Patents by Inventor Tom C. Penick

Tom C. Penick 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: 20160366734
    Abstract: A switch mode power supply controller provides power to a pair of light sources. The controller includes a low voltage programmable current source and adjusting elements for independently adjusting the current to the LED light sources. The controller also includes a first communication port for receiving a communication from an external device, such as a dimmer, or from another power supply controller; and a second communication port for sending a communication to a third power supply controller. These ports provide an upstream and downstream communication capability through a chain of controllers so that input from a device can be communicated upstream and downstream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: RINGDALE, INC.
    Inventors: KLAUS BOLLMANN, TOM C. PENICK
  • Patent number: 9313842
    Abstract: A switch mode power supply controller provides power to a pair of light sources. The controller includes a low voltage programmable current source and adjusting elements for independently adjusting the current to the LED light sources. The controller also includes a first communication port for receiving a communication from an external device, such as a dimmer, or from another power supply controller; and a second communication port for sending a communication to a third power supply controller. These ports provide an upstream and downstream communication capability through a chain of controllers so that input from a device can be communicated upstream and downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Ringdale, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Bollmann, Tom C. Penick
  • Publication number: 20150108905
    Abstract: A switch mode power supply controller provides power to a pair of light sources. The controller includes a low voltage programmable current source and adjusting elements for independently adjusting the current to the LED light sources. The controller also includes a first communication port for receiving a communication from an external device, such as a dimmer, or from another power supply controller; and a second communication port for sending a communication to a third power supply controller. These ports provide an upstream and downstream communication capability through a chain of controllers so that input from a device can be communicated upstream and downstream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: KLAUS BOLLMANN, TOM C. PENICK
  • Patent number: 8922058
    Abstract: A switch mode power supply controller provides power to a pair of light sources. The controller includes a low voltage programmable current source and adjusting elements for independently adjusting the current to the LED light sources. The controller also includes a first communication port for receiving a communication from an external device, such as a dimmer, or from another power supply controller; and a second communication port for sending a communication to a third power supply controller. These ports provide an upstream and downstream communication capability through a chain of controllers so that input from a device can be communicated upstream and downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ringdale, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Bollmann, Tom C. Penick
  • Patent number: 8410705
    Abstract: A bypass circuit is provided for each LED in a series to permit continued operation with reduced lighting in the event of an LED failure. The bypass circuit is provided in parallel to the LED and comprises a Zener Diode provided in parallel to a thyristor. Upon LED failure, the voltage across the Zener Diode is increased thereby triggering the thyristor which is maintained in a triggered mode as long as current flows through the series circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ringdale, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Bollmann, Tom C. Penick
  • Patent number: 8322891
    Abstract: An LED assembly comprising an LED light source positioned between a heat sink and a heat conductive glass element, and at least one hold-down element, such that the hold-down element provides a compressive force to hold the heat conductive glass element against the LED light source, thereby pressing the LED light source against the heat sink. In one example, a ? inch glass element with a surface area of five times the LED diffuser surface area is held over the LED light source by one or more sections of spring wire inserted through holes in the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ringdale, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Bollmann, Tom C. Penick
  • Publication number: 20100148586
    Abstract: A switch mode power supply controller provides power to a pair of light sources. The controller includes a low voltage programmable current source and adjusting elements for independently adjusting the current to the LED light sources. The controller also includes a first communication port for receiving a communication from an external device, such as a dimmer, or from another power supply controller; and a second communication port for sending a communication to a third power supply controller. These ports provide an upstream and downstream communication capability through a chain of controllers so that input from a device can be communicated upstream and downstream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Klaus Bollmann, Tom C. Penick
  • Publication number: 20100123399
    Abstract: A bypass circuit is provided for each LED in a series to permit continued operation with reduced lighting in the event of an LED failure. The bypass circuit is provided in parallel to the LED and comprises a Zener Diode provided in parallel to a thyristor. Upon LED failure, the voltage across the Zener Diode is increased thereby triggering the thyristor which is maintained in a triggered mode as long as current flows through the series circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventors: Klaus Bollmann, Tom C. Penick
  • Publication number: 20100124057
    Abstract: An LED assembly comprising an LED light source positioned between a heat sink and a heat conductive glass element, and at least one hold-down element, such that the hold-down element provides a compressive force to hold the heat conductive glass element against the LED light source, thereby pressing the LED light source against the heat sink. In one example, a ? inch glass element with a surface area of five times the LED diffuser surface area is held over the LED light source by one or more sections of spring wire inserted through holes in the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventors: Klaus Bollmann, Tom C. Penick