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).
-
Publication number: 20110204711Abstract: A wireless power supply system that detects communications in the input power to the switching circuit. In this aspect of the invention, the wireless power supply includes a detector for generating a signal indicative of the current in the input to the switching circuitry, a band-pass filter for filtering the detected signal, an amplifier for amplifying the filtered signal, a filter for filtering the amplified signal and a comparator for converting the final signal into a stream of high and low signals that can be passed to a controller for processing as binary data stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: Matthew J. Norconk, Scott A. Mollema, David W. Baarman, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Dale R. Liff, Andrew C. Zeik, Mark A. Blaha, Robert D. Gruich, Jason L. Amistadi
-
Patent number: 7989986Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 27, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema
-
Publication number: 20110115303Abstract: A wireless power system having at least one of a remote device with multiple wireless power inputs capable of receiving power from a different wireless power source, a remote device including a hybrid secondary that can be selectively configured for multiple uses, a remote device including a hybrid secondary, a far field wireless power source having a low power mode, a remote device having the capability of communicating with multiple different wireless power sources to indicate that a wireless power hot spot is nearby, a wireless power supply including multiple wireless power transmitters.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2010Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: David W. Baarman, Joshua B. Taylor, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Scott A. Mollema
-
Patent number: 7821208Abstract: An inductively powered gas discharge lamp assembly having a secondary circuit with starter circuitry that provides pre-heating when power is supplied to the secondary circuit at a pre-heat frequency and that provides normal operation when power is supplied to the secondary circuit at an operating frequency. In one embodiment, the starter circuitry includes a pre-heat capacitor connected between the lamp electrodes and an operating capacitor located between the secondary coil and the lamp. The pre-heat capacitor is selected so that the electrical flow path through the pre-heat capacitor has a lesser impedance than the electrical flow path through the gas of the lamp when power is applied to the secondary circuit at the pre-heat frequency, and so that the electrical flow path through the pre-heat capacitor has a greater impedance than the electrical flow path through the gas when power is applied the operating frequency.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2007Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema, Ronald L. Stoddard, Joshua K. Schwannecke
-
Publication number: 20100259217Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2010Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: David W. Baarman, Colin J. Moore, Joshua B. Taylor, Scott A. Mollema, William T. Stoner, JR., Benjamin C. Moes
-
Publication number: 20100171369Abstract: The present invention provides a load used for communication in a remote device having a dynamic communication load configuration. In one embodiment, the dynamic communication load configuration vanes as a function of a characteristic of power in the remote device. The remote device toggles between load configurations to communicate with the inductive power supply. A sensor in the remote device detects a characteristic of power in the remote device and configures the communication load based on the sensor output. In another embodiment, the remote device adjusts the dynamic communication load configuration in the remote device in response to a failure to receive a response from the inductive power supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: David W. Baarman, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Scott A. Mollema, Matthew J. Norconk
-
Publication number: 20100171461Abstract: A method of controlling an inductive charging system on those occasions in which the combined power requests of a plurality of secondary devices exceed the power capacity of the power supply. The method includes at least one of (a) powering each device at a level below its requested level, (b) powering each device sequentially, and/or (c) powering each device in a repetitive pattern (e.g. time multiplexing). Also disclosed is a method of controlling an inductive charging system at least partially as a function of information received from the power management unit (PMU) of each secondary device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema
-
Publication number: 20100174629Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Inventors: Joshua B. Taylor, David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema
-
Publication number: 20090268356Abstract: A voltage clamp protection circuit to protect against overvoltage conditions where there is insufficient current to blow a fuse. The voltage clamp protection circuit includes a voltage clamp and a thermal cutoff. The voltage clamp clamps any overvoltage to a clamping voltage. If an overvoltage condition persists for too long the voltage clamp dissipates a sufficient amount of heat to activate the thermal cutoff creating an open circuit that protects the rest of the circuit. The voltage clamp protection circuit may be used in combination with a variety of other protection circuits to provide increased protection.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2009Publication date: October 29, 2009Applicant: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: Scott A. Mollema, David W. Baarman, Andrew C. Zeik, Dale R. Liff, Mark A. Blaha
-
