Patents by Inventor Geoffrey Potter
Geoffrey Potter 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).
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Patent number: 11903404Abstract: A flavouring dispenser for dispensing compacted doses of flavouring comprises a flavouring dosage unit configured to dispense a dose of flavouring and a plurality of compacting hoppers, each configured to receive and hold a dose of flavouring dispensed from the flavouring dosage unit and to subsequently dispense the dose of flavouring to a dispense position. The flavouring dosage unit and the plurality of compacting hoppers are configured such that the flavouring dosage unit sequentially supplies a dose of flavouring to each of the plurality of compacting hoppers.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: ISHIDA EUROPE LIMITEDInventors: Andrew Geoffrey Potter, Lee Michael Vine
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Publication number: 20230175877Abstract: A flavouring dispenser for dispensing doses of flavouring is disclosed. The flavouring dispenser comprises a flavouring chamber for containing flavouring; a dosing member having a dosing volume for receiving flavouring from the flavouring chamber, the dosing member defining an opening to the dosing volume through which flavouring is received from the flavouring chamber. A reciprocating member is movable relative to the dosing member between a closed position, at which the opening is isolated from the flavouring chamber by the reciprocating member, to a first open position, at which the opening is partially exposed to the flavouring chamber such that an amount of flavouring may enter into the dosing volume via the opening, and back to the closed position, such that the flavouring may be dispensed by the dosing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2021Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Lee VINE, Andrew Geoffrey POTTER
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Publication number: 20220378081Abstract: A flavouring dispenser for dispensing compacted doses of flavouring comprises a flavouring dosage unit configured to dispense a dose of flavouring and a plurality of compacting hoppers, each configured to receive and hold a dose of flavouring dispensed from the flavouring dosage unit and to subsequently dispense the dose of flavouring to a dispense position. The flavouring dosage unit and the plurality of compacting hoppers are configured such that the flavouring dosage unit sequentially supplies a dose of flavouring to each of the plurality of compacting hoppers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2020Publication date: December 1, 2022Inventors: Andrew Geoffrey POTTER, Lee Michael VINE
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Publication number: 20190328027Abstract: A blending apparatus for coating product in flavouring is provided. The blending apparatus comprises a product dispenser configured to dispense a falling stream of product, a flavouring dispenser configured to dispense a falling stream of flavouring, and a deflection surface. The deflection surface is configured to deflect at least one of the falling stream of product and falling stream of flavouring, thereby bringing the falling stream of product and the falling stream of flavouring together. A method for coating product in flavouring is also provided. The method comprises the steps of dispensing a falling stream of product from a product dispenser, dispensing a falling stream of flavouring from a flavouring dispenser, deflecting the falling stream of product and the falling stream of flavouring using a deflection surface so as to bring the falling stream of product and the falling stream of flavouring together, thereby coating the product in the flavouring.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2017Publication date: October 31, 2019Applicant: ISHIDA EUROPE LIMITEDInventors: Adrian Meredith SUNTER, Andrew Geoffrey POTTER, Lee Michael VINE
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Patent number: 9084309Abstract: Apparatus and methods operate to perform digital time sampling of a waveform associated with a rectified alternating current, edge-controlled power signal, whether leading or trailing edge-controlled. A dimming code (DIM code) is generated based upon rising and falling edge zero crossing timing. The DIM code is normalized with respect to an allowable edge control window synchronized with the waveform. A minimally-dimmed waveform results in a maximum DIM code corresponding to a full-scale DAC maximum brightness analog output signal. The DIM code is loaded into a DAC to be converted to an analog brightness signal. The analog brightness signal may be used by a lighting power controller to control the brightness of one or more lighting elements. Accurate and repeatable light intensities independent of dimmer type may result.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Joseph Maurice Khayat, Geoffrey Potter
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Patent number: 8928243Abstract: A light driving system is provided that includes a light dimmer that receives an AC input signal and provides a dimmer output signal that includes a fast rising leading edge, a rectifier that receives the dimmer output signal and provide a rectified dimmer output signal and an AC/DC converter that filters the rectified dimmer output signal to provide a DC input signal that is employed to drive a light. The light driving system also comprises a protection circuit that limits current to the AC/DC converter during the fast rising leading edge of the dimmer output signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Geoffrey Potter, Victor Samuel Sinow
