Abstract: A computer sharing system which adapts a computer's hardware resources to providing virtual dual system operation for several non-concurrent system users. A separate hard disk drive including a full complement of boot, operating system, program and data file software is provided for each of the non-concurrent system users. Access by one system user to another system user's hard disk drive and attendant files is absolutely denied thereby preventing corruption of one user's hard disk dive files by another user's carelessness or malicious intent, or through unique setup adaptation of one user's program files which may otherwise interact with and impose unwanted changes on another's program file's operational performance. Each of the separate hard disk drives may be uniquely formatted to service totally different operating systems, including boot track code, in support of various operating systems including MS-DOS, Windows-NT, OS/2, Unix and others.

Abstract: A motor vehicle rear door anti-egress CHILD-LOCK device safety release responsive to an accident involving the motor vehicle whereby a preset CHILD-LOCK device may be immediately unset upon collision between the motor vehicle and another object. The anti-egress CHILD LOCK release enables immediate post-accident unlatchability of the motor vehicle's rear door by an occupant of the motor vehicle and allow unencumbered egress from the motor vehicle. The result is reduced risk particularly for automobile rest-seat passengers including children and adults who might otherwise remain dangerously entrapped within a wrecked vehicle and suffering risk for further post-accident physical or psychological trauma or even death due to bodily entrapment, fire or explosion which may follow an accident.

Abstract: Wireless control of an air conditioner or space heater by a portable, easily relocatable remote thermostat combined with a control signal transmitter which is placed on a table, desk or stand near an occupant of a room or office to set the operation of a cooling or heating source in order to maintain a more uniform level of air temperature comfort in the portion of the room where the thermostat is located. A wireless control receiver responsive to the transmitted control signal is included as a portion of a plug-in adapter module that plugs directly into an AC power wall receptacle. An ordinary window air conditioner or portable space heater is then merely plugged into the adapter module which provides ON and OFF control in response to the remote thermostat. A receiver is inclusible in a fixed-location wall thermostat, enabling the portable remote thermostat to maintain control of a centralized climate control system.

Abstract: An about constant brightness level of light output is produced from portable battery operated incandescent light sources, such as flashlights, emergency lights and lanterns, throughout the full discharge and terminal voltage decay of the electrochemical charge life of a set of batteries. Instant levels of power flow between the battery and the light source's incandescent bulb are dynamically controlled. When the battery is fresh a reduced portion of the available battery power flows to the light bulb. As at least a portion of the battery wears-down, and charge decreases, the remaining portion of the battery power flow increases thereby keeping the light bulb's filament operating near optimal efficiency and with visually desirable "white-light" brightness. A further advantage is that fewer changes of dry-cell battery sets are needed in order to maintain the light source near peak performance.

Abstract: Alternating current electric induction motor operating from a source of AC electric power is driven at a parasynchronous rate of field collapse and magnetic flux reversal which is derived from the immediate train of alternating half-wave power cycles supplied by the AC power source. The higher and lower rates of magnetic flux field reversal result in a corresponding higher or lower rate of magnetic flux field rotation than that which is ordinarily produced. In a subsynchronous operating mode, bicyclic half-cycles of AC power are polarity-paired through inversion of one of the component half-cycles and successive pairs are alternated in polarity, thereby parasynchronously decreasing the effective rotating magnetic flux field rate. In a suprasynchronous mode, individual AC power half-cycles are split into quarter-cycle quadrants and the quadrants are successively alternated in polarity, thereby parasynchronously increasing the effective rotating magnetic flux field rate.

Abstract: An alternating current induction motor having a multitapped RUN winding and including a controller which automatically determines an instant tap selection in response to changes in applied a.c. electric power voltage level appearing immediately at the motor terminals. A measure of instant level of the motor terminal voltage is utilized to automatically reselect the RUN winding tap selection in order to maintain a near constant level of magnetic excitation in the stator field irrespective of immediate changes or variations in the available motor terminal voltage. Electric lawn mowers, power tool motors and other heavily loaded motors which may normally be operated at the end of various lengths of especially long and lossy extension cords or the like may advantageously utilize my control technique to maintain operation with an about normal and constant level of power, independent from usual performance degrading voltage drop losses commonly encountered in the extension cord.

