Including Electronic Element Patents (Class 361/175)
  • Patent number: 11423566
    Abstract: A method and a system for determining a 6-DOF-pose of an object in space use at least one marker attached to the object and a plurality of cameras. Perspectives of the cameras are directed to a common measuring space in which the object is positioned. At least one camera from the plurality of cameras is movable such that the movable camera can be adjusted with respect to the object. At least one of the cameras captures an image of said marker attached to the object. Based on the at least one captured image, spatial parameters representing the 3D-position or the 6-DOF-pose of the marker and, consequently, the 6-DOF-pose of the object in space can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Mayer, Heiko Goller, Nils Haverkamp, Andrzej Grzesiak
  • Patent number: 10935269
    Abstract: A ventilator includes an exhaust air duct for exhausting air from an interior space to an outside and a supply air duct for supplying air from the outside to the interior space, and is equipped with a heat exchanger and a defroster. The heat exchanger performs heat exchange between air passing through the exhaust air duct and air passing through the supply air duct. The defroster defrosts, when frost attaches to the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger by, after air flows into the exhaust air duct or the supply air duct, changing a state of the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Hamada, Hayato Horie, Masaki Toyoshima
  • Patent number: 9927474
    Abstract: A method and device for sorting grounded electrical conductors according to phase. Different high-current pulsed sequences are applied to each of the electrical conductors of a first three-phase conductor in an electrical power network. Pulsed current sequences applied to the three electrical conductors of the first conductor, seeking an electrical ground, will be detectable on the electrical conductors of each of the conductors in parallel with the electrical conductors of the first conductor. A detector detects a magnetic-pulsed sequence associated with the current-pulsed sequences on the electrical conductors and matches it to one of the corresponding current-pulsed sequences on the electrical conductors of the first three-phase conductor, thereby decoding the sequence to identify the phases of each of the conductors. Each electrical conductor is then tagged with its phase before the conductor network is ungrounded and energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventors: Walter S. Bierer, Jan Fredrick Kennerly, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9615433
    Abstract: A light with an occupancy sensor has a light fixture with a lamp and a power supply. The light fixture has a plurality of sidewalls defining a light fixture housing. An internal photo main sensor is mounted on a first sidewall of the light fixture. The internal main photo sensor is connected to a light controller and configured to send light sensor data to the light controller. An external bypass photo sensor is optionally mounted on a second sidewall of the light fixture. The external bypass photo sensor is configured to connect to the light controller and bypass the internal main photo sensor when the external bypass photo sensor is installed. The light controller is electrically connected to the external bypass photo sensor at least three contacts of the light sensor namely a first contact, a second contact and a third contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: EUControls Corporation
    Inventor: Tom O'Neil
  • Patent number: 9093865
    Abstract: This electric energy conversion system of the type including a main converter (40) connected at the input to at least one input network (41) operating under an input voltage and at the output to an output network (42) operating under an output voltage and associated with an electric energy storage device, operating under a storage voltage, including a bidirectional charger (46) connected to the output network (42) on the one hand and to capacitive electric energy storage means (48) on the other hand, the operation of the bidirectional charger (46) being driven by control means (49) for slaving the output voltage on a first set value (Vref2), is characterized in that the operation of the main converter (40) is driven by control means (50) for slaving the storage voltage on a second set value (Vref1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Francois Klein, Christophe Taurand
  • Publication number: 20100208408
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for selectively firing apparatus in a well when the apparatus is fired by an electrical voltage and produces light upon firing. A photoresistor or other device changes in an electrical property when the light from firing of a section of the apparatus impinges on the photoresistor or other electronic device. The change in electrical property shifts the state of a relay such that the following section of the device can be fired with a voltage of the opposite polarity to that used in firing the preceding section. A test and resetting apparatus for the select-fire apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicants: Tejas Research and Engineering, LP, Casedhole Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Lyle G. Love, Sanford E. Stark, Frank L. Lezu, JR., John R. Harris, Jason C. Mailand, Brian S. Buffington
  • Patent number: 6483470
