Patents by Inventor Alex Huber

Alex Huber 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: 10720860
    Abstract: A power tool including a three-phase DC motor, a power switching network, a power source, and an electronic processor. A first phase of the motor is connected between a first high side electronic switch and a first low side electronic switch, and between a second high side electronic switch and a second low side electronic switch. The first high side electronic switch is parallel to the second high side electronic switch, and the first low side electronic switch is parallel to the second low side electronic switch. The electronic processor receives an indication to stop the motor, and deactivates the first high side electronic switch and the first low side electronic switch, and activates the second high side electronic switch and the second low side electronic switch such that the back-electromagnetic force generated by the motor is connected in a second polarity relative to the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Carl B. Westerby, Timothy R. Obermann, Alex Huber
  • Publication number: 20200189077
    Abstract: A power tool and method of detecting impacts of a power tool that includes a motor driving a hammer to impact an anvil. A motor control unit is configured to determine a motor characteristic indicative of a speed of the motor. When the motor characteristic indicates that the speed of the motor is below a speed threshold, the motor control unit employs an acceleration-based technique to detect a first impact based on a change in motor acceleration and generate a first impact indication in response to detecting the first impact. When the motor characteristic indicates that the speed is above the speed threshold, the motor control unit employs a time-based technique to detect a second impact based on an elapsed time and generates a second impact indication in response to detecting the second impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Alex Huber, Matthew Wycklendt, Matthew Mergener, Cole Conrad, Wing Fung Yip
  • Patent number: 10673305
    Abstract: A power tool including a housing, a controller within the housing, and a brushless motor within the housing and controlled by the controller. The brushless motor including a stator assembly including a stator core having stator laminations with an annular portion and inwardly extending stator teeth. The stator assembly defines a stator envelope in an axial direction extending between axial ends of stator end caps of the stator assembly. The brushless motor further includes a rotor assembly including a rotor core having rotor laminations and defining a central aperture that extends in the axial direction and that receives a shaft, and a position sensor board assembly including position sensors and configured to provide position information of the rotor core to the controller. The rotor assembly and the position sensor board assembly are provided at least partially within the stator envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Keith Boulanger, Alex Huber, William A. Elger, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz
  • Publication number: 20200127593
    Abstract: An electrical combination, a tool system, an electric motor, a battery pack, and operating and manufacturing methods. The tool may include a tool housing, a motor supported by the tool housing, the motor having a nominal outer diameter of up to about 80 millimeters (mm), the motor being operable to output at least about 2760 watts (W), and a tool terminal electrically connected to the motor; a battery pack including a pack housing defining a volume of the battery pack, the volume being up to about 5.2×106 cubic millimeters (mm3), battery cells supported by the pack housing, the battery cells being electrically connected and having a nominal voltage of up to about 80 volts (V), and a pack terminal electrically connectable to the tool terminal to transfer current between the battery pack and the tool; and a controller operable to control the transfer of current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Samuel Sheeks, Jeffrey M. Brozek, Keith Boulanger, Andrew T. Beyerl, Timothy R. Obermann, Alex Huber, Samantha L. Billetdeaux, Lance D. Lamont, Matthew J. Mergener
  • Publication number: 20200120404
    Abstract: A power tool having multiple wireless communication states and a method of wirelessly communicating by a power tool. The power tool includes a motor, a battery pack interface that selectively receives a battery pack, a backup power source, and a wireless communication controller coupled to the backup power source and the battery pack interface. The wireless communication controller operates in a connectable state when coupled to a battery pack and transmits tool operational data to the external device and receives tool configuration data from the external device. The wireless communication controller operates in an advertisement state when the wireless communication controller is coupled to and powered by the backup power source. In the advertisement state, the wireless communication controller is configured to transmit the unique tool identifier. The external device may also display an indication of the communication state of the power tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Burtrom Lee Stampfl, Matthew J. Mergener, Alex Huber, Paul Rossetto, Cole A. Conrad, Stephen Matson, Scott R. Fischer, Mark A. Kubale, Christian Coulis
  • Patent number: 10618151
    Abstract: A method of operating a hydraulic power tool. The method includes performing an operation with the hydraulic power tool, detecting, with a sensor, an operational parameter during the operation of the hydraulic power tool, and storing a plurality of data points based on the operational parameter and a corresponding sampling time for each of the plurality of data points. The method also includes sending, via a transceiver on the hydraulic power tool, the plurality of data points and corresponding sampling times to an external device, displaying, on a display screen of the external device, an expected data point, and displaying, on the display screen of the external device, an actual data curve based on the plurality of data points and corresponding sampling times. The actual data curve is overlaid on the expected data point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Kris Kanack, Sean T. Kehoe, Paige Bovard, Alex Huber
  • Publication number: 20200106380
