Patents by Inventor Nigel D. Strike

Nigel D. Strike 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).

  • Microcontroller methods of improving reliability in DC brushless motors and cooling fans
    Patent number: 7711439
    Abstract: A method of controlling a motor speed for a fan assembly includes receiving a duty cycle value at a microcontroller. The microcontroller receives a measured fan speed from a speed sensor. An expected fan speed is determined, where the expected fan speed corresponds to the duty cycle value. The measured fan speed is compared with the expected fan speed. A duty cycle of a motor driving signal is reduced if the measured fan speed is less than a predetermined fraction of the expected fan speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Frankel, Eric Hardt, Nigel D. Strike
  • Microcontroller methods of improving reliability in DC brushless motors and cooling fans
    Patent number: 7605556
    Abstract: A method of controlling a motor speed for a fan assembly includes receiving a duty cycle value at a microcontroller. The microcontroller receives a measured fan speed from a speed sensor. An expected fan speed is determined, where the expected fan speed corresponds to the duty cycle value. The measured fan speed is compared with the expected fan speed. A duty cycle of a motor driving signal is reduced if the measured fan speed is less than a predetermined fraction of the expected fan speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Frankel, Eric Hardt, Nigel D. Strike
  • Motor control circuit and associated full bridge switching arrangement
    Patent number: 7309968
    Abstract: A motor control circuit for controlling a motor, the circuit comprising a switched mode power supply operable to drive a full bridge switching transistor arrangement and to provide a stable voltage to the motor control circuit, wherein the switching transistor arrangement is connectable to the windings of the motor to be controlled, and wherein the switching transistor arrangement comprises: a first set of transistors in an upper part of the full bridge and a second set of transistors in a lower part of the full bridge, the first set of transistors being driven by a first output of the switched mode power supply and the second set of transistors being driven by a second output of the switched mode power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Minebea Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Nigel D. Strike, Henry Riddoch
  • Microcontroller methods of improving reliability in DC brushless motors and cooling fans
    Patent number: 7305316
    Abstract: A method of controlling a motor speed for a fan assembly includes receiving a duty cycle value at a microcontroller. The microcontroller receives a measured fan speed from a speed sensor. An expected fan speed is determined, where the expected fan speed corresponds to the duty cycle value. The measured fan speed is compared with the expected fan speed. A duty cycle of a motor driving signal is reduced if the measured fan speed is less than a predetermined fraction of the expected fan speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Frankel, Eric Hardt, Nigel D. Strike