text:
Archive for BP Oil Disaster
Ten Years after Katrina, What the BP Settlement Means for Louisiana RestorationJuly 16, 2015 | Posted by lbourg in 19 Priority Projects, 5 Years Later, BP Oil Disaster, Community Resiliency, Diversions, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricanes, K10, Restoration Projects, RESTORE Act, Science
By Steve Cochran, Director, Mississippi River Delta Restoration Program, Environmental Defense Fund
Ten years ago, just after Hurricane Katrina, I was asked to talk to Environmental Defense Fund's board about the place where I grew up, the New Orleans area that had been hit so hard.
I remember two things about that discussion. One was my voice breaking unexpectedly (and embarrassingly) as we talked through pictures of the Katrina aftermath and came across places I intimately knew.
As an adult, I had developed a love/hate relationship with my home – loving the beauty, the people, the community and the culture, but frustrated by what I saw as the general tolerance of mediocrity and corrupt politics that limited its possibilities. That frustration had pushed the love down, and I had moved away. But there it was again. Sometimes you don't know how much you care.
The second thing I remember was saying that the Katrina response was a deep test of our governments – local, state and national. As we know now, in that moment, it was a test they failed. But fast forward to July 2, 2015, the day a global settlement was announced in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill case. It was a day when governments rose to the occasion. The result was literally the largest environmental settlement in U.S. history.
The BP Settlement and Louisiana Coastal Restoration
Under the agreement, Louisiana will receive more than a third of the money – $6.8 billion of the $18.7 billion, and $5.8 billion of that is specifically targeted to restoration. The overall restoration total for Louisiana will likely be just under $8 billion, including early restoration dollars and criminal settlements.
These are significant resources at a critical time. Land loss across the coast of Louisiana, exacerbated by the spill, continues at a fearful rate. But we are making progress against that loss, and with the solid state commitment that now exists, and effective plans in place, these resources will allow us to battle back in earnest, with a clear-eyed view toward success.
In particular, the state plans to re-engage the enormous power of the Mississippi River and its sediment through a series of sediment diversions – using the natural land-building capacity of the river by reconnecting it to the delta it originally built. This science-based, innovative approach is the critical piece in our ability to provide solutions at a scale that can match the challenges in the Mississippi River Delta – now the largest restoration effort under way in the world.
Rebuilding Our Coast to Protect Our Communities
About a month after the spill, I was allowed to sit in on a tribal council of the indigenous United Houma Nation. As the oil continued to pour into the Gulf of Mexico, which it would do for another two months, I listened and watched as a man described, through a quiet voice and uncontrolled tears, how he had always looked to the waters of the Gulf and drawn confidence, knowing he could always provide for his family by accepting its gifts. But now all he could feel was fundamental fear.
Money can't replace that kind of loss any more than it can bring back the 11 loved ones who lost their lives in the accident.
But we must do what we can – and in that context, the BP settlement is a tremendous step forward, because we can restore the Mississippi River Delta, so it can protect this area in the future.
Details matter, of course, and details remain to be decided as the Agreement in Principle is turned into a consent decree. We need to remain involved and vigilant. But it does seem clear that this agreement combines avoiding years of litigation with levels of funding that can truly make a difference.
With these resources, we can go to work to make sure that the largest environmental settlement in our nation's history also becomes the most meaningful settlement in a place that, well, I love.
No Comments
Deepwater Horizon Settlement – Some Answers, New QuestionsJuly 8, 2015 | Posted by lbourg in BP Oil Disaster, Clean Water Act, Federal Policy, Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA), RESTORE Act
This information was originally posted on the Environmental Law Institute's website.
By ELI Gulf Team
On July 2, 2015, a monumental announcement was made: an agreement in principle has been reached to settle all federal and state claims against BP arising from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill for $18.732 billion (see BP's press release here). This amount includes:
While we are still waiting on the exact details of the settlement, we do know some of the terms. We will focus on the natural resource damages and Clean Water Act civil penalties (specifically the RESTORE Act) here, considering:
1. What do we know?
2. What were the potential damages or penalties?
3. What information is still missing?
Note that this agreement is by no means final: the details still need to be hammered out and, once they are, they will be set out in a consent decree, which will be open for public comment before it goes to the court for final approval.
Natural Resource Damages (NRD)
As a refresher, a Natural Resource Damage Assessment is a process focused on restoring natural resources injured by an oil spill. The goal is to restore the resources to the condition they would have been in had the oil spill not occurred (called "baseline"). This process is led by government representatives called "trustees." The parties responsible for the spill pay for, among other things, the costs of restoration.
1. What do we know?
BP has agreed to pay $7.1 billion in natural resource damages. This is in addition to the $1 billion already committed for early restoration. The $8.1 billion total is divided as follows:
Louisiana will receive the bulk of the funding (over 60%). Notably, over $1 billion will go to open ocean projects, which have not received a substantial amount of funding under early restoration.
A few additional notes:
- The money will be paid out over 15 years
- Interest will accrue on the unpaid balance; this interest is payable the year after the last NRD payment, but the Gulf states and federal government may request payment of the accrued interest after 10 years to address unknown natural resource damages
- An additional $232 million will be made available for unknown natural resource damages the year after the $7.1 billion is paid
- An additional $350 million will be paid for costs related to assessing the natural resource damages
2. What were the potential damages?
Natural resource damages were in the process of being assessed when the agreement was announced. Evaluation of damages is complicated, and we will know more about the quantification of damages after more information is released (much of it was confidential due to the potential for litigation).
3. What information is still missing?
There is still information we do not know, including:
- The terms under which the interest can be accessed early
- The terms under which the additional $232 million can be accessed
- What types of restoration projects will be chosen
- The timeline for the restoration plan(s) and implementing projects
As for participation opportunities, in addition to commenting on the terms of the consent decree, there will be opportunities for the public to comment on the restoration plan(s) and projects. We will post these opportunities on our Public Participation Bulletin Board as they arise.
RESTORE Act
As a refresher, the RESTORE Act diverts 80% of Clean Water Act civil and administrative penalties collected as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to the Gulf for restoration and recovery. The funds go to five different "pots" (learn more here).
1. What do we know?
BP has agreed to pay $5.5 billion in Clean Water Act civil penalties, which means that $4.4 billion (80% of $5.5 billion) will flow through RESTORE. The graph below shows how this $4.4 billion will be allocated:
Among the states, Louisiana is slated to receive the most RESTORE Act funding (18% of the RESTORE funds). Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi will receive around 14% of the RESTORE funds, with Texas receiving 10%.
A few additional notes:
- The money will be paid out over 15 years
- Interest will accrue on the balance, payable the year the last RESTORE Act payment is made
- Adding the $4.4 billion to the $800 million already flowing through RESTORE (from the Transocean settlement), a total of $5.2 billion has now been obligated to RESTORE
2. What were the potential penalties?
BP's Clean Water Act civil penalties were the subject of ongoing litigation (see our post on the trial here). The court had not released a decision on the penalty amount before the settlement announcement. At the time of the announcement, BP faced a $13.7 billion maximum penalty.
3. What information is still missing?
At this time, we don't know how the states will spend their share of the funding and what their priorities will be (though Louisiana is expected to fund projects from its Coastal Master Plan). We also don't know what types of projects the RESTORE Council will prioritize for funding.
As for participation opportunities, in addition to commenting on the consent decree, there will be state-specific and Gulf-wide participation opportunities. We will track these on our Public Participation Bulletin Board.
New Questions
Once the details of the agreement are fleshed out, there will be answers to many of our remaining questions. A number of questions will nonetheless persist – particularly on which projects will be chosen and how they will be implemented. It is therefore essential that the public remain involved and participate as the restoration processes move forward. While the agreement represents a monumental step forward, it is just the start of a long recovery road ahead.
For more information on the Environmental Law Institute's Ocean Program, click here.No Comments
Gulf Restoration Groups Ready to Put Billions to Work to Bring Back GulfJuly 2, 2015 | Posted by lbourg in BP Oil Disaster, Clean Water Act, Federal Policy, Media Resources, Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA), RESTORE Act
Emily Guidry Schatzel, National Wildlife Federation, 225.253.9781, email@example.com
Jacques Hebert, National Audubon Society, 504.264.6849, email@example.com
Elizabeth Van Cleve, Environmental Defense Fund, 202.553.2543, firstname.lastname@example.com
Rachel Guillory, Ocean Conservancy, 504.208.5816, firstname.lastname@example.com
Andrew Blejwas, The Nature Conservancy, 617.785.7047, firstname.lastname@example.com
Jimmy Frederick, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, 225.317.2046, firstname.lastname@example.com
John Lopez, Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, 504.421.7348, firstname.lastname@example.com
Gulf Restoration Groups Ready to Put Billions to Work to Bring Back Gulf
Region's economy and well-being are based on strong, resilient ecosystem
(New Orleans, LA – July 2, 2015) National and local organizations working on Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi River Delta restoration – Environmental Defense Fund, National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, Ocean Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation – released the following statement in response to today's announcement of an agreement in principle between the Gulf states, federal government and BP for its role in the largest U.S. offshore oil disaster in history. Although the settlement will not be finalized for several weeks, the agreement will dedicate billions of dollars to restore damage caused by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
"In sharp contrast to the decades-long litigation following the Exxon Valdez spill, federal and state leaders have wasted no time in closing this case. Their swift work means meaningful restoration efforts are imminent. Their leadership, at this moment, is invaluable.
While we await key details, one thing is clear: As soon as the settlement is final, it will be time to put that money to work.
We need our leaders to make sure that every dime of this settlement is used as it is intended: to address oil spill impacts and repair long-standing ecosystem damage. We cannot afford to wait any longer. The Gulf ecosystem is the backbone of the local economy and our primary defense from storms during hurricane season.
This settlement, which promises to be the largest environmental settlement in American history, is an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate and expand the response to the devastating harm caused by the spill, and to build lasting resilience into the essential ecosystems of the Gulf.
