Patents by Inventor James Hentges

James Hentges 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: 20230021550
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an adjustable output voltage provided to a heater includes a controller configured to determine an input parameter based on an electrical characteristic of the heater, where the heater includes a resistive heating element that is operable to emit heat and as a sensor. The controller is further configured to determine an output voltage for the heater based on the input parameter and a desired setpoint, and to transmit a signal to a power converter to generate the output voltage. The desired setpoint is based on an operational state of the heater, and the input parameter includes data indicative of a temperature of the resistive heating element that is determined based on the electrical characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Stanton H. BREITLOW, John F. LEMKE, James HENTGES, Keith Douglas NESS, Eric ELLIS, William BOHLINGER, Matthew YENDER, Dean R. MCCLUSKEY
  • Patent number: 11558933
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a control system for controlling a heater system. The control system includes a plurality of zone control circuits, at least two auxiliary controllers, and a primary controller. The zone control circuits are operable to provide power to a plurality of heater zones of the heater system and to sense performance characteristics of the zones. The auxiliary controllers are coupled to the plurality of zone control circuits to control power to the plurality of zones and to monitor operation of the heater zones based on the performance characteristics. The primary controller is coupled to the auxiliary controllers and is configured to provide an operation set-point for each of the heater zones based on the performance characteristics. The auxiliary controllers operate the zone control circuits to supply power to the heater system based on the operation set-point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John Lemke, Martin Currie, William Bohlinger, Stanton H. Breitlow, Adam Kidney, Kurt Peterson, James Hentges
  • Publication number: 20210273570
    Abstract: A power converter system includes an input rectifier configured to rectify a line power having a line energy and a full-bridge isolating converter comprising a transformer, where the full-bridge isolating converter is configured to generate an isolated output voltage based on the rectified line power, and where the isolated output voltage is electrically isolated from the line energy. The power converter system includes a power controller configured to operate the full-bridge isolating converter to generate the isolated output voltage, determine whether the transformer is operating in a flux walk state based on an electric current of the transformer, and perform a corrective action in response to the transformer operating in the flux walk state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Keith NESS, Geoffrey ROZEK, Stanton H. BREITLOW, James HENTGES, John LEMKE, William BOHLINGER, Matthew YENDER
  • Patent number: 11038431
    Abstract: A power converter system provides adjustable power to a heater and includes an input rectifier and a full-bridge isolating converter. The input rectifier is configured to rectify a line power having a line energy. The full-bridge isolating converter configured to generate an isolated output voltage based on the rectified line power. The isolated output voltage is electrically isolated from the line energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Keith Ness, Geoffrey Rozek, Stanton H. Breitlow, James Hentges, John Lemke, William Bohlinger, Matthew Yender
  • Publication number: 20210116481
    Abstract: A method includes selecting a state model control, as an operational state of the heater, from among a plurality of state model controls, measuring an electrical characteristic of the heater, where the electrical characteristic includes at least one of an electric current and a voltage, and controlling power to the heater based on the selected operational state and based on the measured electrical characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Stanton Hopkins BREITLOW, James HENTGES, William BOHLINGER, Matthew YENDER, Keith NESS, Kurt PETERSON, Eric MEECH, Brittany PHILLIPS, Larry WALTERS, Geoffrey ROZEK
  • Patent number: 10908195
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a heater includes a power converter, a sensor circuit, and a controller. The power converter supplies an adjustable power to the heater, and the sensor circuit is configured to measure an electrical characteristic of the heater. The controller is coupled to the power converter to control the power to the heater, and is configured to select a state model control, as an operation state of the heater, from among a plurality of defined state model controls. The controller controls the power supplied to the heater based on the operation state of the heater and on the electrical characteristics of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Stanton Hopkins Breitlow, James Hentges, William Bohlinger, Matthew Yender, Keith Ness, Kurt Peterson, Eric Meech, Brittany Phillips, Larry Walters, Geoffrey Rozek
  • Patent number: 10908196
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a control system for controlling a heater that includes at least one heating element. The control system includes a power converter operable to supply an adjustable voltage output to the heater, a sensor circuit that measures an electrical characteristic of the heating element of the heater, a reference temperature sensor that measures a reference temperature of a reference at the heater, and a controller. The controller is configured to calculate a primary temperature of a heater element based on the electrical characteristic and determines the voltage output to be applied to the heater based on at least one of the reference temperature and the primary temperature. The controller is configured to operate in at least one of an operation mode and a learn mode, and execute protection protocols when voltage is being supplied to the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Stanton Hopkins Breitlow, James Hentges, William Bohlinger, Matthew Yender, Keith Ness, Kurt Peterson, Eric Meech, Brittany Phillips, Larry Walters, Geoffrey Rozek