    Abstract: The present invention provides electrical power to wireless communication antenna systems by tapping into the electrical circuit used to power outdoor elevated lighting systems. The connection is made by interrupting the lighting circuit at the electric eye or photocell. A power adapter is inserted between the electric eye and the light circuit. Cabling is used to interconnect the power adapter and an antenna module mounted to the light pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Hohnstein, Charles I. Cook, Guy M. Wells, Angus O. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 5495385
    Abstract: A fully automatic, photosensor-controlled time switch device, which includes a control box having an input port connected to power supply and an output port for connecting the load to be controlled, and a control circuit installed inside the control box and connected between the input port and the output port, the control box consisted of a photosensor, a set of relays, a multiple contact switch, a time control switch, and a load switch for controlling the operation of the load automatically at a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Inventor: Peng H. Hsiu
  • Patent number: 5444307
    Abstract: A relay circuit connects the headlight circuit and wiper circuit of a motor vehicle to actuate the low-beam lamps whenever the windshield wipers are activated. The relay circuit includes a delay circuit to permit continuous operation of the headlights even during intermittent operation of the windshield wipers, and an interlock to prevent operation to prevent the low beams and high beams from being simultaneously operated. Further, the relay circuit includes means to prevent operation of the vehicles instrument lights as a warning to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Sheets Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen R. Sheets, Donald Parks
  • Patent number: 5374852
    Abstract: A lighting control apparatus for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having an electrical power supply, an ignition switch, lights, a lighting control switch for illuminating the lights, a wiper device, and a wiper control switch for actuating the wiper device, the lighting control apparatus automatically illuminating the lights whenever the wiper device is actuated, the lighting control apparatus including a photosensitive element electrically connected in series between the electrical power supply and the lights, the photosensitive element being illuminated by ambient light, the photosensitive element having a first substantially conductive state whenever the intensity of the ambient light is below a first threshold value, the photosensitive element additionally having a second substantially nonconductive state whenever the intensity of the ambient light exceeds a second threshold value, a shutter member movable between a first position substantially shielding the photosensitive element from the ambient ligh
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventor: Walter B. Parkes
  • Patent number: 5266807
    Abstract: The present invention teaches an improved passive infrared detection system for use in controlling electrical wiring devices and systems in residential, commercial and industrial environments. Interior or exterior lighting, by way of example only, and the power or current feeding same, is controlled such that the presence of a body entering a predetermined zone, such as a room, will be detected in an improved manner and will trigger a series of events resulting in the switching of the lights on or off, as desired. The detecting portion of the combination comprising the present invention is capable of receiving presence signals 360 degrees about a reference line, thereby greatly increasing the ability of the system of this invention to detect body presence within any interior area, for example. This qualifies the present system to function as an improved security system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin B. Neiger
  • Patent number: 5195016
    Abstract: A photoelectric load control system for applying a.c. power to a street light as a function of ambient light level includes switching means for selectively applying a.c. power to a street light for turning the street light on and off; a trigger circuit having two states, a first state which actuates the switching means to turn on the street light and a second state which actuates the switching means to turn off the street light; means for biasing the trigger circuit into one of the states; and photoelectric sensing means for varying the bias on the trigger circuit to drive it into the other state in response to the ambient light level sensed by the photoelectric sensing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Dark to Light, Inc.
    Inventor: John J. Powers
  • Patent number: 5187383
    Abstract: The disclosed circuit for actuating headlights has two time delay circuits, an AND gate, a power relay, and connections for appropriate installation to the circuitry of the automobile. When windshield wipers are operated, a pulse of the windshield wiper motor causes the first time delay circuit and the second time delay circuit to run timing cycles. The timing cycle of the first circuit is shorter than the timing cycle of the second circuit, and the first circuit is restarted with each pulse of the windshield wiper motor. Each timing delay unit has an output signal which is a logical "one" when a cycle is being run and a logical "zero" when a cycle is not being run. When the AND gate receives logical zeros from the second time delay circuit, and logical ones from the first time delay circuit, windshield wipers are in use and the headlights and parking lights are switched on. A daylight detection circuit may be incorporated to provide safe use of the unit in dusk hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventors: Alfonse Taccetta, Anthony Fico
  • Patent number: 5089931