We are especially encouraged that the settlement will put special emphasis on restoring health to the Mississippi River Delta and its coastal wetlands. We also urge leaders in NOAA and other agencies to leverage resources from this settlement to restore marine resources."
A recent infographic depicts ongoing impacts of the Gulf oil disaster five years later. And over the past year alone, new scientific research has surfaced:
- A 2014 study found evidence of a 1,250-square-mile area of oil contamination on the ocean floor around the Macondo wellhead in deep Gulf sediments.
- A previous NOAA study found a large number of dead dolphins in heavily oiled places, including Barataria Bay, La.
- Recent studies estimate an unprecedented number of birds (upwards of 1 million) died as a result of being exposed to BP oil.
- A 2014 study found concentrations of PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) – which can cause harmful effects in many birds, fish and wildlife – in Barataria and Terrebonne marshes, which may persist for decades.
- A 2012 study found that oiled marshes in Barataria Bay eroded at double the rate of non-oiled marshes.
No Comments
NOAA Study Confirms BP Oil Spill Led to Dolphin Deaths in Northern Gulf of MexicoMay 20, 2015 | Posted by lbourg in 5 Years Later, BP Oil Disaster, Media Resources, NOAA, Reports, Science
Emily Guidry Schatzel, National Wildlife Federation, 225.253.9781, email@example.com
Jacques Hebert, National Audubon Society, 504.264.6849, email@example.com
Elizabeth Van Cleve, Environmental Defense Fund, 202.553.2543, firstname.lastname@example.com
NOAA Study Confirms BP Oil Spill Led to Dolphin Deaths in Northern Gulf of Mexico
Leading Conservation Groups Call on BP to Accept Responsibility for Continued Environmental Damage
(New Orleans, LA—May 20, 2015) Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a peer-reviewed study confirming that the 2010 Gulf oil disaster contributed to an increase in dolphin deaths in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Examining dolphins, including those in Barataria Bay, La. – an area hit particularly hard with heavy oil in 2010 – scientists found that contaminants from petroleum in BP oil caused lung and adrenal lesions that led to death in these dolphins.
In response, national and local conservation groups working on Mississippi River Delta and Gulf Coast restoration, including Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation and the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, issued the following statement:
"BP has spent millions of dollars trying to dodge responsibility and convince the American public that wildlife and habitat in the Gulf were minimally impacted by its hundreds of millions of gallons of oil spilled in 2010. Just two months ago, BP marked the fifth anniversary of the Gulf oil disaster by releasing a report claiming the Gulf had largely recovered from the spill.
"Despite BP's best claims, this new NOAA study definitively links the increased dolphin deaths in Barataria Bay with the 2010 Gulf oil disaster and is yet another example of the extensive and destructive impact that BP's oil unleashed on the people, wildlife and environment of the Gulf. Additional scientific research conducted through the Natural Resource Damage Assessment indicates that dolphins – a top predator – are experiencing impacts from BP's oil and are still dying at higher than normal rates due to oil exposure in the Gulf ecosystem.
"Last fall, BP was found to be grossly negligent for its actions in the Gulf oil disaster. This study is a stark reminder that the oil is still in the Gulf, it's still causing sickness and death in some species and it's still affecting the entire ecosystem. It's time for BP to stop denying the true impacts of the spill and accept responsibility for its actions, so that meaningful restoration can proceed."
Since the BP oil disaster five years ago, ongoing findings deliver truths omitted by BP's ads: the oil disaster's negative effects are increasingly clear, present and far from resolved.
A recent infographic depicts ongoing impacts of the Gulf oil disaster five years later. And over the past year alone, new scientific research has surfaced:
- A 2014 study found evidence of a 1,250-square-mile area of oil contamination on the ocean floor around the Macondo wellhead in deep Gulf sediments.
- A previous NOAA study found a large number of dead dolphins in heavily oiled places, including Barataria Bay, La.
- Recent studies estimate 1,000,000 birds died as a result of being exposed to BP oil.
- Modeling for a recent stock assessment projected that between 20,000 and 60,000 Kemp's ridley sea turtles died in 2010 as a result of the spill.
- A 2014 study found concentrations of PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) – which can cause harmful effects in many birds, fish and wildlife – in Barataria and Terrebonne marshes, which may persist for decades.
- A 2012 study found that oiled marshes in Barataria Bay eroded at double the rate of non-oiled marshes.
- A recent survey found that 70 percent of Americans believe BP should pay maximum fines under the Clean Water Act for its role in the 2010 Gulf oil spill.
###No Comments
Following the oil spill, new science and research efforts develop in the Gulf of MexicoMay 5, 2015 | Posted by lbourg in 5 Years Later, BP Oil Disaster, Restoration Projects, RESTORE Act, Science
By Estelle Robichaux, Restoration Project Analyst, Environmental Defense Fund
This is the final post in a series about Gulf oil spill early coastal restoration funding and projects. Be sure to check out parts one, two and three.
In addition to environmental restoration projects and programs, four different science programs have been created through oil-spill related funding streams. See the info boxes for details on each program.
Because these programs began developing around the same time and around the same general topics – the Gulf of Mexico, ecosystem restoration and oil and gas production – there is often a lot of confusion about what these programs do and how they are different. We are here to help!
How are the areas of focus in each of these science programs different?
There are three broad areas of focus that all of these programs collectively address:
- Ecosystems & the environment
- The human element
- Offshore oil development & the environment
However, there are key distinctions between each program and how they address these broader topics.
Ecosystems & the environment
Based on the statutory language in the RESTORE Act, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) science program covers all marine and estuarine ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico. The Centers of Excellence (CoE) programs are more narrowly focused on coastal and deltaic systems. Both of these programs also include fisheries, with CoE programs being limited to coastal fisheries but also covering coastal wildlife.
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) program broadly addresses protection of environmental resources, while the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) does not have a directive to concentrate on specific ecosystems or species.
GoMRI does, however, have an explicit focus on ecosystem recovery. The CoE programs can emphasize ecosystem restoration and sustainability, and NAS has interpreted language in the settlement agreements to include restoration of the environment and ecosystem services under their program as well.
The NOAA program is supposed to support ecosystem sustainability and restoration "to the maximum extent practicable." There is a focus on ecosystem management in the current science plan, but this program is not specifically designed around restoration science.
The human element
The BP oil disaster also has had a great impact on human communities. Both the NAS program and GoMRI are investigating human and public health issues that have developed in the wake of the spill. This includes socioeconomic research as well as behavioral, mental and social well-being. CoE programs can address economic and commercial development in the Gulf region, with a focus on sustainable and resilient growth.
Offshore oil development & the environment
Throughout the Gulf Coast and particularly in Louisiana, the oil and gas industry is an important economic driver and employer. But offshore oil and gas production needs to be done responsibly, for both the people and environment of the Gulf.
Safe and sustainable offshore energy development is something on which CoEs can focus. The NAS program is will be addressing oil system safety and GoMRI will be developing technology related to oil spill response and remediation.
GoMRI's primary focus is on the impacts of oil and dispersants on Gulf ecosystems and organisms as well as the physical and chemical questions surrounding oil and dispersants, such as where did the oil go and how has the oil and dispersants been degrading.
Are all of these programs investing the same kinds of science?
As with the areas of focus, there is a lot of overlap in the types of science activities that these programs are targeting, but there are a few important differences.
The obvious commonality among all four programs is research, which is not surprising as they are all science-focused endeavors.
GoMRI, CoEs and the NAS program also all have some focus on technology and development. This means that some of the science and research that these programs fund will be targeted towards developing new technologies, products or procedures.
The NOAA and NAS programs, as well as CoEs, will invest in monitoring. As discussed in this previous blog post, the BP oil spill highlighted the lack of coordinated, comprehensive monitoring throughout the Gulf region. These programs will fund research into what monitoring does exist throughout the Gulf and explore options and opportunities for implementing monitoring programs.
Even among the distinguishing types of activities these programs will pursue, there are areas of convergence. The NAS program has a mandate to focus on education & training; CoEs on mapping the Gulf of Mexico; and the NOAA program on data collection and fisheries pilot programs. However, training and pilot programs may find overlap with development initiatives. Similarly, data collection and mapping are both important activities strongly related to monitoring. With so many intersections between and among programs, it is essential that these programs communicate with one another.
What's missing?
With everything these four science programs are doing, it may be hard to believe that anything is lacking. But there are two very important things missing from these collective efforts.
One is formal coordination among programs. Over the last few years, as these programs have begun developing, there has been copious discussion about not duplicating efforts among programs. However, there has been little conversation about devising specific, formal coordination mechanisms to make sure that such duplication does not happen.
Development and implementation of formal coordination mechanisms would also allow programs to take advantage of overlap, by providing points of discussion for complementary or parallel endeavors, particularly those that might span ecosystem boundaries or involve large-scale research or monitoring.
The second missing piece is a means for integrating findings into restoration activities, like those discussed here. Although this will require work beyond the four programs examined here, these science programs should make every effort to ensure that results from their funded research and activities are publicly accessible and readily communicated to decision-makers.
These science programs may not be constructing restoration projects, but the results from their research and other activities may have important implications for restoration efforts now and in the future.No Comments
A tradition worth building – Collectively sustaining and stewarding our coastApril 29, 2015 | Posted by lbourg in 5 Years Later, BP Oil Disaster, Community Resiliency, People, Voices of the Delta
By Maura Wood, Partnership Manager, National Wildlife Federation
On April 20, several members of the Restore the Mississippi River Delta campaign gathered with community members in Davant, Louisiana, to commemorate the 5th anniversary since the BP oil spill with testimony and discussion about how the terrible oil unleashed on that day is still affecting us all. Those gathered included representatives from NGOs, fishermen, residents of coastal communities, business leaders, employees of restoration agencies and others.
