Patents by Inventor Robert D. Stevens
Robert D. Stevens 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: 20180132318Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum rated current to a minimum rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum rated current.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2018Publication date: May 10, 2018Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, JR.
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Patent number: 9888535Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum rated current to a minimum rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum rated current.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, Jr.
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Publication number: 20170238386Abstract: A load control device for an electrical load may operate in a normal mode and a burst mode to adjust the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The load control device may comprise a control circuit that operates in the normal mode to regulate an average magnitude of a load current conducted through the load between a maximum rated current and a minimum rated current. During the normal mode, the control circuit may control the operating period of a load regulation circuit between a high-end operating period and a low-end operating period. The control circuit may operate in the burst mode to regulate the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current. During the burst mode, the control circuit may adjust the low-end operating period to be less than or equal to a minimum on time of the load regulation circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Stevens, JR., Matthew R. Zartman
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Patent number: 9655180Abstract: A load control device for an electrical load may operate in a normal mode and a burst mode to adjust the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The load control device may comprise a control circuit that operates in the normal mode to regulate an average magnitude of a load current conducted through the load between a maximum rated current and a minimum rated current. During the normal mode, the control circuit may control the operating period of a load regulation circuit between a high-end operating period and a low-end operating period. The control circuit may operate in the burst mode to regulate the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current. During the burst mode, the control circuit may adjust the low-end operating period to be less than or equal to a minimum on time of the load regulation circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Robert D. Stevens, Jr., Matthew R. Zartman
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Publication number: 20170071039Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum rated current to a minimum rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum rated current.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, JR.
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Publication number: 20170046949Abstract: A remote control device having capacitive touch controls may be configured to enter a sleep state (or mode). For example, the remote control device may be configured to enter the sleep state upon expiration of an interval of time since a most recent button press. The remote control may be configured to awaken from the sleep state when one or more portions of a housing of the remote control are deflected, for example, when a user grasps the remote control to actuate one or more of the capacitive touch controls. For example, the remote control device may include a switch. The switch may include a carbon structure that may be configured to contact an open circuit pad on a circuit board to close the corresponding circuit when the housing is deflected and awaken the remote control device from the sleep state.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2016Publication date: February 16, 2017Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Timothy Mann, Matthew Philip McDonald, Lawrence R. Carmen, JR., Robert D. Stevens, JR.
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Patent number: 9538600Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load is able to operate in a burst mode to adjust the amount of power delivered to the electrical load to low levels. The load control device comprises a control circuit that operates in a normal mode to regulate an average magnitude of a load current conducted through the load to a target load current that ranges from a maximum rated current to a minimum rated current. The control circuit operates in the burst mode to regulate the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current. During the burst mode, the control circuit regulates a peak magnitude of the load current to the minimum rated current during a first time period, and stops regulating the load current during a second time period, such that the average magnitude of the load current is below the minimum rated current.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, Jr.
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Publication number: 20160374164Abstract: A load control device for an electrical load may operate in a normal mode and a burst mode to adjust the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The load control device may comprise a control circuit that operates in the normal mode to regulate an average magnitude of a load current conducted through the load between a maximum rated current and a minimum rated current. During the normal mode, the control circuit may control the operating period of a load regulation circuit between a high-end operating period and a low-end operating period. The control circuit may operate in the burst mode to regulate the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current. During the burst mode, the control circuit may adjust the low-end operating period to be less than or equal to a minimum on time of the load regulation circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Stevens, JR., Matthew R. Zartman
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Patent number: 9524633Abstract: A remote control device having capacitive touch controls may be configured to enter a sleep state (or mode). For example, the remote control device may be configured to enter the sleep state upon expiration of an interval of time since a most recent button press. The remote control may be configured to awaken from the sleep state when one or more portions of a housing of the remote control are deflected, for example, when a user grasps the remote control to actuate one or more of the capacitive touch controls. For example, the remote control device may include a switch. The switch may include a carbon structure that may be configured to contact an open circuit pad on a circuit board to close the corresponding circuit when the housing is deflected and awaken the remote control device from the sleep state.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Timothy Mann, Matthew Philip McDonald, Lawrence R. Carmen, Jr., Robert D. Stevens, Jr.
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Publication number: 20160113086Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load is able to operate in a burst mode to adjust the amount of power delivered to the electrical load to low levels. The load control device comprises a control circuit that operates in a normal mode to regulate an average magnitude of a load current conducted through the load to a target load current that ranges from a maximum rated current to a minimum rated current. The control circuit operates in the burst mode to regulate the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current. During the burst mode, the control circuit regulates a peak magnitude of the load current to the minimum rated current during a first time period, and stops regulating the load current during a second time period, such that the average magnitude of the load current is below the minimum rated current.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, JR.
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Patent number: 9247608Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load is able to operate in a burst mode to adjust the amount of power delivered to the electrical load to low levels. The load control device comprises a control circuit that operates in a normal mode to regulate an average magnitude of a load current conducted through the load to a target load current that ranges from a maximum rated current to a minimum rated current. The control circuit operates in the burst mode to regulate the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current. During the burst mode, the control circuit regulates a peak magnitude of the load current to the minimum rated current during a first time period, and stops regulating the load current during a second time period, such that the average magnitude of the load current is below the minimum rated current.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2014Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, Jr.
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Publication number: 20150318787Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load is able to operate in a burst mode to adjust the amount of power delivered to the electrical load to low levels. The load control device comprises a control circuit that operates in a normal mode to regulate an average magnitude of a load current conducted through the load to a target load current that ranges from a maximum rated current to a minimum rated current. The control circuit operates in the burst mode to regulate the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current. During the burst mode, the control circuit regulates a peak magnitude of the load current to the minimum rated current during a first time period, and stops regulating the load current during a second time period, such that the average magnitude of the load current is below the minimum rated current.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2014Publication date: November 5, 2015Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, JR.