  • Publication number: 20200266715
    Abstract: A power converter system provides adjustable power to a heater and includes an input rectifier and a full-bridge isolating converter. The input rectifier is configured to rectify a line power having a line energy. The full-bridge isolating converter configured to generate an isolated output voltage based on the rectified line power. The isolated output voltage is electrically isolated from the line energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Keith NESS, Geoffrey ROZEK, Stanton H. BREITLOW, James HENTGES, John LEMKE, William BOHLINGER, Matthew YENDER
  • Publication number: 20200264216
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally describes a method and system for converting power to operate a load being supplied by line power having a line energy. The method includes rectifying the line power, bucking the rectified line power to generate a desired voltage output such that current is drawn from the line power in phase with the desired voltage output, and bypassing switching energy created during the bucking of the rectified line power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Stanton H. BREITLOW, John LEMKE, James HENTGES, Keith Ness, Eric ELLIS, William BOHLINGER, Matthew YENDER, Dean R. MCCLUSKEY
  • Publication number: 20200256899
    Abstract: A control system includes a power converter being a step-down voltage converter and including a power switch. The power converter is operable to generate an adjustable output voltage and includes a sensor circuit configured to measure at least one of a voltage and an electric current of the heater. The control system includes a controller connected to the power converter and the sensor circuit. The controller is configured to determine an input parameter based on the at least one of the voltage and the electric current. The input parameter is indicative of a temperature of the heater. The controller is configured to set the output voltage applied for the heater based on the input parameter and a desired setpoint. The desired setpoint is based on an operational state of the heater. The controller is configured to operate the power switch of the power converter to generate the output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Stanton H. BREITLOW, John F. LEMKE, James HENTGES, Keith Douglas NESS, Eric ELLIS, William BOHLINGER, Matthew YENDER, Dean R. MCCLUSKEY
  • Patent number: 10712757
    Abstract: A process controller is provided and includes at least one optical sensor. The optical sensor includes an optical source is configured to emit an electronic signal toward an object. The process controller further includes a control unit in communication with the at least one optical sensor, wherein the control unit controls a controlled device based on the electronic signal received by the at least one optical sensor. In another form, the optical sensor further includes an optical detector configured to receive the return electronic signal reflected by the object. A system for process control in an elevated radio frequency (RF) environment is also provided and includes a process controller having at least one optical sensor and a control unit in communication with the optical sensor. The optical sensor is disposed within the elevated RF environment and includes an optical detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: William Bohlinger, John P. Bergen, Stanton Hopkins-Breitlow, James Hentges, Jason Houzenga, Gil Ramos, Kurt Peterson, Larry Walters, Daryl G. James
  • Patent number: 10690705
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally describes a system that includes a heater, a power converter including a power switch, and a controller. The power converter is in communication with the heater and is operable to apply an adjustable voltage to the heater. The controller is in communication with the power switch to control the voltage output of the power converter based on at least one of a load current and a detected voltage at the heater. The controller operates the power switch to adjust the voltage output of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Stanton H. Breitlow, John Lemke, James Hentges, Keith Ness, Eric Ellis, William Bohlinger, Matthew Yender, Dean R. McCluskey
  • Publication number: 20190281664
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a control system for controlling a heater system. The control system includes a plurality of zone control circuits, at least two auxiliary controllers, and a primary controller. The zone control circuits are operable to provide power to a plurality of heater zones of the heater system and to sense performance characteristics of the zones. The auxiliary controllers are coupled to the plurality of zone control circuits to control power to the plurality of zones and to monitor operation of the heater zones based on the performance characteristics. The primary controller is coupled to the auxiliary controllers and is configured to provide an operation set-point for each of the heater zones based on the performance characteristics. The auxiliary controllers operate the zone control circuits to supply power to the heater system based on the operation set-point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: John Lemke, Martin Currie, William Bohlinger, Stanton H. Breitlow, Adam Kidney, Kurt Peterson, James Hentges