While there is widespread agreement that restoring our coast is a priority and that BP should pay to repair the damage it created, we sometimes disagree on how best to achieve these goals. Our collective situation is urgent. Unfortunately, our differences sometimes prevent us from making rapid progress. When we let ourselves become attached to one idea or one way of doing things, we may begin to see those with different ideas as one-dimensional opponents – making it less likely we'll be able to solve our land loss crisis.
To avoid this outcome, I and my colleagues make contact with a variety of people concerned about restoration, in as many ways and as often as possible. The invitation to the workshop for Plaquemines Parish Fishermen and Fishing Communities five years after the BP oil disaster was a welcome opportunity to learn more from the first-hand experiences of others. The panels and discussions dealt with how BP had settled – or not – with fishermen, the damage left behind from the oil and the dispersant and how the citizens of lower Plaquemines Parish were coping –or not – with the environmental, financial and cultural losses forced upon them by the oil spill.
Testimony from fishermen, shrimpers, and oystermen clearly spelled out some of the obstacles they still face. Prior to the spill, many had served as deckhands on oyster boats or as small operators selling sack oysters from the public seed grounds. For some, troubles began even earlier with Hurricane Katrina. Following the oil spill, producing the necessary proof of loss of income was difficult for many of these fishermen, resulting in their receiving little to no compensation from BP.
Other participants expressed concerns about the long-term effects of dispersants sprayed during the oil spill, the failure of oysters to recover on the east side of the river and how the oil spill was still unravelling the economic fabric of the lower parish. The marina, they said, the "heart" of the community, is now silent and without business. Before Katrina and the spill, this was a center for exchange within the community. Families gathered here after school. Young men earned spending money by unloading oysters. Trucks came in and out, loading and shipping seafood. Without this "center", people feel the heart of their community is gone. "What is the price of a tradition?" one woman asked.
The participants in this workshop provided a glimpse into the real struggles they face in trying to recover from the impact of the BP oil spill. Sharing individual stories helps us view each other as real people with good intentions seeking to make it right. When we see each other as people with unique stories and valuable perspectives, we can better empathize with and address each other's concerns about the uncertainties of coastal restoration.
The reward? A new tradition of people from different walks of life working towards the same goal – collectively sustaining and stewarding our coast and coastal communities for all Louisianans. That is a tradition worth building.
No Comments
BP's claims of Gulf recovery are a mockery | CommentaryApril 22, 2015 | Posted by lbourg in 5 Years Later, BP Oil Disaster
Commentary by David Yarnold, President, National Audubon Society
Tribune News Service – April 22, 2015
Just in time for the fifth anniversary of the worst oil spill in U.S. maritime history, BP has declared all's well on the Gulf Coast: The oil has been mopped up and there's been no lasting damage to birds, wildlife or fish.
At the same time that BP was releasing its five-years-later report, BP contractors were trying to clean up 25,000 pounds of oiled sand from a massive tar mat that slimed one of the fragile barrier islands south of New Orleans.
Toxicology experts at Louisiana State University confirmed it was the same oil that spewed from the April 20, 2010 Deepwater Horizon blowout that killed 11 men.
Here's what BP doesn't want you to know: Its crews had been on the scene of that massive cleanup for the three weeks leading up to the release of that report which claimed all cleanup operations had been long finished. That's a serious truth gap. The British-owned oil giant continues to be far more concerned about its bottom line than repairing the damage it inflicted on the Gulf Coast.Read the full article here. No Comments
Roll Call – 5 Years After BP Oil Spill, Focus on Restoration — Not Misinformation | CommentaryApril 20, 2015 | Posted by lbourg in 5 Years Later, BP Oil Disaster
Commentary by Douglas J. Meffert, National Audubon Society, David Muth, National Wildlife Federation, and Steve Cochran, Environmental Defense Fund
Roll Call – April 20, 2015
It's been five years since images of oil-soaked pelicans, dead turtles and contaminated shorelines along the Gulf Coast shocked our national consciousness. Half a decade after the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded, killing 11 men and unleashing the worst marine oil spill in U.S. history, BP would like you to believe that everything is back to normal along the Gulf Coast. In reality, BP has not yet truly accepted responsibility for the enormity of the damages it caused. Its recent Gulf of Mexico Environmental Recovery and Restoration report states that "most environmental impact from the accident was limited in duration and geography, and the natural resources that were affected are rebounding." The scientific authority on the spill – the trustees of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment, said this in response: "BP misinterprets and misapplies data while ignoring published literature that doesn't support its claims." In this battle of PRs – public relations vs. peer-reviewed science, we side with science.
This commentary was originally published on Roll Call. You can read the full commentary here.No Comments
Restoration Groups Call on President Obama to Make Leadership on Gulf Restoration a Priority IssueApril 17, 2015 | Posted by Elizabeth Van Cleve in 5 Years Later, BP Oil Disaster, Media Resources
Elizabeth Van Cleve, Environmental Defense Fund, 202.553.2543, email@example.com
Emily Guidry Schatzel, National Wildlife Federation, 225.253.9781, firstname.lastname@example.com
Jacques Hebert, National Audubon Society, 504.264.6849, firstname.lastname@example.com
Andrew Blejwas, The Nature Conservancy, 617.785.7047, firstname.lastname@example.com
Rachel Guillory, Ocean Conservancy, 504.208.5816, email@example.com
Five years after the start of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, nation's largest environmental groups ask the President to accelerate restoration
(Washington, D.C. – April 17, 2015) Today, groups working on Gulf restoration called on President Obama to redouble the administration's efforts to hold BP accountable for the oil disaster that started five years ago – and continued for nearly 90 days – making it the largest oil spill in U.S. history. The groups, including Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, The Nature Conservancy and Ocean Conservancy released the following joint statement:
"The communities and wildlife along the Gulf Coast are still suffering from the worst oil spill in U.S. history. Today, we stand with the people and the communities of the Gulf – and the ecosystems that provide their homes and livelihoods – and ask President Obama and his administration to make Gulf of Mexico restoration a national priority.
"Five years ago, President Obama promised to do whatever is necessary to help the Gulf Coast and its people recover from this tragedy. It's time to renew that commitment. Not only must BP be held fully accountable for the harm it caused in the Gulf, but the administration should ensure that its agencies work with all the Gulf stakeholders to make certain that the fines and penalties are used for well-planned, coordinated, large-scale comprehensive Gulf restoration.
"The five Gulf states have a gross domestic product of over $2.3 trillion a year, which relies heavily on seafood, tourism and other industries that depend on a healthy environment. In addition, a strong and healthy ecosystem is the best defense the region has against storms like Hurricane Katrina. The communities of the Gulf cannot afford to keep losing time, as we are just weeks away from the start of another hurricane season. We hope the administration will make this work a priority, and we look forward to working with the President and his agencies to speed up restoration efforts."
At-a-glance: 2010 oil spill's devastating impact:
- Recent studies estimate 1,000,000 birds died as a result of being exposed to the oil.
- Exposure to oil has been shown to cause abnormal development in many species of fish, including mahi-mahi, Gulf killifish, and bluefin and yellowfin tuna.
- Health assessments of dolphins in Louisiana's Barataria Bay found that those dolphins were five times more likely to have moderate to severe lung disease than dolphins at other sites and in previous studies of wild dolphins.
- A 2014 study found evidence of a 1,250-square-mile area of oil contamination on the ocean floor around the Macondo wellhead in deep Gulf sediments.
###No Comments


text:
LAUSD & YES to create Physical Education Bicycle Units
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is seeking just under 1 million dollars in funding for student bicycles and cycling training. YES School Cycling Instructors (SCI) will train almost 100 Physical Educational Teachers at 30 intermediate schools in cycling techniques for regular school curricula. These Teachers will instruct a Physical Education Bicycle Unit using the YES-BLAST Vol. 1 curriculum.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Knowledge Quotes and Sayings - Page 4
Knowledge and talent are useless unless one can use them.
Open the book with smile and close the book with knowledge.
Knowledge is proud, but wisdom is humble.
The seat of knowledge is in the head; of wisdom, in the heart. We are sure to judge wrong, if we do not feel right.
– William Hazlitt
I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.
– Albert Einstein
Wisdom is knowledge in motion.
Knowledge isn't power until it is applied.
– Dale Carnegie
Having knowledge is much better then having a degree.
Learning is a matter of gathering knowledge; wisdom is applying that knowledge.
– Dr Roopleen
Knowledge will give you power, but character respect.
– Bruce Lee


text:
Skip to content, or skip to search.
Home >
Restaurants >
Chocolate Bar
You are requesting that we remove a reader's review from the site.
If this is not what you want, please return to the listing page.
Re: Chocolate Bar is Best in New York
Date: 3/18/03
By: yummy
A Review of: Chocolate Bar
If you selected "factual error" or "other", please explain:
Copyright © 2015, New York Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.


text: Mashup: FlickTrip Comments deprecated Share via FacebookShare via TwitterShare via LinkedinShare via Google+Share via RedditShare via Mail Go on a photo voyage. Start at a location and see nearby geocoded photos. As you choose new photos, you travel further from your starting location. Where will you end up? Track this Mashup Submit a mashup Summary Comments Followers Summary Comments Followers Comments (0) Comment * Leave this field blank Post Comment


text:
I've probably always been a writer. It came naturally for me. Others, though, have a lot more difficulty finding the right words and placing them on paper. Some find it difficult, frustrating and intimidating. Either way, even when it's difficult, writing can be one of the most rewarding areas of learning for children and encouraging writing practice on a consistent basis will help children to become stronger, more confident writers. Below are writing prompts to help inspire children to write … [Read more...]
Basic Reading Skills: Games to expand a child's phonological awareness
Even in grad school, I continued to confuse the emergent literacy terms phonics, phonemic awareness and phonological awareness, so it's difficult to imagine a Kindergarten parent without training in education having a strong grasp on what teachers and reading specialists are working with their children to understand. Therefore, it's probably even more difficult for a parent to gather ideas on how to make the learning process fun for her beginning reader. I'll try to break down the differences … [Read more...]
