Joseph B Allison

US Patent:

6366032, Apr 2, 2002

Filed:

Jan 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/494193

Inventors:

Joseph M. Allison - Euclid OH
David J. Moore - St. John IN

Assignee:

Robertson Worldwide, Inc. - Blue Island IL

International Classification:

G05F 100

US Classification:

315307, 315219, 315224

Abstract:

A resonant fluorescent lamp ballast includes an IC driver for a half-bridge arrangement that supplies AC current to a lamp. The IC creates a frequency sweep from a pre-heat frequency, through a resonant frequency, to a still lower operating frequency. A pre-heat pin in the IC triggers a re-start or the frequency sweep when a first signal exceeds a first threshold level. A shut-down pin in the IC associated with an internal shut-down latch shuts down the driver when a second signal exceeds a second threshold level. Pre-heat trigger circuitry detects a current spike through half-bridge switches when the lamp has not yet started, supplying the pre-heat pin with a first signal exceeding the first threshold level. End-of-life circuitry provides to the shut-down pin a second signal exceeding the second threshold level if lamp current fails to reach a substantial portion of its normal level within a predetermined time. A DC current-supply path is provided from a DC current supply, through at least one filament of each lamp in the load circuit, to a power-supply pin for the IC.

US Patent:

58315268, Nov 3, 1998

Filed:

Mar 3, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/811132

Inventors:

Richard L. Hansler - Chagrin Falls OH
Mark H. Thomsen - Rockwood, Ontario N0B-2K0, CA
Joseph Michael Allison - Euclid OH

International Classification:

G05B 108

US Classification:

340539

Abstract:

A network of identical atmospheric hazard detectors communicates a locally sensed hazard condition directly to multiple neighboring detectors using RF command communication, without the use of wires and without a central control location. Each detector includes a sensor of an atmospheric hazard, a detection circuit for measuring the sensor output and creating a local hazard signal, an alarm indicator, an RF transmitter for sending a neighboring hazard signal to the network, and an RF receiver for receiving a neighboring hazard signal from the network. The local alarm and neighboring alarm control signals produce discernibly different alarm indications from the detector's alarm device, facilitating an attempt to locate the origin of a hazard. In the preferred embodiment, every detector functions as a receive/transmit relay station, enabling the network to be extended in spatial expanse without limit and without increasing the power output of the RF transmitter. Auxiliary devices are included, for example, a radio controlled light for emergency illumination.

US Patent:

53172370, May 31, 1994

Filed:

Nov 24, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/981023

Inventors:

Joseph M. Allison - Euclid OH
Raymond A. Buchina - Mentor OH
James D. Mieskowski - Seven Hills OH
Edward J. Thomas - Streetboro OH
John M. Davenport - Lyndhurst OH

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

H05B 4136

US Classification:

315307

Abstract:

A low voltage DC input ballast circuit for a discharge lamp particularly suitable for a central lighting system includes an input filter stage which feeds into a first boost converter circuit controlled by way of a pulse width modulator device. The first boost converter provides warm-up and steady state run signals to the lamp in a voltage fed manner over a coupling circuit using components which are reduced in size relative to conventional discharge ballast circuits. Control circuitry provides various monitoring functions, an example of which is that, in the event of a low input voltage, the lamp will operate in a dimmed or faded manner rather than maintain lumen output by drawing additional current. A second boost converter circuit is associated with a starter circuit arrangement and operates such that starting pulses can be generated and repeated if necessary in a very rapid manner.

US Patent:

54263468, Jun 20, 1995

Filed:

Mar 9, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/209092

Inventors:

Joseph M. Allison - Euclid OH

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

H05B 3702

US Classification:

315209CD

Abstract:

Disclosed is an electronic ballast circuit for a high pressure gas discharge lamp with a reduced parts-count starting circuit. The circuit comprises an arrangement for supplying d. c. voltage from a d. c. source, and a main inductor for receiving energy from the d. c. source and supplying the energy to the lamp. The main inductor has a plurality of windings. A first winding of the inductor is coupled to receive energy from the d. c. source. Further included is a current-switching arrangement conductive during periodic first part cycles for transferring energy from the d. c. source to the main inductor, and non-conductive during periodic second part cycles. A first part cycle is followed by a second part cycle in successive periods of switching operation of the current-switching arrangement. The first winding of the main inductor has impressed across it substantially the d. c. source voltage during the first part cycles, and reflects substantially the lamp voltage during the second part cycles.

