Patents by Inventor Keith Ness

Keith Ness 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: 20260147023
    Abstract: A system includes a rectifier configured to rectify a line power having a line energy, a buck converter configured to generate a desired voltage output based on the rectified line power, and a bypass capacitor disposed between the rectifier and the buck converter, wherein the bypass capacitor is configured to bypass a switching energy of the buck converter to attenuate a plurality of pulses of the rectified line power that are not attenuated by the buck converter, and wherein the plurality of pulses correspond to harmonics of the rectified line power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2026
    Publication date: May 28, 2026
    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: 20260133229
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a heater includes a controller configured to select a state model control, as an operation state of the heater, from among a plurality of state model controls, wherein each of the plurality of state model controls comprises one or more operation settings for controlling the heater for the respective state model control, the one or more operation settings comprises a transition condition that causes a transition from the operational state to one other state model control. The controller is configured to control a power supplied to the heater based on the operation state of the heater and a measured electrical characteristic of the heater, wherein the measured electrical characteristic includes at least one of an electric current and a voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2026
    Publication date: May 14, 2026
    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: 12540955
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2026
    Assignee: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Stanton H. Breitlow, John Lemke, James Hentges, Keith Ness, Eric Ellis, William Bohlinger, Matthew Yender, Dean R. Mccluskey
  • Patent number: 12523683
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2026
    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: 20250365816
    Abstract: A power converter system includes a full-bridge isolating converter comprising a transformer, and a power controller configured to: operate the full-bridge isolating converter to generate an isolated output voltage, determine whether the transformer is operating in a flux walk state based on an electric current flowing through a primary winding of the transformer being greater than or equal to a flux current threshold, and generate instructions to adjust an input voltage applied to a plurality of heating elements of the heater in response to the transformer operating in the flux walk state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2025
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    Applicant: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Keith NESS, Geoffrey ROZEK, Stanton H. BREITLOW, James HENTGES, John LEMKE, William BOHLINGER, Matthew YENDER
  • Patent number: 12402211
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2025
    Assignee: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Keith Ness, Geoffrey Rozek, Stanton H. Breitlow, James Hentges, John Lemke, William Bohlinger, Matthew Yender
  • Publication number: 20240264616
    Abstract: A method for controlling a heated process of a heater includes: obtaining a target temperature; identifying a first amount of electrical energy based on a prediction that the first amount of electrical energy is sized to cause a temperature of the heated process to reach the target temperature, wherein the first amount of electrical energy is indicative of one or more wattage, the first amount of electrical energy is indicative of a quantity of time that the one or more wattage is applied to the heater, and the prediction is based on an energy profile associated with the heater; and providing the one or more wattage to the heater for a portion of the quantity of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicant: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew OPLAWSKI, Jeremy QUANDT, Keith NESS, Jacob LINDLEY
  • Patent number: 11921526
    Abstract: A method for controlling a heated process of an electric heater includes obtaining a setpoint variable indicating a target temperature of the heater. The method includes identifying an energy profile for the heater based on the setpoint variable. The energy profile provides a defined magnitude of initial electrical energy to be applied to the heater to have a temperature of the heated process reach the target temperature. The method includes obtaining a process variable indicating a performance characteristic of the heated process. The method includes providing electrical energy to the heater based on at least one of the energy profile and the process variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew Oplawski, Jeremy Quandt, Keith Ness, Jacob Lindley
  • Publication number: 20220075399
    Abstract: A method for controlling a heated process of an electric heater includes obtaining a setpoint variable indicating a target temperature of the heater. The method includes identifying an energy profile for the heater based on the setpoint variable. The energy profile provides a defined magnitude of initial electrical energy to be applied to the heater to have a temperature of the heated process reach the target temperature. The method includes obtaining a process variable indicating a performance characteristic of the heated process. The method includes providing electrical energy to the heater based on at least one of the energy profile and the process variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Andrew OPLAWSKI, Jeremy QUANDT, Keith NESS, Jacob LINDLEY
  • 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: 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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: 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