Help kids journal 100% better with these strategies
Until high school, I never had a teacher set aside time to journal. I kept a diary (just like every other 10 year old girl) who shared her inner-most thoughts "Jason was so cute today! He wore an aqua colored polo shirt" and "Sally Green is such a square peg. I learned that term when my dad and I watched a tv show tonight. She has warts!" Yes, sigh. I'm quoting myself. I really did write these deep thoughts in my diary. In ninth grade, I signed up for a creative … [Read more...]
Homework help for parents who are tired of the stress
It's hard to sit for a half hour. Really hard. Especially when there are distractions everywhere. So why are parents, and, sometimes, teachers, insisting students sit for a longer period of time while completing homework? High school and middle school classes are, usually, about 50 minutes a day, often less, sometimes more. Elementary classes rarely top 20 minutes of sitting and focusing. So when homework for a 9 year old takes 40 minutes, how can we, as parents, help our … [Read more...]
The Scientific Process: How to plan your science fair project
Science fairs used to be a classroom or school activity, but they're now popping up publicly and privately -- everywhere from County science fairs to international contests for kids. And they're no longer just for the "big kids" in middle and high schools, science fair projects start as young as kindergarten. These projects can be as simple or as difficult as a child allows them to be and it's often surprising that some of the most simple topics can become incredible projects. While each science … [Read more...]
5 Classics to read with your kids
I love taking my kids to the bookstore or library. There are so many shiny new choices out there for kids to get excited about! But just as exciting as Percy Jackson, Harry Potter and Captain Underpants, are the books that made me fall in love with reading. Take the time to share some of your classic favorites with your kids and help them see what made you fall in love with reading. Classic Chapter Books to Read with Your Kids Stuart Little When I first introduced my kids to the adventures … [Read more...]
Why wordless? The educational value of wordless books
Growing up, my mom and I ventured to the local library at least once a week. It was a tiny, two story building with the children's books and story hour hidden upstairs. These were the days before people set up workstations at small libraries. Little research was done at this one. It was, simply, a lending library. I recall the moms shushing their children. I'd like to think that I was as difficult to settle into quietness at this tiny library as my kids were, when they were also of the … [Read more...]
5 effortless ways to teach kids to describe
Wouldn't it be easy if we all knew exactly what someone else is talking about? But, it's not and, therefore, learning to use adjectives isn't just a skill kids need for school and writing, but also for conversation and life. Here are 5 easy ways to teach your kids to describe. Use describing words in your conversation Don't just say "Over there, to your right, see it?" As an adult, you need to model the desired behavior, so make sure you're describing with more than the basic words. Give … [Read more...]
Midyear transition to a new teacher leads to valuable life lessons
This article originally appeared on Rusty and Rosy's blog. It's been edited with updates to help parents, students, teachers and administrators who are struggling with transitions to new teachers, often long-term substitutes, mid-year. On a gloomy Wednesday, we received that dreaded letter that was never expected. Our 4th grade long term substitute would soon be leaving, as her contracted counterpart had opted to come back to school, early. Parents were angered (in August, we … [Read more...]
Great chapter books for grades 3-5 (Great holiday gifts!)
Parents contact me often asking for book recommendations. The books listed below are a mix of adventurous and funny realistic and historic fiction chapter books for kids in grades 3-5. I Survived series When Middle was 5, I found I Survived Hurricane Katrina at a Scholastic Book Fair. I had some concern that introducing my young guy to such a scary time in our country's history might cause a few nightmares. But he's always been fascinated with facts and, because it was a chapter book, I … [Read more...]


text:
Sponsored By
AMP Radio's Thanksgiving Weekend Cheat Sheet – Thursday, November 27 – Sunday, November 30Make the most out of your Thanksgiving weekend by checking out all of the great things going on around Metro Detroit with AMP Radio's Weekend Cheat Sheet!
Gillian Talks With Shopping Expert Georgea Kovanis About Black Friday!Gillian got the chance to talk with local shopping expert Georgea Kovanis, who is a writer for the shopping section of the Detroit Free Press.
Meghan Trainor's 'All About That Bass' Becomes Thanksgiving Parody, 'All About That Baste': WatchJust in time for the holidays, Meghan Trainor's booty-loving anthem has been transformed into a Thanksgiving Day ode to dads who just can't get it together.
Thanksgiving Guide to Music on TVAs you ready for a feast this Thanksgiving, some of music's most notable stars will be gearing up for some big performances. Put the turkey in the oven and take a spot on the couch for these performances and specials.
Anyone Want To Guess How Much Turkey We Will Waste Tomorrow?
Karmin, The Wanted & Colbie Caillat To Perform At Macy's Thanksgiving Parade TomorrowNeon Trees, Flo Rida, and Carly Rae Jepsen will also make appearances during the parade.
'The Voice' Recap: Pre-Thanksgiving SuspenseT-minus one day until America goes on a four-day holiday of eating and it's time to check in with The Voice to see what kind of suspense they're going to leave us with for Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving Song Goes Viral On YouTube: Hit Or Horrible?The video turns up the cheese even more with Nicole using a turkey leg as a microphone.
How To Cook A Perfect Turkey
Frame Your Leaves
Caramel Apple Jello Shots
Buck And Coop Show Their Thanksgiving Love!


text:
Christian L'enfant Roi SS12 presentation.
Eglise St-Jean-Baptiste. Montreal.
Wednesday. August 31. 2011.
Directed by Cedric Laurenty
MUSIC: Mount Kimbie - Maybes
DULCEDO MODEL MANAGEMENT (dulcedo.ca) and friends.
Loading more stuff…
Hmm…it looks like things are taking a while to load. Try again?
TM + © 2015 Vimeo, LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with k in NYC.
Your content preferences apply to any Vimeo videos you view. Learn more about content preferences in our FAQ.


text:
I am using the title helper from the 3.2 edition of the Ruby on Rails Tutorial by Michael Hartl and just realized a snag with the & character showing up in the title as &Amp; instead.
The relevant snippet of code is here Official Sample App 2nd Edition
The problem. I have a School model and am using the School name on the Show view as follows:
<% provide(:title, @school.name) %>
If my School has a & in the name, it is being replaced with &Amp; in the browser title.
Ryan Bates Railscasts site has a similiar title helper that solves this issue this way but it is using content_for instead of provide.
Trying to adjust the Rails Tutorial helper, but having trouble getting it work properly. Works great expect for this issue.


text:
In mybook®: Food
Arctic Rose Restaurant
1300 E 19th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501
Closed Now
- Tomorrow
- 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Regular Hours
- Mon - Tue
- 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wed - Fri
- 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Payment Methods
MenuTop ▲
Served with french fries, cup of soup, cottage cheese, cup of fruit or side salad.
Served on choice of bread
Grilled Cheese$5.50
Tuna Salad$5.50
Turkey and Swiss$6.00Sliced turkey, swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise
BLT$6.00Bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise
Ham and Cheese$6.00Sliced ham, lettuce, tomato, american cheese, mayonnaise
French Dip$7.00Sliced roast beef, swiss cheese, au jus on a hoagie roll
Philly Cheese Steak$7.00Philly steak with peppers, onions, american cheese
Grilled Chicken$7.00Grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise on a burger bun
Soup and Salad (M-Th)$5.50Cup of soup, small salad
Soup and Salad (Fri Only)$6.50Cup of clam chowder, small salad
Sandwich and Soup(M-Th)$5.50Cup of soup and ½ any sandwich
Sandwich and Soup(Fri Only)$6.50Cup of clam chowder and ½ any sandwich
Sandwich and Salad$5.50Small salad, ½ any sandwich
Small Salad$2.50Any meal purchased
Served with french fries, cup of soup, cottage cheese, cup of fruit or side salad.
Served in spinach tortilla
Chicken, Bacon, Ranch$6.00Grilled or crispy chicken, bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, ranch dressing
Chicken Caesar$6.00Grilled or crispy chicken, parmesan cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, caesar dressing
Turkey, Bacon$6.00Turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, swiss cheese, mayonnaise
Vegetarian$6.00Lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, herb mayonnaise, swiss cheese
Sides & Soups
A la carte
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy$2.50
French Fries$3.00
Sweet Potato Fries$3.50
Onion Rings$3.50
Baked Potato$3.50M, w, f only
Fried Zucchini$3.50
Cottage Cheese$1.50
Fruit of the Day$1.50
Salad (Small, Self-Serve)$3.50
Salad (Large, Self-Serve)$5.00
Soup of the Day (Cup)$2.50M-th
Soup of the Day (Bowl)$3.50M-th
Clam Chowder (Cup)$3.50Fri only
Clam Chowder (Bowl)$4.50Fri only
Served with french fries, cup of soup, cottage cheese, cup of fruit or side salad.
Served on choice of bread
¼Lb Hot Dog on a Hoagie$5.00
Polish Sausage on a Hoagie$5.00
Tuna Sandwich$5.50Tuna salad, lettuce, pickles
Hamburger$6.00Sirloin patty, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mayonnaise
Cheeseburger$6.50Sirloin patty, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, american or swiss cheese, mayonnaise
Salmon Burger$7.00Alaska salmon patty, lettuce, tomato, tartar sauce
Served with french fries, mashed potatoes or rice, vegetable of the day
Liver and Onions$7.00Seared beef liver caramelized sliced onions
Fish and Chips$7.00Three fried battered cod, french fries.
Country Fried Steak$7.00Old fashioned fried battered beef cube steak
Grilled Shrimp Skewers$7.00Skewered shrimp sautéed in garlic and butter. Finished on the grill
Iced Tea$1.00
Hot Tea$1.00
Ice Cream$1.00
Daily Specials
Daily specials, soup of the day, and sandwich of the day are the chef's choice posted monthly in the center's senior borealis newsletter.
