Patents by Inventor Lawrence W. Speaker

Lawrence W. Speaker 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).

  • Patent number: 5909082
    Abstract: A high intensity discharge lamp comprises an elongated, main arc tube containing a gas fill. First and second in-leads are connected to first and second electrodes within the arc tube, with an arc gap being defined in the arc tube between the electrodes. The fist and second in-leads are adapted to be connected to first and second power leads of a ballast circuit. A starting aid is included for the main arc tube and comprises a path generally parallel to the main arc tube along the arc gap and which is conductive during starting of the main arc tube; an electron barrier disposed between the path and the main arc tube for preventing a substantial amount of photoelectrons from collecting on an outer surface of the main arc tube; and first and second ends of the path being coupled to the first and second in-leads by first and second electrical couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Speaker, Byron R. Collins
  • Patent number: 5444334
    Abstract: A ballast circuit arrangement with hot restrike capabilities includes an input transformer having a primary winding receptive of line power and a secondary winding over which an output voltage is made available. A first capacitor coupled across the secondary winding of the input transformer develops a voltage charge thereon. A resistor and a second capacitor are series connected to one another and are parallel coupled across the first capacitor. A starting aid device is coupled to the secondary winding of the input transformer and produces an output voltage of a predetermined magnitude. The output voltage of the starting aid is coupled to a spark gap device having first, second and third electrodes associated therewith. A first spark gap formed between the second and third electrode is first fired by the output voltage of the starting aid which in turn triggers the firing of a second spark gap formed between the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Speaker, George E. Kiefer
  • Patent number: 5406175
    Abstract: A lead ballast circuit with power regulation for a gas discharge lamp includes an input pair of conductors for receiving an a.c. supply voltage, the magnitude of which voltage fluctuates within a known range. Further included is an output pair of conductors for supplying a driving voltage to the lamp. A lead inductor having a magnetic core and a lead capacitance serially connected to the lead inductor between an input, and an output, conductor are included. The inductive impedance of the lead inductor is less than the capacitive impedance of the lead capacitance whereby the aggregate impedance of the serially connected inductor and capacitance is capacitive rather than inductive. The lead ballast circuit also includes a power factor-correcting inductor connected across the input conductor pair, and having a magnetic core that shares a leg in common with the magnetic core of the lead inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Lawrence W. Speaker
  • Patent number: 5400223
    Abstract: A sports lighting fixture having a broken glass detection arrangement includes a high intensity light source disposed near the closed end of a reflector member. A cover member made of a light transmissive material is disposed at the open end of the reflector and is effective for filtering UV radiation emitted by the light source. A ballast circuit has in input portion receptive of line power and an output portion effective for conditioning the line power to energize the light source. A conductor strip is disposed on the cover member and is effective such that, when the cover member is intact, an electrical signal can be passed therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Speaker, George E. Kiefer, Samuel L. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 5378965
    Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp comprising an arc tube constructed of a light-transmissive material. An exciting structure surrounds the arc tube and is energizable with radio frequency current to develop an arc discharge. A reflective coating of non-conducting insulating material is disposed on the arc tube wall and is located to reflect light from the arc discharge through the arc tube. The reflective coating and the uncoated portion of the arc tube wall are surrounded by the exciting structure so that light from the arc discharge may reach the reflective coating without blockage by the exciting structure and, following reflection by the coating, travel through the uncoated portion of the arc tube wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James T. Dakin, Lawrence W. Speaker, Mark E. Duffy, Raymond A. Heindl
  • Patent number: 4975624
    Abstract: A spark gap device is disclosed that is particularly suited for a rapid restrike or starting circuit which is employed in sport stadium lighting applications to start or restrike metal halide lamps that have been subjected to a momentary loss of power. The spark gap device comprises two electrodes that are arranged in a parallel side-by-side relationship and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined amount. The spark gap device operates that when a high voltage potential is applied across the electrodes, the generated and reoccuring spark is distributed along the parallel arranged electrodes. The parallel arrangement of electrodes provides for improved life and cooler electrode temperatures as compared to prior art spark gap devices in which the generated and reoccuring spark jumps between the end regions of separated electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Trasimond A. Soileau, Lawrence W. Speaker
  • Patent number: 4601753
    Abstract: A compacted powdered iron core utilizes iron powder in the 0.002 to 0.006 mean particle size range which is firt coated with an alkali metal silicate and then overcoated with a silicone resin polymer. The treated powder is compressed to approximately 94% of theoretical density and then annealed at approximately 600.degree. C. This results in a core component characterized by overall core losses as low as in conventional laminated cores in A.C. operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Trasimond A. Soileau, Lawrence W. Speaker
  • Patent number: 4601765
    Abstract: A compacted powdered iron core utilizes iron powder in the 0.002 to 0.006 mean particle size range which is first coated with an alkali metal silicate and then overcoated with a silicone resin polymer. The treated powder is compressed to approximately 94% of theoretical density and then annealed at approximately 600.degree. C. This results in a core component characterized by overall core losses as low as in conventional laminated cores in A.C. operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Trasimond A. Soileau, Lawrence W. Speaker