Patents by Inventor Robert C. Newman, Jr.
Robert C. Newman, Jr. 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: 12129710Abstract: A low-deflection roller tube of a motorized roller shade may include a first tube and a second tube that is attached to the first tube. The first tube may be configured to operably couple to the motor drive unit of the roller shade. The second tube may comprise a plurality of carbon fiber layers additively constructed on the first tube, and may be fabricated such that first and second longitudinal portions of the roller tube exhibit different material stiffness characteristics from each other. The first and second portions of the roller tube may be made of carbon fiber material having different tensile moduli. Layers of carbon fiber material in the first portion may be staggered with layers of carbon fiber material in the second portion at an interface between the first and second portions.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2021Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Peter W. Ogden, Jr., Robert C. Newman, Jr.
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Publication number: 20240348707Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load may include a controllably conductive device. The apparatus may also include a first wireless communication circuit that may be operable to communicate on a first wireless communication network via a first protocol and the first communication circuit may be in communication with the controller. The apparatus may also include a second communication circuit that may be operable to communicate on a second communication network via a second protocol. The controller may be further operable to control the first wireless communication circuit to communicate configuration data with the first wireless communication network via the first protocol. The controller may also be operable to control the second wireless communication circuit to communicate operational data with the second communication network via the second protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2024Publication date: October 17, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Lawrence R. Carmen, JR., John H. Bull
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Patent number: 12120789Abstract: If there is an interruption of power to an electrical load while the electrical load is operating at low end, the electrical load may not turn back on when power is restored. This undesired operation may be avoided by detecting the application of power to the electrical load, and automatically increasing the magnitude of a control signal being applied to the electrical load by a sufficient amount for a short period of time after power has been applied. This way, the electrical load may be turned back on to low end, instead of erroneously operating in an electronic off condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2023Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Donald R. Mosebrook, Robert C. Newman, Jr.
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Publication number: 20240334577Abstract: A multiple location load control system comprises a main device and remote devices, which do not require neutral connections, but allow for visual and audible feedback at the main device and the remote devices. The main device and the remote devices are adapted to be coupled together via an accessory wiring. The main device can be wired on the line side and the load side of the load control system. The main device is configured to enable a charging path to allow the remote devices to charge power supplies through the accessory wiring during a first time period of a half cycle of the AC power source. The main device and the remote devices are configured to communicate with each other via the accessory wiring during a second time period of the half cycle, for example, by actively pulling-up and actively pulling-down the accessory wiring to communicate using tri-state logic.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2024Publication date: October 3, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Ehsan Dadashnialehi, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Daniel Curtis Raneri, Jaykrishna A. Shukla
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Patent number: 12104776Abstract: A lighting device (e.g., a controllable light-emitting diode illumination device) may have a light-generation module that may be assembled and calibrated prior to the light-generation module being installed in a finished good. The light-generation module may include an emitter module having at least one emitter mounted to a substrate and configured to emit light. The light-generation module may include a first printed circuit board on which the emitter module may be mounted and a second printed circuit board on which those circuits that are essential for powering the emitter module may be mounted. The light-generation module may include a heat sink located between the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board. The emitter module may be thermally-coupled to the heat sink through the substrate and the first printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2023Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Ryan M. Bocock, Robert Bollinger, Jr., Richard S. Camden, Kevin L. Gascho, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Peter W. Ogden, Jr.
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Patent number: 12082322Abstract: A load control device for controlling power delivered from a power source to an electrical load may comprise a control circuit configured to control the load regulation circuit to control the power delivered to the electrical load. The control circuit may be configured to operate in an AC mode when an input voltage is an AC voltage and in a DC mode when the input voltage is a DC voltage. The control circuit may be configured to disable the power converter in the DC mode. The control circuit may be configured to render a controllable switching circuit conductive in the AC mode, and non-conductive in the DC mode. The rectifier circuit may be configured to rectify the input voltage to generate a rectified voltage when the input voltage is an AC voltage, and to pass through the input voltage when the input voltage is a DC voltage.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2020Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C Newman, Jr., Stuart W. DeJonge
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Publication number: 20240291376Abstract: A load control device for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load includes a thyristor, a gate coupling circuit for conducting a gate current through a gate of the thyristor, and a control circuit for controlling the gate coupling circuit to conduct the gate current through a first current path to render the thyristor conductive at a firing time during a half cycle. The gate coupling circuit is able to conduct the gate current through the first current path again after the firing time, but the gate current is not able to be conducted through the gate from a transition time before the end of the half-cycle until approximately the end of the half-cycle. The load current is able to be conducted through a second current path to the electrical load after the transition time until approximately the end of the half-cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2023Publication date: August 29, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Daniel F. Carmen, Christopher J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
