Patents by Inventor Dean C Buck

Dean C Buck 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: 10987154
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency output stage configured to output at least one radio frequency waveform and a sensor for sensing current. The sensor includes a current sensor coil having: an outer coil, an inner coil coupled to and disposed within the outer coil, and at least one shielding member disposed over the outer coil. Each of the at least one shielding member and the outer coil define an opening therethrough. The generator also includes at least one active lead coupled to the radio frequency output stage and passing through the current sensor coil. The current sensor coil is configured to output a signal indicative of a current within the at least one active lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Dean C. Buck, Edward L. Brannan, Mark A. Johnston
  • Patent number: 10901006
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus relates to an apparatus for sensing current that includes a Rogowski coil assembly and a circuit board. The Rogowski coil assembly has a housing, a slot in the housing configured to receive a conductor through the slot, a Rogowski coil formed within the housing, and a connector. The circuit board has a substantially planar substrate, which has a slot through the substrate configured to receive the Rogowski coil assembly. A complementary connector of the circuit board is configured to receive the connector of the Rogowski coil assembly. The Rogowski coil assembly is positioned through the slot of the substrate, and the complementary connector of the circuit board couples with the connector of the Rogowski coil assembly. In various embodiments, the conductor can be a conductive trace on the substrate of the circuit board, and the Rogowski coil is configured to detect a current through the conductive trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Aaron G. Mattmiller, Dean C. Buck, Gary E. MacIndoe, Tom E. McMunigal
  • Patent number: 10539595
    Abstract: A measurement circuit measures a waveform of electrical energy generated by a generator. The measurement circuit includes a sensor configured to sense a waveform having a first range of amplitudes, first and second circuits configured to filter the sensed waveform. Each circuit includes an attenuator configured to amplify an amplitude of the waveform by multiplying the waveform by an attenuation factor, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to digitally sample the amplified waveform, which has a second range of amplitudes, to obtain digital samples, a gain element configured to multiply the digital samples by a gain factor, and a factor adjustor configured to adjust the attenuation factor and the gain factor. The measurement circuit further includes a controller configured to calculate voltage and current of the waveform based on the digital samples and to control the generator based on the calculated voltage and current. The first range includes and is larger than the second range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Dean C. Buck
  • Publication number: 20190290351
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency output stage configured to output at least one radio frequency waveform and a sensor for sensing current. The sensor includes a current sensor coil having: an outer coil, an inner coil coupled to and disposed within the outer coil, and at least one shielding member disposed over the outer coil. Each of the at least one shielding member and the outer coil define an opening therethrough. The generator also includes at least one active lead coupled to the radio frequency output stage and passing through the current sensor coil. The current sensor coil is configured to output a signal indicative of a current within the at least one active lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: DEAN C. BUCK, EDWARD L. BRANNAN, MARK A. JOHNSTON
  • Patent number: 10292753
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency output stage, a sensor for sensing current, and an active lead. The radio frequency output stage is configured to output at least one radio frequency waveform. The sensor includes a current sensor coil including an outer coil including an opening therethrough and an inner coil coupled to and disposed within the outer coil. The active lead is coupled to the radio frequency output stage and passes through the current sensor coil opening. The current sensor coil is configured to output a first signal indicative of a current within the active lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Dean C. Buck, Edward L. Brannan, Mark A. Johnston
  • Patent number: 10278764
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency output stage, a sensor for sensing current, and an active lead. The radio frequency output stage is configured to output at least one radio frequency waveform. The sensor includes a current sensor coil including an outer coil including an opening therethrough and an inner coil coupled to and disposed within the outer coil. The active lead is coupled to the radio frequency output stage and passes through the current sensor coil opening. The current sensor coil is configured to output a first signal indicative of a current within the active lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Dean C. Buck, Edward L. Brannan, Mark A. Johnston
  • Patent number: 10281496
