Patents by Inventor Patrick J. Cobler
Patrick J. Cobler 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).
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Patent number: 10240979Abstract: A pulse generator generates high voltage discharge pulses in a manner that may be controlled and monitored. Pulse generator operation may be monitored to measure characteristics associated with pulse generator operation and to produce pulse generator data representative of those characteristics. Pulse generator operation may be monitored by monitoring the discharge pulses produced by the pulse generator and/or the charging of energy storage elements within the pulse generator in preparation for a subsequent discharge pulse. The pulse generator data may be used, for example, to identify pulse generator wear or degradation, to identify problems with pulse generator operation, and/or to control pulse generator operation for improved performance. The pulse generator may also be configured and controlled to generate a high-voltage initiation pulse to initiate a subsequent discharge pulse while being contained within a relatively small form factor.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Cascodium Inc.Inventors: Patrick J. Cobler, Scott A. Rhodes, Paul D. Butler, Neal R. Butler, Michael R. Dynok
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Publication number: 20180289071Abstract: A cartomizer of an electronic vaping device includes a heater circuit which is located adjacent an air passage thereof. The heater circuit includes an electrically resistive heater in electrical communication with a secondary coil. A wick extends across the air passage. The wick is configured to draw pre-vapor formulation from a reservoir toward the heater. The heater is configured to heat the pre-vapor formulation to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the pre-vapor formulation and form a vapor. The cartomizer is connectable to a power supply component which includes a power source in electrical communication with a primary coil. The power supply component is configured to induce sufficient voltage in the secondary coil of the heater circuit such that the secondary coil is configured to heat the heater and vaporize the pre-vapor formulation when the primary coil is powered by the power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Edmond J. CADIEUX, Douglas A. BURTON, Patrick J. COBLER, Barry S. SMITH, Peter LIPOWICZ, Kai CAO
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Patent number: 10015986Abstract: A cartomizer of an electronic vaping device includes a heater circuit which is located adjacent an air passage thereof. The heater circuit includes an electrically resistive heater in electrical communication with a secondary coil. A wick extends across the air passage. The wick is configured to draw pre-vapor formulation from a reservoir toward the heater. The heater is configured to heat the pre-vapor formulation to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the pre-vapor formulation and form a vapor. The cartomizer is connectable to a power supply component which includes a power source in electrical communication with a primary coil. The power supply component is configured to induce sufficient voltage in the secondary coil of the heater circuit such that the secondary coil is configured to heat the heater and vaporize the pre-vapor formulation when the primary coil is powered by the power source.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Douglas A. Burton, Patrick J. Cobler, Barry S. Smith, Peter Lipowicz, Kai Cao
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Publication number: 20180125119Abstract: A liquid reservoir component of an electronic vaping device includes an outer casing extending in a longitudinal direction, an air inlet, and a vapor outlet. An inner tube is within the outer casing defining a central air passage communicates with the inlet and the outlet. A liquid reservoir is in an annular space between the outer casing and the inner tube. A susceptor is adjacent the central air passage, and a wick is in communication with the liquid reservoir and in thermal communication with the susceptor such that the susceptor is operable to heat the liquid material to a temperature to vaporize the liquid material and form a vapor in the central air passage. The liquid reservoir component is configured to connect with a power supply component such that an induction source is operable to generate an inductive field to heat the susceptor when powered by the power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2018Publication date: May 10, 2018Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Edmond J. CADIEUX, Douglas A. Burton, Barry S. Smith, Peter Lipowicz, Patrick J. Cobler
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Publication number: 20180055090Abstract: A cartridge configured to house a pre-vapor formulation for an e-vaping device, the cartridge including a connector having an anode and a cathode, and a nonpermanent conductive structure connecting the anode and the cathode, wherein the nonpermanent conductive structure is configured to break upon operation of the e-vaping device. A method of controlling usage of a cartridge in an e-vaping device, the e-vaping device including a battery connected to the cartridge, the method including providing a nonpermanent conductive structure between an anode of the cartridge and a cathode of the cartridge, the nonpermanent conductive structure being configured to break upon operation of the e-vaping device, detecting a resistance of the nonpermanent structure prior to operation of the e-vaping device, when the detected resistance is higher than a threshold resistance, preventing operation of the e-vaping device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Barry S. SMITH, Sean SUNDBERG, Patrick J. COBLER
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Patent number: 9888719Abstract: A liquid reservoir component of an electronic vaping device includes an outer casing extending in a longitudinal direction, an air inlet, and a vapor outlet. An inner tube is within the outer casing defining a central air passage communicates with the inlet and the outlet. A liquid reservoir is in an annular space between the outer casing and the inner tube. A susceptor is adjacent the central air passage, and a wick is in communication with the liquid reservoir and in thermal communication with the susceptor such that the susceptor is operable to heat the liquid material to a temperature to vaporize the liquid material and form a vapor in the central air passage. The liquid reservoir component is configured to connect with a power supply component such that an induction source is operable to generate an inductive field to heat the susceptor when powered by the power source.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Douglas A. Burton, Barry S. Smith, Peter Lipowicz, Patrick J. Cobler