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Patent number: 12065876Abstract: A motorized window treatment may provide a low-cost solution for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window. The window treatment may include a covering material (e.g., a cellular shade fabric or a roller shade fabric), a drive assembly for raising and lowering the covering material, and a motor drive unit including a motor configured to drive the drive assembly to raise and lower the covering material. The motorized window treatment may comprise one or more battery packs configured to receive batteries for powering the motor drive unit. The batteries may be located out of view of a user of the motorized window treatment (e.g., in a headrail or in a battery compartment). The motorized window treatment may use various power-saving methods to lengthen the lifetime of the batteries, e.g., to reduce the motor speed to conserve additional battery power and extend the lifetime of the batteries.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2022Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Jason O. Adams, Edward J. Blair, Andrew Karl Cooney, Soumya Jain, David A. Kirby, Stephen Lundy, Justin J. Mierta, Daniel W. Mistarz, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Peter W. Ogden, Jr., Jonathan L. Roe, Chen Ming Wu, Justin M. Zernhelt, Samuel F. Chambers
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Patent number: 12052331Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load may include a controllably conductive device. The apparatus may also include a first wireless communication circuit that may be operable to communicate on a first wireless communication network via a first protocol and the first communication circuit may be in communication with the controller. The apparatus may also include a second communication circuit that may be operable to communicate on a second communication network via a second protocol. The controller may be further operable to control the first wireless communication circuit to communicate configuration data with the first wireless communication network via the first protocol. The controller may also be operable to control the second wireless communication circuit to communicate operational data with the second communication network via the second protocol.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2022Date of Patent: July 30, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Lawrence R. Carmen, Jr., John H. Bull
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Patent number: 12052810Abstract: A multiple location load control system comprises a main device and remote devices, which do not require neutral connections, but allow for visual and audible feedback at the main device and the remote devices. The main device and the remote devices are adapted to be coupled together via an accessory wiring. The main device can be wired on the line side and the load side of the load control system. The main device is configured to enable a charging path to allow the remote devices to charge power supplies through the accessory wiring during a first time period of a half cycle of the AC power source. The main device and the remote devices are configured to communicate with each other via the accessory wiring during a second time period of the half cycle, for example, by actively pulling-up and actively pulling-down the accessory wiring to communicate using tri-state logic.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2023Date of Patent: July 30, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Ehsan Dadashnialehi, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Daniel Curtis Raneri, Jaykrishna A Shukla
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Patent number: 12044069Abstract: A motorized window treatment for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window includes a covering material, a drive shaft, and a motor coupled to the drive shaft for raising and lowering the covering material. The window treatment also includes a spring assist unit for assisting the motor by providing a torque that equals the torque provided by the weight on the cords that lift the covering material at a position midway between fully-open and fully-closed positions to minimize motor usage and conserve battery life. The window treatment may comprise a photosensor for measuring the amount of daylight outside the window and temperature sensors for measuring the temperatures inside and outside of the window. The position of the covering material may be automatically controlled in response to the photosensor and the temperature sensors, or in response to an infrared or radio-frequency remote control.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2022Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Jason O. Adams, Edward J. Blair, Andrew Karl Cooney, Soumya Jain, David A. Kirby, Stephen Lundy, Justin J. Mierta, Daniel W. Mistarz, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Peter W. Ogden, Jr., Jonathan L. Roe, Chen Ming Wu, Justin M. Zernhelt
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Publication number: 20240204561Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide examples of an electrical panel (e.g., a modular electrical panel) that is configured to control a plurality of electrical loads. The electrical panel may include a control circuit, memory, a communication circuit, and an alternating current (AC) line feed and/or a direct current (DC) line feed. The electrical panel may also include a plurality of power supplies and a plurality of control modules, where more than one control module is associated with each of the plurality of power supplies. Each control module may configured to receive DC power from the associated power supply and provide an output voltage to at least one electrical load. The electrical panel provides flexibility as to whether each stage of conversion, regulation, and/or control is performed at a control module located within the electrical panel or performed at an accessory module located at an electrical load.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2024Publication date: June 20, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Stuart W. DeJonge, Robert C. Newman, JR., Matthew W. Nuhfer, Michael W. Pessina, Thomas M. Shearer
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Publication number: 20240172346Abstract: A controllable lighting device may utilize a controllable impedance circuit to conduct a load current through an LED light source. The controllable impedance circuit may be coupled in series with a first switching device, which may be rendered conductive and non-conductive via a pulse-width modulated signal to adjust an average magnitude of the load current. The controllable lighting device may further comprise a control loop circuit that includes a second switching device. The second switching device may be rendered conductive and non-conductive in coordination with the first switching device to control when a feedback signal is provided to the control loop circuit and used to control the LED light source. The control loop circuit may be characterized by a time constant that is significantly greater than an operating period of the load current.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2024Publication date: May 23, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Stuart W. DeJonge, Robert C. Newman, JR.
