Patents by Inventor Bruce R. Roberts

Bruce R. Roberts 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).

  • Publication number: 20230092612
    Abstract: A new lighting fixture electronics design is disclosed that is particularly useful for lighting fixtures to utilize energy either directly from the traditional AC power grid or from locally generated renewable DC power sources. The invention entails improvement to the traditional LED driver or lighting ballast design to be able to additionally accept local DC microgrid power directly, without the need to pass the DC power through an external inverter to create an AC voltage. In this way, building construction can be commenced with a single lighting fixture that is capable to operate in multiple input modes, receiving power either from the AC grid or a DC grid, without the need for additional expense required to update the circuitry of the lighting fixtures in the building when the building is upfit at a future date with local renewable energy generating devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: BWI Technology LLC
    Inventors: Bruce R Roberts, Jeffrey Marc Nall, Steve McNay
  • Patent number: 10422484
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus comprises: an LED-based light source; a spherical, spheroidal, or toroidal diffuser generating a Lambertian light intensity distribution output at any point on the diffuser surface responsive to illumination inside the diffuser; and a base including a base connector. The LED based light source, the diffuser, and the base are secured together as a unitary LED lamp installable in a lighting socket by connecting the base connector with the lighting socket. The diffuser is shaped and arranged respective to the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to conform with an isolux surface of the LED based light source. The base is operatively connected with the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to electrically power the LED based light source using electrical power received at the base connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: GE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gary R. Allen, David C. Dudik, Boris Kolodin, Joshua I. Rintamaki, Bruce R. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9618165
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus comprises: an LED-based light source; a spherical, spheroidal, or toroidal diffuser generating a Lambertian light intensity distribution output at any point on the diffuser surface responsive to illumination inside the diffuser; and a base including a base connector. The LED based light source, the diffuser, and the base are secured together as a unitary LED lamp installable in a lighting socket by connecting the base connector with the lighting socket. The diffuser is shaped and arranged respective to the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to conform with an isolux surface of the LED based light source. The base is operatively connected with the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to electrically power the LED based light source using electrical power received at the base connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Gary R. Allen, David C. Dudik, Boris Kolodin, Joshua I. Rintamaki, Bruce R. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20160356431
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus comprises: an LED-based light source; a spherical, spheroidal, or toroidal diffuser generating a Lambertian light intensity distribution output at any point on the diffuser surface responsive to illumination inside the diffuser; and a base including a base connector. The LED based light source, the diffuser, and the base are secured together as a unitary LED lamp installable in a lighting socket by connecting the base connector with the lighting socket. The diffuser is shaped and arranged respective to the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to conform with an isolux surface of the LED based light source. The base is operatively connected with the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to electrically power the LED based light source using electrical power received at the base connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: GE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gary R. Allen, David C. Dudik, Boris Kolodin, Joshua I. Rintamaki, Bruce R. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9360166
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus comprises: an LED-based light source; a spherical, spheroidal, or toroidal diffuser generating a Lambertian light intensity distribution output at any point on the diffuser surface responsive to illumination inside the diffuser; and a base including a base connector. The LED based light source, the diffuser, and the base are secured together as a unitary LED lamp installable in a lighting socket by connecting the base connector with the lighting socket. The diffuser is shaped and arranged respective to the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to conform with an isolux surface of the LED based light source. The base is operatively connected with the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to electrically power the LED based light source using electrical power received at the base connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Gary R. Allen, David C. Dudik, Boris Kolodin, Joshua I. Rintamaki, Bruce R. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9103507
