Variable output electrical device

• US 6,091,238 A
• Filed: 09/12/1997
• Issued: 07/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kevin Mcdermott
• Original Assignee: Kevin Mcdermott
• Inventors: McDermott, Damien
• Primary Examiner(s): PATIDAR, JAY M
• Application Number:
  US08/928,166
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 324/207.2-207.26, 324/202, 324/251, 324/260, 324/117 H, 324/133, 338/32 H, 307/116, 340/540, 340/686, 362/236, 315/200 A, 315/224, 315/149, 315/307, 315/362, 335/205, 257/414, 257/421, 257/427, 323/905
• US Class Current: 324/207.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/003 for measuring position, not involving coordinate determination coordinate measuring G01B7/004
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/023 for measuring distance between sensor and object G01B7/082 and G01B7/102 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/145 influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields see G01R33/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 323/905 Lamp dimmer structure

Abstract

The present invention incorporates a system for varying the output signal and regulating the power consumed by an electrical device. It achieves its purpose by moving a magnet relative to a Hall effect sensor which is responsive to an intersecting magnetic field. The Hall effect sensor creates an electrical output signal which determines the input signal of an output element of the device. The electrical Hall effect sensor signal thereby controls the output signal emitted by the electrical output element. The magnet is moved using a movable element. Since the location and movement of the magnet regulates the Hall effect sensor output signal, the output signal of the electrical device as well as its rate of change are regulated using the movable element. In order to conserve power the Hall effect sensor element is usually not energized when the device is in the "off" mode. However a switching means correlated with the position of the movable element energizes the Hall effect sensor when the magnet has created a magnetic field of acceptable density and direction.

Claims

1. A variable output electrical device including:

a source of electrical power;

a magnet means for creating a magnetic field, said magnetic field including a magnetic flux;

a sensor means comprising a sensor element for emitting an electrical sensor output signal controlled by a density of said magnetic flux intersecting said sensor element;

an output means comprising an output element for emitting a perceivable output signal controlled by said electrical sensor output signal;

a circuit means comprising said source of electrical power, said sensor means, said output means and a switch for selectively connecting said source of electrical power to said sensor means and said output means for said source of electrical power supplying an electrical power to said sensor means and said output means;

a support means for disposing said sensor element relative to said magnet means to effect said magnetic flux intersecting said sensor element; and

an adjustment means for a movement of a movable element to vary said density of said magnetic flux intersecting said sensor element to vary said perceivable output signal and to vary said electrical power supplied to said output means.

7. A variable output electrical device according to any of claims 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6 wherein said circuit means further includes:

an intermediate means for controlling a voltage applied to said output means.

8. A variable output electrical device according to any of claims 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6 wherein said circuit means further includes:

an intermediate means for controlling a voltage applied to said output means; and

,

said intermediate means comprising a metal oxide field effect transistor.

2. A variable output electrical device including:

a source of electrical power;

a magnet means for creating a magnetic field, said magnetic field including a magnetic flux;

a sensor means comprising a sensor element for emitting an electrical sensor output signal controlled by a density of said magnetic flux intersecting said sensor element;

an output means comprising an output element for emitting a perceivable output signal controlled by said electrical sensor output signal;

a circuit means comprising said source of electrical power, said sensor means, said output means and switch for selectively connecting said source of electrical power to said output means for said source of electrical power supplying an electrical power to said output means;

a support means for disposing said sensor element relative to said magnet means to effect said magnetic flux intersecting said sensor element; and

an adjustment means through a determined range of said movement increasing an intensity of said perceivable output signal.

3. A variable output electrical device including:

a source of electrical power;

a magnet means for creating a magnetic field, said magnetic field including a magnetic flux;

a sensor means comprising a sensor element for emitting an electrical sensor output signal controlled by a density and a direction of said magnetic flux intersecting said sensor element;

an output means comprising an output element for emitting a perceivable output signal controlled by said electrical sensor output signal;

a circuit means comprising said source of electrical power, said sensor means, said output means and a switch for selectively connecting said source of electrical power to said output means for said source of electrical power supplying an electrical power to said output means;

a support means for disposing said sensor element relative to said magnet means to effect said magnetic flux intersecting said sensor element; and

an adjustment means for a movement of a movable element varying said density of said magnetic flux intersecting said sensor element to vary said perceivable output signal and reversing said direction of said magnetic flux intersecting said sensor element to extend a range of and intensity of said perceivable output signal.

