Patents by Inventor William Bohlinger
William Bohlinger 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).
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Patent number: 11832356Abstract: A heater for use in fluid immersion heating includes a plurality of resistive heating elements, and a plurality sets of power pins electrically connected to the plurality of heating elements. Each set of power pins includes a first power pin made of a first conductive material, and a second power pin made of a second conductive material that is dissimilar from the first conductive material of the first power pin. The first power pin is electrically connected to the second power pin to form a junction. The second power pin is electrically connected to the corresponding resistive heating element. The junctions between the first power pins and the second power pins are disposed at different heights in order to sense a level of the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Jack Reynolds, Louis P. Steinhauser, Jake Spooler, William Bohlinger
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Patent number: 11576233Abstract: A heater includes a first power pin and a second power pin made of dissimilar materials, and a resistive heating element made of a material different from those of the first and second power pins. The resistive heating element includes a first end electrically and directly connected to the first power pin to form a first thermocouple junction and a second end and electrically and directly connected to the second power pin to form a second thermocouple junction. The first and second power pins perform a dual function of supplying power to the resistive heating element and detecting changes in voltage at the first and second thermocouple junctions without interrupting the power supplied to the resistive heating element.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2020Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Jack Reynolds, Louis P. Steinhauser, Jake Spooler, William Bohlinger
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Publication number: 20230021550Abstract: A control system for controlling an adjustable output voltage provided to a heater includes a controller configured to determine an input parameter based on an electrical characteristic of the heater, where the heater includes a resistive heating element that is operable to emit heat and as a sensor. The controller is further configured to determine an output voltage for the heater based on the input parameter and a desired setpoint, and to transmit a signal to a power converter to generate the output voltage. The desired setpoint is based on an operational state of the heater, and the input parameter includes data indicative of a temperature of the resistive heating element that is determined based on the electrical characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Applicant: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Stanton H. BREITLOW, John F. LEMKE, James HENTGES, Keith Douglas NESS, Eric ELLIS, William BOHLINGER, Matthew YENDER, Dean R. MCCLUSKEY
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Patent number: 11558933Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a control system for controlling a heater system. The control system includes a plurality of zone control circuits, at least two auxiliary controllers, and a primary controller. The zone control circuits are operable to provide power to a plurality of heater zones of the heater system and to sense performance characteristics of the zones. The auxiliary controllers are coupled to the plurality of zone control circuits to control power to the plurality of zones and to monitor operation of the heater zones based on the performance characteristics. The primary controller is coupled to the auxiliary controllers and is configured to provide an operation set-point for each of the heater zones based on the performance characteristics. The auxiliary controllers operate the zone control circuits to supply power to the heater system based on the operation set-point.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2019Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: John Lemke, Martin Currie, William Bohlinger, Stanton H. Breitlow, Adam Kidney, Kurt Peterson, James Hentges
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Patent number: 11533782Abstract: A heater system includes a plurality of heater cores defining zones, a plurality of power pins extending through each of the heater cores and made of different conductive materials, and at least one jumper connected between two of the plurality of power pins being made of dissimilar materials. The jumper is in communication with a controller to obtain a temperature reading of the heater system proximate the jumper.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Jack Reynolds, Louis P. Steinhauser, Jake Spooler, William Bohlinger
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Publication number: 20210273570Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Applicant: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Keith NESS, Geoffrey ROZEK, Stanton H. BREITLOW, James HENTGES, John LEMKE, William BOHLINGER, Matthew YENDER
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Patent number: 11038431Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 6, 2020Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Keith Ness, Geoffrey Rozek, Stanton H. Breitlow, James Hentges, John Lemke, William Bohlinger, Matthew Yender
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Publication number: 20210116481Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Applicant: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Stanton Hopkins BREITLOW, James HENTGES, William BOHLINGER, Matthew YENDER, Keith NESS, Kurt PETERSON, Eric MEECH, Brittany PHILLIPS, Larry WALTERS, Geoffrey ROZEK
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Publication number: 20210037608Abstract: A heater for use in fluid immersion heating includes a plurality of resistive heating elements, and a plurality sets of power pins electrically connected to the plurality of heating elements. Each set of power pins includes a first power pin made of a first conductive material, and a second power pin made of a second conductive material that is dissimilar from the first conductive material of the first power pin. The first power pin is electrically connected to the second power pin to form a junction. The second power pin is electrically connected to the corresponding resistive heating element. The junctions between the first power pins and the second power pins are disposed at different heights in order to sense a level of the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2020Publication date: February 4, 2021Applicant: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Jack REYNOLDS, Louis P. STEINHAUSER, Jake SPOOLER, William BOHLINGER
