Abstract: A method and electronic circuit operate a quartz auxiliary lamp lighting lamp and circuit to light a quartz auxiliary lamp at 120 Vac and 50-60 Hz current connected to an electronic HID ballast operating at a frequency of 100 Hz to over 400 kHz and voltages of from 120 Vac, as provided by a multitap transformer and related circuitry.

Abstract: The invented voltage regulator is a solid state low voltage regulator for in-line power lines for LED arrays and incandescent lamps, preferably low-voltage halogen lamps. The invented voltage regulator comprises, in combination, a full-wave bridge rectifier circuit, a voltage sensing circuit across the output of the full wave bridge rectifier circuit, and an AC power line voltage control circuit across the output of the voltage sensing circuit, the output of the AC power line voltage control circuit controlled by a switching power control circuit to provide a regulated 11.0 to 12.5 V AC output regardless of line voltage variations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for deriving power for an external device from the power source of a fluorescent light. The power source includes a fluorescent ballast electrically connected to the connectors of a light fixture for receiving an input voltage and for converting the input voltage to a lamp voltage suitable for powering a fluorescent lamp. The fluorescent ballast may be modified to include an output line that outputs a voltage for powering the external device to a power port. The power port may be mounted on or near the fluorescent light. Alternatively, the power port may be integrated within a housing that contains one of the connectors of the light fixture. The ballast may be further modified to include an output line for extracting network data and control signals from the power line carrier signals on the input voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for deriving power for an external device from a circuit of a fluorescent light. A first circuit supplies power from a fluorescent light power source to a fluorescent lamp. The power converter of an external device can be electrically connected to any two points within that circuit to create a second circuit to supply power to the external device. The power converter may be connected to the first circuit via one or more power coupling or power tether. At least one of the two points within the first circuit may comprise a pin of the fluorescent lamp. Alternatively, at least one of the two points may comprise a connector of a fluorescent light fixture designed to receive a pin of the fluorescent lamp or a point within the fluorescent ballast of the fluorescent light fixture.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for deriving power for a wireless network component from the power source of a fluorescent light. Power couplings are electrically connected to the pins of a fluorescent lamp and to a power converter of the wireless network component so that a circuit is completed between the pins and the power converter. The power couplings may alternatively be electrically connected to the fluorescent lamp connectors of a fluorescent light fixture and to the power converter of the wireless network component to complete the circuit. Power supplied to fluorescent lamp is drawn by the circuit to power the wireless network component. Alternatively, the ballast of the fluorescent light power source may be modified to include an output line that outputs a voltage for powering the wireless network component to a power port. The power port may be mounted on or near the fluorescent light.

Abstract: This invention relates to a limited range low voltage testing, regulating, and indicating device comprising a detector and low voltage measurer of magnitude in a switch-regulated power supply circuit wherein indicator LEDs are operated directly from a power supply wherein continually increasing current draw provided by shunt switching operates to cause the first display LEDs to “fade” in an overlapping pattern of activation, in and out with slight voltage changes. Increased voltage causes a second LED to turn on. Further increased voltage causes the second LED to turn off and a third LED to turn on. Shunt and series connected voltage regulators selectively exert control over the LEDs.

Abstract: The invented voltage regulator is a solid state low voltage regulator for quartz halogen or low voltage incandescent lamps and quartz halogen or low voltage incandescent lamp or LED array circuits wherein the volt regulator reduces a conventional mains power line source of, for example, a 115 volt AC to 480 V AC power source, to within a range of from 11.0 volts to 12.5 volts, preferably 11.6 volts, wherein the lamps, and LED arrays have consistent color, consistent light output, the lamp filaments and LED arrays are exposed to soft start operating currents and lamp and array life can be increased. The voltage regulator utilizes an AC rectifier circuit to provide a pulsing DC voltage, a DC voltage sensing circuit, a soft start oscillator circuit, an internal DC voltage oscillator reference circuit and an AC power line control circuit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for deriving power for a wireless network component from the power source of a fluorescent light. Power couplings are electrically connected to the pins of a fluorescent lamp and to a power converter of the wireless network component so that a circuit is completed between the pins and the power converter. The power couplings may alternatively be electrically connected to the fluorescent lamp connectors of a fluorescent light fixture and to the power converter of the wireless network component to complete the circuit. Power supplied to fluorescent lamp is drawn by the circuit to power the wireless network component. Alternatively, the ballast of the fluorescent light power source may be modified to include an output line that outputs a voltage for powering the wireless network component to a power port. The power port may be mounted on or near the fluorescent light.

