Patents Examined by Amy Yang
  • Patent number: 9820372
    Abstract: A segmented antenna assembly for use in a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) apparatus. One embodiment provides an apparatus comprising a chamber body having a top surface and a bottom surface, an antenna comprising a first segment, a second segment electrically coupled to the first segment and extending through an interior volume of the chamber, and a third segment electrically coupled to the second segment, and a dielectric layer disposed around an outer diameter of the second segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin M. Johnston
  • Patent number: 9794994
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting assembly (10) that includes a mounting surface (14) that that allows the installer to attach the assembly to an external structure (15) with an adhesive strip (144). The lighting assembly also includes a light-emitting surface (18) that directs spot illumination to a predetermined display area (17) by way of a combination of collimated light-emitting elements (182) and an optical element (184). The lighting assembly also features a touch-sensitive surface (16) that allows the user to both program the lighting assembly and control the display lighting in a flexible manner by providing the user with different modes of interacting with the lighting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Philip Steven Newton, Tatiana Aleksandrovna Lashina, Tim Dekker, Bartel Marinus Van De Sluis
  • Patent number: 9775201
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a driving circuit (100) connected to a conventional phase-cut dimmer. A LED light source (30) is driven by a switched mode power supply (26), which is powered by the mains voltage through a phase-cut dimmer (10) and a rectifier (22). The current through the LED light source (30) is reduced according to the voltage level of the average rectified voltage Vin detected by a voltage sensor (24) and the on time limitation of the switched mode power supply (26). The current amplitude will be increasingly reduced towards the low voltage levels of Vin, namely towards the low dimmer knob levels. Thereby, the invention allows a LED light source driving circuit (100) connected to a conventional phase-cut dimmer to readily make the dimming curve of the LED light source (30) non-linear for being more compatible with the human eye sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Silergy Corp.
    Inventor: Gert-Jan Koolen
  • Patent number: 9756703
    Abstract: An area lighting control system is provided for a light fixture and occupancy sensors. In a pairing mode, the occupancy sensors transmit messages with respective unique addresses to the light fixture, which identifies an associated sensor network. Upon lapsing of the pairing mode, an operating mode follows during which the sensors transmit output signals representative of occupancy in the area, and the light fixture regulates respective light sources based on an occupancy state determined according to output signals received from the associated network. The output signals are transmitted according to pseudo-random time intervals in order to reduce wireless transmission collisions, and only upon determining no occupancy in the defined area. When signals are received from all sensors in the network during a predetermined time period, the light fixture dims the light sources, whereas otherwise the light fixture operates the light sources at full lighting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Berry, John Cavacuiti
  • Patent number: 9750094
    Abstract: An energy efficient under-cabinet lighting system with a low profile switch mode power supply complying with Class 2 requirements. This power source is enclosed in a container to provide constant current to an array of light emitting diodes LEDs that are characterized by long life and low power usage. The system is designed to replace existing under-cabinet fluorescent lamp fixtures. A diffuser minimizes pixelization. The unit is also equipped with a safe-charge USB port that can safely charge lithium-ion batteries of accessories like tablets and cellphones with no danger of overheating their batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Radionic Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Winton, Sri Sridharan
  • Patent number: 9743472
    Abstract: An electrical load driving apparatus, comprising a current distribution apparatus having a power source arranged to deliver an input current into a plurality of branches such that the input current is distributed into a plurality of individual branch currents, wherein each of the plurality of branches includes an inductive arrangement arranged to form an inductive coupling with an associated inductive arrangement of at least one other associated branch, and a plurality of output loads connect to each of the associated branches of the current distribution apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: City University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Shu Hung Henry Chung, Ruihong Zhang
  • Patent number: 9730294
    Abstract: A lighting device with a drive device for dimming light-emitting diodes. The drive device comprises a dimming component that operates a switch in response to both a change in an input power signal and a system temperature. In one example, the dimming device can include a waveform generator that generates a signal with a waveform having levels that change in response to changes in temperature. The waveform defines the time during which the switch is open and closed, thereby determining the period of time the LEDs are energized. By operating the LEDs in this manner, the drive device effectively dims the LEDs to reduce the operating temperature and cool the LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: GE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Bruce Richard Roberts
  • Patent number: 9730308
