Abstract: A device and method for assuring fail safe operation of an energy vending system. Such systems are primarily used to recharge the batteries in electric vehicles. Fail safe operation assures that any failure of the energy vending system automatically disables all forms of energy release that could cause harm to individuals or property in the system's vicinity. All forms of failure such as earthquake are included but failure caused by accidental disruption such as a vehicle crash is considered primary.

Abstract: A ballasting circuit is configured with a circuit having a capability of providing an isolated power supply to various external ballast accessories that interface with a circuit or device for determining the amount of illumination. The ballasting circuit also has a capability of providing isolated power for circuitry within itself such that they can be connected to communication wires external to a lighting fixture without the need of an additional power supply. The ballasting circuit includes one or more gas discharge lighting devices, a source of input power, an electronic ballasting circuit having a regulated direct current requirement and coupled between the one or more gas discharge lighting devices and the source of input power, a heater transformer, a low voltage direct current power supply, a switching device, a regulator circuit, a full wave rectifier, and windings.

Abstract: A ballast with circuitry to allow the level of the lighting device to be adjusted, a separate direct current input and a sensing circuit within the ballast to lower the light level and thus the amount of power required from the direct current input when the normal line power fails. The system includes placing a sensing device within the ballasting circuitry housing and using a fiber optic conductor to conduct the light into the ballast from an external source. The system further includes recharging the battery by supply current to flow out of the direct current input when the ballast is operating from line power.

Abstract: A ballast includes circuitry to allow the level of the lighting to be adjusted as well as circuitry that interfaces the ballast to a control system via the power line. The ballast is provided for adjusting the output by using a conventional triac phase chop dimming circuit. The basic concepts of the circuit can also be used to drive flat panel (electro luminescent) light source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of transferring information over the power line to and/or from the device or devices powered by said power line. For devices that may be powered by either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) their operation may be controlled by which type of power they are receiving, AC, +DC or ?DC. Data may also transmitted by alternating the polarity of each half cycle of the power line, on a one half by one half cycle basis, in a controlled manner such that the powered device may receive such data to control its mode of operation. A method of reducing the heat in the switching devices and a system of encoding the data such that each powered device may have a different address and therefore may return data when requested is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ballast with circuitry to allow the level of the lighting device to be adjusted, a separate direct current input and a sensing circuit within the ballast to lower the light level and thus the amount of power required from the direct current input when the normal line power fails. A method of recharging the battery by supply current to flow out of the direct current input when the ballast is operating from line power is also provided.

Abstract: A ballast includes circuitry to allow the level of the lighting to be adjusted as well as circuitry that interfaces the ballast to a control system via the power line. The ballast is provided for adjusting the output by using a conventional triac phase chop dimming circuit. The basic concepts of the circuit can also be used to drive flat panel (electro luminescent) light source.

Abstract: A ballasting circuit is configured with a circuit having a capability of providing an isolated power supply to various external ballast accessories that interface with a circuit or device for determining the amount of illumination. The ballasting circuit also has a capability of providing isolated power for circuitry within itself such that they can be connected to communication wires external to a lighting fixture without the need of an additional power supply. The ballasting circuit includes one or more gas discharge lighting devices, a source of input power, an electronic ballasting circuit having a regulated direct current requirement and coupled between the one or more gas discharge lighting devices and the source of input power, a heater transformer, a low voltage direct current power supply, a switching device, a regulator circuit, a full wave rectifier, and windings.

Abstract: A gas discharge lighting system with emergency lighting capability includes a gas discharge lighting device, a source of alternating current input power, and an electronic ballasting circuit having a direct current requirement and coupled between the gas discharge lighting device and the source of input power. The electronic ballasting circuit includes an alternating current-to-direct current conversion device, a power regulator connected to the conversion device, a controllable output direct current-to-alternating current inverter operated with a substantially square wave output, an impedance network, a controlling device for controlling the operation of the inverter and delivering power to the gas discharge lighting device, and an external source of direct current input power coupled to an input of the power regulator through an unidirectional current flow device.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply with energy control includes a source of direct current (DC) voltage and current with a battery coupled to an inverter. The output from the inverter is applied to a computer or other loads. A charger is disposed between power line input and the battery as a component of the direct current source.

