Patents by Inventor Benjamin J. Watson
Benjamin J. Watson 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: 11937037Abstract: A housing has a bud portion abutting an elongated stem portion. The bud portion is to fit within an ear. The bud portion has a primary sound outlet at its far end that is to be inserted into an outer ear canal, and abuts the stem portion at its near end. A speaker driver is inside the bud portion. Electronic circuitry inside the housing includes a wireless communications interface to receive audio content over-the-air and in response provides an audio signal to the speaker driver. A rechargeable battery as a power source for the electronic circuitry is located inside a cavity of the stem portion. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Zachary C. Rich, Kurt R. Stiehl, Arun D. Chawan, Michael B. Howes, Jonathan S. Aase, Esge B. Andersen, Yacine Azmi, Jahan C. Minoo, David J. Shaw, Aarti Kumar, Augustin Prats, Robert D. Watson, Baptiste P. Paquier, Axel D. Berny, Benjamin W. Cook, Jerzy S. Guterman, Benjamin Adair Cousins
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Patent number: 11591188Abstract: An elevator system includes an elevator car. A first drive assembly engages a first tension member. The first tension member is coupled to the elevator car and to a first counterweight. A second drive assembly engages a second tension member. The second tension member is coupled to the elevator car and to a second counterweight. The first tension member can be coupled to the elevator car at a first position and the second tension member can be coupled to the elevator car at a second position opposite the first position.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Benjamin J. Watson, Daryl J. Marvin
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Patent number: 11415191Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method configured to identify and, if necessary, respond to conditions indicative of electromagnetic brake temperature, and in particular relates to passenger conveyers, such as elevators, employing the system and method. More specifically, an example passenger conveyer system includes an electromagnetic brake and a controller configured to identify a condition indicative of a temperature of the electromagnetic brake approaching a boundary of a predetermined operating range.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Camilo Cardona, Steven Michael Millett, Benjamin J. Watson, KilMoon Yoon, Jeongki Shin, Tao Mu
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Publication number: 20220033215Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a device for controlling movement of an elevator car includes an emergency stopping supervisor, such as a processor and memory associated with the processor. The emergency stopping supervisor is configured to: determine when an indication from an electrical protection device indicates that the elevator car should be stopped, issue a command for the elevator car to move at a reduced speed, monitor continued movement of the elevator car at the reduced speed, and continue to allow the elevator car to move at the reduced speed until a selected condition exists or immediately cause the elevator car to stop if the reduced speed is not within a predetermined range.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2020Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Richard L. Hollowell, Randy Roberts, Xiaodong Luo, Benjamin J. Watson, Marcin Wroblewski
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Publication number: 20210102589Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method configured to identify and, if necessary, respond to conditions indicative of electromagnetic brake temperature, and in particular relates to passenger conveyers, such as elevators, employing the system and method. More specifically, an example passenger conveyer system includes an electromagnetic brake and a controller configured to identify a condition indicative of a temperature of the electromagnetic brake approaching a boundary of a predetermined operating range.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2019Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventors: Camilo Cardona, Steven Michael Millett, Benjamin J. Watson, KilMoon Yoon, Jeongki Shin, Tao Mu
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Publication number: 20210101782Abstract: This disclosure relates to an electromagnetic brake temperature monitoring system and method, and in particular relates to passenger conveyer systems, such as elevator systems, employing the system and method. An example passenger conveyer system includes an electromagnetic brake and a controller configured to determine a temperature of the electromagnetic brake.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2019Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventors: Camilo Cardona, Steven Michael Millett, KilMoon Yoon, Tao Mu, Jeongki Shin, Benjamin J. Watson
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Patent number: 10850945Abstract: A machine assembly for use in an elevator system is provided including a drive sheave (52) configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation (R). A first roller shaft (54) is configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation (S) substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation. Rotation of the first roller shaft about the second axis of rotation is configured to rotate the drive sheave about the first axis of rotation. A first motor is operably coupled to the first roller shaft and is configured to rotate the first roller shaft about the second axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Benjamin J. Watson, Piech Zbigniew
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Publication number: 20200354195Abstract: An elevator system includes an elevator car. A first drive assembly engages a first tension member. The first tension member is coupled to the elevator car and to a first counterweight. A second drive assembly engages a second tension member. The second tension member is coupled to the elevator car and to a second counterweight. The first tension member can be coupled to the elevator car at a first position and the second tension member can be coupled to the elevator car at a second position opposite the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Benjamin J. Watson, Daryl J. Marvin
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Patent number: 10578639Abstract: An electronic speed detection system is provided. The electronic speed detection system includes an accelerometer coupled to a moving object and a hybrid altimeter, which includes a first pressure sensor coupled to the moving object and a second pressure sensor. The electronic speed detection system also includes a controller comprising a memory and a processor. The memory storing computer program instructions executable by the processor to cause the electronic speed detection system to determine a normalized position based on first inputs received from the hybrid altimeter, or determine a corrected velocity position based on a second input received from the accelerometer and the normalized position.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Craig Drew Bogli, Daryl J. Marvin, Benjamin J. Watson, Arthur T. Grondine, Marcin Wroblewski
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Patent number: 10569993Abstract: A safety brake actuation mechanism for a hoisted structure includes a housing operatively coupled to the hoisted structure. Also included is a first brake member coupled to the housing, the first brake member moveable between a braking position and a non-braking position. Further included is a retaining assembly moveable between a first position and a second position and engageable with the first brake member, the retaining assembly retaining the first brake member in the non-braking position in the first position and permitting the first brake member to move to the braking position in the second position. Yet further included is an electric actuator operatively coupled to the retaining assembly and biasing the retaining assembly to the first position in a powered state of the electric actuator, the retaining assembly movable to the second position in a non-powered state of the electric actuator.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2017Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Benjamin J. Watson, Erik Khzouz
