Patents by Inventor Scott A. Mollema

Scott A. Mollema 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: 11396004
    Abstract: A method for preparing a nano-enabled activated carbon block, a nano-enabled activated carbon block produced by the method, a household water filtration system comprising the nano-enabled activated carbon block, and a method for filtering tap water using the household water filtration system are provided. The method includes contacting a solution including a metal(lic) precursor (e.g. a titanium compound and/or an iron compound and/or a zirconium compound) with activated carbon particles such that the solution fills pores of the activated carbon particles. The method further includes causing a metal (hydr)oxide (e.g. titanium dioxide and/or zirconium dioxide and/or iron oxide) to precipitate from the solution thereby causing metal oxide nanoparticles to become deposited within pores of the activated carbon particles. The method also includes preparing a nano-enabled activated carbon block from the activated carbon particles having metal oxide nanoparticles deposited within the pores thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignees: Access Business Group International LLC, Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Zhenxiao Cai, Scott A. Mollema, Ariel J. Atkinson, Kiril D. Hristovski, Jasmina S. Markovski, Paul K. Westerhoff
  • Patent number: 11245287
    Abstract: An inductive power supply system to identify remote devices using unique identification frequencies. The system includes an AIPS and a tank circuit capable of inductively providing power to a remote device at different frequencies, and a sensor for sensing the reflected impedance of the remote device at tank circuit. The system further includes a plurality of different remote devices, each having a unique resonance frequency. In operation, the AIPS is capable of identifying the type of remote device present in the inductive field by applying power to a remote device at a plurality of unique identification frequencies until the remote device establishes resonance in response to one of the identification frequencies. The AIPS includes a controller that recognizes when resonance has been established by evaluating sensor data, which is representative of the reflected impedance of the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: PHILIPS IP VENTURES B.V.
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema
  • Patent number: 10868443
    Abstract: An inductive wireless power system using an array of coils with the ability to dynamically select which coils are energized. The coil array can determine the position of and provide power to one or more portable electronic devices positioned on the charging surface. The coils in the array may be connected with series resonant capacitors so that regardless of the number of coils selected, the resonance point is generally maintained. The coil array can provide spatial freedom, decrease power delivered to parasitic loads, and increase power transfer efficiency to the portable electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Philips I.P. Ventures B.V.
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Colin J. Moore, Joshua B. Taylor, Scott A. Mollema, William T. Stoner, Jr., Benjamin C. Moes
  • Publication number: 20200290014
    Abstract: A method for preparing a nano-enabled activated carbon block, a nano-enabled activated carbon block produced by the method, a household water filtration system comprising the nano-enabled activated carbon block, and a method for filtering tap water using the household water filtration system are provided. The method includes contacting a solution including a metal(lic) precursor (e.g. a titanium compound and/or an iron compound and/or a zirconium compound) with activated carbon particles such that the solution fills pores of the activated carbon particles. The method further includes causing a metal (hydr)oxide (e.g. titanium dioxide and/or zirconium dioxide and/or iron oxide) to precipitate from the solution thereby causing metal oxide nanoparticles to become deposited within pores of the activated carbon particles. The method also includes preparing a nano-enabled activated carbon block from the activated carbon particles having metal oxide nanoparticles deposited within the pores thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Zhenxiao CAI, Scott A. MOLLEMA, Ariel J. ATKINSON, Kiril D. HRISTOVSKI, Jasmina S. MARKOVSKI, Paul K. WESTERHOFF
  • Patent number: 10530188
    Abstract: A remote device in accordance with the present invention includes an adaptive power receiver that receives wireless power from the wireless power supply by induction. The adaptive power receiver may be switched among two or more modes of operation, including, for example, a high-Q mode and a low-Q mode. By controlling the switching between modes, the amount of energy received by the adaptive receiver may be controlled. This control is a form of adaptive resonance control or Q control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Philips IP Ventures B.V.
