Patents by Inventor Martin J. Vos
Martin J. Vos 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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Publication number: 20210281021Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are described for providing an indication of the presence of an electrical voltage potential at one or more electrical conductors and/or electrical terminals received in an electrical coupler. Examples of electrical couplers include an illumination coupling comprising a front flange, a rear flange, and an illumination channel extending between the front flange and the rear flange and configured to encircle a portion of the electrical coupler. A plurality of illumination devices positioned at least partially within the illumination channel are configured to provide visible light emissions when illuminated that are indicative of the presence of an electrical voltage potential on at least one of the one or more electrical conductors and/or electrical terminals received within the electrical coupler.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2018Publication date: September 9, 2021Inventors: Claudio A. Castro, Martin J. Vos, Javier J. Castro, Jaylon D. Loyd, Erik A. Aho
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Patent number: 9681506Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure directs to a switch circuit including an isolator circuit to allow detection of switch states of a multilevel light switch. Another aspect of the present disclosure directs to a lighting assembly containing light emitting diodes (LEDs) of different colors, where the lighting assembly produces light of different color depending on the switch state of a multilevel light switch.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Martin J. Vos, Gregory G. Jager
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Patent number: 9588147Abstract: An integrator circuit for a current sensor such as a Rogowski coil. The integrator circuit includes an integrator having an input for receiving a signal from a current sensor and having an output providing a voltage signal. A high-pass filter has an input coupled to the output of the integrator and substantially removes the DC content from the voltage signal. A feedback loop has an input coupled to the output of the integrator and to the high-pass filter, and has an output providing the DC content of the voltage signal back to the input of the integrator. The integrator circuit can detect large current steps in the line conductor being monitored and can be used for line fault detection.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventor: Martin J. Vos
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Patent number: 9549445Abstract: A driver circuit is configured for connection to a power source and includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) having at least one performance characteristic that varies according to different performance categories ranging between higher performance and lower performance. The driver circuit also includes a plurality of LED sections each populated with at least one LED of a different one of the different performance categories. Circuitry is coupled to the LED sections and configured to activate and deactivate the LED sections based on LED performance.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Martin J. Vos, Michael J. Meis, James F. Poch
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Patent number: 9543072Abstract: A power harvester having a current transformer configured to be inductively coupled to a current conductor and a circuit for delivering power to a load. The transformer core has two sections joined together and separable from one another at interleaved portions, allowing the transformer to be installed around the current conductor. The circuit includes a rectifier coupled to the transformer and a transistor coupled in series between the rectifier and a load. The transistor receives an output current from the rectifier and provides power to the load. A resistor is coupled to the transistor and the load, and the transistor and resistor provide for limiting of the power to the load over a wide range of the conductor line currents.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventor: Martin J. Vos
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Publication number: 20160286612Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure directs to a switch circuit including an isolator circuit to allow detection of switch states of a multilevel light switch. Another aspect of the present disclosure directs to a lighting assembly containing light emitting diodes (LEDs) of different colors, where the lighting assembly produces light of different color depending on the switch state of a multilevel light switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2013Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventors: Martin J. VOS, Gregory G. JAGER
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Publication number: 20160276954Abstract: A power harvester having a current transformer configured to be inductively coupled to a current conductor and a circuit for delivering power to a load. The transformer core has two sections joined together and separable from one another at interleaved portions, allowing the transformer to be installed around the current conductor. The circuit includes a rectifier coupled to the transformer and a transistor coupled in series between the rectifier and a load. The transistor receives an output current from the rectifier and provides power to the load. A resistor is coupled to the transistor and the load, and the transistor and resistor provide for limiting of the power to the load over a wide range of the conductor line currents.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2015Publication date: September 22, 2016Inventor: Martin J. Vos
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Publication number: 20160223592Abstract: An integrator circuit for a current sensor such as a Rogowski coil. The integrator circuit includes an integrator having an input for receiving a signal from a current sensor and having an output providing a voltage signal. A high-pass filter has an input coupled to the output of the integrator and substantially removes the DC content from the voltage signal. A feedback loop has an input coupled to the output of the integrator and to the high-pass filter, and has an output providing the DC content of the voltage signal back to the input of the integrator. The integrator circuit can detect large current steps in the line conductor being monitored and can be used for line fault detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2015Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventor: Martin J. Vos
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Patent number: 9354386Abstract: A solid state area light and spotlight having a solid state light source such as LEDs, tapered light guides, and external thermal guides. The area light includes a flared light guide, and the spotlight includes a light guide with a closed end. The light guides are coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source with the distribution being based in part upon the shape and taper of the light guides. The thermal guide provides for thermal conduction from the light source and dissipating heat through convection and radiation for cooling the light.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Raymond P. Johnston, Paul E. Humpal, Robert L. Brott, Karl J. L. Geisler, Martin J. Vos
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Publication number: 20160057826Abstract: The present disclosure features a dimming circuit connected to an AC line, comprising a dimming adjuster circuit, a dimming control circuit, and a transformer circuit. The dimming adjuster circuit comprises a dimming level adjuster and is configured to generate a tracking signal indicative of a setting of the dimming level adjuster. The dimming control circuit is coupled to the dimming adjuster circuit. The dimming control circuit is configured to receive the tracking signal and generate a dimming signal. The transformer circuit is coupled to the dimming control circuit. The transformer circuit is configured to receive the dimming signal and provide power to a lighting assembly in response to the dimming signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2014Publication date: February 25, 2016Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Martin J. Vos, Gregory G. Jager
