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).

  • Patent number: 7616126
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Christopher D. Stirling
  • Publication number: 20080018485
    Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate to improved optical particle detection devices and methods of manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Christopher D. Stirling
  • Patent number: 7167099
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Greg R. Pattok
  • Patent number: 6876305
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Greg R. Pattok
  • Patent number: 6653942
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Greg R. Pattok
  • Patent number: 6469623
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Greg R. Pattok, Brian J. Kadwell
  • Publication number: 20020101345
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Greg R. Pattok, Brian J. Kadwell
  • Publication number: 20020060632
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Greg R. Pattok
  • Patent number: 6326897
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Greg R. Pattok
  • Publication number: 20010038338
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Greg R. Pattok
  • Publication number: 20010020899
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Greg R. Pattok
  • Patent number: 6225910
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Greg R. Pattok
  • Patent number: 5612848
    Abstract: 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 cur
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Brian J. Kadwell
  • Patent number: 5534680
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Daniel L. Fowler, Gregory F. Gawron
  • Patent number: 5477108
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Brian J. Kadwell
  • Patent number: 5451746
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Daniel L. Fowler, Gregory F. Gawron
  • Patent number: 5440443
    Abstract: 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 cur
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: RobertShaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Brian J. Kadwell
  • Patent number: 5365146
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Brian J. Kadwell
  • Patent number: 5332874
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: RobertShaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Orr, Brian J. Kadwell
  • Patent number: 5324918
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Brian J. Kadwell, Daniel L. Fowler, Gregory F. Gawron