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Publication number: 20180027878Abstract: A battery section of an electronic vaping device may include a housing extending in a longitudinal direction, the housing having a first end and a second end, a power supply in the housing, a control circuit in the housing, and a conductive contact assembly at the second end of the housing, the contact assembly electrically connecting the power supply and the control circuit. The contact assembly is configured to receive external power and at least one command.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2016Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Charles DENDY, Philip DIANA, Zack WEIGENSBERG, Kai CAO, Patrick J. COBLER
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Publication number: 20160374397Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a section of an electronic-vaping device including a pressure sensor configured to measure a current ambient pressure, the pressure sensor further configured to output the current ambient pressure measurement in accordance with a read request frequency, and a controller configured to determine a mode of operation of the electronic-vaping device, control the read request frequency based on the determined mode of operation, and detect a threshold pressure change based on the current ambient pressure and a baseline pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Geoffrey Brandon JORDAN, Philip DIANA, Sean SUNDBERG, David BENNETT, Christopher S. TUCKER, Barry S. SMITH, Edmond J. CADIEUX, Douglas A. BURTON, Paul BUTLER, Jarrett KEEN, Patrick J. COBLER
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Publication number: 20160021934Abstract: A cartomizer of an electronic vaping device includes a heater circuit which is located adjacent an air passage thereof. The heater circuit includes an electrically resistive heater in electrical communication with a secondary coil. A wick extends across the air passage. The wick is configured to draw pre-vapor formulation from a reservoir toward the heater. The heater is configured to heat the pre-vapor formulation to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the pre-vapor formulation and form a vapor. The cartomizer is connectable to a power supply component which includes a power source in electrical communication with a primary coil. The power supply component is configured to induce sufficient voltage in the secondary coil of the heater circuit such that the secondary coil is configured to heat the heater and vaporize the pre-vapor formulation when the primary coil is powered by the power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Edmond J. CADIEUX, Douglas A. BURTON, Patrick J. COBLER, Barry S. SMITH, Peter LIPOWICZ, Kai CAO
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Publication number: 20150300878Abstract: A pulse generator generates high voltage discharge pulses in a manner that may be controlled and monitored. Pulse generator operation may be monitored to measure characteristics associated with pulse generator operation and to produce pulse generator data representative of those characteristics. Pulse generator operation may be monitored by monitoring the discharge pulses produced by the pulse generator and/or the charging of energy storage elements within the pulse generator in preparation for a subsequent discharge pulse. The pulse generator data may be used, for example, to identify pulse generator wear or degradation, to identify problems with pulse generator operation, and/or to control pulse generator operation for improved performance. The pulse generator may also be configured and controlled to generate a high-voltage initiation pulse to initiate a subsequent discharge pulse while being contained within a relatively small form factor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2015Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventors: Patrick J. COBLER, Scott A. RHODES, Paul D. BUTLER, Neal R. BUTLER, Michael R. DYNOK
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Publication number: 20150245669Abstract: A liquid reservoir component of an electronic vaping device includes an outer casing extending in a longitudinal direction, an air inlet, and a vapor outlet. An inner tube is within the outer casing defining a central air passage communicates with the inlet and the outlet. A liquid reservoir is in an annular space between the outer casing and the inner tube. A susceptor is adjacent the central air passage, and a wick is in communication with the liquid reservoir and in thermal communication with the susceptor such that the susceptor is operable to heat the liquid material to a temperature to vaporize the liquid material and form a vapor in the central air passage. The liquid reservoir component is configured to connect with a power supply component such that an induction source is operable to generate an inductive field to heat the susceptor when powered by the power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2015Publication date: September 3, 2015Inventors: Edmond J. CADIEUX, Douglas A. BURTON, Barry S. SMITH, Peter LIPOWICZ, Patrick J. COBLER
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Patent number: 9072169Abstract: A pulse generator generates high voltage discharge pulses in a manner that may be controlled and monitored. Pulse generator operation may be monitored to measure characteristics associated with pulse generator operation and to produce pulse generator data representative of those characteristics. Pulse generator operation may be monitored by monitoring the discharge pulses produced by the pulse generator and/or the charging of energy storage elements within the pulse generator in preparation for a subsequent discharge pulse. The pulse generator data may be used, for example, to identify pulse generator wear or degradation, to identify problems with pulse generator operation, and/or to control pulse generator operation for improved performance. The pulse generator may also be configured and controlled to generate a high-voltage initiation pulse to initiate a subsequent discharge pulse while being contained within a relatively small form factor.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2011Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Cascodium Inc.Inventors: Patrick J. Cobler, Scott A. Rhodes, Paul D. Butler, Neal R. Butler, Michael R. Dynok
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Patent number: 7254366Abstract: A system and method communicate signals between a portable unit and a communications system. The portable device communicates with a base unit using inductive coupling. The base unit is further connected to a wider communication system such as a telephone network. Multiple, orthogonally arranged transducers are used in the base unit to provide a more complete magnetic field and to prevent mutual inductance nulls which are otherwise present in a magnetic field. The use of short-range inductive coupling minimizes the power requirements and limits interference with other sources. The inductive coupling may also be used to recharge a battery in the portable device.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Aura Communications, Inc.Inventors: Vincent Palermo, Patrick J. Cobler, Neal R. Butler
