Patents by Inventor Robert D. Munson

Robert D. Munson 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).

  • Patent number: 5815067
    Abstract: A dimming control for a high intensity lighting system uses a single additional control wire for control of the dimming function. The lighting system operates on multi-phase power. A transmitter for transmitting a control signal over the single control wire is connected between two of the phases of the multi-phase power supply, or between one phase and neutral. The transmitter, upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition, transmits a control signal to the single control wire. The control signal is a rectified portion of the power supply. The predetermined condition is motion as sensed by a motion sensor, operation of a timer, or operation of a manual switch. A receiver connected to the control line receives the control signal and switches the light to a low light output mode. The is accomplished by changing the capacitance of the ballast circuit for the light. Each lamp of the lighting system has a receiver connected to the single control wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Thomas Lighting
    Inventors: David W. Knoble, Khosrow Jamasbi, Robert D. Munson, James V. Olson
  • Patent number: 5475360
    Abstract: A power line carrier controlled lighting system connected to an AC power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Thomas Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David Guidette, James V. Olson, Robert D. Munson, Willard Garnett
  • Patent number: 5227762
    Abstract: A power line carrier controlled lighting system connected to an AC power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Thomas Industries Inc.
    Inventors: David Guidette, James V. Olson, Robert D. Munson, Willard Garnett
  • Patent number: 4641061
    Abstract: A solid state ballast for starting and operating a plurality of fluorescent lamps comprises a plurality of parallel connected, series LC circuits each coupled by a capacitor to a lamp so that voltage existing across the series capacitors is applied across the lamps and driven by an inverter at a DC power source voltage and at a selected frequency high enough to develop a lamp starting voltage but substantially below their resonant frequency. After starting the resonant frequency of the LC circuits is reduced substantially below the selected frequency by the added capacitive reactances of the coupling capacitors whereby the destructive high voltage at the upper and lower resonances is avoided and the independent selection of the values of L and C and the coupling capacitors to control starting voltage and conduction after starting at the selected frequency is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Robert D. Munson
  • Patent number: 4559479
    Abstract: A rapid start circuit for starting and step dimming a fluorescent lamp includes a voltage step up auto transformer and lamp filaments for starting, ballast and a pair of capacitors having different values variously connected in series with the lamp and ballast by a rotary switch; first in parallel, then individually and then in series to achieve a progressively stepped dimming of the lamp. A second form of the invention includes a first capacitor in series with the lamp and ballast for reducing the maximum light output of the lamp and a plurality of capacitors each having a different value selectively connected in parallel with the first capacitor by a slide switch to selectively dim the lamp; and a resistor in series with the first capacitor to diminish arcing and noise when switching. Both forms of the invention include a pair of secondary windings for maintaining filament voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Robert D. Munson