Patents by Inventor Benjamin David VOLLMER
Benjamin David VOLLMER 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: 11930572Abstract: A system for emitting light (such as a luminaire) includes a first light emitting diode (LED) string and a first LED driver that is electrically connected in parallel to the first LED string. The system also may include a second (or more) LED string(s), each associated with an additional LED driver. One-way conductors and normally-open switches are used so that if one LED driver fails, the remaining LED driver(s) will deliver power to the failed driver's LED string so that the light remains operational, but with a reduced brightness.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2020Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.Inventors: George Albert Dederich, Benjamin David Vollmer, Isaac P. Dost, Walten Peter Owens
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Patent number: 11408592Abstract: An optical structure for controlling distribution of light generated by a light source is described. The optical structure includes a primary optics disposed relative to the light source and configured to reflect light generated by the light source towards a target region. The optical structure also includes a secondary optics disposed and aligned relative to the primary optics. The secondary optics is configured to at least partially block light generated by the light source from illuminating a region outside the target region.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2019Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.Inventors: Walten Peter Owens, Benjamin David Vollmer, Kevin C. Broughton, Michael Quijano
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Publication number: 20220225484Abstract: A system for emitting light (such as a luminaire) includes a first light emitting diode (LED) string and a first LED driver that is electrically connected in parallel to the first LED string. The system also may include a second (or more) LED string(s), each associated with an additional LED driver. One-way conductors and normally-open switches are used so that if one LED driver fails, the remaining LED driver(s) will deliver power to the failed driver's LED string so that the light remains operational, but with a reduced brightness.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2020Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: George Albert DEDERICH, Benjamin David VOLLMER, Isaac P. DOST, Walten Peter OWENS
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Patent number: 11313544Abstract: A method for providing assistance in aiming of one or more illumination devices in an area may include, by a processor, receiving photometric data for an area, and using the photometric data to determine an aiming vector for the illumination device. The area may include the illumination device. the method may further include receiving, from an orientation sensor module of the illumination device, orientation data for the illumination device, and using the orientation data and the aiming vector to determine if there is an error in the aiming of the illumination device. The response to determining that there is an error in the aiming of the illumination device, the method further includes causing a controller associated with a driving means of the illumination device for correcting the error in the aiming of the illumination device.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.Inventors: Christopher D. Nolan, Joseph J. Witkowski, Joseph R. Casper, Benjamin David Vollmer
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Patent number: 10887963Abstract: A power supply unit for an illumination device that includes a multi-mode power supply configured to supply power to an illumination device having one or more LED modules and a control circuit. The multi-mode power supply includes a primary power supply component configured to supply power to non-essential components of the illumination device, and a secondary power supply component configured to supply power to only essential components of the illumination device. The nonessential components include the one or more LED modules, and the essential components include the control circuit but not the one or more LED modules.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2019Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.Inventors: Joseph J. Witkowski, Joseph R. Casper, Christopher D. Nolan, Benjamin David Vollmer
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Publication number: 20200367330Abstract: A system for emitting light (such as a luminaire) includes a first light emitting diode (LED) string and a first LED driver that is electrically connected in parallel to the first LED string. The system also may include a second (or more) LED string(s), each associated with an additional LED driver. One-way conductors and normally-open switches are used so that if one LED driver fails, the remaining LED driver(s) will deliver power to the failed driver's LED string so that the light remains operational, but with a reduced brightness.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2019Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Benjamin David Vollmer, Isaac P. Dost, Walten Peter Owens, George Albert Dederich
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Patent number: 10841998Abstract: A system for emitting light (such as a luminaire) includes a first light emitting diode (LED) string and a first LED driver that is electrically connected in parallel to the first LED string. The system also may include a second (or more) LED string(s), each associated with an additional LED driver. One-way conductors and normally-open switches are used so that if one LED driver fails, the remaining LED driver(s) will deliver power to the failed driver's LED string so that the light remains operational, but with a reduced brightness.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.Inventors: Benjamin David Vollmer, Isaac P. Dost, Walten Peter Owens, George Albert Dederich