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Publication number: 20030050011Abstract: A system and method communicate signals between a portable unit and a communications system. The portable device communicates with a base unit using inductive coupling. The base unit is further connected to a wider communication system such as a telephone network. Multiple, orthogonally arranged transducers are used in the base unit to provide a more complete magnetic field and to prevent mutual inductance nulls which are otherwise present in a magnetic field. The use of short-range inductive coupling minimizes the power requirements and limits interference with other sources. The inductive coupling may also be used to recharge a battery in the portable device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2002Publication date: March 13, 2003Applicant: Aura Communications, Inc.Inventors: Vincent Palermo, Patrick J. Cobler, Neal R. Butler
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Patent number: 6459882Abstract: A system and method communicate signals between a portable unit and a communications system. The portable device communicates with a base unit using inductive coupling. The base unit is further connected to a wider communication system such as a telephone network. Multiple, orthogonally arranged transducers are used in the base unit to provide a more complete magnetic field and to prevent mutual inductance nulls which are otherwise present in a magnetic field. The use of short-range inductive coupling minimizes the power requirements and limits interference with other sources. The inductive coupling may also be used to recharge a battery in the portable device.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1998Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: Aura Communications, Inc.Inventors: Vincent Palermo, Patrick J. Cobler, Neal R. Butler
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Patent number: 5982764Abstract: A magnetic induction time-multiplexed two-way short-range wireless communications system, and related method, includes a first portable unit and a second portable unit. The first portable unit receives first unit input signals and provides first unit output signals. Also, the first portable unit includes a first unit transducer system for generating a first inductive field based upon the first unit input signals during a first time slot and for converting a second inductive field into the first unit output signals during a second time slot. The second portable unit receives second unit input signals and provides second unit output signals. Also, the second portable unit includes a second unit transducer system for generating the second inductive field based upon the second unit input signals during the second time slot and for converting the first inductive field into the second unit output signals during the first time slot.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1997Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: Aura Communications, Inc.Inventors: Vincent Palermo, Patrick J. Cobler, Neal R. Butler
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Patent number: 5912925Abstract: A magnetic communication system includes a transmitter have a single coil transducer, and a receiver having a three orthogonally oriented coil transducers. The signal processing circuitry in the receiver adjusts the phases of the signals received by the three transducers to produce signals which are in-phase. The signals are then summed to provide an output signal from the receiver. The processing circuitry adjusts the phases of the incoming signals either serially or in parallel. Transmissions from the receiver to the transmitter are also phase adjusted in accordance with the same adjustments used in reception.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1996Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Aura Communications, Inc.Inventors: Vincent Palermo, Patrick J. Cobler, Neal R. Butler
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Patent number: 5902501Abstract: The present invention provides a cigarette identifier system comprising a coil at a location along the cigarette-receiving receptacle of the lighter, an oscillation circuit in communication with the coil and a controller configured to activate or deactivate the lighter responsively to output of the oscillator circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1997Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Philip Morris IncorporatedInventors: H. Neal Nunnally, Dave E. Sharpe, Michael L. Watkins, Douglas J. Ely, Neal R. Butler, Patrick J. Cobler
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Patent number: RE39982Abstract: A magnetic communication system includes a transmitter have a single coil transducer, and a receiver having a three orthogonally oriented coil transducers. The signal processing circuitry in the receiver adjusts the phases of the signals received by the three transducers to produce signals which are in-phase. The signals are then summed to provide an output signal from the receiver. The processing circuitry adjusts the phases of the incoming signals either serially or in parallel. Transmissions from the receiver to the transmitter are also phase adjusted in accordance with the same adjustments used in reception.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2001Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: Aura Communications Technology, Inc.Inventors: Vincent Palermo, Patrick J. Cobler, Neal R. Butler
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Patent number: RE40018Abstract: A magnetic induction time-multiplexed two-way short-range wireless communications system, and related method, includes a first portable unit and a second portable unit. The first portable unit receives first unit input signals and provides first unit output signals. Also, the first portable unit includes a first unit transducer system for generating a first inductive field based upon the first unit input signals during a first time slot and for converting a second inductive field into the first unit output signals during a second time slot. The second portable unit receives second unit input signals and provides second unit output signals. Also, the second portable unit includes a second unit transducer system for generating the second inductive field based upon the second unit input signals during the second time slot and for converting the first inductive field into the second unit output signals during the first time slot.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2001Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignee: Aura Communications Technology, Inc.Inventors: Vincent Palermo, Patrick J. Cobler, Neal R. Butler