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Publication number: 20130314002Abstract: Apparatus and methods operate to perform digital time sampling of a waveform associated with a rectified alternating current, edge-controlled power signal, whether leading or trailing edge-controlled. A dimming code (DIM code) is generated based upon rising and falling edge zero crossing timing. The DIM code is normalized with respect to an allowable edge control window synchronized with the waveform. A minimally-dimmed waveform results in a maximum DIM code corresponding to a full-scale DAC maximum brightness analog output signal. The DIM code is loaded into a DAC to be converted to an analog brightness signal. The analog brightness signal may be used by a lighting power controller to control the brightness of one or more lighting elements. Accurate and repeatable light intensities independent of dimmer type may result.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2012Publication date: November 28, 2013Inventors: Joseph Maurice Khayat, Geoffrey Potter
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Publication number: 20130162169Abstract: A light driving system is provided that includes a light dimmer that receives an AC input signal and provides a dimmer output signal that includes a fast rising leading edge, a rectifier that receives the dimmer output signal and provide a rectified dimmer output signal and an AC/DC converter that filters the rectified dimmer output signal to provide a DC input signal that is employed to drive a light. The light driving system also comprises a protection circuit that limits current to the AC/DC converter during the fast rising leading edge of the dimmer output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Inventors: Geoffrey Potter, Victor Samuel Sinow
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Publication number: 20110304206Abstract: A DC-DC switching cell module includes a switch, a rectifier, an output filter coupled to the rectifier, and an input port for receiving an external PWM control signal from a controller. The switching cell module is configured to control the switch in response to the external PWM control signal to generate a DC output voltage from a DC input voltage. The switching cell module is configured for attachment to a circuit board as a discrete component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2011Publication date: December 15, 2011Inventors: Geoffrey Potter, Hong Mao
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Patent number: 8004111Abstract: A DC-DC switching cell module includes a switch, a rectifier, an output filter coupled to the rectifier, and an input port for receiving an external PWM control signal from a controller. The switching cell module is configured to control the switch in response to the external PWM control signal to generate a DC output voltage from a DC input voltage. The switching cell module is configured for attachment to a circuit board as a discrete component.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Astec International LimitedInventors: Geoffrey Potter, Hong Mao
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Patent number: 7847532Abstract: A controller for controlling a plurality of DC-DC switching cells each configured to generate an output voltage in response to receiving a PWM control signal from the controller. The controller includes a plurality of output ports for outputting a plurality of PWM control signals, and at least one input port for receiving a plurality of output voltages from the plurality of switching cells. The controller is configured to sample the plurality of output voltages one at a time via a multiplexer and to regulate the output voltages in response to the sampling.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2008Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Astec International LimitedInventors: Geoffrey Potter, Hong Mao
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Publication number: 20080238393Abstract: A controller for controlling a plurality of DC-DC switching cells each configured to generate an output voltage in response to receiving a PWM control signal from the controller. The controller includes a plurality of output ports for outputting a plurality of PWM control signals, and at least one input port for receiving a plurality of output voltages from the plurality of switching cells. The controller is configured to sample the plurality of output voltages one at a time via a multiplexer and to regulate the output voltages in response to the sampling.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Geoffrey Potter, Hong Mao
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Publication number: 20080238208Abstract: A DC-DC switching cell module includes a switch, a rectifier, an output filter coupled to the rectifier, and an input port for receiving an external PWM control signal from a controller. The switching cell module is configured to control the switch in response to the external PWM control signal to generate a DC output voltage from a DC input voltage. The switching cell module is configured for attachment to a circuit board as a discrete component.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Geoffrey Potter, Hong Mao