Patents by Inventor Matthew W. Nuhfer

Matthew W. Nuhfer 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).

  • Publication number: 20180241304
    Abstract: A load regulation device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load may be able to calibrate the magnitude of an output voltage of the load regulation device in order to control the magnitude of a load voltage across the electrical load to a predetermined level. The load regulation device may receive the feedback from a calibration device adapted to be coupled to load wiring near the electrical load. The feedback may indicate when the magnitude of the load voltage across the electrical load has reached a predetermined level. The load regulation device may gradually adjust the magnitude of the output voltage, receive the feedback from the calibration device, and then use the feedback to determine the magnitude of the output voltage corresponding to when the magnitude of the load voltage across the electrical load has reached the predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Knauss, Matthew W. Nuhfer, Christopher G. Udall
  • Patent number: 9954435
    Abstract: A load regulation device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load may be able to calibrate the magnitude of an output voltage of the load regulation device in order to control the magnitude of a load voltage across the electrical load to a predetermined level. The load regulation device may receive the feedback from a calibration device adapted to be coupled to load wiring near the electrical load. The feedback may indicate when the magnitude of the load voltage across the electrical load has reached a predetermined level. The load regulation device may gradually adjust the magnitude of the output voltage, receive the feedback from the calibration device, and then use the feedback to determine the magnitude of the output voltage corresponding to when the magnitude of the load voltage across the electrical load has reached the predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Knauss, Matthew W. Nuhfer, Christopher G. Udall
  • Publication number: 20180027630
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide examples of an electrical panel (e.g., a modular electrical panel) that is configured to control a plurality of electrical loads. The electrical panel may include a control circuit, memory, a communication circuit, and an alternating current (AC) line feed and/or a direct current (DC) line feed. The electrical panel may also include a plurality of power supplies and a plurality of control modules, where more than one control module is associated with each of the plurality of power supplies. Each control module may configured to receive DC power from the associated power supply and provide an output voltage to at least one electrical load. The electrical panel provides flexibility as to whether each stage of conversion, regulation, and/or control is performed at a control module located within the electrical panel or performed at an accessory module located at an electrical load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart W. DeJonge, Robert C. Newman, Matthew W. Nuhfer, Michael W. Pessina, Thomas M. Shearer
  • Publication number: 20160181911
    Abstract: A load regulation device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load may be able to calibrate the magnitude of an output voltage of the load regulation device in order to control the magnitude of a load voltage across the electrical load to a predetermined level. The load regulation device may receive the feedback from a calibration device adapted to be coupled to load wiring near the electrical load. The feedback may indicate when the magnitude of the load voltage across the electrical load has reached a predetermined level. The load regulation device may gradually adjust the magnitude of the output voltage, receive the feedback from the calibration device, and then use the feedback to determine the magnitude of the output voltage corresponding to when the magnitude of the load voltage across the electrical load has reached the predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Knauss, Matthew W. Nuhfer, Christopher G. Udall
  • Patent number: 9035563
    Abstract: A system for configuring at least one output parameter of a lighting load power supply, the lighting load power supply having a programmable controller for regulating the output parameter to a target value and having a memory for storing a variable for setting the target value of the output parameter, the power supply having a communication port for receiving data for setting the target value, the system comprising a computer executing software allowing a user to select a target value of an output parameter of the lighting load power supply and having a first port providing data related to the selected output parameter; and a programming device having a second port in communication with the first port of said computer and for providing data relating to said selected output parameter in a form usable by said lighting load power supply to said communication port of said lighting load power supply for programming said programmable controller to set the output parameter to the selected target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Nuhfer, Thomas M. Shearer, Venkatesh Chitta
  • Patent number: 8860313
    Abstract: A self-heating thermal protector operates to disconnect a load control device for a lighting load from an AC power source when insulation is present around the insulation detector independent of the magnitude of an AC mains line voltage of the AC power source. The insulation detector comprises a temperature-sensitive switch and a constant power circuit that are located in a thermally-conductive enclosure. The temperature-sensitive switch is coupled between the AC power source and the load control device and is rendered conductive and non-conductive in response to a temperature inside the enclosure. The constant power circuit is coupled in parallel with the AC power source and dissipates a constant amount of power independent of the magnitude of the AC mains line voltage when the temperature-sensitive switch is conductive. Restricted airflow over the thermal protector causes the temperature inside the enclosure to increase, such that the temperature-sensitive switch is rendered non-conductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Nuhfer, Thomas M. Shearer