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Patent number: 10779368Abstract: A system of networked lighting devices includes a group of lighting device fixture controllers connected in a communication chain. The communication chain provides for transfer of data packets between the lighting device fixture controllers and a central controller. Each fixture controller includes a first power input that receives power from a primary power source, and a priority switch that is configured to switch the fixture controller from the primary power source to a source of DC power upon detecting failure of the primary power source. The source of DC power is sufficient to power the fixture controller and enable the fixture controller to continue to pass a stream of data to other controllers in the communication chain, but it is not sufficient to power the fixture controller's associated lighting device.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2020Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.Inventors: Daniel S. Foster, Benjamin David Vollmer, George Albert Dederich, Isaac P. Dost, Alexander Orisyuk, Christopher D. Nolan, Joseph R. Casper
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Publication number: 20200256735Abstract: A lighting module for an illumination device includes at least one light source mounted on a substrate and an optical assembly positioned to be located over the at least one light source. The lighting module also includes a temperature sensor configured to collect temperature data corresponding to the optical assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Walten Peter Owens, Khurram Moghal, Benjamin David Vollmer
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Publication number: 20200232633Abstract: A heatsink assembly for a luminaire may include a shell portion and one or more lighting module holders. The shell portion may include a frame and one or more cross members that may be attached to the inner surface of the frame and that may form one or more openings proximate to the rear end of the frame. The frame may be made of a material that has a lower thermal conductivity than that of the material of the one or more lighting module holders. The one or more lighting module holders may be configured to be held in the one or more openings. The one or more lighting module holders may contain a landing pad and a plurality of inner fins that are connected to the lower surface and positioned to extend from the corresponding opening. The landing pad may have an upper surface that is configured to receive a lighting module and a lower surface that is sized to correspond to and be larger than a corresponding one of the openings. In some embodiments, the lighting module holder forms a heat sink.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2019Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Walten Peter Owens, Benjamin David Vollmer
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Patent number: 10701778Abstract: A lighting system includes a lighting device that further includes a housing, and light emitting diode (LED) modules positioned in an opening of the housing to emit light away from the housing. Each LED module includes a substrate, a plurality of module-level conductors, and a plurality of LED sets, each of which comprises a first section including a first group of LEDs, one or more additional sections (each including an additional group of LEDs), a first conductive element that electrically connects the first section to a first one of the module-level conductors, and one or more additional conductive elements. The lighting system also includes a sensor and a control circuitry configured to generate commands to control drive currents delivered to the first group of LEDs in each LED set and each additional group of LEDs in each LED set based on the data collected by the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2019Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.Inventors: Christopher D. Nolan, Joseph R. Casper, Benjamin David Vollmer, George Dederich
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Patent number: 10697626Abstract: A heatsink assembly for a luminaire may include a shell portion and one or more lighting module holders. The shell portion may include a frame and one or more cross members that may be attached to the inner surface of the frame and that may form one or more openings proximate to the rear end of the frame. The frame may be made of a material that has a lower thermal conductivity than that of the material of the one or more lighting module holders. The one or more lighting module holders may be configured to be held in the one or more openings. The one or more lighting module holders may contain a landing pad and a plurality of inner fins that are connected to the lower surface and positioned to extend from the corresponding opening. The landing pad may have an upper surface that is configured to receive a lighting module and a lower surface that is sized to correspond to and be larger than a corresponding one of the openings. In some embodiments, the lighting module holder forms a heat sink.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2019Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.Inventors: Walten Peter Owens, Benjamin David Vollmer
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Publication number: 20200163182Abstract: A system of networked lighting devices includes a group of lighting device fixture controllers connected in a communication chain. The communication chain provides for transfer of data packets between the lighting device fixture controllers and a central controller. Each fixture controller includes a first power input that receives power from a primary power source, and a priority switch that is configured to switch the fixture controller from the primary power source to a source of DC power upon detecting failure of the primary power source. The source of DC power is sufficient to power the fixture controller and enable the fixture controller to continue to pass a stream of data to other controllers in the communication chain, but it is not sufficient to power the fixture controller's associated lighting device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2020Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Daniel S. Foster, Benjamin David Vollmer, George Albert Dederich, Isaac P. Dost, Alexander Orisyuk, Christopher D. Nolan, Joseph R. Casper
