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: 20210212181
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Benning, Thomas W. Brenner, Quinn Brogan, Donald F. Hausman, JR., Peter MacLellan, Matthew Kyle Olsen, Matthew Pennock
  • Patent number: 10959307
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Benning, Thomas W. Brenner, Quinn Brogan, Donald F. Hausman, Jr., Peter MacLellan, Matthew Kyle Olsen, Matthew Pennock
  • Publication number: 20210045202
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Quinn Brogan, Donald F. Hausman, JR., Bauyrzhan Krykpayev, Robert C. Newman, JR.
  • Publication number: 20210029790
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: Donald F. Hausman, JR.
  • Patent number: 10827572
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Quinn Brogan, Donald F. Hausman, Jr., Bauyrzhan Krykpayev, Robert C. Newman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10805994
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: Donald F. Hausman, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20200178369
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Quinn Brogan, Donald F. Hausman, JR., Bauyrzhan Krykpayev, Robert C. Newman, JR.
  • Publication number: 20200178372
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Benning, Thomas W. Brenner, Quinn Brogan, Donald F. Hausman, JR., Peter MacLellan, Matthew Kyle Olsen, Matthew Pennock
  • Publication number: 20200036320
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Donald F. Hausman, JR., Chen Ming Wu
  • Publication number: 20190214845
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Hausman, JR., Sean R. Pearson
  • Patent number: 10310540
    Abstract: A load control device may control the amount of power provided to an electrical load utilizing a phase control signal that operates in a reverse phase control mode, a center phase control mode, and a forward phase control mode. A load control device may be configured to determine that the electrical load should be operated via a phase control signal operating in a forward phase-control mode. After determining to operate the electrical load via the phase control signal in the forward phase-control mode, the load control device may provide the phase control signal in a reverse phase-control mode for a predetermined period of time to the electrical load, for example, to charge a bus capacitor of the electrical load. Subsequently, the load control device may be configured to switch the phase control signal to the forward phase-control mode and provide the phase control signal in the forward phase-control mode to the electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Donald F. Hausman, Jr., Robert C. Newman, Jr., Christopher J. Salvestrini
  • Publication number: 20180376573
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Hausman, JR.
  • Patent number: 10070507
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Hausman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9927829
    Abstract: A load control device may control the amount of power provided to an electrical load utilizing a phase control signal that operates in a reverse phase control mode, a center phase control mode, and a forward phase control mode. A load control device may be configured to determine that the electrical load should be operated via a phase control signal operating in a forward phase-control mode. After determining to operate the electrical load via the phase control signal in the forward phase-control mode, the load control device may provide the phase control signal in a reverse phase-control mode for a predetermined period of time to the electrical load, for example, to charge a bus capacitor of the electrical load. Subsequently, the load control device may be configured to switch the phase control signal to the forward phase-control mode and provide the phase control signal in the forward phase-control mode to the electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Donald F. Hausman, Jr., Robert C. Newman, Jr., Christopher J. Salvestrini
  • Publication number: 20180042093
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Hausman, JR.
  • Patent number: 9795019
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Hausman, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170017254
    Abstract: A load control device may control the amount of power provided to an electrical load utilizing a phase control signal that operates in a reverse phase control mode, a center phase control mode, and a forward phase control mode. A load control device may be configured to determine that the electrical load should be operated via a phase control signal operating in a forward phase-control mode. After determining to operate the electrical load via the phase control signal in the forward phase-control mode, the load control device may provide the phase control signal in a reverse phase-control mode for a predetermined period of time to the electrical load, for example, to charge a bus capacitor of the electrical load. Subsequently, the load control device may be configured to switch the phase control signal to the forward phase-control mode and provide the phase control signal in the forward phase-control mode to the electrical load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Donald F. Hausman, JR., Robert C. Newman, JR., Christopher J. Salvestrini
  • Publication number: 20170017255
    Abstract: A load control device may control the amount of power provided to an electrical load utilizing a phase control signal that operates in a reverse phase control mode, a center phase control mode, and a forward phase control mode. A load control device may be configured to determine that the electrical load should be operated via a phase control signal operating in a forward phase-control mode. After determining to operate the electrical load via the phase control signal in the forward phase-control mode, the load control device may provide the phase control signal in a reverse phase-control mode for a predetermined period of time to the electrical load, for example, to charge a bus capacitor of the electrical load. Subsequently, the load control device may be configured to switch the phase control signal to the forward phase-control mode and provide the phase control signal in the forward phase-control mode to the electrical load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Donald F. Hausman, JR., Robert C. Newman, JR., Christopher J. Salvestrini
  • Patent number: 9489005
    Abstract: A load control device may control the amount of power provided to an electrical load utilizing a phase control signal that operates in a reverse phase control mode, a center phase control mode, and a forward phase control mode. A load control device may be configured to determine that the electrical load should be operated via a phase control signal operating in a forward phase-control mode. After determining to operate the electrical load via the phase control signal in the forward phase-control mode, the load control device may provide the phase control signal in a reverse phase-control mode for a predetermined period of time to the electrical load, for example, to charge a bus capacitor of the electrical load. Subsequently, the load control device may be configured to provide the phase control signal in the forward phase-control mode to the electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Donald F. Hausman, Jr., Robert C. Newman, Jr., Christopher J. Salvestrini
  • Patent number: 9418809
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Hausman, Jr., Miguel Aguado Pelaez, Christopher James Salvestrini, Bingrui Yang