Patents by Inventor Alexander T. Huber
Alexander T. 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).
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Patent number: 12267035Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide for controlling a conduction angle applied to a motor, such as a power tool motor. Operations for controlling the conduction angle includes receiving by a motor controller, a desired speed signal, and monitoring a speed of the power tool motor. The operation further includes a motor controller determining an error value between the desired speed signal and the monitored speed and determining a conduction angle signal based on the error value. The operation also includes the motor controller determining whether the conduction angle signal is greater than the error value and increasing a conduction angle of the power tool motor in response to the conduction angle signal being determined to be greater than the error value.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2024Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Shuvam Gupta, Gerry M. Nagel, Alexander T. Huber
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Publication number: 20250047170Abstract: A power tool includes a motor, a switching module, a plurality of rotor position sensors, and a controller. The switching module includes a plurality of high-side switches and a plurality of low-side switches. The rotor position sensors are configured to output signals related to the position of the rotor. The controller is configured to drive the motor using a twelve-step commutation sequence. A first step includes one of the plurality of high-side switches and one of the plurality of low-side switches turned to an ON conduction state. The controller is configured to calculate an updated phase transition angle for the twelve-step commutation sequence, and drive the motor using the twelve-step commutation sequence based on the updated phase transition angle. A second step following a phase transition includes either two of the plurality of high-side switches or two of the plurality of low-side switches turned to the ON conduction state.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2022Publication date: February 6, 2025Inventors: Alexander T. Huber, Gerald M. Nagel, Shuvam Gupta, Robert D. Turney
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Patent number: 12196815Abstract: A device, such as a power tool, configured to receive a battery pack that is operable to determine a type of battery pack that is attached to the device. When the battery pack is connected to the device, the device is configured to determine an impedance of the battery pack. Based on the determined impedance of the battery pack, the device is capable of detecting the particular type of battery pack that has been attached. In some embodiments, the device is configured to be controlled based on the type of battery pack that has been detected by the device.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2021Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Carl B. Westerby, Griffin M. Steffy, Alex R. Kuhls, Jonathan E. Abbott, Alexander T. Huber, Gareth Mueckl, Douglas R. Fieldbinder
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Publication number: 20250010448Abstract: A system and method for or wirelessly securing a tool in a low power mode is provided. In some embodiments, a system comprises a power source interface configured to selectively receive a battery pack; an alternate power source; a controller electrically coupled to the power source interface, and electrically coupled to the alternate power source via a switch; and a communication system electrically coupled to the alternate power source and the power source interface, and operatively coupled to the switch, wherein the communication system comprises a wireless transceiver and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: establish a wireless connection with an external device; receive a signal from the external device; and in response to the signal, cause the switch to complete a circuit between the alternate power source and the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2022Publication date: January 9, 2025Inventors: Anthony M. Davis, Alexander T. Huber, Melissa Groenewold, Johnny Lienau
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Patent number: 12170381Abstract: Gas-engine replacement devices described herein include a housing that includes battery receptacle configured to removably receive a battery pack, a motor located within the housing, a power take-off shaft receiving torque from the motor and protruding from a side of the housing, a power switching network configured to selectively provide power from the battery pack to the motor, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is coupled to the power switching network and configured to receive a current measurement associated with the motor and control the power switching network according to one of a freewheeling mode or a synchronous rectification mode based on the current measurement.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2021Date of Patent: December 17, 2024Assignee: Michael Best & Friedrich LLPInventors: Alexander T. Huber, My Uyen Nguyen
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Publication number: 20240399523Abstract: Power tools described herein include a housing, a motor supported by the housing, a battery pack configured to provide electrical power to the power tool, a user input configured to provide an input signal corresponding to a target speed of the motor, a plurality of sensors supported by the housing and configured to generate sensor data indicative of an operational parameter of the power tool, and an electronic controller. The electronic controller includes an electronic processor and a memory. The memory includes a machine learning control program for execution by the electronic processor. The electronic controller is configured to receive the target speed, receive the sensor data, process the sensor data using the machine learning control program, generate, using the machine learning control program, an output based on the sensor data, the output including one or more field weakening parameters, and control the motor based on the generated output.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2024Publication date: December 5, 2024Inventors: Jonathan E. Abbott, Alexander T. Huber