Patent number: 7592753Abstract: An inductively powered gas discharge lamp assembly having a secondary circuit with starter circuitry that provides pre-heating when power is supplied to the secondary circuit at a pre-heat frequency and that provides normal operation when power is supplied to the secondary circuit at an operating frequency. In one embodiment, the starter circuitry includes a pre-heat capacitor connected between the lamp electrodes and an operating capacitor located between the secondary coil and the lamp. The pre-heat capacitor is selected so that the electrical flow path through the pre-heat capacitor has a lesser impedance than the electrical flow path through the gas of the lamp when power is applied to the secondary circuit at the pre-heat frequency, and so that the electrical flow path through the pre-heat capacitor has a greater impedance than the electrical flow path through the gas when power is applied the operating frequency.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2007Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema
-
Publication number: 20090230777Abstract: An inductive power supply including multiple tank circuits and a controller for selecting at least one of the tank circuits in order to wirelessly transfer power based on received power demand information. In addition, a magnet may be used to align multiple remote devices with the inductive power supply. In one embodiment, different communication systems are employed depending on which coil is being used to transfer wireless power.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema, Joshua K. Schwannecke
-
Publication number: 20090174263Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2009Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Thomas Jay Leppien, Kenneth Michael Burns
-
Publication number: 20080191638Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2008Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: Roy W. Kuennen, David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema, Ronald C. Markham, Dennis J. Denen
-
Publication number: 20080164817Abstract: An inductively powered gas discharge lamp assembly having a secondary circuit with starter circuitry that provides pre-heating when power is supplied to the secondary circuit at a pre-heat frequency and that provides normal operation when power is supplied to the secondary circuit at an operating frequency. In one embodiment, the starter circuitry includes a pre-heat capacitor connected between the lamp electrodes and an operating capacitor located between the secondary coil and the lamp. The pre-heat capacitor is selected so that the electrical flow path through the pre-heat capacitor has a lesser impedance than the electrical flow path through the gas of the lamp when power is applied to the secondary circuit at the pre-heat frequency, and so that the electrical flow path through the pre-heat capacitor has a greater impedance than the electrical flow path through the gas when power is applied the operating frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema, Ronald L. Stoddard, Joshua K. Schwannecke
-
Publication number: 20080157603Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2007Publication date: July 3, 2008Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema
-
Patent number: 7385357Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 28, 2006Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: Roy W. Kuennen, David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema, Ronald C. Markham, Dennis J. Dennen
-
Patent number: 7252763Abstract: A lamp assembly for use in a water treatment system. The lamp assembly includes a bulb assembly, a reflector assembly and a conduit carring liquid, such as water, through the lamp assembly. The reflector assembly is configured to reflect and focus light emitted from the bulb assembly on the conduit, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the lamp assembly. The reflector assembly can include reflectors including one or more diminishing radii of curvature, which terminate and form a peak near a bulb of the bulb assembly and/or conduit.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Access Business Group Interational LLCInventors: Roy W. Kuennen, Eric K. Bartkus, David W. Baarman, Kenneth E. Conrad, Terry L. Lautzenheiser, Greg Snyder, Scott A. Mollema
-
Publication number: 20070145909Abstract: An inductively powered gas discharge lamp assembly having a secondary circuit with starter circuitry that provides pre-heating when power is supplied to the secondary circuit at a pre-heat frequency and that provides normal operation when power is supplied to the secondary circuit at an operating frequency. In one embodiment, the starter circuitry includes a pre-heat capacitor connected between the lamp electrodes and an operating capacitor located between the secondary coil and the lamp. The pre-heat capacitor is selected so that the electrical flow path through the pre-heat capacitor has a lesser impedance than the electrical flow path through the gas of the lamp when power is applied to the secondary circuit at the pre-heat frequency, and so that the electrical flow path through the pre-heat capacitor has a greater impedance than the electrical flow path through the gas when power is applied the operating frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2007Publication date: June 28, 2007Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: David Baarman, Scott Mollema
-
Publication number: 20070085487Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2006Publication date: April 19, 2007Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: Roy Kuennen, David Baarman, Scott Mollema, Ronald Markham, Dennis Denen
-
Patent number: 7180248Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 22, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Access Business Group International, LLCInventors: Roy W. Kuennen, David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema, Ronald C. Markham, Dennis J. Denen