Patents by Inventor Bruce Richard Roberts
Bruce Richard 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).
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Patent number: 9185766Abstract: A system and method for producing white light in an adjustable light emitting diode (LED) illumination device is provided. The system and method varies the “off” time for one of multiple sets of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or channels in succession in order to compensate for and stabilize the color-shifting or degradation that gradually occurs in LEDs. Each channel corresponds to a different color. By varying the “off” time of only one channel at a time, the system efficiently utilizes the majority of the LEDs, thereby enabling the production of a more stable white light with fewer LEDs.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Bruce Richard Roberts, Glenn Howard Kuenzler
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Patent number: 9167651Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing one or more operating voltages and currents to one or more auxiliary loads by tapping an LED array driven by an LED driver providing a drive voltage to the LED array, and/or supplying an operating voltage to the LED driver itself using such a tap.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2011Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Bruce Richard Roberts
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Patent number: 9125271Abstract: A lamp including a lamp base having at least three electrical contacts, an optical housing with an LED light source distal from the lamp base, a capper assembly including two or more bias switches accessible by a user located between the lamp base and optical housing, electronic circuitry located within the capper assembly, the electronic circuitry electrically coupled to the three electrical contacts and the LED light source, the electronic circuitry configured to provide a drive current to the LED light source, and the two or more bias switches are user-settable to set the drive current. The electronic circuitry provides at least two different levels of drive current to the LED light source, where the two or more bias switches are configured to control multiple levels of LED light intensity to an individual level.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: GE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLCInventors: Jeremias Anthony Martins, Bruce Richard Roberts
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Publication number: 20150214833Abstract: A power factor controller (PFC) for an electrical load such as LED lighting includes a power factor correcting converter for generating a sinusoidal input current. The PFC further includes a programmable controller for estimating a phase shifted multiplier. A current regulator generates a desired PFC current in response to an input voltage, an output load and the phase shifted and subsequently blanked multiplier. The electrical load operates in response to the sinusoidal input current based at least partially on the desired PFC current.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2014Publication date: July 30, 2015Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Ramanujam Ramabhadran, Gang Yao, Bruce Richard Roberts, Jeffrey Joseph Nasadoski
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Publication number: 20150173138Abstract: Provided is a circuit replacement device for a light emitting diode (LED) tube lamp. The circuit includes a cathode emulator configured for (i) coupling to an input power source and (ii) emulating operation of a fluorescent lamp cathode. Also included is a rectification mechanism having an input port coupled to an output of the cathode emulator and an output port configured for coupling to at least one from the group including a current supply and an output load.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventor: Bruce Richard Roberts
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Publication number: 20150173139Abstract: A system and apparatus including a light emitting diode (LED) driver provides an operating DC voltage to a plurality of LEDs connected in series (LED array) for providing illumination. A rectifier circuit and a filter are coupled to an AC power supply and provide a rectified and filtered DC source voltage to a transformerless voltage boost circuit, which provides the operating DC voltage to the LED array. A hysteretic self-oscillating circuit drives the transformerless voltage boost circuit at an oscillation frequency. A tap is connected between two LEDs in the LED array, which provides an auxiliary DC voltage, which is used to power the oscillating circuit and which eliminates the need for the LED driver to have a conventional transformer or auxiliary DC-DC power converter. The transformerless voltage boost circuit includes an inductor, a capacitor, a diode, and a switch wherein the switch is controlled by the oscillating circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bruce Richard Roberts, Shahzil Rana
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Patent number: 9058955Abstract: Embodiments of a lamp comprise a light source and an active cooling device that propagates airflow within the lamp to dissipate heat from the light source. In one embodiment, the lamp comprises a light emitting diode (LED) device and an inductor that couples in series with the light emitting diode (LED) device. The lamp also comprises a diaphragm magnetically coupled with the inductor, wherein the diaphragm can flex between a first position and a second position to generate the air flow.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2012Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: GE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLCInventor: Bruce Richard Roberts
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Patent number: 9060397Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing illumination by driving LEDs using a high-voltage driver, and more specifically a method and apparatus for using a simplified boost circuit connected to an AC mains to provide a higher voltage DC driving voltage to the LED array.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2011Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Bruce Richard Roberts, Louis Nerone
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Publication number: 20150163874Abstract: Provided is a mechanism for providing a light emitting diode (LED) lighting compatible dimmer. The mechanism includes a detector configured to detect changes in current received from rectified output power and a boost controller responsive to the detecting and providing an operating mode signal to a boost device in accordance therewith. The boost device provides power to a load based upon an operating mode signal including a constant current mode if a current change is detected or enters a power factor control (PFC) mode if the current change is not detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventor: Bruce Richard ROBERTS
