Thomas F Mayer

US Patent:

6353213, Mar 5, 2002

Filed:

May 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/571651

Inventors:

Blair Miller - Chicago IL
Thomas J. Mayer - Hoffman Estates IL

Assignee:

BMG Holdings, LLC - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H05B 610

US Classification:

219630, 219632, 219628, 219667, 219677, 99DIG 14, 99302 R

Abstract:

A water heating unit uses a voltage transformer type heating unit to heat water. The water flows from a water reservoir to a wound transformer where the water passes through metal tubing that is also the secondary winding of the transformer. The secondary winding is shorted and an erect-magnetic field induces a current in the transformer generating heat that heats the water flowing through the metal tubing. The turns of the primary winding of the heating unit can be separated with spacer material and a cooling fan can be included adjacent to the heating unit for forcing air in between the turns of the primary winding to remove excess heat.

US Patent:

6856103, Feb 15, 2005

Filed:

Sep 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/665049

Inventors:

James E. Hudson - Arlington Heights IL, US
Thomas J. Mayer - Wisconsin Dells WI, US

Assignee:

Varon Lighting, Inc. - Elmhurst IL

International Classification:

G05F001/00

US Classification:

315308, 315200 R, 315224, 315276, 315299

Abstract:

The invented voltage regulator is a solid state low voltage regulator for quartz halogen or low voltage incandescent lamps and quartz halogen or low voltage incandescent lamp or LED array circuits wherein the volt regulator reduces a conventional mains power line source of, for example, a 115 volt AC to 480 V AC power source, to within a range of from 11. 0 volts to 12. 5 volts, preferably 11. 6 volts, wherein the lamps, and LED arrays have consistent color, consistent light output, the lamp filaments and LED arrays are exposed to soft start operating currents and lamp and array life can be increased. The voltage regulator utilizes an AC rectifier circuit to provide a pulsing DC voltage, a DC voltage sensing circuit, a soft start oscillator circuit, an internal DC voltage oscillator reference circuit and an AC power line control circuit.

US Patent:

7067982, Jun 27, 2006

Filed:

Aug 2, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/195432

Inventors:

Thomas J. Mayer - Wisconsin Dells WI, US

Assignee:

NxSteps Communications - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

H05B 37/00
H05B 37/02

US Classification:

315160, 315291

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for deriving power for an external device from a circuit of a fluorescent light. A first circuit supplies power from a fluorescent light power source to a fluorescent lamp. The power converter of an external device can be electrically connected to any two points within that circuit to create a second circuit to supply power to the external device. The power converter may be connected to the first circuit via one or more power coupling or power tether. At least one of the two points within the first circuit may comprise a pin of the fluorescent lamp. Alternatively, at least one of the two points may comprise a connector of a fluorescent light fixture designed to receive a pin of the fluorescent lamp or a point within the fluorescent ballast of the fluorescent light fixture.

US Patent:

7154234, Dec 26, 2006

Filed:

Jan 27, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/044143

Inventors:

Perry Romano - Elmhurst IL, US
Thomas J Mayer - Wisconsin Dells WI, US

Assignee:

Varon Lighting, Inc. - Elmhurst IL

International Classification:

G05F 1/00

US Classification:

315291, 315307, 363 2112

Abstract:

The invented voltage regulator is a solid state low voltage regulator for in-line power lines for LED arrays and incandescent lamps, preferably low-voltage halogen lamps. The invented voltage regulator comprises, in combination, a full-wave bridge rectifier circuit, a voltage sensing circuit across the output of the full wave bridge rectifier circuit, and an AC power line voltage control circuit across the output of the voltage sensing circuit, the output of the AC power line voltage control circuit controlled by a switching power control circuit to provide a regulated 11. 0 to 12. 5 V AC output regardless of line voltage variations.

US Patent:

7282869, Oct 16, 2007

Filed:

Feb 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/363362

Inventors:

Thomas Mayer - Wisconsin Dells WI, US
Glenn Garbowicz - Algonquin IL, US

Assignee:

Varon Lighting Group, LLC - Elmhurst IL

International Classification:

H05B 41/14

US Classification:

315290, 315135, 315289, 315243, 315246, 315DIG 5

Abstract:

The instant invention relates to an HID ballast and lamp tester, which provides visual indication of failure of either the ballast or lamp by continuously monitoring the status of the HID lighting system. The HID ballast and lamp tester detects and utilizes the voltage difference between the open circuit voltage and the operating voltage of the ballast to trigger visual indication of the open circuit voltage output of the ballast when the HID lamp has failed. The tester circuit comprises the ballast source, a full wave bridge rectifier and filter capacitor circuit, a voltage divider network circuit, a trigger circuit of a diac bi-directional silicon switch and a light emitting diode.

US Patent:

7449840, Nov 11, 2008

Filed:

Jul 26, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/460060

Inventors:

Thomas Mayer - Wisconsin Dells WI, US
Glenn Garbowicz - Algonquin IL, US

Assignee:

Varon Lighting Group, LLC - Elmhurst IL

International Classification:

H05B 37/02

US Classification:

315209R, 315307, 315360

Abstract:

The instant invention relates to an ignitor turn-off switch for ballasts for high intensity discharge (HID) lamps to prevent damage to ballasts by disconnecting the ignitor if a lamp has failed or is missing. The ignitor turn-off switch circuit comprises an AC power source, a full-wave bridge rectifier circuit, a voltage regulator circuit, a first solid state integrated circuit as a timer circuit, and a second solid state integrated circuit as a switch circuit. The second solid state integrated circuit comprises an optically-coupled triac and light emitting diode wherein the optically-coupled triac is driven by a beam generated by the light emitting diode.

US Patent:

7839609, Nov 23, 2010

Filed:

Jul 24, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/782103

Inventors:

Thomas J. Mayer - Wisconsin Dells WI, US
Glenn D. Garbowicz - Algonquin IL, US

Assignee:

Varon Lighting Group, LLC - Elmhurst IL

International Classification:

H02H 7/00

US Classification:

361 18

Abstract:

A non-arcing electrical switch for use with an auxiliary light source for a gaseous discharge lamp includes a current sensing component, a timer power component, an off-delay timer, a voltage control component, and a phase control component. When the light output from the gaseous discharge lamp is interrupted, or during the initial warm up of the gaseous discharge lamp, the non-arcing electrical switch activates an auxiliary lamp to supply temporary illumination. The electrical switch has improved reset reliability and repeatability while decreasing the reset period required during momentary interruptions of the gaseous discharge lamp. Furthermore, the electrical switch requires no negative or minus power supply in order to initiate reset and operates at voltages of less than two volts.

US Patent:

8183798, May 22, 2012

Filed:

Oct 5, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/573871

Inventors:

Thomas J. Mayer - Wisconsin Dells WI, US
Glenn D. Garbowicz - Huntley IL, US

Assignee:

Hubbell Incorporated - Shelton CT

International Classification:

H05B 37/00
H05B 39/00
H05B 41/00
H05B 41/16
H05B 41/24
H02J 3/00

US Classification:

315313, 307 41, 315246, 315250, 315312

Abstract:

An electronic circuit designed to reduce energy consumption by toggling between a plurality of conventional or electronic fluorescent lighting ballasts within a given fixture, and where said toggle circuit shall increase or decrease fixture light output levels according to immediate requirements. Toggle circuit may be remotely controlled from conventional Mains wall switch or other such means. Initial applications of Mains power automatically provides the minimum of light levels. Additional momentary interruptions to Mains power provides varied and/or additional lighting levels.