    Abstract: A sensor for sensing current includes a current sensor coil and at least one active lead and at least one return lead. The current sensor coil includes an outer coil and an inner coil coupled to and disposed within the outer coil. The at least one active lead and the at least one return lead pass through the current sensor coil opening. The current sensor coil is configured to output a differential signal indicative of a current within the at least one active lead and the at least one return lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Dean C. Buck, Edward L. Brannan, Mark A. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20190101572
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus relates to an apparatus for sensing current that includes a Rogowski coil assembly and a circuit board. The Rogowski coil assembly has a housing, a slot in the housing configured to receive a conductor through the slot, a Rogowski coil formed within the housing, and a connector. The circuit board has a substantially planar substrate, which has a slot through the substrate configured to receive the Rogowski coil assembly. A complementary connector of the circuit board is configured to receive the connector of the Rogowski coil assembly. The Rogowski coil assembly is positioned through the slot of the substrate, and the complementary connector of the circuit board couples with the connector of the Rogowski coil assembly. In various embodiments, the conductor can be a conductive trace on the substrate of the circuit board, and the Rogowski coil is configured to detect a current through the conductive trace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: AARON G. MATTMILLER, DEAN C. BUCK, GARY E. MACINDOE, TOM E. MCMUNIGAL
  • Patent number: 9863983
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a current sensor configured to measure an AC current of a first conductor includes an outer coil having a first portion and a second portion. Each of the first and second portions are disposed about the first conductor passing through a center of the outer coil. The current sensor further includes an inner conductor disposed within the first and second portions of the outer coil and connected to each of the first and second portions of the outer coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Dean C. Buck, James A. Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20170315160
    Abstract: The systems and methods of the present disclosure use measurement circuitry that includes first and second circuits, a selecting circuit, a determination circuit, and a setting circuit. Each of the first and second circuits measures voltage or current sensed by a sensor. The selecting circuit selects the first circuit to provide the measured voltage or current values. The determination circuit determines whether the measured voltage or current values reach a predetermined level. The setting circuit changes a setting of the second circuit from a first setting to a second setting if the measured voltage or current values reach the predetermined level. The selecting circuit selects the second circuit to provide the measured voltage or current values when a first predetermined time elapses after changing the setting of the second circuit. The selecting circuit also changes a setting of the first circuit from the first setting to the second setting after selecting the second circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventor: DEAN C. BUCK
  • Patent number: 9709609
    Abstract: The systems and methods of the present disclosure use measurement circuitry that includes first and second circuits, a selecting circuit, a determination circuit, and a setting circuit. Each of the first and second circuits measures voltage or current sensed by a sensor. The selecting circuit selects the first circuit to provide the measured voltage or current values. The determination circuit determines whether the measured voltage or current values reach a predetermined level. The setting circuit changes a setting of the second circuit from a first setting to a second setting if the measured voltage or current values reach the predetermined level. The selecting circuit selects the second circuit to provide the measured voltage or current values when a first predetermined time elapses after changing the setting of the second circuit. The selecting circuit also changes a setting of the first circuit from the first setting to the second setting after selecting the second circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Dean C. Buck
  • Publication number: 20160154034
    Abstract: A sensor for sensing current includes a current sensor coil and at least one active lead and at least one return lead. The current sensor coil includes an outer coil and an inner coil coupled to and disposed within the outer coil. The at least one active lead and the at least one return lead pass through the current sensor coil opening. The current sensor coil is configured to output a differential signal indicative of a current within the at least one active lead and the at least one return lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: DEAN C. BUCK, EDWARD L. BRANNAN, MARK A. JOHNSTON
  • Publication number: 20160151109
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency output stage, a sensor for sensing current, and an active lead. The radio frequency output stage is configured to output at least one radio frequency waveform. The sensor includes a current sensor coil including an outer coil including an opening therethrough and an inner coil coupled to and disposed within the outer coil. The active lead is coupled to the radio frequency output stage and passes through the current sensor coil opening. The current sensor coil is configured to output a first signal indicative of a current within the active lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: DEAN C. BUCK, EDWARD L. BRANNAN, MARK A. JOHNSTON
