Patents by Inventor Shawn L. Leichliter

Shawn L. Leichliter 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: 7859815
    Abstract: An apparatus in an electronic control system allows two or three wire operation. A power supply can supply power to the enclosed circuitry in both two and three wire installations. Two separate zero cross detectors are used such that timing information can be collected in both two and three wire installations. Both zero cross detectors are monitored and are used to automatically configure the electronic control. Over voltage circuitry senses an over voltage condition across a MOSFET which is in the off state and turns the MOSFET on so that it desirably will not reach the avalanche region. Over current circuitry senses when the current through the MOSFETs has exceeded a predetermined current threshold and then turns the MOSFETs off so they do not exceed the MOSFETs' safe operating area (SOA) curve. Latching circuitry is employed to keep the protection circuitry in effect even after a fault condition has cleared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L Black, Benjamin Aaron Johnson, Shawn L. Leichliter, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Chenming Wu
  • Publication number: 20100231055
    Abstract: An apparatus in an electronic control system allows two or three wire operation. A power supply can supply power to the enclosed circuitry in both two and three wire installations. Two separate zero cross detectors are used such that timing information can be collected in both two and three wire installations. Both zero cross detectors are monitored and are used to automatically configure the electronic control. Over voltage circuitry senses an over voltage condition across a MOSFET which is in the off state and turns the MOSFET on so that it desirably will not reach the avalanche region. Over current circuitry senses when the current through the MOSFETs has exceeded a predetermined current threshold and then turns the MOSFETs off so they do not exceed the MOSFETs' safe operating area (SOA) curve. Latching circuitry is employed to keep the protection circuitry in effect even after a fault condition has cleared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Richard L. Black, Benjamin Aaron Johnson, Shawn L. Leichliter, Robert C. Newman, JR., Chenming Wu
  • Patent number: 7116056
    Abstract: A control system includes an electrical load control device responsive to radiant energy and a transmitter. The transmitter includes two sets of radiant energy generators connected to an electrical circuit such that polarity of the sets is reversed. A transmissive enclosure includes indented portions defining deflectors oriented obliquely with respect to a generator support surface. The transmitter is secured to a bracket for attachment to a backcover of the load control device. The control system may also include a master control generating an electrical control signal in response to an actuator or in response to a radiant energy signal. The control system is capable of limiting the master control to generate a signal only in response to the actuator. A power supply for the transmitter includes a filter network having a filter capacitor and resistor in series with a power supply capacitor and a diode in parallel with the resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Elliot G. Jacoby, Jr., Carl W. Gomes, II, Jackson P. Gehman, Christopher J. Salvestrini, Richard D. Samuels, Shawn L. Leichliter
  • Patent number: 7005762
    Abstract: An apparatus in an electronic control system allows two or three wire operation. A power supply can supply power to the enclosed circuitry in both two and three wire installations. Two separate zero cross detectors are used such that timing information can be collected in both two and three wire installations. Both zero cross detectors are monitored and are used to automatically configure the electronic control. Over voltage circuitry senses an over voltage condition across a MOSFET which is in the off state and turns the MOSFET on so that it desirably will not reach the avalanche region. Over current circuitry senses when the current through the MOSFETs has exceeded a predetermined current threshold and then turns the MOSFETs off so they do not exceed the MOSFETs' safe operating area (SOA) curve. Latching circuitry is employed to keep the protection circuitry in effect even after a fault condition has cleared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Black, Graham Christensen, Benjamin Aaron Johnson, Shawn L. Leichliter, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Stephen Spencer Thompson, Chenming Wu
  • Patent number: 6969959
    Abstract: An apparatus in an electronic control system allows two or three wire operation. A power supply can supply power to the enclosed circuitry in both two and three wire installations. Two separate zero cross detectors are used such that timing information can be collected in both two and three wire installations. Both zero cross detectors are monitored and are used to automatically configure the electronic control. Over voltage circuitry senses an over voltage condition across a MOSFET which is in the off state and turns the MOSFET on so that it desirably will not reach the avalanche region. Over current circuitry senses when the current through the MOSFETs has exceeded a predetermined current threshold and then turns the MOSFETs off so they do not exceed the MOSFETs' safe operating area (SOA) curve. Latching circuitry is employed to keep the protection circuitry in effect even after a fault condition has cleared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Black, Graham Christensen, Benjamin Aaron Johnson, Shawn L. Leichliter, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Stephen Spencer Thompson, Chenming Wu