    Abstract: A safety device for an electrical apparatus comprising an enclosure filled with gas under pressure, the safety device comprising first means for detecting the appearance of an arc inside the enclosure, and second means controlled by the first means to establish a path for the gas through the enclosure when the first means has detected an arc for a given length of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom SA
    Inventors: Edmond Thuries, Jean -Pierre Dupraz, Jean-Paul Moncorge, Jean-Marc Willieme, Joseph Martin, Yves Perrusset, Didier Taponat
  • Patent number: 5016134
    Abstract: A single coil magnetic latching relay drive circuit which utilizes AC power for energizing/deenergizing the relay. To energize the relay, a single full half cycle of the AC power at a first polarity is applied to the relay coil. To deenergize the relay, a portion of a half cycle of the AC power of the other polarity is applied to the relay coil, this portion being chosen so that the effective current at the other polarity is insufficient to reenergize the relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul S. Chang, Lee W. Steely
  • Patent number: 4914721
    Abstract: A safety device for an apparatus to be manipulated by an operator. The apparatus is connected via a supply line for a supply means to a supply means source. A handgrip is provided to be grasped by the operator for controlling the operation of the apparatus. An operating sensor is actuated by the operator and is connected to the control device. The operating sensor may be an electric proximity switch provided so that it is possible to shut off the apparatus when the operator ceases to actuate the operating sensor. The operating sensor, or at least one indiciator element of the operating sensor, is disposed on the hand of the operator, particularly integrated into a protective glove for the hand of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Ernst Peiniger GmbH Unternehmen fuer Bautenschutz
    Inventors: Karl C. Glaeser, Gerhard Buhr, Joachim Cardinal, Klaus Genuit, Detlef Lohmuller, Heinz Tilmans
  • Patent number: 4851969
    Abstract: An optical system that controls the operation of infrequently used electrically activated devices of a vehicle, such as hood or trunk latches or door locks, is disclosed. The optical control system comprises a storage device and an optical device. The storage device, such as a solar battery, is chargeable by the radiant energy of the light source and the electrical power of the battery is applied to the infrequently used activation devices under the control of the optical device, which, in turn, is also controlled by the radiant energy of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler
  • Patent number: 4841164
    Abstract: Light-sensitive switch structure for and method of turning a street light or other load on or off in response to variations in light level. The switch is designed to recognize a specific sequence of daily variations in light level and is capable of switching a load off at a light level lower than that at which the load is switched on. In a preferred embodiment, the switch consists of a photo-sensitive element, two operational amplifiers, a relay with its associated driver circuit, and a number of resistors forming voltage dividers. In accordance with the method of the invention, the photo-sensitive element, together with a resistor, establishes a signal voltage which varies in relation to the light level. Other resistors form voltage dividers which establish reference voltage levels at which desired switching is to occur. The operational amplifiers perform comparisons between the signal voltage and reference voltages and switch accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Inventor: Egidio Basso
  • Patent number: 4814632
    Abstract: A safety device for an apparatus to be manipulated by an operator. The apparatus is connected via a supply line for a supply means to a supply means source. A handgrip is provided to be grasped by the operator for controlling the operation of the apparatus. An operating sensor is actuated by the operator and is connected to the control device. The operating sensor may be an electric proximity switch provided so that it is possible to shut off the apparatus when the operator ceases to actuate the operating sensor. The operating sensor, or at least one indicator element of the operating sensor, is disposed on the hand of the operator, particularly integrated into a protective glove for the hand of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Ernst Peiniger GmbH Unternehmen Fur Bautenschutz
    Inventors: Karl C. Glaeser, Detlef Lohmuller, Heinz Tilmans, Klaus Genuit, Joachim Cardinal, Gerhard Buhr
  • Patent number: 4791413
    Abstract: The soil moisture alarm device comprising of a conductivity sensor, a photoelectric light sensor, an ON-OFF controllable audio generator, a buzzer and a DC battery as a source of power. The device can be placed in the pot permanently. It will not work without ambient light, so that it will not disturb people at night when they are sleeping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Inventor: Kazimierz E. Lyczek
  • Patent number: 4782424
    Abstract: In a circuit arrangement for the non-contacting control of a sanitary fitting, the signal, by which the solenoid valve or valves is/are controlled, is monitored with regard to the leading or decaying edge. If the leading edge appears, then the sensitivity of the entire circuit arrangement is reduced from a higher to a lower value; on the other hand, if the decaying edge appears, then the sensitivity of the circuit arrangement is once more increased to the original higher value, possibly with a time lag. Due to this, a "self-holding effect" due to the flowing water is prevented from occuring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: Hansa Metallwerke AG
