Patents by Inventor Kevin L. Potucek

Kevin L. Potucek 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: 10356875
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining depreciation of a lumen output of an LED. More particularly, disclosed is a method of determining depreciation of a lumen output of an LED comprising monitoring, by a processing device, an operating characteristic of an AC power source operatively coupled to the LED; determining, by the processing device, whether a lumen output the LED depreciated beyond a specified lumen value based on the monitoring; and causing, by the processing device, an indicator to provide notification to a user based on determining the lumen output of the LED depreciated beyond the specified lumen value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Potucek, James Carter, James Murdock, Steven Mitchell, Gregory Fournier
  • Publication number: 20190073889
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lighting fixture for use in connection with a swimming pool or spa. The lighting fixture includes a light source, and a detection device for detecting the presence of a bather in a pool or a spa. A microprocessor is in electrical communication with the detection device and the light source. The microprocessor adjusts an output of the light source when a bather is detected in the pool or the spa. The microprocessor could adjust the color of the light emitted by the light source when a bather is detected. Also provided is a bather condition/activity detection system which utilizes pool or spa devices to detect various bather conditions/activities such as bather ingress, egress, drowning, distress, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Potucek, Stuart Baker
  • Publication number: 20180213625
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining depreciation of a lumen output of an LED. More particularly, disclosed is a method of determining depreciation of a lumen output of an LED comprising monitoring, by a processing device, an operating characteristic of an AC power source operatively coupled to the LED; determining, by the processing device, whether a lumen output the LED depreciated beyond a specified lumen value based on the monitoring; and causing, by the processing device, an indicator to provide notification to a user based on determining the lumen output of the LED depreciated beyond the specified lumen value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Potucek, James Carter, James Murdock, Steven Mitchell, Gregory Fournier
  • Publication number: 20180202645
    Abstract: A light includes a body, a front housing secured to a front end of the body, a translating retainer rotatably engaged with the front housing, a slip ring positioned around the front housing and between the translating member and the front end of the body, a compressible ring positioned around the front housing and between the slip ring and the front end of the body, a lens mounted to the front housing, an electronic assembly, and a light emitting element in electrical communication with the electronic assembly and positioned within the lens. Rotation of the translating retainer in a first direction causes the translating retainer to drive the slip ring toward the front end of the body, compressing the compressible ring and causing the compressible ring to bulge outward to contact, and removably engage, an inner wall of a pipe or conduit that the light is positioned in.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Potucek, James Carter, Gregory Fournier, James Murdock, Steven Mitchell, Douglas Sawyer, JR., Matt Williamson
  • Publication number: 20180080449
    Abstract: A self-priming dedicated water feature pump is provided. The water feature pump can include a strainer housing connected to a pump housing. The strainer housing can include a reservoir for allowing water to enter the strainer housing so that the pump can self-prime. The strainer housing can also include a post installed within the reservoir. The post can function to prevent a strainer basket from being installed in the strainer housing. The post can be of sufficient volume and/or geometry to allow enough water to enter the strainer housing so that the water feature pump can self-prime while also preventing a strainer basket from being installed in the strainer housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Parcell, Scott Petty, Douglas H. Philhower, Kevin L. Potucek, Gary Ortiz, Jon Terence Stone
  • Patent number: 9924577
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining depreciation of a lumen output of an LED. More particularly, disclosed is a method of determining depreciation of a lumen output of an LED comprising monitoring, by a processing device, an operating characteristic of an AC power source operatively coupled to the LED; determining, by the processing device, whether a lumen output the LED depreciated beyond a specified lumen value based on the monitoring; and causing, by the processing device, an indicator to provide notification to a user based on determining the lumen output of the LED depreciated beyond the specified lumen value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Potucek, James Carter, James Murdock, Steven Mitchell, Gregory Fournier
  • Patent number: 9915419
    Abstract: A light includes a body, a front housing secured to a front end of the body, a translating retainer rotatably engaged with the front housing, a slip ring positioned around the front housing and between the translating member and the front end of the body, a compressible ring positioned around the front housing and between the slip ring and the front end of the body, a lens mounted to the front housing, an electronic assembly, and a light emitting element in electrical communication with the electronic assembly and positioned within the lens. Rotation of the translating retainer in a first direction causes the translating retainer to drive the slip ring toward the front end of the body, compressing the compressible ring and causing the compressible ring to bulge outward to contact, and removably engage, an inner wall of a pipe or conduit that the light is positioned in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Potucek, James Carter, Gregory Fournier, James Murdock, Steven Mitchell, Douglas Sawyer, Jr., Matt Williamson
