Patents by Inventor Kirk Lenzie
Kirk Lenzie 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).
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Patent number: 11114867Abstract: Novel techniques are described for discharging high voltage components. For example, a tool is provided to discharge high-voltage capacitors in electrical appliances prior to servicing those appliances. The tool can include a handle structure electrically and physically isolated from a head structure by an elongated body. The elongated body can house at least a portion of a discharge circuit configured to discharge high-voltage components and to indicate (visually, audibly, etc.) whether voltage is present on components being discharged. The head structure can include multiple probes adapted to electrically couple the tool with the high-voltage components and through which to discharge the components.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2018Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.Inventors: Kirk Lenzie, Eric Berg, Matthew Bailey
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Patent number: 10768219Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for testing the response of electrical circuits to being flexed. Support members, preferably at least two, are positioned to receive the electrical circuits to be tested. The support members are spaced apart from each other to permit the electrical circuit to be flexed between the two support members. A plunger, having an arcuate front face is positioned between the support members. The plunger is depressed, flexing the electrical circuit a selected amount. After the circuit has been flexed a selected amount, the circuit is tested to determine whether or not it is fully operational after being flexed.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.Inventors: Kirk Lenzie, Jamie Metzger, Kenneth Jones, Matthew Bailey
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Publication number: 20200067328Abstract: Novel techniques are described for discharging high voltage components. For example, a tool is provided to discharge high-voltage capacitors in electrical appliances prior to servicing those appliances. The tool can include a handle structure electrically and physically isolated from a head structure by an elongated body. The elongated body can house at least a portion of a discharge circuit configured to discharge high-voltage components and to indicate (visually, audibly, etc.) whether voltage is present on components being discharged. The head structure can include multiple probes adapted to electrically couple the tool with the high-voltage components and through which to discharge the components.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2018Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Kirk Lenzie, Eric Berg, Matthew Bailey
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Publication number: 20190391200Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for testing the response of electrical circuits to being flexed. Support members, preferably at least two, are positioned to receive the electrical circuits to be tested. The support members are spaced apart from each other to permit the electrical circuit to be flexed between the two support members. A plunger, having an arcuate front face is positioned between the support members. The plunger is depressed, flexing the electrical circuit a selected amount. After the circuit has been flexed a selected amount, the circuit is tested to determine whether or not it is fully operational after being flexed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2018Publication date: December 26, 2019Inventors: Kirk LENZIE, Jamie METZGER, Kenneth JONES, Matthew BAILEY
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Patent number: 9170294Abstract: A testing apparatus compatible with an electrical outlet is presented here. The outlet has a line socket designated for a line voltage conductor, a neutral socket designated for a neutral voltage conductor, and a ground socket designated for a ground voltage conductor. The testing apparatus includes a housing, a plug interface having an electrically conductive ground prong configured to mate with the ground socket, a first indicator lamp having a first terminal electrically coupled to the ground prong, and an electrically conductive lead extending from the housing. The conductive lead has a proximal end electrically coupled to the second terminal of the indicator lamp, and a distal end terminated with an electrically conductive connector. The indicator lamp is activated in response to a voltage differential between the ground prong and the electrically conductive connector.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: Kirk Lenzie
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Publication number: 20140375328Abstract: A testing apparatus compatible with an electrical outlet is presented here. The outlet has a line socket designated for a line voltage conductor, a neutral socket designated for a neutral voltage conductor, and a ground socket designated for a ground voltage conductor. The testing apparatus includes a housing, a plug interface having an electrically conductive ground prong configured to mate with the ground socket, a first indicator lamp having a first terminal electrically coupled to the ground prong, and an electrically conductive lead extending from the housing. The conductive lead has a proximal end electrically coupled to the second terminal of the indicator lamp, and a distal end terminated with an electrically conductive connector. The the indicator lamp is activated in response to a voltage differential between the ground prong and the electrically conductive connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventor: Kirk Lenzie
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Patent number: 8810250Abstract: Various systems, methods and apparatus are described for detecting an excessive or faulty ground current in a conductive wire or electronic device. A ground current detector is coupled to a known earth ground to determine whether other ground lines are carrying excessive, faulty and/or leaking currents. If these types of unsafe conditions are detected, then a user can take appropriate action to locate and correct these problems.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2011Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Kirk Lenzie, Casey Gold, Vincent Nguyen, Sam Chaisitti
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Patent number: 8170479Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and systems are provided for electrically isolating two devices while transferring power and RF signals therebetween. An electrical isolation apparatus includes an isolation transformer communicatively coupled to a first device. The isolation transformer operates to electronically isolate the first device from the second device and transfer power from the first device to the second device. A decoupling device of the apparatus transfers radio frequency (RF) signals between the first device and the second device.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2010Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Henry Gregg Martch, Kirk Lenzie, Sam Chalsitti, Paul Langer