Abstract: Motor vehicle electric window regulator antilock control function enabling a motor vehicle operator to belatedly close any vehicle windows inadvertently remaining open subsequent to usual ignition key withdrawal and electrical system lockup of the motor vehicle without necessitating the inconvenient reinsertion of the ignition key to reactivate the electric window regulator system. Post-exit closure of windows may also be provided whereby any inadvertently left-open windows may be closed after the operator has exited from and even locked-up the vehicle. In another setting in a vehicle using electric door locks, lock-up is denied if any windows are left open. Still another arrangement brings about automatic window roll-up whenever certain acts occur, such as when the ignition key is turned-off, the driver's door is opened, or electric locks are set to lock the vehicle.

Abstract: Start-up assistance is provided for small low-horsepower gasoline fueled internal combustion utility engines. A portable supply of starting fuel, such as naphtha, benzine, benzol, ether or alcohol, is directly injected through an temporarily openable aperture effective as an indraft port and entered into the carburetor bore, or an intercurrent carburetion duct utilized between the carburetor and the engine's intake port, to thereby enable immediate intake of the starting fuel through the engine valving and permit spark ignition and combustion upon initial engine cranking. Manual starting fuel injection also serves to overcome engine start-up difficulty generally caused by the inferior low-temperature volatility of contemporary gasoline products. As a result, this occurrence of nearly immediate engine firing remarkably enhances the liklihood for carburetion and induction of the usual running fuel supply and continued engine operation.

Abstract: Cold water subrogates hot water supplied to a leaky hot water faucet. An individual kitchen or bathroom faucet set incorporates the anti-dribble control feature to substitute cold water trickle for wasteful hot water trickle through the leaky hot water faucet. When the leaky faucet is turned "off" the supply of hot water feeding the faucet is stopped and a limited flow of cold water replaces the hot water supply to an extent necessary to feed the leaking trickle of water. In effect, usual hot water dribble which may leak through a faulty faucet is eloquently displaced by a sacrifice of cold water.

Abstract: Remote control of a slave electric circuit is produced by sensing change in state of power flow through a master electric circuit and transmitting a resultant wireless signal between apparatus included in each the master circuit and the slave circuit. In a representative embodiment, the master electric circuit might include a main lamp which can be switched on and off while the remote electric circuit may include a supplementary lamp which is to be controlled.

Abstract: In event of a collision accident involving a motor vehicle having electric window regulators and power door locks, automatic and immediate door unlocking and window roll-down occurs to aid in passenger egress and emergency medical personnel access without a critical loss of time which might otherwise result in additional passenger injury and risk for the medical personnel. The electrically regulated windows may also be activated whereby their roll-down may be accomplished by operating an exterior door release handle subsequent to an accident, in lieu of automatic roll-down. Motor vehicles having inside door latch disablement setting devices, such as "child protection locks" are also "unlocked" to enable door release by a passenger from inside of the vehicle to avoid dangerous entrapment of the passenger within the damaged vehicle.

Abstract: An alternating current induction motor having a tapped RUN winding for developing different levels of stator field excitation which induces rotational torque into a rotor having an output member that drives various levels of mechanical load. Instant motor loading is sensed as a change in power factor or subsynchronous slip speed and the level of RUN winding excitation, together with the resulting magnetic field strength, is immediately changed to compensate for the sensed load changes. The change in RUN winding excitation is brought about by having a RUN winding the full extent of which may be coupled with a.c. power to produce magnetic field strength and resulting output member torque at least sufficient to operate the motor under minimum load conditions, and at least one tapped portion of the RUN winding which may be alternatively coupled with the a.c.

Abstract: An energy efficient electric motor is provided with a supplementary run winding arrangement which operates in conjunction with the motor's main run winding to produce a combined magnetic field with sufficient strength to operate the motor under full load. Less than full load operation obtains increased efficiency through a reduction of power flow to the supplementary run winding arrangement, which brings about a significant reduction in stator core structure (eddy current) losses and winding (resistance) losses. A controller may predetermine the normal amount of magnetic field strength necessary during each portion of the motor's usual operating cycle and variously modulate the instant level of power coupled with the supplementary run winding arrangment.

Abstract: An energy conserving device which reduces excess level of alternating current power fed to RUN windings of an a.c. electric induction motor whenever the motor is less than fully loaded. A voltage dropping reactor coupled between an a.c. power source and the motor produces about 10-30% reduction in applied motor terminal voltage under reduced motor load running conditions, while a semiconductor switch acts to instantly shunt out the voltage dropping effect of the reactor and couple an increased portion, or full level of a.c. terminal voltage to the motor whenever the motor load increases. Changes in instantaneous levels of motor loading may be determined by changes in motor speed slip, determined from the motor's operating power factor, or preprogrammed. As a result of less a.c.