  • Patent number: 8810159
    Abstract: A system for configuring an output parameter of a lighting load power supply, the power supply having a programmable controller for regulating the output parameter to a target value and a memory for storing a variable for setting the target value. The power supply has a communication port for data for setting the target value. A computer executes software allowing a user to select a target value and provides data related to the selected parameter. A programming device in communication with the computer provides data relating to the selected parameter to the communication port for programming the controller to set the parameter to the target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Nuhfer, Thomas M. Shearer, Venkatesh Chitta, Ethan Charles Biery
  • Publication number: 20140125244
    Abstract: A system for configuring at least one output parameter of a lighting load power supply, the lighting load power supply having a programmable controller for regulating the output parameter to a target value and having a memory for storing a variable for setting the target value of the output parameter, the power supply having a communication port for receiving data for setting the target value, the system comprising a computer executing software allowing a user to select a target value of an output parameter of the lighting load power supply and having a first port providing data related to the selected output parameter; and a programming device having a second port in communication with the first port of said computer and for providing data relating to said selected output parameter in a form usable by said lighting load power supply to said communication port of said lighting load power supply for programming said programmable controller to set the output parameter to the selected target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Nuhfer, Thomas M. Shearer, Venkatesh Chitta
  • Patent number: 8664888
    Abstract: A converter for an LED driver for an LED light source. The converter has a flyback transformer. The primary receives a rectified AC voltage. A switching transistor is coupled in series with the primary. A controller controls the switching transistor on and off to generate a bus voltage across the secondary and a center tap voltage at a center tap of the secondary. The controller is powered by a first low-voltage DC voltage. A first power supply receives the center tap voltage and generates a second low-voltage DC voltage when the center tap voltage is above a cutover voltage. A second power supply has an output coupled to the first power supply output. The second power supply receives the bus voltage and generates the second DC voltage when the center tap voltage is below the cutover voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Nuhfer, Thomas M. Shearer, Venkatesh Chitta, Kartik Iyer
  • Patent number: 8492987
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) driver is adapted to control either the magnitude of the current conducted through a LED light source or the magnitude of a voltage generated across the LED light source. The LED driver comprises a power converter circuit for generating a DC bus voltage, and an LED drive circuit for receiving the bus voltage and adjusting the magnitude of the current conducted through the LED light source. The LED driver is operable to dim the LED light source using either a pulse-width modulation technique or a constant current reduction technique. The LED drive circuit may comprise a controllable-impedance circuit, such as a linear regulator. The LED driver may be operable to control the magnitude of the bus voltage to optimize the efficiency and reduce the power dissipation in the LED drive circuit, as well ensuring that the load voltage and current do not have any ripple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Nuhfer, Thomas M. Shearer, Venkatesh Chitta, Kartik Iyer
  • Patent number: 8492988
    Abstract: A configurable light-emitting diode (LED) driver is adapted to control a plurality of different LED light sources, which may be rated to operate using different load control techniques, different dimming techniques, and different magnitudes of load current and voltage. The LED driver comprises a power converter circuit for generating a DC bus voltage, and an LED drive circuit for receiving the bus voltage and adjusting either the magnitude of the current conducted through the LED light source or the magnitude of the voltage across the LED light source. The LED driver is operable to dim the LED light source using either a pulse-width modulation technique or a constant current reduction technique, and may be configured using a programming device and a personal computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Nuhfer, Thomas M. Shearer, Venkatesh Chitta, Ethan Charles Biery, Kartik Iyer
  • Patent number: 8466628
    Abstract: A load control circuit, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) driver, for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load, such as an LED light source, comprises a regulation transistor adapted to be coupled in series with the load, and a feedback circuit coupled in series with the regulation transistor, whereby the load control circuit is able to control the magnitude of a load current conducted through the load from a minimum load current to a maximum load current, which is at least approximately one thousand times larger than the minimum load current. The feedback circuit generates at least one load current feedback signal representative of the magnitude of the load current. The regulation transistor operates in the linear region to control the magnitude of the load current conducted through the load in response to the magnitude of the load current determined from the load current feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Shearer, Matthew W. Nuhfer, Venkatesh Chitta, Kartik Iyer, Nicholas A. Hoerter, Mark S. Taipale