    Abstract: An electrical combination, a tool system, an electric motor, a battery pack, and operating and manufacturing methods. The tool may include a tool housing, a motor supported by the tool housing, the motor having a nominal outer diameter of up to about 80 millimeters (mm), the motor being operable to output at least about 2760 watts (W), and a tool terminal electrically connected to the motor; a battery pack including a pack housing defining a volume of the battery pack, the volume being up to about 5.2×106 cubic millimeters (mm3), battery cells supported by the pack housing, the battery cells being electrically connected and having a nominal voltage of up to about 80 volts (V), and a pack terminal electrically connectable to the tool terminal to transfer current between the battery pack and the tool; and a controller operable to control the transfer of current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Samuel Sheeks, Jeffrey M. Brozek, Keith Boulanger, Andrew T. Beyerl, Timothy R. Obermann, Alex Huber, Samantha L. Billetdeaux, Lance D. Lamont, Matthew J. Mergener
  • Patent number: 10603770
    Abstract: A power tool and method of detecting impacts of a power tool that includes a motor driving a hammer to impact an anvil. A motor control unit is configured to determine a motor characteristic indicative of a speed of the motor. When the motor characteristic indicates that the speed of the motor is below a speed threshold, the motor control unit employs an acceleration-based technique to detect a first impact based on a change in motor acceleration and generate a first impact indication in response to detecting the first impact. When the motor characteristic indicates that the speed is above the speed threshold, the motor control unit employs a time-based technique to detect a second impact based on an elapsed time and generates a second impact indication in response to detecting the second impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Huber, Matthew Wycklendt, Matthew Mergener, Cole Conrad, Wing Fung Yip
  • Patent number: 10516920
    Abstract: A power tool having multiple wireless communication states and a method of wirelessly communicating by a power tool. The power tool includes a motor, a battery pack interface that selectively receives a battery pack, a backup power source, and a wireless communication controller coupled to the backup power source and the battery pack interface. The wireless communication controller operates in a connectable state when coupled to a battery pack and transmits tool operational data to the external device and receives tool configuration data from the external device. The wireless communication controller operates in an advertisement state when the wireless communication controller is coupled to and powered by the backup power source. In the advertisement state, the wireless communication controller is configured to transmit the unique tool identifier. The external device may also display an indication of the communication state of the power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Burtrom Lee Stampfl, Matthew J. Mergener, Alex Huber, Paul Rossetto, Cole A. Conrad, Stephen Matson, Scott R. Fischer, Mark A. Kubale, Christian Coulis
  • Publication number: 20190356197
    Abstract: A power tool including a housing, a controller within the housing, and a brushless motor within the housing and controlled by the controller. The brushless motor including a stator assembly including a stator core having stator laminations with an annular portion and inwardly extending stator teeth. The stator assembly defines a stator envelope in an axial direction extending between axial ends of stator end caps of the stator assembly. The brushless motor further includes a rotor assembly including a rotor core having rotor laminations and defining a central aperture that extends in the axial direction and that receives a shaft, and a position sensor board assembly including position sensors and configured to provide position information of the rotor core to the controller. The rotor assembly and the position sensor board assembly are provided at least partially within the stator envelope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Keith Boulanger, Alex Huber, William A. Elger, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz
  • Publication number: 20190326765
    Abstract: An electrical device including a first battery pack receptacle, a second battery pack receptacle, and circuitry including an electronic processor. The first battery pack receptacle is configured to receive a first battery pack. The second battery pack receptacle is configured to receive a second battery pack. The second battery pack is electrically connected in a series-type configuration with the first battery pack. The circuitry is configured to alter a first signal output from the electronic processor to at least one selected from a group consisting of the first battery pack and the second battery pack, and alter a second signal received by the electronic processor from at least one selected from the group consisting of the first battery pack and the second battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Alex Huber, Timothy R. Obermann
  • Patent number: 10432065
    Abstract: A brushless direct current motor for a power tool. The motor includes a stator assembly including a stator core having stator laminations with an annular portion and inwardly extending stator teeth. The motor also includes a rotor assembly including a rotor core having rotor laminations and defining a central aperture that receives an output shaft. The rotor assembly also includes a rotor end cap on a first side of the rotor core having a bearing holder and defining a channel, wherein the channel is open on a side of the rotor end cap facing the rotor core. The motor further includes a bearing provided in the bearing holder that couples the rotor end cap to the output shaft and a position sensor board assembly provided in the channel of the rotor end cap and configured to provide position information of the rotor core to a motor controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Keith Boulanger, Alex Huber, William A. Elger, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz
  • Publication number: 20190263015
    Abstract: Simulated bog-down system and method for power tools. One power tool according to an example embodiment includes a power source and a motor selectively coupled to the power source. The motor includes a rotor and stator windings. The power tool includes an actuator configured to generate a drive request signal and a power switching network configured to selectively couple the power source to the stator windings of the motor. The power tool includes an electronic processor coupled to the power source, the actuator, and the power switching network. The electronic processor is configured to detect a load on the power tool and compare the load to a threshold. The electronic processor is configured to determine that the load is greater than the threshold, and to control the power switching network to simulate bog-down in response to determining that the load is greater than the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Alex Huber, Murat Avci, Timothy R. Obermann
  • Publication number: 20190219990