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Publication number: 20150061497Abstract: A lamp including a lamp base having at least three electrical contacts, an optical housing with an LED light source distal from the lamp base, a capper assembly including two or more bias switches accessible by a user located between the lamp base and optical housing , electronic circuitry located within the capper assembly, the electronic circuitry electrically coupled to the three electrical contacts and the LED light source, the electronic circuitry configured to provide a drive current to the LED light source, and the two or more bias switches are user-settable to set the drive current. The electronic circuitry provides at least two different levels of drive current to the LED light source, where the two or more bias switches are configured to control multiple levels of LED light intensity to an individual level.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: GE Lighting Solutions, LLCInventors: Jeremias Anthony MARTINS, Bruce Richard ROBERTS
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Publication number: 20140159573Abstract: Embodiments of a lamp comprise a light source and an active cooling device that propagates airflow within the lamp to dissipate heat from the light source. In one embodiment, the lamp comprises a light emitting diode (LED) device and an inductor that couples in series with the light emitting diode (LED) device. The lamp also comprises a diaphragm magnetically coupled with the inductor, wherein the diaphragm can flex between a first position and a second position to generate the air flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: GE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLCInventor: Bruce Richard ROBERTS
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Patent number: 8710732Abstract: A light panel includes a light source having a generally planar, light emitting surface and a perimeter edge. A backsheet is disposed in substantially parallel relation with the light emitting surface, and an electrical feed-through region extends through the backsheet at a location spaced inwardly from the perimeter. A generally planar, flexible connector cable extends over the backsheet from the perimeter to the electrical feed-through region for establishing electrical connection with the light source. Openings in conductive pads provided in the flexible cable permit a conductive material to be inserted there through and mechanically and electrically interconnect the cable and the light panel.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bruce Richard Roberts, James Michael Kostka
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Publication number: 20140103812Abstract: A system and method for producing white light in an adjustable light emitting diode (LED) illumination device is provided. The system and method varies the “off” time for one of multiple sets of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or channels in succession in order to compensate for and stabilize the color-shifting or degradation that gradually occurs in LEDs. Each channel corresponds to a different color. By varying the “off” time of only one channel at a time, the system efficiently utilizes the majority of the LEDs, thereby enabling the production of a more stable white light with fewer LEDs.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Bruce Richard Roberts, Glenn Howard Kuenzler
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Patent number: 8664865Abstract: An apparatus and method of detecting ambient light in a lighting system is provided. An OLED may be used to emit light and detect ambient light in such a system. Detection can occur during a time interval when light is not emitted from the OLED. Feedback to control the emitted light level of the OLED can be based on the detected ambient light.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Deeder Mohammad Aurongzeb, Bruce Richard Roberts
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Patent number: 8653748Abstract: Solid-State lighting devices and fixtures are presented in which capacitor plates are formed in the fixture and in the lighting device to form AC coupling capacitors with one or more intervening dielectrics when the lighting device is placed in the fixture to power a driver circuit of the lighting device while providing a fixture with no exposed live wiring.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bruce Richard Roberts, Deeder Aurongzeb, Josip Brnada
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Patent number: 8587215Abstract: Lighting devices and operating methods are presented in which voltage or current perturbations of an OLED caused by a user pressing the OLED are monitored while the OLED is providing general lighting, and one or more lighting control signals are generated based on the sensed perturbations.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bruce Richard Roberts, Deeder Aurongzeb, Josip Brnada
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Publication number: 20130257288Abstract: An apparatus and method of detecting ambient light in a lighting system is provided. An OLED may be used to emit light and detect ambient light in such a system. Detection can occur during a time interval when light is not emitted from the OLED. Feedback to control the emitted light level of the OLED can be based on the detected ambient light.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: Deeder Mohammad AURONGZEB, Bruce Richard Roberts
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Publication number: 20130113389Abstract: A lighting device with a drive device for dimming light-emitting diodes. The drive device comprises a dimming component that operates a switch in response to both a change in an input power signal and a system temperature. In one example, the dimming device can include a waveform generator that generates a signal with a waveform having levels that change in response to changes in temperature. The waveform defines the time during which the switch is open and closed, thereby determining the period of time the LEDs are energized. By operating the LEDs in this manner, the drive device effectively dims the LEDs to reduce the operating temperature and cool the LEDs.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Inventor: Bruce Richard ROBERTS
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Publication number: 20130069552Abstract: An organic light emitting electrical device containing an organic light emitting diode (OLED) and a power supply adapted to reduce space charge buildup in the OLED. An organic electroluminescent device has an organic light emitting diode with a first electrode and a second electrode. A power supply is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode. The power supply is configured to generate a forward bias voltage and a reverse bias voltage pulse and alternately connect the forward bias voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode, and the reverse bias voltage pulse to the second electrode and the first electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2011Publication date: March 21, 2013Inventors: Deeder Aurongzeb, Bruce Richard Roberts, Josip Brnada
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Publication number: 20130015768Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing illumination by driving LEDs using a high-voltage driver, and more specifically a method and apparatus for using a simplified boost circuit connected to an AC mains to provide a higher voltage DC driving voltage to the LED array.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Bruce Richard ROBERTS, Louis Nerone