Patents by Inventor Thomas Schaffer

Thomas 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).

  • Thin film fuse
    Patent number: 10141149
    Abstract: A thin film fuse is formed by two substantially planar conductors, separated from each other by a thin gap. The conductors and gap are over-coated with a thin, conductive material having a surface tension when melted, great enough to pull the conductive material out of the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergio A. Elias-Palacios, Blendi Sullaj, James Poirier, Thomas Schaffer
  • THIN FILM FUSE
    Publication number: 20180218869
    Abstract: A thin film fuse is formed by two substantially planar conductors, separated from each other by a thin gap. The conductors and gap are over-coated with a thin, conductive material having a surface tension when melted, great enough to pull the conductive material out of the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Sergio A. Elias-Palacios, Blendi Sullaj, James Poirier, Thomas Schaffer
  • Real time clock
    Patent number: 7586377
    Abstract: A real time clock assembly includes paired crystal oscillators that experience changes in frequency responsive to temperature. The differences in frequency changes between the paired crystal oscillators are utilized to determine a temperature utilized to compensate for those shifts in frequency. The predictability of frequency responsive to temperature variations by the paired crystal oscillators is utilized for the determination of temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Chapin, John R. Costello, Tejas Desai, Brian Farrell, Douglas J. King, Thomas Schaffer
  • Real time clock
    Publication number: 20070035353
    Abstract: A real time clock assembly includes paired crystal oscillators that experience changes in frequency responsive to temperature. The differences in frequency changes between the paired crystal oscillators are utilized to determine a temperature utilized to compensate for those shifts in frequency. The predictability of frequency responsive to temperature variations by the paired crystal oscillators is utilized for the determination of temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip Chapin, John Costello, Tejas Desai, Brian Farrell, Douglas King, Thomas Schaffer
  • Minimum battery voltage detection and measurement
    Publication number: 20070029968
    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: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: John Costello, Scott Lucy, Thomas Schaffer