Patents by Inventor Donald F. Hausman, Jr.
Donald F. Hausman, Jr. 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: 20240097598Abstract: A motor drive unit for driving a motor of a motorized window treatment may comprise software-based and hardware-based implementations of a process for detecting and resolving a stall condition in the motor, where the hardware-based implementation is configured to reduce power delivered to the motor if the software-based implementation has not first reduced the power to the motor. A control circuit may detect a stall condition of the motor, and reduce the power delivered to the motor after a first period of time from first detecting the stall condition. The motor drive unit may comprise a stall prevention circuit configured to reduce the power delivered to the motor after a second period of time (e.g., longer than the first period of time) from determining that a rotational sensing circuit is not generating a sensor signal while the control circuit is generating a drive signal to rotate the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Donald F. Hausman, JR., Chen Ming Wu
-
Patent number: 11863103Abstract: A motor drive unit for driving a motor of a motorized window treatment may comprise software-based and hardware-based implementations of a process for detecting and resolving a stall condition in the motor, where the hardware-based implementation is configured to reduce power delivered to the motor if the software-based implementation has not first reduced the power to the motor. A control circuit may detect a stall condition of the motor, and reduce the power delivered to the motor after a first period of time from first detecting the stall condition. The motor drive unit may comprise a stall prevention circuit configured to reduce the power delivered to the motor after a second period of time (e.g., longer than the first period of time) from determining that a rotational sensing circuit is not generating a sensor signal while the control circuit is generating a drive signal to rotate the motor.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Donald F. Hausman, Jr., Chen Ming Wu
-
Publication number: 20230389144Abstract: A multiple location load control system may comprise a main load control device and an accessory load control device. The main load control device may control an amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source using a control circuit and a controllably conductive device. The accessory load control device may be coupled to the main load control device via an accessory terminal. The accessory load control device may detect a user input for changing a characteristic of the electrical load and may send a signal to the main load control device indicating the user input. The main load control device may detect a pattern of the signal based on a threshold and further determine the user input in response to the detected pattern. The main load control device may adjust the threshold based on line/load conditions of the multiple location load control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Quinn Brogan, Donald F. Hausman, JR., Bauyrzhan Krykpayev, Robert C. Newman, JR.
-
Publication number: 20230369883Abstract: A battery-powered device, such as a motorized window treatment, may provide power to an electrical load, such as a motor. The device may also include a control circuit and a communication circuit. In addition to the battery, the device may be configured to receive power from a supplemental power source, such as a solar cell or wireless RF power supply, through which to power the control and communication circuits. The device may include a voltage monitor and a switch to intelligently control whether the battery or the supplemental power source is powering the control and communication circuits.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Donald F. Hausman, JR., Sean R. Pearson
-
Patent number: 11751299Abstract: A multiple location load control system may comprise a main load control device and an accessory load control device. The main load control device may control an amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source using a control circuit and a controllably conductive device. The accessory load control device may be coupled to the main load control device via an accessory terminal. The accessory load control device may detect a user input for changing a characteristic of the electrical load and may send a signal to the main load control device indicating the user input. The main load control device may detect a pattern of the signal based on a threshold and further determine the user input in response to the detected pattern. The main load control device may adjust the threshold based on line/load conditions of the multiple location load control system.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Quinn Brogan, Donald F. Hausman, Jr., Bauyrzhan Krykpayev, Robert C. Newman, Jr.
-
Patent number: 11742691Abstract: A battery-powered device, such as a motorized window treatment, may provide power to an electrical load, such as a motor. The device may also include a control circuit and a communication circuit. In addition to the battery, the device may be configured to receive power from a supplemental power source, such as a solar cell or wireless RF power supply, through which to power the control and communication circuits. The device may include a voltage monitor and a switch to intelligently control whether the battery or the supplemental power source is powering the control and communication circuits.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Donald F. Hausman, Jr., Sean R. Pearson
-
Publication number: 20230232515Abstract: A load control device coupled between an AC power source and an electrical load may operate in a three-wire mode or a two-wire mode based on whether the load control device is connected to a neutral side of the AC power source. The load control device may further comprise first and second zero-cross detect circuits to be respectively used in the two-wire mode or the three-wire mode, and a neutral wire detect circuit configured to generate a neutral-wire detect signal indicating whether the load control device is connected to the neutral side of the AC power source. A control circuit of the load control device may determine whether the load control device should operate in the two-wire mode or in the three-wire mode in response to the neutral-wire detect signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2023Publication date: July 20, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Mark A. Benning, Thomas W. Brenner, Quinn Brogan, Donald F. Hausman, JR., Peter MacLellan, Matthew Kyle Olsen, Matthew Pennock
-
Patent number: 11696379Abstract: A dimmable ballast circuit for a compact fluorescent lamp controls the intensity of a lamp tube in response to a phase-control voltage received from a dimmer switch. The ballast circuit comprises a phase-control-to-DC converter circuit that receives the phase-control voltage, which is characterized by a duty cycle defining a target intensity of the lamp tube, and generates a DC voltage representative of the duty cycle of the phase-control voltage. Changes in the duty cycle of the phase-control voltage that are below a threshold amount are filtered out by the converter circuit, while intentional changes in the duty cycle of the phase-control voltage are reflected in changes in the target intensity level and thereby the intensity level of the lamp tube.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Donald F. Hausman, Jr.
