Patents by Inventor Merlin Milner

Merlin Milner 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: 20220228597
    Abstract: The present application provides a vacuum pump (15) for use during maintenance or commissioning of an HVAC-R system (1). The vacuum pump (15) has a pump (17) having a pump intake (22) for connection to the HVAC-R system (1), in particular one or more of a high pressure service port (14) and a low pressure service port (13) of the HVAC-R system (1). The vacuum pump (15) also includes a communications unit (19) that is configured to connect to a mobile communications network. The vacuum pump (15) also includes a pressure sensor arranged to detect a pressure in the HVAC-R system (1). The vacuum pump (15) also includes a control unit (18) configured to receive pressure data from the pressure sensor (21), control operation of the pump (17), and communicate with a remote device via the communication unit (19) and the mobile communications network. In examples, the remote device (20) may be a mobile phone or a tablet computer, or any device that can connect to a mobile communications network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: ASPEN PUMPS LIMITED
    Inventors: Merlin Milner, Chris Forshaw
  • Publication number: 20220170807
    Abstract: The present application provides an adapter (20) for a manifold gauge assembly (1) for use on a fluid system, for example an HVAC-R system. The manifold gauge assembly (1) comprises a manifold (3) for connection to the fluid system, and a pressure gauge (14) arranged to detect a fluid pressure in the manifold (3). The adapter (20) comprises a tube (23) having connectors (27, 28) for fluidly connecting the adapter (20) to the pressure gauge (14) and to the manifold (3). The adapter also includes an electronic pressure sensor (21) arranged to detect a fluid pressure in the tube (23), and a communications unit (22) configured to receive data from the electronic pressure sensor (21) and to communicate with a remote device (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: ASPEN PUMPS LIMITED
    Inventors: Merlin Milner, Chris Forshaw
  • Publication number: 20190014475
    Abstract: A method for authorising the wireless connection of a first electronic device with a second electronic device for use in a lighting control system comprises the first electronic device 10 receiving a request to authorise wireless connection between the first electronic device 10 and the second electronic device 14. The first electronic device determines the presence of a third electronic device 12, and the first electronic device accepts the request only if the third electronic device is determined to be present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: Legrand Electric Limited
    Inventors: Paul Mans, Merlin Milner
  • Publication number: 20190014644
    Abstract: There is provided a lighting control system 1. The lighting control system comprises a portable device 10 comprising a communication unit configured for communication using a first communication protocol over a first communication channel 16. The portable device 10 is configured to send a lighting controller instruction via the communication unit. The lighting control system 1 also comprises a lighting controller 14 for controlling at least one light 20, 24, 28. The lighting controller 14 comprises a lighting controller communication unit configured for communication using a second communication protocol over a second communication channel 18 which is different to the first communication channel 16. The lighting controller is configured to receive a lighting controller command wirelessly via the lighting controller communication unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: Legrand Electric Limited
    Inventor: Merlin Milner
  • Publication number: 20190014640
    Abstract: There is provided a lighting controller for a luminaire (70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75) in a room (50). The lighting controller comprises at least one switch (104, 106, 108, 110) adjustable to configure the lighting controller to operate in one of a first mode and a second mode. The lighting controller further comprises a receiver configured to receive a light level measurement for the room (10); a processor; and a memory comprising instructions. The instructions, when executed, cause the processor to: if the lighting controller is configured to operate in a first mode, output a first lighting control signal based on the light level measurement modified by a first factor; and if the lighting controller is configured to operate in a second mode, output a second lighting control signal based on the light level measurement modified by a second factor, different from the first factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: Legrand Electric Limited
    Inventors: Paul Mans, Merlin Milner
  • Patent number: 9832844
    Abstract: An addresser for configuring an electronic ballast/lighting control device in a network of electronic ballasts/lighting control devices; said addresser comprises a first connection to allow the receipt of communication from a controller; a second connection to allow communication from the addresser to an individual electronic ballast/lighting control device; an interface for communicating with a programming device; and means for configuring the communication between said first and second connections dependent upon the communication received from said programming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Legrand Electric Limited
