John C Hess

US Patent:

43832881, May 10, 1983

Filed:

Sep 12, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/186647

Inventors:

John E. Hess - Monroeville PA
Robert C. Braumuller - Pittsburgh PA

Assignee:

Conservolite, Inc. - Oakdale PA

International Classification:

F21V 704

US Classification:

362 32

Abstract:

A light collector includes a light sampler for gathering light and a light receiver for receiving the light gathered by the sampler and for transmitting it to a system such as a light illumination control system. The output of the light collector varies with the intensity of the light gathered by the light sampler and can be increased or decreased for a given gathered light intensity by adjusting the distance between the light sampler and light receiver. Accordingly, if the light collector is used to provide to a light illumination control system the actual light intensity of the area in which light illumination is controlled, the light intensity maintained by the control system can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the output of the collector. Also, the present invention includes a light gathering device for a light collector. The light gathering device includes a lens having angled portions for gathering light from a broad area.

US Patent:

45075697, Mar 26, 1985

Filed:

Dec 30, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/567264

Inventors:

John E. Hess - Monroeville PA

Assignee:

Conservolite, Inc. - Oakdale PA

International Classification:

H05B 3700
G05F 144

US Classification:

307130

Abstract:

An electrical control system controls an electrical load device, particularly an inductive load such as the ballast of a gas discharge lamp which generates a back EMF when power is removed therefrom. The control system includes a first electronic switch for controlling the application of power to and withdrawal of power from the load and a second electronic switch which controls the first electronic switch. The second switch is responsive to a command signal preferably occurring between 90. degree. and 180. degree. of the AC power half wave to turn on and thus switch off the first switch which in turn withdraws power from the load. The circuit remains in this state until a predetermined circuit condition occurs at which point the potentials on the load and the AC power supply are at predetermined levels. The equal potential turns the second switch off, whereupon power is reapplied to the load by the first electronic switch. In an inductive load, the back EMF generated when the first switch withdraws power from the load serves as a feedback signal which is referenced against the AC power supply to determine an equal potential circuit condition.

US Patent:

42075130, Jun 10, 1980

Filed:

Feb 10, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/876600

Inventors:

John S. Hess - Pittsburgh PA

Assignee:

Power Control Corporation - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

H02J 704

US Classification:

320 23

Abstract:

A battery charger is provided for industrial storage batteries which includes both digital and analog control circuits for controlling the charging voltage to maintain a charging cycle in which the current is initially held to a maximum value until the cell voltage rises to a preset level, after which the cell voltage is maintained constant at this level until a preset minimum current is reached, and the minimum current is then maintained for a fixed period of time. The charger requires no adjustments for ampere-hour rating or for number of cells in the battery, and is capable of charging batteries of any ampere-hour rating over a wide range, without any adjustment.