    Inventor: Helmut Wertenauer
  • Patent number: 4771186
    Abstract: Light-sensitive switch structure for and method of turning a street light, or other load, on or off in response to varying light levels. The switch is designed to recognize the daily variations in light level and is capable of switching a load off at a light level lower than that at which the load is switched on. In a preferred embodiment the switch consists of a photo-sensitive element, two relays with time delay features, and two current limiting resistors to regulate the current flowing through the operating coils of the relays. In other embodiments wherein the values of the circuit components are properly selected one of the resistors regulating the current flowing through the operating coils of the relays may be eliminated. In accordance with the method of the invention one of the relays operates contacts which energize or de-energize the load, while the other relay operates contacts which connect or disconnect the resistors to or from the operating coils of the relays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Inventor: Egidio Basso
  • Patent number: 4757430
    Abstract: An entrance door night-light contained within an enclosure that is mounted to the head of an entrance doorway between the storm door and the entrance door. The enclosure is positioned to project light onto the doorhandle and lockset area. The enclosure contains a lamp, powered by a DC voltage source, a momentary switch that makes contact with the storm door and is used to switch the lamp on when the storm door is opened, and a photocell used to keep the lamp off during daylight, even when the storm door is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Inventors: Glenda A. Dubak, Peter D. Capizzo
  • Patent number: 4733323
    Abstract: A light responsive control and overload protection circuit for low voltage illumination systems includes means responsive to ambient light for providing an enabling output. Control means respond to the enabling output for switching heating current on when enabled. Heat-producing means is provided. The heating current passes through the heat-producing means whenever the control means is enabled. Heat-responsive circuit breaker means are in circuit between a low voltage power source and the load. The heat-producing means is thermally coupled to the heat-responsive circuit breaker means to transfer heat thereto and effect and maintain an opening thereof whenever sufficient ambient light is present. Heat-responsive means respond to heat from the heat-producing means to prevent the overheating thereof during overloads and load circuit short circuiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 4723192
    Abstract: A device turns ON and OFF electrical power in a building in response to entry and exit of people. Four sets of infra red light emitters and receivers supply receiver signals to entry and exit monitor circuits having integrated circuits connected together to deliver down pulses by discrimination between the occurrence of infrared receiver signals. The count pulses are delivered to a counting circuit which is preset by a manually operated switch which supplies a preset signal to a comparator circuits which also receives the signal from the counting circuit to produce an ON-OFF signal. A controller circuit receives this ON-OFF signal and controls the electrical power in an electricity supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Inventor: Jiunn K. Lee
  • Patent number: 4685018
    Abstract: An arc detector includes a luminous diode 22 for irradiating the space within a vessel 1 containing an electrical device such as a bus bar 5 and filled with insulating gas such as SF.sub.6. A shielded photo-diode 24 receives light reflected back from a fine powder 12 produced when an arc occurs, and drives an indicator 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoji Tada, Koji Ibuki
  • Patent number: 4621300
    Abstract: This safety monitoring system for punch press operators is designed to prevent the operators from being injured by such presses or other factory equipment. Primarily, it consists of a pair of wrist units which are strapped to the wrists of the operators, and which include optical fiber cables and a latching assembly, and the optical fiber cables are used in cooperation with a pair of identical electronic circuits employing LED's, a light sensitive transistor, a pair of other transistors, a zener diode, and a relay, for instantly shutting a punch press on or off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Inventor: Ray E. Summerer
  • Patent number: 4618770
    Abstract: An electrical control has a detector which senses the infrared radiation within a given area. A pair of comparators function as a window discriminator. A voltage divider provides reference bias potentials to the comparators. The same divider provides a bias to the signal input terminals of the comparators. These signal input terminals are coupled through a capacitor to the detector. The output of the comparators is used to actuate the control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Donald W. Maile
  • Patent number: 4599052
    Abstract: An electromagnetically operated fuel feed pump has an electronic control which comprises a phototransistor circuit with a delay element and a threshold switch. With this control a wear-free operation of the control is possible in a space-saving arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Assignee: J. Eberspacher
    Inventors: Herbert Langen, Fritz Reuter
  • Patent number: 4523251