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Publication number: 20240385246Abstract: Power tool devices described herein include a housing, a power source interface, a field effect transistor within the housing connected between the power source interface and a load of the power tool device, and an electronic processor coupled to the field effect transistor. The electronic processor is configured to control the field effect transistor to drive the load and measure a voltage at a terminal of the field effect transistor. The electronic processor is also configured to determine the current flowing through the field effect transistor based on the voltage without using a shunt resistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2024Publication date: November 21, 2024Inventors: Alexander T. Huber, Timothy R. Obermann
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Publication number: 20240333180Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide for controlling a conduction angle applied to a motor, such as a power tool motor. Operations for controlling the conduction angle includes receiving by a motor controller, a desired speed signal, and monitoring a speed of the power tool motor. The operation further includes a motor controller determining an error value between the desired speed signal and the monitored speed and determining a conduction angle signal based on the error value. The operation also includes the motor controller determining whether the conduction angle signal is greater than the error value and increasing a conduction angle of the power tool motor in response to the conduction angle signal being determined to be greater than the error value.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2024Publication date: October 3, 2024Inventors: Shuvam Gupta, Gerry M. Nagel, Alexander T. Huber
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Patent number: 12105149Abstract: Power tool devices described herein include a housing, a power source interface, a field effect transistor within the housing connected between the power source interface and a load of the power tool device, and an electronic processor coupled to the field effect transistor. The electronic processor is configured to control the field effect transistor to drive the load and measure a voltage at a terminal of the field effect transistor. The electronic processor is also configured to determine the current flowing through the field effect transistor based on the voltage without using a shunt resistor.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2021Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Alexander T. Huber, Timothy R. Obermann
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Patent number: 12005540Abstract: Power tools described herein include a housing, a motor supported by the housing, a battery pack configured to provide electrical power to the power tool, a user input configured to provide an input signal corresponding to a target speed of the motor, a plurality of sensors supported by the housing and configured to generate sensor data indicative of an operational parameter of the power tool, and an electronic controller. The electronic controller includes an electronic processor and a memory. The memory includes a machine learning control program for execution by the electronic processor. The electronic controller is configured to receive the target speed, receive the sensor data, process the sensor data using the machine learning control program, generate, using the machine learning control program, an output based on the sensor data, the output including one or more field weakening parameters, and control the motor based on the generated output.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2022Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Jonathan E. Abbott, Alexander T. Huber
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Patent number: 11949362Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide for controlling a conduction angle applied to a motor, such as a power tool motor. Operations for controlling the conduction angle includes receiving by a motor controller, a desired speed signal, and monitoring a speed of the power tool motor. The operation further includes a motor controller determining an error value between the desired speed signal and the monitored speed and determining a conduction angle signal based on the error value. The operation also includes the motor controller determining whether the conduction angle signal is greater than the error value and increasing a conduction angle of the power tool motor in response to the conduction angle signal being determined to be greater than the error value.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Shuvam Gupta, Gerry M. Nagel, Alexander T. Huber
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Publication number: 20240048085Abstract: A power tool that includes a brushless motor, a power switching circuit, a current sensor, and an electronic controller. The power switching circuit provides a supply of power to the brushless motor. The current sensor is configured to sense a current of the brushless motor. The electronic controller is configured to receive a first signal indicative of current of the brushless motor, generate a current command, set a conduction angle of the brushless motor based on the current command, supply a PWM signal having a duty cycle to the brushless motor to increase current of the brushless motor, determine whether duty cycle equals a first threshold, maintain the duty cycle at the first threshold, modify the conduction angle to increase the current of the brushless DC motor, determine whether current equals a second threshold, and control the second conduction angle to maintain current at the second threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Austin Gaspar, Gerald M. Nagel, Shuvam Gupta, Alexander T. Huber