Abstract: The invention discloses a power inverter using a microprocessor directly drawing the switching transistors and a circuit for computation of the actual power delivered to the load of a switching inverter. In addition, load variation power is achieved by adjusting the frequency or the pulse width of each half cycle and, in the case where a lamp or panel is involved, dimming. Also disclosed is that the microprocessor can be responsive to photometric input to adjust output as well as power line carrier information supplied on the input power to the device.

Abstract: A device that operates to reduce the hazard involved in the disposal of conventional hypodermic needles used throughout the medical world. When the needle is presented to the inventive device, while still attached to the syringe, it is vaporized an electric arc with its final connection point to the syringe sterilized. In a second embodiment of the device, the entire syringe, including the needle, is vaporized by an electric arc transferred between electrodes. The byproducts of the needle destruction process are sterile metal vapor such as iron oxide, water vapor and carbon dioxide. The heat is so intense that all organic compounds present within the needle are reduced to their basic elements of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon with trace amount of nitrogen and infinitesimal amounts of other trace elements. When the entire syringe is destroyed, all organic compounds of the plastic are reduced to the basic elements.

Abstract: The disclosed invention describes a device that operates to reduce the hazard involved in the disposal of conventional hypodermic needles used throughout the medical world. When the needle is presented to the inventive device, while still attached to the syringe, it is vaporized with its final connection point to the syringe sterilized. In a second version of the inventive device, the entire syringe, including the needle, is vaporized. The byproducts of the needle destruction process are sterile metal vapor such as iron oxide, water vapor and carbon dioxide. The heat is so intense that all organic compounds present within the needle are reduced to their basic elements of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon with trace amount of nitrogen and infinitesimal amounts of other trace elements. When the entire syringe is destroyed, all organic compounds of the plastic are reduced to the basic elements.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply with energy control includes a source of direct current (DC) voltage and current with a battery coupled to an inverter. The output from the inverter is applied to a computer or other loads. A charger is disposed between power line input and the battery as a component of the direct current source.

Abstract: The invention discloses a power inverter using a microprocessor directly drawing the switching transistors and a circuit for computation of the actual power delivered to the load of a switching inverter. In addition, load variation power is achieved by adjusting the frequency or the pulse width of each half cycle and, in the case where a lamp or panel is involved, dimming. Also disclosed is that the microprocessor can be responsive to photometric input to adjust output as well as power line carrier information supplied on the input power to the device.

Abstract: The subject invention describes a method of generating high frequency power. Although it can be used for any purpose it is primarily developed for the operation of fluorescent lamps. The inventive device utilizes a circuit that contains only a small percentage of the electronic complements normally associated with electronic fluorescent lighting ballasts. The circuit is such that dimming of the florescent lamp is easily accomplished. Also disclosed is a method of assembly which combined with the very little parts count produces an electronic ballast, which can be price competitive with the conventional magnetic ballast.

Abstract: An acoustic switch device that independently operates two or more electrical appliances. The acoustic switch operates a first electrical appliance upon receipt of a first series of acoustic signals and operates a second electrical appliance upon receipt of a second series of acoustic signals that is different from the first series of acoustic signals.

Abstract: An acoustic switch device that independently operates two or more electrical appliances. The acoustic switch operates a first electrical appliance upon receipt of a first series of acoustic signals and operates a second electrical appliance upon receipt of a second series of acoustic signals that is different from the first series of acoustic signals.

Abstract: Data is transmitted on a power line as a momentary interruption of the power at or near the zero crossing of the current. The interruption is preferably a small fraction of the period of the frequency of the power line. The data is transmitted only to those devices in series circuit with the transmitter. The transmitter combines 60 Hz and 120 Hz clock signals with data from a shift register to interrupt current in a predetermined pattern, in which an interruption of both the positive going and negative going zero crossings define a logic "1" and the absence of interruptions is a logic "0." A data prefix identifies succeeding bits as data. The receiver produces a pulse width modulated signal in response to the data.

Abstract: A chopper circuit is series connected between a conventional ballast and the fluorescent lamps to provide a high frequency current to the lamps to increase and adjust the luminance thereof. The chopper circuit comprises a diode bridge with a transistor connected across the DC terminals thereof. The lamps are series connected with the AC terminals. A photocell is used in a feedback circuit to maintain constant lighting.