Patents by Inventor Brian E. Friedman

Brian E. Friedman 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).

  • Publication number: 20260100656
    Abstract: A power control module may include a circuit board; a plurality of power switch devices including a plurality of high-side power switches and a plurality of low-side power switches mounted on the circuit board and configured as a multi-phase inverter circuit to provide a plurality of output phase terminals to the electric motor, each power switch device including a first surface mounted on the circuit board and through which at least source and drain terminals of the power switch device are coupled to the circuit board, and a second surface including a metal surface electrically coupled to the drain terminal of the power switch device; and a plurality of power output terminals mounted discretely on the plurality of low-side power switches and electrically contacting the metal surface of the plurality of low-side power switches to be electrically coupled to the plurality of output phase terminals of the inverter circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2025
    Publication date: April 9, 2026
    Inventors: Matthew A. Siragusa, Brian E. Friedman, Eric W. Wachter
  • Patent number: 12597666
    Abstract: A power tool is provided an electric motor, a nosecone assembly having a metal body, a terminal block that couples to a removable battery pack, and an electronic power module that regulates supply of electric current from the battery pack to the motor. A discharge wire is coupled to the terminal block on a first end and to the metal body of the nosecone assembly on a second end to provide a discharge path from the nosecone directly to the battery pack bypassing the electronic power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Brian E. Friedman, Michael P. Sikora, Tyler J. Petrus, Robert G. Kusmierski, Christopher W. Shook, Erik A. Ekstrom, Alexandros T. Theos, Daniel L. Krout, Spencer J. Sheckells, Jacob N. Preston
  • Publication number: 20260071748
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing containing a motor, an output member configured to be driven by the motor to perform an operation on a workpiece, and a handle having a first end portion coupled to the housing and a second end portion. A base is coupled to the second end portion of the handle. A light emitting assembly is pivotably coupled to the base. The light emitting assembly is configured to be operable in a first mode to illuminate a workpiece and a second mode to indicate a condition of the power tool responsive to the power tool signaling the condition to the light emitting assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2025
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Inventors: Brian E. Friedman, Joseph Patrick Kelleher, David Irwin, Richard Dizon, Heather Schafer, Michael Sikora, Abraham Lozier
  • Publication number: 20250317033
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a power tool comprising a motor including a flywheel, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) configured to output IMU data, and a controller coupled to the motor and the IMU. The controller is configured to process the IMU data to generate processed IMU data, detect, based on the processed IMU data, whether the power tool has been moved in a pickup motion that is associated with an imminent use of the power tool, and increase a speed of the motor to a target speed in response to the detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2025
    Publication date: October 9, 2025
    Inventors: Brian E. FRIEDMAN, Robert A. USSELMAN
  • Publication number: 20250256385
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an auxiliary wireless device for a power tool that includes a body, a wireless communication unit (WCU), an inertial measurement unit (IMU), and a controller. The body is removably attachable to a housing of a power tool. The WCU includes a wireless transceiver. The IMU is configured to output IMU sensor data including at least one of 3-axis acceleration data and 3-axis angular rate data. The controller is configured to determine a loaded operational time of the power tool over a time period based on the IMU sensor data, determine a cumulative loaded operational time of the power tool over a cumulative time period based on loaded operational times for a number of time periods, and send the cumulative loaded operational time to the WCU for transmission to a remote device. The power tool is activated in a loaded condition during the loaded operational time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2025
    Publication date: August 14, 2025
    Inventors: Brian E. FRIEDMAN, Michael VARIPATIS
  • Patent number: 12338989
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing containing a motor, an output member configured to be driven by the motor to perform an operation on a workpiece, and a handle having a first end portion coupled to the housing and a second end portion. A base is coupled to the second end portion of the handle. A light emitting assembly is pivotably coupled to the base. The light emitting assembly is configured to be operable in a first mode to illuminate a workpiece and a second mode to indicate a condition of the power tool responsive to the power tool signaling the condition to the light emitting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Friedman, Joseph Patrick Kelleher, David Irwin, Richard Dizon, Heather Schafer, Michael Sikora, Abraham Lozier
  • Publication number: 20250119090
    Abstract: An impact power tool includes a housing, a motor, a controller, an impact mechanism configured to be driven by the motor, and an output spindle configured to receive rotational impacts from the impact mechanism to rotate the output spindle. The controller is configured to detect a first impact of the rotational impacts or to detect when the motor speed drops below a speed threshold value. The controller is configured to control the motor to have a first non-zero target rotational speed using closed loop control for a predetermined time period after the first impact is detected or when the motor speed dropping below the speed threshold value is detected. The controller is configured to control the motor to have a second non-zero target rotational speed using the closed loop control after the predetermined time period. The first non-zero target rotational speed is less than the second non-zero target rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: Brian E. Friedman, Peter Hague Wadeson, Eric Louis Kunz, BhanuPrakash Villuri, Tyler Petrus, Wing W. Lin