Disclaimer: YP recommends that you always check with the business for pricing and availability of menu items. Although YP believes this information is accurate when posted, YP is not responsible for menu or pricing changes. Listing of a menu does not mean that there is any affiliation, endorsement or sponsorship between YP and the listed business.
REVIEWS(0)Top ▲
Be the first to write a review!✎Write a Review
PEOPLE ALSO VIEWEDTop ▲
MORE STUFF NEAR YOUTop ▲
Just a moment...


text:
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Commemorating a career that has spanned 25 years with OSI Group LLC, Dan Milovanovic, senior vice president of North America operations, has been recognized as Meat&Poultry's 2014 Operations Executive of the Year. As part of the honor, Milovanovic will be featured in the July issue of M&P in a cover story chronicling his career development with one of the industry's most-respected processing companies. Previous recipients of the awards include Smithfield Foods' Henry Morris in 2012 and Plumrose USA's Freddy Mortenson in 2013.
Each year, M&P's publishing team and editors solicit nominations from readers and industry suppliers to develop an A-list of operations executives whose reputations for excellence and exemplary leadership qualities translate into successful and efficient plant operations at their respective companies. At the top of this year's list, was OSI's Milovanovic, whose career path with the Aurora, Ill.-based company started in the financial division of the operation.
Through the years, his business acumen and ability to manage and lead allowed him to shine when he was afforded the opportunity to oversee operations at several of OSI's highest-profile processing plants, including its flagship facility in Oakland Iowa. En route to his current position, Milovanovic assumed the position of vice president of strategic and operational initiatives, which took him to OSI plants all over the world, including operations in Brazil, Australia, Japan, China, India and South America. Approximately five years ago he was appointed to his current position. During his tenure, the company has seen production increase as much as 40 percent by maximizing productivity at its current plants. His leading-by-example approach has allowed him to learn about all facets of the business while earning credibility up and down the ranks of the company.
Editor Joel Crews presented Milovanovic with the award this past month as part of a visit to the company's Aurora headquarters and tour of its Geneva, Ill. plant. To learn more about Milovanovic's success with OSI, read M&P's cover story in the upcoming July issue.
Read stories on previous recipients of the Operations Executive of the Year award:
Freddy Mortenson, 2013 Operations Executive of the Year
Henry Morris, 2012 Operations Executive of the Year.
1Food industry leaders urge action on climate change
2Ramped up for retail
3ConAgra to call in the moving trucks
4Cargill conversion
5Undercooked meat leads to E. coli infections
( more )
1ConAgra to call in the moving trucks
2Easy Bacon is no joke
3Connolly: Prepare for change at ConAgra
4Case Farms to appeal $1.4M OSHA fines
5Cargill conversion
1DuBreton to boost crate-free pork production
2Food industry leaders urge action on climate change
3Perdue verifies chickens 'Raised in the USA'
4Nolan Ryan beef a hit with the Houston Astros
5Mistica Foods rolls out Jim Beam products
to the PRINT edition, or click below for free, INSTANT ACCESS to valuable news & insights in the Digital Edition.


text:
Details about Axminster APTC WV200 – Extraction Unit. Inc Piping auto extract control unit. GSee original listing
Item condition:
"Item used.Signs of general wear and tear (see pictures provided) In fully working condition!"
26 Jun, 2014 21:10:07 BST
Winning bid:
[ 14 bids ]
May not post to United States - Read item description or contact seller for postage options. | See details
Item location:
Knutsford, Cheshire, United Kingdom
An item that has been previously used. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or an item that has been returned to the seller after a period of use. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab
|Seller notes:
|"Item used.Signs of general wear and tear (see pictures provided) In fully working condition!"
Please find provided my Axminster APTC WV200 – Extraction Unit. Inc Piping auto extract control unit for sale. The item has been well looked after and is only being sold as our joinery workshop has now closed down.
This wall mounted vacuum extractor is intended for permanent sitting on a load bearing wall. The head assembly incorporates two vacuum motors providing ample power for all but the most demanding tasks, making this the perfect solution to many workshop applications.
Included is an auto extractor unit that enables the machine to be operated from anywhere in the workshop. All of the blast gates are enabled to be hardwired to the control unit. So where ever the blast gate valve is in the workshop it automatically turns on the extractor unit as soon as it has been opened.
Overall extractor unit HxWxD 1200+bag x 490 x 540mm
2nr Motors
Outlet: 110mm
Weight: 36kg
Included with this action:
01nr. Isolation Switch
09nr. Blast gate / on/off gate
06nr. Osma 110mm 45° Junction D/S
09nr. Osma 110mm 45° Bend D/S
09nr. Osma 110mm 45° Bend S/S
01nr. Osma 110mm Repair coupler D/S
12nr. Osma 110mm Brackets
20nr. Assorted lengths of 110mm Osma pipes, Estimate 10meters
Including an assortment of flexible pipes to connect to hand tools and machinery for most woodworking workshops.
Happy bidding, Starting bid £0.99 this item is collection only due to the size and weight. Picked up from Knutsford, Cheshire. WA16. Cash on collection or Paypal.
If you are interested in this item then please look at my other joinery workshop tools for sale:
240V Record Power RSTS12 - Table Saw.
240V Elektra-Beckum BAS 315 - Band Saw.
240V Trend Router Table – Inc. Ryobi RE 601 – Industrial Router.
240V Axminster APTC CM19T - Chisel Morticer.
240V Ryobi CM-31 – Chain Mortiser.
Marples MFC 153 – Floor board Clamps.


text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|May 25, 1993
|Filing date
|Feb 10, 1992
|Priority date
|Sep 22, 1989
|Fee status
|Publication number
|Ole K. Nilssen
|Original Assignee
|Nilssen Ole K
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (4), Referenced by (13), Classifications (8), Legal Events (4)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
Instant application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/652,378 filed Feb. 7, 1991; which is a continuation of Ser. No. 07/410,745 filed Sep. 22, 1989, now abandoned.
The present invention relates to flashlights and similar battery-powered light sources.
An object of the present invention is the provision of cost-effective means whereby the light output from a battery-powered light source, such as a flashlight, might be boosted beyond what normally would be obtained.
This as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and claims.
Connected between a regular two-cell battery and the light bulb in an otherwise ordinary flashlight is an auxiliary voltage source, such as a third battery cell of relatively small size. In most situations when using the flashlight, the bulb is powered directly from the regular two-cell battery. However, if a boost in light output is desired for a brief period of time, the auxiliary voltage source is connected in series with the two-cell battery, thereby increasing the RMS magnitude of the voltage provided to the light bulb.
Switching is accomplished by way of a slide switch that has an OFF-position, an ON-position, and a spring-loaded BOOST-position. In the BOOST-position, the auxiliary voltage source is coupled in series with the two-cell battery, thereby boosting the RMS magnitude of the voltage applied to the light bulb by a factor of as much as 1.5; which, in turn, boosts the light output by a factor of about 4.0.
To prevent substantial shortening of the overall life of the light bulb, since the life of the light bulb would be shortened by a substantial factor if being supplied with 1.5 times its normal voltage on a continuous basis, the boost feature should be used only briefly on an occasional basis, such as for ten seconds at a time.
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a first initial embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates a forward converter of a type suitable for use in the first initial embodiment.
FIG. 3 illustrates a flashlight made in accordance with the first initial embodiment.
FIG. 4 shows some of the current and voltage waveforms associated with the first initial embodiment.
FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a second initial embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 shows some of the voltage waveforms associated with the second initial embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a first preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a second preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a third preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a first initial embodiment of the invention in the form of an electrical circuit diagram.
In FIG. 1, a battery B has a B+ terminal and a B- terminal. The B+ terminal is connected with a switch terminal ST1 of a slide switch SW; which switch terminal, in turn, is connected with a slideable arm SA of slide switch SW. Slideable arm SA is connected with a spring S, and has first and second slide contactors SC1 and SC2, as well as a slide conductor SC and a slide resistor SR. Slide conductor SC and slide resistor SR are both mounted on a back board BB; in which back board there is a first detent D1. Slide conductor SC, in which there is a second detent D2, is connected with a switch terminal ST2. Slide resistor SR has a first terminal point TP1 and a second terminal point TP2; which second terminal point is connected with a switch terminal ST3.
An energy-storing inductor L is connected between switch terminal ST2 and a first junction J1; and a light bulb LB is connected between first junction J1 and a second junction J2.
A forward converter means FCM has: (i) a common terminal CT, which is connected with second junction J2; (ii) a power control terminal PCT, which is connected with first junction J1; and (iii) a control input terminal CIT, which is connected with switch terminal ST3.
FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates a forward converter of a type suitable for use in the arrangement of FIG. 1.
In FIG. 2, battery B and battery terminals B+ and B- are equivalent to the corresponding elements of FIG. 1. However, slide switch SW of FIG. 1 has been replaced with a switch means SM; which has a first switch terminal ST1', a second switch terminal ST2', and a third switch terminal ST3'. Within switch means SM is: (i) an ON-OFF switch OOS connected between switch terminals ST1' and ST2'; (ii) a BOOST switch BS connected between switch terminal ST2' and a junction Js; and (iii) an adjustable resistor AR connected between junction Js and switch terminal ST3'.
An energy-storing inductor L', corresponding to energy-storing inductor L of FIG. 1, is connected between switch terminal ST2' and a first junction J1'; which energy-storing inductor has an auxiliary winding AW, whose terminals are connected between the anode of diode Dx and a junction Jx.
A transistor Q is connected with its emitter to a second junction J2', and--by way of a first primary winding PW1 of a saturable current transformer SCT--is connected with its collecter to junction J1'. The base of transistor Q is connected with switch terminal ST3' by way of secondary winding SW of saturable current transformer SCT.
A resistor Rx is connected with the cathode of diode Dx by way of a second primary winding PW2 of saturable current transformer SCT. Another resistor Ry and a capacitor Cx are both connected between switch terminal ST3' and junction J2'.
Light bulb LB is connected between junctions J1' and J2'.
