Patents by Inventor Bruce Nielsen

Bruce Nielsen 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).

  • Patent number: 11965201
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for improving efficiency of fermentation by arginine supplementation, and genetically modified bacterium for use therefor. More particularly the invention provides methods for (i) increasing the production ATP intensive products with arginine supplementation, (ii) increasing utilization of arginine by a C1-fixing bacterium; and (iii) providing C1-fixing bacterium with optimized arginine de-aminase pathways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: LanzaTech NZ, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaspar Valgepea, Michael Koepke, James Bruce Yarnton Haycock Behrendorff, Esteban Marcellin, Lars K. Nielsen, Renato de S. P. Lemgruber
  • Publication number: 20240120810
    Abstract: A method and apparatus serve to mount a calibrated encoder assembly to an electric motor so that a sensor output signal waveform produced by the calibrated encoder assembly is aligned with a back electromotive force (BEMF) waveform of the electric motor. The calibrated encoder assembly is fixed to an alignment plate, which is attached to the electric motor. The electric motor is rotated using a servo driven functional tester and the BEMF waveform of the electric motor is measured. The sensor output signal waveform is measured, and the alignment plate is adjusted relative to the electric motor to align the sensor output signal waveform to the BEMF waveform. The alignment plate is secured to the electric motor in the adjusted orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Beck, Timothy H. Sullivan, Bruce Nielsen
  • Patent number: 11888357
    Abstract: A method and apparatus serve to mount a calibrated encoder assembly to an electric motor so that a sensor output signal waveform produced by the calibrated encoder assembly is aligned with a back electromotive force (BEMF) waveform of the electric motor. The calibrated encoder assembly is fixed to an alignment plate, which is attached to the electric motor. The electric motor is rotated using a servo driven functional tester and the BEMF waveform of the electric motor is measured. The sensor output signal waveform is measured, and the alignment plate is adjusted relative to the electric motor to align the sensor output signal waveform to the BEMF waveform. The alignment plate is secured to the electric motor in the adjusted orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Beck, Timothy H. Sullivan, Bruce Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20220069674
    Abstract: A method and apparatus serve to mount a calibrated encoder assembly to an electric motor so that a sensor output signal waveform produced by the calibrated encoder assembly is aligned with a back electromotive force (BEMF) waveform of the electric motor. The calibrated encoder assembly is fixed to an alignment plate, which is attached to the electric motor. The electric motor is rotated using a servo driven functional tester and the BEMF waveform of the electric motor is measured. The sensor output signal waveform is measured, and the alignment plate is adjusted relative to the electric motor to align the sensor output signal waveform to the BEMF waveform. The alignment plate is secured to the electric motor in the adjusted orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Beck, Timothy H. Sullivan, Bruce Nielsen
  • Patent number: 10097014
    Abstract: A battery charger monitors the voltages across individual batteries in a battery system during recharging of the batteries. The charger identifies a least voltage measurement and identifies the batteries in the battery system that have a voltage measurement that is a predetermined voltage differential above the least voltage measurement. A controller in the charger operates switches to connect a resistor in parallel across each battery having a voltage measurement above the least voltage measurement by the predetermined voltage differential in a one-to-one correspondence to reduce the charge returned to the battery during recharging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Shane A. Pickett, William Pickering, Bruce A. Nielsen, Brandon M. Bodeker
  • Patent number: 9961758
    Abstract: An electrical device configuration enables heat to be dissipated from a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) while handling electrical currents in excess of 200 amps. The semiconductor devices that convert input DC current to output AC current are mounted to a side of the PCB that is opposite the side of the PCB that receives the input DC current. A base plate that acts as a heat sink includes recessed areas to receive the semiconductor devices and enable the PCB to be positioned close to the base plate. Thermal vias are provided in the PCB to conductive heat from the semiconductor devices to the side of the PCB that receives the input current. Also, the busbars for receiving the input current are positioned to provide short resistive paths to the current to reduce the generation of heat by the current flowing in the PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: William Pickering, Bruce A. Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20180103536
    Abstract: An electrical device configuration enables heat to be dissipated from a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) while handling electrical currents in excess of 200 amps. The semiconductor devices that convert input DC current to output AC current are mounted to a side of the PCB that is opposite the side of the PCB that receives the input DC current. A base plate that acts as a heat sink includes recessed areas to receive the semiconductor devices and enable the PCB to be positioned close to the base plate. Thermal vias are provided in the PCB to conductive heat from the semiconductor devices to the side of the PCB that receives the input current. Also, the busbars for receiving the input current are positioned to provide short resistive paths to the current to reduce the generation of heat by the current flowing in the PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: William Pickering, Bruce A. Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20170353040
    Abstract: A battery charger monitors the voltages across individual batteries in a battery system during recharging of the batteries. The charger identifies a least voltage measurement and identifies the batteries in the battery system that have a voltage measurement that is a predetermined voltage differential above the least voltage measurement. A controller in the charger operates switches to connect a resistor in parallel across each battery having a voltage measurement above the least voltage measurement by the predetermined voltage differential in a one-to-one correspondence to reduce the charge returned to the battery during recharging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Shane A. Pickett, William Pickering, Bruce A. Nielsen, Brandon M. Bodeker
  • Patent number: 5239242
    Abstract: Motor control systems having direction contacts for steering current through a motor are commonly associated with electrical industrial vehicles, such as lift trucks. Advantageously, the operation of the direction contacts should be optimized in order to prevent switching the contacts when current is present to the extent that such switching can be eliminated. The instant apparatus includes a logic device for receiving speed and direction demand signals and responsively controlling the direction contacts associated with a vehicle motor. The logic device also receives signals from a current sensor responsive to the magnitude of electrical current flowing through the electric motor. In response to the motor current signal indicating a value less than a predetermined value concurrent with either the motor direction demand signal having a neutral value or the motor speed demand signal having a zero value, the logic means produces a neutral motor direction command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Caterpillar Industrial Inc.
    Inventors: William Pickering, Bruce A. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 5177419
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a load lifting implement of a work vehicle in response to the condition of a motor brush is provided. The vehicle has a frame and the load lifting implement is connected to the frame and elevationally moveable relative to the frame between first and second directions. A brush wear indicator senses the wear of the motor brush and produces a warning signal in response to a predetermined amount of wear of the motor brush. A control system receives the warning signal and responsively controllably inhibits the elevational movement of the load lifting implement in at least one of the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Caterpillar Industrial Inc.
    Inventors: William Pickering, Bruce A. Nielsen, Arthur Wild
  • Patent number: 5084658
    Abstract: A motor speed control system for a vehicle is provided. The control system includes an electric motor connected to a power coupling element for delivering electrical energy to the motor in response to a control signal. A sensor produces a current signal in response to the magnitude of the current flowing through the motor. An accelerator pedal produces a command signal in response to a desired vehicle speed. A microprocessor receives the command signal and responsively delivers a pulse width modulated control signal to the power coupling element. The control signal has a duty cycle in a range between a minimum and predefined value. Additionally, the microprocessor receives the current signal and increases the duty cycle of the control signal by a predetermined amount beyond the predefined value in response to the received current signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Caterpillar Industrial Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Nielsen, William Pickering