-
Patent number: 11641704Abstract: A load control device coupled between an AC power source and an electrical load may operate in a three-wire mode or a two-wire mode based on whether the load control device is connected to a neutral side of the AC power source. The load control device may further comprise first and second zero-cross detect circuits to be respectively used in the two-wire mode or the three-wire mode, and a neutral wire detect circuit configured to generate a neutral-wire detect signal indicating whether the load control device is connected to the neutral side of the AC power source. A control circuit of the load control device may determine whether the load control device should operate in the two-wire mode or in the three-wire mode in response to the neutral-wire detect signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2021Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Mark A. Benning, Thomas W. Brenner, Quinn Brogan, Donald F. Hausman, Jr., Peter MacLellan, Matthew Kyle Olsen, Matthew Pennock
-
Publication number: 20230119168Abstract: A motor drive unit for driving a motor of a motorized window treatment may comprise software-based and hardware-based implementations of a process for detecting and resolving a stall condition in the motor, where the hardware-based implementation is configured to reduce power delivered to the motor if the software-based implementation has not first reduced the power to the motor. A control circuit may detect a stall condition of the motor, and reduce the power delivered to the motor after a first period of time from first detecting the stall condition. The motor drive unit may comprise a stall prevention circuit configured to reduce the power delivered to the motor after a second period of time (e.g., longer than the first period of time) from determining that a rotational sensing circuit is not generating a sensor signal while the control circuit is generating a drive signal to rotate the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Donald F. Hausman, JR., Chen Ming Wu
-
Publication number: 20230038540Abstract: A dimmable ballast circuit for a compact fluorescent lamp controls the intensity of a lamp tube in response to a phase-control voltage received from a dimmer switch. The ballast circuit comprises a phase-control-to-DC converter circuit that receives the phase-control voltage, which is characterized by a duty cycle defining a target intensity of the lamp tube, and generates a DC voltage representative of the duty cycle of the phase-control voltage. Changes in the duty cycle of the phase-control voltage that are below a threshold amount are filtered out by the converter circuit, while intentional changes in the duty cycle of the phase-control voltage are reflected in changes in the target intensity level and thereby the intensity level of the lamp tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Donald F. Hausman, JR.
-
Patent number: 11558002Abstract: A motor drive unit for driving a motor of a motorized window treatment may comprise software-based and hardware-based implementations of a process for detecting and resolving a stall condition in the motor, where the hardware-based implementation is configured to reduce power delivered to the motor if the software-based implementation has not first reduced the power to the motor. A control circuit may detect a stall condition of the motor, and reduce the power delivered to the motor after a first period of time from first detecting the stall condition. The motor drive unit may comprise a stall prevention circuit configured to reduce the power delivered to the motor after a second period of time (e.g., longer than the first period of time) from determining that a rotational sensing circuit is not generating a sensor signal while the control circuit is generating a drive signal to rotate the motor.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Donald F. Hausman, Jr., Chen Ming Wu
-
Patent number: 11490475Abstract: A dimmable ballast circuit for a compact fluorescent lamp controls the intensity of a lamp tube in response to a phase-control voltage received from a dimmer switch. The ballast circuit comprises a phase-control-to-DC converter circuit that receives the phase-control voltage, which is characterized by a duty cycle defining a target intensity of the lamp tube, and generates a DC voltage representative of the duty cycle of the phase-control voltage. Changes in the duty cycle of the phase-control voltage that are below a threshold amount are filtered out by the converter circuit, while intentional changes in the duty cycle of the phase-control voltage are reflected in changes in the target intensity level and thereby the intensity level of the lamp tube.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Donald F. Hausman, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20220115976Abstract: A motor drive unit for driving a motor of a motorized window treatment may comprise software-based and hardware-based implementations of a process for detecting and resolving a stall condition in the motor, where the hardware-based implementation is configured to reduce power delivered to the motor if the software-based implementation has not first reduced the power to the motor. A control circuit may detect a stall condition of the motor, and reduce the power delivered to the motor after a first period of time from first detecting the stall condition. The motor drive unit may comprise a stall prevention circuit configured to reduce the power delivered to the motor after a second period of time (e.g., longer than the first period of time) from determining that a rotational sensing circuit is not generating a sensor signal while the control circuit is generating a drive signal to rotate the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Donald F. Hausman, JR., Chen Ming Wu
-
Publication number: 20220117051Abstract: A multiple location load control system may comprise a main load control device and an accessory load control device. The main load control device may control an amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source using a control circuit and a controllably conductive device. The accessory load control device may be coupled to the main load control device via an accessory terminal. The accessory load control device may detect a user input for changing a characteristic of the electrical load and may send a signal to the main load control device indicating the user input. The main load control device may detect a pattern of the signal based on a threshold and further determine the user input in response to the detected pattern. The main load control device may adjust the threshold based on line/load conditions of the multiple location load control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Quinn Brogan, Donald F. Hausman, JR., Bauyrzhan Krykpayev, Robert C. Newman, JR.