FIG. 3 illustrates a flashlight FL made in accordance with the invention.
In FIG. 3, an ON/OFF/BOOST control means OOBM--which corresponds to slide switch SW of FIG. 1--has a slide lever SL slideably movable in a slide slot SS between markings OFF, ON, BOOST and MAX.
FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a second initial embodiment of the invention.
In FIG. 5, a battery B' has B+' and B-' terminals. A three-position switch TPS has: (i) a first switch terminal ST1", which is connected with the B+ terminal; (ii) a second switch terminal ST2", which is connected with a first junction J1"; and (iii) a third switch terminal ST3", which is connected with a first IC terminal ICT1 of an integrated circuit IC.
A second IC terminal ICT2 is connected with first junction J1". A third IC terminal ICT3 is connected with a second junction J2"; which is also connected with the B-' terminal. A fourth IC terminal ICT4 is connected with second junction J2" by way of an adjustable resistor AR'. A light bulb LB' is connected between junctions J1" and J2".
FIG. 4 shows some of the current and voltage waveforms associated with the arrangement of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4(a) shows the waveform of the voltage V1 provided across light bulb LB under a condition of providing a moderate amount of BOOST; while FIG. 4(b) shows the waveform of the corresponding current I1 flowing through inductor L.
FIG. 4(c) shows the waveform of the voltage V2 provided across light bulb LB under a condition of providing maximum amount of BOOST; while FIG. 4(d) shows the waveform of the corresponding current I1 flowing through inductor L.
FIG. 6 shows some of the current and voltage waveforms associated with the arrangement of FIG. 5.
FIG. 6(a) shows the waveform of the voltage V1' provided across light bulb LB' under a condition of providing a moderate amount of BOOST; while FIG. 6(b) shows the waveform of the voltage V2' provided across light bulb LB' under the condition of providing the maximum amount of BOOST.
In the arrangement of FIG. 1, with slideable arm SA in the position shown, battery B is disconnected and no power flows through light bulb LB. With slideable arm SA moved from its first (or OFF) detent D1 and into its second (or ON) detent D2, the full battery voltage gets applied to light bulb LB via slide conductor SC. However, connection is not yet made with slide resistor SR; and forward conversion means FCM constitutes an open circuit between terminals PCT and CT.
Moving slideable arm SA past its ON-detent causes connection to be made between the B+ terminal and slide resistor SR, thereby causing a control current to flow into control input terminals CIT. This control current will cause forward conversion means FCM to start operating such as to cause a short circuit to occur intermittently between junctions J1 and J2.
With reference to FIG. 4, forward conversion means FCM causes a relatively brief short circuit to occur periodically between junctions J1 and J2 (see FIG. 4a or 4c). During each such brief period of short circuit, the DC voltage of battery B is applied directly across energy-storing inductor L; which means that whatever current was flowing through that inductor just prior to the onset of the short circuit will increase rapidly (see FIG. 4b or 4d). At the end of each brief period of short circuit, the by-now larger-magnitude inductor current will be switched to flow through light bulb LB. Thereafter, its magnitude will decay in an exponential manner toward the level determined by the ratio of the magnitude of the DC voltage and the magnitude of the resistance of the light bulb.
As a result, the RMS magnitude of the voltage V1 resulting across the light bulb will be larger that it was without the action of the forward conversion means. That is, the reduction in RMS magnitude resulting from the periodic brief short circuits is more than compensated-for by the increase in RMS magnitude resulting from the extra energy imparted to the energy-storing inductor during the periods when the short circuit is present and released during the periods when the short circuit is not present.
Without the action of the forward converter means, the current flowing from the battery would simply be at the level indicated by the minimum points of waveform I1. As a result of the action of the forward converter means, the average magnitude of the current drawn from the battery increases; which increased flow of current simply translates into increased power drawn from the battery; which increased power has no other place to go but into the light bulb.
By varying the duration of the short circuit period, the amount of power applied to the light bulb will vary correspondingly. FIG. 4c indicates a situation where the RMS magnitude of the voltage applied across the light bulb has been increased by about 50%.
Forward conversion means FCM may be made in many different ways. For instance, it could be made in the form of a custom integrated circuit expressly designed to perform the function herein specified. Or, it could be made in the manner illustrated by FIG. 2; which shows a self-oscillating single transistor oscillator.
In the circuit of FIG. 2, when switches OOS and BS are both closed, current flows through adjustable resistor AR, thereby to charge capacitor Cx.
Eventually, the voltage on Cx reaches a magnitude high enough to cause transistor Q to become conductive, at which point current will start flowing into the collector of transistor Q and thereby through primary winding PW1 of saturable current transformer SCT as well. In turn, this flow of collector current will cause additional base current to be provided to the base of transistor Q; and, by means of positive feedback, transistor Q now becomes fully conductive: sufficiently so to constitute an effective short circuit between junctions J1 and J2.
After a brief period of time, such as about 10 microseconds, saturable current transformer SCT saturates, thereby stopping the flow of base current; which therefore causes transistor Q to stop conducting. Now, the increased inductor current will flow into the light bulb; and, as a result, a voltage is induced across auxiliary winding AW; which voltage, by way of diode Dx and secondary winding PW2, is used for resetting saturable current transformer SCT, thereby to make it ready for a new cycle.
While secondary winding SW provided base current for transistor Q, this base current actually flowed out of capacitor Cx and therefore caused the voltage at terminal ST3' to become quite negative; which, as long as this negative voltage does indeed exist, prevents transistor Q from entering another cycle of positive-feedback-maintained conduction. However, current flowing through adjustable resistor AR will gradually cause the voltage at terminal ST3' again to become positive and to cause transistor Q to start conducting; whereafter transistor Q, with the help of saturable current transformer SCT, will initiate another positive-feedback-maintained period of conduction.
The lower be the magnitude of the resistance of adjustable resistor AR, the shorter be the time it takes for the negative voltage at terminal ST3' to be dissipated; and the shorter become the duration of the periods of transistor non-conduction versus the duration of the periods of transistor conduction.
For additional information with respect to the operation of single-ended self-oscillating transistor oscillators, reference is made to U.S. Pat. Re. No. 32,155 to Ole Nilssen.
With respect to the operation of flashlight FL of FIG. 3, it is sufficient to mention that the light output from this flashlight is controlled as follows.
With slide lever SL in the OFF-position, no light is provided. With the slide lever in the ON-position, an ordinary amount of light is provided.
Both the OFF-position and the ON-position are detented.
Pushing slide lever SL past the detented ON-position, light output increases in approximate proportion to the degree to which the slide lever is pushed past the ON-position. When the slide lever is pushed all the way to the indicated MAX-position, the light output will be about four times higher than it is in the normal-output ON-position.
The slide lever is spring-loaded in such manner that, when pushed past the ON-position and without expressly holding it there, it will automatically return to the detented ON-position.
Whereas the arrangement of FIG. 1 is intended for a situation where the light bulb is designed to operate in its normal mode of light output, as well as to have an ordinary life expectancy, when powered with the full voltage available from the battery; the arrangement of FIG. 5 is intended for a situation where the light bulb is designed to have an unusually high level of light output, as well as an unusually short life expectancy, when powered with the full voltage of the battery.
Thus, while the task of forward conversion means FCM of FIG. 1 is that of increasing the RMS magnitude of the voltage applied to the light bulb, thereby to get increased light output in exchange for reduced bulb life expectancy; the task of integrated circuit IC of FIG. 5 is that of decreasing the RMS magnitude of the voltage applied to the light bulb, thereby to get increased bulb life expectancy in exchange for reduced light output.
Thus, in the arrangement of FIG. 5, operating the light bulb so as to attain an ordinary level of light output in combination with an ordinary life expectancy, requires a reduction of the RMS magnitude of the voltage available directly from the battery. By way of integrated circuit IC, this reduction in RMS magnitude is simply attained by connecting/disconnecting the light bulb from the battery in a rapid periodic manner, thereby to reduce the RMS magnitude of the voltage applied to the light bulb in proportion to the square root of the duty cycle. That is, compared with a 100% or unity duty cycle (where the light bulb is continuously connected with the battery) a 50% of 0.5 duty cycle (where the light bulb is connected with the battery only 50% of the time) gives rise to a reduction of RMS magnitude by a factor equal to the square root of 0.5, or equal 0.7.
While the arrangement of FIG. 1 requires an energy-storing inductor in order to attain a voltage magnitude boost; the arrangement of FIG. 5 does not require such an energy-storing means since it does not need to attain a voltage magnitude boost.
The function of the circuit of FIG. 5 is illustrated by the voltage waveforms of FIG. 6.
The voltage waveform of FIG. 6b indicates a situation of near maximum BOOST; where the full battery voltage is applied to the light bulb with nearly 100% duty cycle. The voltage waveform of FIG. 6a indicates a situation where the full battery voltage is applied to the light bulb with less than 50% duty cycle, such as to cause the RMS magnitude of the voltage applied to the light bulb to be only about two thirds of the full battery voltage, thereby providing for about one fourth the light output and 200 times longer life expectancy as compared with providing the light bulb with the full battery voltage.
(a) The arrangement of FIG. 1 corresponds to a situation of merely adding the indicated electronic circuitry to an otherwise ordinary flashlight having a common (ex: 3 Volt, two-cell) battery and a matching ordinary (ex: 3 Volt, 50 hour) light bulb.
(b) The arrangement of FIG. 5 corresponds to a situation of either: (i) using an ordinary-voltage (ex: 3 Volt, two-cell) battery in combination with a lower-voltage (ex: 2 Volt, 50 hour) light bulb; or (ii) using a higher-voltage (ex: 4.5 Volt, three-cell) battery in combination with an ordinary-voltage (ex: 3 Volt, 50 hour) light bulb; or (iii) using an ordinary-voltage (ex: 3 Volt, two-cell) battery in combination with a matching short-life/ high-efficacy (ex: 15 minutes life) light bulb; etc.