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Colin J. Moore, Joshua B. Taylor, Matthew J. Norconk, Thomas J. Leppien, Scott A. Mollema, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Benjamin C. Moes, A. Esai Umenei, John James Lord, Robert D. Gruich
  • Publication number: 20190288560
    Abstract: An inductive power supply system to identify remote devices using unique identification frequencies. The system includes an AIPS and a tank circuit capable of inductively providing power to a remote device at different frequencies, and a sensor for sensing the reflected impedance of the remote device at tank circuit. The system further includes a plurality of different remote devices, each having a unique resonance frequency. In operation, the AIPS is capable of identifying the type of remote device present in the inductive field by applying power to a remote device at a plurality of unique identification frequencies until the remote device establishes resonance in response to one of the identification frequencies. The AIPS includes a controller that recognizes when resonance has been established by evaluating sensor data, which is representative of the reflected impedance of the remote device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema
  • Patent number: 10305329
    Abstract: An inductive power supply system to identify remote devices using unique identification frequencies. The system includes an AIPS and a tank circuit capable of inductively providing power to a remote device at different frequencies, and a sensor for sensing the reflected impedance of the remote device at tank circuit. The system further includes a plurality of different remote devices, each having a unique resonance frequency. In operation, the AIPS is capable of identifying the type of remote device present in the inductive field by applying power to a remote device at a plurality of unique identification frequencies until the remote device establishes resonance in response to one of the identification frequencies. The AIPS includes a controller that recognizes when resonance has been established by evaluating sensor data, which is representative of the reflected impedance of the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: PHILIPS IP VENTURES B.V.
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema
  • Patent number: 10198892
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for charging or billing for access to wireless power. The device requiring power communicates with the power provider and the billing method is determined. A consumer may be required to provide billing information, or if the billing information is already associated with an existing account, the consumer account is automatically charged for the wireless power. The account may include prepaid charging minutes that are debited as wireless power is provided, or the account may be billed for the wireless power that is provided. The charging/billing for the wireless power may be used to receive value for the power that is provided, while remaining consumer friendly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: PHILIPS IP VENTURES B.V.
    Inventors: Joshua B. Taylor, David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema
  • Patent number: 10170935
    Abstract: An inductive power supply that maintains resonance and adjusts duty cycle based on feedback from a secondary circuit. A controller, driver circuit and switching circuit cooperate to generate an AC signal at a selected operating frequency and duty cycle. The AC signal is applied to the tank circuit to create an inductive field for powering the secondary. The secondary communicates feedback about the received power back to the primary controller. The power transfer efficiency may be optimized by maintaining the operating frequency substantially at resonance, and the amount of power transferred may be controlled by adjusting the duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: PHILIPS IP VENTURES B.V.
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Thomas Jay Leppien, Kenneth Michael Burns
  • Publication number: 20180226835
    Abstract: A remote device in accordance with the present invention includes an adaptive power receiver that receives wireless power from the wireless power supply by induction. The adaptive power receiver may be switched among two or more modes of operation, including, for example, a high-Q mode and a low-Q mode. By controlling the switching between modes, the amount of energy received by the adaptive receiver may be controlled. This control is a form of adaptive resonance control or Q control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Colin J. Moore, Joshua B. Taylor, Matthew J. Norconk, Thomas J. Leppien, Scott A. Mollema, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Benjamin C. Moes, A. Esai Umenei, John James Lord, Robert D. Gruich
  • Patent number: 10014722
    Abstract: A ballast circuit is disclosed for inductively providing power to a load. The ballast circuit includes an oscillator, a driver, a switching circuit, a resonant tank circuit and a current sensing circuit. The current sensing circuit provides a current feedback signal to the oscillator that is representative of the current in the resonant tank circuit. The current feedback signal drives the frequency of the ballast circuit causing the ballast circuit to seek resonance. The ballast circuit preferably includes a current limit circuit that is inductively coupled to the resonant tank circuit. The current limit circuit disables the ballast circuit when the current in the ballast circuit exceeds a predetermined threshold or falls outside a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Philips IP Ventures B.V.
