Patents by Inventor Kenneth J. Wetenkamp

Kenneth J. Wetenkamp 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: 20090303722
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp tube catcher formed of bent wire can be detachably engaged with a light fixture, with the central portion of the lamp tube catcher positioned below fluorescent tubes in the light fixture during use. In the event that a fluorescent lamp tube inadvertently becomes loose in the light fixture, the fluorescent lamp tube catcher can stop the loose fluorescent lamp tube from falling. The fluorescent lamp tube catcher can be loosely retained on the light fixture, for example while replacing a fluorescent lamp tube that has failed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Kenneth J. Wetenkamp
  • Patent number: 7628506
    Abstract: A light fixture includes a lampholder mounted to a raceway, where the lampholder is electrically connected to a lampholder connector. A power pack includes a power pack cover and a ballast. An outer surface of the power pack cover includes an emissive coating such that heat generated by the ballast is emitted from the power pack cover. The ballast is mounted in direct contact with the power pack cover such that the heat generated by the ballast is conducted from the ballast to the power pack cover. The ballast includes a power input connector adapted to electrically connect to a power cord and a ballast output connector adapted to electrically connect to the lampholder connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Anthony J. Bartol, Kenneth J. Wetenkamp
  • Publication number: 20090189535
    Abstract: A transformer wiring method and apparatus for fluorescent lighting are described. The fluorescent lighting apparatus includes a transformer and a ballast. An installer is easily able to balance the system load because each fluorescent lighting apparatus includes its own transformer and may be connected directly to a facility's three phase power distribution while still operating at rated voltages. Moreover, the ballast is protected from surges and stray voltages thereby reducing the frequency of ballast failures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Anthony J. Bartol, Ronald E. Ernst, Kenneth J. Wetenkamp
  • Patent number: 7563006
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp tube catcher formed of bent wire can be detachably engaged with a light fixture, with the central portion of the lamp tube catcher positioned below fluorescent tubes in the light fixture during use. In the event that a fluorescent lamp tube inadvertently becomes loose in the light fixture, the fluorescent lamp tube catcher can stop the loose fluorescent lamp tube from falling. The fluorescent lamp tube catcher can be loosely retained on the light fixture, for example while replacing a fluorescent lamp tube that has failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Kenneth J. Wetenkamp
  • Publication number: 20090147507
    Abstract: A modular light fixture includes a fixture body having a frame with a top a bottom. The top defines a ballast channel and the bottom has a reflector formed from a sheet material. A lampholder is mounted to the frame and receives and electrically connects to a fluorescent tube positioned adjacent to the reflector. A detachable power pack is removable from the top of the frame and includes a ballast channel cover that detachably engages the ballast channel on the top of frame, and a ballast mounted to the ballast channel cover and having power input wiring, and ballast output wiring electrically connected to the lampholder. A power input connector has a socket portion mounted to the ballast channel cover and electrically connected to the power input wiring of the ballast, and a plug portion connected to a power supply line to provide electrical power from a power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Ronald E. Ernst, Kenneth J. Wetenkamp
  • Publication number: 20090009989
    Abstract: A light fixture includes a raceway, a lampholder, and a power pack. The raceway includes an aperture and a locking aperture. The lampholder is electrically connected to a lampholder connector. The power pack includes a power pack cover and a ballast and a deployable sensor. The deployable sensor includes a sensor head, a conduit and pivotable coupling that permits movement of the sensor between a deployed position and a stowed position. The power pack cover includes a latching end. The ballast includes a power input connector adapted to electrically connect to a power cord and a ballast output connector adapted to electrically connect to the lampholder connector. The latching end includes a flange adapted to mate with the aperture of the raceway and a locking protrusion adapted to mate with the locking aperture of the raceway such that the power pack is detachably mountable to the raceway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Kenneth J. Wetenkamp, Ronald E. Ernst, Troy M. Johnson, Donald C. Heimerman
  • Patent number: D538462
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Orion Energy Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Donald C. Heimerman, Kenneth J. Wetenkamp, Ronald E. Ernst
  • Patent number: D595894
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Donald C. Heimerman, Kenneth J. Wetenkamp
  • Patent number: D606697
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Kenneth J. Wetenkamp, Anthony J. Bartol, Ronald E. Ernst
  • Patent number: D606698
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Kenneth J. Wetenkamp, Anthony J. Bartol, Ronald E. Ernst
  • Patent number: D617028
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Kenneth J. Wetenkamp, Anthony J. Bartol, Ronald E. Ernst
  • Patent number: D617029
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Kenneth J. Wetenkamp, Anthony J. Bartol, Ronald E. Ernst