  • Patent number: 12212264
    Abstract: An impact power tool includes a housing, a motor, a controller, an impact mechanism configured to be driven by the motor, and an output spindle configured to receive rotational impacts from the impact mechanism to rotate the output spindle. The controller is configured to detect a first impact of the rotational impacts or to detect when the motor speed drops below a speed threshold value. The controller is configured to control the motor to have a first non-zero target rotational speed using closed loop control for a predetermined time period after the first impact is detected or when the motor speed dropping below the speed threshold value is detected. The controller is configured to control the motor to have a second non-zero target rotational speed using the closed loop control after the predetermined time period. The first non-zero target rotational speed is less than the second non-zero target rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Brian E. Friedman, Peter Hague Wadeson, Eric Louis Kunz, BhanuPrakash Villuri, Tyler Petrus, Wing W. Lin
  • Publication number: 20240375253
    Abstract: An electric grinding tool includes a motor housing coupleable to an electrical power source, a motor configured to receive power from the electrical power source and including an output shaft extending along a motor axis, a handgrip coupled to and coaxial with the motor housing, a tool holder rotatably driven upon rotation of the motor, the tool holder configured to receive a shaft of a grinding accessory, and a light unit coupled to and at least partially recessed in a front end portion of the electric grinding tool. The light unit includes a plurality of lights mounted to an at least partially ring shaped printed circuit board that is received in a support ring, and a cover ring received over the lights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: John C. Vanko, Tal Gottesman, Daniel Puzio, Michael K. Forster, John D. Cox, Joseph P. Kelleher, Stuart Garber, Joerg Zellerhoff, Joao Norona, Robert S. Gehret, Scott Eshleman, Stephen P. Osborne, Brian E. Friedman, Robert A. Usselman, Anatoliy Nosov, Michael C. Doyle
  • Publication number: 20240351175
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a nosepiece, and an end effector rotatably coupled to the housing. A substantially annular holder body is axially and non-rotatably coupled to the nosepiece. A circuit board is received in an internal substantially annular groove in a rear face of the front wall of the holder body between the holder body and the nosepiece. A light unit is coupled to the circuit board and configured to illuminate the workpiece. A wire assembly electrically couples the light unit to a source of electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: Brian E. Friedman, Stephen P. Osborne, Eva J. Dixon, Eric E. Hatfield, Daniel Krout, Robert Kusmierski, Corey G. Robertson, Jeffrey Delcamp, Daniel Puzio, Robert S. Gehret, Stuart Garber, Joerg Zellerhoff, Joao Norona, Aris C. Cleanthous, Amanda Miller
  • Publication number: 20240333188
    Abstract: A method of operating a power tool having a motor and a controller during a start-up period of the power tool, the start-up period having a plurality of intervals is provided. The method includes: initializing a current clipping threshold to a baseline value, applying the current clipping threshold to the electrical current drawn by the power tool from the battery pack during a first interval of the plurality of intervals, and gradually increasing the current clipping threshold over subsequent intervals of the plurality of intervals to control a ramp-up curve of the rotational speed of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Yue TIAN, Shasha DAI, Perry TAO, Eric L. KUNZ, Brian E. FRIEDMAN
  • Publication number: 20240258952
    Abstract: An impact power tool includes a brushless motor, a power switch, an output spindle, and an impact mechanism configured to selectively apply rotational impacts to the output spindle when a torque on the output spindle exceeds a torque threshold. A controller is configured to control power delivery to the motor to selectively cause the motor to operate in a first mode for installing a fastener or in a second mode for removing a fastener. In the first mode, the controller is configured to control the motor with a first conduction band value and a first advance angle value during a first time period until a first parameter is reached, and to control the motor with a second conduction band value and a second advance angle value, at least one of which is greater than the first conduction band value and the first advance angle value, after the first time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Brian E. Friedman, Peter Hague Wadeson, Eric Louis Kunz, BhanuPrakash Villuri, Tyler Petrus, Wing W. Lin
  • Patent number: 12015364
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a brushless motor received in the housing, a power switch coupled to the housing and actuatable by a user, a controller configured to control power delivery to the motor in response to actuation of the power switch, and an output spindle configured to rotate when the motor is energized. The controller is configured to maintain an amount of current delivered to the motor to be less than or equal to a current limit by turning off or reducing power to the motor for a time period if the current exceeds the current limit and then restarting power delivery to the motor. The time period is greater than the duration of one full current cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Brian E. Friedman, Peter Hague Wadeson, Eric Louis Kunz, Bhanuprakash Villuri, Tyler Petrus, Wing W. Lin
  • Publication number: 20240063748
