Patents by Inventor Christopher Houghton

Christopher 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: 7639110
    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: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Stephen J. McPhilliamy, Christopher Houghton
  • Patent number: 7439684
    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: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Stephen J. McPhilliamy, Christopher Houghton
  • Patent number: 7427839
    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: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Stephen J. McPhilliamy, Christopher Houghton
  • Publication number: 20080067813
    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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: David Baarman, Thomas Lepplen, Terry Lautzenheiser, Christopher Houghton, Stephen McPhilliamy
  • Publication number: 20080060184
    Abstract: A flow of liquid may be used to rotate a miniature 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: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: David Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lautzenheiser, Christopher Houghton, Stephen McPhilliamy
  • Publication number: 20080061557
    Abstract: A flow of liquid may be used to rotate a 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: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: David Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lautzenheiser, Christopher Houghton, Stephen McPhilliamy
  • Publication number: 20080061558
    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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: David Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lautzenheiser, Christopher Houghton, Stephen McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 7279843
    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: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Stephen J. McPhilliamy, Christopher Houghton
  • Publication number: 20070210889
    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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: David Baarman, Stephen McPhilliamy, Christopher Houghton
  • Patent number: 7233222
    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: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Stephen J. McPhilliamy, Christopher Houghton
  • Publication number: 20070126365
    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: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: David Baarman, Stephen McPhilliamy, Christopher Houghton
  • Publication number: 20070120368
    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: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: David Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lautzenheiser, Christopher Houghton, Stephen McPhilliamy
  • Publication number: 20060284713
    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: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: David Baarman, Stephen McPhilliamy, Christopher Houghton
  • Patent number: 7126450
    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: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Stephen J. McPhilliamy, Christopher Houghton
  • Patent number: 7118240
    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: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Stephen J. McPhilliamy, Christopher Houghton
  • Publication number: 20050206392
    Abstract: Various systems, methods, and programs embodied in a computer readable medium are provided for determining a worst-case impedance and worst-case voltage of a power supply loop coupled to a power input of a die. In various embodiments, the worst-case impedance of a power supply loop is determined and a reference voltage at the power input of the die associated with an average current generated at a power supply included in the power supply loop. A maximum change in a current at the power input of the die is also measured and an estimate of a worst-case voltage at the power input of the die is calculated based upon the worst-case impedance, the reference voltage, and the maximum change in the current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Isaac Kantorovich, Victor Drabkin, Christopher Houghton, James Laurent
  • Publication number: 20050189769
    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: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: David Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lautzenheiser, Christopher Houghton, Stephen McPhilliamy
  • Publication number: 20050189770
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a filter, an ultraviolet light source and a hydro-generator in a first flow path. The first flow path may provide treated liquid at a first outlet of the liquid treatment system. A second flow path included in the liquid treatment system may provide untreated liquid at a second outlet of the liquid treatment system. The first and second flow paths may be included in a housing, and may be selectable with a switching mechanism by a user of the liquid treatment system. The housing may be mounted at the end of a faucet. The hydro-generator may generate electric power for use by the ultraviolet light source and a processor. The processor may monitor the electric power and energize the ultraviolet light source with the electric power when the rotational speed of the hydro-generator enters a determined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: David Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lautzenheiser, Christopher Houghton, Stephen McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: D508905
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Houghton, Chris Labak, Andrew Olcott, David Seal, Laura Kay Taylor
  • Patent number: D588919
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James Webster, Christopher Houghton, Gilbert Balaram, Amir Perlmutter