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Publication number: 20190064199Abstract: An electronic speed detection system is provided. The electronic speed detection system includes an accelerometer coupled to a moving object and a hybrid altimeter, which includes a first pressure sensor coupled to the moving object and a second pressure sensor. The electronic speed detection system also includes a controller comprising a memory and a processor. The memory storing computer program instructions executable by the processor to cause the electronic speed detection system to determine a normalized position based on first inputs received from the hybrid altimeter, or determine a corrected velocity position based on a second input received from the accelerometer and the normalized position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Craig Drew Bogli, Daryl J. Marvin, Benjamin J. Watson, Arthur T. Grondine, Marcin Wroblewski
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Publication number: 20180282124Abstract: A safety brake actuation mechanism for a hoisted structure includes a housing operatively coupled to the hoisted structure. Also included is a first brake member coupled to the housing, the first brake member moveable between a braking position and a non-braking position. Further included is a retaining assembly moveable between a first position and a second position and engageable with the first brake member, the retaining assembly retaining the first brake member in the non-braking position in the first position and permitting the first brake member to move to the braking position in the second position. Yet further included is an electric actuator operatively coupled to the retaining assembly and biasing the retaining assembly to the first position in a powered state of the electric actuator, the retaining assembly movable to the second position in a non-powered state of the electric actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Benjamin J. Watson, Erik Khzouz
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Publication number: 20180041082Abstract: A winding assembly for a rotary electric machine includes a stator. Also included is a plurality of radially extending teeth defining a plurality of slots therebetween. Further included is a winding segment disposed within each of the slots, the winding segment having a constant cross-sectional area along an entire length thereof and a cross-sectional geometric shape that varies at each turn along a height of the teeth.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2016Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Zbigniew Piech, Benjamin J. Watson
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Publication number: 20170362063Abstract: An elevator system (100) includes an elevator car (102). A first drive assembly (160) engages a first tension member (112). The first tension member (112) is coupled to the elevator car (102) and to a first counter-weight (104). A second drive assembly (170) engages a second tension member (122). The second tension member (122) is coupled to the elevator car (102) and to a second counterweight (106). The first tension member (112) can be coupled to the elevator car (102) at a first position (110) and the second tension member (122) can be coupled to the elevator car (102) at a second position (120) opposite the first position (110).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2015Publication date: December 21, 2017Applicant: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Benjamin J. Watson, Daryl J. Marvin
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Publication number: 20170211831Abstract: A thermostat associated with a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, includes a housing, at least one input, a sensor for measuring an ambient internal temperature, and an internal processor for operating the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system in response to the at least one input and the measured ambient internal temperature. The thermostat is operable in a heating mode and a cooling mode. A heating set point is associated with the heating mode, and a cooling set point is associated with the cooling mode. The internal processor is programmable to incrementally adjust at least one of the heating set point and the cooling set point in response to a sensed condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2017Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventor: Benjamin J. Watson
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Publication number: 20170088400Abstract: A machine assembly for use in an elevator system is provided including a drive sheave (52) configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation (R). A first roller shaft (54) is configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation (S) substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation. Rotation of the first roller shaft about the second axis of rotation is configured to rotate the drive sheave about the first axis of rotation. A first motor is operably coupled to the first roller shaft and is configured to rotate the first roller shaft about the second axis of rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Benjamin J. Watson, Piech Zbigniew
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Patent number: 9457994Abstract: An exemplary method of assembling an elevator machine frame includes situating at least a portion of a motor in a desired position, placing an elevator frame support plate against the portion of the motor, connecting a plurality of support rods to the support plate and connecting another support plate to the support rods such that the support plates are spaced from each other and in a desired alignment with each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Zbigniew Piech, Stephen R. Nichols, Patricia L. Driesch, Pawel Witczak, Benjamin J. Watson
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Patent number: 9120644Abstract: A braking device for an elevator is disclosed. The device may include a motor, a braking system, a first switch, and a second switch. The motor may be capable of generating a counter-electromotive force. The braking system may move to a disengaged position upon being energized and may move to an engaged position upon being de-energized. The first and second switches may have an open state. In the open state, the switches electrically couple the motor to the braking system so that the counter-electromotive force of the motor may energize the braking system.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2010Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Zbigniew Piech, Benjamin J. Watson
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Publication number: 20140101916Abstract: An exemplary method of assembling an elevator machine frame includes situating at least a portion of a motor in a desired position, placing an elevator frame support plate against the portion of the motor, connecting a plurality of support rods to the support plate and connecting another support plate to the support rods such that the support plates are spaced from each other and in a desired alignment with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Zbigniew PIECH, Stephen R. NICHOLS, Patricia L. DRIESCH, Pawel WITCZAK, Benjamin J. WATSON
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Patent number: 8631907Abstract: An example elevator machine frame assembly (30) includes a plurality of support plates (32) configured to support at least selected portions of an elevator machine including a traction sheave (24). The support plates each comprise a plurality of mounting surfaces (50) that are aligned within a plane that intersects with an axis of rotation (56) of a traction sheave that is supported by the frame assembly. A plurality of support rods (36) are connected to the support plates (32). The support rods maintain a desired spacing between the plates and a desired alignment of the plates relative to each other. In a disclosed example, the support rods include a sound dampening material (44) such as sand in an interior of the rods.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2007Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Zbigniew Piech, Stephen R. Nichols, Patricia L. Driesch, Pawel Witczak, Benjamin J. Watson