    Inventors: Paul Mans, Merlin Milner
  • Patent number: 9739863
    Abstract: A sensing device comprises a microwave sensor (1) configured to emit microwave radiation and to receive microwave radiation reflected by a moving body in the field of detection of the microwave sensor and a wireless data transmitter (4) configured to transmit data to a remote receiver. A main power supply provides electrical power at a first voltage to the sensing device. A first regulator 6 provided between the main power supply and the microwave sensor (1) provides a sensor power supply to the microwave sensor (1) at a voltage below the voltage of the main power supply. The wireless data transmitter (4) is powered from the main power supply via a transmitter power supply connection arranged in parallel with the first regulator (6). The microwave sensor (1) is provided on a first circuit board and the wireless data transmitter (4) is provided on a second circuit board, with the second circuit board overlying the first circuit board and spaced therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: C.P. Electronics Limited
    Inventors: Merlin Milner, Paul Mans, Andrew Margetts-Kelly
  • Patent number: 9711018
    Abstract: A passive infra red detector comprises a plurality of passive infra red sensors (4, 5) and a lens member (2) arranged to direct radiation from a target area onto the sensors. The lens member (2) forms a substantially hemispherical dome about the infra red sensors (4, 5). The dome has a central axis and a plurality of contiguous facets (2a-2g) distributed about the central axis. Each facet has a flat outer surface and an inner surface that forms a lens to direct radiation onto the sensors. The detector further comprises a first passive infra red sensor (4) aligned with the central axis of the dome and having a sensitive surface substantially normal to the central axis, and a plurality of second passive infra red sensors (5) distributed about the central axis of the dome. The second passive infra red sensors (5) are inclined such that the outward normal from the sensitive surface of each second passive infra red sensor (5) makes an acute angle with the outward direction of the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Legrand Electric Limited
    Inventors: Antoine Yvon Messiou, Merlin Milner, Paul Mans
  • Publication number: 20160234916
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling an electrical load, in particular for the environmental control of a room, comprises an occupancy sensor 5 comprising a thermopile array. The occupancy sensor is responsive to the presence of a person within a detection field 13 of the occupancy sensor 5. The apparatus further comprises a movement sensor 6 responsive to the movement of a person within a detection field of the movement sensor and a controller arranged to receive detection signals from the occupancy sensor 5 and the movement sensor 6 and to generate a control signal for the electrical load in response to the received detection signals. The controller is configured to generate a first control signal in response to detection of a person by the movement sensor 6 and to modify the first control signal to a second control signal in response to detection of a person by the occupancy sensor 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: C.P. Electronics Limited
    Inventors: Paul Mans, Merlin Milner
  • Patent number: 9400216
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a detector (100) suitable for attaching to a light fitting. The detector comprises a passive infra red sensor (102) and a clip (128) suitable for suspending the detector from a light fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: C.P. Electronics Limited
    Inventors: Paul Mans, Merlin Milner
  • Patent number: 9332617
    Abstract: A method for controlling a light, comprising: providing a first sensor device (11) comprising a first transmitter and a first occupancy sensor; providing a lighting controller (1) comprising a receiver and a second sensor; and transmitting an occupancy signal from the first transmitter to the receiver. The occupancy signal comprises a repeated cycle of transmission phases and silent phases, such that during a transmission phase the transmitter transmits and during a silent phase the transmitter does not transmit. The method further comprises activating the light when the second sensor is triggered; and deactivating the light after a period of time, the length of the period being determined at least in part by the occupancy signal transmitted by the first transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: C.P. Electronics Limited
    Inventors: Paul Mans, Merlin Milner
  • Publication number: 20150334809
    Abstract: A method for controlling a light, comprising: providing a first sensor device (11) comprising a first transmitter and a first occupancy sensor; providing a lighting controller (1) comprising a receiver and a second sensor; and transmitting an occupancy signal from the first transmitter to the receiver. The occupancy signal comprises a repeated cycle of transmission phases and silent phases, such that during a transmission phase the transmitter transmits and during a silent phase the transmitter does not transmit. The method further comprises activating the light when the second sensor is triggered; and deactivating the light after a period of time, the length of the period being determined at least in part by the occupancy signal transmitted by the first transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: C.P. Electronics Limited
