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).

  • Publication number: 20210156554
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Ryan M. Bocock, Robert Bollinger, JR., Richard S. Camden, Kevin L. Gascho, Robert C. Newman, JR., Peter W. Ogden, JR.
  • Publication number: 20210120648
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Stuart W. DeJonge, Robert C. Newman, JR.
  • Patent number: 10958186
    Abstract: A 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 (such as, a triac) coupled between the source and the load, a gate coupling circuit arranged to conduct current through a gate terminal of the thyristor, and a control circuit configured to control the gate coupling circuit. The control circuit may control the gate coupling circuit to conduct a pulse of current through the gate terminal to render the thyristor conductive at a firing time during a present half cycle of the AC power source, and allow the gate coupling circuit to conduct at least one other pulse of current after the firing time during the present half cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Chris J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
  • Patent number: 10958187
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert C Newman, Jr., Daniel F. Carmen, Christopher J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
  • Patent number: 10935228
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Ryan M. Bocock, Robert Bollinger, Jr., Richard S. Camden, Kevin L. Gascho, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Peter W. Ogden, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210045202
    Abstract: A multiple location load control system may comprise a main load control device and an accessory load control device. The main load control device may control an amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source using a control circuit and a controllably conductive device. The accessory load control device may be coupled to the main load control device via an accessory terminal. The accessory load control device may detect a user input for changing a characteristic of the electrical load and may send a signal to the main load control device indicating the user input. The main load control device may detect a pattern of the signal based on a threshold and further determine the user input in response to the detected pattern. The main load control device may adjust the threshold based on line/load conditions of the multiple location load control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Quinn Brogan, Donald F. Hausman, JR., Bauyrzhan Krykpayev, Robert C. Newman, JR.
  • Publication number: 20210045210
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Donald R. Mosebrook, Robert C. Newman, JR.
  • Publication number: 20210045221
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Stuart W. DeJonge, Robert C. Newman, JR., Matthew W. Nuhfer, Michael W. Pessina, Thomas M. Shearer
  • Publication number: 20210045211
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Stuart W. DeJonge
  • Patent number: 10915134
    Abstract: A load control device may control the amount of power provided to an electrical load utilizing a phase control signal that operates in a reverse phase control mode, a center phase control mode, and a forward phase control mode. A load control device may be configured to determine that the electrical load should be operated via a phase control signal operating in a forward phase-control mode. After determining to operate the electrical load via the phase control signal in the forward phase-control mode, the load control device may provide the phase control signal in a reverse phase-control mode for a predetermined period of time to the electrical load, for example, to charge a bus capacitor of the electrical load. Subsequently, the load control device may be configured to switch the phase control signal to the forward phase-control mode and provide the phase control signal in the forward phase-control mode to the electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Christopher J. Salvestrini
  • Patent number: 10904976
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Stuart W. DeJonge, Robert C. Newman, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210014955
    Abstract: A remote control device may be configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator of a light switch and to control a load control device via wireless communication. The remote control device may include a base portion and a rotating portion supported by the base portion so as to be rotatable about the base portion. The remote control device may include a control circuit and a wireless communication circuit. The control circuit may be operably coupled to the rotating portion and to the wireless communication circuit. The control circuit may be configured to translate a force applied to the rotating portion of the remote control device into a control signal and to cause the communication circuit to transmit the control signal to the load control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Matthew J. Swatsky, Chris Dimberg, Timothy S. Majewski, Robert C. Newman, JR., Daniel Curtis Raneri
  • Publication number: 20210014954
    Abstract: Provided herein are examples of a remote control device that provides a retrofit solution for an existing switched control system. The remote control device may comprise a control circuit, a rotatable portion, a magnetic ring coupled to the rotatable portion, and first and second Hall-effect sensor circuits configured to generate respective first and second sensor control signals in response to magnetic fields generated by the magnetic elements. The control circuit may operate in a normal mode when the rotatable portion is being rotated, and in a reduced-power mode when the rotatable portion is not being rotated. The control circuit may disable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in the reduced-power mode. The control circuit may detect movement of the rotatable portion in response to the first sensor control signal in the reduced-power mode and enable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in response to detecting movement of the rotatable portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Matthew V. Harte, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Stephen M. Ludwig, JR., Robert C. Newman, JR., Jaykrishna A. Shukla
  • Publication number: 20210002954
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 10856396
    Abstract: Provided herein are examples of a remote control device that provides a retrofit solution for an existing switched control system. The remote control device may comprise a control circuit, a rotatable portion, a magnetic ring coupled to the rotatable portion, and first and second Hall-effect sensor circuits configured to generate respective first and second sensor control signals in response to magnetic fields generated by the magnetic elements. The control circuit may operate in a normal mode when the rotatable portion is being rotated, and in a reduced-power mode when the rotatable portion is not being rotated. The control circuit may disable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in the reduced-power mode. The control circuit may detect movement of the rotatable portion in response to the first sensor control signal in the reduced-power mode and enable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in response to detecting movement of the rotatable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Matthew V. Harte, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Stephen M. Ludwig, Jr., Robert C. Newman, Jr., Jaykrishna A. Shukla
  • Patent number: 10849206
    Abstract: A remote control device may be configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator of a light switch and to control a load control device via wireless communication. The remote control device may include a base portion and a rotating portion supported by the base portion so as to be rotatable about the base portion. The remote control device may include a control circuit and a wireless communication circuit. The control circuit may be operably coupled to the rotating portion and to the wireless communication circuit. The control circuit may be configured to translate a force applied to the rotating portion of the remote control device into a control signal and to cause the communication circuit to transmit the control signal to the load control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Matthew J. Swatsky, Chris Dimberg, Timothy S. Majewski, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Daniel Curtis Raneri
  • Patent number: 10827572
    Abstract: A multiple location load control system may comprise a main load control device and an accessory load control device. The main load control device may control an amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source using a control circuit and a controllably conductive device. The accessory load control device may be coupled to the main load control device via an accessory terminal. The accessory load control device may detect a user input for changing a characteristic of the electrical load and may send a signal to the main load control device indicating the user input. The main load control device may detect a pattern of the signal based on a threshold and further determine the user input in response to the detected pattern. The main load control device may adjust the threshold based on line/load conditions of the multiple location load control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Quinn Brogan, Donald F. Hausman, Jr., Bauyrzhan Krykpayev, Robert C. Newman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10827586
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Stuart W. DeJonge
  • Patent number: 10827587
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Donald R. Mosebrook, Robert C. Newman, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20200344860
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: Robert C. Newman, JR.