Joe A Nuckolls

US Patent:

58251391, Oct 20, 1998

Filed:

Nov 2, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/556878

Inventors:

Joe Allen Nuckolls - Blacksburg VA
Lily Li Lin - Blacksburg VA

Assignee:

Hubbell Incorporated - Orange CT

International Classification:

G05F 100

US Classification:

315307

Abstract:

A discharge lamp operating circuit is connected to a source of alternating current (AC) voltage, and has a discharge lamp and a semi-resonant circuit connected to the source of alternating current voltage and in series with the lamp. A starting circuit for initiating operation of said discharge lamp is also connected in the circuit. The lamp switching maintains the series semi-resonant circuit in oscillation and the series semi-resonant circuit maintains the lamp in operation after operation has been initiated by the starting circuit. Highly efficient energy transfer between inductive and capacitive components of the system result in low loss and high power factor.

US Patent:

59629886, Oct 5, 1999

Filed:

Nov 12, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/968093

Inventors:

Joe Allen Nuckolls - Etowah NC
Lily Li Lin - Portland OR

Assignee:

Hubbell Incorporated - Orange CT

International Classification:

G05F 100

US Classification:

315291

Abstract:

A discharge lamp operating circuit is connected to a source of alternating current (AC) voltage, and has a discharge lamp and a semi-resonant circuit connected to the source of alternating current voltage and in series with the lamp. A starting circuit for initiating operation of said discharge lamp is also connected in the circuit. The lamp switching maintains the series semi-resonant circuit in oscillation and the series semi-resonant circuit maintains the lamp in operation after operation has been initiated by the starting circuit. Highly efficient energy transfer between inductive and capacitive components of the system result in low loss and high power factor. A variable capacitance circuit is provided to allow use of the discharge lamp operating circuit with different line voltages, and to allow dimming.

US Patent:

53213386, Jun 14, 1994

Filed:

Jun 14, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/699808

Inventors:

Joe A. Nuckolls - Blacksburg VA
Isaac L. Flory - Blacksburg VA

Assignee:

Hubbell Incorporated - Orange CT

International Classification:

H05B 4114

US Classification:

315290

Abstract:

A hot restart circuit includes a storage capacitor and SCR connected across a tapped portion of a ballast with a breakdown device to start the SCR. A charging circuit for the storage capacitor includes a diode, pumping capacitor and choke in series from the ballast tap to the AC line and a further diode interconnecting the capacitors. The pumping capacitor increases the charge on the storage capacitor in a step-wise fashion until the breakdown voltage is reached, whereupon starting pulses are applied to the lamp.

US Patent:

52890848, Feb 22, 1994

Filed:

Jun 26, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/904969

Inventors:

Joe A. Nuckolls - Blacksburg VA
Yan Wang - Northbrook IL

Assignee:

Hubbell Incorporated - Orange CT

International Classification:

H05B 3702

US Classification:

315247

Abstract:

An improved fluorescent ballast circuit for 277 volt commercial application is disclosed utilizing a resonant circuit mechanism to generate high open circuit voltage (OCV) during lamp starting. The result is an energy efficient effective lighting system for commercial buildings.

US Patent:

52724204, Dec 21, 1993

Filed:

Jul 31, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/740643

Inventors:

Joe A. Nuckolls - Blacksburg VA

International Classification:

H01J 1104

US Classification:

315326

Abstract:

A high intensity discharge lamp system includes an AC supply for a chamber within which a plasma conductor is created to generate light. In order to confine charged particles within the chamber and to inhibit migration and loss thereof, a DC circuit taps power from the AC supply and produces a DC potential which is applied to relatively large-surface components in the vicinity of the plasma chamber. Properly polarized, the large-surface components, such as a reflector and a conductive housing, refractor or door, produces electric fields which inhibit migration of the charged particles. The result is improved color and light output as well as increased lamp life.

US Patent:

61148164, Sep 5, 2000

Filed:

Nov 8, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/745246

Inventors:

Joe Allen Nuckolls - Blacksburg VA
Isaac Lynnwood Flory - Blacksburg VA

Assignee:

Hubbell Incorporated - Orange CT

International Classification:

H05B 3702

US Classification:

315324

Abstract:

A lighting control system for discharge lamps which comprises a ballast for supplying energy from a power source to a lamp. First and second capacitors and a first control relay and contact set control the supply of energy from the ballast to the lamp to switch the lamp between dimmed and normal wattage operational modes. A second control relay and contact set connects a single output control wire to neutral when a predetermined condition is sensed or a switch is thrown. The first control relay, which is connected at one end to the lamp ballast, is energized when the other end thereof is connected to neutral via the second control relay. The first control relay in turn closes the normally open contact set, which is connected to one of the capacitors, to increase the energy provided to the lamp. In accordance with one embodiment the first capacitor and the contact set of the first control relay are connected in series, and together are connected parallel to the second capacitor. In accordance with another embodiment, the first and second capacitors are connected in series, and the contact set of the first control relay is connected parallel to the first capacitor.

US Patent:

48915629, Jan 2, 1990

Filed:

Dec 16, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/134459

Inventors:

Joe A. Nuckolls - Blacksburg VA
Paul J. Buckley - Christiansburg VA

Assignee:

Hubbell Incorporated - Orange CT

International Classification:

H05B 4116

US Classification:

315277

Abstract:

A regulator circuit for a high intensity discharge lamp includes a magnetic regulator having three windings, the primary and second thereof being connected to line voltage and a lamp. The tertiary winding is connected to a storage capacitor and to a reactor circuit having an inductive reactor and a semi-conductor switch in series. Lamp voltage and current signals are derived by a control circuit which turns the semi-conductor switch on at specific times in each half cycle of operation. The firing angle of the switch is altered to regulate the lamp operating characteristics despite line voltage changes and operating voltage variations resulting from lamp aging and other factors. The control circuit can also be operated as a lamp dimmer circuit.

US Patent:

53090659, May 3, 1994

Filed:

Feb 26, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/841844

Inventors:

Joe A. Nuckolls - Blacksburg VA
Yan Wang - Northbrook IL

Assignee:

Hubbell Incorporated - Orange CT

International Classification:

H05B 3700
H05B 3900

US Classification:

315205

Abstract:

A ballast circuit system provides for efficient starting and operation of high voltage discharge lamps using a common 120 volt AC power source. As a result of this improved ballast circuit system, the necessary high voltage is generated from a normal 120 volt AC in such a way that there is low power loss. The system efficiency allows for use of plastic fixtures and small size packaging of the discharge lamp.