Patents by Inventor Viren B. Merchant

Viren B. Merchant 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: 20120112729
    Abstract: A limiter circuit includes a voltage rail having an input and an output, the input receiving an applied input voltage, a switching device in electrical communication with the voltage rail to selective control an electric current flowing through the output of the voltage rail, limiter capacitor in electrical communication with the input of the voltage rail and the switching device, wherein the limiter capacitor and the switching device are in parallel electrical communication between the input and an electrical ground, and a first resistor interposed between the limiter capacitor and the electrical ground, wherein an impedance of the resistor and the limiter capacitor define a time constant for the charging the limiter capacitor, and wherein the time constant of the limiter capacitor controls a voltage applied to the switching device and a current flowing through the output of the voltage rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Edwards, Viren B. Merchant, Harold Ryan Macks
  • Patent number: 7621752
    Abstract: Disclosed is an LED package holder for retaining and electrically connecting an LED package. The LED package holder includes a housing configured to hold an LED package and has at least one center opening defined therein. A connector shroud is integrally formed with the housing and has a cavity for receiving a connector operable to supply power to the LED package. Two contact features are retained by the housing, and each contact feature has an inner contact and an outer contact. Each inner contact engages an LED electric terminal of the LED package. Each outer contact extends into the connector shroud so as to engage connector terminals when a connector is inserted into the connector shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff C. Lin, Viren B. Merchant, Edwin Mitchell Sayers, Andrew Z. Glovatsky
  • Publication number: 20090207617
    Abstract: An LED package holder for holding and electrically connecting an LED package. The LED package holder includes a housing having an aperture defined therein and portions defining a recess. A plurality of contact features are retained by the housing and extend into the aperture. Each contact feature has an exposed portion configured to engage an LED electric terminal of an LED package that is received within the aperture. A heat sink, also retained by the housing, is at least partially located within the recess of the housing and configured to draw heat away from the LED package received within the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Viren B. Merchant, Jeff C. Lin, Andrew Z. Glovatsky
  • Patent number: 7513663
    Abstract: A system and method for dynamically recalibrating an adaptive lighting system includes a control module configured to instruct a motor to rotate a lamp to a first hard stop when the lamp positioned at a first soft stop. The system recalibrates the control module using the first hard stop as a reference point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Viren B. Merchant, Yazan Fahd Hamzeh, Terry Joseph Anson
  • Publication number: 20090023323
    Abstract: Disclosed is an LED package holder for retaining and electrically connecting an LED package. The LED package holder includes a housing configured to hold an LED package and has at least one center opening defined therein. A connector shroud is integrally formed with the housing and has a cavity for receiving a connector operable to supply power to the LED package. Two contact features are retained by the housing, and each contact feature has an inner contact and an outer contact. Each inner contact engages an LED electric terminal of the LED package. Each outer contact extends into the connector shroud so as to engage connector terminals when a connector is inserted into the connector shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Jeff C. Lin, Viren B. Merchant, Edwin Mitchell Sayers, Andrew Z. Glovatsky
  • Publication number: 20080263878
    Abstract: A system and method for dynamically recalibrating an adaptive lighting system includes a control module configured to instruct a motor to rotate a lamp to a first hard stop when the lamp positioned at a first soft stop. The system recalibrates the control module using the first hard stop as a reference point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Viren B. Merchant, Yazan Fahd Hamzeh, Terry Joseph Anson
  • Patent number: 5508872
    Abstract: A circuit for sensing the loss of a signal ground in an automotive electronic system having a source of electrical power and both a signal ground and a power ground, includes a first sensor coupled to the power ground and between the signal ground and the source of electrical power for generating a first signal responsive to the voltage on the signal ground differing from the voltage on the power ground by more than a first predetermined limit. A latching semiconductor switch is coupled to the first sensor and between the signal ground and the power ground for latching the electrical coupling of the signal ground to the power ground responsive to receiving the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Choon F. Khoo, Bor-Dong Chen, Viren B. Merchant, Aaron R. Tweadey
  • Patent number: 5088465
    Abstract: This invention includes a method and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine with a reduced starting time. That is, there is a reduced delay before the first combustion event occurs in the engine. Only a single engine position sensor is used. The method includes injecting fuel into a cylinder before true engine position is determined and applying an ignition pulse to the cylinder and firing the ignition coil after fuel has been injected into the cylinder. Advantageously, injecting fuel for the cylinder is done after determining the engine is turning and determining the engine has a rotational rate below a predetermined parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Charles J. DeBiasi, Viren B. Merchant, James B. Maurer, Larry A. Hardy