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus has an input stage (11) with a binary signal output (19). This signal output is connected to a relay control circuit which deenergizes or energizes the relay (15) in dependence on the output signal (0 or 1). The relay (15) can be held in the energized condition over a wide voltage range, without being overloaded, by a periodically limited energizing current. This is achieved, by way of example, by energizing the relay via a semiconductor switching device (transistor 14) which can be switched on and off by a Schmitt trigger (12) connected to the binary signal output. A capacitor (17) charged in dependence on the energizing current flowing through the relay is used to override the signal from the binary output (19) to switch the transistor (14) via the Schmitt trigger (12) so as to periodically energize the relay (15) (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Erwin Sick GmbH Optik-Elektronik
    Inventors: Jurgen Erdmann, Karl O. Buchholz, Hartmut Knappe
  • Patent number: 4489359
    Abstract: A card key switch including a card key obtained by forming notches, in accordance with a key code, on opposite side edges of a card or a card casing for accommodating the card, a key cylinder formed with a key slot, a plurality of tumblers, a light emitting element and a photo detector operatively associated with the light emitting element so as to generate an electric signal in response to detection of light from the light emitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Masaru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4458290
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling a D.C. electromagnetic brake, in which a series circuit consisting of a solenoid 35 for the electromagnetic brake and a transistor 52 for controlling the current that flows into the solenoid is connected to a D.C. power source 8 and wherein a varistor 4 is connected in parallel between the emitter and the collector of the transistor 52 which controls current that flows into the solenoid, in order to clamp the counter electromotive force that generates across the emitter and the collector of the transistor when the current flowing through the solenoid is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Assignee: Fujitsu Fanuc Limited
    Inventor: Hideo Miyashita
  • Patent number: 4356405
    Abstract: A photosensitive switch including control means for turning a load on or off in response to the ambient light level. The switch is so arranged to turn the load off if the components thereof fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Ripley Company, Inc.
    Inventor: John G. Russo
  • Patent number: 4346427
    Abstract: A device responsive to infrared radiation can control a current line to such items as interior lighting or room air conditioners in order to activate these items in response to the presence or absence of a person within their service area. The device includes an infrared detector comprised of a thermopile formed by thin-film techniques for producing detection signals amplified by a series of amplifier stages having filters passing only signals corresponding to motion of a human body. The amplified signals are led to the reset port of a timing circuit which will open the current line when no human motion is sensed within a predetermined time period. Further, the housing for the device includes a protruding neck portion carrying the infrared detector and adapted to be held by a retaining nut after insertion through a ceiling unit or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Assignee: Robert Rothenhaus
    Inventors: Kitson Blissett, Robert A. Dunbar
  • Patent number: 4333490
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically controlling a watering system in response to a comparison of an ambient condition with a time-varying reference level having an adjustable maximum value is disclosed. The invention includes an electrical circuit for monitoring and sensing the magnitude of the ambient condition and for converting the sensed magnitude into a proportional electrical signal. The invention further includes a first timer circuit for generating a triggering signal when the time-varying reference level exceeds the magnitude of the proportional electrical signal. This triggering signal is applied to a second timer circuit which actuates the watering system for a predetermined period of time in response to the triggering signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Inventor: William L. Enter, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4328527
    Abstract: A flame detection circuit means that is responsive to an ultraviolet responsive tube is provided with a safety circuit. The safety circuit encompasses a pulse responsive circuit that is responsive to the characteristic conduction pattern of an ultraviolet responsive type of tube and will not respond to a shunt resistance. The circuit relies on the normal conductivity of a shorting field effect transistor that must be gated into a nonconductive state for an output means to be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Landis
  • Patent number: 4280164
    Abstract: A fail-safe relay system for use in infrared security barriers or other apparatus producing a sensing signal so as to control the de-activation and permit the re-activation of an interconnected device; such as a machine press. The relay system uses two relays with contacts in series in conjunction with electronic circuitry. Safe-start operation for preventing reactivation of the interconnected device if any unsafe condition exists, including failure of either pair of relay contacts to open when an unsafe condition is sensed, is also accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Assignee: IMS Ltd.