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Publication number: 20150130372Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load is able to operate in a burst mode to adjust the amount of power delivered to the electrical load to low levels. The load control device comprises a control circuit that operates in a normal mode to regulate an average magnitude of a load current conducted through the load to a target load current that ranges from a maximum rated current to a minimum rated current. The control circuit operates in the burst mode to regulate the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current. During the burst mode, the control circuit regulates a peak magnitude of the load current to the minimum rated current during a first time period, and stops regulating the load current during a second time period, such that the average magnitude of the load current is below the minimum rated current.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, JR.
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Publication number: 20140277805Abstract: An energy control network may include a number of load control devices, such as dimmer switches, multi-button selector switch, occupancy sensors, and remote controllers, among others. These load control devices may be configured for wireless communication. Other wireless devices, such as laptops, tablets, and “smart” cellular phones may be configured to communicate with the load control devices of the energy control network. The load control devices and the other wireless communication devices may also be configured for Near Field Communication (NFC). NFC may be used to provide a load control device with its initial default configuration and/or an application specific configuration. Also, NFC may be used to transfer a configuration from one load control device that may have become faulty, to a replacement load control device. And NFC may be used to provide and trigger commands that may cause a load control load device to operate in a predetermined manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: John C. Browne, JR., Sean Henley, Ratan Dominic Rego, William Bryce Fricke, Robert D. Stevens, JR.
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Publication number: 20140268628Abstract: A remote control device having capacitive touch controls may be configured to enter a sleep state (or mode). For example, the remote control device may be configured to enter the sleep state upon expiration of an interval of time since a most recent button press. The remote control may be configured to awaken from the sleep state when one or more portions of a housing of the remote control are deflected, for example, when a user grasps the remote control to actuate one or more of the capacitive touch controls. For example, the remote control device may include a switch. The switch may include a carbon structure that may be configured to contact an open circuit pad on a circuit board to close the corresponding circuit when the housing is deflected and awaken the remote control device from the sleep state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Timothy Mann, Matthew Philip McDonald, Lawrence R. Carmen, JR., Robert D. Stevens, JR.
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Publication number: 20020102737Abstract: Provided are methods of screening subjects for lysosomal storage diseases, preferably glycogen storage diseases, using a tetrasaccharide as a biomarker. In a more preferred embodiment, subjects are screened for Pompe disease (i.e., glycogen storage disease type II). Also provided are neonatal screening assays. The present invention further provides methods of monitoring the clinical condition and efficacy of therapeutic treatment in affected subjects. Further provided are methods of measuring a tetrasaccharide biomarker by tandem mass spectrometry, preferably, as part of a neonatal screening assay for Pompe disease.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2001Publication date: August 1, 2002Inventors: David S. Millington, Yan An, Yuan Tsong Chen, Robert D. Stevens, Sarah P. Young, Johan L. K. Van Hove
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Patent number: 5869792Abstract: An acoustic duct silencer is disclosed having opposed sidewall baffles which are disposed in a duct such that a cavity is defined between the baffles and the adjacent duct sidewalls, the space between the baffles bordering a passageway in the duct for the flow of a fluid medium therethrough. Each baffle features an array of generally parallel, spaced-apart elongate slots which substantially span the vertical or horizontal breadth of the baffles. The baffles preferably have a relatively large effective thickness so that the slots formed therein have a significant depth to them. In this manner, an integral array of resonators are provided having a significant slot or throat depth for the attenuation of low frequency sound.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1996Date of Patent: February 9, 1999Assignee: Vibron LimitedInventors: Donald L. Allen, Robert D. Stevens
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Patent number: 5361701Abstract: A plastic cartridge has a base with a primer pocket and a primer mounted therein. A propellant charge is located within the cartridge and a plastic, collapsible wad is positioned within the cartridge above the propellant charge. A strawlike fusing channel extends through the wad into the propellant charge and is packed with an igniter charge. The fusing channel communicates between the propellant charge and a tracer charge packed within a cavity in a lead shotgun slug. The wad has a plurality of upwardly extending petals which surround the slug within the cartridge and which engage with the rifling of a shotgun barrel when the round is fired.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1993Date of Patent: November 8, 1994Inventor: Robert D. Stevens
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Patent number: 5235915Abstract: A plastic cartridge has a base with a primer pocket and a primer mounted therein. A propellant charge is located within the cartridge and a plastic, collapsible wad is positioned within the cartridge above the propellant charge. A strawlike fusing channel extends through the wad into the propellant charge and is packed with an igniter charge. The fusing channel communicates between the propellant charge and a tracer charge packed within a cavity in a lead shotgun slug. The wad has a plurality of upwardly extending petals which surround the slug within the cartridge and which engage with the rifling of a shotgun barrel when the round is fired.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1992Date of Patent: August 17, 1993Inventor: Robert D. Stevens
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Patent number: 4699828Abstract: Highly uniform polymeric microbeads of a predetermined size, preferably having an attached fluorescent label on the surface, are prepared by causing seed particles to swell by absorption of a plurality of low molecular weight substances, at least one of which is a monomer having a reactive functional group. After absorption, the monomer is internally polymerized, and the reactive functional group is preferably reacted with a polyfunctional spacing agent thereby to provide a second reactive functional group. The latter is then reacted with a fluorescent label to provide the labeled microbead.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1986Date of Patent: October 13, 1987Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and CompanyInventors: Abraham Schwartz, Joel Williams, Robert D. Stevens