4. A variable output electrical device including:

a source of electrical power;

a magnet means for creating a magnetic field, said magnetic field including a magnetic flux;

a sensor means comprising a sensor element for emitting an electrical sensor output signal controlled by a density of said magnetic flux intersecting said sensor element;

an intermediate means comprising an intermediate element for emitting an intermediate electrical output signal controlled by said electrical sensor output signal;

an output means comprising an output element for emitting a perceivable output signal controlled by said intermediate electrical output signal;

a circuit means comprising said source of electrical power, said sensor means, said intermediate means said output means and a switch for selectively connecting said source of electrical power to said output means for said source of electrical power supplying an electrical power to said output means;

a support means for disposing said sensor means relative to said magnet means to effect said magnetic flux intersecting said sensor element; and

an adjustment means for a movement of a movable element varying said density of said magnetic flux intersecting said sensor element to vary said electrical power and to vary said perceivable output signal.

5. A variable output electrical device including:

a source of electrical power;

a magnet means for creating a magnetic field, said magnetic field including a magnetic flux;

a sensor means comprising a sensor element for emitting upon the application of said source of electrical power to said sensor means an electrical sensor output signal controlled by a density of said magnetic flux intersecting said sensor element;

an output means comprising an output element for emitting a perceivable output signal controlled by said electrical sensor output signal;

a circuit means comprising said source of electrical power, said sensor means said output means and a switch for selectively connecting said source of electrical power to said output means for said source of electrical power supplying an electrical power to said sensor means;

a support means for disposing said sensor means relative to said magnet means to effect said magnetic flux intersecting said sensor element; and

an adjustment means for a movement of a movable element applying said source of electrical power to said sensor means to vary said density of said magnetic flux intersecting said sensor element and to vary said perceivable output signal.

6. A variable output electrical device including:

a source of electrical power comprising a battery;

a magnet means for creating a magnetic field a said magnetic field including a magnetic flux;

a sensor means comprising a sensor element for emitting an electrical sensor output signal controlled by a density of said magnetic flux intersecting said sensor element;

an output means comprising an incandescent lamp for emitting a light with an intensity controlled by said electrical sensor output signal;

a circuit means comprising said source of electrical power, said sensor means and said output means and a switch for selectively connecting said source of electrical power to said output means for said source of electrical power supplying an electrical power to said output means;

a support means for disposing said sensor means relative to said magnet means to effect said magnetic flux intersecting said sensor element; and

an adjustment means for a movement of a movable element to vary said density of said magnetic flux intersecting said sensor element to vary said intensity of said light and to regulate said electrical power supplied to said lamp.

9. A signal device comprising

a housing having a base and a cover, said cover being movably mounted relative to said base and having a transparent surface thereon;

a magnet mounted within said housing to create a magnetic field within said housing; and

a circuit assembly fastened to one of said base and said cover for movement relative to said magnet, said circuit assembly including a lamp, a battery for supplying a voltage to said lamp to illuminate said lamp, a switch for selectively connecting said battery to said lamp, a Hall effect sensor for intersecting said magnetic field, and a transistor connected to said sensor and said lamp to deliver the variable voltage from said battery to said lamp, said sensor being connected to said battery and said transistor to vary the voltage delivered from said battery to said transistor whereby upon movement of said cover relative to said base, said switch is activated in a first position of said cover and said Hall effect sensor is energized to respond to a first magnetic flux density from said magnetic field to deliver a first output voltage to said lamp and whereby upon further movement of said cover relative to said base, said Hall effect sensor responds to a second magnetic flux density from said magnetic field of different value than said first magnetic flux density to deliver a second output voltage to said lamp.

10. A signal device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said magnet is mounted on said base and said circuit assembly is mounted on said cover.

11. A signal device as set forth in claim 10 wherein said cover is threaded into said base to rotate relative to said base.

12. A signal device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said circuit assembly further includes a light emitting diode mounted in said housing for viewing through said transparent surface, said diode being activated in response to power being supplied to said Hall effect sensor.

13. A signal device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said transistor is selected from the group consisting of a bipolar transistor, a field effect transistor and a metal oxide field effect transistor.

14. A signal device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said sensor is movable through said magnetic field between one position with the magnetic flux of said field intersecting said sensor in one direction and a second position with the magnetic flux of said field intersecting said sensor in an opposite direction.

