Patents by Inventor Alan Hughes

Alan Hughes has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8890630
    Abstract: An oscillator formed from low cost discrete semiconductors and passive devices creates a linear periodic ramp of constant frequency with ramp slope based on an external voltage signal. Parameters are stable over a wide range of temperatures and variations of transistor parameters that normally degrade in extreme environments. The oscillator period can be phase and frequency synchronized to an external clock source over a wide range of frequencies. The oscillator ramp generator phase can be synchronized on a cycle by cycle basis for incorporation in power converters employing spread spectral EMI reduction techniques, multi-converter systems employing clock interleaving for distribution bus filter optimization, and resonant mode converters employing zero voltage switching techniques. Oscillator ramp rate is independent of frequency and can be synchronized to DC (inhibit) for use in ultra low power burst mode power conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Crane Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney Alan Hughes
  • Patent number: 8885308
    Abstract: Control circuitry handles inrush current, and may provide under voltage and/or over voltage monitoring and handling, as well as remote enable handling. The circuitry may advantageously employ a sense capacitor in parallel with an input capacitor (e.g., bulk input filter capacitor), and a current mirror to produce a signal proportional to input current. A clamp circuit may control a series pass device to regulate current in response to the proportional signal, or to interrupt current flow in response to an under voltage or over voltage condition or receipt of a signal indicative of a disable state. An enable signal may be summed into a comparator that handles under voltage condition determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Crane Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry F. Waltman, Rodney Alan Hughes, Reid Adriance, Bertrand Nkei, Jay Allen Kuehny
  • Patent number: 8824167
    Abstract: An auxiliary power supply or bias voltage supply employs a step up switch mode DC/DC power converter topology to supply regulated bias supply voltages, from very low input voltages (e.g., less than 2V). The supply will synchronize to dynamic loads making it particularly useful in circuits with periodic high peak current power demands, for example, gate drive circuits employed in regulated switched mode power converters. When unladed, the supply will efficiently adjust its cycle period to the minimum required to maintain the desired boosted output voltage. Additional transformer windings or a charge pump may be used to generate additional vias voltage sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Crane Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Alan Hughes, Reid Adriance, Bertrand Nkei, Jay Allen Kuehny
  • Publication number: 20140201894
    Abstract: In one aspect of the subject invention, a spacer is provided for supporting a closet flange above a sub-flooring, the closet flange having a pipe section and an annular flange extending radially outwardly from the pipe section. The spacer includes a disc-shaped body having spaced apart first and second faces, and spaced apart inner and outer edges extending between the first and second faces. The inner edge defines an opening extending through the body, the opening sized to permit passage therethrough of the pipe section of the closet flange but not the annular flange of the closet flange. A plurality of equally spaced notches being formed in the outer edge. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a spacer is provided usable with a closet flange to provide elevation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: SET-RITE PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventor: ALAN HUGHES
  • Publication number: 20140166423
    Abstract: A torque limiting tolerance ring that is configured to be installed between an inner component and an outer component is disclosed. The torque limiting tolerance ring can include a generally cylindrical body that can have a sidewall. The sidewall can include an unformed section and a plurality of projections can extend from the unformed section of the sidewall. The projections can be configured to engage the inner component or the outer component. During use, the torque limiting tolerance ring can move from an engaged configuration, in which the inner component is statically coupled to the outer component, to a disengaged configuration, in which the inner component is disengaged from the outer component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Rencol Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin Nias, Andrew Robert Slayne, James Pennsiriwongse, Paul Haines, Llewelyn Pickering, Stuart Kelly, Simon Alan Hughes
  • Publication number: 20140135329
    Abstract: The present invention provides pyridine and pyrazine derivatives which restore or enhance the function of mutant and/or wild type CFTR to treat cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, respiratory tract infections, lung carcinoma, xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis sire, or constipation (IBS, IBD, opioid induced). Pharmaceutical compositions comprising such derivatives are also encompassed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Urs BAETTIG, Kamlesh BALA, Emma BUDD, Lee EDWARDS, Catherine HOWSHAM, Glyn Alan HUGHES, Darren Mark LEGRAND, Katrin SPIEGEL