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus comprises: an LED-based light source; a spherical, spheroidal, or toroidal diffuser generating a Lambertian light intensity distribution output at any point on the diffuser surface responsive to illumination inside the diffuser; and a base including a base connector. The LED based light source, the diffuser, and the base are secured together as a unitary LED lamp installable in a lighting socket by connecting the base connector with the lighting socket. The diffuser is shaped and arranged respective to the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to conform with an isolux surface of the LED based light source. The base is operatively connected with the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to electrically power the LED based light source using electrical power received at the base connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Gary R. Allen, David C. Dudik, Boris Kolodin, Joshua I. Rintamaki, Bruce R. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20140268638
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus comprises: an LED-based light source; a spherical, spheroidal, or toroidal diffuser generating a Lambertian light intensity distribution output at any point on the diffuser surface responsive to illumination inside the diffuser; and a base including a base connector. The LED based light source, the diffuser, and the base are secured together as a unitary LED lamp installable in a lighting socket by connecting the base connector with the lighting socket. The diffuser is shaped and arranged respective to the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to conform with an isolux surface of the LED based light source. The base is operatively connected with the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to electrically power the LED based light source using electrical power received at the base connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gary R. Allen, David C. Dudik, Boris Kolodin, Joshua I. Rintamaki, Bruce R. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20140226307
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus comprises: an LED-based light source; a spherical, spheroidal, or toroidal diffuser generating a Lambertian light intensity distribution output at any point on the diffuser surface responsive to illumination inside the diffuser; and a base including a base connector. The LED based light source, the diffuser, and the base are secured together as a unitary LED lamp installable in a lighting socket by connecting the base connector with the lighting socket. The diffuser is shaped and arranged respective to the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to conform with an isolux surface of the LED based light source. The base is operatively connected with the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to electrically power the LED based light source using electrical power received at the base connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Gary R. Allen, David C. Dudik, Boris Kolodin, Joshua I. Rintamaki, Bruce R. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8564205
    Abstract: A vehicle signal light assembly includes: at least one color mixing light source; a support element configured to support the at least one color mixing light source on a vehicle as a signal light; and a controller configured to selectively drive each color mixing light source to generate light of a selected visually perceived color based on a received control signal. In some such embodiments, each color mixing light source of the vehicle signal light assembly comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) of at least two constituent colors. In some such embodiments, the controller is configured to operate each color mixing light source of the vehicle signal light assembly using time domain multiplexing (TDM) to generate the light of the selected visually perceived color. In some such embodiments, the vehicle signal light assembly comprises a taillight assembly. In some of the embodiments, the vehicle light assembly comprises an ambient or auxiliary lighting, or a dashboard lighting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruce R Roberts, Agoston Boroczki
  • Patent number: 8450926
    Abstract: An article of manufacture comprises a thin film solid state lighting device, such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device, having a planar light emitting side and an opposite planar mounting side and including electrodes disposed on the planar mounting side of the thin film solid state lighting device, the electrodes including a magnetic material configured to conductively convey electrical drive current to drive the thin film solid state lighting device to emit light at the planar light emitting principal side. The article of manufacture may further comprise a fixture having a planar surface with magnets arranged to mate with the electrodes to magnetically secure the thin film solid state lighting device with the fixture and to concurrently form electrically conductive paths including the magnetic material of the electrodes configured to conductively convey electrical drive current. Thus this magnetic connection provides both mechanical support and electrical conduction path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruce R. Roberts, Kevin C. Payne, Donald Seton Farquhar, Stefan Rakuff, Michael Scott Herzog
  • Publication number: 20120299476
    Abstract: A vehicle signal light assembly includes: at least one color mixing light source; a support element configured to support the at least one color mixing light source on a vehicle as a signal light; and a controller configured to selectively drive each color mixing light source to generate light of a selected visually perceived color based on a received control signal. In some such embodiments, each color mixing light source of the vehicle signal light assembly comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) of at least two constituent colors. In some such embodiments, the controller is configured to operate each color mixing light source of the vehicle signal light assembly using time domain multiplexing (TDM) to generate the light of the selected visually perceived color. In some such embodiments, the vehicle signal light assembly comprises a taillight assembly. In some of the embodiments, the vehicle light assembly comprises an ambient or auxiliary lighting, or a dashboard lighting assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruce R. Roberts, Agoston Boroczki