  • Publication number: 20170285672
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling water temperature in a body of water. The temperature control system includes a processor, a user interface for receiving a desired temperature and a desired time for reaching the desired temperature, a sensor interface for receiving sensor information from one or more sensors, and an actuator interface for controlling a plurality of heat sources. The processor determines one or more optimal heat sources for heating the body of water to the desired temperature by the desired time. The processor controls the one or more optimal heat sources through the actuator interface and periodically polls the sensor interface to determine whether changes in the operating environment require additional or alternate heat sources to be activated to ensure that the body of water is heated to the desired temperature by the desired time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Potucek, Gilbert Conover, James Murdock
  • Publication number: 20170073991
    Abstract: Power supplies for pool and spa equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, the power supply includes a buoyant housing, a peripheral float, at least one solar cell positioned on the buoyant housing for collecting sunlight and converting same to electrical energy, and a power cable for interconnecting the power supply and pool/spa equipment. In other embodiments, first and second inductive power couplings are provided for powering pool and spa equipment. The power couplings can also be installed using existing plumbing features of the pool or spa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Potucek, Dennis Willis, Jeffrey Sumonthee, Benoit J. Renaud, Douglas H. Philhower, Patrick J. Forsythe, William M. Normyle
  • Publication number: 20170073990
    Abstract: Power supplies for pool and spa equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, the power supply includes a buoyant housing, a peripheral float, at least one solar cell positioned on the buoyant housing for collecting sunlight and converting same to electrical energy, and a power cable for interconnecting the power supply and pool/spa equipment. In other embodiments, first and second inductive power couplings are provided for powering pool and spa equipment. The power couplings can also be installed using existing plumbing features of the pool or spa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Potucek, Dennis Willis, Jeffrey Sumonthee, Benoit J. Renaud, Douglas H. Philhower, Patrick J. Forsythe, William M. Normyle
  • Patent number: 9501072
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling water temperature in a body of water. The temperature control system includes a processor, a user interface for receiving a desired temperature and a desired time for reaching the desired temperature, a sensor interface for receiving sensor information from one or more sensors, and an actuator interface for controlling a plurality of heat sources. The processor determines one or more optimal heat sources for heating the body of water to the desired temperature by the desired time. The processor controls the one or more optimal heat sources through the actuator interface and periodically polls the sensor interface to determine whether changes in the operating environment require additional or alternate heat sources to be activated to ensure that the body of water is heated to the desired temperature by the desired time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Potucek, Gilbert Conover, Jr., James Murdock
  • Patent number: 9502907
    Abstract: Power supplies for pool and spa equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, the power supply includes a buoyant housing, a peripheral float, at least one solar cell positioned on the buoyant housing for collecting sunlight and converting same to electrical energy, and a power cable for interconnecting the power supply and pool/spa equipment. In other embodiments, first and second inductive power couplings are provided for powering pool and spa equipment. The power couplings can also be installed using existing plumbing features of the pool or spa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Potucek, Dennis Willis, Jeffrey Sumonthee, Benoit J. Renaud, Douglas H. Philhower, Patrick J. Forsythe, William M. Normyle
  • Patent number: 9084314
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a programmable underwater lighting system for pools and spas. A plurality of underwater lights, each having a plurality of LEDs for producing light of various colors, a microprocessor for controlling the plurality of LEDs, and a memory in communication with the microprocessor containing one or more stored control programs, allow for the generation of various lighting effects in a pool or spa. A central controller is provided in communication with the plurality of underwater lights, and allows a user to define or select a desired lighting effect (such as a sequence, a fading effect, a “moving” color pattern, etc.) using a display and a keyboard. Optionally, a handheld remote control could be provided, in wireless communication with the central controller, for allowing a user to remotely control the plurality of lighting fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gilbert Conover, Kevin L. Potucek, Lloyd Slonim, Carl L. Brunetti, Joseph Gonsalves, Paul Canavan
