Abstract: A high frequency AC current-sourcing driving that can feed electrical loads with a constant current that is independent of load resistance. The driver is a self-oscillating inverter that includes a resonant network comprising a resonant capacitor and a resonant inductor. A current comparing and toggling circuit (CCTC) is used to generate the control signals of the inverter's power switches. Also included in the system is a DC blocking capacitor that prevents the DC voltage from reaching the resonant network.

Abstract: A patty temperature probe includes a handle having oppositely disposed proximal and distal ends and a shaft member having oppositely disposed proximal and distal end portions and a longitudinally extending bore, the proximal end portion of the shaft member being mounted to the distal end of the handle. A thermocouple including a sheath having a pointed, solid tip, extends from the distal end portion of the shaft member. The thermocouple junction is disposed within the sheath, with the metallic wires extending from the sheath through the bore of the shaft member to an electrical connector. A V-shaped depth stop includes a foot segment and a mounting segment extending from the foot segment. The mounting segment is mounted to the distal end portion of the shaft member, with the thermocouple extending through an opening in the foot segment. The outer surface of the sheath and the inner surface of the opening defining an annular gap.

Abstract: A high frequency AC current-sourcing driving that can feed electrical loads with a constant current that is independent of load resistance. The driver is a self-oscillating inverter that includes a resonant network comprising a resonant capacitor and a resonant inductor. A current comparing and toggling circuit (CCTC) is used to generate the control signals of the inverter's power switches. Also included in the system is a DC blocking capacitor that prevents the DC voltage from reaching the resonant network.

Abstract: A lighting system for cold environments which comprises a source of DC voltage, a high-frequency, square-wave alternating current generator connected to the source of DC voltage, and one or more fluorescent lamps non-thermionically connected to the square-wave alternating current voltage generator.

Abstract: Ultraviolet water treatment apparatus in which floating pods or rafts carry high-frequency driver circuits in waterproof plastic blocks. The high-frequency driver circuits drive arrays of ultraviolet lamps in a ballast-free, non-thermionic manner.

Abstract: A non-thermionic gas discharge system with spaced electrodes in a light transmissive envelope, a DC power source, a solid state switch connected between the electrodes and the DC power source which outputs a high-frequency alternating current square-wave voltage, and a circuit connecting the switch to the electrodes such that the square-wave voltage at the electrodes reverses polarity faster than the electron pattern in the envelope can shift.

Abstract: A fluorescent lighting system having a low-cost nonconductive plastic housing and a plurality of fluorescent lighting tubes carried in sockets in the housing and a square-wave alternating current source connected to drive the fluorescent lighting tubes.

Abstract: A standard bi-pin, non-thermionic fluorescent lamp comprising a fluorescent envelope having a length selected from about two-, four- and eight-foot lengths and a pair of electrode ends, an electrode mounted in the fluorescent envelope at each electrode end, respectively, a pair of rigid conductive mounting pins secured to each electrode end with at least one of the pins being electrically connected to an electrode, respectively. The electrode is selected from tungsten, copper, molybdenum, carbon steel, and a thin film coating on a dielectric substrate. The lamp is driven by a square wave alternating current driver source having a frequency of between about 75 kHz to about 3.9 MHz connected to the pair of electrodes with a preferred frequency of about 100 kHz. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of said non-thermionic lamps are connected in series across the AC square wave driver.

Abstract: A cane and umbrella lighting system comprising a tubular shaft incorporating a housing having one or more openings formed in one or more walls thereof, a light-producing gas discharge lamp, a source of a high-frequency square-wave voltage having a pair of output terminals and substantially LC-free circuit connecting high-frequency square wave voltage to the gas discharge means to non-thermionically excite and illuminate the gas discharge lamp means, and thereby illuminate one or more openings.

Abstract: A non-thermionic gas discharge system with spaced electrodes in a light transmissive envelope, a DC power source, a solid state switch connected between the electrodes and the DC power source which outputs a high-frequency alternating current square-wave voltage, and a circuit connecting the switch to the electrodes such that the square-wave voltage at the electrodes reverses polarity faster than the electron pattern in the envelope can shift.

Abstract: A ballast-free energy-efficient ultra-violet material treatment and purification system and method having an ultraviolet (UV) source comprising a gas discharge UV lamp having spaced electrodes, a source of a high-frequency (about 100 kHz to about 1.5 MHz) alternating-current square-wave voltage and connected directly to the spaced electrodes to non-thermionically start and operate the gas discharge UV lamp. Proportionate control of the intensity of UV generation is provided. A plurality of UV lamps are serially connected and started and operated by a high-frequency alternating-current square-wave voltage.

