Patents by Inventor Ben A. Beer

Ben A. Beer 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).

  • Lighting device having a circuit including a plurality of light emitting diodes, and methods of controlling and calibrating lighting devices
    Patent number: 7375476
    Abstract: A lighting device (132) includes a circuit having a power supply and a plurality of light emitting diodes (120) connected in series with the power supply. The plurality of light emitting diodes (120) includes at least two groups of series-connected light emitting diodes, the groups of series-connected light emitting diodes being connected in series. A different optically isolated field effect transistor (U3-U5) is connected in parallel with each group of series-connected light emitting diodes, for selectively shunting around the group of series-connected light emitting diodes. A different capacitor (C8-C10) can also be connected in parallel with each group of series-connected light emitting diodes. A controller (U2) is connected to a gate of each of the optically isolated field effect transistors (U3-U5) for selectively turning the optically isolated field effect transistors (U3-U5) on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Walter, Robert E. Corbett, Richard G. Matsui, Ben A. Beer
  • Lighting device having a circuit including a plurality of light emitting diodes, and methods of controlling and calibrating lighting devices
    Publication number: 20060226795
    Abstract: A lighting device (132) includes a circuit having a power supply and a plurality of light emitting diodes (120) connected in series with the power supply. The plurality of light emitting diodes (120) includes at least two groups of series-connected light emitting diodes, the groups of series-connected light emitting diodes being connected in series. A different optically isolated field effect transistor (U3-U5) is connected in parallel with each group of series-connected light emitting diodes, for selectively shunting around the group of series-connected light emitting diodes. A different capacitor (C8-C10) can also be connected in parallel with each group of series-connected light emitting diodes. A controller (U2) is connected to a gate of each of the optically isolated field effect transistors (U3-U5) for selectively turning the optically isolated field effect transistors (U3-U5) on and off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Applicant: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Walter, Robert Corbett, Richard Matsui, Ben Beer
  • Programmed-start parallel-resonant electronic ballast
    Patent number: 5877592
    Abstract: A family of programmed start parallel-resonant electronic ballast circuits operate in a first mode during a preheat interval following application of power to the ballast, and then afterwards operate in a second mode. The ballast circuits can be based on any of the several forms of current-fed parallel-resonant inverters, all of which have a dc choke inductor. A first embodiment operates such that, during the first mode, the parallel-resonant inverter is inhibited, while an auxiliary transistor develops a trapezoidal voltage waveform across the dc choke inductor. Filament preheating is provided by windings coupled to the dc choke inductor. The ballast output voltage is essentially zero so that no destructive glow current is produced. During the second mode, the auxiliary transistor is inhibited, and the parallel-resonant inverter produces a sinusoidal output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: MagneTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryce L. Hesterman, Ben A. Beer