  • Publication number: 20150092416
    Abstract: A light includes a body, a front housing secured to a front end of the body, a translating retainer rotatably engaged with the front housing, a slip ring positioned around the front housing and between the translating member and the front end of the body, a compressible ring positioned around the front housing and between the slip ring and the front end of the body, a lens mounted to the front housing, an electronic assembly, and a light emitting element in electrical communication with the electronic assembly and positioned within the lens. Rotation of the translating retainer in a first direction causes the translating retainer to drive the slip ring toward the front end of the body, compressing the compressible ring and causing the compressible ring to bulge outward to contact, and removably engage, an inner wall of a pipe or conduit that the light is positioned in.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin L. Potucek, James Carter, Gregory Fournier, James Murdock, Steven Mitchell, Douglas Sawyer, JR., Matt Williamson
  • Publication number: 20140292204
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining depreciation of a lumen output of an LED. More particularly, disclosed is a method of determining depreciation of a lumen output of an LED comprising monitoring, by a processing device, an operating characteristic of an AC power source operatively coupled to the LED; determining, by the processing device, whether a lumen output the LED depreciated beyond a specified lumen value based on the monitoring; and causing, by the processing device, an indicator to provide notification to a user based on determining the lumen output of the LED depreciated beyond the specified lumen value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Potucek, James Carter, James Murdock, Steven Mitchell, Gregory Fournier
  • Publication number: 20140268678
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lighting fixture for use in connection with a swimming pool or spa. The lighting fixture includes a light source, and a detection device for detecting the presence of a bather in a pool or a spa. A microprocessor is in electrical communication with the detection device and the light source. The microprocessor adjusts an output of the light source when a bather is detected in the pool or the spa. The microprocessor could adjust the color of the light emitted by the light source when a bather is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: HAYWARD INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Potucek, Stuart Baker
  • Publication number: 20140265842
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lighting fixture for use in connection with a swimming pool or spa. The lighting fixture includes a light source, and a detection device for detecting the presence of a bather in a pool or a spa. A microprocessor is in electrical communication with the detection device and the light source. The microprocessor adjusts an output of the light source when a bather is detected in the pool or the spa. The microprocessor could adjust the color of the light emitted by the light source when a bather is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Potucek, Stuart Baker
  • Publication number: 20120222997
    Abstract: Power supplies for pool and spa equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, the power supply includes a buoyant housing, a peripheral float, at least one solar cell positioned on the buoyant housing for collecting sunlight and converting same to electrical energy, and a power cable for interconnecting the power supply and pool/spa equipment. In other embodiments, first and second inductive power couplings are provided for powering pool and spa equipment. The power couplings can also be installed using existing plumbing features of the pool or spa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Kevin L. Potucek, Dennis Willis, Jeffrey Sumonthee, Benoit J. Renaud, Douglas H. Philhower, Patrick J. Forsythe, William M. Normyle
  • Publication number: 20110267834
    Abstract: An underwater light having a sealed polymer housing and a method of manufacture are provided. The light includes a rear housing component formed at least in part from a thermally conductive and electrically insulative material, an electronic assembly having at least one light-emitting element mounted thereto, the electronic assembly in thermal communication with the rear housing component, and a lens mounted to the rear housing component and forming a watertight seal therebetween, the lens and the rear housing component enclosing the electronic assembly. At least a portion of the rear housing component conducts heat away from the electronic assembly to cool the electronic assembly. Heat-radiating structures are provided on the rear housing component for dissipating heat conducted by the rear housing component. The electronic assembly could be mounted to the rear component by a thermally conductive adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Potucek, James Carter, James Murdock, Joe Diorio, Steven Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7719549
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making an imaged media and a method of displaying an image, comprising the steps of providing a color image, creating a modified image by transforming a first color portion of the color image into a gray-scale portion, wherein a second color portion of said color image remains in color in said modified image, and reproducing said modified image on a fully or partially light transmitting media which can be used to display the modified image in color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin L. Potucek