Illumination – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-15
2001-01-23
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Combined
C362S229000, C362S159000, C362S192000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176596
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to gas-powered flashlights and to gas-powered thermophotovoltaic power sources, and is directed more particularly to a single assembly of components which is convertible from one to the other.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Gas powered flashlights are known. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,357, issued Feb. 11, 1997 to Anand Rangarajan, and incorporated herein by reference, there is disclosed a flashlight having a mantle structure composed of multifiliment metal oxide strands and mounted on a fuel supply conduit adjacent an outlet port thereof. An igniter is disposed so as to ignite the fuel to cause the mantle structure to become incandescent and emit optical radiation. The flashlight is provided with a chamber for receiving and retaining a fuel canister for supplying fuel to the fuel supply conduit and the outlet port thereof. The fuel typically is liquid propane.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,722, issued Jun. 4, 1996 to Walter J. Diederich, and incorporated herein by reference, there is disclosed a fuel control system for controlling the fuel vapor flow rate from the fuel canister to the fuel supply outlet port.
It is further known to provide gas powered DC electric power generators comprising thermophotovoltaic devices including a photocell and an emitter of rare earth metal oxide material disposed in optically coupled relation to the photocell. Such devices can be used for off-grid electric power for powering equipment, non-wired homes, emergency devices, communication devices, recharging batteries, and the like. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,426, issued Apr. 22, 1986, to Robert E. Nelson, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,521, issued May 17, 1994, to Arthur P. Fraas et al.
In camping and field environments, including military environments, there is a need for a DC power generator which is readily available for use in recharging batteries and powering communications and other such equipment. However, it is not desirable to add to an already formidable list of devices and equipment which must be carried into the field. That is, there is a need for a DC power generator which serves a dual function, such that another discrete piece of equipment is not required. Inasmuch as flashlights already are customarily carried into field operations, a combination flashlight and DC generator, of about the same size and weight as a traditional flashlight, appears to provide that which is needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is, therefore, to provide a combination flashlight and electrical power source assembly.
A further object is to provide a combination flashlight and electrical power source assembly wherein the assembly may readily, easily and speedily be converted from one to the other, without any specialized skills, tools, or extra parts required.
A still further object is to provide an emitter for use in the combination flashlight and electrical power source assembly above described.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a reflector for use in the combination flashlight and electrical power source.
With the above and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear, a feature of the present invention is the provision of a combination flashlight and electrical power source assembly, the assembly comprising an emitter and fuel system module having first and second ends, a fuel cartridge module fixed to the emitter and fuel system module at the second end of the emitter and fuel system module, the fuel cartridge module having a free end, a photovoltaic conversion module attachable to a selected one of the emitter and fuel system module first end and the fuel cartridge module free end, and a flashlight lens module attachable to the other of the emitter and fuel system module first end and the fuel cartridge module free end. When the photovoltaic conversion module is attached to the emitter and fuel system module first end and the flashlight lens module is attached to the fuel cartridge module free end, the photovoltaic conversion module is an active module and the flashlight lens module is inactive and functions as an end cap. The assembly thus comprises the aforementioned electrical power source. When the flashlight lens module is attached to the emitter and fuel system module first end and the photovoltaic conversation module is attached to the fuel cartridge module free end, the flashlight lens module is an active module and the photovoltaic conversion module is inactive and functions as an end cap. The assembly thus comprises the aforementioned flashlight.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, there is provided an emitter for illumination by combustion of a fuel therein and for radiating light. The emitter comprises an inner mantle having a net of ceramic fibers, the inner mantle having a bulbous portion and being adapted for attachment to a discharge end of a fuel supply conduit, and an outer mantle having a net of ceramic fibers, the outer mantle having a bulbous portion disposed around and spaced from the bulbous portion of the inner mantle and having a further portion overlying the inner mantle along a portion of the inner mantle which is adapted for attachment to the fuel supply conduit. The inner mantle is adapted to illuminate and radiate light when subjected to combustion at a selected first rate, with the light radiated by the inner mantle passing through the outer mantle, the outer mantle being non-illuminated and non-light-radiating at the first combustion rate, and the inner and outer mantles are both adapted to illuminate and radiate light when subjected to combustion at a selected second rate of combustion substantially higher than the first rate of combustion.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, there is provided an alternative emitter. The alternative emitter comprises a first mantle having a generally planar base member defining a multiplicity of portals therethrough and a central opening therethrough, and a multiplicity of mantle elements fixed to a first surface of the base member. A fuel conduit is mounted in the central opening and extends therethrough. A second mantle of generally bulbous configuration is mounted on a first end of the fuel conduit proximate the base member first surface. A flow diverter is disposed proximate a second surface of the base member, a second end of the fuel conduit extending through the flow diverter. The flow diverter is operable to prevent flow of fuel to the portals, such that fuel admitted to the emitter is flowable only through the fuel conduit to the second mantle, and operable to allow flow of fuel to the portals, such that fuel admitted to the emitter is flowable through the fuel conduit to the second mantle and is flowable through the portals to the first mantle elements.
In accordance with a still further feature of the invention, there is provided a reflector for focusing light emitted from a mantle through a lens. The reflector comprises a body portion defining a generally parabolic interior surface for reflecting and focusing the emitted light, a tubular portion extending from the body portion and defining an opening for receiving the mantle and a portion of a fuel conduit fixed to the mantle, and fins extending outwardly from the body portion for conducting heat from the body portion.
The above and other features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular devices embodying the invention are shown by way of illustration only and not as limitations of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4584426 (1986-04-01), Nelson
patent: 4764104 (1988-08-01), Nelson
patent: 4826426 (1989-05-01), Nelson
patent: 4975044 (1990-12-01), Diederich
patent: 49
Becker Frederick E.
Buck Ann S.
Doyle Edward F.
Masters Andrew E.
Nunes Maurice
O'Shea Sandra
Pandiscio & Pandiscio
Sawhney Hargobind S.
Thermo Power Corporation
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