Patents Examined by Jill D. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4845463
    Abstract: A failure warning device is provided for use with an auxiliary pump unit made ready by either an ignition-on signal or a brake-on signal and activated by a pump-failure signal. The failure warning device has a monitor circuit coupled to a warning circuit. For maintaining reliability of the auxiliary pump unit, the module circuitry is wired as a monitor not including circuit components of the auxiliary pump unit. It has a first input coupled to a common ready signal produced by the pump unit and a second input coupled to a motor terminal of the pump unit. The monitor circuit responds to failure-related states of the ready signal and the motor terminal impedance and voltage by generating an anomaly signal. The alarm circuit switches on an alarm, such as a buzzer and light, when it receives both the ignition-on and anomaly signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory S. Didier, James L. Roussey
  • Patent number: 4841287
    Abstract: A seismic detector which generates an electrical signal in response to the occurrence of a vertical seismic wave predetermined magnitude is mounted in a weather-proof container in or adjacent an inhibitable building. A circuit breaker to interupt electrical power to the building is mounted in the same container and connected to open in response to signals from the detector. Gas and water line connections each with a solenoid operated shut-off valve are separately housed in a weather-proof container in or adjacent the building and the valves are connected so that they will close in response to a signal from the seismic detector. The entire system is rendered fail safe through the use of an interruptible power supply system housed in the container with the seismic detector and connected to energize the gas and water line cut off valves to hold them in open condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Inventors: Alan Y. Flig, Paul Regan
  • Patent number: 4841281
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the output of a switching amplifier includes a signal dividing circuit which generates a delayed replica of the carrier signal and a doubled signal having twice the carrier frequency. The doubled signal is effective for establishing a second time delayed signal relative to the first time delayed signal. The first and second time delayed signals are logically operated on so that a three state output representing the carrier signal is attained. A summing amplifier utilizes the two time delayed signals to generate this three state output whereby if the two time delayed signals are out-of-phase, a zero voltage is connected to the drive portion of the switching amplifier thereby limiting the output of the switching amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Waymon A. Melvin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4839633
    Abstract: Disclosed is a supply voltage monitor for detecting the asymmetric decay of one voltage source (V.sub.dd) with respect to another voltage source (V.sub.ss). The monitor circuit (24) includes a resistive voltage divider (26) having a plurality of voltage tap positions (32,35,38). A sensor transistor (40) monitors the voltage between a common connection (16) connecting the voltage sources and the voltage at a desired tap position (38) of the divider network (26). On detecting an imbalance between the voltage sources (V.sub.dd, V.sub.ss), the sensor transistor (40) drives a current mirror circuit (42). The current mirror circuit (42) defines an output (50) of the monitor circuit (24), together with a reference transistor (48) biased by a voltage of the divider network (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: William R. Krenik
  • Patent number: 4835520
    Abstract: A message-generating apparatus for discouraging access to a compartment during predesignated time intervals. The apparatus includes a detector to determine when the compartment door is open and to produce a signal when this event occurs. If the event occurs within a predesignated alarm time interval, a microprocessor produces a reminder signal which activates a speech synthesizer to produce a voice-like audible message. Also disclosed is a display to aid in designating time-of-day, messages, and alarm time intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Inventor: Thomas Aiello
  • Patent number: 4835514
    Abstract: An antitheft system comprises a prohibition device for prohibiting the alarming operation upon receipt of a disarmed memory signal. When an arming signal is inputted, an alarm is generated on the receipt of a theft detection signal generated by handling or operation of vehicle equipment or accessories. When a disarming signal is received, on the other hand, it is sotred and held as the disarmed memory signal in power-supply disconnected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignees: Nippondenso Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuhiko Masegi, Masao Sakurai, Makoto Aso
  • Patent number: 4833469
    Abstract: A proximity sensing and indicating system for use in automobiles for instance to provide a warning signal to both the car driver and possibly other drivers that the car so equipped is approaching an obstacle at an unsafe speed and/or is getting too close thereto. The system operation is autonomous and is not monitored by the driver once the system is turned on, it responds only to the presence of an obstacle located ahead of the vehicle. The system detects the differential velocity between the car and the obstacle and determines the distance separating the car from the obstacle which may be fixed or moving in a general direction substantially oriented in the same direction as that followed by the system-equipped vehicle. A signal is generated whenever the combination of differential velocity and separation distance reaches an unsafe level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventor: Constant V. David
  • Patent number: 4833458
    Abstract: A smoke and fire detector apparatus includes a base for mounting the apparatus on a wall and a tubular extension having one end attached to the base and an opposite end adapted to extend through an aperture formed in a ceiling of a room into an attic space. A sensing circuit, an audio alarm device and a power supply are mounted on the base and electrically connected to one another. A smoke sensor is mounted on the opposite end of the tubular extension and is electrically connected to the sensing circuit through the tubular extension. A second smoke sensor can be mounted on the base and electrically connected with the sensing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventor: Gerald E. Bowman
  • Patent number: 4833444
    Abstract: A brake light system for a bicycle comprises a light housing having a self-contained power supply, and a light unit with a red lens includes an elongated conductor cable having a remotely positionable pressure actuatable switch for positioning between a brake cable and a frame portion of a bicycle or other brake actuating elements of a bicycle for responding to pressure applied thereby for actuating the brake light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventor: Gary C. Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 4827247
    Abstract: A modular transceiver head including cooperative cover and base members operable as a transmitter or as a receiver of infrared energy. The cover member includes a window defining a comparatively wide field of view in azimuth and in elevation. An optical train including a gimbaled specular member that is mounted to the base member readily allows both rough and fine adjustment of the pointing direction of the specular member anywhere within the field of view of the cover member window. A controller including a processor is coupled to a transceiver head pair respectively operative as a transmitter and as a receiver of infrared energy to controllably project a beam of infrared energy therebetween through a protected region. The controller is operative to de-sensitize the beam against potential electrically interferring effects present along the beam path. The controller is periodically operative in a self-test mode to reduce the intensity of the projected-beam to simulate a smoke condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: ADT, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Giffone