-
Publication number: 20220109323Abstract: A battery-powered device, such as a motorized window treatment, may provide power to an electrical load, such as a motor. The device may also include a control circuit and a communication circuit. In addition to the battery, the device may be configured to receive power from a supplemental power source, such as a solar cell or wireless RF power supply, through which to power the control and communication circuits. The device may include a voltage monitor and a switch to intelligently control whether the battery or the supplemental power source is powering the control and communication circuits.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2021Publication date: April 7, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Donald F. Hausman, JR., Sean R. Pearson
-
Patent number: 11233478Abstract: A motor drive unit for driving a motor of a motorized window treatment may comprise software-based and hardware-based implementations of a process for detecting and resolving a stall condition in the motor, where the hardware-based implementation is configured to reduce power delivered to the motor if the software-based implementation has not first reduced the power to the motor. A control circuit may detect a stall condition of the motor, and reduce the power delivered to the motor after a first period of time from first detecting the stall condition. The motor drive unit may comprise a stall prevention circuit configured to reduce the power delivered to the motor after a second period of time (e.g., longer than the first period of time) from determining that a rotational sensing circuit is not generating a sensor signal while the control circuit is generating a drive signal to rotate the motor.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2019Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Donald F. Hausman, Jr., Chen Ming Wu
-
Patent number: 11205921Abstract: A battery-powered device, such as a motorized window treatment, may provide power to an electrical load, such as a motor. The device may also include a control circuit and a communication circuit. In addition to the battery, the device may be configured to receive power from a supplemental power source, such as a solar cell or wireless RF power supply, through which to power the control and communication circuits. The device may include a voltage monitor and a switch to intelligently control whether the battery or the supplemental power source is powering the control and communication circuits.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2019Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Donald F. Hausman, Jr., Sean R. Pearson
-
Patent number: 11206716Abstract: A multiple location load control system may comprise a main load control device and an accessory load control device. The main load control device may control an amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source using a control circuit and a controllably conductive device. The accessory load control device may be coupled to the main load control device via an accessory terminal. The accessory load control device may detect a user input for changing a characteristic of the electrical load and may send a signal to the main load control device indicating the user input. The main load control device may detect a pattern of the signal based on a threshold and further determine the user input in response to the detected pattern. The main load control device may adjust the threshold based on line/load conditions of the multiple location load control system.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2020Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Quinn Brogan, Donald F. Hausman, Jr., Bauyrzhan Krykpayev, Robert C. Newman, Jr.
-
Patent number: RE49537Abstract: A two-wire smart load control device, such as an electronic switch, for controlling the power delivered from a power source to an electrical load comprises a relay for conducting a load current through the load and an in-line power supply coupled in series with the relay for generating a supply voltage across a capacitor when the relay is conductive. The power supply controls when the capacitor charges asynchronously with respect to the frequency of the source. The capacitor conducts the load current for at least a portion of a line cycle of the source when the relay is conductive. The load control device also comprises a bidirectional semiconductor switch, which is controlled to minimize the inrush current conducted through the relay. The bidirectional semiconductor switch is rendered conductive in response to an over-current condition in the capacitor of the power supply, and the relay is rendered non-conductive in response to an over-temperature condition in the power supply.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2018Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLC.Inventors: Donald F. Hausman, Jr., Miguel Aguado Perez, Christopher J. Salvestrini, Bingrui Yang