Patents by Inventor Thomas S. Schaffer

Thomas S. Schaffer 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: 7696717
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a battery energy management system includes discharging a detector circuit to a minimum battery voltage, measuring an elapsed time that the minimum battery voltage is detected, resetting a timer circuit, and sampling the minimum battery voltage and the elapsed time of the minimum battery voltage in response to a predefined prompt. The discharge of the detector circuit, the measurement of the minimum battery voltage, the elapsed time of the minimum battery voltage, and the reset of the timer circuit are performed in response to an input voltage being less than the voltage stored within the detector circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Costello, Scott J. Lucy, Thomas S. Schaffer
  • Patent number: 6060788
    Abstract: A vehicle driver module 10 with circuit 12 for receiving a first signal from a vehicle's controller and providing a second signal responsive thereto. The circuit 12 being placed on a substrate 14 constructed as a heat sink and preferably formed into a U-shaped configuration. A plurality of terminals 16 are attached to the substrate 14 with collars 18 made of an insulative material and having posts 20 constructed to fit within openings 50 of the substrate 14 be fastened thereto and retain the terminals 16 therein. Each of the terminals 16 include a prong 24 projecting out one side of the collar 18 and a clasp 26 out the opposite side of the collar 18. Each clasp 26 is constructed to provide a snap electrical contact at a predetermined location on the circuit on the substrate. The prongs 24 are selectively spaced so as to be received in and mesh with the standard vehicle relay junction block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Carlson, Thomas S. Schaffer, Timothy J. Green