Patents Assigned to Appliance Control Technology, Inc.
  • Temperature probe conditioner circuit
    Patent number: 5345064
    Abstract: A temperature probe conditioner, while developing a voltage output proportional to probe temperature, generates a verify and a calibration output. A verify output to check the correctness of the conditioner's output voltage and a calibration output to confirm the range of the conditioner as well as to calibrate the port of an external circuit. These signals are connected to a microprocessor or similar device which makes decisions on whether to turn cooking elements "on" or "off" or to stop due to detected errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Appliance Control Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Hesse
  • Dual lamp electronic ballast with independent control means
    Patent number: 5294868
    Abstract: An electronic ballast circuit for two fluorescent lamps connected in parallel. A single switching inverter connected through a common coupling circuit provides high frequency alternating current for operation of both lamps independently of each other insuring operation of one lamp should the other cease operation. A dual toroidal transformer in the inverter insures both lamps receive current of the same frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Appliance Control Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Jones, John R. Nelson
  • Electronic ballast high power factor for gaseous discharge lamps
    Patent number: 5258692
    Abstract: An electronic ballast for correcting the power factor within a fluorescent lamp system. Use of an inductor in one of the AC power source leads and selected values of capacitance in a voltage divider and starting circuit combine to provide a power factor greater than 94%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Appliance Control Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Jones
  • Solid state electronic ballast system for fluorescent lamps
    Patent number: 5218272
    Abstract: A high power factor ballast circuit for use with fluorescent lamps consisting of a power factor correcting inductor periodically saturated to store pulses of direct current energy and periodically discharge same at a regular periodic rate to power the fluorescent lamp. A bistable flip-flop circuit and an associated solid state switching device combine to periodically control the saturation and discharge of the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Appliance Control Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Jones
  • Electronic lamp ballast dimming control means employing pulse width control
    Patent number: 5212427
    Abstract: An electronic ballast for use with fluorescent lamps including a dimming means consisting of a permanent magnet supported over and in proximity to a dual toroid coil assembly utilized as part of an included inverter circuit included in the ballast. The permanent magnet is movable to control the amount of saturation of the transformers thus determining the width of pulses generated by the transistors included in the inverter circuit and thereby controlling the intensity of light emitted from the fluorescent lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Appliance Control Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Jones
  • Low power on-off control of electronic ballast
    Patent number: 5210470
    Abstract: An electronic ballast for use with fluorescent lamps including an inverter circuit for converting a direct current power source to a high voltage alternating current and starting means to inhibit operation of one of the inverter transistors until such time as fluorescent lamp is turned on. The circuitry taught eliminates substantial drain usually found at start up of inverter circuits due to the large capacitors usually found in such circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Appliance Control Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Jones
  • Electronic lamp ballast dimming control means
    Patent number: 5165053
    Abstract: An electronic ballast including a dimming circuit for use with fluorescent lamps. An electromagnet located adjacent to a dual toroid coil transformer employed as part of a inverter circuit is used to control the saturation of the toroid coil to the control the on and off times of transistors included in the inverter circuitry, to limit saturation thereby controlling the intensity of the light emitted from the fluorescent lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Appliance Control Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Jones
  • Multi-position rotary switch with position sensor
    Patent number: 5150095
    Abstract: A rotary switch for controlling electrical circuitry in ranges, ovens, etc., to be manually adjusted for control of function cycles. Included with the manually operated function selector are means for determining the position of the function selector providing at the same time via a low voltage DC communication link, with a solid state microprocessor or similar unit as used for control of ranges, ovens, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Appliance Control Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Jones
  • Auxiliary electronic temperature control system for oven
    Patent number: 4983811
    Abstract: An auxiliary control system for an oven or similar device that is separate from the primary control circuitry and operates independently when the condition occurs that could be hazardous or unsafe. The control acts to prevent the temperature of a known point to rise above a predetermined set point, or points, and the primary circuitry failed to take corrective action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Appliance Control Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick L. Oppor, Timothy L. Braun