  • Publication number: 20130134882
    Abstract: A self-heating thermal protector operates to disconnect a load control device for a lighting load from an AC power source when insulation is present around the insulation detector independent of the magnitude of an AC mains line voltage of the AC power source. The insulation detector comprises a temperature-sensitive switch and a constant power circuit that are located in a thermally-conductive enclosure. The temperature-sensitive switch is coupled between the AC power source and the load control device and is rendered conductive and non-conductive in response to a temperature inside the enclosure. The constant power circuit is coupled in parallel with the AC power source and dissipates a constant amount of power independent of the magnitude of the AC mains line voltage when the temperature-sensitive switch is conductive. Restricted airflow over the thermal protector causes the temperature inside the enclosure to increase, such that the temperature-sensitive switch is rendered non-conductive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Nuhfer, Thomas M. Shearer
  • Publication number: 20130020964
    Abstract: A converter for an LED driver for an LED light source. The converter has a flyback transformer. The primary receives a rectified AC voltage. A switching transistor is coupled in series with the primary. A controller controls the switching transistor on and off to generate a bus voltage across the secondary and a center tap voltage at a center tap of the secondary. The controller is powered by a first low-voltage DC voltage. A first power supply receives the center tap voltage and generates a second low-voltage DC voltage when the center tap voltage is above a cutover voltage. A second power supply has an output coupled to the first power supply output. The second power supply receives the bus voltage and generates the second DC voltage when the center tap voltage is below the cutover voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Matthew W. Nuhfer, Thomas M. Shearer, Venkatesh Chitta, Kartik Iyer
  • Publication number: 20130018522
    Abstract: A system for configuring an output parameter of a lighting load power supply, the power supply having a programmable controller for regulating the output parameter to a target value and a memory for storing a variable for setting the target value. The power supply has a communication port for data for setting the target value. A computer executes software allowing a user to select a target value and provides data related to the selected parameter. A programming device in communication with the computer provides data relating to the selected parameter to the communication port for programming the controller to set the parameter to the target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Matthew W. Nuhfer, Thomas M. Shearer, Venkatesh Chitta, Ethan Charles Biery
  • Publication number: 20110080110
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) driver is adapted to control either the magnitude of the current conducted through a LED light source or the magnitude of a voltage generated across the LED light source. The LED driver comprises a power converter circuit for generating a DC bus voltage, and an LED drive circuit for receiving the bus voltage and adjusting the magnitude of the current conducted through the LED light source. The LED driver is operable to dim the LED light source using either a pulse-width modulation technique or a constant current reduction technique. The LED drive circuit may comprise a controllable-impedance circuit, such as a linear regulator. The LED driver may be operable to control the magnitude of the bus voltage to optimize the efficiency and reduce the power dissipation in the LED drive circuit, as well ensuring that the load voltage and current do not have any ripple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Nuhfer, Thomas M. Shearer, Venkatesh Chitta, Kartik Iyer
  • Publication number: 20110080111
    Abstract: A configurable light-emitting diode (LED) driver is adapted to control a plurality of different LED light sources, which may be rated to operate using different load control techniques, different dimming techniques, and different magnitudes of load current and voltage. The LED driver comprises a power converter circuit for generating a DC bus voltage, and an LED drive circuit for receiving the bus voltage and adjusting either the magnitude of the current conducted through the LED light source or the magnitude of the voltage across the LED light source. The LED driver is operable to dim the LED light source using either a pulse-width modulation technique or a constant current reduction technique, and may be configured using a programming device and a personal computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Nuhfer, Thomas M. Shearer, Venkatesh Chitta, Ethan Charles Biery, Kartik Iyer
  • Publication number: 20110080112
    Abstract: A load control circuit, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) driver, for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load, such as an LED light source, comprises a regulation transistor adapted to be coupled in series with the load, and a feedback circuit coupled in series with the regulation transistor, whereby the load control circuit is able to control the magnitude of a load current conducted through the load from a minimum load current to a maximum load current, which is at least approximately one thousand times larger than the minimum load current. The feedback circuit generates at least one load current feedback signal representative of the magnitude of the load current. The regulation transistor operates in the linear region to control the magnitude of the load current conducted through the load in response to the magnitude of the load current determined from the load current feedback signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Shearer, Matthew W. Nuhfer, Venkatesh Chitta, Kartik Iyer, Nicholas A. Hoerter, Mark S. Taipale