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Publication number: 20110215811Abstract: Various systems, methods and apparatus are described for detecting an excessive or faulty ground current in a conductive wire or electronic device. A ground current detector is coupled to a known earth ground to determine whether other ground lines are carrying excessive, faulty and/or leaking currents. If these types of unsafe conditions are detected, then a user can take appropriate action to locate and correct these problems.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2011Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Kirk Lenzie, Casey Gold, Vincent Nguyen, Sam Chaisitti
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Patent number: 7969154Abstract: Various systems, methods and apparatus are described for detecting an excessive or faulty ground current in a conductive wire or electronic device. A ground current detector is coupled to a known earth ground to determine whether other ground lines are carrying excessive, faulty and/or leaking currents. If these types of unsafe conditions are detected, then a user can take appropriate action to locate and correct these problems.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2010Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Kirk Lenzie, Casey Gold, Vincent Nguyen, Sam Chaisitti
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Publication number: 20110068801Abstract: Various systems, methods and apparatus are described for detecting an excessive or faulty ground current in a conductive wire or electronic device. A ground current detector is coupled to a known earth ground to determine whether other ground lines are carrying excessive, faulty and/or leaking currents. If these types of unsafe conditions are detected, then a user can take appropriate action to locate and correct these problems.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C.Inventors: Kirk Lenzie, Casey Gold, Vincent Nguyen, Sam Chaisitti
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Publication number: 20110059695Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and systems are provided for electrically isolating two devices while transferring power and RF signals therebetween. An electrical isolation apparatus includes an isolation transformer communicatively coupled to a first device. The isolation transformer operates to electronically isolate the first device from the second device and transfer power from the first device to the second device. A decoupling device of the apparatus transfers radio frequency (RF) signals between the first device and the second device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.Inventors: Henry Gregg Martch, Kirk Lenzie, Sam Chalsitti, Paul Langer
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Patent number: 7899395Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and systems are provided for electrically isolating two devices while transferring power and RF signals therebetween. An electrical isolation apparatus includes an isolation transformer that operates to transfer electrical power between first and second devices. The electrical isolation apparatus also includes a decoupling device that transfers radio frequency (RF) signals between the first and second devices. The isolation transformer and the opto-isolator cooperatively operate to electrically isolate the first device from the second device.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Henry Gregg Martch, Kirk Lenzie, Sam Chaisitti, Paul Langer
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Patent number: 7856207Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and systems are provided for electrically isolating two devices while transferring power and RF signals therebetween. An electrical isolation apparatus includes an isolation transformer that operates to transfer electrical power between first and second devices. The electrical isolation apparatus also includes a decoupling device that transfers radio frequency (RF) signals between the first and second devices. The isolation transformer and the opto-isolator cooperatively operate to electrically isolate the first device from the second device.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2007Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Henry Gregg Martch, Kirk Lenzie, Sam Chaisitti, Paul Langer
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Patent number: 7852090Abstract: Various systems, methods and apparatus are described for detecting an excessive or faulty ground current in a conductive wire or electronic device. A ground current detector is coupled to a known earth ground to determine whether other ground lines are carrying excessive, faulty and/or leaking currents. If these types of unsafe conditions are detected, then a user can take appropriate action to locate and correct these problems.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2008Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Kirk Lenzie, Casey Gold, Vincent Nguyen, Sam Chaisitti
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Publication number: 20090167465Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and systems are provided for electrically isolating two devices while transferring power and RF signals therebetween. An electrical isolation apparatus includes an isolation transformer that operates to transfer electrical power between first and second devices. The electrical isolation apparatus also includes a decoupling device that transfers radio frequency (RF) signals between the first and second devices. The isolation transformer and the opto-isolator cooperatively operate to electrically isolate the first device from the second device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Henry Gregg Martch, Kirk Lenzie, Sam Chaisitti, Paul Langer
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Publication number: 20090167626Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and systems are provided for electrically isolating two devices while transferring power and RF signals therebetween. An electrical isolation apparatus includes an isolation transformer that operates to transfer electrical power between first and second devices. The electrical isolation apparatus also includes a decoupling device that transfers radio frequency (RF) signals between the first and second devices. The isolation transformer and the opto-isolator cooperatively operate to electrically isolate the first device from the second device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2008Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Henry Gregg Martch, Kirk Lenzie, Sam Chaisitti, Paul Langer
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Publication number: 20090085576Abstract: Various systems, methods and apparatus are described for detecting an excessive or faulty ground current in a conductive wire or electronic device. A ground current detector is coupled to a known earth ground to determine whether other ground lines are carrying excessive, faulty and/or leaking currents. If these types of unsafe conditions are detected, then a user can take appropriate action to locate and correct these problems.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2008Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: EchoStar Technologies CorporationInventors: Kirk Lenzie, Casey Gold, Vincent Nguyen, Sam Chaisitti