Patents by Inventor John K. Gulsen

John K. Gulsen 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: 9504122
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) lamp circuit is adapted to replace a fluorescent lamp in a fluorescent light fixture without having to modify the fluorescent light fixture in any way. The LED light string and its associated drive circuitry may be divided into two symmetric light strings. Furthermore, the two strings (power rails more precisely) may be tied together with a diode voltage/current steering system. The fluorescent replacement LED lamp design ‘spoofs’ all fluorescent lamp drive modes that a ballast could be configured for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventor: John K. Gulsen
  • Publication number: 20160270162
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) lamp circuit is adapted to replace a fluorescent lamp in a fluorescent light fixture without having to modify the fluorescent light fixture in any way. The LED light string and its associated drive circuitry may be divided into two symmetric light strings. Furthermore, the two strings (power rails more precisely) may be tied together with a diode voltage/current steering system. The fluorescent replacement LED lamp design ‘spoofs’ all fluorescent lamp drive modes that a ballast could be configured for.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: John K. Gulsen
  • Patent number: 8193719
    Abstract: Pulse Density Modulation (PDM) controls light brightness from a fluorescent lamp by applying voltages to the lamp filaments at two or more sequential signal frequencies. A low frequency, an intermediate frequency and a high frequency may be used to control the brightness of the lamp. The lamp gas ionizes to produce light only when the low or intermediate frequency voltage is applied thereto. The lamp gas is not ionized at the high frequency voltage, but the high frequency voltage keeps the lamp filaments warm during low brightness conditions. The low frequency, intermediate frequency, no and/or high frequency voltages have time periods that occur within a modulation frame time period that repeats continuously. The ratio of the low frequency and intermediate frequency time periods, and the no and/or high frequency voltage time periods determine the light output of the fluorescent lamp, and also maintain a proper temperature of the filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: John K. Gulsen, Stephen Bowling
  • Publication number: 20100079078
    Abstract: Pulse Density Modulation (PDM) controls light brightness from a fluorescent lamp by applying voltages to the lamp filaments at two or more sequential signal frequencies. A low frequency, an intermediate frequency and a high frequency may be used to control the brightness of the lamp. The lamp gas ionizes to produce light only when the low or intermediate frequency voltage is applied thereto. The lamp gas is not ionized at the high frequency voltage, but the high frequency voltage keeps the lamp filaments warm during low brightness conditions. The low frequency, intermediate frequency, no and/or high frequency voltages have time periods that occur within a modulation frame time period that repeats continuously. The ratio of the low frequency and intermediate frequency time periods, and the no and/or high frequency voltage time periods determine the light output of the fluorescent lamp, and also maintain a proper temperature of the filaments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John K. Gulsen, Stephen Bowling
  • Patent number: 7642735
    Abstract: Pulse Density Modulation (PDM) is used to control the amount of light from a fluorescent lamp by applying a voltage to the lamp filaments at a low frequency that is approximately at a series resonant frequency of the lamp ballast inductor and the lamp filament capacitor, no voltage and a voltage at a high frequency. The lamp gas ionizes to produce light only when the low frequency voltage is applied. The fluorescent lamp gas does not ionize when the voltage at the high frequency is applied, but the high frequency voltage keeps the lamp filaments warm during low light output conditions. The low frequency, no and high frequency voltages have time periods that occur within a modulation frame time period that repeats continuously. The ratio of the low frequency voltage time period, and the no voltage and/or high frequency voltage time periods determine the light output of the fluorescent lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: John K. Gulsen, Stephen Bowling
  • Publication number: 20080054825
    Abstract: Pulse Density Modulation (PDM) is used to control the amount of light from a fluorescent lamp by applying a voltage to the lamp filaments at a low frequency that is approximately at a series resonant frequency of the lamp ballast inductor and the lamp filament capacitor, no voltage and a voltage at a high frequency. The lamp gas ionizes to produce light only when the low frequency voltage is applied. The fluorescent lamp gas does not ionize when the voltage at the high frequency is applied, but the high frequency voltage keeps the lamp filaments warm during low light output conditions. The low frequency, no and high frequency voltages have time periods that occur within a modulation frame time period that repeats continuously. The ratio of the low frequency voltage time period, and the no voltage and/or high frequency voltage time periods determine the light output of the fluorescent lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John K. Gulsen, Stephen Bowling
  • Patent number: 6683587
    Abstract: A digital circuit having a plurality of digital outputs coupled to backplane(s) and segments of a LCD glass in combination with a software program functions as a “switched mode” LCD driver. Alternating in polarity but equal in magnitude RMS voltage pulses are applied between segments and backplane(s) of the LCD glass. The voltage amplitude and time duration of these pulses determine whether a LCD segment is opaque or clear and the overall contrast of the LCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: John K. Gulsen
  • Publication number: 20030080929
    Abstract: A digital circuit having a plurality of digital outputs coupled to backplane(s) and segments of a LCD glass in combination with a software program functions as a “switched mode” LCD driver. Alternating in polarity but equal in magnitude RMS voltage pulses are applied between segments and backplane(s) of the LCD glass. The voltage amplitude and time duration of these pulses determine whether a LCD segment is opaque or clear and the overall contrast of the LCD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: John K. Gulsen