  • Patent number: 8683619
    Abstract: In one aspect of the subject invention, a spacer is provided for supporting a closet flange above a sub-flooring, the closet flange having a pipe section and an annular flange extending radially outwardly from the pipe section. The spacer includes a disc-shaped body having spaced apart first and second faces, and spaced apart inner and outer edges extending between the first and second faces. The inner edge defines an opening extending through the body, the opening sized to permit passage therethrough of the pipe section of the closet flange but not the annular flange of the closet flange. The outer edge is generally smooth and arcuate. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a spacer is provided usable with a closet flange to provide elevation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Set-Rite Products, LLC
    Inventor: Alan Hughes
  • Patent number: 8661110
    Abstract: A method includes issuing a retrieval instruction, such as a database query, to retrieve from a database system a datum associated with a network circuit established outside of the United States. Upon receiving the datum from the database system, it is determined, based on the datum retrieved, whether the network circuit is incurring a charge. It is further determined, based on the datum retrieved, an amount of revenue generated by the network circuit. When the amount of revenue generated by the network circuit is below a predetermined threshold, a termination instruction to terminate a service associated with the network circuit is issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Paritosh Bajpay, Robert Best, Romelle Bond, Hossein Eslambolchi, Richard Glozzy, Alan Hughes, John McCanuel
  • Publication number: 20130315664
    Abstract: A tolerance ring is disclosed and can include a generally cylindrical body having a sidewall. The sidewall can include a first unformed section and a gap in the first unformed section. The gap can extend along an entire length of the body to establish a split in the body. The sidewall can also include a second unformed section opposite the first unformed section, a first wave bank flanking the first unformed section with the gap, and a second wave bank flanking the first unformed section with the gap. The wave banks can be equally spaced around a circumference of the body of the tolerance ring and the body of the tolerance ring can be symmetrical about a center axis that extends from a center of the tolerance ring and bisects the gap in the first unformed section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Benjamin NIAS, Simon Alan HUGHES, Andrew Robert SLAYNE
  • Publication number: 20130315655
    Abstract: A tolerance ring is disclosed and can include a generally cylindrical body having a sidewall. The sidewall can include a plurality of wave structures extending from the sidewall at regular intervals around the body, a first unformed section between a first pair of adjacent wave structures, and a second unformed section between a second pair of adjacent wave structures. The gap can extend along an entire length, L, of the body to establish a split in the body. The second unformed section can include a slot therein. The slot can have a length, LS, and LS?80% L.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Benjamin NIAS, Andrew Robert SLAYNE, Simon Alan HUGHES
  • Publication number: 20130315654
    Abstract: A tolerance ring is disclosed and can include a generally cylindrical body that can include a side wall. The sidewall can define a top and a bottom. Further, the sidewall can include a plurality of wave structures that can extend from the sidewall, a plurality of unformed sections, and a gap that can extend along the entire length of the body. Each unformed section can be located between a pair of adjacent wave structures. Further, the gap can establish a split in the body. The tolerance ring can also include at least one hole intersecting at least one of the wave structures to establish a perforated wave structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Benjamin NIAS, Andrew Robert SLAYNE, Simon Alan HUGHES, Neil JAMES
  • Patent number: 8482882
    Abstract: A tolerance ring is disclosed and can include a strip of material having a length, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of radially extending projections between the first and second ends. The strip of material can be curved into a ring having a gap. The radially extending projections are configured to be compressible between a bore and a shaft. A width and/or a height of a radially extending projection closest to the first end is different from a width and/or a height of a radially extending projection closest to a line extending perpendicular to the length and bisecting the strip of material within a circumferential row of the radially extending projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Rencol Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Robert Slayne, Simon Alan Hughes
  • Patent number: 8476269
    Abstract: The present invention provides pyridine and pyrazine derivatives which restore or enhance the function of mutant and/or wild type CFTR to treat cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, respiratory tract infections, lung carcinoma, xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis sire, or constipation (IBS, IBD, opioid induced). Pharmaceutical compositions comprising such derivatives are also encompassed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Urs Baettig, Kamlesh Jagdis Bala, Emma Budd, Lee Edwards, Catherine Howsham, Glyn Alan Hughes, Darren Mark Legrand, Katrin Spiegel
