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Patent No. 5523741

Santa Claus Detector

A Christmas stocking having illumination means associated therewith for signalling the arrival of Santa Claus.

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Attorney: Breedlove; Jill M., Davis, Jr.; James C., Snyder; Marvin


Number of patents: 75
Last date: September 29, 1992

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NumberTitleIssue Date
5151633Self-extinguishing gas probe starter for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp
The fill of a self-extinguishing gas probe starter for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp includes a starter fill component which has a relatively low vapor pressure and is substantially inert in the starter fill at ambient temperatures, but w...
09/29/1992
5140243Discrete position estimator for a switched reluctance machine using a flux-current map comparator
A rotor position estimator for a switched reluctance motor (SRM) employs a flux-current map to determine whether the actual rotor angle is closer to, or farther from, axial alignment of stator and rotor poles than a reference angle θr. The flu...
08/18/1992
5140244Lock detector for switched reluctance machine rotor position estimator
A lock detector for a switched reluctance motor (SRM) position estimator monitors the rotor angle estimates from a SRM rotor position estimator to make sure that the estimator is accurately tracking rotor position. Phase flux and current measurements corr...
08/18/1992
5134770Method of fabricating a high-frequency transformer
A high-frequency transformer is constructed from a flexible circuit comprising a primary conductive film winding and one or more secondary conductive film windings disposed on a single dielectric membrane. The flexible circuit is folded to form a stack of...
08/04/1992
5136214Use of silicon to extend useful life of metal halide discharge lamps
A silicon flake comprising silicon in a sufficient quantity is inserted into the arc tube of a high-intensity, metal halide discharge lamp in order to avoid a substantial buildup of free halogen, thereby extending the useful life of the lamp....
08/04/1992
5134345Feedback system for stabilizing the arc discharge of a high intensity discharge lamp
A feedback system for a high intensity discharge lamp detects arc instabilities and stabilizes the discharge, thereby increasing the useful life of the lamp. The feedback system includes a phase detector circuit for detecting relatively low fequency, recu...
07/28/1992
5126715Low-profile multi-pole conductive film transformer
A folded conductive film winding transformer provides a plurality of poles and enables increased turns ratios or power handling capacity in structures which must meet severe height limitations....
06/30/1992
5118997Dual feedback control for a high-efficiency class-d power amplifier circuit
A dual feedback control system for a Class-D power circuit maximizes efficiency by controlling the magnitude and phase angle of the resonant load circuit using two separate feedback loops. The first feedback loop changes the value of a first variable capa...
06/02/1992
5119283High power factor, voltage-doubler rectifier
A voltage-doubler rectifier includes an ac fullbridge diode rectifier and a dc-to-dc converter having two output boost circuits. One of the output boost circuits is coupled between the rectifier and a dc link, and the other output boost circuit is coupled...
06/02/1992
5119284Efficient power supply post regulation
High efficiency, post regulation of auxiliary outputs in multiple output-power supplied is provided by connecting a regulating switching device in parallel with a filter inductor connected in the current path from the rectifiers to the output terminal. Fo...
06/02/1992
5118996Starting circuit for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp
A passive starting circuit foran electrodeless HID lamp includes a series resonant LC circuit including an inductor of variable impedance coupled in series with the parasitic capacitance between a starting probe and the excitation coil of the lamp, and fu...
06/02/1992
5113337High power factor power supply
An off-line switching power supply includes an ac rectifier and a dual-output switching converter having one output coupled between the ac rectifier and the input to the dual-output converter in order to provide a high power factor, the other output of th...
05/12/1992
5113171High-frequency current-viewing resistor
A current-viewing resistor for accurately measuring high-frequency currents, e.g. at radio frequencies, includes a first resistance connected in series with a first inductance, the series combination being connected in parallel with a series combination o...
05/12/1992
5107185Shielded starting coil for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp
A passive, resonant starting circuit for an electrodeless HID lamp includes a starting coil that is shielded from stray capacitances that would otherwise result in detuning the resonant circuit and hence decreasing efficiency. The starting circuit further...
04/21/1992
5107195Rotor position estimator for a switched reluctance machine using a lumped parameter flux/current model
A method and apparatus for indirectly determining rotor position in a switched reluctance motor (SRM) are based on a flux/current model of the machine, which model includes multi-phase saturation, leakage, and mutual coupling effects. The flux/current mod...
04/21/1992
5103140Starting circuit for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp
A starting circuit for an electrodeless HID lamp, comprising a series resonant LC circuit of variable impedance, provides a starting voltage to a fixed or movable starting probe substantially simultaneously with the application of power to the excitation ...
04/07/1992
5098326Method for applying a protective coating to a high-intensity metal halide discharge lamp
A method for applying a protective coating to the inner surface of the arc tube of a high-intensity metal halide discharge lamp involves dosing the arc tube with an inert gas that is doped with a metal hydride gas. Preferably, the metal hydride gas compri...
03/24/1992
5099202Phase shift generator
A phase shift generator receives two input pulse signals and generates two output pulse train signals, each having a 50% duty cycle, which are phase-shifted in a range from 0° to 180° by an amount proportional to the duty cycle of the input pulse train ...
03/24/1992
5097190Rotor position estimator for a switched reluctance machine
A method and apparatus for indirectly determining rotor position in a switched reluctance motor (SRM) are based on instantaneous flux and phase current sensing. For each phase in a predetermined sequence of phase sensing, which depends on the particular q...
03/17/1992
5095249Gas probe starter for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp
A gas probe starter for an electrodeless high intensity discharge (HID) lamp includes a fixed starting electrode for coupling a starting voltage to a chamber which is attached to the outer wall of the arc tube and contains a gas. The gas in the starting c...