    Abstract: An impact power tool includes a housing, a motor, a controller, an output member configured to be rotated when the motor is energized, and an impact mechanism configured to rotationally drive the output member. The impact mechanism is configured to selectively apply rotational impacts to the output member when a torque on the output member exceeds a torque threshold. The controller is configured to control the motor during a first phase of operation with open loop control and a baseline conduction band and advance angle setting when a sensed tool operation parameter is one of above or below a threshold value. The controller is configured to control the motor during a second phase of operation with closed speed loop control and an increased conduction band and advance angle setting when the sensed tool operation parameter is the other of above or below the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Brian E. FRIEDMAN, Peter Hague WADESON, Eric Louis KUNZ, BhanuPrakash VILLURI, Tyler PETRUS, Wing W. LIN
  • Publication number: 20240044483
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing containing a motor, an output member configured to be driven by the motor to perform an operation on a workpiece, and a handle having a first end portion coupled to the housing and a second end portion. A base is coupled to the second end portion of the handle. A light emitting assembly is pivotably coupled to the base. The light emitting assembly is configured to be operable in a first mode to illuminate a workpiece and a second mode to indicate a condition of the power tool responsive to the power tool signaling the condition to the light emitting assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Brian E. Friedman, Joseph Patrick Kelleher, David Irwin, Richard Dizon, Heather Schafer, Michael Sikora, Abraham Lozier
  • Patent number: 11855567
    Abstract: An impact power tool includes a housing, a motor, a controller, an output member configured to be rotated when the motor is energized, and an impact mechanism configured to rotationally drive the output member. The impact mechanism is configured to selectively apply rotational impacts to the output member when a torque on the output member exceeds a torque threshold. The controller is configured to control the motor during a first phase of operation with open loop control and a baseline conduction band and advance angle setting when a sensed tool operation parameter is one of above or below a threshold value. The controller is configured to control the motor during a second phase of operation with closed speed loop control and an increased conduction band and advance angle setting when the sensed tool operation parameter is the other of above or below the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Brian E. Friedman, Peter Hague Wadeson, Eric Louis Kunz, BhanuPrakash Villuri, Tyler Petrus, Wing W. Lin
  • Patent number: 11835217
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing containing a motor, an output member configured to be driven by the motor to perform an operation on a workpiece, and a handle having a first end portion coupled to the housing and a second end portion. A base is coupled to the second end portion of the handle. A light emitting assembly is pivotably coupled to the base. The light emitting assembly is configured to be operable in a first mode to illuminate a workpiece and a second mode to indicate a condition of the power tool responsive to the power tool signaling the condition to the light emitting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Brian E. Friedman, Joseph Patrick Kelleher, David Irwin, Richard Dizon, Heather Schafer, Michael Sikora, Abraham Lozier
  • Publication number: 20230268866
    Abstract: An impact power tool includes a motor, a controller, and an impact mechanism configured to rotationally drive an output spindle. The controller is configured to control power delivered to the motor, during a third phase of operation after a second phase of operation and starting upon expiration of a predetermined time period. The third phase has one or more of a third non-zero target rotational speed, a third duty cycle setting, a third conduction band setting, or a third advance angle setting. The controller is configured to control power delivered to the motor, during a fourth phase of operation after the third phase upon detection of a reduction in load on the output spindle or cessation of impacting. The fourth phase has one or more of a fourth non-zero target rotational speed, a fourth duty cycle setting, a fourth conduction band setting, or a fourth advance angle setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Brian E. FRIEDMAN, Peter Hague WADESON, Eric Louis KUNZ, BhanuPrakash VILLURI, Tyler PETRUS, Wing W. LIN, Abhinav JAYAKUMAR
  • Publication number: 20220357031
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing containing a motor, an output member configured to be driven by the motor to perform an operation on a workpiece, and a handle having a first end portion coupled to the housing and a second end portion. A base is coupled to the second end portion of the handle. A light emitting assembly is pivotably coupled to the base. The light emitting assembly is configured to be operable in a first mode to illuminate a workpiece and a second mode to indicate a condition of the power tool responsive to the power tool signaling the condition to the light emitting assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Brian E. Friedman, Joseph Patrick Kelleher, David Irwin, Richard Dizon, Heather Schafer, Michael Sikora, Abraham Lozier
  • Publication number: 20220336904
    Abstract: A power tool is provided an electric motor, a nosecone assembly having a metal body, a terminal block that couples to a removable battery pack, and an electronic power module that regulates supply of electric current from the battery pack to the motor. A discharge wire is coupled to the terminal block on a first end and to the metal body of the nosecone assembly on a second end to provide a discharge path from the nosecone directly to the battery pack bypassing the electronic power module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Brian E. FRIEDMAN, Michael P. SIKORA, Tyler J. PETRUS, Robert G. KUSMIERSKI, Christopher W. SHOOK, Erik A. EKSTROM, Alexandros T. THEOS, Daniel L. KROUT, Spencer J. SHECKELLS, Jacob N. PRESTON