Patents by Inventor Christopher B. Houghton

Christopher B. Houghton 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: 8426992
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The hydro-generator may include an outer housing and an inner housing. The inner housing may include a first hub removeably engaged with a second hub. A plurality of paddles may be replaceably engaged between the first hub and the second hub. An electrical generator may be disposed in the inner housing. A flow of liquid may strike the paddles causing the inner housing to rotate. During rotation of the housing, the electrical generator may produce electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Publication number: 20120235408
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The hydro-generator may include an outer housing and an inner housing. The inner housing may include a first hub removeably engaged with a second hub. A plurality of paddles may be replaceably engaged between the first hub and the second hub. An electrical generator may be disposed in the inner housing. A flow of liquid may strike the paddles causing the inner housing to rotate. During rotation of the housing, the electrical generator may produce electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Access Business Group International, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 8188609
    Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system includes a hydro-power generator, a processor and an energy storage device. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The processor is configured to monitor a level of the electric power generated by the hydro-power generator and a level of charge stored in the energy storage device. The processor is further configured to selectively charge and discharge the energy storage device based on the level of charge of the energy storage device, and the level of electric power generated by the hydro-power generator. The electric power generated by the hydro-power generator is selectively used to charge the energy storage device, and the energy storage device is selectively discharged to supply a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Publication number: 20110175351
    Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system includes a hydro-power generator, a processor and an energy storage device. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The processor is configured to monitor a level of the electric power generated by the hydro-power generator and a level of charge stored in the energy storage device. The processor is further configured to selectively charge and discharge the energy storage device based on the level of charge of the energy storage device, and the level of electric power generated by the hydro-power generator. The electric power generated by the hydro-power generator is selectively used to charge the energy storage device, and the energy storage device is selectively discharged to supply a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 7932618
    Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system may include a hydro-power generator and energy storage devices. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power at a generator output. The generator output may be electrically coupled to each of the energy storage devices so that the energy storage devices can be independently charged with the electric power produced by the hydro-power generator. The hydro-power generator and/or the energy storage devices can also supply electric power to a load. The energy storage devices may also be electrically coupled via a series/parallel switch so that at least two of the energy storage device may be switched between a series configuration and a parallel configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Publication number: 20100327581
    Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system may include a hydro-power generator and energy storage devices. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power at a generator output. The generator output may be electrically coupled to each of the energy storage devices so that the energy storage devices can be independently charged with the electric power produced by the hydro-power generator. The hydro-power generator and/or the energy storage devices can also supply electric power to a load. The energy storage devices may also be electrically coupled via a series/parallel switch so that at least two of the energy storage device may be switched between a series configuration and a parallel configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 7812470
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The hydro-generator may include an outer housing and an inner housing. The inner housing may include a first hub removeably engaged with a second hub. During manufacture, a plurality of paddles may be replaceably engaged between the first hub and the second hub. Also during manufacture, an electrical generator may be disposed in the inner housing. In operation, a flow of liquid may strike the paddles causing the inner housing to rotate. During rotation of the housing, the electrical generator may produce electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 7701076
    Abstract: A hydro-generation system includes housing having a passageway, a turbine nozzle, a rotor and a stator. The rotor includes a plurality of turbine blades and a permanent magnet. A flow of liquid may enter the passageway and be directed by the turbine nozzle to the turbine blades to induce rotation. The stator is position within the permanent magnet such that rotation of the permanent magnet induces the production of the electrical energy in the stator. The flow of liquid may flow through the housing and out of the hydro-generation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Access Business Group International, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 7663258
    Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system may include a hydro-generator, a control circuit and an energy storage device. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The control circuit may switch the electric power to charge the energy storage device and/or to supply the electric power to an electrical load. The control circuit may also selectively switch the energy storage device to supply electric power to the electrical load. Further, the control circuit may disable both the hydro-generator and the energy storage device from supplying electric power to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Access Business Group International, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 7663259
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a filter, an ultraviolet light source and a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be filtered with the filter and used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The ultraviolet light source may be energized by the electric power generated by the hydro-generator when the magnitude of electric power of the hydro-generator enters a determined range. The flow of liquid may be subject to ultraviolet energy generated by the ultraviolet light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Access Business Group International, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 7663257
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The hydro-generator may include an outer housing and an inner housing. The inner housing may include a first hub removably engaged with a second hub. A plurality of paddles may be replaceably engaged between the first hub and the second hub. An electrical generator may be disposed in the inner housing. A flow of liquid may strike the paddles causing the inner housing to rotate. During rotation of the housing, the electrical generator may produce electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Access Business Group International, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 7615936
    Abstract: An inductive power supply system for providing power to one or more inductively powered devices. The system includes a mechanism for varying the physical distance or the respective orientation between the primary coil and secondary coil to control the amount of power supplied to the inductively powered device. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an inductive power supply system having a primary coil and a receptacle disposed within the magnetic field generated by the primary coil. One or more inductively powered devices are placed randomly within the receptacle to receive power inductively from the primary coil. The power supply circuit includes circuitry for adjusting the power supplied to the primary coil to optimize operation based on the position and cumulative characteristics of the inductively powered device(s) disposed within the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Stephen J. McPhilliamy, Christopher B. Houghton
  • Patent number: 7462945
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a filter and a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be filtered with the filter and used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The liquid treatment system may include a first liquid flow path that provides treated liquid, and a second liquid flow path that provides untreated liquid. The filter and the hydro-power generator are included in the first liquid flow path so that electric power is generated by the hydro-power generator when liquid flows through the first liquid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Access Business Group International, LLC.
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Publication number: 20080116147
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a filter, an ultraviolet light source and a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be filtered with the filter and used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The ultraviolet light source may be energized by the electric power generated by the hydro-generator when the magnitude of electric power of the hydro-generator enters a determined range. The flow of liquid may be subject to ultraviolet energy generated by the ultraviolet light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Lepplen, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 7119451
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a filter, an ultraviolet light source and a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be filtered with the filter and used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The ultraviolet light source may be energized by the electric power generated by the hydro-generator when the revolutions-per-minute or the magnitude of electric power of the hydro-generator enters a determined range. The flow of liquid may be subject to ultraviolet energy generated by the ultraviolet light source. It may be indicated when the ultraviolet light source reaches dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Access Business GroupInternational, LLC.
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: D657347
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Won Suk Chung, Daniel V Clements, Adam Cybart, Christopher B Houghton, Dickon Isaacs, Alwyn M Sekhri, Max K Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: D664950
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Ryan P Rye, Christopher B Houghton, Dickon Isaacs, Joey Kao
  • Patent number: D693795
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Michael F Paradise, Matthew B Ansley, Christopher B Houghton
  • Patent number: D696647
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. Houghton, Dickon Isaacs, David W. Larmour, Mark D. Zaveson
  • Patent number: D708129
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. Houghton, Dickon Isaacs, Sailaja Malladi, Mark D. Zaveson