Mark Kastner

US Patent:

6445141, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

Feb 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/719322

Inventors:

Mark Kastner - New Berlin WI
Harry M. Pyne - New Berlin WI

Assignee:

Everbrite, Inc. - Greenfield WI

International Classification:

G05F 100

US Classification:

315307, 315219, 315309, 315360

Abstract:

A power supply for a gas discharge lamp is claimed. An input circuit receives power from a power source. An output transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding and has a lamp connected in circuit across the secondary winding. First and second power switches switch power to the primary winding. The driver drives the power switches at a drive frequency. A tuned LC resonant circuit having a resonant frequency is connected in circuit between the driver and the lamp. A controller generates control signals to the driver at a first frequency that is functionally related to the drive frequency, and regulates the lamp current by controlling the difference between the resonant frequency and the first frequency.

US Patent:

6495974, Dec 17, 2002

Filed:

Sep 24, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/961620

Inventors:

Mark Kastner - New Berlin WI

Assignee:

Everbrite, Inc. - Greenfield WI

International Classification:

G05F 100

US Classification:

315307, 315291, 315209 R, 315244, 315360, 315DIG 4, 315DIG 7

Abstract:

A power supply connectable to a power source and to a gas-discharge tube. The power supply includes a transformer having a primary winding, a secondary winding, and first and second switches. The switches receive first and second drive signals, respectively, and switch power to the primary winding. The power supply further includes a controller interconnected to the first and second power switches. The controller is operable to generate the first and second drive signals for a time period. For a first time interval of the time period, the controller transitions the first and second drive signals from a first frequency to a second frequency. For a second time interval of the time period, the controller generates the first and second drive signals at the second frequency. For a third interval of the time period, ceases generation of the varying signal.

US Patent:

6570334, May 27, 2003

Filed:

May 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/870303

Inventors:

Mark Kastner - New Berlin WI

Assignee:

Everbrite, Inc. - Greenfield WI

International Classification:

H05B 3700

US Classification:

315119, 315224, 315291, 315307

Abstract:

A gas discharge lamp including a power supply connectable to a load, and an overvoltage-protection-and-ground-fault-interrupt (OVP/GFI) circuit interconnected with the power supply. The OVP/GFI circuit includes an overvoltage-protection (OVP) sub-circuit that deactivates the power supply when an overvoltage condition is detected, and a ground-fault-interrupt (GFI) sub-circuit that deactivates the power supply when a ground-fault condition is detected.

US Patent:

6570347, May 27, 2003

Filed:

May 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/870347

Inventors:

Mark A. Kastner - New Berlin WI

Assignee:

Everbrite, Inc. - Greenfield WI

International Classification:

G05F 100

US Classification:

315307, 315200 R, 315224, 315DIG 4, 315DIG 7

Abstract:

A gas-discharge lamp and method of operating the lamp for controlling the brightness of the lamp. The lamp includes a drive for supplying a varying signal in response to receiving first and second control signals. The method includes establishing a time period; for a first interval of the time period, generating a first control signal having a first duty cycle and generating a second control signal having a second duty cycle; and, for a second interval of the time period, generating a third control signal having a third duty cycle, and generating a fourth control signal having a fourth duty cycle. The third duty cycle is less than the first duty cycle, and the fourth duty cycle is less than the second duty cycle. The first and third control signals are provided to a first switch and the second and fourth control signals are provided to a second switch.

US Patent:

20080018261, Jan 24, 2008

Filed:

Apr 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/796940

Inventors:

Mark Kastner - New Berlin WI, US

International Classification:

H05B 37/02

US Classification:

315192000

Abstract:

A LED driver circuit is disclosed that has the ability to drive a single series string of power LEDs. The LED driver circuit uses a single stage power converter to convert from a universal AC input to a regulated DC current. This single stage power converter current is controlled by a power factor correction unit. Furthermore, the LED driver circuit contains a galvanic isolation barrier that isolates an input, or primary, section from an output, or secondary, section. The LED driver circuit can also include a dimming function, a red, green, blue output function, and a control signal that indicates the LED current and is sent from the secondary to the primary side of the galvanic barrier.

US Patent:

20080298784, Dec 4, 2008

Filed:

Jun 4, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/757703

Inventors:

Mark Allen Kastner - New Berlin WI, US

International Classification:

H02P 7/29
G01P 3/46
H02P 7/06

US Classification:

388811, 318490, 324177

Abstract:

A method and circuit for determining the speed and/or counting the revolutions of brush and commutator motors is described. The method and circuitry detects signals present on the windings of the motor due to commutation that occurs at the brushes and commutator of the motor. This method can be used to simply monitor & indicate the motor speed and revolutions or to form the basis of a motor control.

US Patent:

53768779, Dec 27, 1994

Filed:

Jun 11, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/897380

Inventors:

Robert Kern - Waukesha WI
Gerald Ruehlow - Oconomowoc WI
Graham McLean - Lymm, GB2
Michael Wheeley - Reading, GB
Frank Wedel - Lake Mills WI
Mark Kastner - Greenfield WI

Assignee:

Generac Corporation - Waukesha WI

International Classification:

H02J 714
H02P 914

US Classification:

322 32

Abstract:

An engine-driven generator includes an internal combustion engine, a permanent magnet alternator and an AC to AC converter. The output frequency and voltage of the permanent magnet alternator are largely dependent on engine speed and the alternator load. The AC to AC converter converts the speed-dependent alternating current developed by the alternator to another alternating current whose frequency and voltage are largely independent of engine speed. Voltage regulation is provided by varying the engine speed in accordance with the load current. Frequency regulation is provided by frequency dividing the alternator output by an integer divisor that varies in accordance with engine speed. Additional voltage regulation is provided by deleting selected cycles of the alternator output current as needed to maintain the RMS output voltage within predetermined limits.

US Patent:

59491973, Sep 7, 1999

Filed:

Jun 30, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/885438

Inventors:

Mark Kastner - New Berlin WI

Assignee:

Everbrite, Inc. - Greenfield WI

International Classification:

G05F 100

US Classification:

315291

Abstract:

A power supply for a gas discharge lamp includes a converter, a microprocessor switch control circuit, a driver, a switching network having two MOSFET switches, and an output transformer. A cross conduct inhibit circuit is connected in series between the driver and the switching network to prevent simultaneous operation of the switches. The power supply may further include a ground fault interrupt circuit and a ground continuity detector. A dimming module contains a potentiometer input device to vary the brightness of the lamp. The power supply operates at a preset level until the dimming module is connected. The dimming module cannot be removed without shutting off the power supply. The first and second MOSFETs switch first and second voltages across the transformer, thereby causing first and second drive pulses in the periodic output signal. Between the first and second and the second and first drive pulses are first and second dead times.