  • Publication number: 20190257861
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a control system for controlling a heater that includes at least one heating element. The control system includes a power converter operable to supply an adjustable voltage output to the heater, a sensor circuit that measures an electrical characteristic of the heating element of the heater, a reference temperature sensor that measures a reference temperature of a reference at the heater, and a controller. The controller is configured to calculate a primary temperature of a heater element based on the electrical characteristic and determines the voltage output to be applied to the heater based on at least one of the reference temperature and the primary temperature. The controller is configured to operate in at least one of an operation mode and a learn mode, and execute protection protocols when voltage is being supplied to the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Stanton Hopkins BREITLOW, James HENTGES, William BOHLINGER, Matthew YENDER, Keith NESS, Kurt PETERSON, Eric MEECH, Brittany PHILLIPS, Larry WALTERS, Geoffrey ROZEK
  • Publication number: 20180348265
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a heater includes a power converter, a sensor circuit, and a controller. The power converter supplies an adjustable power to the heater, and the sensor circuit is configured to measure an electrical characteristic of the heater. The controller is coupled to the power converter to control the power to the heater, and is configured to select a state model control, as an operation state of the heater, from among a plurality of defined state model controls. The controller controls the power supplied to the heater based on the operation state of the heater and on the electrical characteristics of the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Stanton HOPKINS-BREITLOW, James HENTGES, William BOHLINGER, Matthew YENDER, Keith NESS, Kurt PETERSON, Eric MEECH, Brittany PHILLIPS, Larry WALTERS, Geoffrey ROZEK
  • Publication number: 20170363663
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally describes a system that includes a heater, a power converter including a power switch, and a controller. The power converter is in communication with the heater and is operable to apply an adjustable voltage to the heater. The controller is in communication with the power switch to control the voltage output of the power converter based on at least one of a load current and a detected voltage at the heater. The controller operates the power switch to adjust the voltage output of the power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Stanton H. Breitlow, John Lemke, James Hentges, Keith Ness, Eric Ellis, William Bollinger, Mathew Yender, Dean R. McCluskey
  • Publication number: 20170192443
    Abstract: A process controller is provided and includes at least one optical sensor. The optical sensor includes an optical source is configured to emit an electronic signal toward an object. The process controller further includes a control unit in communication with the at least one optical sensor, wherein the control unit controls a controlled device based on the electronic signal received by the at least one optical sensor. In another form, the optical sensor further includes an optical detector configured to receive the return electronic signal reflected by the object. A system for process control in an elevated radio frequency (RF) environment is also provided and includes a process controller having at least one optical sensor and a control unit in communication with the optical sensor. The optical sensor is disposed within the elevated RF environment and includes an optical detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: William Bohlinger, John P. Bergen, Stanton Hopkins-Breitlow, James Hentges, Jason Houzenga, Gil Ramos, Kurt Peterson, Larry Walters, Daryl G. James
  • Patent number: 9625923
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a process controller and more specifically to a process controller with integrated optical sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: William Bohlinger, John Bergen, Stanton Hopkins-Breitlow, James Hentges, Jason Houzenga, Gil Ramos, Kurt Peterson, Larry Walters, Daryl James
  • Publication number: 20140341563
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a process controller and more specifically to a process controller with integrated optical sensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: William Bohlinger, John Bergen, Stanton Hopkins-Breitiow, James Hentges, Jason Houzenga, Gil Ramos, Kurt Peterson, Larry Walters, Daryl James
  • Publication number: 20070235440
    Abstract: A multiple heater control system includes cables, connectors, and junction boxes for user-friendly daisy chain connections of heater controllers and heaters in various configurations or combinations of individually controlled heater series and/or master and slave heater series. The heater controllers include process control of AC power to the heaters and upper-limit safety shutoff that is substantially independent from the process control. The heater controllers also have variable levels of control, adjustment, display, and communications functionality in a base module that is expandable to various levels with expansion modules that are attachable to and detachable from the base module. Connector, cable, and junction configurations, adapters, and latch features enhance user friendliness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Youfan Gu, Jeffrey Kiernan, Charles Lawhead, William Bohlinger, Eric Ellis, Curtis Foster, James Hentges, Mark Hoven, James Kreisel, Shawn Leininger, Robert Moran, Kurt Peterson, Jason Powell, Dale Wolfe