Patents by Inventor James A. Freeman

James A. Freeman 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: 7109832
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for reducing signal noise in a relay having pass-through and attenuator circuits which are alternately closed by operation of an armature assembly of the relay is disclosed. In accordance with the method, the armature assembly is provided with a grounding portion. The grounding portion of the armature assembly is oriented to make contact with the pass-through circuit when the attenuator circuit is closed, but not when the pass-through circuit is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Freeman
  • Patent number: 6933816
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for reducing signal noise in a relay having pass-through and attenuator circuits which are alternately closed by operation of an armature assembly of the relay is disclosed. In accordance with the method, the armature assembly is provided with a grounding portion. The grounding portion of the armature assembly is oriented to make contact with the pass-through circuit when the attenuator circuit is closed, but not when the pass-through circuit is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Freeman
  • Patent number: 6853273
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a relay having a first circuit, a second circuit, a ground, an electro-magnetic actuator assembly, and an armature assembly. The armature assembly is movable between first and second positions with respect to the first and second circuits, and is controlled by the electro-magnetic actuator assembly. Movement of the armature assembly to its first position allows current to flow through the first circuit. Movement of the armature assembly to its second position couples the first circuit to the ground and allows current to flow through the second circuit. The ground may be embodied in an extension of the armature assembly that contacts the first circuit when the armature assembly moves to its second position, or the ground may be embodied in a biased conductor that is moved into contact with the first circuit when the armature assembly moves to its second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Freeman
  • Patent number: 6707356
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical relay including a substrate. A pass through circuit may be mounted on a first face of the substrate. An attenuator circuit may be mounted on a second face of the substrate. An armature assembly may be provided that is movable between first and second positions with respect to the substrate. The armature assembly when moved to its first position causes the pass through circuit to be coupled into a circuit. When moved to its second position, the armature assembly causes the attenuator circuit to be coupled into a circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James A Freeman
  • Publication number: 20030218523
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical relay including a substrate. A pass through circuit may be mounted on a first face of the substrate. An attenuator circuit may be mounted on a second face of the substrate. An armature assembly may be provided that is movable between first and second positions with respect to the substrate. The armature assembly when moved to its first position causes the pass through circuit to be coupled into a circuit. When moved to its second position, the armature assembly causes the attenuator circuit to be coupled into a circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: James A. Freeman
  • Patent number: 6621391
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical relay including a substrate. A pass through circuit may be mounted on a first face of the substrate. An attenuator circuit may be mounted on a second face of the substrate. An armature assembly may be provided that is movable between first and second positions with respect to the substrate. The armature assembly when moved to its first position causes the pass through circuit to be coupled into a circuit. When moved to its second position, the armature assembly causes the attenuator circuit to be coupled into a circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James A Freeman
  • Patent number: 6577488
    Abstract: An inductive load driver having an inductive load and a bridge circuit connected in parallel with the inductive load, wherein the bridge circuit generates a current to the inductive load that rapidly rises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Betty-Rose G. Seifert, James A. Freeman, Salvatore Albanese
  • Publication number: 20020153979
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical relay including a substrate. A pass through circuit may be mounted on a first face of the substrate. An attenuator circuit may be mounted on a second face of the substrate. An armature assembly may be provided that is movable between first and second positions with respect to the substrate. The armature assembly when moved to its first position causes the pass through circuit to be coupled into a circuit. When moved to its second position, the armature assembly causes the attenuator circuit to be coupled into a circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventor: James A. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20020153980
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a relay having a first circuit, a second circuit, a ground, an electromagnetic actuator assembly, and an armature assembly. The armature assembly is movable between first and second positions with respect to the first and second circuits, and is controlled by the electromagnetic actuator assembly. Movement of the armature assembly to its first position allows current to flow through the first circuit. Movement of the armature assembly to its second position couples the first circuit to the ground and allows current to flow through the second circuit. The ground may be embodied in an extension of the armature assembly that contacts the first circuit when the armature assembly moves to its second position, or the ground may be embodied in a biased conductor that is moved into contact with the first circuit when the armature assembly moves to its second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventor: James A. Freeman
  • Patent number: 6409969
    Abstract: The present invention contemplates a system and method for controlling or adjusting the accuracy of an exhaust gas sensor utilizing the impedance of the sensing element. In one embodiment, a periodic AC signal is superimposed over low frequency or DC output signal produced by the gas sensor. The AC current flowing through the gas sensor is a function of the actual impedance of the sensor, which is in turn a function of the temperature of the sensor. Thus, the invention further contemplates an impedance sensor circuit connected to an output of the gas sensor. The output of the impedance sensor circuit is a peak voltage that is indicative of the AC voltage drop across the sensor, and ultimately the impedance of the sensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Streicher, James A. Freeman, John E. Taylor