  • Patent number: 4825192
    Abstract: A protective guard is provided for a school bus. A series of telescoping members retracts along the front of the bus, and are in a compact form when the bus is moving. When the school bus stops two of the members telescope outwardly in series and extend across the lane of oncoming traffic. The members are so long and strong that any motorist attempting to pass the bus will damage his car. Flashing red lights are mounted on the extended members. The members are extended and retracted by a lead screw. The lead screw, when it extends the telescoping members, first drives the innermost member outwardly and away from the other movable member. The lead screw then engages the other movable member and drives it outwardly and it carries the innermost member to its ultimate extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Wells
  • Patent number: 4818977
    Abstract: A catalytic gas detector circuit in which the temperature of a resistance gas sensing element, contained in a bridge circuit, is reduced and therefore stabilized by energizing a transistor to draw off current from the sensing element when the sensing element is exposed to high concentrations of combustible hydrocarbon gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventor: William J. Alexander
  • Patent number: 4814743
    Abstract: A rotary direction detecting sensor for use on an automobile includes a pair of switching means provided radially from an axis of a steering shaft, and angularly spaced from each other at a predetermined angle about the axis. A first rotary member and a second rotary member are provided around the steering shaft, one of the rotary members being rotated in accordance with the rotation of the shaft and the other of them being limited in rotation to a substantially half angle of the angle between the switching means. In response to one direction of the rotation of the shaft, one of the switching means is selected to actuate blinking of one turn indicator lamp whereas the other of the switching means is held at its original deactivated position. On the other hand, in response to the other direction of the rotation of the shaft, the other of the switching means is selected for its operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Akira Hanaki
  • Patent number: 4812806
    Abstract: A road vehicle has a transducer which provides an output signal representing movement of an axle relative to a chassis of the vehicle. The output signal is compared with a reference signal to produce an indicator signal which is applied to means for indicating the axle load numerically and for providing a visual indication when the maximum prescribed axle load is exceeded. For initial calibration, the reference signal is temporarily substituted for the output signal and the numerical display is adjusted to display in selected units the prescribed maximum load. The output signal is then restored and the vehicle is loaded to subject the axle to the prescribed maximum load. While this load is maintained, the reference signal is varied until the numerical indication of the prescribed maximum load is restored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Inventor: John W. H. Freeman
  • Patent number: 4812825
    Abstract: A tornado warning system uses a superhetrodyne receiver to detect electromagnetic energy produced by a tornado. The automatic gain control signal of the receiver is used to generate an intermediate signal having a time duration corresponding to the time when the automatic gain control is at or above a predetermined level. The intermediate signal is of constant amplitude and is integrated. Upon the integration reaching a predetermined level, an alarm initiate signal is produced which turns on an alarm drive and, in turn, sounds an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: K Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Kennedy, Earl R. Fredrich
  • Patent number: 4811010
    Abstract: A monitor circuit arrangement for traffic lights wherein energy is supplied from an alternating voltage supply source(s) to a lamp (L 1) via a controlled switch (SD 1) and energization of the unit is monitored by a voltage comparator connected in cascade with a sensing latch (SL 1). The output of the voltage comparator is activated in response to its input voltage exceeding a predetermined magnitude of either polarity relative to a common reference voltage wave. A monitored voltage representative of the voltage present across the lamp is supplied as an input voltage to the voltage comparator, the output of which is fed to the sensing latch set input. Reset means (RPS) are provided for resetting the latch at the commencement of each cycle of the alternating supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corp.
    Inventor: Ian R. Lucas
  • Patent number: 4808975
    Abstract: An arrangement for monitoring malfunctioning display lamps in control, switching, safety and indicator systems, wherein the display lamp, which is provided with a series resistor, is connected in parallel with the series connection of a visual indicator and an electronic circuit and this parallel connection is controlled in dependence on the operating state of the display lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Hochhaus, Erhard Wilder
  • Patent number: 4806913
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting when bolts, holding coacting surfaces of two objects together become loose. A gas supply is connected to a gas passageway in one of the bodies which extends to the coacting surfaces. A gas reservoir is positioned downstream of the gas supply and a flow orifice is connected to downstream of the reservoir. A pressure measuring switch is connected to the gas passageway and is actuated upon a drop of gas pressure to a predetermined value. An alarm is connected to the switch and when actuated provides an indication of the separation of the coacting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Inventor: Charles J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4804944
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a Hall-effect liquid level sensing apparatus and method. The device may be mounted on a liquid storage tank and includes at least one float suspended within the tank and floating upon a hollow tube for guidance. The float carries a permanent magnet and a Hall-effect sensor may be reciprocated within the hollow tube to sense the location of the permanent magnet and thereby the location of the float. The device further includes a control device including an optical encoder which enables the device to sense the depth in the hollow tube to which the Hall-effect device has travelled when it senses the height of the permanent magnet. The invention may be used in conjunction with a plurality of floats to determine not only the liquid level but also the level between the liquid and a diverse liquid contained within the same container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Inventors: James D. Golladay, Joseph M. Elder, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4803471
    Abstract: An improved ventilator monitor and alarm apparatus includes circuit means for actuating the apparatus in response to sensed pressure in a ventilator circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Hudson Oxygen Therapy Sales Co.
    Inventor: Robert O. Rowland