  • Publication number: 20160151106
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency output stage, a sensor for sensing current, and an active lead. The radio frequency output stage is configured to output at least one radio frequency waveform. The sensor includes a current sensor coil including an outer coil including an opening therethrough and an inner coil coupled to and disposed within the outer coil. The active lead is coupled to the radio frequency output stage and passes through the current sensor coil opening. The current sensor coil is configured to output a first signal indicative of a current within the active lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: DEAN C. BUCK, EDWARD L. BRANNAN, MARK A. JOHNSTON
  • Publication number: 20160011244
    Abstract: The systems and methods of the present disclosure use measurement circuitry that includes first and second circuits, a selecting circuit, a determination circuit, and a setting circuit. Each of the first and second circuits measures voltage or current sensed by a sensor. The selecting circuit selects the first circuit to provide the measured voltage or current values. The determination circuit determines whether the measured voltage or current values reach a predetermined level. The setting circuit changes a setting of the second circuit from a first setting to a second setting if the measured voltage or current values reach the predetermined level. The selecting circuit selects the second circuit to provide the measured voltage or current values when a first predetermined time elapses after changing the setting of the second circuit. The selecting circuit also changes a setting of the first circuit from the first setting to the second setting after selecting the second circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventor: DEAN C. BUCK
  • Publication number: 20140167733
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a current sensor configured to measure an AC current of a first conductor includes an outer coil having a first portion and a second portion. Each of the first and second portions are disposed about the first conductor passing through a center of the outer coil. The current sensor further includes an inner conductor disposed within the first and second portions of the outer coil and connected to each of the first and second portions of the outer coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: DEAN C. BUCK, JAMES A. GILBERT
  • Publication number: 20080089567
    Abstract: A scanning X-ray system minimizes frequency artifacts by capturing a first and a second image that are offset in at least one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Tracy K. Eliasson, Dean C. Buck
  • Patent number: 7245693
    Abstract: An x-ray inspection system. The x-ray inspection system includes an x-ray source, an on-axis x-ray sensor, at least one off-axis x-ray sensor, a fixture, and an accumulation circuit. The on-axis x-ray sensor is configured to capture on-axis images of radiation from the x-ray source. The x-ray source is displaced from the on-axis x-ray sensor, and the x-ray source and the on-axis x-ray sensor are positioned on an axis conceptually drawn between the x-ray source and the on-axis x-ray sensor. At least one off-axis x-ray sensor is configured to capture off-axis images of radiation from the x-ray source, wherein each off-axis x-ray sensor is positioned off the axis. The fixture is configured to maintain an article between the x-ray source and the on-axis and off-axis x-ray sensors, and the accumulation circuit is configured to receive and accumulate images captured by the on-axis and off-axis x-ray sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean C. Buck, Tracy Eliasson, Anthony C. Turner, Ronald K. Kerschner
  • Patent number: 6825856
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for viewing a depiction of an object (for example a solder joint) in a multi-dimensional manner, morphing the object's depiction using a graphical user interface to upper and lower acceptable tolerance limits and storing the tolerance limits for use in a test/inspection apparatus. The invention relates to the translation of human visual inspection-analysis of an object into physical quantifiable parameters used in an inspection device via a graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Shane Fazzio, Dean C Buck
  • Patent number: 6456704
    Abstract: A system and method for capturing and communicating caller information for a digital communication device are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a caller ID device captures caller information from inbound and/or outbound calls. Thereafter, the caller ID device can communicate captured caller information to a digital communication device, such as a digital sender or fax machine, wherein the digital communication device can then communicate data to a destination indicated by the caller information. In a preferred embodiment, the caller ID device can also communicate control signals to the digital communication device to control how the device responds upon receiving caller information from the caller ID device. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the caller ID device can communicate a control signal to the digital communication device that activates the device to communicate data to a destination indicated by the communicated caller information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Dean C Buck