US4587457A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple intensity lamp controller and lighting system
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1982-02-19
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Granted: 1986-05-06
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Expires: 2002-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A multiple intensity lamp controller and lighting system utilizing a multiple filament lamp having a primary filament and a secondary filament coupled in series with each other and with a power source and having a variable impedance coupled across the secondary filament. The intensity of the multiple filament lamp is made comparatively bright when the value of the variable impedance is made comparatively low. Conversely, the intensity of the multiple filament lamp is made comparatively dim when the value of the variable impedance is made comparatively high.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter A. Lind
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:05
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B39/00; H05B39/04; H05B39/08; H05B39/081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A multiple intensity lamp controller adapted to be coupled to a multiple filament lamp having at least a primary filament and a secondary filament coupled in series with each of other and to a power source, comprising a variable impedance coupled across said secondary filament wherein the intensity of said multiple filament lamp is comparatively bright when the valve of said variable impedance is comparatively low and wherein the intensity of said multiple filament lamp is comparatively dim when the value of said variable impedance is comparatively high; whereby any range of failure in the value of said variable impedance will result in said multiple filament lamp still being lit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A multiple intensity lamp controller adapted to be coupled to a multiple filament lamp having at least a primary filament and a secondary filament coupled in series with each of other and to a power source, comprising a variable impedance coupled across said secondary filament wherein the intensity of said multiple filament lamp is comparatively bright when the valve of said variable impedance is comparatively low and wherein the intensity of said multiple filament lamp is comparatively dim when the value of said variable impedance is comparatively high; whereby any range of failure in the value of said variable impedance will result in said multiple filament lamp still being lit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A multiple intensity lamp controller as in claim 1 wherein said variable impedance is responsive to ambient light level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A multiple intensity lamp controller as in claim 2 wherein the value of said variable impendance is comparatively low when said ambient light level is comparatively high and wherein the value of said variable impedance is comparatively high when said ambient light level is comparatively low.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A multiple intensity lamp controller as in claim 3 wherein said variable impedance has a region in the range of the value of said variable impedance which is inversely proportional to said ambient light intensity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A multiple intensity lamp controller as in claim 4 wherein the value of said variable impedance is effectively variable by cycling the value of said variable impedance between a high impedance value and a low impedance value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A multiple intensity lamp controller as in claim 5 wherein said variable impedance has a duty cycle determined by the proportion of time said variable impedance has said high impedance value compared to said low impedance value and wherein the value of said variable impedance is effectivey variable by varying said duty cycle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A multiple intensity lamp controller as in claim 4 wherein said power source is an alternating current power source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
A multiple intensity lamp controller as in claim 7 wherein the value of said variable impedance is effectively variable in value by being a high impedance during a portion of a cycle of said alternating current power source and being a low impedance during the remainder of said cycle of said alternating current power source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A multiple intensity lamp controller as in claim 8 wherein said variable impedance comprises: a variable resistance responsive to said ambient 1ight level; and switching means responsive to said variable resistance, said switching means for selectively allowing a low impedance path across said variable impedance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A multiple intensity lamp controller as in claim 9 wherein said variable impedance further comprises a filter coupled across said switching means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
95 words
A multiple intensity lighting system adapted to be coupled to a power source, comprising: a multiple filament lamp having at least a primary filament and a secondary filament coupled in series with each other and with said power source; and variable impedance means coupled across said secondary filament, said varaible impedance means for providing a variable impedance value, wherein the intensity of said mulitple filament lamp is comaratively bright when said impedance value is comparatively low and wherein the intensity of said multiple filament lamp is comparatively dim when said impedance value is comparatively high.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
95 words
A multiple intensity lighting system adapted to be coupled to a power source, comprising: a multiple filament lamp having at least a primary filament and a secondary filament coupled in series with each other and with said power source; and variable impedance means coupled across said secondary filament, said varaible impedance means for providing a variable impedance value, wherein the intensity of said mulitple filament lamp is comaratively bright when said impedance value is comparatively low and wherein the intensity of said multiple filament lamp is comparatively dim when said impedance value is comparatively high.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A multiple intensity lighting system as in claim 11 wherein said variable impedance means is responsive to ambient light level.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A multiple intensity lighting system as in claim 12 wherein said impedance value is comparatively low when said ambient light level is comparatively high and wherein said impedance value is comparatively high when said ambient light level is comparatively low.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A multiple intensity lighting system as in claim 13 wherein said variable impedance means has a region in the range of the value of said impedance value which is inversely proportional to said ambient light intensity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A multiple intensity lighting system as in claim 14 wherein said impedance value is effectively variable by cycling said impedance value between a high impedance value and a low impedance value.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
A multiple intensity lighting system as in claim 15 wherein said variable impedance means has a duty cycle determined by the proportion of time value said variable impedance means has said high impedance value compared to said low impedance value and wherein said impedance value is effectively variable by varying said duty cycle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A multiple intensity lighting system as in claim 14 wherein said power source is an alternating current power source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
A multiple intensity lighting system as in claim 17 wherein said impedance value is effectively variable in value by being a high impedance during a portion of a cycle of said alternating current power source and being a low impedance during the remainder of said cycle of said alternating current power source.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
A multiple intensity lighting system as in claim 18 wherein said variable impedance means comprises: a variable resistance responsive to said ambient light level; and switching means responsive to said variable resistance, said switching means for selectively allowing a low impedance path across said variable impedance means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A multiple intensity lighting system as in claim 19 wherein said variable impedance means further comprises a filter coupled across said switching means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-05-05 | 1989-11-04 | 1990-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-05 | 1993-11-04 | 1994-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-05 | 1997-11-04 | 1998-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |