulating air flow around a temperature sensor.

Abstract: Integrated fold-up reflector mounting brackets to mount a reflector to a lighting fixture or luminaire are fabricated as an integral part of the reflector during the production thereof without the use of additional material, components and operations. The top of the reflector is fabricated with a stamping operation to provide an opening therein to provide for the mounting of a lamp socket and to allow for the flow of ventilation air therethrough. First and second fold-up mounting brackets are stamped and fabricated as an integral part of the top of the reflector. Each of the first and second fold-up brackets comprises a plurality of contoured ribs, with at least one of the contoured ribs having a truncation therein defined along a fold line for the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A multivoltage (120 VAC to 277 VAC) input, low leakage current type, microcontroller-based, wall switch mounted, IR motion sensor with a latching relay having zero watt load switching capability, provided in a low cost, single PC board design to be mounted in a single gang electrical box. The switching circuit delivers AC electrical power to a load, such as a lighting fixture, from an AC power supply having only a hot lead, a neutral lead and a ground connection. The switching circuit comprises a rectifier, coupled to conduct a leakage current between the hot lead and the ground connection, for converting the AC electrical power to a DC electrical power supply. A relay has a first normally open contact coupled to the hot lead and a second normally open contact coupled to the load, and is powered by a storage capacitor. An IR occupancy sensor generates a signal in response to a detected human presence.

Abstract: A waterproof cover for electrical devices such as electrical outlets, receptacles, switches, ground fault circuit interrupters, dimmers, etc. The waterproof cover has snap-in modular cover plates which can be used either alone with one gang covers or outlet boxes, or ganged together in combination for use with two gang electrical covers or outlet boxes. The cover plate has a side edge which defines an overhanging interlock extending along a first length of the side edge and an underhanging interlock extending along a second length of the side edge. The arrangement is such that the overhanging interlock can interlock with an underhanging interlock and the underhanging interlock can interlock with an overhanging interlock of a second similar cover plate to form a two gang cover plate for a two gang weatherproof cover. Alternatively, the overhanging interlock can interlock with an underhanging interlock and the underhanging interlock can interlock with an overhanging interlock of a one gang waterproof cover.

Abstract: A combined loop current sink, battery detector, and ringing detector circuit as used in a channel unit at a telephone central office connection to a digital loop carrier circuit, to provide off-hook and on-hook signaling to analog switching circuits, and to simultaneously receive normal battery and ringing signals from the analog switching circuits. The combined circuit includes tip and ring connections to the digital loop carrier circuit to provide telephone service, a loop input controlled by logic circuits, at the telephone central office, and a battery output connected to the logic circuits. A first optocoupler, is connected to the loop input and also to ground, for providing a floating voltage coupling for the loop input to the circuit. A second optocoupler, is connected to the battery output and also to ground, for providing a floating voltage coupling for the circuit output. A transistor circuit has an input coupled to the first optocoupler and an output coupled to the second optocoupler.

Abstract: A universal multifunction sensor having multiple optical designs and providing a plurality of parameter sensors in one sensor module which can interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems in an occupied space networked environment. The universal multifunction sensor comprises a passive infrared occupancy sensor and an ambient light sensor. A common network communications and control processor coupled to a common communication transceiver are shared in common by the occupancy sensor and the ambient light sensor, such that the multifunction sensor can interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems in an occupied space networked environment.

Abstract: A multifunction sensor provides a plurality of parameter sensors in one sensor module which can interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems in an occupied space networked environment such as a commercial building. The multifunction sensor comprises at least an occupancy sensor, an ambient light sensor, and a temperature sensor. A common network communications and control processor is coupled to a common communication transceiver, and are shared in common by the occupancy sensor, the ambient light sensor and the temperature sensor, such that the multifunction sensor can interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems. A plurality of the multifunction sensors are placed at different locations throughout the building.

Abstract: A power distribution unit for supplying temporary branch power has a 240-250 VAC input with input power line conductors L1 and L2, a neutral conductor N, and a ground conductor G. A supervisory circuit checks that the 240-250 VAC input is properly connected to the power distribution unit by requiring that the input voltage exceeds a supervisory circuit threshold voltage substantially greater than 120-125 volts. When that occurs, a contactor is enabled by the supervisory circuit to close first and second contacts therein to pass the 240-250 VAC on lines L1 and L2 therethrough to a 240-250 VAC ground fault interrupter protected circuit breaker outlet. A plurality of 120-125 VAC GFI module outlets are connected across either one of lines L1 and L2 at the output of the supervisory circuit and the neutral conductor N which bypasses the contactor. The supervisory circuit includes a diode bridge circuit connected across power line conductors L1 and L2 to convert a 240-250 VAC input to 240-250 VDC.