Abstract: A low-voltage ballast-free energy-efficient ultra-violet material treatment and purification system and method having an ultraviolet (UV) source comprising a gas discharge UV lamp having spaced electrodes, a source of a low-voltage, high-frequency alternating current square wave voltage and connected directly to the spaced electrodes to non-thermionically excite the gas discharge UV lamp. A flow sensor is used to proportionately control the intensity of UV generation as a function of flow rate.

Abstract: A low-voltage, high-efficiency signage system comprises a housing having a translucent indicia bearing panel member. A gas discharge lighting device inside the housing is driven from a source of a low-voltage, high-frequency square wave voltage source having a pair of output terminals. A coupling circuit which is not resonant at the high frequency connects the low-voltage, high-frequency square wave voltage to the gas discharge lighting device to non-thermionically start and operate the gas discharge lighting device, and thereby illuminate the translucent indicia bearing member from inside said housing. The low voltage is from about 2 volts to about 90 volts and the frequency is from about 75 kHz to about 3.5 MHz.

Abstract: A low-voltage landscape lighting system having a stepdown transformer having a predetermined power rating and primary and secondary windings with said primary windings. The primary winding is adapted for connection to an AC supply source and the secondary winding being adapted for connection to a low-voltage outdoor power distribution cable and a plurality of lamp fixtures electrically connected to the power distribution cable. A number of low-voltage, non-thermionic, ballast-free fluorescent light sub-systems are connected to the distribution cables. Each has a fluorescent discharge lamp with electrodes spaced in a gaseous medium, a light transmissive envelope confining a gaseous discharge medium at a predetermined pressure between the electrodes. A power supply including a rectifier connected to the power distribution cable and constituting a direct current source is connected to a solid state switch device.

Abstract: A system of igniting a gas discharge device having spaced electrodes immersed in a gas, at voltages below the required starter ignition voltage for cold cathodes. A square wave alternating voltage source of between about 75 kHz and 4 MHz is applied directly to the gas discharge device so that the voltage on the spaced electrodes reverses its polarity more rapidly than the pattern of electron and ion density in the gas can shift.

Abstract: An "exit" sign lighting system comprising, in combination a housing having the word EXIT formed in an opening wall thereof, a translucent member in said opening, a gas discharge device, such as a fluorescent tube is driven from a source of a low-voltage, high-frequency square wave voltage having a pair of output terminals and an LC free circuit connecting the low-voltage, high-frequency square wave voltage to the gas discharge device to non-thermionically excite and illuminate the gas discharge device, and thereby illuminate the translucent member and the word EXIT. The low voltage is from about 2 volts to about 90 volts and the frequency is from about 75 kHz to about 3.5 MHz.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using the primordial fear of dolphin of killer whales to separate dolphin from tuna. The sound of killer whale is recorded, digitized, edited and enhanced to produce digitally synthesized killer whale sounds. These digitally synthesized sounds of one or more feeding killer whale is played under water and in the vicinity of a mixed school of dolphin and tuna and as the dolphin leave said vicinity, catching the tuna in nets. A playback unit is selectively triggered on and off from a remote location.

Abstract: The identity of an individual (known or unknown) is determined by a sonic profile of sounds issued through his oral-nasal passages. The sounds are converted to digital electrical signals and produce a three domain format of frequency, amplitude and time samples to produce an array of peaks and valleys constituting the sonic profile of an individual. A source or library of a sonic profiles in the same format of a known individual have the interrelationship including relative positions of said peaks and valleys of said sonic profile of the known individual with that of said unknown individual compared and a utilization signal is provided upon a detecting or non-detecting a correlation between said sonic profiles.

Abstract: An acoustic diagnostic apparatus has a vessel for containing at least a portion of a body of an human or other animal and a wall surface carrying a plurality of transducers, the outputs of which are examined in via a scanning system controlled by a microprocessor which allows primary path acoustic signals to be selected over secondary acoustic path signals to enhance detection of the body's acoustic signals for diagnosis.

Abstract: Improvements on the Parra "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING DOLPHIN FROM TUNA" using the primordial fear of dolphin of killer whales to separate dolphin from tuna wherein the sound of feeding killer whale is recorded, digitized, edited and enhanced to produce digitally synthesized killer whale sounds. These digitally synthesized sounds of one or more feeding killer whale is played under water and in the vicinity of a mixed school of dolphin and tuna and as the dolphin leave said vicinity, catching the tuna in nets. According to the present invention, one or more of a plurality of playback units are selectively triggered on and off from a remote location to steer the dolphin to safety. The playback unit is carried in an elongated hollow tube having a weighted end and a recovery end, the weight causing the end it is on to go to a predetermined depth in the sea with the recovery end having a hook for aerial retrieval.