Patents by Inventor Christopher A. Buck

Christopher A. Buck 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: 8810154
    Abstract: A multiple location load control system comprises a main device and remote devices, which do not require neutral connections, but allow for visual and audible feedback at the main device and the remote devices. The main device and the remote devices are adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between an AC power source and an electrical load, and to be further coupled together via an accessory wiring. The remote devices can be wired on the line side and the load side of the load control system, such that the main device is wired “in the middle” of the load control system. The main device is operable to enable a charging path to allow the remote devices to charge power supplies through the accessory wiring during a first time period of a half-cycle of the AC power source. The main device and the remote devices are operable to communicate with each other via the accessory wiring during a second time period of the half-cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Cyril Baby, Christopher Buck, Daniel F. Carmen
  • Publication number: 20140117670
    Abstract: A system and method for generating electric power using a generator coupled to a turboexpander is disclosed. The system includes one or more thermal pumps configured for heating a fluid to generate a pressurized gas. A portion of the pressurized gas is discharged to a buffer chamber for further utilization in a Rankine system. A further portion of the pressurized gas is expanded in a turboexpander for driving a generator for generating electric power. Optionally, the system includes a pump to pressurize a portion of the fluid depending on the systems operating condition. The system further includes one or more sensors for sensing temperature and pressure and outputs one or more signals representative of the sensed state. The system includes a control unit for receiving the signals and outputs one or more control signals for controlling the flow of gases and liquid in the valves and the check valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sebastian Walter Freund, Matthew Alexander Lehar, William Joseph Antel, Jr., Pierre Sébastien Huck, Hannes Christopher Buck, Trevor James Kirsten, Kenneth William Kohl, Matthew Michael Lampo, Charles Michael Jones, Amit Gaikwad, Lars Olof Nord
  • Publication number: 20130275174
    Abstract: A real-time, mobile, energy savings and cost estimation tool may be provided. The energy savings and cost estimation tool may be implemented on a mobile electronic device, such as, but not limited to a laptop computer, tablet, or a smart phone, for example. A user may create a project and define project information using the energy savings and cost estimation tool while at the project site. For example, the user may discuss the project with a potential customer, ask questions about the project to be created or retrofitted, walk around the project site, and enter the project information into the energy savings and cost estimation tool. Using the project information gathered, the energy savings and cost estimation tool may provide real-time feedback, such as an energy usage audit, an energy usage solution design, an energy analysis, and/or a return on investment (ROI) analysis for the project, to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: David Bennett, Christopher Buck, Gerard Darville, Hagen Denton, Mark Law, Brent Protzman
  • Patent number: 8502680
    Abstract: A system and associated processes monitor hand hygiene compliance. The system includes hand hygiene product dispensers positioned within areas of concern (AOC) in a facility in which hand hygiene events are to be monitored. The dispensers detect dispense events initiated at the dispenser and transmit a dispense event signal indicative that a dispense event occurred along with dispenser identification information. The system also includes a plurality of compliance badges, each worn by a different person in the facility. Each compliance badge receives dispense event signals corresponding dispenser identification information associated with dispense events initiated by the wearer of the compliance badge. The badges store dispense event records associated with each dispense event initiated by the wearer and thus keep track of all dispense events initiated by the wearer of the compliance badge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Paul S. Schilling, Anatoly Skirda, Viktor Slobodyan, Joseph P. Erickson, Cheryl A. Littau, Christopher A. Buck
  • Publication number: 20130169186
    Abstract: A multiple location load control system comprises a main device and remote devices, which do not require neutral connections, but allow for visual and audible feedback at the main device and the remote devices. The main device and the remote devices are adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between an AC power source and an electrical load, and to be further coupled together via an accessory wiring. The remote devices can be wired on the line side and the load side of the load control system, such that the main device is wired “in the middle” of the load control system. The main device is operable to enable a charging path to allow the remote devices to charge power supplies through the accessory wiring during a first time period of a half-cycle of the AC power source. The main device and the remote devices are operable to communicate with each other via the accessory wiring during a second time period of the half-cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Cyril Baby, Christopher Buck, Daniel F. Carmen
  • Publication number: 20120296447
    Abstract: A controlling and monitoring control application associated with one or more work operations of one or more utility devices is disclosed. The controller is programmed for controlling one or more external work operations associated with one or more utility devices. An I/O board is connected in communication with the primary controller having a module with a plurality of device-specific control applications associated with one or more device-specific work operations. The housing of the controller includes one or more cable access points for plugging a cable into the controller. The cable access points are sealed to prevent water from entering into the housing. A mounting bracket assembly provides flexibility for mounting the controller at various orientations and/or positions. The controller also includes a DC control circuit for controlling backlight luminance over the entire dimming ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: CHRIS D. DILLER, LOUIS M. HOLZMAN, RONALD B. HOWES, JR., STEPHEN X. SKAFF, QUANG VAN DAO, CHRISTOPHER A. BUCK
  • Patent number: 8242708