Abstract: This invention relates to a limited range low voltage testing, regulating, and indicating device comprising a detector and low voltage measurer of magnitude in a switch-regulated power supply circuit wherein indicator LEDs are operated directly from a power supply wherein continually increasing current draw provided by shunt switching operates to cause the first display LEDs to “fade” in an overlapping pattern of activation, in and out with slight voltage changes. Increased voltage causes a second LED to turn on. Further increased voltage causes the second LED to turn off and a third LED to turn on. Shunt and series connected voltage regulators selectively exert control over the LEDs.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a solid state low voltage power supply controller which reduces a conventional 120 volt AC power source to 12 volt pulsating DC for the purpose of operating a single “point of use” light source wherein the low voltage power supply is in proximate location to the light source. A pulse width modulator integrated circuit operating in conjunction with a field effect transistor induces energy in the secondary of a step-down transformer to provide a reduced pulsating DC current to a lamp load. A feedback voltage from the secondary winding of the stepdown transformer operates to set the gain of internal circuitry of the integrated circuitry to provide a predetermined constant pulsating DC voltage and a predetermined limited range of power wattage. A feedback voltage operates to reduce current drawn by overcurrent demands on the primary of the transformer.

Abstract: A water heating unit uses a voltage transformer type heating unit to heat water. The water flows from a water reservoir to a wound transformer where the water passes through metal tubing that is also the secondary winding of the transformer. The secondary winding is shorted and an erect-magnetic field induces a current in the transformer generating heat that heats the water flowing through the metal tubing. The turns of the primary winding of the heating unit can be separated with spacer material and a cooling fan can be included adjacent to the heating unit for forcing air in between the turns of the primary winding to remove excess heat.

Abstract: An aircraft data analysis computer program and method that allows user-defined measurements to be made on a set of flight data obtained from a variety of sources. Post-flight measurement and trending analysis software provides a user configurable measurement system using user-defined measurement definitions for analyzing flight data from a variety of sources. Measurements that require nonsequential analysis of the sequential flight data file can be performed. Data from a variety of aircraft types, from a variety of flight data recorders and from other sources of flight data can be analyzed by translating the data into fleet-independent terms, so that the performance of different fleets or different aircraft types can be compared. The user can perform trending, characterization and statistical analyses on the flight data information. The results of the user-defined measurements are stored in a flight analysis database and may be viewed by the user in a variety of display formats.

Abstract: A hot water beverage maker uses a voltage transformer type heating unit to heat water flowing to the filtering vessel. The water flows from a water reservoir to a wound transformer where the water passes through metal tubing that is also the secondary winding of the transformer. The secondary winding is shorted. The water to be heated then flows to the filtering vessel that may contain coffee or tea. The water flows through the filtering vessel to a carafe for serving.

Abstract: A non-arcing electrical switch is disclosed wherein a solid-state switching element is operated in response to current flow within an external circuit. The switch is particularly suitable for use within an auxiliary lighting circuit of a gaseous discharge lamp. Because the switch operates in response to the current drawn by the gaseous discharge lamp rather than a specific sensed voltage, it may be used with virtually any type of clamp or lamp operating circuit.

Abstract: A padlock comprises a battery-powered, built-in alarm which operates when the padlock's shackle is severed or forced open. The battery and alarm can be tested by opening the lock with a key, rotating the short leg of the shackle away from the lock body and then depressing the shackle, or optionally, by depressing the short leg. The alarm is turned on in response to the momentary closing of a switch when one shackle leg moves outwardly upon severance or forcible opening. The alarm may be an audible signal or an inaudible signal transmitted as a radio wave to a remote receiver at which an audible or visible signal is actuated. The audible signal generated at the lock escapes from the lock body through sound ports. Both audible and inaudible signals may be generated at the lock simultaneously.

Abstract: A circuit for starting, operating and instant hot restarting of high intensity gaseous discharge lamps utilizes a conventional ballast, an ignition transformer and a pulse transformer. The ignition transformer is connected across the ballast output and is in circuit with a storage capacitor and a spark gap device which, in combination, provide high frequency, high voltage pulses to a pulse transformer which is in circuit with the high intensity gasesous discharge lamp. There are means to limit the duration during which the high frequency, high voltage pulses are applied to ignite the lamp and there is a current sensitive timing circuit breaker to protect the lamp and ignition circuit.

Abstract: An AC driven pump and a DC driven pump are positioned in a sump and respectively energized as the liquid in the sump reaches two different levels, the DC driven pump being automatically tested for operation after every predetermined number of pumping cycles of the AC driven pump.