Patents by Inventor Kenneth W. Rittmann

Kenneth W. Rittmann 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).

  • Patent number: 8125239
    Abstract: A self-calibrating current sensor for sensing the state of the current passing through a load line enclosed within a housing comprises a sensor disposed adjacent the load line for sensing a current passing through the load line, the sensor having an output at which a signal indicative of the level of current passing through the load line is present, the sensor being positioned with the housing, a binary input circuit configured to generate at least one binary signal, the binary input circuit being configured to change the level of the at least one binary signal without the need of opening the housing, and a controller circuit having a first input coupled to the output of the sensor for receiving the signal indicative of the level passing through the supply line and having a second input coupled to the binary input circuit for receiving the at least one binary signal, the controller being configured to provide a signal indicative of the status of the current in the load line on an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Functional Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Rittmann
  • Publication number: 20090284250
    Abstract: A self-calibrating current sensor for sensing the state of the current passing through a load line enclosed within a housing comprises a sensor disposed adjacent the load line for sensing a current passing through the load line, the sensor having an output at which a signal indicative of the level of current passing through the load line is present, the sensor being positioned with the housing, a binary input circuit configured to generate at least one binary signal, the binary input circuit being configured to change the level of the at least one binary signal without the need of opening the housing, and a controller circuit having a first input coupled to the output of the sensor for receiving the signal indicative of the level passing through the supply line and having a second input coupled to the binary input circuit for receiving the at least one binary signal, the controller being configured to provide a signal indicative of the status of the current in the load line on an output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: Functional Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Rittmann
  • Patent number: 6433275
    Abstract: The invention is a watertight plastic housing for an electrical device, having a base 2, a lid 12 of a size and shape to be friction-induced welded 13 to base 2. The housing has a fixed male-threaded nipple 1, which is hollow (opening 5), permitting wires 10 to pass through a housing wall. When the housing base is friction-induced welded to the lid, a prior art washer is externally seated on the nipple, the nipple is inserted into a hole 15 of a prior art junction box 16, and the nipple is secured to the junction box with a prior art nut, the housing and housing-to-junction box substantially provides a watertight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Rittmann, Albert D. Rittmann
  • Publication number: 20020100599
    Abstract: The invention is a watertight plastic housing for an electrical device, having a base 2, a lid 12 of a size and shape to be friction-induced welded 13 to base 2. The housing has a fixed male-threaded nipple 1, which is hollow (opening 5), permitting wires 10 to pass through a housing wall. When the housing base is friction-induced welded to the lid, a prior art washer is externally seated on the nipple, the nipple is inserted into a hole 15 of a prior art junction box 16, and the nipple is secured to the junction box with a prior art nut, the housing and housing-to-junction box substantially provides a watertight seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Rittmann, Albert D. Rittmann
  • Patent number: D489278
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Functional Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Rittmann