    Abstract: A multiple location load control system comprises a main device and remote devices, which do not require neutral connections, but allow for visual and audible feedback at the main device and the remote devices. The main device and the remote devices are adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between an AC power source and an electrical load, and to be further coupled together via an accessory wiring. The remote devices can be wired on the line side and the load side of the load control system, such that the main device is wired “in the middle” of the load control system. The main device is operable to enable a charging path to allow the remote devices to charge power supplies through the accessory wiring during a first time period of a half-cycle of the AC power source. The main device and the remote devices are operable to communicate with each other via the accessory wiring during a second time period of the half-cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Cyril Baby, Christopher Buck, Daniel F. Carmen
  • Patent number: 8143806
    Abstract: A multiple location dimming system comprises a plurality of dimmers coupled between an AC power source and a lighting load. Each of the plurality of dimmers is operable to control the intensity of the lighting load and comprises a controllably conductive device, e.g., a triac. The triacs of the plurality of dimmers are coupled in parallel electrical connection. Only an active one of the dimmers is operable to conduct a load current to the lighting load at any given time. A passive dimmer is operable to monitor the voltage across its triac in order to determine when the active dimmer is firing its triac. Accordingly, the passive dimmer is operable to fire its triac before the active dimmer fires its triac in order to “take over” control of the lighting load from the active dimmer to become the next active dimmer. Further, the passive dimmer is operable to determine the amount of power being delivered to the load and display this information on one or more status indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Mosebrook, Daniel F. Carmen, Christopher Buck
  • Patent number: 7948393
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load, the load control device comprising a bidirectional semiconductor switch operable to be coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the load, the semiconductor switch having a control input; a controller operatively coupled to the control input of the semiconductor switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to the load; an actuator operatively coupled to the controller such that the controller is operable to determine a desired amount of power to be delivered to the load in response to actuations of the actuator; and a visual display responsive to the controller; wherein the controller is operable to illuminate the visual display to a first intensity upon actuation of the actuator and to subsequently illuminate the visual display to a second intensity less than the first intensity after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the actuation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Nearhoof, Gregory Altonen, Christopher Buck
  • Publication number: 20110077772
    Abstract: A chemical product dispenser dispenses a chemical product having at least one active ingredient during a primary dispense cycle based on time or some other factor. After the chemical product has been dispensed, the dispenser determines the amount of chemical product that was dispensed. The dispenser then determines whether the dispensed amount of chemical product is within a defined threshold of a desired amount. If not, the dispenser proceeds to dispense additional chemical product during one or more make-up dispense cycles until the threshold is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Buck, Wesley M. Nelson, Blake Roberts Otting
  • Publication number: 20110074222
    Abstract: A multiple location load control system comprises a main device and remote devices, which do not require neutral connections, but allow for visual and audible feedback at the main device and the remote devices. The main device and the remote devices are adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between an AC power source and an electrical load, and to be further coupled together via an accessory wiring. The remote devices can be wired on the line side and the load side of the load control system, such that the main device is wired “in the middle” of the load control system. The main device is operable to enable a charging path to allow the remote devices to charge power supplies through the accessory wiring during a first time period of a half-cycle of the AC power source. The main device and the remote devices are operable to communicate with each other via the accessory wiring during a second time period of the half-cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Cyril Baby, Christopher Buck, Daniel F. Carmen
  • Patent number: 7872429
    Abstract: A multiple location load control system comprises a main device and remote devices, which do not require neutral connections, but allow for visual and audible feedback at the main device and the remote devices. The main device and the remote devices are adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between an AC power source and an electrical load, and to be further coupled together via an accessory wiring. The remote devices can be wired on the line side and the load side of the load control system, such that the main device is wired “in the middle” of the load control system. The main device is operable to enable a charging path to allow the remote devices to charge power supplies through the accessory wiring during a first time period of a half-cycle of the AC power source. The main device and the remote devices are operable to communicate with each other via the accessory wiring during a second time period of the half-cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Cyril Baby, Christopher Buck, Daniel F. Carmen
  • Publication number: 20100315243
    Abstract: A system and associated processes monitor hand hygiene compliance. The system includes hand hygiene product dispensers positioned within areas of concern (AOC) in a facility in which hand hygiene events are to be monitored. The dispensers detect dispense events initiated at the dispenser and transmit a dispense event signal indicative that a dispense event occurred along with dispenser identification information. The system also includes a plurality of compliance badges, each worn by a different person in the facility. Each compliance badge receives dispense event signals corresponding dispenser identification information associated with dispense events initiated by the wearer of the compliance badge. The badges store dispense event records associated with each dispense event initiated by the wearer and thus keep track of all dispense events initiated by the wearer of the compliance badge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Paul S. Schilling, Anatoly Skirda, Viktor Slobodyan, Joseph P. Erickson, Cheryl A. Littau, Christopher A. Buck
  • Publication number: 20100194304
