Patents by Inventor Jackson Gehman

Jackson Gehman 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: 8492996
    Abstract: A dimmer switch has a user adjustable high-end trim. The dimmer switch includes a bidirectional semiconductor switch, such as a triac, for controlling the amount of power delivered from a source of alternating current power to a lighting load, such as an electric lamp. A user-adjustable timing circuit controls the conduction time of the triac from a minimum time to a maximum time to control the power delivered to the load between a low-end trim and a high-end trim. The timing circuit includes a user-accessible switch that allows a user to reduce the high-end trim from a first nominal level to a second reduced level, lower than the first level, without substantially affecting the low-end trim. The dimmer switch advantageously uses less energy and the lifetime of the lamp is extended when the second reduced level of the high-end trim is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Jackson Gehman
  • Publication number: 20120235591
    Abstract: A dimmer switch has a user adjustable high-end trim. The dimmer switch includes a bidirectional semiconductor switch, such as a triac, for controlling the amount of power delivered from a source of alternating current power to a lighting load, such as an electric lamp. A user-adjustable timing circuit controls the conduction time of the triac from a minimum time to a maximum time. The maximum possible conduction time of the triac is the high-end trim. The minimum possible conduction time of the triac is the low-end trim. The timing circuit includes a user-accessible switch that allows a user to reduce the high-end trim from a first nominal level to a second reduced level, lower than the first level, without substantially affecting the low-end trim. The switch allows a user to switch a transient voltage suppressor into and out of parallel connection with a resistor that is part of an RC timing circuit for the triac.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Jackson Gehman
  • Patent number: 8198827
    Abstract: A dimmer switch has a user adjustable high-end trim. The dimmer switch includes a bidirectional semiconductor switch, such as a triac, for controlling the amount of power delivered from a source of alternating current power to a lighting load, such as an electric lamp. A user-adjustable timing circuit controls the conduction time of the triac from a minimum time to a maximum time. The maximum possible conduction time of the triac is the high-end trim. The minimum possible conduction time of the triac is the low-end trim. The timing circuit includes a user-accessible switch that allows a user to reduce the high-end trim from a first nominal level to a second reduced level, lower than the first level, without substantially affecting the low-end trim. The switch allows a user to switch a transient voltage suppressor into and out of parallel connection with a resistor that is part of an RC timing circuit for the triac.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Jackson Gehman
  • Publication number: 20110068769
    Abstract: A dimmer switch has a user adjustable high-end trim. The dimmer switch includes a bidirectional semiconductor switch, such as a triac, for controlling the amount of power delivered from a source of alternating current power to a lighting load, such as an electric lamp. A user-adjustable timing circuit controls the conduction time of the triac from a minimum time to a maximum time. The maximum possible conduction time of the triac is the high-end trim. The minimum possible conduction time of the triac is the low-end trim. The timing circuit includes a user-accessible switch that allows a user to reduce the high-end trim from a first nominal level to a second reduced level, lower than the first level, without substantially affecting the low-end trim. The switch allows a user to switch a transient voltage suppressor into and out of parallel connection with a resistor that is part of an RC timing circuit for the triac.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventor: Jackson Gehman
  • Patent number: 7906916
    Abstract: A dimmer switch has a user adjustable high-end trim. The dimmer switch includes a bidirectional semiconductor switch, such as a triac, for controlling the amount of power delivered from a source of alternating current power to a lighting load, such as an electric lamp. A user-adjustable timing circuit controls the conduction time of the triac from a minimum time to a maximum time. The maximum possible conduction time of the triac is the high-end trim. The minimum possible conduction time of the triac is the low-end trim. The timing circuit includes a user-accessible switch that allows a user to reduce the high-end trim from a first nominal level to a second reduced level, lower than the first level, without substantially affecting the low-end trim. The switch allows a user to switch a transient voltage suppressor into and out of parallel connection with a resistor that is part of an RC timing circuit for the triac.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Jackson Gehman
  • Publication number: 20090256483
    Abstract: A load control system (e.g., a dimmer switch) operates in a normal mode of operation and an energy-saver mode and displays a visual indication when the system is operating in the energy-saver mode. The system comprises a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series between a power source and a lighting load, a control circuit operatively coupled to the controllably conductive device for adjusting the intensity of the lighting load, and a visual indicator for providing the visual indication that the system is in the energy-saver mode of operation. The control circuit controls the intensity of the lighting load between a minimum intensity and a first maximum intensity when the system is in the normal mode of operation, and between the minimum intensity and a second maximum intensity less than the first maximum intensity when the system is in the energy-saver mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Jackson Gehman, Gregory Altonen, Joel S. Spira
  • Publication number: 20070285027
    Abstract: A dimmer switch has a user adjustable high-end trim. The dimmer switch includes a bidirectional semiconductor switch, such as a triac, for controlling the amount of power delivered from a source of alternating current power to a lighting load, such as an electric lamp. A user-adjustable timing circuit controls the conduction time of the triac from a minimum time to a maximum time. The maximum possible conduction time of the triac is the high-end trim. The minimum possible conduction time of the triac is the low-end trim. The timing circuit includes a user-accessible switch that allows a user to reduce the high-end trim from a first nominal level to a second reduced level, lower than the first level, without substantially affecting the low-end trim. The switch allows a user to switch a transient voltage suppressor into and out of parallel connection with a resistor that is part of an RC timing circuit for the triac.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventor: Jackson Gehman
  • Publication number: 20050073741
    Abstract: A control system includes an electrical load control device responsive to radiant energy and a transmitter. The transmitter includes two sets of radiant energy generators connected to an electrical circuit such that polarity of the sets is reversed. A transmissive enclosure includes indented portions defining deflectors oriented obliquely with respect to a generator support surface. The transmitter is secured to a bracket for attachment to a backcover of the load control device. The control system may also include a master control generating an electrical control signal in response to an actuator or in response to a radiant energy signal. The control system is capable of limiting the master control to generate a signal only in response to the actuator. A power supply for the transmitter includes a filter network having a filter capacitor and resistor in series with a power supply capacitor and a diode in parallel with the resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Elliot Jacoby, Carl Gomes, Jackson Gehman, Christopher Salvestrini, Richard Samuels, Shawn Leichliter