Michael J Potts

US Patent:

6710588, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

Jun 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/166541

Inventors:

Neal R. Verfuerth - Random Lake WI 53075
Michael J. Potts - Plymouth WI 53073

International Classification:

G01R 700

US Classification:

324142

Abstract:

To reduce the electric power demand in lighting the inside of buildings, apparatus and method for determining the most efficient lighting method, when comparing for example incandescent lighting with fluorescent lighting based on electric power demand for most efficient lighting, is disclosed.

US Patent:

6724180, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Sep 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/241846

Inventors:

Neal R. Verfuerth - Random Lake WI 53075
Michael J. Potts - Plymouth WI 53073

International Classification:

G01R 700

US Classification:

324142, 3241581, 315294, 315297

Abstract:

Lighting of buildings is costly in terms of electric power, and in view of this, disclosure is made of apparatus and method for comparison of electric power usage with incandescent or HID, high intensity discharge, lighting source compared to an alternate lighting source, such as fluorescent tube lights, to give the same or adequate light reading on a light meter as attained by an incandescent or HID, high intensity discharge light source then measuring the ampere reading at the same voltage of each lighting source to determine the KW demand to further determine lowest lighting cost, which then in effect will equate to a virtual power plant, which can be a considerable saving of cost and reduction of atmospheric pollution.

US Patent:

6774619, Aug 10, 2004

Filed:

Aug 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/211851

Inventors:

Neal R. Verfuerth - Random Lake WI 53075
Michael J. Potts - Plymouth WI 53073

International Classification:

G01R 700

US Classification:

324142

Abstract:

Apparatus and method for comparison of electric power efficiency of lighting sources includes electric power supply to a first circuit and first light, and electric power supply to a second circuit and second light, and a first light meter and a second light meter to measure the light intensity of the first light and second light respectively and a clamp-on ammeter on the electric power line to the first light source and a clamp-on ammeter on the electric power line to the second light source and each clamp-on ammeter connected to a separate window in a computer to show the amperes drawn by each light source, and each light meter connected to a window in the computer to determine equal light from each lighting source.

US Patent:

D621410, Aug 10, 2010

Filed:

Aug 28, 2009

Appl. No.:

29/342678

Inventors:

Neal R. Verfuerth - Plymouth WI, US
Michael J. Potts - Plymouth WI, US
Ryan M. Franzen - Manitowoc WI, US
Eric A. Smasal - Jackson WI, US

Assignee:

Orion Energy Systems, Inc. - Manitowoc WI

International Classification:

3200

US Classification:

D14486

US Patent:

D621411, Aug 10, 2010

Filed:

Aug 28, 2009

Appl. No.:

29/342679

Inventors:

Neal R. Verfuerth - Plymouth WI, US
Michael J. Potts - Plymouth WI, US
Ryan M. Franzen - Manitowoc WI, US
Eric A. Smasal - Jackson WI, US

Assignee:

Orion Energy Systems, Inc. - Manitowoc WI

International Classification:

3200

US Classification:

D14486

US Patent:

8344665, Jan 1, 2013

Filed:

Sep 29, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/240805

Inventors:

Neal R. Verfuerth - Plymouth WI, US
Michael J. Potts - Plymouth WI, US
Jun Wang - Sheboygan WI, US
Anthony J. Bartol - Plymouth WI, US

Assignee:

Orion Energy Systems, Inc. - Manitowoc WI

International Classification:

H05B 37/02

US Classification:

315315, 315320, 315150, 700295, 700 19

Abstract:

A controller for controlling a plurality of devices configured for wireless communications in a facility includes a data communications interface communicating with at least one of the devices. The controller further includes a control module configured to provide a control signal to the data communications interface for communicating to a transceiver associated with the device and for turning off the device according to an algorithm wherein the control signal is provided based on a time of day and/or a sensed condition relating to use of the facility. The transceiver reports device data to the control module to quantify a reduction in power obtained by controlling the devices according to the algorithm.

US Patent:

8406937, Mar 26, 2013

Filed:

Mar 27, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/057217

Inventors:

Neal R. Verfuerth - Plymouth WI, US
Michael J. Potts - Plymouth WI, US
Jun Wang - Sheboygan WI, US

Assignee:

Orion Energy Systems, Inc. - Manitowoc WI

International Classification:

G05D 11/00

US Classification:

700296

Abstract:

A method of reducing electricity usage during peak demand periods includes the steps of establishing predetermined load reduction criteria representative of a desire by a power provider to reduce loading on an electricity supply grid, and coordinating with a facility having HIF lighting equipment to permit the power provider to turn-off one or more of the HIF lighting equipment by sending instructions to a master controller at the facility in response to the predetermined load reduction criteria, and establishing a list of HIF lighting equipment to be turned-off in response to the instructions, and configuring the master controller to send an override control signal to the HIF lighting equipment to implement the instructions, and configuring the HIF lighting equipment to send a response signal to the master controller providing a status of the HIF lighting equipment.

US Patent:

8450670, May 28, 2013

Filed:

Aug 28, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/550270

Inventors:

Neal R. Verfuerth - Plymouth WI, US
Michael J. Potts - Plymouth WI, US
Ryan M. Franzen - Manitowoc WI, US
Eric A. Smasal - Jackson WI, US

Assignee:

Orion Energy Systems, Inc. - Manitowoc WI

International Classification:

G01J 1/32
H05B 37/02
F21V 23/04

US Classification:

250205, 315157, 315158, 362276

Abstract:

A lighting fixture system for fluorescent lamps includes one or more fluorescent lamps and one or more ballasts configured to provide controlled power to the one or more fluorescent lamps. The lighting fixture further includes a controller wired to the fluorescent lighting fixture. The controller includes one or more relays configured to turn power provided to the one or more ballasts on and off such that the one or more fluorescent lamps turn on and off with the switching of the one or more relays. The controller further includes a logic circuit configured to control the switching of the one or more relays, wherein the logic circuit is configured to log usage information for the fluorescent lighting fixture in memory. The controller yet further includes communications electronics configured to output the logged usage information.