Patents by Inventor Dennis Stephens

Dennis Stephens 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).

  • Publication number: 20100072909
    Abstract: A system for programming control of ballast illumination includes receiving a power stage input current through a first ballast input, receiving a level switch control signal at a second ballast input, entering a ballast illumination program mode, adjusting said level switch control signal to select a ballast lamp illumination and saving a field-programmed ballast lamp illumination indication in a ballast memory as representative of said ballast lamp illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Tony O'Gorman, Dennis Stephens, Steven Purdy
  • Publication number: 20100072917
    Abstract: A system for controlling ballast illumination includes providing power to a light ballast power stage, driving a ballast lamp to a pre-determined ballast lamp illumination in response to the power stage receiving power, and actuating a level switch to drive the ballast lamp from the pre-determined ballast lamp illumination to a first field-programmed ballast lamp illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Tony O'Gorman, Dennis Stephens, Steven Purdy
  • Patent number: 7462203
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of disposing waste from an in-home dry cleaning machine using a disposable containment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Francesca Goldoni, Kees Van Kralingen, Dennis Stephen Murphy, Michael Orchowski, Pieter E M Overdevest
  • Publication number: 20080087283
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anesthesia vaporizer, more particularly, a vaporizer for use in administering anesthesia wherein the vaporizer is designed to inhibit the degradation of anesthesia that is contained within the vaporizer. The invention further provides a method of preparing a vaporizer to inhibit the degradation of anesthesia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Keith Cromack, Dennis Stephens, Gowdahalli Subbarao, Jeff Drajesk
  • Publication number: 20070176579
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automotive electrical system including a FET based rectifier and method of controlling the FET based rectifier without using either an alternator shaft position sensor or current sensors on each phase of the alternator output to control the switching of the FETs. In accordance with the teachings herein, the voltage and current on the DC bus of the automotive electrical system are sensed and switching of the FETs is controlled by a microcontroller that determines the appropriate switching times based on these sensed parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventors: Patrick O'Gorman, Dennis Stephens
  • Publication number: 20070166187
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of enhancing the stability of paricalcitol solution in a container by using a chlorobutyl or chlorinated butyl stopper in the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Jing Song, Dennis Stephens
  • Publication number: 20070138795
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automotive electrical system including a FET based rectifier and method of controlling the FET based rectifier without using either an alternator shaft position sensor or current sensors on each phase of the alternator output to control the switching of the FETs. In accordance with the teachings herein, the voltage and current on the DC bus of the automotive electrical system are sensed and switching of the FETs is controlled by a microcontroller that determines the appropriate switching times based on these sensed parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Patrick O'Gorman, Dennis Stephens
  • Publication number: 20070007818
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrical system topology for voltage regulation in a 12-volt vehicle power distribution system. Particularly, a single transistor power converter is configured to operate in both as a traditional voltage regulator mode (i.e., as buck converter to reduce the field voltage applied to an alternator to a value less than that available from the main bus) and as an alternator field current boost converter (i.e., as a boost converter to boost the field voltage applied to an alternator to a value greater than that available from the main bus). The converter may also include a controller that incorporates a thermal model of the alternator to limit the amount of voltage boost applied and/or direct temperature measurement of the alternator or alternator components. Additionally, these two approaches may be combined such that measured temperatures are used to refine the temperature estimated by the thermal estimator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Inventors: Patrick O'Gorman, Dennis Stephens
  • Publication number: 20060164046
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are two techniques, neutral point switching and field voltage boost, that will increase the output of today's 12 volt automotive electrical systems in vehicle idle conditions solely by the addition of circuitry. Neutral point switching enables the flow of a third harmonic current, which does not normally flow at low speeds, but only at high speed. Boosting the field voltages can be obtained by integrating a field voltage boost circuit and voltage regulator to increase the field voltage, and consequently the field current, above the level obtained from the battery. Furthermore, the transient response of the alternator to a change in load is improved by temporarily increasing the field voltage above the level needed to sustain the load. These two techniques are compatible, and thus may be implemented together, or may be implemented independently. No changes to a standard alternator are required to accommodate the proposed additional circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventors: Patrick O'Gorman, Dennis Stephens
  • Publication number: 20060152168
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for driving a halogen lamp. A driving circuit is provided that is operable near a series resonance frequency. The driving circuit is coupled to the lamp in a series configuration. During startup, the circuit is driven above resonance. After the lamp has warmed up, the circuit is driven substantially at resonance. A controller is coupled to the driving circuit. The controller is operable to control the frequency of operation of the driving circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Patrick O'Gorman, Dennis Stephens
  • Patent number: 7018976
    Abstract: A fabric treatment article for use in a conventional home clothes dryer is described that deodorizes and freshens clothing in need of freshening without imparting additional stains. The product is particularly suited for delivering a fragrance to relatively dry clothing and can be added directly to the dryer without the need for a bag to contain the product and clothing during the dryer cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, divison of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Stephen Murphy, Michael Orchowski, Daniel Joseph Fox, Jeanette Ashley, Nancy Ann Falk