Abstract: A reduced cycle ignitor circuit for a high intensity discharge lamp incorporating a thermally timed, cycled operation which provides intermittent starting pulses for the high intensity discharge lamp. The ignitor circuit comprises a capacitor and semiconductor connected in series with a ballast transformer. The ignitor circuit further comprises a series connected resistor and thermostat, having thermally operated, normally closed electrical contacts, through which current is conducted to charge the capacitor. The thermostat is thermally coupled to the resistor. During operation, current flows through the series connected resistor and thermostat and charges the capacitor to a breakover threshold voltage level of the semiconductor. At that point, the semiconductor conducts and the energy stored in the capacitor is discharged through the semiconductor and a winding of the ballast which, through auto-transformer action, generates a high voltage pulse to start the high intensity discharge lamp.

Abstract: An in-line buck/boost voltage/regulating apparatus and system for delivering AC electrical power of regulated voltage from an output terminal of a main winding to an electrical load. The apparatus has an input terminal for connection to an AC power supply and comprises first, second and third ferromagnetic transformer cores having first, second and third cross-sectional areas, respectively; and these cross-sectional areas have relative sizes of X square units, Y square units and Z square units, respectively. There are first, second and third regulator windings respectively mounted on the first, second and third cores, and electromagnetically coupled with their respective cores. The first, second and third windings have first, second and third numbers of turns, respectively. Switching elements selectively connect the first, second and/or third windings across the AC supply and selectively short-circuit any of the first, second and/or third windings which are not connected across the AC supply.

Abstract: A dual trip level ground fault interrupter (GFI) which is designed to trip or operate at a first relatively low personnel protection level of ground leakage current, and also at a second relatively high equipment protection level of grounded leakage current. The dual trip level ground fault interrupter is provided for a power line, having line conductors and a ground conductor, supplying electrical power to a load. The dual trip level GFI comprises first and second differential current transformers, each having a primary winding and a secondary winding. All of the line conductors for the load pass through the primary winding of the first differential current transformer. All of the line conductors and the ground conductor pass through the primary winding of the second differential transformer. The ground conductor does not pass through the primary winding of the first differential current transformer.

Abstract: A temperature and passive infrared sensor module comprising a sensor module housing having air flow vents therein in top and bottom or side surfaces to allow air to circulate through the sensor module housing. A temperature sensor is mounted in the sensor module housing in a position which is exposed to air circulating through the sensor module housing. A passive infrared sensor is also mounted in the sensor module housing in a manner in which it is not exposed to air circulating through the sensor module housing, such that it is not adversely affected thereby. In one embodiment, a foam block is positioned around to encase and isolate the passive infrared detector. In several embodiments, the passive infrared sensor and temperature sensor are mounted on opposite sides of the printed circuit board such that air circulates around the temperature sensor only on one side of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A multifunction passive infrared occupancy sensor functions as an occupancy sensor for security systems and also as an occupancy sensor for energy management control systems. The occupancy sensor comprises at least one segmented infrared lens array wherein the segments of the infrared lens array establish different optical lobes in the field of view of the occupancy sensor. At least one pyroelectric infrared detector is positioned at or near the focal point of the segmented infrared lens array, for detecting movement of infrared sources within the field of view of the occupancy sensor and producing an output signal representative thereof. A processing means analyzes the output signal of the detector for security detection purposes by detecting changes in the output signal greater than a given security threshold.

Abstract: A wet/dry hot stick tester designed to provide a dry test of a hot stick by applying a voltage equivalent to 100 KV/ft to the hot stick, and to provide a wet test of a hot stick by applying a voltage equivalent to 75 KV/ft thereto. Output electrodes are positioned along a reading aperture provided in a housing of the hot stick tester, in which a hot stick being tested is positioned. A two tap transformer has a first input tap for providing a first voltage equivalent to 100 KV/ft to a hot stick positioned in the reading aperture during a dry test thereof, and has a second input tap for providing a second voltage equivalent to 75 KV/ft to a hot stick during a wet test thereof. An ammeter measures the leakage current through the hot stick during an applied voltage. A wet/dry switch switches the two tap transformer between the first and second input taps.

Abstract: A step down transformer power supply with short circuit protection which uses a minimal size transformer, as opposed to an energy limiting transformer. The transformer is mounted directly on a PC board without additional mounting hardware, and has a fuse in its secondary winding, which is required to pass a UL short circuit test, and is normally nonreplaceable. A low cost circuit limits the current output of the transformer such that the fuse is not blown, even under a shorted output condition, which would normally require replacement of the transformer. A rectifier circuit is coupled across the secondary winding of the step down transformer, and is coupled to a first terminal of a three terminal power regulator circuit which supplies a regulated stepped down voltage through a second terminal connected to a load. The third terminal thereof comprises a current/voltage limiting control terminal.