Patents by Inventor John P. Thurk

John P. Thurk 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).

  • Publication number: 20240334574
    Abstract: A lighting control system having a driver for independently controlling multiple light sources. One lighting control system includes an input capable of being driven in a first polarity and a second polarity reversed from the first polarity, a first light source connected to the input and configured to generate light when driven at the first polarity, and a second light source connected to the input and configured to generate light when driven at the second polarity. The lighting control system includes a steering bridge connected to the input and configured to control the polarity of the input, and a controller connected to the steering bridge. The controller is configured to control, based on a steering drive command, the steering bridge, and provide, to the input, lighting control signals to independently control the first light source and the second light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventor: John P. Thurk
  • Patent number: 12108503
    Abstract: A lighting control system having a driver for independently controlling multiple light sources. One lighting control system includes an input capable of being driven in a first polarity and a second polarity reversed from the first polarity, a first light source connected to the input and configured to generate light when driven at the first polarity, and a second light source connected to the input and configured to generate light when driven at the second polarity. The lighting control system includes a steering bridge connected to the input and configured to control the polarity of the input, and a controller connected to the steering bridge. The controller is configured to control, based on a steering drive command, the steering bridge, and provide, to the input, lighting control signals to independently control the first light source and the second light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Thurk
  • Publication number: 20240206029
    Abstract: A lighting control system having a driver for independently controlling multiple light sources. One lighting control system includes an input capable of being driven in a first polarity and a second polarity reversed from the first polarity, a first light source connected to the input and configured to generate light when driven at the first polarity, and a second light source connected to the input and configured to generate light when driven at the second polarity. The lighting control system includes a steering bridge connected to the input and configured to control the polarity of the input, and a controller connected to the steering bridge. The controller is configured to control, based on a steering drive command, the steering bridge, and provide, to the input, lighting control signals to independently control the first light source and the second light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventor: John P. Thurk
  • Patent number: 7382595
    Abstract: A current sensing transformer having a low impedance primary winding is connected in series with a filter and load circuit supplied with output current by a high frequency switching PWM power supply such as a sinewave dimmer. Sensed output current is supplied to a microprocessor based programmable controller. The controller performs a routine including a family of overcurrent tests. Tests of the family are satisfied by the presence of different output current values for different time durations. At least one of the tests is enabled only at low requested output voltages or dimming levels. In response to satisfaction of any of the tests, a series power switching stage of the power supply is rendered nonconductive to shut down the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Thurk, Eric G. Rasmussen, Eric W. Suomi
  • Patent number: 7369386
    Abstract: Current sensing resistors are connected directly to output terminals of MOSFETs forming the series switching stage of a PWM sinewave dimmer. An analog sensed current signal is coupled through an EMI resistant current link to comparators that provide an overcurrent indication in response to an overcurrent condition. A logic circuit overrides PWM control signals from a programmable controller, and operates drivers to render the series switching stage nonconductive and to render a clamp switching stage conductive until after the end of the current PWM duty cycle power on segment. The logic circuit sends an overcurrent signal through an optocoupler to an input of the programmable controller. The input of the controller is polled at a clock frequency for overcurrent signals and if the count exceeds a limit in any half cycle, or a maximum sum in sixteen half cycles of the AC supply, the series switching stage is rendered nonconductive and the clamp switching stage is rendered conductive pending a reset signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric G. Rasmussen, John P. Thurk, Eric W. Suomi
  • Patent number: 7019469
    Abstract: An input line filter separates an ac sinusoidal power source from a power switching stage having a series switching section and a clamp switching section. Both the series switching section and a clamp switching section include complementary pairs of high power and high speed MOSFETs. The series switching section is connected in series between the input line filter and the inductor of an output load filter between the power switching stage and a load. The clamp switching section is connected to shunt the inductor and load. Synchronous operation is achieved by alternately operating the series and clamp switching sections to conductive conditions at a high pulse width modulation frequency. The duty cycle is selected to provide a sinusoidal output waveform with a desired amplitude. A microprocessor based programmable controller provides control signals for alternate conduction of the series and clamp switching sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Thurk, Eric W. Suomi, Eric G. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 6849943
    Abstract: A heat sink with fins has a flat, planar surface soldered to a metallic layer at one surface of a flat, planar ceramic layer. The opposite surface of the ceramic layer has a metallic pattern including base areas for high power, high frequency load switching MOSFETs. Lead frames are soldered between the lead frame base areas and base contact areas of the MOSFET packages. Thermal conduction between the MOSFETs and the heat sink dissipates the heat from switching losses. A gate drive circuit board for the load switching system is supported spaced from the and is separated from the MOSFETs by a thermally blocking air gap, with the component side of the gate drive circuit board facing away from the MOSFETs. Spade terminals of the lead frames extend through openings in the gate drive circuit board to route high power signals independently of the gate driver circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Thurk, Eric W. Suomi, Bradley J. Brunker
  • Publication number: 20040246662
    Abstract: A heat sink with fins has a flat, planar surface soldered to a metallic layer at one surface of a flat, planar ceramic layer. The opposite surface of the ceramic layer has a metallic pattern including base areas for high power, high frequency load switching MOSFETs. Lead frames are soldered between the lead frame base areas and base contact areas of the MOSFET packages. Thermal conduction between the MOSFETs and the heat sink dissipates the heat from switching losses. A gate drive circuit board for the load switching system is supported spaced from the and is separated from the MOSFETs by a thermally blocking air gap, with the component side of the gate drive circuit board facing away from the MOSFETs. Spade terminals of the lead frames extend through openings in the gate drive circuit board to route high power signals independently of the gate driver circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Thurk, Eric W. Suomi, Bradley J. Brunker
  • Patent number: 6707256
    Abstract: A self contained multiple dimming channel package includes a housing with a main power circuit board supported on its bottom wall and a control circuit board extending laterally and vertically to baffle air flow through the housing. A cross flow cooling fan forces air through an opening in the control board and across power switching modules and toroidal chokes mounted to the main board. Each power switching module includes a heat sink with fins parallel to the air flow, and the chokes are mounted in rows with their central openings aligned with the air flow. The power switching modules include circuits attached to the heat sinks with terminals releasably plugged into mating connectors on the main board. Circuit breaker switches are snapped into place in the housing. The front corners of the housing are provided with integral mounting bracket and handle members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Brunker, Joseph W. Garvey, Eric W. Suomi, John P. Thurk
  • Publication number: 20030234619
    Abstract: A self contained multiple dimming channel package includes a housing with a main power circuit board supported on its bottom wall and a control circuit board extending laterally and vertically to baffle air flow through the housing. A cross flow cooling fan forces air through an opening in the control board and across power switching modules and toroidal chokes mounted to the main board. Each power switching module includes a heat sink with fins parallel to the air flow, and the chokes are mounted in rows with their central openings aligned with the air flow. The power switching modules include circuits attached to the heat sinks with terminals releasably plugged into mating connectors on the main board. Circuit breaker switches are snapped into place in the housing. The front corners of the housing are provided with integral mounting bracket and handle members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Brunker, Joseph W. Garvey, Eric W. Suomi, John P. Thurk