Patents by Inventor Bret R. Howe

Bret R. Howe 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: 11881849
    Abstract: A relay circuit may include a solid state relay switch, coupled to an external voltage line and to an charging capacitor; and a solid state relay control circuit, coupled between the charging capacitor and the solid state relay switch. The solid state relay control circuit may be arranged to: turn the solid state relay switch to an OFF state when a capacitor voltage of the charging capacitor falls below a low threshold value; and change the solid state relay switch from the OFF state to an ON state when the capacitor voltage increases above a high threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventor: Bret R. Howe
  • Publication number: 20230361770
    Abstract: A relay circuit may include a solid state relay switch, coupled to an external voltage line and to an charging capacitor; and a solid state relay control circuit, coupled between the charging capacitor and the solid state relay switch. The solid state relay control circuit may be arranged to: turn the solid state relay switch to an OFF state when a capacitor voltage of the charging capacitor falls below a low threshold value; and change the solid state relay switch from the OFF state to an ON state when the capacitor voltage increases above a high threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventor: BRET R. HOWE
  • Publication number: 20230361768
    Abstract: A relay circuit, including a solid state relay switch, connected to a first relay line and to a charging capacitor, and connected to a second relay line. The relay circuit may also include a solid state relay control circuit, coupled between the charging capacitor and the solid state relay switch. The solid state relay control circuit may include a voltage detection circuit, having an input coupled to an output of the charging capacitor, and having an output arranged to generate a LOW voltage signal when a voltage level of the charging capacitor is below a low threshold value. The solid state relay control circuit may also include a zero crossing circuit, coupled to the first relay line and the second relay line, and having an output to generate a clock signal when a zero crossing event takes place between the first relay line and the second relay line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventor: BRET R. HOWE
  • Patent number: 11799474
    Abstract: A relay circuit may include a solid state relay switch, coupled to an external voltage line and to an charging capacitor; and a solid state relay control circuit, coupled between the charging capacitor and the solid state relay switch. The solid state relay control circuit may be arranged to: turn the solid state relay switch to an OFF state when a capacitor voltage of the charging capacitor falls below a low threshold value; and change the solid state relay switch from the OFF state to an ON state when the capacitor voltage increases above a high threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventor: Bret R. Howe
  • Patent number: 11689196
    Abstract: A relay circuit, including a solid state relay switch, connected to a first relay line and to a charging capacitor, and connected to a second relay line. The relay circuit may also include a solid state relay control circuit, coupled between the charging capacitor and the solid state relay switch. The solid state relay control circuit may include a voltage detection circuit, having an input coupled to an output of the charging capacitor, and having an output arranged to generate a LOW voltage signal when a voltage level of the charging capacitor is below a low threshold value. The solid state relay control circuit may also include a zero crossing circuit, coupled to the first relay line and the second relay line, and having an output to generate a clock signal when a zero crossing event takes place between the first relay line and the second relay line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventor: Bret R. Howe
  • Patent number: 6119138
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method are provided for wireless communication with computers. The communication apparatus is integral with a removable by cover of a computer case and operatively connected to memory means associated with the case. By mounting or affixing the wireless communication device to a bay or slot cover in the computer case, conventional existing computers can be readily retrofitted to include integral and upgradable wireless communication. In certain embodiments, a jack or other connection is provided in the bay or slot cover, and a removable wireless communication member is selectively connected to the jack. Cable means preferably connect a motherboard within the computer housing to the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device or connection may be combined on a single bay cover with a conventional device such as a diskette drive, tape drive, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Novalog, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Pinckney, Bret R. Howe, Robert E. DeCaro