Abstract: An operating device for a vehicle, such as an airplane or a bus, includes a board that is adapted to carry electronic circuits, and at least two catch hooks for receiving the board between them. Each of the catch hooks has a contact portion for retaining the board and a base part for supporting the contact portion. The base parts of the catch hooks face each other, and the contact portions face away from each other. When the board is loaded, the catch hooks are pressed towards the respectively other catch hook which results in that the catch hooks lean more and more firmly against the board when force is induced onto the board.

Abstract: The device (10) serves for removably fastening a first part, particularly a covering element, to a second part installed in a vehicle and particularly in an airplane. The device is provided with a fastening element (18) having a first end (24) for attachment to the first part and a second end (36) for attachment to the second part. The second end (36) of the fastening element (18) is provided with an abutment portion (38) for abutment on the second leg (64) and the support element (78) of the second part, a locking portion (46) to be locked to the free end of the second leg (64) of the second part, the locking portion (46) being flexible and adapted to be moved, while generating a restoring force, from a locking position into a release position, and an actuating portion (56) for manually moving the locking portion (46) from the locking position to the release position thereof, and a grip-around portion (42) for gripping around the second part in the transition region of the two legs (62,64).

Abstract: An aircraft position light for an aircraft is provided with a luminous device for emitting light and a reflector arrangement. The luminous device comprises a first and a second light source, which emit light within a light radiation solid angle, the two light sources being arranged symmetrically to the preferential axis and central axes of the light radiation solid angles being inclined so as to face each other. The reflector arrangement comprises a first and a second reflection surface allocated to the first and second light source, respectively. The first reflection surface is arranged opposite to the first light source and the second reflection surface is arranged opposite to the second light source.

Abstract: A lamp apparatus includes a pair of concentrically positioned lamp shades and a light source positioned centrally within an inner one of the lamp shades. The lamp shades are bell shaped so as to direct light from the light source downwardly without passing through either one of the lamp shades. The outer one of the lamp shades is formed of a transparent glass or plastic with a thin film optical coating of randomly variable thickness on its inner surface. The inner one of the lamp shades is formed of a translucent glass or plastic. Standard lamp hardware is used to assembly the apparatus into a functional lamp assembly. When the light source is not illuminated, the outer shade appears as a metallic or chrome color, and when it is illuminated, the outer shade appears transparent and the inner shade appears to have a rainbow colored effect. Downward directed light is not colored.

Abstract: A system for enabling successful use of HID lamps in aircraft, including in particular high power lamps for use as landing lights and taxi lights, utilizes a sealed beam HID lamp which during normal operation has an external temperature considerably lower than the external temperature of a quartz halogen or incandescent sealed beam lamp of equivalent light output. The lower external temperature arises in part from the use of a gas fill in the sealed beam. A detector is provided to monitor the seal integrity of the sealed beam HID lamp and further to provide a response to seal failure resulting in disablement of the lamp. Exemplary ways for accomplishing seal failure detection include radioactive detection, pressure monitoring, and chemical sensing, or other ways wherein detection of a failed seal is followed by an electrical output used to terminate or preclude lamp operation.

Abstract: A device for fastening a first part to a second part, particularly for fastening a lining element in the interior of a vehicle, for example an aircraft, is provided with at least one fastening element connectable with the first part and releasably attachable to the second part. The fastening element is provided with a locking element that is supported on the fastening element so as to be movable between a disengaged position in which the fastening element is able to be set to the second part and to be detached therefrom, and a pre-locking position in which the fastening element is held at the second part. Further, the fastening element comprises an actuating element for moving the locking element between the disengaged position and the pre-locking position.

Abstract: An air outlet device for a vehicle, especially for an aircraft, comprises a nozzle body with an air intake opening and an air outlet opening. The air outlet device further comprises a holding element formed with an accommodating opening having the nozzle body supported therein for rotation about a longitudinal axis extending through the air intake opening and the air outlet opening, and a valve body arranged coaxially within the nozzle body and guided by the holding element. Upon rotation of the nozzle body, the valve body can be displaced in the nozzle body between a closing position for blocking the air outlet opening and a maximum opening position for clearing the air outlet opening to the maximum extent. The valve body is of a hollow configuration.

