Fiber-optic photoelectric power control device

• US 3,999,074 A
• Filed: 08/02/1973
• Issued: 12/21/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James M. Callaghan
• Original Assignee: James M. Callaghan
• Inventors: Callaghan, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Alfred E.
• Application Number:
  US05/385,128
• Time in Patent Office: 1,237 Days
• Field of Search: 250/551, 250/227, 250/225, 350/96 R, 350/96 B, 200/168 G
• US Class Current: 250/551
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/10 Regulating voltage or current G05F1/02 takes precedence; for electric railways B60M3/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/00 Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication

Abstract

A power control system using fiber optics and photoelectric devices for remotely and safely controlling power to a load. The system includes a power control device, a light controller and fiber optics. The power control device includes a light generator, a light sensitive device and an electronic switch. The electronic switch controls the power to the load in response to the electrical output of the light sensitive device. The light from the light generator is transmitted to the input of the light controller by a fiber optics line. The light from the output of the light controller is connected to the input of the light sensitive device by another fiber optics line. The light sensitive device converts the light signal at its input to an electrical output signal that controls the electronic switch that controls power to the load. The light controller can transmit all of the light, block all of the light, or variably modulate the light and thereby remotely and safely control the load in any desired manner.

Claims

1. A power control system comprising:

a. a power control device;

b. first and second light transmission means;

c. a light controller;

d. said power control device including a light generator, a light sensitive device and an electronic switch;

e. the output of said light generator being applied to the input of said light controller by said first light transmission means;

f. the output of said light controller being operatively connected to the input of said light sensitive device by said second light transmission means;

g. the output control signal of said light sensitive device being operatively connected to one input of said electronic switch;

h. a power line operatively connected to another input of said electronic switch whereby said power output of said electronic switch is controlled as a function of the control signal applied to said one input thereof;

i. said light controller including light controlling means for controlling the light transmitted from said first light transmission means to said second light transmission means;

j. said first and second light transmission means are elongated fiber optic elements;

k. said light controller and light transmission means are remotely positioned from said power control device; and

l. said remotely positioned light controller is placed in an atmosphere that reacts to electrical arcing.

2. A power control system comprising:

a. a power control device;

b. first and second light transmission means;

c. a light controller;

d. said power control device including a light generator, a light sensitive device and an electronic switch;

e. the output of said light generator being applied to the input of said light controller by said first light transmission means;

f. the output of said light controller being operatively connected to the input of said light sensitive device by said second light transmission means;

g. the output control signal of said light sensitive device being operatively connected to one input of said electronic switch;

h. a power line operatively connected to another input of said electronic switch whereby said power output of said electronic switch is controlled as a function of the control signal applied to said one input thereof;

i. said light controller including light controlling means for controlling the light transmitted from said first light transmission means to said second light transmission means;

j. said first and second light transmission means are elongated fiber optic elements;

k. said light controller and light transmission means are remotely positioned from said power control device;

l. said light controller means includes first and second polarized elements; and

m. means for rotating said first polarized element with respect to said second polarized element.

3. A power control system comprising:

a. a power control device;

b. first and second light transmission means;

c. a light controller;

d. said power control device including a light generator, a light sensitive device and an electronic switch;

e. the output of said light generator being applied to the input of said light controller by said first light transmission means;

f. the output of said light controller being operatively connected to the input of said light sensitive device by said second light transmission means;

g. the output control signal of said light sensitive device being operatively connected to one input of said electronic switch;

h. a power line operatively connected to another input of said electronic switch whereby said power output of said electronic switch is controlled as a function of the control signal applied to said one input thereof;

i. said light controller including light controlling means for controlling the light transmitted from said first light transmission means to said second light transmission means;

j. said first and second light transmission means are elongated fiber optic elements;

k. said light controller and light transmission means are remotely positioned from said power control device;

l. said light controller means includes a variable opaque light filter; and

m. means for variably positioning said filter to modulate the light transmitted from said first light transmission means to said second light transmission means.