Patents by Inventor William George Wilhelm

William George Wilhelm 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: 20080211430
    Abstract: An electronic ballast system controls one or more ballasts of HID or fluorescent lamps, which are controlled in an “on/off” manner by a ultra low power controller that is isolated for a primary power circuit or derives its very low switch power from the ballast itself. The on/off control provides a near lossless control system. This system may be applied to electronic ballast for operates at fractional power levels corresponding to different lighting intensities and with conventional occupancy sensors. The system may also be applied to other electronically compatible end-use devices and applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventor: William George Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 7405523
    Abstract: An electronic ballast system controls one or more ballasts of HID or fluorescent lamps, which are controlled in an “on/off” manner by a ultra low power controller that is isolated for a primary power circuit or derives its very low switch power from the ballast itself. The on/off control provides a near lossless control system. This system may be applied to electronic ballast for operates at fractional power levels corresponding to different lighting intensities and with conventional occupancy sensors. The system may also be applied to other electronically compatible end-use devices and applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventors: William George Wilhelm, Paul Savage
  • Patent number: 7312585
    Abstract: An electronic ballast system controls one or more ballasts of HID or fluorescent lamps, which are controlled in an “on/off” manner by a ultra low power controller that is isolated for a primary power circuit or derives its very low switch power from the ballast itself. The on/off control provides a near lossless control system. This system may be applied to electronic ballast for operates at fractional power levels corresponding to different lighting intensities and with conventional occupancy sensors. The system may also be applied to other electronically compatible end-use devices and applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: William George Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 7224131
    Abstract: A high efficiency lighting system maintains normal lighting conditions by lighting fixtures requiring DC electrical power. A power control device receives AC electrical power from a public utility converts AC power to DC power and delivers low voltage DC electrical power to lighting fixtures. A standby battery is provided to maintain power during power outages. Optionally, a photovoltaic DC electrical power source may be connected to the power control device, to provide alternate DC electrical power. In a further embodiment, a gas driven cogenerator unit may supply DC electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: NEXTEK Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William George Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 6933627
    Abstract: A high efficiency lighting system maintains normal lighting conditions by lighting fixtures requiring DC electrical power. A power control device receives AC electrical power from a public utility converts AC power to DC power and delivers low voltage DC electrical power to lighting fixtures. A standby battery is provided to maintain power during power outages. Optionally, a photovoltaic DC electrical power source may be connected to the power control device, to provide alternate DC electrical power. In a further embodiment, a gas driven cogenerator unit may supply DC electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Nextek Power Systems Inc.
    Inventor: William George Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20040160197
    Abstract: An electronic ballast system controls one or more ballasts of HID or fluorescent lamps, which are controlled in an “on/off” manner by a ultra low power controller that is isolated for a primary power circuit or derives its very low switch power from the ballast itself. The on/off control provides a near lossless control system. This system may be applied to electronic ballast for operates at fractional power levels corresponding to different lighting intensities and with conventional occupancy sensors. The system may also be applied to other electronically compatible end-use devices and applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: William George Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 6693395
    Abstract: An electronic ballast system controls one or more ballasts of HID or fluorescent lamps, which are controlled in an “on/off” manner by a ultra low power controller that is isolated for a primary power circuit or derives its very low switch power from the ballast itself. The on/off control provides a near lossless control system. This system may be applied to electronic ballast for operates at fractional power levels corresponding to different lighting intensities and with conventional occupancy sensors. The system may also be applied to other electronically compatible end-use devices and applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Nextek Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William George Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 6614130
    Abstract: An electrical distribution system and method has storage battery mechanism of very large equivalent capacitance providing excellent ripple filtering and an ideal path to ground, and filter capacitor mechanism of microfarad size providing DC blocking and limited AC path to ground. The storage battery entity is maintained as to its charge by DC supply, which provides regulated DC power in which switching regulation may be involved. The system and method provides dual voltage capability, both DC and AC, in which circuit breakers may be ganged for simultaneous tripping, and in which intrinsic DC circuit(s) may be looped to increase current-carrying capability. A DC isolation capacitor is connected to a common current path, such as to one of the busses, such as, for example, in series with the neutral circuit, as a means for avoiding undesirable DC current paths as may be encountered due to a multitude of established neutral-line connections to earthing grounds established throughout in AC power supply network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Nextek Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William George Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20020175637