Abstract: A recognition light includes a reflector having an axis and first and second annular semi-parabolic reflective surfaces which have respective focal points axially spaced apart from one another, and first and second annular lamps respectively disposed at the focal points. A cover surrounds the reflector and lamps and includes a lens for focusing the light along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the reflector, the lens including first and second Fresnel lens portions each including a convex lens and a prism lens, the convex lenses being disposed adjacent one another and transaxially aligned with the first and second lamps, respectively. A light detector detects light emitted from at least one of the lamps, a monitor circuit provides a fail signal when a characteristic of the light output of at least one of the lamps does not satisfy a specified criteria, and a control circuit first activates the first lamp and then the second lamp in response to receipt of the fail signal of the monitor circuit.

Abstract: An air outlet device (10) for a vehicle, especially for an aircraft, comprises a nozzle body (40) with an air intake opening (44) and an air outlet opening (46). The air outlet device (10) further comprises a holding element (14) formed with an accommodating opening (36) having the nozzle body (40) supported therein for rotation about a longitudinal axis (42) extending through the air intake opening (44) and the air outlet opening (46), and a valve body (68), arranged coaxially within the nozzle body (40) and guided by the holding element (14). Upon rotation of the nozzle body (40), the valve body (68) can be displaced in the nozzle body (40) between a closing position for blocking the air outlet opening (46) and a maximum opening position for clearing the air outlet opening (46) to the maximum extent. The valve body (68) is of a hollow configuration.

Abstract: A light reflector having a row of light reflecting segments separated by fold lines, wherein one segment is located at a top of the row and another segment is located at a bottom of the row. A pair of wings is connected at the sides of the row, each one of the wings including a plurality of light reflecting segments separated by fold lines, wherein at least some of the light reflecting segments of the row and at least some of the light reflecting segments of the wings form a shell-shaped arrangement wherein at least some light reflecting segments of the row and at least some light reflecting segments of the pair of wings are bent at their respective fold lines whereby the arrangement is generally curved along an imaginary line connecting the one segment and the another segment and generally curved along an imaginary line perpendicular to the first mentioned line.

Abstract: A power line communication system includes a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) having a sine wave approximator driven by a high frequency clock in the FPGA. The sine wave approximator generates a high frequency sine wave-shaped communication signal on command by a processor. The data transmission scheme includes sending a sequence of fixed length and fixed frequency cells wherein each transmitted cell is of one of four phases 0°, 90°, 180° or 270° (FIG. 2) relative to the phase of a preceding transmitted cell with the first transmitted cell designated as a zero-phase reference cell. The data transmissions are synchronized by the voltage zero crossings of the AC power line and each transmission consists of 27 cells evenly distributed over the AC voltage line half cycle. The high frequency sine wave-shaped communication signal is superimposed on the low frequency (60 Hz) AC power line via a transconductance amplifier which draws current from the AC power line via a full-wave bridge rectifier.

Abstract: A light fixture suitable for illuminating highway signage and billboards having large surface areas. The fixture includes a curved reflector assembly, shaped generally like a cobra hood that is attached to a plate disposed in a base. The reflector assembly 38 includes a plurality of spectral segments, integrally disposed in bands and rows of the reflector assembly so that an portion of the spectral segments is disposed above the plate, an intermediate portion of the spectral segments is disposed partially above and partially below the plate, and a portion of spectral segments is disposed below the plate surface. A lamp is supported within the fixture for facilitating projecting a substantially rectangularly shaped plane of light distributed in a plurality of substantially rectangularly shaped luminance patterns onto a flat surface.

Abstract: A sports lighting system for a large area at which a sporting event occurs includes light structures at the large area to illuminate at least that portion of the large area where the sporting event occurs. A lighting control unit is disposed at the large area. Included are power connector modules connected to a power bus in a cavity of a housing of the unit. Electrical conductors for each of the light structures connect to a respective one of the power connector modules and to lighting on the respective light structure such that electrification of lighting on all the light structures occurs through the lighting control unit. The cavity preferably accommodates expansion or a remote diagnostic unit and mounting on a ground-mounted concrete stanchion. A related method is also disclosed. The present invention also provides an electrical control unit and a power connector module.