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Publication number: 20240172339Abstract: A load control device may be configured to control an electrical load, such as a lighting load. The load control device may include a first terminal adapted to be coupled to an alternating-current (AC) power source, and a second terminal adapted to be coupled to the electrical load. The load control device may include a bidirectional semiconductor switch, a filter circuit, and a control circuit. The bidirectional semiconductor switch may be coupled in series between the first terminal and the second terminal, and be configured to provide a phase-control voltage to the electrical load. The filter circuit may be coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal. The control circuit may be configured to render the bidirectional semiconductor switch conductive and non-conductive to control an amount of power delivered to the electrical load, and be configured to adjust the impedance and/or filtering characteristics of the filter circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2024Publication date: May 23, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Robert C. Newman, Jr.
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Patent number: 11991796Abstract: A two-wire load control device (such as, a dimmer switch) for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load (such as, a high-efficiency lighting load) includes a thyristor coupled between the source and the load, a gate coupling circuit coupled between a first main load terminal and the gate of the thyristor, and a control circuit coupled to a control input of the gate coupling circuit. The control circuit generates a drive voltage for causing the gate coupling circuit to conduct a gate current to thus render the thyristor conductive at a firing time during a half cycle of the AC power source, and to allow the gate coupling circuit to conduct the gate current at any time from the firing time through approximately the remainder of the half cycle, where the gate coupling circuit conducts approximately no net average current to render and maintain the thyristor conductive.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2023Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Chris J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
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Publication number: 20240155751Abstract: A smart lighting device may be configured to be controlled in response to control instructions in messages and/or phase-control signals. The smart lighting device may determine whether to respond to the phase-control signal or the control instructions in messages. The smart lighting device may be configured to recognize whether it is electrically connected to a smart load control device or a non-smart load control device. A load control device may determine whether it is electrically connected to a mixed circuit or a non-mixed circuit. When the load control device determines that the circuit is a mixed circuit, the load control device may transmit phase-control signals and control instructions in messages at the same time. The load control device may determine that a smart lighting device has been added (e.g., electrically connected) to the circuit it is electrically connected to.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2022Publication date: May 9, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Gerard Darville, Matthew V. Harte, Robert C. Newman, Jr.
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Publication number: 20240114605Abstract: A two-wire load control device (such as, a dimmer switch) for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load (such as, a high-efficiency lighting load) includes a thyristor coupled between the source and the load, a gate coupling circuit coupled between a first main load terminal and the gate of the thyristor, and a control circuit coupled to a control input of the gate coupling circuit. The control circuit generates a drive voltage for causing the gate coupling circuit to conduct a gate current to thus render the thyristor conductive at a firing time during a half cycle of the AC power source, and to allow the gate coupling circuit to conduct the gate current at any time from the firing time through approximately the remainder of the half cycle, where the gate coupling circuit conducts approximately no net average current to render and maintain the thyristor conductive.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Chris J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
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Patent number: 11949281Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide examples of an electrical panel (e.g., a modular electrical panel) that is configured to control a plurality of electrical loads. The electrical panel may include a control circuit, memory, a communication circuit, and an alternating current (AC) line feed and/or a direct current (DC) line feed. The electrical panel may also include a plurality of power supplies and a plurality of control modules, where more than one control module is associated with each of the plurality of power supplies. Each control module may configured to receive DC power from the associated power supply and provide an output voltage to at least one electrical load. The electrical panel provides flexibility as to whether each stage of conversion, regulation, and/or control is performed at a control module located within the electrical panel or performed at an accessory module located at an electrical load.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2023Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Stuart W. DeJonge, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Matthew W. Nuhfer, Michael W. Pessina, Thomas M. Shearer
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Publication number: 20240105371Abstract: A control device includes a moving portion, a magnetic element coupled to the moving portion, at least one magnetic sensing circuit responsive to magnetic fields, and at least one magnetic flux pipe structure. The magnetic element may comprise alternating positive and negative sections configured to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic element may be any shape, such as circular, linear, etc. The magnetic sensing circuit may be radially offset from the magnetic element, and the magnetic flux pipe structure may be configured to conduct the magnetic field generated by the magnetic element towards the magnetic sensing circuit. The magnetic element may generate the magnetic field in a first plane, and the magnetic sensing may be responsive to magnetic fields in a second direction that is angularly offset from the first plane. The magnetic flux pipe structure may redirect the magnetic field towards the magnetic sensing circuit in the second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Alexander Wade Gage, Stephen M. Ludwig, JR., Robert C. Newman, JR., William Taylor Shivell
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Publication number: 20240096207Abstract: A load control system may include control devices for controlling electrical loads. The control devices may include load control devices, such as a lighting device for controlling an amount of power provided to a lighting load, and controller devices, such as a remote control device configured to transmit digital messages for controlling the lighting load via the load control device. The remote control device may communicate with the lighting devices via a hub device. The remote control device may detect a user interface event, such as a button press or a rotation of the remote control device. The remote control device or the hub device may determine whether to transmit digital messages as unicast messages or multicast messages based on the type of user interface event detected. The remote control device, or other master device, may synchronize and/or toggle an on/off state of lighting devices in the load control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Shan Shi, Jaykrishna A. Shukla