    Inventors: Roy W. Kuennen, David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema, Ronald C. Markham, Dennis J. Denen
  • Patent number: 9955529
    Abstract: An inductively powered cooking appliance and an associated wireless power supply for producing an electromagnetic field. The cooking appliance may include a secondary and a metal portion where the wireless power supply is capable of providing power to both. The cooking appliance may communicate with the wireless power supply to control the temperature of the metal portion and the amount of power transferred to the secondary. A smart handle connected to the secondary may be capable of performing various functions. The smart handle may also be capable of displaying and monitoring temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Joshua B. Taylor, Scott A. Mollema, William T. Stoner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9912166
    Abstract: A remote device in accordance with the present invention includes an adaptive power receiver that receives wireless power from the wireless power supply by induction. The adaptive power receiver may be switched among two or more modes of operation, including, for example, a high-Q mode and a low-Q mode. By controlling the switching between modes, the amount of energy received by the adaptive receiver may be controlled. This control is a form of adaptive resonance control or Q control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Colin J. Moore, Joshua B. Taylor, Matthew J. Norconk, Thomas J. Leppien, Scott A. Mollema, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Benjamin C. Moes, A. Esai Umenei, John James Lord, Robert D. Gruich
  • Publication number: 20170133882
    Abstract: A ballast circuit is disclosed for inductively providing power to a load. The ballast circuit includes an oscillator, a driver, a switching circuit, a resonant tank circuit and a current sensing circuit. The current sensing circuit provides a current feedback signal to the oscillator that is representative of the current in the resonant tank circuit. The current feedback signal drives the frequency of the ballast circuit causing the ballast circuit to seek resonance. The ballast circuit preferably includes a current limit circuit that is inductively coupled to the resonant tank circuit. The current limit circuit disables the ballast circuit when the current in the ballast circuit exceeds a predetermined threshold or falls outside a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Roy W. Kuennen, David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema, Ronald C. Markham, Dennis J. Denen
  • Patent number: 9597261
    Abstract: A pill dispensing system that includes pill packages that can be used to dispense pills manually or with a dispenser system to provide enhanced functionality. The packages can be provided with information relating to the packaged pills or to the use of the packaged pills. By reading the information from the package, the dispenser system can know what is in the package, when it is to be taken and can understand and track inventory. The dispenser system provides reminders of when the pills should be taken. The dispenser system may have the ability to key a specific electronic device, such as a cell phone, to a specific user and the dispenser system may require the electronic device to be within proximity of the dispenser system before dispensing pills for that user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Sean T. Eurich, Scott A. Mollema, Cody D. Dean, Neil W. Kuyvenhoven, Matthew K. Runyon, Joseph C. Van Den Brink, Ryan D. Schamper
  • Patent number: 9590456
    Abstract: A ballast circuit is disclosed for inductively providing power to a load. The ballast circuit includes an oscillator, a driver, a switching circuit, a resonant tank circuit and a current sensing circuit. The current sensing circuit provides a current feedback signal to the oscillator that is representative of the current in the resonant tank circuit. The current feedback signal drives the frequency of the ballast circuit causing the ballast circuit to seek resonance. The ballast circuit preferably includes a current limit circuit that is inductively coupled to the resonant tank circuit. The current limit circuit disables the ballast circuit when the current in the ballast circuit exceeds a predetermined threshold or falls outside a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Roy W. Kuennen, David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema, Ronald C. Markham, Dennis J. Denen
  • Publication number: 20160261143
    Abstract: A ballast circuit is disclosed for inductively providing power to a load. The ballast circuit includes an oscillator, a driver, a switching circuit, a resonant tank circuit and a current sensing circuit. The current sensing circuit provides a current feedback signal to the oscillator that is representative of the current in the resonant tank circuit. The current feedback signal drives the frequency of the ballast circuit causing the ballast circuit to seek resonance. The ballast circuit preferably includes a current limit circuit that is inductively coupled to the resonant tank circuit. The current limit circuit disables the ballast circuit when the current in the ballast circuit exceeds a predetermined threshold or falls outside a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Roy W. Kuennen, David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema, Ronald C. Markham, Dennis J. Denen
  • Patent number: 9424446
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the identification, powering and control of products and product packaging. The systems can include a point of sale display having a contactless power supply. The contactless power supply can provide a source of wireless power for products and product packaging. The products and product packaging can include light emitting diodes, e-ink displays and printed speaker circuits that activate as the operating frequency of the contactless power supply varies. Other embodiments include product level sensors, inductive reader networks, printed temperature sensors, product alignment systems, passive identification circuits and methods for controlling operation of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema, William T. Stoner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9397524
    Abstract: A ballast circuit is disclosed for inductively providing power to a load. The ballast circuit includes an oscillator, a driver, a switching circuit, a resonant tank circuit and a current sensing circuit. The current sensing circuit provides a current feedback signal to the oscillator that is representative of the current in the resonant tank circuit. The current feedback signal drives the frequency of the ballast circuit causing the ballast circuit to seek resonance. The ballast circuit preferably includes a current limit circuit that is inductively coupled to the resonant tank circuit. The current limit circuit disables the ballast circuit when the current in the ballast circuit exceeds a predetermined threshold or falls outside a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Roy W. Kuennen, David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema, Ronald C. Markham, Dennis J. Denen
  • Publication number: 20160190873
    Abstract: An inductive power supply system to identify remote devices using unique identification frequencies. The system includes an AIPS and a tank circuit capable of inductively providing power to a remote device at different frequencies, and a sensor for sensing the reflected impedance of the remote device at tank circuit. The system further includes a plurality of different remote devices, each having a unique resonance frequency. In operation, the AIPS is capable of identifying the type of remote device present in the inductive field by applying power to a remote device at a plurality of unique identification frequencies until the remote device establishes resonance in response to one of the identification frequencies. The AIPS includes a controller that recognizes when resonance has been established by evaluating sensor data, which is representative of the reflected impedance of the remote device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema