Benjamin Tag Davis

US Patent:

58820345, Mar 16, 1999

Filed:

May 2, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/641868

Inventors:

Benjamin Rodney Davis - Chandler AZ
Kim Roger Gauen - Noblesville IN

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

B60R 2132

US Classification:

280735

Abstract:

An automobile airbag system for protecting human occupants of an automobile during an accident is provided. An airbag assembly comprises an airbag inflator assembly (45), an airbag (40), and a remote module (41). The remote module (41) includes a capacitor (42) and an integrated circuit (43) for coupling current through a squib (44) to ignite pyrotechnic material (46). The remote module (41) is formed as a plug which connects to the airbag (45) to simplify manufacture. Capacitor (42) provides energy to the squib (44) and switches for forming a conductive path that couples the current through the squib (44). The wiring between the integrated circuit (43) and the squib (44) is less than 3. 0 centimeters to reduce electromagnetic radiation pick up.

US Patent:

63057085, Oct 23, 2001

Filed:

Jun 29, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/106160

Inventors:

Benjamin R. Davis - Chandler AZ
Ronald V. DeLong - Mesa AZ

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

B60R 2132

US Classification:

280735

Abstract:

An air bag deployment system (20) includes a microcontroller (21), an inflator (23), and an inflator sensor (24). The inflator sensor (24) is adjacent to the inflator (23) and monitors the firing of the inflator (23). The inflator sensor (24) monitors the firing of a squib (36) of the inflator (23). The inflator sensor (24) transmits an inflator firing signal to the microcontroller (21) when the squib (36) of the inflator (23) is activated. In the absence of the inflator firing signal, a backup firing signal is generated by the microcontroller (21) and is transmitted to a backup squib (37).

US Patent:

57194351, Feb 17, 1998

Filed:

Mar 3, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/810101

Inventors:

Benjamin R. Davis - Chandler AZ
Ronald V. DeLong - Mesa AZ

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

H01L 23495

US Classification:

257666

Abstract:

A programming system (25, 30) for a programmable semiconductor package (10, 40) has actuators (27, 37) that force contact between leads (13) and a programming contact (21). The contact provides programmable information to a semiconductor die (16) within the package.

US Patent:

61608424, Dec 12, 2000

Filed:

Feb 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/024443

Inventors:

Ronald Verne DeLong - Mesa AZ
Benjamin R. Davis - Chandler AZ

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

H04B 138

US Classification:

375219

Abstract:

A serial communication device (10) and a method for serially communicating. The serial communication device (10) has a first transceiver (11) and a second transceiver (12) that send data to each other. The first transceiver (11) is capable of providing power or the operating potential to the second transceiver (12). The first transceiver (11) sends command data at a variable data rate to the second transceiver (12) using a voltage signal (30). The second transceiver (12) receives the command data and sends response data to the first transceiver (11) using a current signal (40).

US Patent:

58981225, Apr 27, 1999

Filed:

Jul 2, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/674380

Inventors:

Benjamin R. Davis - Chandler AZ
Kim R. Gauen - Noblesville IN

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

F42C 1100

US Classification:

102206

Abstract:

A squib ignitor circuit (20,40) reduces the probability of an accidental airbag deployment to greatly increase the safety of an automobile. A squib (24,28,44) operates at a voltage significantly higher than the squib ignitor circuit (20,40) to produce heat sufficient to ignite pyrotechnic material. Thus, a short condition to the squib (24,28,44) does not produce an inadvertent airbag deployment. The squib ignitor circuit (20,40) forms a conductive path through an inductor (23,43) via a first transistor (21,41) and a second transistor (22,42). The inductor (23,43) stores energy. The inductor (23,43) produces a voltage substantially greater than the voltage powering the squib ignitor circuit (20,40) when the conductive path is broken. The inductor (23,43) releases the stored energy to the squib (24,28,44) generating heat. A sequence (more than one time) of storing energy and releasing energy by the inductor (23,43) is required to generate heat sufficient to ignite pyrotechnic material by the squib (24,28,44).

US Patent:

57604894, Jun 2, 1998

Filed:

Oct 4, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/726023

Inventors:

Benjamin R. Davis - Chandler AZ
John M. Pigott - Phoenix AZ
Kevin S. Anderson - Noblesville IN
Charles R. Powers - Austin TX

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

B60R 2100

US Classification:

307 101

Abstract:

A control module (11) in an airbag system (10) supplies electrical energy to and communicates with remote modules (20A-20N) through a two-wire connection. The supplied electrical energy is partially used to operate the remote modules (20A-20N) and partially stored within the remote modules (20A-20N) for deploying squibs (22A-22N). The control module (11) sends command signals to the remote modules 20A-20N) via voltage excursions between a high and an intermediate voltage levels. The remote modules (20A-20N) send signals to the control module (11) via current excursions. When an accident situation is detected, the voltage across the two-wire connection is lowered to a low voltage level, thereby interrupting a normal operation of the airbag system (10). The control module (11) then sends out firing signals via voltage excursion between the intermediate and low voltage levels. The remote modules (20A-20N) decode the firing signals and deploy the squibs (22A-22N) to inflate airbags.

US Patent:

60882158, Jul 11, 2000

Filed:

Nov 3, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/963492

Inventors:

Brian A. Webb - Chandler AZ
Benjamin R. Davis - Chandler AZ

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

H01G 4228
H01G 430

US Classification:

3613063

Abstract:

A capacitor (30) compatible with wirebonding processes and a method for manufacturing the capacitor (30). The capacitor (30) includes a first plurality of conductive layers and a second plurality of conductive layers spaced apart by a plurality of dielectric layers. The first plurality of conductive layers is electrically connected to a peripheral contact (74) of the capacitor (30). The second plurality of conductive layers is electrically connected to an interior portion of the capacitor (30). The first plurality of conductive layers is interleaved with the second plurality of conductive layers.

US Patent:

60469013, Apr 4, 2000

Filed:

May 4, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/072196

Inventors:

Benjamin R. Davis - Chandler AZ
Brian A. Webb - Chandler AZ

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

H01G 4005
H01G 4228
H05K 118

US Classification:

361303

Abstract:

An electronic assembly (10) includes a chip capacitor (11) having two major surfaces (12, 15) and a pair of electrodes (13, 14). A plurality of electrically conductive traces (20-23, 25-28) are formed on one (12) of the major surfaces. Some of the plurality of electrically conductive traces are electrically coupled to a first electrode (14) and some of the plurality of electrically conductive traces are coupled to a second electrode (14) of the pair of electrodes. Electronic circuit elements (16, 17, 18) are coupled to the plurality of electrically conductive traces (20-23, 25-28), thereby forming the electronic assembly (10).