Patents by Inventor Brian J. Kadwell
Brian J. Kadwell 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: 7616126Abstract: A particle sensor is provided that includes a light source, an optical transducer, and a controller, wherein the controller is in communication with the light source and the optical transducer. The controller is configured to reject substantially all signals except those contributed by the light source.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2006Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Christopher D. Stirling
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Publication number: 20080018485Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate to improved optical particle detection devices and methods of manufacturing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2006Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Christopher D. Stirling
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Patent number: 7167099Abstract: A compact particle sensor for detecting suspended particles includes a housing, a light source, a light receiver and a plurality of optical elements. The housing provides a test chamber and includes at least one opening for admitting particles into the test chamber, while simultaneously substantially preventing outside light from entering the test chamber. The light source is positioned for supplying a light beam within the test chamber. The plurality of optical elements are positioned to direct the light beam from the light source to the receiver, which is positioned to receive the light beam supplied by the light source.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2004Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Greg R. Pattok
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Patent number: 6876305Abstract: A compact particle sensor for fdetecting suspended particles includes a housing, a light source, a light receiver and a plurality of optical elements. The housing provides a test chamber and includes at least one opening for admitting particles into the test chamber, while simultaneously substantially preventing outside light from entering the test chamber. The light source is positioned for supplying a light beam within the test chamber. The plurality of optical elements are positioned to direct the light beam from the light source to the receiver, which is positioned to receive the light beam supplied by the light source.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2001Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Greg R. Pattok
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Patent number: 6653942Abstract: A smoke detector includes a housing defining a dark chamber admitting test atmosphere. A light receiver is disposed within the chamber. A scatter emitter is positioned within the chamber such that light strikes the receiver when reflected off particles suspended in the test atmosphere. An obscuration emitter is positioned within the chamber such that light emitted is directed to the receiver unless obstructed by particles suspended in the test atmosphere. A smoke detect signal is generated responsive to a measurement made responsive to the scatter emitter and/or the obscuration emitter.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2001Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Greg R. Pattok
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Patent number: 6469623Abstract: A smoke detector verification system, which includes a smoke detector, a portable computer system and an optical receiver, verifies the operation of the smoke detector. The smoke detector includes a light emitting diode (LED) that is periodically modulated to provide status information about the smoke detector. The portable computer system stores the status information that is received from the optical receiver, which is coupled to the portable computer system. The optical receiver receives the status information from the LED and provides the received status information to the portable computer system.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2001Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Greg R. Pattok, Brian J. Kadwell
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Publication number: 20020101345Abstract: A smoke detector verification system, which includes a smoke detector, a portable computer system and an optical receiver, verifies the operation of the smoke detector. The smoke detector includes a light emitting diode (LED) that is periodically modulated to provide status information about the smoke detector. The portable computer system stores the status information that is received from the optical receiver, which is coupled to the portable computer system. The optical receiver receives the status information from the LED and provides the received status information to the portable computer system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2001Publication date: August 1, 2002Inventors: Greg R. Pattok, Brian J. Kadwell
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Publication number: 20020060632Abstract: A smoke detector includes a housing defining a dark chamber admitting test atmosphere. A light receiver is disposed within the chamber. A scatter emitter is positioned within the chamber such that light strikes the receiver when reflected off particles suspended in the test atmosphere. An obscuration emitter is positioned within the chamber such that light emitted is directed to the receiver unless obstructed by particles suspended in the test atmosphere. A smoke detect signal is generated responsive to a measurement made responsive to the scatter emitter and/or the obscuration emitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2001Publication date: May 23, 2002Inventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Greg R. Pattok
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Patent number: 6326897Abstract: A smoke detector includes a housing defining a dark chamber admitting test atmosphere. A light receiver is disposed within the chamber. A scatter emitter is positioned within the chamber such that light strikes the receiver when reflected off particles suspended in the test atmosphere. An obscuration emitter is positioned within the chamber such that light emitted is directed to the receiver unless obstructed by particles suspended in the test atmosphere. A smoke detect signal is generated responsive to a measurement made responsive to the scatter emitter and/or the obscuration emitter.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2001Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Greg R. Pattok
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Publication number: 20010038338Abstract: A compact particle sensor for detecting suspended particles includes a housing, a light source, a light receiver and a plurality of optical elements. The housing provides a test chamber and includes at least one opening for admitting particles into the test chamber, while simultaneously substantially preventing outside light from entering the test chamber. The light source is positioned for supplying a light beam within the test chamber. The plurality of optical elements are positioned to direct the light beam from the light source to the receiver, which is positioned to receive the light beam supplied by the light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2001Publication date: November 8, 2001Inventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Greg R. Pattok
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Publication number: 20010020899Abstract: A smoke detector includes a housing defining a dark chamber admitting test atmosphere. A light receiver is disposed within the chamber. A scatter emitter is positioned within the chamber such that light strikes the receiver when reflected off particles suspended in the test atmosphere. An obscuration emitter is positioned within the chamber such that light emitted is directed to the receiver unless obstructed by particles suspended in the test atmosphere. A smoke detect signal is generated responsive to a measurement made responsive to the scatter emitter and/or the obscuration emitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2001Publication date: September 13, 2001Inventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Greg R. Pattok