    Inventors: Paul Mans, Merlin Milner
  • Patent number: 9078306
    Abstract: A lighting control system (1) comprising: a plurality of lights (3); a control unit (2); and a power usage monitor (4) suitable for monitoring the power used by the lights (3). In use, when the user varies the lighting level of a first light, the control unit is configured to vary the lighting level of at least a second light, dependent upon an evaluated total power usage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: C.P. ELECTRONICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul Mans, Merlin Milner
  • Publication number: 20150008325
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a detector (100) suitable for attaching to a light fitting. The detector comprises a passive infra red sensor (102) and a clip (128) suitable for suspending the detector from a light fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: C.P. Electronics Limited
    Inventors: Paul Mans, Merlin Milner
  • Publication number: 20150002170
    Abstract: A sensing device comprises a microwave sensor (1) configured to emit microwave radiation and to receive microwave radiation reflected by a moving body in the field of detection of the microwave sensor and a wireless data transmitter (4) configured to transmit data to a remote receiver. A main power supply provides electrical power at a first voltage to the sensing device. A first regulator 6 provided between the main power supply and the microwave sensor (1) provides a sensor power supply to the microwave sensor (1) at a voltage below the voltage of the main power supply. The wireless data transmitter (4) is powered from the main power supply via a transmitter power supply connection arranged in parallel with the first regulator (6). The microwave sensor (1) is provided on a first circuit board and the wireless data transmitter (4) is provided on a second circuit board, with the second circuit board overlying the first circuit board and spaced therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Merlin Milner, Paul Mans, Andrew Margetts-Kelly
  • Publication number: 20140375221
    Abstract: A battery-powered light level sensing device comprises a light level sensor 1 and a wireless transmitter 3 in data communication with the light level sensor and configured to transmit light level information from the light level sensor 1 to a lighting controller for a room. The sensing device also includes attachment means adapted to attach the sensing device to the glass of a window defining a boundary of the room with the light level sensor positioned to sense the ambient light level outside the room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: C.P. Electronics Limited
    Inventors: Paul Mans, Merlin Milner
  • Publication number: 20140103214
    Abstract: A passive infra red detector comprises a plurality of passive infra red sensors (4, 5) and a lens member (2) arranged to direct radiation from a target area onto the sensors. The lens member (2) forms a substantially hemispherical dome about the infra red sensors (4, 5). The dome has a central axis and a plurality of contiguous facets (2a-2g) distributed about the central axis. Each facet has a flat outer surface and an inner surface that forms a lens to direct radiation onto the sensors. The detector further comprises a first passive infra red sensor (4) aligned with the central axis of the dome and having a sensitive surface substantially normal to the central axis, and a plurality of second passive infra red sensors (5) distributed about the central axis of the dome. The second passive infra red sensors (5) are inclined such that the outward normal from the sensitive surface of each second passive infra red sensor (5) makes an acute angle with the outward direction of the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Antoine Yvon Messiou, Merlin MIlner, Paul Mans
  • Publication number: 20120271618
    Abstract: An addresser for configuring an electronic ballast/lighting control device in a network of electronic ballasts/lighting control devices; said addresser comprises a first connection to allow the receipt of communication from a controller; a second connection to allow communication from the addresser to an individual electronic ballast/lighting control device; an interface for communicating with a programming device; and means for configuring the communication between said first and second connections dependent upon the communication received from said programming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Paul Mans, Merlin Milner
  • Publication number: 20120187867
    Abstract: A lighting control system (1) comprising: a plurality of lights (3); a control unit (2); and a power usage monitor (4) suitable for monitoring the power used by the lights (3). In use, when the user varies the lighting level of a first light, the control unit is configured to vary the lighting level of at least a second light, dependent upon an evaluated total power usage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Paul Mans, Merlin Milner