Patents by Inventor Daniel J. Blair

Daniel J. Blair 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: 12065876
    Abstract: A motorized window treatment may provide a low-cost solution for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window. The window treatment may include a covering material (e.g., a cellular shade fabric or a roller shade fabric), a drive assembly for raising and lowering the covering material, and a motor drive unit including a motor configured to drive the drive assembly to raise and lower the covering material. The motorized window treatment may comprise one or more battery packs configured to receive batteries for powering the motor drive unit. The batteries may be located out of view of a user of the motorized window treatment (e.g., in a headrail or in a battery compartment). The motorized window treatment may use various power-saving methods to lengthen the lifetime of the batteries, e.g., to reduce the motor speed to conserve additional battery power and extend the lifetime of the batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Jason O. Adams, Edward J. Blair, Andrew Karl Cooney, Soumya Jain, David A. Kirby, Stephen Lundy, Justin J. Mierta, Daniel W. Mistarz, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Peter W. Ogden, Jr., Jonathan L. Roe, Chen Ming Wu, Justin M. Zernhelt, Samuel F. Chambers
  • Publication number: 20240268011
    Abstract: A control device may include an analog intensity adjustment actuator that is configured to be manually operated to adjust an intensity level of a lighting load. The control device may include a communication circuit configured to receive a message from a remote device. The message may include a commanded intensity level. The control device may include an actuator adjustment system configured to adjust a position of the analog intensity adjustment actuator and a control circuit configured to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load in response to manual operation of the analog intensity adjustment actuator. The control circuit may be further configured to control the actuator adjustment system to adjust the position of the analog intensity adjustment actuator in response to the message received from the remote device. The position of the analog intensity adjustment actuator may be adjusted to indicate the commanded intensity level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Edward J. Blair, Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew P. McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: 12044069
    Abstract: A motorized window treatment for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window includes a covering material, a drive shaft, and a motor coupled to the drive shaft for raising and lowering the covering material. The window treatment also includes a spring assist unit for assisting the motor by providing a torque that equals the torque provided by the weight on the cords that lift the covering material at a position midway between fully-open and fully-closed positions to minimize motor usage and conserve battery life. The window treatment may comprise a photosensor for measuring the amount of daylight outside the window and temperature sensors for measuring the temperatures inside and outside of the window. The position of the covering material may be automatically controlled in response to the photosensor and the temperature sensors, or in response to an infrared or radio-frequency remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Jason O. Adams, Edward J. Blair, Andrew Karl Cooney, Soumya Jain, David A. Kirby, Stephen Lundy, Justin J. Mierta, Daniel W. Mistarz, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Peter W. Ogden, Jr., Jonathan L. Roe, Chen Ming Wu, Justin M. Zernhelt
  • Patent number: 12028792
    Abstract: Methods and related systems for operating a climate control system for an indoor space are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes establishing a connection between a device and a hub of the climate control system along a first signal pathway, wherein at least a portion of the first signal pathway comprises a short-range radio connection between the device and a first component of the system. In addition, the method includes monitoring one or more parameters of the first signal pathway and one or more parameters of a second signal pathway extending between the device and the hub, wherein at least a portion of the second signal pathway comprises a short-range radio connection between the device and a second component of the system. Further, the method includes re-routing the connection between the portable device and the system hub from the first signal pathway to the second signal pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Carl L. Garrett, Nathan Smith, Daniel J. Blair, Drew Whitehurst, Caleb Davis
  • Publication number: 20230120196
    Abstract: Methods and related systems for operating a climate control system for an indoor space are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes establishing a connection between a device and a hub of the climate control system along a first signal pathway, wherein at least a portion of the first signal pathway comprises a short-range radio connection between the device and a first component of the system. In addition, the method includes monitoring one or more parameters of the first signal pathway and one or more parameters of a second signal pathway extending between the device and the hub, wherein at least a portion of the second signal pathway comprises a short-range radio connection between the device and a second component of the system. Further, the method includes re-routing the connection between the portable device and the system hub from the first signal pathway to the second signal pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Carl L. Garrett, Nathan Smith, Daniel J. Blair, Drew Whitehurst, Caleb Davis
  • Publication number: 20230122148