  • Publication number: 20130128389
    Abstract: A tolerance ring is disclosed and can include a strip of material having a length, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of radially extending projections between the first and second ends. The strip of material can be curved into a ring having a gap. The radially extending projections are configured to be compressible between a bore and a shaft. A width and/or a height of a radially extending projection closest to the first end is different from a width and/or a height of a radially extending projection closest to a line extending perpendicular to the length and bisecting the strip of material within a circumferential row of the radially extending projections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Andrew Robert Slayne, Simon Alan Hughes
  • Patent number: 8424184
    Abstract: A shaft is held in place within the bore of a housing by a band of resilient material that is located between the shaft and the housing and has a series of projections extending radically inwards. The shaft surface has a first part that lies closer to the longitudinal axis of the bore than a second part, when the shaft and housing are assembled. The shaft is initially inserted into the resilient band, which is held within the bore, such that the first part of the shaft surface is oriented towards one of the projections of the resilient band. In this orientation of the shaft, the projection is not compressed. By orienting the second part of the shaft surface the projection, the projection is brought under compression and the shaft is held firmly within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Rencol Limited
    Inventor: Simon Alan Hughes
  • Publication number: 20130021108
    Abstract: An oscillator formed from low cost discrete semiconductors and passive devices creates a linear periodic ramp of constant frequency with ramp slope based on an external voltage signal. Parameters are stable over a wide range of temperatures and variations of transistor parameters that normally degrade in extreme environments. The oscillator period can be phase and frequency synchronized to an external clock source over a wide range of frequencies. The oscillator ramp generator phase can be synchronized on a cycle by cycle basis for incorporation in power converters employing spread spectral EMI reduction techniques, multi-converter systems employing clock interleaving for distribution bus filter optimization, and resonant mode converters employing zero voltage switching techniques. Oscillator ramp rate is independent of frequency and can be synchronized to DC (inhibit) for use in ultra low power burst mode power conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventor: Rodney Alan Hughes
  • Publication number: 20130021702
    Abstract: Control circuitry handles inrush current, and may provide under voltage and/or over voltage monitoring and handling, as well as remote enable handling. The circuitry may advantageously employ a sense capacitor in parallel with an input capacitor (e.g., bulk input filter capacitor), and a current mirror to produce a signal proportional to input current. A clamp circuit may control a series pass device to regulate current in response to the proportional signal, or to interrupt current flow in response to an under voltage or over voltage condition or receipt of a signal indicative of a disable state. An enable signal may be summed into a comparator that handles under voltage condition determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Barry F. Waltman, Rodney Alan Hughes, Reid Adriance, Bertrand Nkei, Jay Allen Kuehny
  • Publication number: 20130020867
    Abstract: An auxiliary power supply or bias voltage supply employs a step up switch mode DC/DC power converter topology to supply regulated bias supply voltages, from very low input voltages (e.g., less than 2V). The supply will synchronize to dynamic loads making it particularly useful in circuits with periodic high peak current power demands, for example, gate drive circuits employed in regulated switched mode power converters. When unladed, the supply will efficiently adjust its cycle period to the minimum required to maintain the desired boosted output voltage. Additional transformer windings or a charge pump may be used to generate additional vias voltage sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Rodney Alan Hughes, Reid Adriance, Bertrand Nkei, Jay Allen Kuehny
  • Publication number: 20130013470
    Abstract: A method includes issuing a retrieval instruction, such as a database query, to retrieve from a database system a datum associated with a network circuit established outside of the United States. Upon receiving the datum from the database system, it is determined, based on the datum retrieved, whether the network circuit is incurring a charge. It is further determined, based on the datum retrieved, an amount of revenue generated by the network circuit. When the amount of revenue generated by the network circuit is below a predetermined threshold, a termination instruction to terminate a service associated with the network circuit is issued.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Paritosh Bajpay, Robert Best, Romelle Bond, Hossein Eslambolchi, Richard Glozzy, Alan Hughes, John McCanuel
  • Patent number: D687639
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephanie Ann Grotta, Joshua Alan Hughes, Daniel Joseph Hoyord, Sara Lynne Pedersen