Charles Clinton Cooley

US Patent:

47990198, Jan 17, 1989

Filed:

Mar 2, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/020873

Inventors:

Charles Cooley - San Antonio TX
William Fenton - South Portland ME

International Classification:

G08B 2100
G01R 3102

US Classification:

324546

Abstract:

A load monitoring, indicating, and alarm system monitors electrical continuity through an AC electrical load coupled in a first electrical line with an electrical indicator such as an indicating lamp in a second electrical line coupled in parallel with the first electrical line. A first AC electronic switch such as a triac is coupled in series with the indicator in the second electrical line. The actuating gate of the first AC electronic switch is coupled to the first electrical line. The first AC electronic switch is therefore conducting and the indicator lamp on when there is electrical continuity through the load and power is being supplied to the load. A reactance control component is coupled in series with the load for adjusting the phase angle of gate current to voltage delivered to the gate terminal of the first AC electronic switch. The reactive component may be a second AC electronic switch coupled in series with the electrical load in the first electrical line. A resistor operatively couples the gate terminal of the second AC electronic switch to the second electrical line.