  • Publication number: 20120153845
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus comprises a lighting circuit and a control circuit. The lighting circuit includes a first sub-circuit comprising one or more solid state lighting (SSL) devices and having a diode electrical characteristic, and a second sub-circuit comprising one or more SSL devices and having a diode electrical characteristic. The first sub-circuit and the second sub-circuit are electrically connected in series with the cathode of the first sub-circuit and the anode of the second sub-circuit electrically connected at a first/second electrical connection. The control circuit includes an electrical drive voltage or current supply connected to drive the lighting circuit, and an adjustment current source connected with the first/second electrical connection to increase electrical current flowing in one of the first sub-circuit and the second sub-circuit without adjusting electrical current flowing in the other of the first sub-circuit and the second sub-circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Bruce R. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8022631
    Abstract: An illuminating device includes a light source including a lighting device, such as a solid state lighting device, which emits light, a phosphor material which converts at least a portion of the light emitted by the lighting device to light of a different wavelength. A controller adjusts a ratio of on time to off time of a current waveform supplied to the lighting device. This enables the color of light emitted by the light source to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruce R. Roberts, William Winder Beers, Andrew Albrecht
  • Patent number: 7986102
    Abstract: A multi-channel light source has different channels for generating illumination of different channel colors corresponding to the different channels. An electrical power supply selectively energizes the channels using time division multiplexing to generate illumination of a selected time-averaged color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Bruce R. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20110080740
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus comprises: an LED-based light source; a spherical, spheroidal, or toroidal diffuser generating a Lambertian light intensity distribution output at any point on the diffuser surface responsive to illumination inside the diffuser; and a base including a base connector. The LED based light source, the diffuser, and the base are secured together as a unitary LED lamp installable in a lighting socket by connecting the base connector with the lighting socket. The diffuser is shaped and arranged respective to the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to conform with an isolux surface of the LED based light source. The base is operatively connected with the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to electrically power the LED based light source using electrical power received at the base connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Gary R. Allen, David C. Dudik, Boris Kolodin, Joshua I Rintamaki, Bruce R. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20100295443
    Abstract: An article of manufacture comprises a thin film solid state lighting device, such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device, having a planar light emitting side and an opposite planar mounting side and including electrodes disposed on the planar mounting side of the thin film solid state lighting device, the electrodes including a magnetic material configured to conductively convey electrical drive current to drive the thin film solid state lighting device to emit light at the planar light emitting principal side. The article of manufacture may further comprise a fixture having a planar surface with magnets arranged to mate with the electrodes to magnetically secure the thin film solid state lighting device with the fixture and to concurrently form electrically conductive paths including the magnetic material of the electrodes configured to conductively convey electrical drive current. Thus this magnetic connection provides both mechanical support and electrical conduction path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Bruce R. Roberts, Kevin C. Payne, Donald Seton Farquhar, Stefan Rakuff, Michael Scott Herzog
  • Publication number: 20100109541
    Abstract: An illuminating device includes a light source including a lighting device, such as a solid state lighting device, which emits light, a phosphor material which converts at least a portion of the light emitted by the lighting device to light of a different wavelength. A controller adjusts a ratio of on time to off time of a current waveform supplied to the lighting device. This enables the color of light emitted by the light source to be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Bruce R. Roberts, William Winder Beers, Andrew Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20100079055
    Abstract: A lamp assembly comprises a light source and an electrical base configured to connect with an associated power source. An electrical assembly is in electrical communication with the light source and the electrical base. The electrical assembly is configured to condition power received from the associated power source to operate the light source. A housing is formed of an overmolding material. The overmolded housing at least partially encapsulates the electrical assembly and is connected with the light source and the electrical base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruce R. Roberts, Laszlo S. Ilyes
  • Patent number: D715462
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Bruce R. Roberts, Thomas Alexander Knapp
  • Patent number: D715972
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Bruce R. Roberts, Thomas A. Knapp