Patents by Inventor Robert Rix

Robert Rix 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: 8680790
    Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for connecting a light emitting diode (LED) to a driver. The electrical connector includes a housing, a driver input contact held by the housing and configured to be electrically connected to a power output of the driver, and an LED output contact held by the housing and configured to be electrically connected to a power input of the LED. An electrical path is defined between the driver input contact and the LED output contact for supplying electrical power from the driver to the power input of the LED. The electrical connector includes a temperature monitor and control (TMC) module operatively connected to a temperature sensor for receiving a temperature associated with the LED. The TMC module is configured to control the flow of electrical power from the driver input contact to the LED output contact based on the temperature received from the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen M. Jackson, Mohammad S. Ahmed, Robert Rix, Matthew Mostoller, Gerald Wingle, John Akins
  • Patent number: 8340941
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system is provided for a light emitting diode (LED) assembly that includes an LED having two semiconductors joined together at an LED junction. The system includes a temperature sensor operatively connected to the LED assembly at a remote location that is remote from the LED junction. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the LED assembly at the remote location. A temperature calculation module is operatively connected to the temperature sensor for receiving the measured temperature at the remote location from the temperature sensor. The temperature calculation module is configured to determine a junction temperature at the LED junction based on the measured temperature a the remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Steve Jackson, Robert Rix, Bruce Pelton, Mohammad S. Ahmed, Ronald Martin Weber, Matthew E. Mostoller
  • Publication number: 20120229043
    Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for connecting a light emitting diode (LED) to a driver. The electrical connector includes a housing, a driver input contact held by the housing and configured to be electrically connected to a power output of the driver, and an LED output contact held by the housing and configured to be electrically connected to a power input of the LED. An electrical path is defined between the driver input contact and the LED output contact for supplying electrical power from the driver to the power input of the LED. The electrical connector includes a temperature monitor and control (TMC) module operatively connected to a temperature sensor for receiving a temperature associated with the LED. The TMC module is configured to control the flow of electrical power from the driver input contact to the LED output contact based on the temperature received from the temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen M. Jackson, Mohammad S. Ahmed, Robert Rix, Matthew Mostoller, Gerald Wingle, John Akins
  • Publication number: 20110301909
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system is provided for a light emitting diode (LED) assembly that includes an LED having two semiconductors joined together at an LED junction. The system includes a temperature sensor operatively connected to the LED assembly at a remote location that is remote from the LED junction. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the LED assembly at the remote location. A temperature calculation module is operatively connected to the temperature sensor for receiving the measured temperature at the remote location from the temperature sensor. The temperature calculation module is configured to determine a junction temperature at the LED junction based on the measured temperature a the remote location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Steve Jackson, Robert Rix, Bruce Pelton, Mohammad S. Ahmed, Ronald Martin Weber, Matthew E. Mostoller
  • Publication number: 20050187527
    Abstract: A process (300) and resultant product, of producing a material with substantially isotropic resistive characteristics comprising carbonizing a precursor material while it is in a relaxed condition is disclosed. The precursor material preferably comprises a polymer (301) fabric. The result of the process (300) is an electro-conductive textile product (302).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Rix
  • Patent number: 6822198
    Abstract: A heated transportation container is described. The container consists of at least a body and a lid, the body being generally cuboid and having one or more side walls and a base which together define an internal chamber over which the lid can be placed to close the container. Inside the chamber is disposed a pre-frozen or refrigerated cooling pack to keep the temperature low and in accordance with the invention, a laminar heating, panel is affixed, to at least a portion of the inner surface of one of the side walls and/or to base, said laminar panel comprising an electrically resistive component and electrical connections through which power can be delivered to said laminar panel. Battery powered control circuitry is also provided which communicates with a temperature measuring device disposed within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Gorix Limited
    Inventor: John Robert Rix
  • Publication number: 20040173028
    Abstract: A sensor, ideally for a car seat, is disclosed in which an electro-conductive textile (ECT) is used to simultaneously deliver energy to the occupant to the seat in the form of heat, and to sense the nature or characteristics of the occupant of that seat. To achieve these functions, the ECT is connected to both a control circuit and a charge transfer/capacitance measuring circuit. The control circuit ensures that the ECT does not become too hot during use, and the charge transfer/capacitance measuring circuit is capable of determining not only if the seat is occupied but also the nature of the occupant, in particular the size and/or weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Rix
  • Publication number: 20030085215
    Abstract: A heated transportation container is described. The container consists of at least a body and a lid, the body being generally cuboid and having one or more side walls and a base which together define an internal chamber over which the lid can be placed to close the container. Inside the chamber is disposed a pre-frozen or refrigerated cooling pack to keep the temperature low and in accordance with the invention, a laminar heating, panel is affixed, to at least a portion of the inner surface of one of the side walls and/or to base, said laminar panel comprising an electrically resistive component and electrical connections through which power can be delivered to said laminar panel. Battery powered control circuitry is also provided which communicates with a temperature measuring device disposed within the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: John Robert Rix
  • Patent number: 6172344
    Abstract: A conductive element useable as a resistance heater comprises a carbonized fabric (12) which has electrical terminals (18, 20) connected thereto and is encapsulated in or sandwiched between layers of plastic insulating material. The element generally is flexible and can be embodied in for example blankets for animals, vehicle seats and clothing. It is preferably provided with an electrical control circuit for controlling the temperature to which the fabric heats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Gorix Limited
    Inventors: John Yeats Gordon, John Robert Rix, Graham Gerrad