Patents by Inventor Joseph C. Merlo

Joseph C. Merlo has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Control of energy to fluorescent lighting
    Patent number: 4528482
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the energy consumption of fluorescent lighting energized by an alternating voltage source comprising sensing for a particular amplitude of the alternating voltage and upon sensing such voltage amplitude establishing a given time period which is a fraction of a cycle of the alternating voltage. At the end of the given time period actively connecting the alternating voltage source to the fluorescent lighting whereby the lighting is energized for a portion of the cycle, and for a given time interval at the start of operation continuously actively connecting the alternating voltage source to the fluorescent lighting so that the components of the fluorescent lighting can efficiently warm up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Inventor: Joseph C. Merlo