US Patent:

58149767, Sep 29, 1998

Filed:

Aug 6, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/907248

Inventors:

Joseph M. Allison - Euclid OH

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G05F 1613

US Classification:

323224

Abstract:

A high power factor electronic ballast for operating a high pressure gas discharge lamp comprises a boost converter function and a buck function. The boost converter function and the buck function have common components. The combination boost-buck converter reduces parts count, as compared to the parts count required for the separate boost and buck circuits of the prior art, by making some components of the single circuit act simultaneously in both the boost and buck functions. The rigid forcing of the ac input current waveform to follow the ac input voltage waveform is relaxed, to give performance priority to the buck function for the common components. Harmonics are allowed to enter the system in moderation in return for a less expensive and more reliable system that does not compromise lamp power control.

US Patent:

56546106, Aug 5, 1997

Filed:

Sep 25, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/533297

Inventors:

William J. Cassarly - Lyndhurst OH
John M. Davenport - Lyndhurst OH
Thomas R. Stanton - Solon OH
Joseph M. Allison - Euclid OH

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

H05B 4116

US Classification:

315248

Abstract:

An electrodeless neon discharge light source having a red color light output is provided for use in automotive applications. The light source has a lamp envelope containing a fill of neon gas which, when excited to a discharge state by introduction of an operating signal over a tuned circuit consisting of a resonant capacitor and a ferrite coil, produces a red color light output. A flash control input to a ballast circuit arrangement provides the ability to control the light output using bursts of high frequency sinusoidal energy. The use of the burst signal approach allows for providing varying levels of light intensity output thereby signifying the distinction between braking conditions and an on condition of the tail light. Furthermore, by controlling the rate of flashing of the light source, an indication of a hard braking or emergency condition, could be conveyed.

US Patent:

54143250, May 9, 1995

Filed:

Apr 13, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/227750

Inventors:

Joseph M. Allison - Euclid OH

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

H05B 3702

US Classification:

315158

Abstract:

Disclosed is a ballast circuit for a high pressure gas discharge lamp, including a comparator circuit for producing a feedback error signal representing the difference between a feedback signal and a reference signal. The feedback signal is selectively one of a non-light feedback signal and a light feedback signal, as determined by a switching circuit. A power control circuit adjusts the level of power supplied to the lamp in response to the feedback error signal. A first, non-light feedback circuit supplies a non-light feedback signal to the comparator circuit, based on non-light information of the lamp that is fed back to the non-light feedback circuit. A light feedback circuit operative during a lamp warm-up period supplies a light feedback signal to the comparator circuit based on light intensity information that is fed back to the light feedback circuit. The light feedback circuit has an adjustable gain as determined by the difference between measured light intensity and magnitude of the light feedback signal produced. A calibration circuit, operative during steady state lamp operation when the comparator circuit is responsive to the non-light feedback signal, automatically adjusts the gain of the light feedback circuit until a state is reached in which switching to light feedback control would result in substantially no change in light intensity.

US Patent:

49049070, Feb 27, 1990

Filed:

Feb 26, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/161058

Inventors:

Joseph M. Allison - Euclid OH
Richard L. Hansler - Pepper Pike OH
Park French - Aurora OH
John M. Davenport - Lyndhurst OH
Robert A. Leskovec - Richmond Heights OH

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

H05B 4136

US Classification:

315307

Abstract:

A ballast circuit and method of operating gas discharge lamps are disclosed. The ballast circuit generates a relatively low frequency regulated square-wave current which advantageously provides for operating the gas discharge lamps during their run mode. The square-wave current delivered to the electrodes of the gas discharge lamp reduces or substantially eliminates the cataphoresis effects typically created by D. C. and 60 Hz operation of the gas discharge lamp while also reducing or substantially eliminating the detrimental acoustics resonance effects typically created by operating the gas discharge lamps at relatively high frequency of excitations.