    Abstract: Methods and the like according to the disclosure can include receiving a connection request from a portable device (where the connection request comprises at least one of a predefined code or encryption token), determining a first value of at least one parameter of a first wireless signal of a first signal pathway (where the first signal pathway is between the portable device and a first component of the HVAC system), determining a second value of the at least one parameter of a second wireless signal of a second signal pathway (where the second signal pathway is between the portable device and a second component of the HVAC system), authenticating the portable device, wherein the authenticating is based, at least in part, on the connection request, the first value, and the second value, and, in response to the portable device being authenticated, granting access to the HVAC system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Carl L. Garrett, Nathan Smith, Daniel J. Blair, Drew Whitehurst, Caleb Davis
  • Patent number: 11564148
    Abstract: Methods and related systems for operating a climate control system for an indoor space are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes establishing a connection between a device and a hub of the climate control system along a first signal pathway, wherein at least a portion of the first signal pathway comprises a short-range radio connection between the device and a first component of the system. In addition, the method includes monitoring one or more parameters of the first signal pathway and one or more parameters of a second signal pathway extending between the device and the hub, wherein at least a portion of the second signal pathway comprises a short-range radio connection between the device and a second component of the system. Further, the method includes re-routing the connection between the portable device and the system hub from the first signal pathway to the second signal pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Carl L. Garrett, Nathan Smith, Daniel J. Blair, Drew Whitehurst, Caleb Davis
  • Publication number: 20220015009
    Abstract: Methods and related systems for operating a climate control system for an indoor space are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes establishing a connection between a device and a hub of the climate control system along a first signal pathway, wherein at least a portion of the first signal pathway comprises a short-range radio connection between the device and a first component of the system. In addition, the method includes monitoring one or more parameters of the first signal pathway and one or more parameters of a second signal pathway extending between the device and the hub, wherein at least a portion of the second signal pathway comprises a short-range radio connection between the device and a second component of the system. Further, the method includes re-routing the connection between the portable device and the system hub from the first signal pathway to the second signal pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Carl L. Garrett, Nathan Smith, Daniel J. Blair, Drew Whitehurst, Caleb Davis
  • Patent number: 11060410
    Abstract: A method of forming a protective sheath for an aerofoil component includes: providing a first sheath portion and a second sheath portion, the first sheath portion and the second sheath portion each comprising an inner surface, an outer surface and an end surface between the inner and outer surfaces and having a sacrificial flange at its distal end; positioning the first sheath portion and second sheath portion so that the inner surface of the first sheath portion abuts against the inner surface of the second sheath portion with the end surfaces of the first and second sheath portions aligned to form a mating edge; and joining the first sheath portion to the second sheath portion by welding along the mating edge, wherein the sacrificial flanges are completely consumed and a curved outer profile is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Daniel J. Blair, Timothy J. Summers, Ewan F. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20200277865
    Abstract: A method of forming a protective sheath for an aerofoil component includes: providing a first sheath portion and a second sheath portion, the first sheath portion and the second sheath portion each comprising an inner surface, an outer surface and an end surface between the inner and outer surfaces and having a sacrificial flange at its distal end; positioning the first sheath portion and second sheath portion so that the inner surface of the first sheath portion abuts against the inner surface of the second sheath portion with the end surfaces of the first and second sheath portions aligned to form a mating edge; and joining the first sheath portion to the second sheath portion by welding along the mating edge, wherein the sacrificial flanges are completely consumed and a curved outer profile is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Daniel J. BLAIR, Timothy J. SUMMERS, Ewan F. THOMPSON
  • Patent number: 7975494
    Abstract: A user interface for a control system for an air conditioning apparatus includes a visual display and keys for scrolling menu items and entering commands to the control system. The interface is mounted in the apparatus cabinet and on a rotatable bracket to orient the interface for ease of reading the display and actuating the respective keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Trane International, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Boydstun, Robert W. Helt, Gordon Jeffrey Hugghins, Carl L. Garrett, Daniel J. Blair, Robert G. Royoroft, Timothy W. Storm
  • Publication number: 20090090115
    Abstract: A user interface for a control system for an air conditioning apparatus includes a visual display and keys for scrolling menu items and entering commands to the control system. The interface is mounted in the apparatus cabinet and on a rotatable bracket to orient the interface for ease of reading the display and actuating the respective keys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Roger L. Boydstun, Robert W. Helt, Gordon Jeffrey Hugghins, Carl L. Garrett, Daniel J. Blair, Robert G. Royoroft, Timothy W. Storm