Patents by Inventor Gregory Bernard Sheehan

Gregory Bernard Sheehan 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: 11690151
    Abstract: A switched capacitor array having a plurality of capacitors arranged in a plurality of branches having different numbers of capacitors, and a plurality of switches connected to selectively couple the capacitors across the input or the output may be used for powering a variety of loads. A switched LED array may be dynamically configured based on a voltage supplied thereto, which may be supplied by a switched capacitor array. A lighting apparatus may be provided with first and second blocks, each block comprising a switched capacitor array, a switched LED array, and a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Milen Moussakov, Gregory Bernard Sheehan
  • Publication number: 20210051782
    Abstract: A switched capacitor array having a plurality of capacitors arranged in a plurality of branches having different numbers of capacitors, and a plurality of switches connected to selectively couple the capacitors across the input or the output may be used for powering a variety of loads. A switched LED array may be dynamically configured based on a voltage supplied thereto, which may be supplied by a switched capacitor array. A lighting apparatus may be provided with first and second blocks, each block comprising a switched capacitor array, a switched LED array, and a control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Milen MOUSSAKOV, Gregory Bernard SHEEHAN
  • Patent number: 10750594
    Abstract: A switched capacitor array having a plurality of capacitors arranged in a plurality of branches having different numbers of capacitors, and a plurality of switches connected to selectively couple the capacitors across the input or the output may be used for powering a variety of loads. A switched LED array may be dynamically configured based on a voltage supplied thereto, which may be supplied by a switched capacitor array. A lighting apparatus may be provided with first and second blocks, each block comprising a switched capacitor array, a switched LED array, and a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Milen Moussakov, Gregory Bernard Sheehan
  • Patent number: 9992827
    Abstract: A switched capacitor array having a plurality of capacitors arranged in a plurality of branches having different numbers of capacitors, and a plurality of switches connected to selectively couple the capacitors across the input or the output may be used for powering a variety of loads. A switched LED array may be dynamically configured based on a voltage supplied thereto, which may be supplied by a switched capacitor array. A lighting apparatus may be provided with first and second blocks, each block comprising a switched capacitor array, a switched LED array, and a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Milen Moussakov, Gregory Bernard Sheehan
  • Patent number: 8686668
    Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining at least a holding current in a leading-edge phase-cut dimmer during a period of transient voltage variations, the apparatus connectable to the dimmer and connectable to a load connected to draw current from the dimmer. The apparatus may comprise an edge detector connected to receive a voltage from the dimmer and generate a leading-edge signal in response to a leading-edge of a phase-cut waveform, and a current offset circuit connected to receive the leading-edge signal and draw a supplementary offset current in response to the leading-edge signal, wherein the supplementary offset current is sufficient to maintain at least a holding current in the dimmer during the period of transient voltage variations. The current offset circuit may comprise a holding current circuit which also draws supplementary current in response to an instantaneous value of load current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Miroslaw Marek Grotkowski, Milen Moussakov, Gregory Bernard Sheehan, Tom William Thornton, Thomas George Foxall
  • Patent number: 8598737
    Abstract: A method for powering one or more loads from a varying input voltage comprises controlling a primary switch to selectively apply the input voltage to energize an inductor, controlling a load switch to selectively connect the inductor to the load, monitoring one or more load parameters to determine load conditions, and, when the load conditions meet a load requirement, disconnecting the load from the inductor and directing any remaining current in the inductor to a energy storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Light-Based Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas George Foxall, Gregory Bernard Sheehan
  • Patent number: 8546974
    Abstract: A method for powering one or more loads from a varying input voltage comprises controlling a primary switch to selectively apply the input voltage to energize an inductor, controlling a load switch to selectively connect the inductor to the load, monitoring one or more load parameters to determine load conditions, and, when the load conditions meet a load requirement, disconnecting the load from the inductor and directing any remaining current in the inductor to a energy storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Light-Based Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas George Foxall, Gregory Bernard Sheehan
  • Patent number: 8344630
    Abstract: Solid state light sources are compatible with AC phase-cut dimmers. The light sources may have switching mode power supplies having primary and secondary sides that are in first and second circuit parts that are electrically isolated from one another. Information regarding a waveform of input electrical power is extracted in the first circuit part and passed to a controller in the second circuit part by way of a galvanic isolator. Additional isolated paths may be provided to provide bi-directional exchange of information between the first and second circuit parts and/or to provide for the exchange of additional information relevant to control. The signal path from the first side to the second side may have a low latency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Light-Based Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Miroslaw Marek Grotkowski, Gregory Bernard Sheehan
  • Patent number: 8339066
    Abstract: Holding current circuits in light sources controlled by a dimmer are operated in a coordinated manner to maintain proper operation of the dimmer without wasting energy. A plurality of light sources each including a separate holding current circuit may be controlled by a dimmer. The holding current units are selectively disabled and/or a maximum holding current drawn by the holding current units are selectively adjusted to maintain a desired current draw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Light-Based Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Tom William Thornton, Milen Moussakov, Gregory Bernard Sheehan
  • Publication number: 20120292995
    Abstract: A method for powering one or more loads from a varying input voltage comprises controlling a primary switch to selectively apply the input voltage to energize an inductor, controlling a load switch to selectively connect the inductor to the load, monitoring one or more load parameters to determine load conditions, and, when the load conditions meet a load requirement, disconnecting the load from the inductor and directing any remaining current in the inductor to a energy storage element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Light-Based Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas George Foxall, Gregory Bernard Sheehan
  • Patent number: 8283875