Abstract: Gas burner safety device for use with gas fired heating systems and water heaters to shut-off main gas valve controlled gas flow to the burner's main gas jet in the event that the main jet becomes partially submerged to at least a critical level in surrounding floodwater and unable to function normally, although the burner's pilot light remains lit and unimpeded resulting in generation of a erroneous thermocouple safety interlock signal for the main gas valve. The device prevents any massive injection of gas into the surrounding floodwater as gas bubbles which can float about and uncontrollably ignite, or release of gas into the circumjacent environment, thereby preventing an otherwise very dangerous situation where fire or explosion may occur which might result in extensive property damage, as well as personal injury or death.

Abstract: Voltage drop developed across a transformer primary winding coupled in series with a primary a.c. power circuit including an a.c. power source and an a.c. load is utilized to provide a secondary source of a.c. power having secondary voltage level stability which is substantially independent from otherwise influential changes in primary power circuit levels. Secondary power stabilization is mainly established by constant voltage limiting of the primary winding excitation by the forward voltage drop developed across an arrangement of semiconductor junctions coupled in parallel with the primary winding. The transformer may be used to change the source level of the secondary a.c. power which is produced, and to obtain electrical isolation between the primary power circuit and any ancillary circuits coupled with the secondary a.c. power source.

Abstract: An electrical timer which controls the ON-time of a light bulb circuit hooked up to a power source by way of an ordinary power switch. Usual operation of the timer is such that, when the power switch (which is initially OFF) is turned ON by a person, the light bulb which is connected to the switch by way of the timer will first turn-on FULL brightness for a period of time, after which it will DIM-down to about 30 to 50 percent brightness. In a fundamental version of the timer, the light bulb will remain in the dimmed-down mode until a person turns the light switch OFF. Another version allows that after a period of time in the dimmed-down mode, the light bulb will be fully shut OFF by the timer. The dimmed-down mode may also be arranged to occur in two or more level steps, i.e. part-DIM and full-DIM for example, with each step having a finite and substantial duration.

Abstract: A.c. line operated controller which provides solid-state switching of a.c. power flow, together with producing a supplementary source of low d.c. power for operation ancillary circuits. Operation is obtained through electrical connection that is in series with only one side of the a.c. power circuit. Device utilizes a thyristor for a.c. power switch control. A small residual potential which is devised to appear across the ON-state thyristor is rectified to produce the low d.c. power level. When the thyristor is OFF, the line voltage potential across the thyristor is reduced and rectified to produce the low d.c. power level. Turning the thyristor OFF is attained by current starving of the thyristor gate electrode by a gate shunting semiconductor switch. Device is shown to be utilized in "two terminal" apparatus producing time delayed switching of a light, as a controller for producing the illusion of a flickering flame from an ordinary light bulb, as a light flasher, and as a "touch-controlled" a.c.

Abstract: Power consumed by an ordinary a.c. induction motor is reduced by having two parallel sets of separately excited RUN windings. When the motor is lightly loaded, a.c. power feeds only one of the two RUN windings, thereby reducing the flux density in the motor stator and as a result reducing eddy current losses and copper losses. Whe the load increases, a.c. power is immediately fed to the other RUN winding thereby increasing the magnetic flux density and the motor power. The a.c. power fed to the second winding is variably controlled by a thyristor, and the amount of thyristor coupled power may be determined from sensing changes in the speed slip of the induction motor wrought by load changes. Through having the one RUN winding permanently connected with the power source, while the other RUN winding power is modulated by the phawe controlled gating action of the thyristor, less a.c.

Abstract: Electric power consumed by an a.c. induction motor is measured and sensed changes in power factor are used to modulate the combined magnetic flux produced in the motor field by two sets of RUN windings. A main RUN winding set, which normally couples fully with the a.c. power, is engineered to have sufficient ampere-turns to produce just enough magnetic flux to operate the motor with a light load and maintain a moderately high power factor. Motor driven load increases are determined by sensing a corresponding increase in the power factor of the main RUN winding set, whereupon power flow to a secondary RUN winding is proportionately increased. Considerable energy savings occurs when the motor drives a fluctuating load due to reduced magnetic field excitation under all but full load conditions, with the result that energy ordinarily wasted by eddy currents, copper losses, and poor power factor operation is considerably lessened. Other possible losses due to harmonic distortion of the a.c.