Patents by Inventor Michael J. Brandon, II
Michael J. Brandon, II 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: 10624187Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) driver circuit monitors battery input current by way of a feedback resistor. The observed resistor voltage is provided to a regulator circuit which adjusts the current provided to the LED so as to hold the battery current substantially constant.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Energizer Brands, LLCInventors: Michael J. Brandon, II, David Spartano
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Publication number: 20190306951Abstract: A portable electrical device, such as an electrical lighting device, comprises a charging channel configured for directing electrical power from the electrical device to a separate electrical device connected via the charging channel (e.g., a charging port). While the charging port is unused, the electrical device generates outputs (e.g., lighting outputs) at a first output power level (e.g., a first brightness). The electrical device also comprises an onboard controller configured to monitor the charging channel, and upon detecting an electrical device connected via the charging channel, the onboard controller decreases the output power to a second output power level (e.g., a second brightness) to conserve power.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2018Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Michael J. Brandon, II, Stephen E. Osmialowski, Liu Jing
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Patent number: 10433396Abstract: A portable electrical device, such as an electrical lighting device, comprises a charging channel configured for directing electrical power from the electrical device to a separate electrical device connected via the charging channel (e.g., a charging port). While the charging port is unused, the electrical device generates outputs (e.g., lighting outputs) at a first output power level (e.g., a first brightness). The electrical device also comprises an onboard controller configured to monitor the charging channel, and upon detecting an electrical device connected via the charging channel, the onboard controller decreases the output power to a second output power level (e.g., a second brightness) to conserve power.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Energizer Brands, LLCInventors: Michael J. Brandon, II, Stephen E. Osmialowski, Liu Jing
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Patent number: 10091854Abstract: A portable lighting device such as a flashlight, headlight, or electric lantern comprises an onboard power supply (e.g., one or more batteries), a light source (e.g., one or more LEDs), and an onboard controller for regulating the light emitted by the portable lighting device. The onboard controller is in communication with one or more sensors configured to monitor component characteristics, such as a light source temperature and/or a power supply voltage. Based at least in part on the monitored characteristics, the controller is configured to generate a start-up ramp profile to gradually increase the brightness level emitted by the light source according to a defined brightness rate of change. After a power switch for the portable lighting device is activated, the controller initializes the start-up ramp profile to gradually increase the brightness emitted from the portable lighting device to a steady-state brightness level.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2017Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Energizer Brands, LLCInventor: Michael J. Brandon, II
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Publication number: 20170245335Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) driver circuit monitors battery input current by way of a feedback resistor. The observed resistor voltage is provided to a regulator circuit which adjusts the current provided to the LED so as to hold the battery current substantially constant.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: Energizer Brands, LLCInventors: Michael J. Brandon, II, David Spartano
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Patent number: 9340342Abstract: A packaged product is provided. The packaged product includes a package and a magnet fixedly disposed within the package. The packaged product also includes an electrically powered device disposed in the package. The device includes a magnetic switch disposed in close proximity to the magnet such that the magnet actuates the magnetic switch. The device operates in a test mode when the magnet is in close proximity to the magnetic switch and operates in a normal use mode when the device is removed from the package such that the magnet is no longer in close proximity to the magnetic switch.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Energizer Brands, LLCInventor: Michael J. Brandon, II
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Publication number: 20160023827Abstract: A packaged product is provided. The packaged product includes a package and a magnet fixedly disposed within the package. The packaged product also includes an electrically powered device disposed in the package. The device includes a magnetic switch disposed in close proximity to the magnet such that the magnet actuates the magnetic switch. The device operates in a test mode when the magnet is in close proximity to the magnetic switch and operates in a normal use mode when the device is removed from the package such that the magnet is no longer in close proximity to the magnetic switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventor: Michael J. Brandon, II
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Patent number: 8823324Abstract: A battery charging method includes generating a plurality of charge profiles, each for a different one of a plurality of batteries, wherein a charge profile indicates a charge current as a function of charge time, and at least two of the charge profiles have a different charge current at a same charge time, and concurrently charging each of the plurality of batteries based on a corresponding charge profile.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventor: Michael J. Brandon, II
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Patent number: 8659264Abstract: A battery charger (100) includes a base (102) which selectively receives first (104a) and second (104b) battery pods. The battery pods (104a, 104b), which are adapted to receive one or more batteries (212) for charging, have a form factor which facilitates the handling of the pods (104) and the batteries (212) received therein. Charging energy may be allocated between the pods (104) as a function of the temporal sequence in which the pods (104) are received by the base (102). Charging energy may also be allocated among the batteries (212) so that the batteries (212) are substantially charged at about the same time.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Brandon, II, Jason M. Barr, Peter F. Hoffman, David A. Furth, Rachel P. Devereaux, Mandy R. Iswarienko
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Patent number: 8652665Abstract: A fluid regulating system is provided for controlling fluid to a fluid consuming battery having a fluid consuming cell. The fluid regulating system includes a valve and an actuator for opening and closing the valve. The actuator is controlled to open the valve when greater battery electrical output is required and to close the valve when lesser battery electrical output is required to operate a device. A controller controls operation of the actuator to open and close the valve based on a monitored rate of change in electrical output, such as voltage, compared to a rate of change threshold, wherein the valve is opened when the monitored rate of change exceeds the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2008Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Eveready Battery Co. Inc.Inventor: Michael J. Brandon, II