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Patent number: 6225910Abstract: A smoke detector includes a housing defining a dark chamber admitting test atmosphere. A light receiver is disposed within the chamber. A scatter emitter is positioned within the chamber such that light strikes the receiver when reflected off particles suspended in the test atmosphere. An obscuration emitter is positioned within the chamber such that light emitted is directed to the receiver unless obstructed by particles suspended in the test atmosphere. A smoke detect signal is generated responsive to a measurement made responsive to the scatter emitter and/or the obscuration emitter.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1999Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Greg R. Pattok
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Patent number: 5612848Abstract: A control device and methods of making and operating the same are provided, the control device comprising a microcomputer unit, a relay unit having a coil and contacts that are operated to one condition thereof when a direct current flows through the coil, the relay unit having a certain voltage rating, a power supply unit for being interconnected to a high voltage alternating current power supply that has a certain frequency, and a circuit operatively interconnecting the units together, the power supply unit comprising a transformerless capacitor arrangement for creating a low voltage direct current source from the power source to power the microcomputer unit and the coil, the power supply unit comprising an arrangement for creating from the transformerless capacitor arrangement a first low voltage direct current for powering the microcomputer unit and a second low voltage direct current for powering the coil of the relay unit whereby the first low voltage direct current and the second low voltage direct curType: GrantFiled: August 7, 1995Date of Patent: March 18, 1997Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventor: Brian J. Kadwell
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Patent number: 5534680Abstract: A temperature regulating control unit and method of making the same are provided, the unit comprising a RTD temperature sensor, a unit for applying electrical signals to the sensor, and a microcomputer for receiving digital signals from the sensor in relation to the temperature being sensed by the sensor, the unit for applying electrical signals to the sensor applying a varying voltage to the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: July 9, 1996Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Daniel L. Fowler, Gregory F. Gawron
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Patent number: 5477108Abstract: A control device and methods of making and operating the same are provided, the control device comprising a microcomputer unit, a vacuum fluorescent display unit having a filament unit, a power supply unit for being interconnected to a high voltage alternating current power supply that has a certain frequency, and a circuit operatively interconnecting the units together, the power supply unit comprising a transformerless capacitor arrangement for creating a low voltage direct current from the power source to power the microcomputer unit, the circuit comprising an oscillator unit that receives the direct current and pulses the same through the filament unit at a frequency that is greater than the certain frequency and that causes the filament unit to heat to an operating temperature thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1994Date of Patent: December 19, 1995Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventor: Brian J. Kadwell
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Patent number: 5451746Abstract: A temperature regulating control unit and method of making the same are provided, the unit comprising a RTD temperature sensor, a unit for applying electrical signals to the sensor, and a microcomputer for receiving digital signals from the sensor in relation to the temperature being sensed by the sensor, the unit for applying electrical signals to the sensor applying a varying voltage to the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1994Date of Patent: September 19, 1995Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Daniel L. Fowler, Gregory F. Gawron
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Patent number: 5440443Abstract: A control device and methods of making and operating the same are provided, the control device comprising a microcomputer unit, a relay unit having a coil and contacts that are operated to one condition thereof when a direct current flows through the coil, the relay unit having a certain voltage rating, a power supply unit for being interconnected to a high voltage alternating current power supply that has a certain frequency, and a circuit operatively interconnecting the units together, the power supply unit comprising a transformerless capacitor arrangement for creating a low voltage direct current source from the power source to power the microcomputer unit and the coil, the power supply unit comprising an arrangement for creating from the transformerless capacitor arrangement a first low voltage direct current for powering the microcomputer unit and a second low voltage direct current for powering the coil of the relay unit whereby the first low voltage direct current and the second low voltage direct curType: GrantFiled: February 25, 1993Date of Patent: August 8, 1995Assignee: RobertShaw Controls CompanyInventor: Brian J. Kadwell
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Patent number: 5365146Abstract: A control device and methods of making and operating the same are provided, the control device comprising a microcomputer unit, a vacuum fluorescent display unit having a filament unit, a power supply unit for being interconnected to a high voltage alternating current power supply that has a certain frequency, and a circuit operatively interconnecting the units together, the power supply unit comprising a transformerless capacitor arrangement for creating a low voltage direct current from the power source to power the microcomputer unit, the circuit comprising an oscillator unit that receives the direct current and pulses the same through the filament unit at a frequency that is greater than the certain frequency and that causes the filament unit to heat to an operating temperature thereof.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1993Date of Patent: November 15, 1994Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventor: Brian J. Kadwell
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Patent number: 5332874Abstract: A control device and method of making the same are provided, the control device comprising a single movable actuator member having two spaced apart plungers respectively operatively associated with and in axial alignment with movable parts of two switch units and having two actuator buttons thereon respectively in axial alignment with the plungers and the parts of the switch units, the member being pivotally mounted to a support of the control device so that the member actuates only one of the two switch units when the member ms moved to one pivoted position thereof by an axial force applied to the button that is in axial alignment with the part of the one switch unit and actuates only the other of the two switch units when the member is moved to another pivoted position thereof by an axial force applied to the other of the buttons that is in axial alignment with the part of the other switch unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1993Date of Patent: July 26, 1994Assignee: RobertShaw Controls CompanyInventors: Kenneth J. Orr, Brian J. Kadwell
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Patent number: 5324918Abstract: A temperature regulating control unit and method of making the same are provided, the unit comprising a RTD temperature sensor, a unit for applying electrical signals to the sensor, and a microcomputer for receiving digital signals from the sensor in relation to the temperature being sensed by the sensor, the unit for applying electrical signals to the sensor applying a varying voltage to the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1992Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Daniel L. Fowler, Gregory F. Gawron