    Inventor: Edward P. Kozek
  • Patent number: 4242831
    Abstract: A toy apparatus with a photoemissive motor control system includes a chamber into which a phosphorescent member is placed, whereupon photoemission acts upon a photosensitive element to activate a motor control circuit for operation of a motor which drives the toy apparatus. An activation apparatus is provided, which includes a battery operated lamp for periodic re-energization of the phosphorescent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Assignee: Ned Strongin Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: John F. O'Shaughnessy
  • Patent number: 4217622
    Abstract: Mining equipment of the type operably dependent on the voltage and/or the phase of electric current is isolated from electric supply mains by an OFF switch in a control circuit before a current supply relay drops out. The OFF switch and an ON switch are coupled in a monitoring conductor which supplies current to a photo-electronic coupler. An output signal from the coupler is delivered to a battery fed integrator to provide a control signal to an output relay for a switch in the current supply line on mining equipment. The ON switch is bridged by a normally closed switch coupled to a relay which is responsive to operating current fed to the machine. In a second embodiment, thermal sensing elements for motor windings on the machine provide a signal to battery fed relays to open a normally closed switch in a circuit bridging the photo-electronic coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Assignee: Gebr. Eickhoff Maschinenfabrik und Eisengiesserei m.b.H.
    Inventors: Anton Dinkelbach, Karl-Heinz Weber
  • Patent number: 4143287
    Abstract: The circuit includes a signal input circuit having a light emitting diode that is optically coupled to a phototransistor in a signal output circuit comprising a noise suppression circuit and a Schmitt trigger circuit. The noise suppression circuit comprises a switch portion including a transistor switch and a timing portion including a capacitor. The transistor switch is connected in parallel with the capacitor, and in the quiescent condition of the line isolation circuit, the transistor switch is turned on so as to maintain the capacitor in a discharged condition. When the light emitting diode is illuminated by an input signal exceeding a particular threshold, the phototransistor is turned on, causing the transistor switch to turn off. The charging of the capacitor thereupon commences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1979
    Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventor: Ronald D. Biggs
  • Patent number: 4031560
    Abstract: A phototransistor is coupled to a relay coil and the base of a switching transistor. Light impinging on the phototransistor will cause it to conduct, switching on the transistor causing current flow in the relay coil. Fluctuating light intensity on the phototransistor will cause a corresponding fluctuation of current in the relay coil. A predetermined level of current in the coil will maintain the relay closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Inventor: Richard L. Maresh
  • Patent number: 4025190
    Abstract: An exposure control for automatically controlling the duration of the exposure time for a photographic material to be printed. The light intensity is sensed by a sensor which could be either of the photoresistive or the photovoltaic type. A range control controls both the light sensor circuit and a timer control. The range control permits to return the indicator to a permanent mark despite variations of the lens aperture, negative density, degree of enlargement and the like, while simultaneously increasing or decreasing the length of a standard timing signal. The timing signal in turn controls the printer lamp to determine the exposure time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Inventor: Marshall Hughes
  • Patent number: 4015912
    Abstract: An electromagnetic pumping device for liquids particularly for feeding liquid fuel in combustion devices, comprises a housing having a pumping chamber with an inlet to the pumping chamber and a discharge from the pumping chamber and with a pumping diaphragm in the chamber having a magnetic armature with a piston rod portion which is actuated by a power circuit having a photoelectric switch therein which is turned on and off by the movement of an aperture in the rod portion of the switch past the photoelectric cell so that the armature and the pumping diaphragm are moved in accordance therewith to pump the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1977
    Assignee: J. Eberspacher
    Inventor: Siegfried Kofink
  • Patent number: RE29143
    Abstract: A control device for monitoring the presence or absence of a flame through the use of an ionization tube sensitive to radiation of a predetermined wavelength and which is emitted by the flame. Energy storage means are employed to accumulate the signals generated by the ionization tube. The stored energy is periodically pulsed to discharge the stored energy in an intermittent manner thereby delaying the generation of a signal representing the absence of a flame. The state of the energy storage means is digitized at the aforesaid periodic rate and is restored generally to its undigitized form before controlling the delayed generation of a flame-out signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1977
    Assignee: Societa Italiana Elettronica S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianni Bianchini
  • Patent number: RE31502
    Abstract: A control system for energizing and de-energizing an external load in series with a source of electricity incorporates a rectifying network having inputs in series with the alternating current source and the external load. An electronic switch of the system activates the load by effectively shorting together the inputs to the control system when the combination of externally sensed parameters obtain predetermined magnitudes. The sensed parameters control the activation of the electronic switch by a plurality of control modules which interact with a control logic module, representing a Boolean combination of the control module outputs, so as to activate a trigger module which in turn causes the electronic switch, such as a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) to be triggered. The external load is then energized by the SCR effectively shorting the inputs to the control system and which thus completes the electrical path from the source of electricity through the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Inventor: Richard P. Gingras