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Publication number: 20120306441Abstract: A battery charger (100) includes a base (102) which selectively receives first (104a) and second (104b) battery pods. The battery pods (104a, 104b), which are adapted to receive one or more batteries (212) for charging, have a form factor which facilitates the handling of the pods (104) and the batteries (212) received therein. Charging energy may be allocated between the pods (104) as a function of the temporal sequence in which the pods (104) are received by the base (102). Charging energy may also be allocated among the batteries (212) so that the batteries (212) are substantially charged at about the same time.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Michael J. Brandon, II, Jason M. Barr, Peter F. Hoffman, David A. Furth, Rachel P. Devereaux, Mandy R. Iswarienko
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Patent number: 8274256Abstract: A battery charger (100) includes a base (102) which selectively receives first (104a) and second (104b) battery pods. The battery pods (104a, 104b), which are adapted to receive one or more batteries (212) for charging, have a form factor which facilitates the handling of the pods (104) and the batteries (212) received therein. Charging energy may be allocated between the pods (104) as a function of the temporal sequence in which the pods (104) are received by the base (102). Charging energy may also be allocated among the batteries (212) so that the batteries (212) are substantially charged at about the same time.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael J Brandon, II, Jason M Barr, Peter F Hoffman, David A Furth, Rachel P Devereaux, Mandy Iswarienko
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Publication number: 20110274997Abstract: An electronic device having a battery compartment sized to receive one or more fluid consuming batteries is provided. The device includes one or more fluid entry ports, which can be in the cover of the battery compartment. A fluid flow restrictor is compressed between the fluid entry ports in the device and the fluid entry ports in the fluid consuming battery such that a rate of flow of fluid from outside the device to the battery's fluid consuming electrode is controlled by a compressed portion of the fluid flow restrictor. The fluid flow restrictor can include a foam material. A seal can also be provided at or near the periphery of the fluid flow restrictor; the seal can be a more highly compressed portion of the fluid flow restrictor or a separate component such as an O-ring seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Richard A. Langan, Jerald D. Baldwin, JR., Michael J. Brandon, II, Mark A. Schubert
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Publication number: 20110151291Abstract: A power source is provided for supplying electrical power to a device. The power source includes a fluid consuming battery comprising a fluid consuming electrode, the battery supplying a battery output power. The power source also includes a fluid manager for controlling the rate of fluid supplied to the fluid consuming battery, a communication link for receiving data defining device criteria for at least one device operating event, a power output for receiving the battery output power and supplying a power source output according to the device criteria, and a controller for controlling operation of the air manager based on the device criteria and a load. The device criteria for the device operating event includes at least one predetermined energy requirement estimate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2011Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Peter F. Hoffman, Michael J. Brandon, II
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Patent number: 7960944Abstract: A system includes a power source (102), a power supply (103), and an electrical appliance (106). The power supply (103) uses power from the power source (102) to supply power to the electrical appliance (106). The devices carry out one or more of operations such as power converter disconnect, load shifting, power supply capability determination, and load prioritization operations.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2007Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Peter F. Hoffman, Michael J. Brandon, II
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Publication number: 20110121790Abstract: A battery charging method includes generating a plurality of charge profiles, each for a different one of a plurality of batteries, wherein a charge profile indicates a charge current as a function of charge time, and at least two of the charge profiles have a different charge current at a same charge time, and concurrently charging each of the plurality of batteries based on a corresponding charge profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.Inventor: Michael J. Brandon, II
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Publication number: 20100327805Abstract: A battery charger (100) includes a base (102) which selectively receives first (104a) and second (104b) battery pods. The battery pods (104a, 104b), which are adapted to receive one or more batteries (212) for charging, have a form factor which facilitates the handling of the pods (104) and the batteries (212) received therein. Charging energy may be allocated between the pods (104) as a function of the temporal sequence in which the pods (104) are received by the base (102). Charging energy may also be allocated among the batteries (212) so that the batteries (212) are substantially charged at about the same time.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Michael J. Brandon, II, Jason M. Barr, Peter F. Hoffman, David A. Furth, Rachel P. Devereaux, Mandy Iswarienko
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Patent number: 7858226Abstract: A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2007Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Langan, John C. Bailey, Robert M. Janmey, Michael J. Brandon, II, Martin S. Goodchild, Jean-Francois Audebert
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Publication number: 20100264875Abstract: A system includes a power source (102), a power supply (103), and an electrical appliance (106). The power supply (103) uses power from the power source (102) to supply power to the electrical appliance (106). The devices carry out one or more of operations such as power converter disconnect, load shifting, power supply capability determination, and load prioritization operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2007Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Peter F. Hoffman, Michael J. Brandon, II
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Patent number: 7816886Abstract: A battery charger (100) includes a base (102) which selectively receives first (104a) and second (104b) battery pods. The battery pods (104a, 104b), which are adapted to receive one or more batteries (212) for charging, have a form factor which facilitates the handling of the pods (104) and the batteries (212) received therein. Charging energy may be allocated between the pods (104) as a function of the temporal sequence in which the pods (104) are received by the base (102). Charging energy may also be allocated among the batteries (212) so that the batteries (212) are substantially charged at about the same time.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2006Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Brandon, II, Jason M. Barr, Peter F. Hoffman, David A. Furth, Rachel P. Devereaux, Mandy Iswarienko