Patents Assigned to Ferret Instruments, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5818234
    Abstract: In an electrical resistive-load battery testing system, apparatus and methods are disclosed for independently monitoring and reacting to both the temperature of the load and the power actually consumed by the load. The signals derived by the temperature and power monitoring aspects of the invention may be used to provide visual and/or audible indicators to alert an operator that the system has exceeded predetermined operating levels. The load may be of a carbon-pile construction, though other loading arrangements are possible. According to the direct load-power monitoring aspect of the invention, electrical circuity is used to generate a signal representative of the power consumed by the load as a function of the voltage applied across the load and the current through by the load during the test, and a function such as an operator alert is performed in response to the power consumed by the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Ferret Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald C. McKinnon
  • Patent number: 5700089
    Abstract: In an electrical resistive-load battery testing system, apparatus and methods disclosed for independently monitoring and reacting to both the temperature of the load and the power actually consumed by the load. The signals derived by the temperature and power monitoring aspects of the invention may be used for any useful purpose including visual and/or audible indicators to alert an operator that the system has exceeded predetermined operating levels. The load may be of a carbon-pile construction, though other loading arrangements are possible. The load-temperature monitoring aspect to the invention includes an optical sensor supported to receive thermal radiation from the load, and output an electrical signal representative of the level of radiation emitted by the load. Means connected to receive the electrical signal from the optical sensor are further provided to perform an operational function if the level of radiation emitted by the load exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Ferret Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald C. McKinnon
  • Patent number: 5023764
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a stroboscopic timing light for use with internal combustion engines. The reflector assembly is designed to increase the proportion of light from a flash tube that becomes part of a focused light beam. The reflector assembly comprises a pair of angled reflectors or series of reflectors forming a frusto-pyramid-like structure which reflects an array of images of a flash lamp. These images reflect the substantial portion of the light from the flash lamp while providing a cost effective and relatively inexpensive reflector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Ferret Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. McKinnon, Thomas F. Gauthier