03/10/1992
5084958Method of making conductive film magnetic components
A conductive film magnetic component such as an inductor or transformer includes a conductive film winding having a generally serpentine configuration when disposed in a plane. This film is folded to form a stack of layers with each "layer" comprising par...
02/04/1992
5084801Liquid crystal variable capacitor and high intensity discharge lamp ballast employing same
A variable capacitor comprises two conductive plates with a liquid crystal material having an anisotropic dielectric constant disposed therebetween. The conductive plates are treated with a surfactant to align the liquid crystal molecules in a predetermin...
01/28/1992
5084654Starting aid for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp
A starting aid for an electrodeless high intensity discharge (HID) lamp comprises at least one starting electrode which, at least during lamp starting, is situated adjacent to, and preferably in contact with, the portion of the arc tube nearest the arc di...
01/28/1992
5075839Inductor shunt, output voltage regulation system for a power supply
High efficiency, post regulation of auxiliary outputs in multiple output-power supplies is provided by connecting a regulating switching device in parallel with a filter inductor connected in the current path from the rectifiers to the output terminal. Fo...
12/24/1991
5075600Piezoelectrically actuated variable capacitor
A variable capacitor includes a fixed conductive plate and a movable conductive plate with a dielectric disposed between them. A piezoelectric actuator is used to vary the distance between the conductive plates by moving the movable plate with respect to ...
12/24/1991
5073848Power distribution system
A power distribution system for supplying power to a plurality of point-to-load power supplies includes a plurality of bulk power supplies, each having a separate respective power distribution bus coupled at the output thereof. Each power distribution bus...
12/17/1991
5068567Apparatus for increasing the recoverable energy of a piezoelectric bender
A cantilever-mounted piezoelectric bender includes apparatus for forcing the bender to approach straightness when in a blocked position, e.g. when meeting a contact in an electrical relay. As a result, the potential energy recoverable from the bender is m...
11/26/1991
5063332Feedback control system for a high-efficiency class-D power amplifier circuit
A closed-loop control system for a Class-D power amplifier circuit, having a variable output resonant circuit impedance, maintains high-efficiency operation by using the phase angle between the resonant load voltage and current to control tuning of the re...
11/05/1991
5062197Dual-permeability core structure for use in high-frequency magnetic components
A dual-permeability magnetic core structure is provided for use in small, high-frequency inductors and transformers. The dual-permeability core encloses a winding window containing planar windings and comprises high-permeability and low-permeability secti...
11/05/1991
5060130High-efficiency, high-density, power supply including an input boost power supply
A power supply includes a dc-to-dc converter with an integral boost power supply for maintaining the effective converter input voltage within a predetermined steady-state range, even if the input voltage to the power supply exhibits substantial voltage tr...
10/22/1991
5059868Starting circuit for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp
A starting circuit for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp comprises a high efficiency power supply for providing a radio frequency signal to a starting probe disposed proximate the arc tube of the lamp. The power supply may comprise either a C...
10/22/1991
5057962Microprocessor-based protective relay system
A microprocessor-based relay system is used in combination with relay contactors and a control circuit therefor to protect an electric motor from overload currents in addition to phase faults, ground faults, load losses, and load jams. The microprocessor ...
10/15/1991
5057750Two-stage resonant starting circuit for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp
A starting circuit for an electrodeless HID lamp provides a two-stage resonant starting signal to a gas probe starter of the type comprising a starting chamber which contains a relatively low-pressure gas and is attached to the outer wall of the arc tube....
10/15/1991
5057727Shaft position sensor employing a wiegand-effect device
A Wiegand-effect shaft position sensor is excited by an alternating magnetic field generated by stationary magnets or solenoids interacting with a high-strength, toothed wheel that is fixed to the rotor. A set of three stationary poles are situated proxim...
10/15/1991
5057751Protective coating for high-intensity metal halide discharge lamps
A protective coating of suitable composition and thickness is applied to the inner surface of the arc tube of a high-intensity, metal halide discharge lamp in order to avoid a substantial loss of the metallic component of the metal halide fill and hence a...
10/15/1991
5047893High-frequency capacitor
A high-frequency capacitor includes first and second conductive members, each having a plurality of U-shaped metal plates disposed parallel to each other and a terminal plate coupled between the ends thereof. The metal plates of the first and second condu...
09/10/1991
5047693Starting aid for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp
A starting aid for an electrodeless high intensity discharge (HID) lamp comprises a spiral starting electrode which, at least during lamp starting, conforms to the shape of the arc tube so as to provide a relatively high capacitive starting current upon r...
09/10/1991
5047692Integrated tuning capacitor network and heat sink for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp ballast
A ballast for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp comprises a Class-D power amplifier including an integrated tuning capacitor network and heat sink. A series blocking/tuning capacitor and a parallel tuning capacitor are integrated by sharing a...
09/10/1991
5047913Method for controlling a power converter using an auxiliary resonant commutation circuit
A method for controlling a power converter and an associated auxiliary commutation circuit ensures soft-switching of all switching devices employed therein. Such a power converter includes an inverter with at least two main switching devices per phase. Ac...
09/10/1991
5042139Method of making an excitation coil for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp
An excitation coil for a high intensity discharge lamp has an optimized configuration for maximizing efficiency and minimizing output light blockage. The coil comprises a conductive surface having a shape which corresponds to rotating a bilaterally symmet...
08/27/1991
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