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Publication number: 20210037609Abstract: A heater system includes a plurality of heater cores defining zones, a plurality of power pins extending through each of the heater cores and made of different conductive materials, and at least one jumper connected between two of the plurality of power pins being made of dissimilar materials. The jumper is in communication with a controller to obtain a temperature reading of the heater system proximate the jumper.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2020Publication date: February 4, 2021Applicant: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Jack REYNOLDS, Louis P. STEINHAUSER, Jake SPOOLER, William BOHLINGER
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Patent number: 10908195Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 10, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Stanton Hopkins Breitlow, James Hentges, William Bohlinger, Matthew Yender, Keith Ness, Kurt Peterson, Eric Meech, Brittany Phillips, Larry Walters, Geoffrey Rozek
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Patent number: 10908196Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 2, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Stanton Hopkins Breitlow, James Hentges, William Bohlinger, Matthew Yender, Keith Ness, Kurt Peterson, Eric Meech, Brittany Phillips, Larry Walters, Geoffrey Rozek
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Patent number: 10880953Abstract: A heater system includes a heater and a controller. The heater includes a first power pin made of a first conductive material, a second power pin made of a second conductive material that is dissimilar from the first conductive material, and a resistive heating element having two ends and made of a material that is different from the first and second conductive material of the first and second power pins. The resistive heating element forms a first junction with one end of the first power pin and a second junction at its other and with the second power pin. The controller is in communication with the power pins for measuring changes in voltage at the first and second junctions to determine an average temperature of the heater based on the changes in voltage.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Jack Reynolds, Louis P. Steinhauser, Jake Spooler, William Bohlinger
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Publication number: 20200344849Abstract: A heater includes a first power pin and a second power pin made of dissimilar materials, and a resistive heating element made of a material different from those of the first and second power pins. The resistive heating element includes a first end electrically and directly connected to the first power pin to form a first thermocouple junction and a second end and electrically and directly connected to the second power pin to form a second thermocouple junction. The first and second power pins perform a dual function of supplying power to the resistive heating element and detecting changes in voltage at the first and second thermocouple junctions without interrupting the power supplied to the resistive heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Applicant: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Jack Reynolds, Louis P. Steinhauser, Jake Spooler, William Bohlinger
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Publication number: 20200264216Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Stanton H. BREITLOW, John LEMKE, James HENTGES, Keith Ness, Eric ELLIS, William BOHLINGER, Matthew YENDER, Dean R. MCCLUSKEY
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Publication number: 20200266715Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Keith NESS, Geoffrey ROZEK, Stanton H. BREITLOW, James HENTGES, John LEMKE, William BOHLINGER, Matthew YENDER
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Publication number: 20200256899Abstract: A control system includes a power converter being a step-down voltage converter and including a power switch. The power converter is operable to generate an adjustable output voltage and includes a sensor circuit configured to measure at least one of a voltage and an electric current of the heater. The control system includes a controller connected to the power converter and the sensor circuit. The controller is configured to determine an input parameter based on the at least one of the voltage and the electric current. The input parameter is indicative of a temperature of the heater. The controller is configured to set the output voltage applied for the heater based on the input parameter and a desired setpoint. The desired setpoint is based on an operational state of the heater. The controller is configured to operate the power switch of the power converter to generate the output voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Stanton H. BREITLOW, John F. LEMKE, James HENTGES, Keith Douglas NESS, Eric ELLIS, William BOHLINGER, Matthew YENDER, Dean R. MCCLUSKEY
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Patent number: 10728956Abstract: A heater is provided that includes a first power pin made of a first conductive material, a second power pin made of a second conductive material that is dissimilar from the first conductive material of the first power pin, and a resistive heating element having two ends and made of a material that is different from the first and second conductive materials of the first and second power pins. The resistive heating element forms a first junction at one end with the first power pin and a second junction at its other end with the second power pin, and changes in voltage at the first and second junctions are detected to determine an average temperature of the heater.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2015Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Jack Reynolds, Louis P. Steinhauser, Jake Spooler, William Bohlinger
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Patent number: 10712757Abstract: A process controller is provided and includes at least one optical sensor. The optical sensor includes an optical source is configured to emit an electronic signal toward an object. The process controller further includes a control unit in communication with the at least one optical sensor, wherein the control unit controls a controlled device based on the electronic signal received by the at least one optical sensor. In another form, the optical sensor further includes an optical detector configured to receive the return electronic signal reflected by the object. A system for process control in an elevated radio frequency (RF) environment is also provided and includes a process controller having at least one optical sensor and a control unit in communication with the optical sensor. The optical sensor is disposed within the elevated RF environment and includes an optical detector.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2017Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: William Bohlinger, John P. Bergen, Stanton Hopkins-Breitlow, James Hentges, Jason Houzenga, Gil Ramos, Kurt Peterson, Larry Walters, Daryl G. James
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Patent number: 10690705Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 15, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Stanton H. Breitlow, John Lemke, James Hentges, Keith Ness, Eric Ellis, William Bohlinger, Matthew Yender, Dean R. McCluskey