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Patent number: 10631377Abstract: A system of networked lighting devices includes a group of lighting device fixture controllers connected in a communication chain. The communication chain provides for transfer of data packets between the lighting device fixture controllers and a central controller. Each fixture controller includes a first power input that receives power from a primary power source, and a priority switch that is configured to switch the fixture controller from the primary power source to a source of DC power upon detecting failure of the primary power source. The source of DC power is sufficient to power the fixture controller and enable the fixture controller to continue to pass a stream of data to other controllers in the communication chain, but it is not sufficient to power the fixture controller's associated lighting device.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Daniel S. Foster, Benjamin David Vollmer, George Albert Dederich, Isaac P. Dost, Alexander Orisyuk, Christopher D. Nolan, Joseph R. Casper
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Patent number: 10627081Abstract: A lighting module is disclosed. The lighting module includes a substrate for holding a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), optical component, and a rigid carrier configured to interface with the substrate and seal the optical component to the substrate. The optical component includes a plurality of optical elements, each positioned to be located over one of the plurality of LEDs and a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion is configured to wrap around a side wall of the rigid carrier.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2019Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Walten Peter Owens, Khurram Moghal, Benjamin David Vollmer, Priya Ranjan Haridasan
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Publication number: 20200080712Abstract: A method for providing assistance in aiming of one or more illumination devices in an area may include, by a processor, receiving photometric data for an area, and using the photometric data to determine an aiming vector for the illumination device. The area may include the illumination device. the method may further include receiving, from an orientation sensor module of the illumination device, orientation data for the illumination device, and using the orientation data and the aiming vector to determine if there is an error in the aiming of the illumination device. The response to determining that there is an error in the aiming of the illumination device, the method further includes causing a controller associated with a driving means of the illumination device for correcting the error in the aiming of the illumination device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Christopher D. Nolan, Joseph J. Witkowski, Joseph R. Casper, Benjamin David Vollmer
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Publication number: 20200049325Abstract: An optical structure for controlling distribution of light generated by a light source is described. The optical structure includes a primary optics disposed relative to the light source and configured to reflect light generated by the light source towards a target region. The optical structure also includes a secondary optics disposed and aligned relative to the primary optics. The secondary optics is configured to at least partially block light generated by the light source from illuminating a region outside the target region.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Walten Peter Owens, Benjamin David Vollmer, Kevin C. Broughton, Michael Quijano
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Publication number: 20200045787Abstract: A lighting system includes a lighting device that further includes a housing, and light emitting diode (LED) modules positioned in an opening of the housing to emit light away from the housing. Each LED module includes a substrate, a plurality of module-level conductors, and a plurality of LED sets, each of which comprises a first section including a first group of LEDs, one or more additional sections (each including an additional group of LEDs), a first conductive element that electrically connects the first section to a first one of the module-level conductors, and one or more additional conductive elements. The lighting system also includes a sensor and a control circuitry configured to generate commands to control drive currents delivered to the first group of LEDs in each LED set and each additional group of LEDs in each LED set based on the data collected by the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Christopher D. Nolan, Joseph R. Casper, Benjamin David Vollmer, George Dederich
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Patent number: 10470270Abstract: A lighting system includes a lighting device that further includes a housing, and light emitting diode (LED) modules positioned in an opening of the housing to emit light away from the housing. Each LED module includes a substrate, a plurality of module-level conductors, and a plurality of LED sets, each of which comprises a first section including a first group of LEDs, one or more additional sections (each including an additional group of LEDs), a first conductive element that electrically connects the first section to a first one of the module-level conductors, and one or more additional conductive elements. The lighting system also includes control circuitry configured to generate commands to control drive currents delivered to a first group of LEDs in each LED set and each additional group of LEDs in each LED set so that the lighting device emits light of a specified color temperature.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2018Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Christopher D. Nolan, Joseph R. Casper, Benjamin David Vollmer, George Dederich
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Patent number: D956328Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.Inventors: Walten Peter Owens, Isaac P. Dost, Benjamin David Vollmer