    Abstract: An example synchrocyclotron includes the following: a voltage source to provide a radio frequency (RF) voltage to a cavity to accelerate particles from a particle source; a coil to receive a variable electrical current and to generate a magnetic field that is at least 4 Tesla to cause the particles to move orbitally within the cavity; and an extraction channel to receive the accelerated particles and to output the received particles from the cavity. The particles that are output from the cavity have an energy that is variable based at least on the variable electrical current applied to the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Mevion Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerrit Townsend Zwart, Charles D. O'Neal, III, Ken Yoshiki Franzen
  • Patent number: 9717120
    Abstract: This invention is concerned with the control and design of a LED lighting system that does not need electrolytic capacitors in the entire system and can generate light output with reduced luminous flux fluctuation. The proposal is particularly suitable, but not restricted to, off-line applications in which the lighting system is powered by the ac mains. By eliminating electrolytic capacitors which have a limited lifetime of typically 15000 hours, the proposed system can be developed with passive and robust electrical components such as inductor and diode circuits, and it features long lifetime, low maintenance cost, robustness against extreme temperature variations and good power factor. No extra electronic control board is needed for the proposed passive circuits, which can become dimmable systems if the ac input voltage can be adjusted by external means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
    Inventors: Ron Shu Yuen Hui, Wu Chen
  • Patent number: 9706623
    Abstract: At least one controllable source of visible light is configured to illuminate a space to be utilized by one or more occupants. A controller causes the source(s) to emit light in a manner that varies at least one characteristic of visible light emitted into the space over a period of time at least in part in accordance with a chaotic function. Responsive to user input, sensed activity, and/or acquired information, the source(s) are controlled by the controller in accordance with a lighting control function which may be modified based on learning by a device or system including the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Jack C. Rains, Jr., Januk Aggarwal, David P. Ramer
  • Patent number: 9691307
    Abstract: Apparatus networked system of intelligent devices including illuminated street signs. Street signs include: address, name, direction and message signs. Apparatus controller interfacing: sensors, street signs, operator, remote controllers. Interface includes: wireless network and INTERNET. Controller maintains status of a community, including: ambient environment, safety and status of routes within the community. Status provided by: sensors, authorized operator, remote controllers. Apparatus based on respective status executes control algorithm of street signs providing general illumination and visual information, improving safety within the community.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Zachary Leonid Braunstein
  • Patent number: 9653266
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating plasma includes a plasma discharge tube and a conductive coil helically wound around an outer surface of the plasma discharge tube. A waveguide is coupled to a microwave cavity surrounding the plasma discharge tube to guide the microwave energy into the plasma discharge tube such that the plasma is generated in the plasma discharge tube. The waveguide is positioned such that an electric field of the microwave energy is oriented at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the plasma discharge tube. A resulting induced electric current in the conductive coil affects power absorption in the plasma discharge tube, the predetermined angle being selectable such that power absorption in the plasma discharge tube is according to a predetermined profile with respect to the longitudinal axis of the plasma discharge tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Xing Chen, Chengxiang Ji, Erin Madden, Ilya Pokidov, Kevin W. Wenzel
  • Patent number: 9653018
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode driving device enabling an excellent heat-dissipation function and high-efficient driving is disclosed. The disclosed LED driving device comprises: a power source unit providing an alternate current voltage; a rectification unit communicatively coupled to the power source and rectifying the alternate current voltage; a driving signal generation unit configured to receive the rectified voltage from the rectification unit and generate a primary driving signal by using the rectified voltage; and an LED driving signal modulation unit communicatively coupled to the driving signal generator, the LED driving signal modulation unit configured to receive the primary driving signal and generating a secondary pulse driving signal by modulating the primary driving signal, and LED groups including LEDs and configured to receive the primary driving signal or the second pulse driving signal such that the LED groups operate responsive to the primary driving signal or the secondary pulse driving signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SEOUL VIOSYS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Yeon Kim, Tae Hyuk Im, Young Wug Kim
  • Patent number: 9642208
    Abstract: A lighting device comprising plural excitation sources configured to provide at least two excitation peak emissions of different wavelength and at least one phosphor material radiationally coupled to the plural light source, the lighting device having a plurality of operational states comprising a first operation state wherein excitation of the at least one phosphor material by a first peak emission from the plural excitation sources provides a first correlated color temperature (CCT) value, and at least one additional operational state wherein excitation of the at least one phosphor material by a second peak emission from the plural excitation sources provides at least one additional CCT value different from the first CCT value. Methods of varying the CCT value using the lighting device with controlled power distribution to the plural excitation sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Antony P. Van de Ven