    Abstract: An electronic ballast system controls one or more ballasts of HID or fluorescent lamps, which are controlled in an “on/off” manner by a ultra low power controller that is isolated for a primary power circuit or derives its very low switch power from the ballast itself. The on/off control provides a near lossless control system. This system may be applied to electronic ballast for operates at fractional power levels corresponding to different lighting intensities and with conventional occupancy sensors. The system may also be applied to other electronically compatible end-use devices and applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: Nextek Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William George Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20020060499
    Abstract: An electrical distribution system and method has storage battery mechanism of very large equivalent capacitance providing excellent ripple filtering and an ideal path to ground, and filter capacitor mechanism of microfarad size providing DC blocking and limited AC path to ground. The storage battery entity is maintained as to its charge by DC supply, which provides regulated DC power in which switching regulation may be involved. The system and method provides dual voltage capability, both DC and AC, in which circuit breakers may be ganged for simultaneous tripping, and in which intrinsic DC circuit(s) may be looped to increase current-carrying capability. A DC isolation capacitor is connected to a common current path, such as to one of the busses, such as, for example, in series with the neutral circuit, as a means for avoiding undesirable DC current paths as may be encountered due to a multitude of established neutral-line connections to earthing grounds established throughout in AC power supply network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventor: William George Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20020003379
    Abstract: A high efficiency lighting system maintains normal lighting conditions by lighting fixtures requiring DC electrical power. A power control device receives AC electrical power from a public utility converts AC power to DC power and delivers low voltage DC electrical power to lighting fixtures. A standby battery is provided to maintain power during power outages. Optionally, a photovoltaic DC electrical power source may be connected to the power control device, to provide alternate DC electrical power. In a further embodiment, a gas driven cogenerator unit may supply DC electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventor: WILLIAM GEORGE WILHELM
  • Patent number: 6252310
    Abstract: An electrical distribution system and method has storage battery mechanism of very large equivalent capacitance providing excellent ripple filtering and an ideal path to ground, and filter capacitor mechanism of microfarad size providing DC blocking and limited AC path to ground. The storage battery entity is maintained as to its charge by DC supply, which provides regulated DC power in which switching regulation may be involved. The system and method provides dual voltage capability, both DC and AC, in which circuit breakers may be ganged for simultaneous tripping, and in which intrinsic DC circuit(s) may be looped to increase current-carrying capability. A DC isolation capacitor is connected to a common current path, such as to one of the busses, such as, for example, in series with the neutral circuit, as a means for avoiding undesirable DC current paths as may be encountered due to a multitude of established neutral-line connections to earthing grounds established throughout in AC power supply network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Nextek Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William George Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 5969435
    Abstract: A DC power system receives AC electrical power and DC electrical power from separate first and second sources simultaneously. The DC power system delivers DC electrical power to an output for use by a load requiring DC power. The DC power system includes a converter to convert AC electrical power to DC electrical power and a power sharing control device to control and distribute the DC electrical power to an output. The first source of DC electrical power includes a storage battery, which provides standby DC electrical power to the DC power system. It also includes a power sharing device, which maintains the storage battery fully charged for use at peak loads, when the DC output electrical power is insufficient to meet the DC load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Nextek Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William George Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 5803754
    Abstract: An receptacle for low voltage DC applications includes a receptacle surface in which are located only one pair of female connections. One of the female connections is a terminal normally connected to the neutral line of an AC power grid, and the other of the female connections is a terminal connected to a ground line of an AC power grid. The two connections are arrayed to correspond with the neutral and positive terminals of a conventional three prong AC receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Nextek Power Systems Inc.
    Inventor: William George Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 5786642
    Abstract: An electrical distribution system and method has storage battery mechanism of very large equivalent capacitance providing excellent ripple filtering and an ideal path to ground, and filter capacitor mechanism of microfarad size providing DC blocking and limited AC path to ground. The storage battery entity is maintained as to its charge by DC supply which provides regulated DC power in which switching regulation may be involved. The system and method provides dual voltage capability, both DC and AC in which circuit breakers may be ganged for simultaneous tripping, and in which intrinsic DC circuit(s) may be looped to increase current-carrying capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Nextek Power Systems Inc.
    Inventor: William George Wilhelm