    Abstract: A multiple location dimming system comprises a plurality of dimmers coupled between an AC power source and a lighting load. Each of the plurality of dimmers is operable to control the intensity of the lighting load and comprises a controllably conductive device, e.g., a triac. The triacs of the plurality of dimmers are coupled in parallel electrical connection. Only an active one of the dimmers is operable to conduct a load current to the lighting load at any given time. A passive dimmer is operable to monitor the voltage across its triac in order to determine when the active dimmer is firing its triac. Accordingly, the passive dimmer is operable to fire its triac before the active dimmer fires its triac in order to “take over” control of the lighting load from the active dimmer to become the next active dimmer. Further, the passive dimmer is operable to determine the amount of power being delivered to the load and display this information on one or more status indicators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Donald Mosebrook, Daniel F. Carmen, Christopher Buck
  • Patent number: 7723925
    Abstract: A multiple location dimming system comprises a plurality of dimmers coupled between an AC power source and a lighting load. Each of the plurality of dimmers is operable to control the intensity of the lighting load and comprises a controllably conductive device, e.g., a triac. The triacs of the plurality of dimmers are coupled in parallel electrical connection. Only an active one of the dimmers is operable to conduct a load current to the lighting load at any given time. A passive dimmer is operable to monitor the voltage across its triac in order to determine when the active dimmer is firing its triac. Accordingly, the passive dimmer is operable to fire its triac before the active dimmer fires its triac in order to “take over” control of the lighting load from the active dimmer to become the next active dimmer. Further, the passive dimmer is operable to determine the amount of power being delivered to the load and display this information on one or more status indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Mosebrook, Daniel F. Carmen, Christopher Buck
  • Publication number: 20100007508
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load, the load control device comprising a bidirectional semiconductor switch operable to be coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the load, the semiconductor switch having a control input; a controller operatively coupled to the control input of the semiconductor switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to the load; an actuator operatively coupled to the controller such that the controller is operable to determine a desired amount of power to be delivered to the load in response to actuations of the actuator; and a visual display responsive to the controller; wherein the controller is operable to illuminate the visual display to a first intensity upon actuation of the actuator and to subsequently illuminate the visual display to a second intensity less than the first intensity after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the actuation of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Nearhoof, Gregory Altonen, Christopher Buck
  • Publication number: 20090314943
    Abstract: A security inspection system is provided. The security inspection system includes a source configured to transmit a beam of radiation comprising a frequency of at least about 10 GHz. The system also includes an optical system configured to focus the beam of radiation on a sample. The system further includes at least one detector configured to detect one or more reflected beams from different locations of the sample in a focal plane of the optical system and generate a corresponding output signal. The system also includes a processor coupled to the at least one detector and configured to reconstruct a three dimensional image of the sample based upon the output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Breit, Thorbjorn Christopher Buck
  • Patent number: 7592925
    Abstract: A load control device comprises an actuator for controlling a connected lighting load and a plurality of status indicators for displaying the intensity of the lighting load as feedback to a user. One or more of the status indicators are illuminated to a bright active level when the actuator is actuated. After a predetermined amount of time, the intensity of the status indicators is faded one of two dim levels depending upon whether the lighting load is on or off. Accordingly, the load control device will “wake up”, i.e., the status indicators will illuminate to the bright active level, upon another actuation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Nearhoof, Gregory Altonen, Christopher Buck
  • Patent number: 7491366
    Abstract: A portable multi-channel device for optically testing of a liquid sample includes a controller; and a sample holder with a cylindrical sample compartment and at least two optical channels respectively for measuring turbidity of the sample liquid and for measuring one other optical property of the sample liquid. Each of the optical channels including: a light source placed at one end of the channel, a main detector placed across the sample compartment from the light source, a reference detector for measuring an intensity of light emitted by the light source, and an excitation focusing optic for directing a light emitted by the light source through the sample compartment towards the main detector. Signals from the reference detector of the channel, the main detector of the channel, and another main detector of another channel perpendicular to the channel are processed by the controller to evaluate the turbidity of the liquid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Viktor Slobodyan, Christopher J. Owen, Christopher A. Buck, Anatoly Skirda, William M. Christensen
  • Publication number: 20080258650
    Abstract: A multiple location load control system comprises a main device and remote devices, which do not require neutral connections, but allow for visual and audible feedback at the main device and the remote devices. The main device and the remote devices are adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between an AC power source and an electrical load, and to be further coupled together via an accessory wiring. The remote devices can be wired on the line side and the load side of the load control system, such that the main device is wired “in the middle” of the load control system. The main device is operable to enable a charging path to allow the remote devices to charge power supplies through the accessory wiring during a first time period of a half-cycle of the AC power source. The main device and the remote devices are operable to communicate with each other via the accessory wiring during a second time period of the half-cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Cyril Baby, Christopher Buck, Daniel F. Carmen