Drexel University

Robert Fischl

Ayre Rosen

Chikaodinaka Nwankpa

The present invention is a fault tolerant apparatus for regulating the flow of electricity. The apparatus comprises a light radiating circuit which includes a first light source for radiating a first light signal, a second light source for radiating a second light signal and a first light sensor for receiving at least one of the first and second light signals and for generating a first light sensor output signal in response to the first and second light signals. The radiating circuit further includes a control circuit for actuating the first light source to radiate the first light signal when the control circuit receives a control input signal and for actuating the second light source to radiate the second light signal when the control circuit fails to receive the first light sensor output signal from the first light sensor within a predetermined time after the control circuit has received the control input signal. The fault tolerant apparatus further comprises a light controlled device having a light sensitive input for receiving one of the first and second light signals and for regulating the flow of electricity light through the controlled device in response to one of the first and second light signals.

Growing community of inventors

Moorestown, NJ, United States of America

Robert Fischl