15. A signal device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said circuit assembly includes a diode connected between said sensor and ground to prevent a reverse current to said sensor.

16. An electrical lighting device comprising

a source of electrical power;

a light emitting diode connected to said source for emitting light in response to said source of electrical power energizing said diode;

an incandescent lamp for emitting light in response to said source of electrical power energizing said lamp and a power control means including a movable element for movement to a first position to connect said source of electrical power to said diode and to a second position to connect said source of electrical power to said incandescent lamp.

17. An electrical lighting device as set forth in claim 16 wherein said power control means includes a magnet having a magnetic field and said movable element is a Hall effect sensor intersecting said magnetic field.

18. An electrical lighting device comprising

a circuit assembly including

a light emitting diode connectable to a power source having a voltage for energizing said circuit assembly said light emitting diode being responsive to the application of at least a first voltage to emit light;

an incandescent lamp connectable to the power source for emitting light in response to the application of at least a second voltage; and

a voltage control having a movable element, said voltage control at a first position of said movable element delivering at least said first voltage to said light emitting diode and at a second position of said movable element delivering at least said second voltage to said incandescent lamp.

19. An electrical lighting device as set forth in claim 18 wherein said voltage control comprises a switch.

20. An electrical lighting device as set forth in claim 18 wherein said lamp remains de-energized at said first position of said movable element.

21. An electrical lighting device as set forth in claim 18 which further comprises a battery as the power source.

22. An electrical lighting device as set forth in claim 18 wherein said voltage control includes a means for energizing said circuit assembly with the power source and illuminating at least one of said light emitting diode and said incandescent lamp in response to said circuit assembly being energized by the power source.

23. An electrical lighting device as set forth in claim 18 wherein said voltage control includes a magnet having a magnetic field and a Hall effect sensor disposed in intersecting relation with said magnetic field;

said Hall effect sensor being connectable to and energizable by the power source to respond to a magnetic flux of said magnetic field to effect a sensor output voltage for delivery to said incandescent lamp as said second voltage.

24. An electrical lighting device as set forth in claim 18 wherein said voltage control includes a switch movably connected to said movable element for delivering at said first position of said movable element at least said first voltage to said light emitting diode, said voltage control further including a magnet having a magnetic field and a Hall effect sensor, said movable element additionally movably connecting said magnet and said Hall effect sensor, said Hall effect sensor intersecting said magnetic field at said second position of said movable element;

and

said Hall effect sensor at said second position of said movable element being connectable to and energizable by the power source to respond to a magnetic flux of said magnetic field to effect a sensor output voltage for delivery to said incandescent lamp.

25. An electrical lighting device comprising

A circuit assembly including

a light emitting diode connectable to a power source having a voltage, said light emitting diode being responsive to the application of at least a first voltage to emit light;

an incandescent lamp connectable to the power source for emitting light in response to the application of at least a second voltage; and

a control means having a first position for energizing said circuit assembly with the power source and illuminating at least one of said light emitting diode and said incandescent lamp, said control means having a second position for illuminating at least another one of said light emitting diode and said incandescent lamp.

26. An electrical lighting device as set forth in claim 25 wherein said control means applies at least said first voltage to said light emitting diode at said first position and at said second position applies at least said second voltage to said incandescent lamp.

27. An electrical lighting device as set forth in claim 25 wherein said lamp remains de-energized at said first position of said movable element.

28. An electrical lighting device as set forth in claim 25 which further comprises a battery as the power source.

29. An electrical lighting device as set forth in claim 25 wherein said control means further includes a magnet having a magnetic field and a Hall effect sensor disposed in intersecting relation with said magnetic field;

said Hall effect sensor at said second position of said control means being connectable to and energizable by the power source to respond to a magnetic flux of said magnetic field to effect a sensor output voltage for delivery to said incandescent lamp.

30. An electrical lighting device as set forth in claim 29 wherein said control means further includes a switch for connecting said control means at said first position of said control means to said light emitting diode to deliver at least said first voltage to said light emitting diode.