    Abstract: Holding current circuits and lighting assemblies comprising same are provided. Holding current circuits may be connected to loads to ensure that the load and holding current circuit together draw at least a holding current from a dimmer when the dimmer is in conduction. A holding current circuit may comprise a controlled current source configured to selectively draw current from a dimmer. The controlled current source draws current according to a control signal based on the conduction state of the dimmer and the sum of the currents in a load and the controlled current source. The control signal is generated by a current controller configured to generate the control signal to cause the controlled current source to draw a supplementary current at least as great as the difference between the holding current and the load current when the dimmer is in conduction and the load current is less than the holding current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventors: Miroslaw Marek Grotkowski, Milen Moussakov, Gregory Bernard Sheehan, Tom William Thornton, Thomas George Foxall
  • Publication number: 20120235588
    Abstract: Solid state light sources are compatible with AC phase-cut dimmers. The light sources may have switching mode power supplies having primary and secondary sides that are in first and second circuit parts that are electrically isolated from one another. Information regarding a waveform of input electrical power is extracted in the first circuit part and passed to a controller in the second circuit part by way of a galvanic isolator. Additional isolated paths may be provided to provide bi-directional exchange of information between the first and second circuit parts and/or to provide for the exchange of additional information relevant to control. The signal path from the first side to the second side may have a low latency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: LIGHT-BASED TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Miroslaw Marek Grotkowski, Gregory Bernard Sheehan
  • Patent number: 8203277
    Abstract: Solid state light sources are compatible with AC phase-cut dimmers. The light sources may have switching mode power supplies having primary and secondary sides that are in first and second circuit parts that are electrically isolated from one another. Information regarding a waveform of input electrical power is extracted in the first circuit part and passed to a controller in the second circuit part by way of a galvanic isolator. Additional isolated paths may be provided to provide bi-directional exchange of information between the first and second circuit parts and/or to provide for the exchange of additional information relevant to control. The signal path from the first side to the second side may have a low latency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Light-Based Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Miroslaw Marek Grotkowski, Gregory Bernard Sheehan
  • Publication number: 20120146414
    Abstract: A method for powering one or more loads from a varying input voltage comprises controlling a primary switch to selectively apply the input voltage to energize an inductor, controlling a load switch to selectively connect the inductor to the load, monitoring one or more load parameters to determine load conditions, and, when the load conditions meet a load requirement, disconnecting the load from the inductor and directing any remaining current in the inductor to a energy storage element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas George Foxall, Gregory Bernard Sheehan
  • Publication number: 20120098454
    Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining at least a holding current in a leading-edge phase-cut dimmer during a period of transient voltage variations, the apparatus connectable to the dimmer and connectable to a load connected to draw current from the dimmer. The apparatus may comprise an edge detector connected to receive a voltage from the dimmer and generate a leading-edge signal in response to a leading-edge of a phase-cut waveform, and a current offset circuit connected to receive the leading-edge signal and draw a supplementary offset current in response to the leading-edge signal, wherein the supplementary offset current is sufficient to maintain at least a holding current in the dimmer during the period of transient voltage variations. The current offset circuit may comprise a holding current circuit which also draws supplementary current in response to an instantaneous value of load current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: LIGHT-BASED TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Miroslaw Marek Grotkowski, Milen Moussakov, Gregory Bernard Sheehan, Tom William Thornton, Thomas George Foxall
  • Publication number: 20120081022
    Abstract: A switched capacitor array having a plurality of capacitors arranged in a plurality of branches having different numbers of capacitors, and a plurality of switches connected to selectively couple the capacitors across the input or the output may be used for powering a variety of loads. A switched LED array may be dynamically configured based on a voltage supplied thereto, which may be supplied by a switched capacitor array. A lighting apparatus may be provided with first and second blocks, each block comprising a switched capacitor array, a switched LED array, and a control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Light-Based Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Milen Moussakov, Gregory Bernard Sheehan
  • Publication number: 20110266974
    Abstract: Holding current circuits in light sources controlled by a dimmer are operated in a coordinated manner to maintain proper operation of the dimmer without wasting energy. A plurality of light sources each including a separate holding current circuit may be controlled by a dimmer. The holding current units are selectively disabled and/or a maximum holding current drawn by the holding current units are selectively adjusted to maintain a desired current draw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Tom William Thornton, Milen Moussakov, Gregory Bernard Sheehan
  • Publication number: 20110241557
    Abstract: Holding current circuits and lighting assemblies comprising same are provided. Holding current circuits may be connected to loads to ensure that the load and holding current circuit together draw at least a holding current from a dimmer when the dimmer is in conduction. A holding current circuit may comprise a controlled current source configured to selectively draw current from a dimmer. The controlled current source draws current according to a control signal based on the conduction state of the dimmer and the sum of the currents in a load and the controlled current source. The control signal is generated by a current controller configured to generate the control signal to cause the to cause the controlled current source to draw a supplementary current at least as great as the difference between the holding current and the load current when the dimmer is in conduction and the load current is less than the holding current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: LIGHT-BASED TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Miroslaw Marek GROTKOWSKI, Milen MOUSSAKOV, Gregory Bernard SHEEHAN, Tom William THORNTON, Thomas George FOXALL
  • Publication number: 20110204803
    Abstract: Solid state light sources are compatible with AC phase-cut dimmers. The light sources may have switching mode power supplies having primary and secondary sides that are in first and second circuit parts that are electrically isolated from one another. Information regarding a waveform of input electrical power is extracted in the first circuit part and passed to a controller in the second circuit part by way of a galvanic isolator. Additional isolated paths may be provided to provide bi-directional exchange of information between the first and second circuit parts and/or to provide for the exchange of additional information relevant to control. The signal path from the first side to the second side may have a low latency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Miroslaw Marek Grotkowski, Gregory Bernard Sheehan