Patents by Inventor Robert C Newman
Robert C Newman 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: 20200119656Abstract: 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 13, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Daniel F. Carmen, Christopher J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
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Patent number: 10624184Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 28, 2019Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Shan Shi, Jaykrishna A. Shukla
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Publication number: 20200077479Abstract: 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: August 30, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Stuart W. DeJonge, Robert C. Newman, JR.
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Publication number: 20200068675Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Donald R. Mosebrook, Robert C. Newman, JR.
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Publication number: 20200067419Abstract: 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: October 15, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Chris J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
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Publication number: 20200045798Abstract: A controllable light source is provided that includes a load control circuit and an integrated lighting load. The controllable light source is configured to receive wirelessly communicated commands transmitted by a remote control device associated with the controllable light source, such as a rotary remote control device. The controllable light source may include an actuator for associating the controllable light source with the remote control device, such that the load control circuit is operable to adjust the intensity of the lighting load in response to wireless signals received from the remote control device. The controllable light source may support the actuator such that the actuator may be actuated when the controllable light source is installed in a fixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Matthew J. Swatsky, Daniel J. Osle, Robert C. Newman, JR., Daniel Curtis Raneri
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Patent number: 10551865Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 18, 2019Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Christopher J. Salvestrini
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Patent number: 10548202Abstract: 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: July 21, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Stuart W. DeJonge, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Matthew W. Nuhfer, Michael W. Pessina, Thomas M. Shearer
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Patent number: 10541620Abstract: 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: November 12, 2018Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Robert C. Newman, Jr.
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Publication number: 20200015332Abstract: 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: June 26, 2019Publication date: January 9, 2020Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Robert C. Newman, JR.
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Publication number: 20200015341Abstract: 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: July 22, 2019Publication date: January 9, 2020Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Timothy Mann, Robert C. Newman, JR., Thomas Lee Olson, Jaykrishna A. Shukla
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Patent number: 10530268Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 12, 2018Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C Newman, Jr., Daniel F. Carmen, Christopher J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
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Patent number: 10494864Abstract: 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: May 26, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: 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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Publication number: 20190364629Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Stuart W. DeJonge
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Patent number: 10492255Abstract: 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: November 7, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Donald R. Mosebrook, Robert C. Newman, Jr.
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Publication number: 20190327818Abstract: 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: June 29, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Stuart W. DeJonge, Robert C. Newman, JR., Matthew W. Nuhfer, Michael W. Pessina, Thomas M. Shearer
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Patent number: 10447171Abstract: 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 coupled to conduct current through a gate terminal of the thyristor, a controllable switching circuit coupled between the gate coupling circuit and the gate terminal of the thyristor, and a control circuit configured to control the gate coupling circuit and the controllable switching circuit. The control circuit may cause 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: GrantFiled: November 12, 2018Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Chris J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
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Publication number: 20190297713Abstract: 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: May 28, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Shan Shi, Jaykrishna A. Shukla
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Patent number: 10418193Abstract: A controllable light source is provided that includes a load control circuit and an integrated lighting load. The controllable light source is configured to receive wirelessly communicated commands transmitted by a remote control device associated with the controllable light source, such as a rotary remote control device. The controllable light source may include an actuator for associating the controllable light source with the remote control device, such that the load control circuit is operable to adjust the intensity of the lighting load in response to wireless signals received from the remote control device. The controllable light source may support the actuator such that the actuator may be actuated when the controllable light source is installed in a fixture.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2018Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Lutron Tehnology Company LLCInventors: Matthew J. Swatsky, Daniel J. Osle, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Daniel Curtis Raneri
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Patent number: 10420194Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 20, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Timothy Mann, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Thomas Lee Olson, Jaykrishna A. Shukla