(c) It is important to realize that in incandescent lamps, such as ordinary light bulbs for flashlights, there is a clear and consistent relationship between luminous efficacy and lamp life. By increasing the RMS magnitude of the voltage applied to a given lamp, the lamp's luminous efficacy increases while its life expectancy decreases. Conversely, by reducing the RMS magnitude of the voltage applied to the lamp, the lamp's luminous efficacy decreases while its life expectancy increases.
(d) Clearly, in the arrangement of FIG. 5, instead of reducing the RMS magnitude provided to the light bulb by way of duty-cycling the connection between the light bulb and the battery, a variable resistor means could be used for attaining such a reduction. However, efficiency (and thereby battery life) would then be severely compromised.
(e) In light of instant disclosure, it is clear that the BOOST feature may be also be attained--although only in a non-variable manner--either: (i) by powering a given light bulb with a two-cell battery and then, to attain a fixed-level BOOST, to switch-in an auxiliary cell such as to increase the RMS magnitude of the voltage applied to the light bulb; or (ii) by connecting to a given battery either one or the other of two light bulbs: one designed for normal operation on the voltage from the given battery, the other designed to provide high-efficacy/short-life operation on that same voltage.
Also, the effect of two light bulbs could be attained by using a light bulb with two filaments.
(f) Just as is the case with forward conversion means FCM of FIG. 1, integrated circuit IC of FIG. 5 may--in the form of a custom integrated circuit made to function in accordance with the functional specifications provided herein--readily and routinely be obtained from a semiconductor manufacturer.
(g) The basic BOOST feature herein disclosed is applicable to various types of battery-powered lighting means, including those wherein the light output is provided by gas discharge lamps.
(h) Clearly, the BOOST feature is basically intended to be used for only a small percentage of the total usage time of a flashlight. Normally, a flashlight with the BOOST feature would have a light bulb that would have a life expectancy of about 50 hours if used continuously in the ON-position and about 15 minutes if used continuously in the MAX BOOST position.
In actual usage, it is expected that the flashlight will be used in the plain ON-position most of the time, and in the MAX-BOOST-position for only a small fraction of the time. What is important to understand is that each minute of usage on the MAX-BOOST-position is equivalent--as far as wear of the light bulb is concerned--to over three hours of usage in the plain ON-position. However, due partly to the much increased luminous efficacy associated with the MAX-BOOST-position, battery life will be much less affected by use of the MAX-BOOST-position: continuous operation in the MAX-BOOST-position would only shorten battery life by a factor of two or so; yet, the total net resulting light output (in Lumen-hours) attained from the battery would have doubled.
(i) The word "lamp" is herein defined to include various forms and types of incandescent light bulbs (ex: light bulbs for battery-powered hand-held flashlights) as well as gas discharge lamps (ex: fluorescent lamps for camper lanterns).
(j) In light of the invention represented by the initial embodiments, is it clear that the circuit arrangement illustrated by FIGS. 5 and 6 can be used for light DIMMING as well as for light BOOSTING. That is, it would readily be feasible to power the light bulb (in an adjustable manner) at less than the normal amount of power, thereby attaining longer than normal lamp life expectancy.
Also, while provisions are made for spring-loaded automatic return to regular ON-position after having used the BOOST-position, a similar automatic return from a DIM-position would not be necessary. Hence, in some lighting products it would be anticipated that the light control function include a detented OFF-position, a continuous DIMMING-range, a detented ON-position, an automatic-return BOOSTING-range, and an automatic-return MAX-BOOST-position.
(k) Also, by slight modification of the circuit arrangement of FIG. 5, mechanical switch means (such as TPS) may be entirely eliminated. Instead, integrated circuit IC may be made in such manner as to provide for all the required switching functions, for instance by way of a simple high-resistance potentiometer; which would provide both for the ON/OFF function as well as for the continuous-range DIMMING/BOOSTING function.
(l) By using a simple photo-sensor to sense the luminous output from the light bulb, and to feed the output from this photo-sensor back to integrated circuit IC, it is simple to provide for automatic control of luminous output, thereby to compensate for reduced battery output voltage with wear as well as for diminished luminous efficacy as the light bulb ages.
Of course, any changes in battery voltage can be automatically compensated-for merely by so specifying the IC.
(m) It is anticipated that it be desirable in some cases to filter the current provided to the light bulb, thereby to avoid possible mechanical resonances in the filament due to the high frequency content of the chopped voltage. In the arrangement of FIG. 5, this filtering would not need to consist of more than a filter capacitor connected in parallel with the light bulb and a filter inductor connected in series with the parallel-combination of the light bulb and the filter capacitor.
FIG. 7 illustrates a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 7, a first 1.5 Volt battery cell BC1 is series-connected with a second 1.5 Volt battery cell BC2 to form a basic battery BB having a first battery terminal BT1 and a second battery terminal BT2. An auxiliary battery cell ABC is series-connected with a resistor means RM to form an auxiliary power supply APS; which auxiliary power supply APS is connected between battery terminal BT2 and a battery terminal BT3.
Light bulb LB has a first light bulb terminal LBT1 connected with battery terminal BT1 and a second light bulb terminal LBT2 connected with a switch terminal STa of a three-position switch means SM; which switch means SM has a switch terminal STb connected with battery terminal BT3 and a switch terminal STc connected with battery terminal BT2.
A zener diode ZD is connected across light bulb terminals LBT1 and LBT2.
FIG. 8 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The arrangement of FIG. 8 is the same as that of FIG. 7 except for having an auxiliary power supply APS' instead of auxiliary power supply APS; which auxiliary power supply APS' has an auxiliary terminal AT connected with battery terminal BT1.
FIG. 9 illustrates a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 9, an inverter means IM has a first inverter input terminal IIT1 connected with first battery terminal BT1 of basic battery BB, as well as a second inverter input terminal IIT2 connected with second battery terminal BT2 of basic battery BB.
Inverter means IM includes a first transistor Qa and a second transistor Qb, each connected with its emitter to inverter input terminal IIT1. A first diode Da is connected between the base and the emitter of first transistor Qa; and a second diode Db is conected between the base and the emitter of second transistor Qb.
An output transformer OT has a primary winding PW which has transformer terminals TTa and TTb connected, respectively, with the collectors of transistors Qa and Qb. Primary winding PW also has: (i) a center tap CT, which is connected with inverter input terminal IIT2, (ii) an output terminal OTa, which is connected with switch terminal STc, and (iii) output terminal OTb connected with light bulb terminal LBT2. Transformer terminal TTa is also connected with switch terminal STb.
Output transformer OT also has a secondary winding SW, which is connected by way of a resistor Ra between the bases of transistors Qa and Qb.
A resistor Rb is, by way of an additional switch ASM, connected between one of the terminals of secondary winding SW and center-tap CT.
The combination of light bulb LB and switch means SM is connected with terminals OTb, OTa and TTa.
The operation of the first preferred embodiment of FIG. 7 may be explained as follows.
When switch means SM is in its regular ON-position, which is the particular position actually shown in FIG. 7, the voltage from basic battery BB is applied directly across light bulb terminals LBT1 and LBT2--just as in an ordinary flashlight.
However, when switch means SM is in the BOOST-position, which it is whenever it causes connection between switch terminal STa and switch terminal STb, the voltage provided to light bulb LB becomes: the voltage of basic battery BB, plus the voltage of auxiliary battery cell ABC, less any voltage-drop across resistor means RM (which resistor means RM may simply be nothing more than the internal resistance of auxiliary battery cell ABC).
Thus, long as the resistance of resistance means Rm is relatively small, the RMS magnitude of the voltage applied across the light bulb in the BOOST-position will be substantially larger than it is in the regular ON-position. How much larger depends on the magnitude of the resistance of resistance means RM and the Zenering-voltage of Zener diode ZD.
In an actual preferred arrangement: each of battery cells BC1 and BC2 of basic battery BB is an ordinary so-called D-cell; auxiliary battery cell ABC is an ordinary so-called AA-cell; light bulb LB is an ordinary light bulb for a two-cell flashlight and has a nominal operating voltage of 2.4 Volt; the resistance of resistor means RM is about 0.5 Ohm; and the Zenering voltage of Zener diode ZD is about 3.6 Volt.
With fresh battery cells, the total battery voltage in the BOOST-position is about 4.5 Volt. However, due to the Zener diode, the magnitude of the voltage applied across the terminals of light bulb LB is limited to about 3.6 Volt; at which voltage level light bulb LB will yield about four times its normal light output. The difference between the 4.5 Volt battery voltage and the 3.6 Volt Zener voltage is dropped across the internal resistances of each of the three battery cells combined with the 0.5 Ohm resistance of resistance means RM. The amount of current flowing through the Zener diode depends on the magnitude of the current flowing through the light bulb at an applied voltage of 3.6 Volt combined with the total resistance represented by the internal resistances of the three battery cells and that of resistance means RM.
The magnitude of the resistance of resistance means RM is mainly chosen such as not to overload the Zener diode during the brief initial period when the battery cells are fresh and capable of providing a much higher output voltage/current than they are capable of after having been used for just a small fraction of their total normal life span.
The Zenering voltage of Zener diode ZD is chosen such as to provide the maximum amount of light output commensurate with the shortest acceptable lamp operating life.
The arrangement of FIG. 8 operates in the same manner as that of FIG. 7 except for having a modified auxiliary power supply referred-to as APS'; which modified auxiliary power supply APS'--instead of including a third battery cell--includes an inverter means operative to draw DC power from the basic battery (BB) and to convert it to a high-frequency AC voltage; which high-frequency AC voltage is provided (e.g., by way of a secondary winding of a high-frequency transformer) between terminals BT2 and BT3. Thus, in the BOOST-position, the DC voltage from basic battery BB is additively augmented with an AC voltage provided by auxiliary power supply APS'; which means that, in the BOOST-mode, the RMS magnitude of the voltage provided across the light bulb termimals (LBT1/LBT2) is the quadratic sum of the RMS magnitude of the DC voltage and that of the AC voltage. With the DC voltage having an RMS magnitude of (say) 2.4 Volt and the AC voltage having an RMS magnitude of (say) 2.4 Volt (such as via a squarewave voltage having a peak magnitude of 2.4 Volt), the resulting RMS magnitude of the voltage presented to the light bulb terminals will be 2.4 Volt multiplied by the square root of two, or about 3.4 Volt.