  • Patent number: 6839165
    Abstract: A control system includes an electrical load control device responsive to radiant energy and a transmitter. The transmitter includes two sets of radiant energy generators connected to an electrical circuit such that polarity of the sets is reversed. A transmissive enclosure includes indented portions defining deflectors oriented obliquely with respect to a generator support surface. The transmitter is secured to a bracket for attachment to a backcover of the load control device. The control system may also include a master control generating an electrical control signal in response to an actuator or in response to a radiant energy signal. The control system is capable of limiting the master control to generate a signal only in response to the actuator. A power supply for the transmitter includes a filter network having a filter capacitor and resistor in series with a power supply capacitor and a diode in parallel with the resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Elliot G. Jacoby, Jr., Carl W. Gomes, II, Jackson P. Gehman, Christopher J. Salvestrini, Richard D. Samuels, Shawn L. Leichliter
  • Patent number: 6720744
    Abstract: An apparatus in an electronic control system allows two or three wire operation. A power supply can supply power to the enclosed circuitry in both two and three wire installations. Two separate zero cross detectors are used such that timing information can be collected in both two and three wire installations. Both zero cross detectors are monitored and are used to automatically configure the electronic control. Over voltage circuitry senses an over voltage condition across a MOSFET which is in the off state and turns the MOSFET on so that it desirably will not reach the avalanche region. Over current circuitry senses when the current through the MOSFETs has exceeded a predetermined current threshold and then turns the MOSFETs off so they do not exceed the MOSFETs' safe operating area (SOA) curve. Latching circuitry is employed to keep the protection circuitry in effect even after a fault condition has cleared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Black, Graham Christensen, Benjamin Aaron Johnson, Shawn L. Leichliter, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Stephen Spencer Thompson, Chenming Wu
  • Publication number: 20030178892
    Abstract: An apparatus in an electronic control system allows two or three wire operation. A power supply can supply power to the enclosed circuitry in both two and three wire installations. Two separate zero cross detectors are used such that timing information can be collected in both two and three wire installations. Both zero cross detectors are monitored and are used to automatically configure the electronic control. Over voltage circuitry senses an over voltage condition across a MOSFET which is in the off state and turns the MOSFET on so that it desirably will not reach the avalanche region. Over current circuitry senses when the current through the MOSFETs has exceeded a predetermined current threshold and then turns the MOSFETs off so they do not exceed the MOSFETs' safe operating area (SOA) curve. Latching circuitry is employed to keep the protection circuitry in effect even after a fault condition has cleared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Richard L. Black, Graham Christensen, Benjamin Aaron Johnson, Shawn L. Leichliter, Robert C. Newman, Stephen Spencer Thompson, Chenming Wu
  • Publication number: 20030025969
    Abstract: A control system includes an electrical load control device responsive to radiant energy and a transmitter. The transmitter includes two sets of radiant energy generators connected to an electrical circuit such that polarity of the sets is reversed. A transmissive enclosure includes indented portions defining deflectors oriented obliquely with respect to a generator support surface. The transmitter is secured to a bracket for attachment to a backcover of the load control device. The control system may also include a master control generating an electrical control signal in response to an actuator or in response to a radiant energy signal. The control system is capable of limiting the master control to generate a signal only in response to the actuator. A power supply for the transmitter includes a filter network having a filter capacitor and resistor in series with a power supply capacitor and a diode in parallel with the resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Elliot G. Jacoby, Carl W. Gomes, Jackson P. Gehman, Christopher J. Salvestrini, Richard D. Samuels, Shawn L. Leichliter
  • Publication number: 20030006710
    Abstract: An apparatus in an electronic control system allows two or three wire operation. A power supply can supply power to the enclosed circuitry in both two and three wire installations. Two separate zero cross detectors are used such that timing information can be collected in both two and three wire installations. Both zero cross detectors are monitored and are used to automatically configure the electronic control. Over voltage circuitry senses an over voltage condition across a MOSFET which is in the off state and turns the MOSFET on so that it desirably will not reach the avalanche region. Over current circuitry senses when the current through the MOSFETs has exceeded a predetermined current threshold and then turns the MOSFETs off so they do not exceed the MOSFETs' safe operating area (SOA) curve. Latching circuitry is employed to keep the protection circuitry in effect even after a fault condition has cleared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Richard L. Black, Graham Christensen, Benjamin Aaron Johnson, Shawn L. Leichliter, Robert C. Newman, Stephen Spencer Thompson, Chenming Wu