Stephen M Post

US Patent:

6791283, Sep 14, 2004

Filed:

Sep 6, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/309408

Inventors:

Scott A. Bowman - Fairfax CA
Stephen F. Post - Walnut Creek CA

Assignee:

Opalec - Walnut Creek CA

International Classification:

G05F 100

US Classification:

315291, 315307, 315312, 361 84, 361 86, 361 87, 362 10

Abstract:

An LED illumination module for a flashlight has a housing, electronic control circuitry, and one or more LEDs connected in series and to the circuitry. The module is characterized in that the module is shaped to modularly replace an incandescent-bulb in an existing flashlight. In one aspect the control circuitry operates in a dual mode to extend life of the unit, and to warn when battery replacement is warranted.

US Patent:

20050007770, Jan 13, 2005

Filed:

Aug 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/914803

Inventors:

Scott Bowman - Fairfax CA, US
Stephen Post - Walnut Creek CA, US

International Classification:

H02J007/00

US Classification:

362157000

Abstract:

An LED illumination module for a flashlight has a housing, electronic control circuitry, and one or more LEDs connected in series and to the circuitry. The module is characterized in that the module is shaped to modularly replace an incandescent-bulb in an existing flashlight. In one aspect the control circuitry operates in a dual mode to extend life of the unit, and to warn when battery replacement is warranted.

US Patent:

43896022, Jun 21, 1983

Filed:

Feb 20, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/236231

Inventors:

Stephen F. Post - Pleasant Hill CA

Assignee:

William M. Brobeck & Associates - Berkeley CA

International Classification:

H02P 728

US Classification:

318341

Abstract:

An electronic controller for DC motors is provided which is particularly adapted for use on electric vehicles. The controller is of the pulse-width type wherein a chopper is employed to divide the current into a series of pulses and the output of the controller is regulated by the width of the pulses. A number of protective devices are built into the circuit, including an active current limiter, a main current limiter and a back-up limiter whereby it is virtually impossible to damage the individual components.

US Patent:

52610250, Nov 9, 1993

Filed:

Jan 19, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/299049

Inventors:

Stephen F. Post - Pleasant Hill CA
David Mele - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Curtis Instruments, Inc. - Mt. Kisco NY

International Classification:

H02P 500

US Classification:

358811

Abstract:

In a preferred embodiment, a high-frequency, pulse-width-modulated, power-transistor, DC motor speed controller having current limiting in both drive and regenerative modes, essentially constant ramping rates regardless of whether or not the operator switches to neutral before changing direction, a simple sequencer which controls the timing of four functions--both drive and regenerative current measuring circuits and both drive and regenerative transistors, a highly effective transistor filter capacitor arrangement, and circuitry in which the level of regenerative current is used as an input to control the current under which the direction relays switch.

US Patent:

46267506, Dec 2, 1986

Filed:

Sep 10, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/774265

Inventors:

Stephen F. Post - Pleasant Hill CA

Assignee:

Curtis Instruments, Inc. - Mt. Kisco NY

International Classification:

H02P 517

US Classification:

318139

Abstract:

The system includes a plurality of parallel-connected power field effect transistors arranged for connection in series with the traction motor with a common control circuit connected to the gate electrodes of the field effect transistors to control the on-off cycle of conduction through the field effect transistors. A plurality of parallel connected power diodes are arranged for reverse connection in parallel with the traction motor to serve as freewheeling diodes. The diodes are physically positioned apart from one another and distributed in position among the field effect transistors and each diode is positioned in a similar manner with a group of associated field effect transistors for ease of transfer of current flow between the diode and the associated field effect transistors.

US Patent:

53748816, Dec 20, 1994

Filed:

Nov 24, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/981164

Inventors:

Stephen F. Post - Walnut Creek CA
Warren J. Vinzant - Castro Valley CA
Scott A. Bowman - Fairfax CA
George L. Ackerson - Alamo CA

Assignee:

Curtis Instruments, Inc. - Mount Kisco NY

International Classification:

H02P 310

US Classification:

318373

Abstract:

A motor controller comprises a plug detect circuit which detects "continuous" plug diode conduction during plug braking. The plug detect circuit detects "continuous" plug braking by detecting when a plug diode is or is not conducting current throughout substantially the entire time that a power MOSFET controlling the plug braking is conductive in one pulse width modulated MOSFET switching cycle. Continuous plug detection facilitates the motor controller's controlling a vehicle so that the vehicle has a more constant and smooth plug braking deceleration and subsequent powered acceleration in the opposite direction. According to another aspect of the invention, a motor controller comprises a POT HI and a POT LO driver circuit. The POT HI and POT LO driver circuits allow the detection of faults in throttle devices and the connections of the throttle devices to the POT HI and POT LO driver circuits. One of the POT HI and POT LO driver circuits has a greater current limit than does the other driver circuit so that numerous faults including open circuit breaks in the connection of a throttle device as well as shorts across or through the throttle device are detectable by the motor controller.

US Patent:

62082450, Mar 27, 2001

Filed:

Aug 2, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/365196

Inventors:

Stephen F. Post - Walnut Creek CA
Steven J. Lacker - Blauvelt NY

Assignee:

Curtis Instruments, Inc. - Mt. Kisco NY

International Classification:

B60Q1/00

US Classification:

3404574

Abstract:

In a preferred embodiment, an engine oil change indicator system, including: a combination engine oil pressure sensor and engine oil temperature sensor connected to a port on the engine to which port is normally connected an oil pressure switch; and a microprocessor connected to receive inputs from the combination engine oil pressure sensor and engine oil temperature sensor and to cause a low engine oil pressure warning light to be illuminated when the microprocessor has calculated from the inputs that the engine oil should be changed.