The arrangement of FIG. 9 powers the light bulb with a high-frequency AC voltage both in the regular ON-position as well as in the BOOST-position. This high-frequency AC voltage is generated by way of a conventional self-oscillating push-pull inverter means that is powered from the basic battery (BB).
One additional advantage associated with the embodiment of FIG. 9 is that the voltage applied to the light bulb is a pure alternating voltage, having no DC component. When powered from such a pure AC voltage, as contrasted with being powered from a pure DC voltage, the light bulb will have a substantially longer service life for a given power level or light output.
(n) In the arrangement of FIG. 7, by choosing just the right combination of battery cells, the resistance value of resistance means RM can be made to be zero. For instance, with a basic battery (BB) consisting of two alkaline D-cells, by making the auxiliary battery cell (ABC) an alkaline N-cell, the resistance value of the resistance means may indeed be zero.
(o) The auxiliary battery cell may be of a rechargeable type (such as a Ni-Cad cell) charged from the basic battery via either a resistor means or a tiny inverter means.
(p) Since the BOOST-mode will necessarily (due to the very short life span of the light bulb during that mode) be used for only a small percentage of the total usage time of the flashlight, the energy capacity of the auxiliary battery cell need be only a small fraction of that of the basic battery. Thus, for most expected usage situations, an N-cell would have sufficient energy to provide useful BOOST-function in a case where the basic battery consists of two D-cells.
(q) The arrangement of FIG. 9, in addition to providing longer lamp life due to AC operation, provides for complete flexibility with respect to choice of lamp operating voltage. In particular, the arrangement of FIG. 9 permits the light bulb to be designed to have an operating voltage of RMS magnitude totally different from that of the basic battery (BB); which implies that the lamp operating voltage can be chosen for optimum lamp operating characteristics as opposed to having to be matched to the voltage provided directly from a given flashlight battery.
That is, in a two-cell flashlight, rather than to be limited to using a light bulb with nominal 2.4 Volt operating voltage (as is presently the case), a light bulb with, say, nominal 6.0 Volt operating voltage may be used.
For a given lamp life expectancy and at the power levels usually associated with two-cell flashlights, a light bulb designed for a 2.4 Volt nominal operating voltage does not provide maximum luminous efficacy. Rather, a design voltage other than 2.4 Volt would provide for maximum luminous efficacy.
(r) As with any incandescent lamp, the filament of an incandescent light bulb of the type used in flashlights has a life expectancy that is a sensitive function of the RMS magnitude of the voltage applied to the filament. If the voltage applied to the filament is increased in RMS magnitude by one half over its nominal value, the life expectancy of that filament will be decreased by a factor of about 200; and, if the applied voltage were to be decreased by one third, the life expectancy of that filament would be increased by a factor of about 200. In the former case, the light output would be increased by a factor of about four; in the latter case the light output would be decreased by a factor of about four.
That is, when operating with increased RMS magnitude, rate of filament wear increases, and vice versa. In particular, whenever operating the filament with a 50%-above-nominal RMS voltage, the filament gets consumed at a rate that is about 200 times higher than when operated at nominal RMS voltage.
For instance, whenever operating the light bulb in a flashlight in the BOOST-mode in accordance with the arrangement of FIG. 7, the filament in that light bulb will wear at a rate about 200 times faster than when the filament is operated without using the BOOST-feature. Typically, in a BOOST-mode yielding four times nominal light output, the filament will wear at a rate of about 400% per hour versus a nominal rate of about 2% per hour.
(s) In the arrangement of FIG. 7, the Zener diode (ZD) may be substituted or augmented with a light-emitting diode (LED), thereby to attain additional functional values.
For instance, when substituting for the Zener diode, the light-emitting diode will serve the dual purpose of limiting the magnitude of the voltage applied to the light bulb as well as providing a visual indication of the RMS magnitude of the applied voltage.
In particular, it is anticipated that an LED of green color be used instead of the Zener diode. However, to provide for the proper level of limiting/indicating voltage, one or more diode junctions should be used in series with the LED.
Otherwise, one or more LED's may be used in parallel with the Zener diode: a green LED (if necessary, with built-in diode junctions to result in the desired voltage limiting level) for indicating that the voltage applied to the lamp is of sufficient magnitude to provide full BOOST; an yellow LED (with its proper voltage-dropping junctions) to indicate that the voltage applied to the lamp is sufficient to provide full nominal light output; and a red LED (with a current-limiting resistor in series) to indicate that the applied voltage is of insufficient magnitude to provide nominal light output.
(t) It is believed that the present invention and its several attendant advantages and features will be understood from the preceeding description. However, without departing from the spirit of the invention, changes may be made in its form and in the construction and/or interrelationships of its component parts, the form herein presented merely representing the currently preferred embodiment.
|Cited Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Dec 16, 1981
|Feb 12, 1985
|Duracell Inc.
|Constant illumination flashlight
|Nov 5, 1986
|Jul 12, 1988
|Thin-Lite Corporation
|Low voltage fluorescent lighting system
|Sep 6, 1989
|Jun 25, 1991
|Topline Leisure Limited
|Search lamps and torches
|Nov 1, 1990
|Apr 21, 1992
|Ruhrkohle Aktiengesellschaft
|System for operating a portable lamp
|Citing Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Jul 2, 1993
|Dec 21, 1993
|Blaney Mark A
|Dual circuit lantern
|Aug 9, 1991
|Aug 30, 1994
|Ken Hayashibara
|Luminaire using incandescent lamp as luminous source
|Oct 23, 1995
|Jul 8, 1997
|Litebeams, Inc.
|High reliability incandescent portable illumination system
|Oct 5, 1995
|Aug 18, 1998
|Xomed Surgical Products, Inc.
|Battery-powered medical instrument with power booster
|Aug 3, 1999
|Jun 12, 2001
|Texas Instruments Incorporated
|Flashlight boost regulator
|Jul 10, 2000
|May 27, 2003
|Jeffrey S. Davis
|Stirring of electrochemical cells for extended life
|Feb 11, 2004
|Mar 18, 2008
|Surefire, Llc
|Flashlight with incrementing brightness selector switch
|Oct 6, 2006
|Apr 27, 2010
|Black & Decker Inc.
|Jan 20, 2010
|Apr 3, 2012
|Black & Decker Inc.
|Jun 18, 2004
|Jan 13, 2005
|Bon-Aire Industries, Inc.
|Multi-adjustable spotlight with variably positionable handle and variable light intensity
|Feb 11, 2004
|Jun 9, 2005
|Kim Paul Y.
|Flashlight with incrementing brightness selector switch
|Jul 13, 2010
|Jan 19, 2012
|Zweibr�der Optoelectronics Gmbh & Co. Kg
|Torch, has terminal closing spring element connected with electrical terminals such that electric circuits are closed through respective electrical terminals by force of spring element
|Jan 29, 2001
|Aug 16, 2001
|Duncan Andrew Grant
|A flashlight
|U.S. Classification
|315/33, 362/157, 315/176, 315/129, 315/170
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Nov 4, 1996
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|Dec 19, 2000
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|May 27, 2001
|Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
|Jul 31, 2001
|Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee
Effective date: 20010525


text:
Image Unavailable
- Sorry, this item is not available in
- Image not available
- To view this video download Flash Player
Lead by the U.S. military, a team of scientists secretly travel into Red China to find the truth behind rumors of a downed U.F.O. While enroute to the saucer's hidden location, the Americans meet a group of Russian scientists who are also searching for the spacecraft. The two teams race against time to find the alien craft and its promise of a fantastic jump in technology, while trying to avoid the Red Chinese troops in the area. Television veteran Frank Telford directed this action-packed science fiction thriller with top-notch cinematography by the great Hal Mohr (The Wild One, Captain Blood). The stellar cast includes Dan Duryea, Bob Hastings, Bernard Fox and James Hong.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Fun 'cold war' take on the flying saucer genre. Better than I remembered from my childhood viewing on a black and white t.v. Read morePublished 2 months ago by anthony santiago,jr.
It's been decades since last seen on TV & have been looking for it on DVD. This is a MUST SEE MOVIE!!!Published 2 months ago by Us
enjoyed this movie very much. great si-fi thanks seller for fast deliveryPublished 4 months ago by richard
A interesting film taking sci fi saucer interest of the times and blending it well with cold war adventure. Read morePublished 6 months ago by dhart


text:
Of Course! 2013
5:00pm - 10:00pm Sat, Apr 6, 2013
Venue: The Cambridge Center for Adult Education
42 Brattle Street, 56 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138Contact:
0 people saved this
This year's Of Course! celebrates every aspect of preparing, serving, and enjoying food, from cultivating a crop to setting the table. Proceeds from this event will be dedicated to a new teaching kitchen, student commons, and cafe at our historic Blacksmith House. From 5:00-7:15pm, enjoy mini-classes on everything from coffee tasting to sausage making, as well as conversations on food in art and literature with special guests and CCAE teachers. From 7:30-10:00pm, there will be an after party with delicious food and delectable libations. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You can purchase tickets in two ways: Call the Cambridge Center Welcome Staff at 617-547-6789 and charge your tickets on the phone. Tickets are $100 per person. Have your four mini-course preferences handy! Mini-course preferences will only be accepted after a ticket purchase, and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Buy your tickets today for the best chance of getting the sessions you want!
5 Fall Foliage Hikes in the Berkshires
Crisp air, cool mornings, the earthy scent of the forest floor, and exploding colors as...
Search All Listings Here.