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Publication number: 20220347811Abstract: Power tools described herein include a housing, a motor supported by the housing, a battery pack configured to provide electrical power to the power tool, a user input configured to provide an input signal corresponding to a target speed of the motor, a plurality of sensors supported by the housing and configured to generate sensor data indicative of an operational parameter of the power tool, and an electronic controller. The electronic controller includes an electronic processor and a memory. The memory includes a machine learning control program for execution by the electronic processor. The electronic controller is configured to receive the target speed, receive the sensor data, process the sensor data using the machine learning control program, generate, using the machine learning control program, an output based on the sensor data, the output including one or more field weakening parameters, and control the motor based on the generated output.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Jonathan E. Abbott, Alexander T. Huber
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Publication number: 20220345057Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide for controlling a conduction angle applied to a motor, such as a power tool motor. Operations for controlling the conduction angle includes receiving by a motor controller, a desired speed signal, and monitoring a speed of the power tool motor. The operation further includes a motor controller determining an error value between the desired speed signal and the monitored speed and determining a conduction angle signal based on the error value. The operation also includes the motor controller determining whether the conduction angle signal is greater than the error value and increasing a conduction angle of the power tool motor in response to the conduction angle signal being determined to be greater than the error value.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2022Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Shuvam Gupta, Gerry M. Nagel, Alexander T. Huber
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Publication number: 20220247202Abstract: A power tool device including a housing, first and second battery pack terminals, at least one bulk capacitor, a pre-charge circuit, and a discharge circuit. The pre-charge circuit includes at least one resistance connected in series with the at least one bulk capacitor, and a pre-charge switch connected in series with the at least one resistance. The pre-charge switch is configured to selectively provide a conductive path to charge the at least one bulk capacitor. The discharge circuit includes a first switch and a second switch connected in series with the at least one bulk capacitor. The first switch and the second switch are configured to be turned on after the at least one bulk capacitor is charged to a DC bus voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: Nicholas C. Mantych, Alexander T. Huber
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Publication number: 20220137147Abstract: A device, such as a power tool, configured to receive a battery pack that is operable to determine a type of battery pack that is attached to the device. When the battery pack is connected to the device, the device is configured to determine an impedance of the battery pack. Based on the determined impedance of the battery pack, the device is capable of detecting the particular type of battery pack that has been attached. In some embodiments, the device is configured to be controlled based on the type of battery pack that has been detected by the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2021Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Carl B. Westerby, Griffin M. Steffy, Alex R. Kuhls, Jonathan E. Abbott, Alexander T. Huber, Gareth Mueckl, Douglas R. Fieldbinder
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Publication number: 20220120813Abstract: Power tool devices described herein include a housing, a power source interface, a field effect transistor within the housing connected between the power source interface and a load of the power tool device, and an electronic processor coupled to the field effect transistor. The electronic processor is configured to control the field effect transistor to drive the load and measure a voltage at a terminal of the field effect transistor. The electronic processor is also configured to determine the current flowing through the field effect transistor based on the voltage without using a shunt resistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: Alexander T. Huber, Timothy R. Obermann
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Publication number: 20210399378Abstract: Gas-engine replacement devices described herein include a housing that includes battery receptacle configured to removably receive a battery pack, a motor located within the housing, a power take-off shaft receiving torque from the motor and protruding from a side of the housing, a power switching network configured to selectively provide power from the battery pack to the motor, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is coupled to the power switching network and configured to receive a current measurement associated with the motor and control the power switching network according to one of a freewheeling mode or a synchronous rectification mode based on the current measurement.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventors: Alexander T. Huber, My Uyen Nguyen