  • Patent number: 9629212
    Abstract: A control unit for a LED assembly includes a first and second LED unit, the LED units being serial connected. The LED assembly, in use, is powered by a switched mode power supply. The control unit being arranged to receive an input signal representing a desired output characteristic of the LED assembly, determine a first and second duty cycle for respective LED units associated with a nominal current of the switched mode power supply, for providing the desired output characteristic, determine the largest of the first and second duty cycles for respective LED units, determine a reduced current based on at least the largest of the duty cycles, adjust the first and second duty cycle for respective LED units based on the reduced current, and provide an output signal for the LED assembly and the switched mode power supply based on the adjusted first and second duty cycles and the reduced current for obtaining the desired characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ELDOLAB HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Marc Saes, Petrus Johannes Maria Welten
  • Patent number: 9615422
    Abstract: The invention relates to a network of luminaires for an automatic lighting system comprising at least two luminaires (1) and at least one controller, each luminaire comprising a light source (4) and at least two communication ports (3, 6, 9, 12), wherein the communication ports have predetermined configuration and orientation (3, 6, 9, 12), each communication port (3, 6, 9, 12) is adapted to be communicatively connected to a communication port of another luminaire (1) in said network in the direction and orientation of the port (3, 6, 9, 12), and wherein the identification of unused communication ports (3, 6, 9, 12) is communicated to said at least one controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Michel Cornelis Josephus Marie Vissenberg, Ramon Pascal van Gorkom
  • Patent number: 9609720
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for lighting systems, including high output lighting systems for various environments. The lighting systems include a lighting controller for driving lighting modules and transmitting a data signal to the lighting modules. The data signal varies between logical states. The lighting controller provides a low loss rectified power signal. The lighting controller further provides data within the power signal by forming a positive polarity rectified power waveform corresponding to data in a first state and a negative polarity rectified waveform signal corresponding to data in a second state using substantially loss-less circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: HUNTER INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Peter John Woytowitz, Gregory R. Hunter
  • Patent number: 9578700
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load is operable to conduct enough current through a thyristor of a connected dimmer switch to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor. The load control device comprises a controllable-load circuit operable to conduct a controllable-load current through the thyristor of the dimmer switch. The load control device disables the controllable-load circuit when the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a reverse phase-control waveform. When the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a forward phase-control waveform, the load control device is operable to decrease the magnitude of the controllable-load current so as to conduct only enough current as is required in order to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc
    Inventors: Christopher James Salvestrini, Ryan S. Bedell, Matthew V. Harte
  • Patent number: 9560704
    Abstract: The present invention supplies desired DC output power to a first LED load and a second LED load whose color temperature is different from that of the first LED load, includes a switching element, ripple current reducers series-connected to the respective LED loads and for reducing current ripples flowing through the LED loads, and a control circuit for controlling the DC output power so that it has a predetermined value, by performing on-off control of the switching element based on a feedback voltage at a connecting point between each of the LED loads and a corresponding one of the ripple current reducers. Each ripple current reducer has feedback-type constant current control circuits for performing control for varying impedance, and the present invention also includes color controllers for performing color control by maintaining a total LED current value of the first and second LED loads at a certain value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Kimura, Mitsutomo Yoshinaga
  • Patent number: 9554441
    Abstract: A system includes first, second, and third sets of LEDs. The first set of LEDs generates ultraviolet light and converts the ultraviolet light to blue light using a phosphor coated on the first set of LEDs. The second and third sets of LEDs generate blue light and convert the blue light to green, yellow, and red light using phosphors coated on the second and third sets of LEDs. The second set of LEDs outputs less red light than green light. The third set of LEDs outputs less green light than red light. A combination of the blue, green, yellow, and red light output by the first, second, and third sets of LEDs produces white light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade LTD.
    Inventors: Sehat Sutardja, Ravishanker Krishnamoorthy