William C Knoll

US Patent:

7170321, Jan 30, 2007

Filed:

Aug 26, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/212259

Inventors:

Ross W. Bird - Canton PA, US
William C. Knoll - Turbotville PA, US
John M. Staron - Montoursville PA, US

Assignee:

QorTek, Inc. - Williamsport PA

International Classification:

H03B 1/00

US Classification:

327108, 327379

Abstract:

A gate drive circuit capable of providing both positive and negative drive from a DC power supply is presented. The circuit includes an isolator stage, a driver stage, an optional tuning stage, an offset stage, a shaping stage, and a switching stage, each electrically coupled in the order described. The isolator stage provides electrical isolation from signal level circuitry. The driver stage boosts the power within the signal from the isolator stage. The tuning stage slows rising and falling edges along the signal from driver. The offset stage shifts the unipolar gate drive signal from the tuning stage into the negative voltage range. The shaping stage modifies the signal from the offset stage so as to ensure squared transitions. The switching stage enables voltage control. The described circuit is applicable to electronics utilizing a variety of voltage controlled switching devices.

US Patent:

7202649, Apr 10, 2007

Filed:

Aug 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/201567

Inventors:

Ross W. Bird - Canton PA, US
William C. Knoll - Turbotville PA, US
John M. Staron - Montoursville PA, US

Assignee:

QorTek, Inc. - Williamsport PA

International Classification:

G05F 1/56

US Classification:

323282, 323290, 363 16, 363 98

Abstract:

A high-frequency switch circuit is presented. The invention includes a pair of switches, a pair of inductors, and a pair of diodes. Inductors are electrically connected in series between the switches which are thereafter electrically coupled to a power source. Switches are electrically connected to gate drivers so as to control and coordinate the cycling of switches between ON and OFF states. Inductors are also electrically connected to an output thereby communicating a voltage waveform thereto. In some embodiments, it may be desired to electrically connect the inductors to an output circuit to further modify the waveform. Diodes are likewise electrically connected about the switches and inductors. The present invention is applicable to a variety of circuits having a totem pole arrangement of switches sequentially cycled ON and OFF, examples including but not limited to half-bridge, full-bridge, and hybrid configurations.

US Patent:

48028592, Feb 7, 1989

Filed:

Apr 1, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/176502

Inventors:

Thomas E. Gouldy - South Williamsport PA
William C. Knoll - Turbotville PA
Ernest R. Ritter - late of Lewisburg PA
Thomas M. Lynch - Williamsport PA
Ronald E. Steffey - Cochranton PA
Donald R. White - Warwich RI
Robert E. Brown - Stratham NH

Assignee:

GTE Products Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

H01R 909

US Classification:

439 74

Abstract:

An electrical connecting device for use with a multiple layered circuit-containing device wherein at least two layers of the multiple layered circuit-containing device each contain a circuit including a plurality of circuit contacts to be electrically connected by the electrical connecting device. The electrical connecting device includes an upper longitudinal peripheral surface joined to a lower longitudinal peripheral surface by an intermediate longitudinal surface to form an elongated member which has a Z-shaped configuration in cross section and is formed from a plurality of Z-shaped connectors shaped from each other in a predetermined amount to effect a moire pattern when superimposed relative to the circuit contacts of at least one of the layers.

US Patent:

45256497, Jun 25, 1985

Filed:

Jul 23, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/633667

Inventors:

William C. Knoll - Turbotville PA
David L. Bay - Beverly MA

Assignee:

GTE Products Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

H05B 3900

US Classification:

315 96

Abstract:

The above and other objects, advantages and capabilities are achieved in one aspect of this invention by a drive scheme for a plurality, that is, for N, where N-2, flourescent lamps. The drive circuit comprises (N+1) pairs of output terminals, each comprising associated first and second individual terminals. An output transformer is coupled at one end to the (0,1). sup. 1 terminal and at another end to the (0,1). sup. N+1 terminal. N impedance elements, typically capacitors, are coupled across associated pairs of lamp filaments in a fashion whereby each impedance element is coupled at one end to the second terminal of one pair and at another end to the second terminal of the succeeding pair. To wit: The first impedance element is coupled between the second terminal of the first pair, and the N. sup. th element is coupled between the second terminal of the N. sup.

US Patent:

41093070, Aug 22, 1978

Filed:

May 4, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/793875

Inventors:

William C. Knoll - Turbotville PA

Assignee:

GTE Sylvania Incorporated - Stamford CT

International Classification:

H02M 700

US Classification:

363101

Abstract:

A high power factor conversion circuit suitable as a ballast circuit for lamps includes a full-wave rectifier coupled to an AC potential source and providing a pulsating DC potential. A high frequency inverter is coupled to a load circuit and to a feedback rectifier circuit supplying a rectified high frequency potential to an energy storage feedback circuit which provides energy in a manner to inhibit a decline in the pulsating DC potential thereby providing a substantially uniform DC potential to the high frequency inverter.

US Patent:

41277953, Nov 28, 1978

Filed:

Aug 19, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/826051

Inventors:

William C. Knoll - Turbotville PA

Assignee:

GTE Sylvania Incorporated - Stamford CT

International Classification:

H05B 4136
H02M 5458

US Classification:

315210

Abstract:

A highly efficient tuned oscillator ballast circuit especially suitable for a fluorescent lamp load includes an oscillator circuit coupled to a pulsed DC potential source and having a tuned output circuit coupled to a load circuit, to a drive circuit for the oscillator which is dependent upon current flow in the load circuit and to a rectifier and charge storage and isolation and applying network coupled to the pulsed DC potential source and providing energy thereto whenever the potential decreases below a given reference level. A transient compensating circuit to protect the oscillator components from initial or "start up" transients is also included.

US Patent:

41581563, Jun 12, 1979

Filed:

Jan 30, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/873401

Inventors:

William C. Knoll - Turbotville PA

Assignee:

GTE Sylvania Incorporated - Stamford CT

International Classification:

H05B 4116
H05B 4124

US Classification:

315278

Abstract:

Electronic ballast apparatus includes a transformer having an "E"-shaped core member with a primary winding wrapped on a center leg member and coupled to a potential source and first and second secondary windings each wrapped on a first and second outer leg member of the core member and coupled to gaseous discharge lamps such that flux developed in the primary winding is differentially divided between the first and second secondary windings in inverse relation to energization of the gaseous discharge lamps.

US Patent:

43530095, Oct 5, 1982

Filed:

Dec 19, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/218311

Inventors:

William C. Knoll - Turbotville PA

Assignee:

GTE Products Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

H05B 4129

US Classification:

315220

Abstract:

A dimmer circuit for an inverter-driven electronic ballast system. The ballast includes an output transformer having a primary winding coupled to the inverter output and a secondary winding adapted to be coupled to a lamp filament winding for supplying power to the filament. An interstage transformer has a primary winding adapted to be coupled to a lamp filament and a secondary winding coupled to an inverter input for applying a feedback signal derived from the filament current at that input. The dimmer circuit is in the form of a feedback loop that includes a winding on the primary of the output transformer, a winding on the primary of the interstage transformer, and a variable impedance coupling those windings. Varying the impedance necessarily varies the total feedback loop impedance and therefore the amount of feedback applied at the inverter output and, inversely, the power supplied to the lamp filament.