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Patent number: 9267674Abstract: A solid state light having a solid state light source such as LEDs, a light guide having an enclosed interior volume such as a bulb shape without vents, and a thermal guide. The light guide is coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source. The thermal guide is at least partially contained within the interior volume with an air gap between a portion of the thermal guide and the light guide. The thermal guide provides for thermal conduction from the light source and dissipating heat through convection and radiation for cooling the light.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Raymond P. Johnston, Charles N. Devore, Martin J. Vos, Paul E. Humpal, Robert L. Brott, Kayla A. Hagens, Hamid R. Mortazavi, James F. Poch, Michael A. Meis, Timothy J. Pommer
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Publication number: 20150117017Abstract: A solid state area light and spotlight having a solid state light source such as LEDs, tapered light guides, and external thermal guides. The area light includes a flared light guide, and the spotlight includes a light guide with a closed end. The light guides are coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source with the distribution being based in part upon the shape and taper of the light guides. The thermal guide provides for thermal conduction from the light source and dissipating heat through convection and radiation for cooling the light.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: RAYMOND P. JOHNSTON, PAUL E. HUMPAL, ROBERT L. BROTT, KARL J.L. GEISLER, MARTIN J. VOS
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Publication number: 20150115800Abstract: A driver circuit is configured for connection to a power source and includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) having at least one performance characteristic that varies according to different performance categories ranging between higher performance and lower performance. The driver circuit also includes a plurality of LED sections each populated with at least one LED of a different one of the different performance categories. Circuitry is coupled to the LED sections and configured to activate and deactivate the LED sections based on LED performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Martin J. Vos, Michael A. Meis, James F. Poch
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Publication number: 20150109791Abstract: A solid state light having a solid state light source such as LEDs, a light guide having an enclosed interior volume such as a bulb shape without vents, and a thermal guide. The light guide is coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source. The thermal guide is at least partially contained within the interior volume with an air gap between a portion of the thermal guide and the light guide. The thermal guide provides for thermal conduction from the light source and dissipating heat through convection and radiation for cooling the light.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Raymond P. Johnston, Charles N. Devore, Martin J. Vos, Paul E. Humpal, Robert L. Brott, Kayla A. Hagens, Hamid R. Mortazavi, James F. Poch, Michael A. Meis, Timothy J. Pommer
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Publication number: 20140375214Abstract: In one aspect, a light emission diode (LED) illumination system is capable of providing generally constant illumination by LED ladders coupled to power sources in a polyphase system, where each LED ladder is coupled to a power source respectively. In another aspect, a colored LED illumination system includes multi-color LEDs and is capable of controlling the color output from the LEDs. The colored LED illumination system includes a plurality of LED ladders coupled to a color-mix-control circuit. The color-mix-control circuit can control the output color of the LED ladders by adjusting the intensity of each LED ladder individually.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventor: Martin J. Vos
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Publication number: 20140292218Abstract: Ladder network circuits (100) for controlling operation of light emitting diodes (LEDS, 110) using current regulation. The circuits include a number of light sections (110) connected in series and a current regulation circuit (130) configured to limit a LED current flowing through the plurality of light sections (110).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2012Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventor: Martin J. Vos
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Patent number: 8520061Abstract: A method of zero-D dimming backlights for 3D or multi-view displays using right and left image data. The method receives right and left pixel luminance values for the right and left image data, and it remaps the right and left pixel luminance values using a factor based upon an average luminance value or based upon a luminance percentile value or a modified factor that further includes the absolute difference between left and right pixel luminance values. The factor or modified factor are selectively used to remap particular right and left pixel luminance values based upon a disparity consideration. The method results in power savings by dimming the backlight without perceptible or substantial loss in brightness of the display.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Martin J. Vos, Glenn E. Casner
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Patent number: 8476837Abstract: Ladder network circuits for controlling operation of a string of light emitting diodes (LEDS). The circuits include a number of sections connected in series. Each section includes one or more LED junctions, a variable resistive element coupled to the LED section, and a switch coupled to the variable resistive element and the LED section for controlling activation of the LED. The sections can include a transistor coupled between the switch and variable resistive element. The series of sections are connected to an AC power source, rectifier, and dimmer circuit. When receiving power from the power source, the sections activate the LEDs in sequence throughout the series of the sections. The dimmer circuit controls activation of a selection of one or more of the sections in order to activate in sequence the LEDs in only the selected sections, providing for both dimming and color control of the LEDs.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Martin J. Vos
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Publication number: 20120206047Abstract: Ladder network circuits for controlling operation of light emitting diodes (LEDS) based upon current sensing. The circuits include a number of light sections connected in series. Each light section includes an LED device comprising at least one LED junction, a current sensing feedback circuit coupled to the LED device, and a switch coupled to the current sensing feedback circuit and the LED device for controlling activation and current through the LED device. The current sensing feedback circuit is configured to generate a sensing signal indicative of current through the LED device, generate a feedback signal based upon the sensing signal, and provide the feedback signal to the switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2011Publication date: August 16, 2012Inventor: Martin J. Vos
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Patent number: 8243049Abstract: An untethered stylus, configured to cooperate with a location sensor, includes a coil resonant circuit configured to develop an arbitrary AC voltage in response to a varying magnetic field produced by the location sensor. The coil resonant circuit includes a first capacitor and an inductive coil. A power converter includes a switch circuit having an output coupled to a second capacitor, an input coupled to the coil resonant circuit, and a threshold voltage. The switch circuit facilitates charging of the second capacitor in response to the arbitrary AC voltage and discontinuance of second capacitor charging in response to a voltage across the first capacitor reaching the threshold voltage so as to prevent diversion of a discharging current when the arbitrary AC voltage exceeds the threshold voltage. A stable DC voltage is provided at the output of the switch circuit. The power converter is preferably devoid of a Zener diode.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Martin J. Vos