  • Publication number: 20060061306
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing torque ripple in a motor controller includes a step (60) of measuring an output voltage at each phase of the motor controller. A next step (61) includes determining a voltage mismatch between the phases. A next step (62) includes phase grounding one phase of the motor. A next step (63) includes calculating a voltage gain for the phases to compensate for voltage mismatches therebetween. The compensating gain can include a gain and/or offset, which are applied as a function of motor angle and is used to generate a PWM signal for driving the motor with reduced torque ripple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventors: Patrick O'Gorman, Scott Repplinger, Dennis Stephens
  • Patent number: 7012054
    Abstract: The present invention relates to fabric and textile conditioning compositions with improved particulate soil cleaning, containing particular combinations of cationic polymers and anionic surfactants in combination with a polyvinylpyrrolidone/amphiphilic carboxy containing polymer anti-redeposition system. The cationic polymers are preferably below a particular molecular weight to afford optimal cleaning and conditioning, and must be present in an effective amount to yield a substantial conditioning benefit. A method of conditioning articles using the inventive compositions is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: David Alan Binder, Dennis Stephen Murphy, Michael Orchowski
  • Publication number: 20060043938
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a variety of different electrical system topologies intended to mitigate the impact of large intermittent loads on a 12 volt vehicle power distribution system. In some embodiments the intermittent load is disconnected from the remainder of the system and the voltage supplied to this load is allowed to fluctuate. In other embodiments, the voltage to critical loads is regulated independently of the voltage supplied to the remainder of the system. The different topologies described can be grouped into three categories, each corresponding to a different solution technique. One approach is to regulate the voltage to the critical loads. A second approach is to isolate the intermittent load that causes the drop in system voltage. The third approach is to use a different type of alternator that has a faster response than the conventional Lundell wound field machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: Patrick O'Gorman, Donald Remboski, Dennis Stephens
  • Publication number: 20060038540
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are two techniques, neutral point switching and field voltage boost, that will increase the output of today's 12 volt automotive electrical systems in vehicle idle conditions solely by the addition of circuitry. Neutral point switching enables the flow of a third harmonic current, which does not normally flow at low speeds, but only at high speed. Boosting the field voltages can be obtained by integrating a field voltage boost circuit and voltage regulator to increase the field voltage, and consequently the field current, above the level obtained from the battery. Furthermore, the transient response of the alternator to a change in load is improved by temporarily increasing the field voltage above the level needed to sustain the load. These two techniques are compatible, and thus may be implemented together, or may be implemented independently. No changes to a standard alternator are required to accommodate the proposed additional circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Patrick O'Gorman, Dennis Stephens
  • Publication number: 20060028778
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a variety of different electrical system topologies intended to mitigate the impact of large intermittent loads on a 12 volt vehicle power distribution system. In some embodiments the intermittent load is disconnected from the remainder of the system and the voltage supplied to this load is allowed to fluctuate. In other embodiments, the voltage to critical loads is regulated independently of the voltage supplied to the remainder of the system. The different topologies described can be grouped into three categories, each corresponding to a different solution technique. One approach is to regulate the voltage to the critical loads. A second approach is to isolate the intermittent load that causes the drop in system voltage. The third approach is to use a different type of alternator that has a faster response than the conventional Lundell wound field machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: Patrick O'Gorman, Donald Remboski, Dennis Stephens
  • Publication number: 20060009425
    Abstract: The present invention relates to oral formulations comprising paricalcitol that are available in a variety of different dosage forms that are bioequivalent to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventors: Leticia Delgado-Herrera, Steve Chamberlin, Dennis Stephens, Joel Melnick
  • Patent number: 6949498
    Abstract: Fabric and textile conditioning compositions containing particular combinations of cationic polymers and anionic surfactants are disclosed. The polymers are soluble or dispersible to at least 0.01% by weight in distilled water at 25° C., are preferably below a particular molecular weight to afford optimal cleaning and conditioning, and must be present in an effective amount to yield a substantial conditioning benefit. A method of conditioning articles using the polymer/surfactant combinations is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA a division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Stephen Murphy, Michael Orchowski, Alla Tartakovsky, David Alan Binder
  • Patent number: 6908893
    Abstract: A novel cleaning composition for dry cleaning applications is described. The cleaning composition utilizes a stain removal composition having a stain removal surfactant and a stain removal solvent, and the dry cleaning applications use a solvent which is a gas at standard temperature and pressure, a biodegradable functionalized hydrocarbon or a silicone comprising solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Stephen Murphy
  • Publication number: 20040214744
    Abstract: A fabric treatment article for use in a conventional home clothes dryer is described that deodorizes and freshens clothing in need of freshening without imparting additional stains. The product is particularly suited for delivering a fragrance to relatively dry clothing and can be added directly to the dryer without the need for a bag to contain the product and clothing during the dryer cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Dennis Stephen Murphy, Michael Orchowski, Daniel Joseph Fox, Jeanette Ashley, Nancy Ann Falk