The Sloan Company, Inc.

Minarik Corporation

John Koteles

Bruce Quaal

Thomas C Sloan

Timothy Drew Ferrie

Matthew Heim

Min Gwak

Joseph Nowosielski

Raymond J Mason

Sam Fisher

Min Kwag

The present invention generally provides a power control unit adapted to provide adjustable levels of a controlled output power signal, such as but not limited to a pulse width modulated signal or a serial binary signal. One embodiment of a power control unit according to the present invention comprises a housing holding internal electronic components. This housing further comprises input and output wiring extending out of the housing and internally connected to the electronic components. The electronic components further comprise circuitry capable of providing at least 2 levels of the controlled output power signal. The present invention also includes lighting systems incorporating a power control unit according to the invention.

Power control unit

A lighting assembly comprising a housing including a front surface and a back surface, a plurality of light emitting elements on a printed circuit board (PCB) within said housing, and a reflector proximate the light emitting elements. The reflector comprises a plurality of reflective cups, wherein each reflective cup is configured to receive a respective light emitting element. The reflector is adapted to reflect light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements in accordance with a desired light distribution pattern.

LED based down light

Apparatus and methods are disclosed that control power supplies to automatically provide the appropriate voltage to drive constant current devices. A lighting system according to the present invention comprises a lighting module having a constant current device that provides a constant current in response to constant current voltage. A power supply is included that generates a power supply voltage coupled to the lighting module. A feedback circuit is included from the lighting module to the power supply causing the power supply voltage to be sufficient to provide a constant current voltage at the LED module. A method according to the present invention for generating a constant current voltage to drive a constant current device, comprises providing a drive voltage to a constant current device. The current at the constant current device is sensed a first time, and the drive voltage is increased. The current to the constant current device is sensed a second time. The drive current is held at its increased level if the current did not increase from the first to the second sensing. The increasing of the drive voltage and sensing of the current is repeated of the current did increase between the first and second sensing.

Self adjusting power supply apparatus and method

A runaway protection mechanism is provided which is truly nondestructive in nature and which is highly advantageous for an electric motor used in, for example, an exercise treadmill for driving its moving treadmill belt. In use, the electric motor is connected to an electric power source, such as an alternating-current wall outlet. The runaway protection mechanism includes a disconnect mechanism for disconnecting the motor from the electric power source and thereby deenergizing the motor. The runaway protection mechanism further includes a safety mechanism for comparing the actual motor speed with a desired motor speed and activating the disconnect mechanism when the actual speed exceeds the desired speed by a predetermined amount. In this manner, an orderly and nondestructive shutdown of the motor is accomplished when a fault condition is recognized.

Non destructive runaway protection for an electric motor

Growing community of inventors

Oxnard, CA, United States of America

John Koteles