31. An electrical lighting device as set forth in claim 30 which further comprises a battery as the power source.

32. A dimmable lighting device comprising

a lamp connectable to a power source having a voltage for emitting light in response to the application of at least a first voltage from the power source;

a switch for selectively connecting said lamp to the power source for delivery of a voltage to said lamp;

a magnet having a magnetic field;

an adjustment means for varying a power supplied to said lamp, said adjustment means having a first position in said magnetic field for delivering said first voltage to said lamp and a second position in said magnetic field for delivering a second voltage greater than said first voltage to said lamp; and

a support for supporting said lamp, said magnet and said adjustment means.

33. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 32 wherein said adjustment means has a Hall effect sensor connected to and energized by the power source to respond to a magnetic flux of said magnetic field and effect a sensor output voltage;

and

said adjustment means at said first position disposing said Hall effect sensor at a first location in said magnetic field for delivering at least said first voltage to said lamp and at said second position disposing said Hall effect sensor at a second location in said magnetic field for delivering at least said second voltage to said lamp.

34. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 32 wherein said adjustment means has a Hall effect sensor for connection to the power source at said first position to respond to a magnetic flux of said magnetic field and in effect a sensor output voltage;

and

said adjustment means at said first position disposing said Hall effect sensor at a first location in said magnetic field for delivering at least said first voltage to said lamp and at said second position disposing said Hall effect sensor at a second location in said magnetic field for delivering at least said second voltage to said lamp.

35. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 32 further comprising said adjustment means having a Hall effect sensor and a switch, said switch connected between said power source and said Hall effect sensor, said switch at said first position connecting and energizing said Hall effect sensor with said power source to respond to a magnetic flux and effect a sensor output voltage;

and

said adjustment means at said first position disposing said Hall effect sensor at a first location in said magnetic field for delivering at least said first voltage to said lamp and at said second position disposing said Hall effect sensor at a second location in said magnetic field for delivering at least said second voltage to said lamp.

36. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 33 wherein said adjustment means has a transistor connected to said Hall effect sensor for receiving said sensor output voltage from said Hall effect sensor, said transistor connected between said power source and said lamp to respond to said sensor output voltage and deliver at least said first voltage to said lamp.

37. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 33 wherein said power source is a battery.

38. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 33 wherein said adjustment means further includes a movable element for establishing said first position and said second position, said adjustment means for a slow movement of said movable element from said first position to said second position effecting a slow change from said first voltage to said second voltage delivered to said lamp.

39. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 33 wherein said lamp is an incandescent lamp.

40. A dimmable lighting device comprising

a light emitting diode connectable to a power source having a voltage for emitting light in response to the application of at least a first voltage from the power source;

a lamp connectable to the power source for emitting light in response to the application of at least a second voltage from the power source;

a magnet having a magnetic field;

a control means for delivering at least said first voltage to said light emitting diode at a first position thereof and for responding to said magnetic field and delivering at least said second voltage to said lamp at a second position thereof; and

a support at least supporting at least one of said diode, said lamp, said magnet and said control means.

41. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 40 wherein said control means further includes a movable element for establishing said first position and said second position.

42. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 40 wherein said power source is a battery.

43. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 40 wherein said lamp is an incandescent lamp.

44. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 40 wherein said control means further includes a Hall effect sensor disposed intersecting said magnetic field, said Hall effect sensor at said second position of said control means connected to and energized by the power source to respond to a magnetic flux of said magnetic field to effect a sensor output voltage for delivery to said lamp;

and

said control means comprising a switch for at said first position of said control means delivering at least said first voltage to said light emitting diode.

45. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 40 wherein said control means further includes a magnet having a magnetic field and a Hall effect sensor disposed intersecting said magnetic field, said Hall effect sensor at said second position of said control means being connectable to and energize by the power source to respond to a magnetic flux of said magnetic field to effect a sensor output voltage for delivery to said lamp.

46. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 45 wherein said control means has a transistor connected to said Hall effect sensor for receiving said sensor output voltage, said transistor connected between said power source and said lamp for responding to said sensor output voltage and delivering at least said second voltage to said lamp.

47. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 40 wherein said control means has a Hall effect sensor connected to and energized by said power source for responding to a magnetic flux of said magnetic field and effecting a sensor output voltage, said control means at said second position disposing said Hall effect sensor at a first location in said magnetic field for delivering at least said second voltage to said lamp;

and

said control means having a third position for disposing said Hall effect sensor at a second location in said magnetic field for delivering a third voltage greater than said second voltage to said lamp.

48. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 47 wherein said control means further includes a movable element for establishing said second position and said third position and for a slow movement of said movable element from said second position to said third position effecting a slow change from said second voltage to said third voltage delivered to said lamp.

49. A dimmable lighting device comprising

a circuit assembly including a lamp connectable to a power source having a voltage for emitting light in response to the application of at least a first voltage from the power source;

a switch for a selective delivery of the voltage to said lamp and a voltage control including a Hall effect sensor;

a magnet having a magnetic field;

a movable element movably connecting said Hall effect sensor and said magnet, said movable element having a plurality of positions establishing a plurality of locations of said Hall effect sensor relative to said magnet, said Hall effect sensor connected to and energized with the voltage from said power source to respond to said Hall effect sensor intersecting said magnetic field to effect a sensor output voltage and deliver at least said first voltage to said lamp;

said Hall effect sensor at a first position of said movable element at a first location relative to said magnet and intersecting a first value of a magnetic flux from said magnetic field to effect a first value of the sensor output voltage and deliver said first voltage to said lamp, said Hall effect sensor at a second position of said movable element located at a second location relative to said magnet and intersecting a second value of said magnetic flux from said magnetic field to effect a second value of the sensor output voltage and deliver said second voltage to said lamp and to vary a power supply to said lamp; and

a support at least partially supporting said circuit assembly, said movable element and said magnet.

50. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 49 further comprising a transistor connected to said Hall effect sensor for receiving said sensor output voltage, said transistor connected between said power source and said lamp for responding to said sensor output voltage and delivering at least one second voltage to said lamp.

51. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 49 which further comprises a threaded element connected to one of said magnet and said Hall effect sensor;

and

said movable element includes a mating thread in said threaded element for establishing said first position and said second position.

52. A dimmable lighting device comprising

a circuit assembly including

a light emitting diode connectable to a power source having a voltage for emitting light in response to the application of at least a first voltage from the power source;

an incandescent lamp connectable to the power source for emitting light in response to the application of at least a second voltage from the power source;

a switch and a voltage control including a Hall effect sensor;

a magnet having a magnetic field;

a movable element movably connecting said Hall effect sensor, said switch and said magnet;

said movable element having a plurality of positions establishing a plurality of locations relative to said magnet, said Hall effect sensor electrically connected to and energized with the voltage from the power source to respond to said Hall effect sensor intersecting said magnetic field to effect a sensor output voltage and deliver at least said second voltage to said incandescent lamp;

said switch at a first position of said movable element connecting said light emitting diode to said power source and applying at least said first voltage to said light emitting diode; and

said Hall effect sensor at a second position of said movable element at a first location relative to said magnet and intersecting a first value of a magnetic flux from said magnetic field to effect a first value of the sensor output voltage and deliver at least said second voltage to said incandescent lamp; and

a support at least partially supporting said circuit assembly, said switch, said movable element and said magnet.

53. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 52 comprising said control means has a transistor connected to said Hall effect sensor for receiving said sensor output voltage, said transistor connected between said power source and said lamp for responding to said sensor output voltage and delivering at least said second voltage to said lamp.

54. A dimmable lighting device as set forth in claim 52 which further comprises a threaded element connected to one of said magnet and said Hall effect sensor;

and

said movable element includes a mating thread in said threaded element for establishing said first position and said second position.

55. In an electrical lighting device, the combination comprising

a magnet having a magnetic field;

a lamp for emitting light upon the application of at least a first voltage;

a circuit assembly including said lamp, a Hall effect sensor and a transistor, said sensor being connectable to a power source to be energized by a voltage from said power source to respond to a magnetic flux and effect a sensor output voltage, said transistor connected to said sensor to receive said sensor output voltage therefrom and to deliver said first voltage from said power source to said lamp;

a switch for a selective delivery of a voltage to said lamp from the power source;

a support at least partially supporting the group of said circuit assembly and said magnet with said sensor movably connected to said magnet; and

wherein said sensor has a plurality of positions relative to said magnetic field to intersect a plurality of values of magnetic flux in said magnetic field and apply a plurality of values of said sensor output voltage to said transistor whereby upon being disposed at a first location relative to said magnetic field, said sensor responds to a fist value of magnetic flux from said lamp and upon being disposed at a second location relative to said magnetic field, said sensor responds to a second value of magnetic flux by delivering at least a second voltage greater than said first voltage to vary a power supplied to said lamp.