Abstract: A modular cove lighting system is formed of tubular fluorescent light fixtures connected together in parallel. The modular system is capable of providing uniform illumination along its length. The modular system advantageously may include straight lamps, curved lamps (including lamps forming 90° angles), and/or hinged lamp fixtures. The system may be constructed with lamps that are illuminated completely from end to end, which can then be lined up end-to-end to create the illusion of one continuous lamp. Through special matching of ballasts and appropriate lamps, the lamps will dim evenly with each other, regardless of the lengths and shapes of the lamps. Each lamp and ballast is completely contained in a casing to form a cove lighting module. Multicolor systems formed of one or more light fixtures are also disclosed. A recessed light fixture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lighting system includes a plurality of control modules distributed on the AC power line for remote control of lights within a residential/office building structure. Each control module is hard-wired to an electrical load and is provided with a dimmer and up to four control switches and LEDs for status indication. Each control module has a data decoder, a switch and LED interface, a dimmer driver and processor with memory for independently processing and communicating data signals to the other control modules on the AC power line without the need for a central processor to coordinate the lighting control operation. Every control module is programmable through a programmable module and a PC. The system data downloaded to each control module includes a unique address, a system configuration file and a response file for evaluating system transmission commands. Each control switch may be programmed to control the hard-wired load or any other load in the system.

Abstract: A power line communication circuit comprises a rectifier connected to an a.c. power line utility source. The rectifier draws power from the a.c. power source and produces a low-frequency rectified d.c. voltage signal across its positive and negative output terminals with the negative output terminal being referenced as a circuit ground. The rectified d.c. voltage signal is received by a voltage-to-current converter connected to the positive output terminal of the rectifier. The voltage-to-current converter also receives a high-frequency a.c.-shaped communication input voltage signal from an external high-frequency a.c.-shaped communication signal generator. In response to the two input voltage signals, the voltage-to-current converter generates an output current which contains a low frequency d.c. component from the rectified d.c. input voltage signal and a high frequency a.c.-shaped component from the a.c-shaped high frequency communication input voltage signal. The high frequency a.c.

Abstract: A PWM switching power supply of the buck regulator type converts an unfiltered rectified d.c. input voltage into a regulated stepped down d.c. output voltage for use by load circuits. The power supply includes a PWM switching regulator which controls the duty cycle of an N-channel field effect transistor (FET) power switch which has its source connected to a Schottky flyback diode. The flyback diode is connected to an LC output filter which generates the stepped down output voltage. The PWM regulator includes a 555 timer operating in conjunction with an RC timing network in a modulated a stable mode. Timer 555 has an output lead electrically connected to the gate of the FET for switching the FET on/off in response to an output voltage modulating feedback input from a feedback path with the source of the FET serving as the “ground” for the PWM regulator.

Abstract: A luminaire motorized shade or douser mechanism includes a lamp mounted within a reflector and a motorized shade unit that opens and closes in front of the lens of the reflector. The shade unit includes a motor, two rollers, two guide cables, a sheet of opaque flexible material or fabric, and an aluminum frame. The motor drives the roller to run the shade in front of the lens to cover it and also to uncover. The motorized shade or douser mechanism is used to effectively block the light emitting from the lamp and create a condition whereas no light leaves the lens of the luminaire.

Abstract: A canopy luminaire (10, 110, 210) for mounting by a single individual in a canopy comprises a luminaire housing (12, 112, 212) having a bulbous body (14, 114) configured to receive the light-emitting section of a lamp and a narrow neck (16, 116). Spring clips (26, 124) are secured to opposing sides of the narrow neck (16, 116) and are adapted to support the luminaire (10, 110) from a canopy. A locking component (31) may be attached to the narrow neck (16, 116) to fixedly secure the luminaire (10, 110, 210) to the canopy. The luminaire (10, 110, 210) may also include externally mounted control gear (80), such as the ballast. Further, the luminaire (10, 110, 210) may include a hingedly attached glass lens (42) to permit quick and easy replacement of lamps. Alternatively, luminaire (210) may include a rotatably attached glass lens (240).

Abstract: A light fixture includes a lamp mounted within a reflector. The reflector includes a first surface lying in a generally parabolic sheet and being bounded in the generally parabolic sheet by first and second edges. A pair of generally opposing surfaces are connected to the first surface at the first and second edges. The generally opposing surfaces have a shape such that the lamp provides a generally rectangular beam pattern when the reflector reflects or redirects light from the lamp.