    Abstract: A programmable power tool and method and systems of programming a power tool using wireless communication. An external device having a processor and a transceiver establishes a communication link with the power tool. The external device receives, with the transceiver, a first mode profile stored on the power tool. The first mode profile is defined by a profile type and a first value associated with a parameter for executing the profile type. The external device displays a control screen including the profile type and the parameter at the first value, and receives a user input. The external device generates, in response to the user input, a second mode profile by modifying the parameter to be at a second value. The external device transmits, with the transceiver, the second mode profile to the power tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: John S. Dey, IV, Alex Huber, Matthew J. Mergener, Butrom Stampfl, Stephen Matson, Timothy R. Obermann
  • Publication number: 20190215584
    Abstract: A power tool having multiple wireless communication states and a method of wirelessly communicating by a power tool. The power tool includes a motor, a battery pack interface that selectively receives a battery pack, a backup power source, and a wireless communication controller coupled to the backup power source and the battery pack interface. The wireless communication controller operates in a connectable state when coupled to a battery pack and transmits tool operational data to the external device and receives tool configuration data from the external device. The wireless communication controller operates in an advertisement state when the wireless communication controller is coupled to and powered by the backup power source. In the advertisement state, the wireless communication controller is configured to transmit the unique tool identifier. The external device may also display an indication of the communication state of the power tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Burtrom Lee Stampfl, Matthew J. Mergener, Alex Huber, Paul Rossetto, Cole A. Conrad, Stephen Matson, Scott R. Fischer, Mark A. Kubale, Christian Coulis
  • Publication number: 20190207539
    Abstract: A power tool including a three-phase DC motor, a power switching network, a power source, and an electronic processor. A first phase of the motor is connected between a first high side electronic switch and a first low side electronic switch, and between a second high side electronic switch and a second low side electronic switch. The first high side electronic switch is parallel to the second high side electronic switch, and the first low side electronic switch is parallel to the second low side electronic switch. The electronic processor receives an indication to stop the motor, and deactivates the first high side electronic switch and the first low side electronic switch, and activates the second high side electronic switch and the second low side electronic switch such that the back-electromagnetic force generated by the motor is connected in a second polarity relative to the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Carl B. Westerby, Timothy R. Obermann, Alex Huber
  • Patent number: 10295990
    Abstract: A programmable power tool and method and systems of programming a power tool using wireless communication. An external device having a processor and a transceiver establishes a communication link with the power tool. The external device receives, with the transceiver, a first mode profile stored on the power tool. The first mode profile is defined by a profile type and a first value associated with a parameter for executing the profile type. The external device displays a control screen including the profile type and the parameter at the first value, and receives a user input. The external device generates, in response to the user input, a second mode profile by modifying the parameter to be at a second value. The external device transmits, with the transceiver, the second mode profile to the power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: John S. Dey, IV, Alex Huber, Matthew J. Mergener, Burtrom L. Stampfl, Stephen Matson, Timothy R. Obermann
  • Publication number: 20190134884
    Abstract: An expanding tool comprising: an actuator comprising a cylindrical housing that defines an actuator housing cavity; a primary ram disposed within the actuator housing cavity, the primary ram defining an internal primary ram cavity; a secondary ram disposed within the internal primary ram cavity; a cam roller carrier coupled to a distal end of the secondary ram; a drive collar positioned within a distal end of the actuator housing cavity; a roller clutch disposed within an internal cavity defined by an inner surface of the drive collar; a shuttle cam positioned between the roller clutch and a distal end of the primary ram; an expander cone coupled to the primary ram; and an expander head operably coupled to the drive collar. When triggered, the actuator first rotates the expander head and then the actuator expands the expander head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Corey Dickert, Alex Huber, Jarrod Kotes, Will Didier, Ian Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20190134801
    Abstract: A rotary power tool includes a housing having a motor housing portion and a handle portion extending therefrom. An electric motor is positioned within the motor housing portion. The rotary power tool further includes a trigger switch configured to activate and deactivate the motor. The rotary power tool further includes a non-contact speed selector switch positioned in the housing. The non-contact speed selector switch is configured to adjust a rotational speed of the motor. The non-contact speed selector switch is separate from the trigger switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Maxwell L. Merget, Jingyuan Liang, Michael R. Sande, Michael Halverson, Ian Duncan, Nicholas C. Mantych, Alex Huber
  • Publication number: 20190140516
    Abstract: A brushless direct current motor for a power tool. The motor includes a stator assembly including a stator core having stator laminations with an annular portion and inwardly extending stator teeth. The motor also includes a rotor assembly including a rotor core having rotor laminations and defining a central aperture that receives an output shaft. The rotor assembly also includes a rotor end cap on a first side of the rotor core having a bearing holder and defining a channel, wherein the channel is open on a side of the rotor end cap facing the rotor core. The motor further includes a bearing provided in the bearing holder that couples the rotor end cap to the output shaft and a position sensor board assembly provided in the channel of the rotor end cap and configured to provide position information of the rotor core to a motor controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Keith Boulanger, Alex Huber, William A. Elger, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz