Patents by Inventor Brian L. Beifus

Brian L. Beifus 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: 20160061479
    Abstract: A motor control system for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications is described. The motor control system includes a thermostat and an electronically commutated motor (ECM) coupled to the thermostat. The ECM is configured to retrofit an existing non-ECM electric motor included in an HVAC application and to operate in one of a plurality of HVAC modes. The HVAC modes include at least one of a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a continuous fan mode. The HVAC mode is determined based at least partially on outputs provided by the thermostat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Roger Carlos Becerra, Steven A. Nardin, Michael R. Koller, Andrew C. Barry, Brian L. Beifus, Andrew M. Knollman
  • Publication number: 20160032944
    Abstract: In one aspect, a centrifugal blower assembly is provided. The centrifugal blower assembly includes a housing defining an interior space and an impeller configured to channel an airflow within the interior space. A motor is coupled to the impeller and configured to rotate the impeller about an axis. The centrifugal blower also includes a plurality of mounting arms. Each mounting arm of the plurality of mounting arms includes a first end coupled to the housing and a second end coupled to the motor. Each mounting arm of the plurality of mounting arms has a cross-sectional profile that comprises a portion of an airfoil shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Rachele Barbara Cocks, Joshua James Westhoff, Matthew James Kleist, Zachary Joseph Stauffer, Kerry Baker Shelton, Kamron Mark Wright, Brian L. Beifus
  • Publication number: 20160036361
    Abstract: A motor controller coupled to a motor is provided. The motor controller is configured to transmit a first instruction to the motor to perform a first start attempt utilizing at least one parameter in a first set of parameters. The motor controller is additionally configured to receive feedback associated with the first start attempt from the motor, and transmit, in response to the feedback, a second instruction to the motor to perform a second start attempt utilizing at least one parameter in a second set of parameters, wherein the second set of parameters differ from the first set of parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Gregory P. Sullivan, Bryan J. Stout, Brian L. Beifus, Aldo Sebastian Bertoncini, Michael R. Koller
  • Patent number: 9236819
    Abstract: A unit for recording operating information of an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The unit includes a system controller communicatively coupled to an ECM. The system controller includes a processing device configured to control the unit. The unit also includes a memory device communicatively coupled to the system controller. The memory device is configured to receive and store ECM operating information provided by the processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Beifus, Paul N. Selking, Vijay D. Gurudasani, Michael R. Koller
  • Patent number: 9201433
    Abstract: A motor control system for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications is described. The motor control system includes a thermostat and an electronically commutated motor (ECM) coupled to the thermostat. The ECM is configured to retrofit an existing non-ECM electric motor included in an HVAC application and to operate in one of a plurality of HVAC modes. The HVAC modes include at least one of a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a continuous fan mode. The HVAC mode is determined based at least partially on outputs provided by the thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger C. Becerra, Steven A. Nardin, Michael R. Koller, Andrew C. Barry, Brian L. Beifus, Andrew M. Knollman
  • Patent number: 8975848
    Abstract: Methods and systems for starting an electric motor using a motor controller including a processor are provided. The method includes determining if the electric motor is operating, increasing a failed start counter if the electric motor is determined not to be operating, determining a reverse rotation by comparing a failed start counter to a predetermined threshold, and applying a reverse rotation start routine to the electric motor when a reverse rotation is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ludovic Andre Chretien, Brian L. Beifus
  • Patent number: 8947034
    Abstract: A system and a method of automatically determining an electric motor type are provided. An electric motor drive controller is configured to be coupled to an electric motor and to determine running parameters of the drive controller for the electric motor. The drive controller includes a memory device, a processor communicatively coupled to the memory device and to a user interface wherein the processor is configured to execute instructions stored on the memory device that cause the processor to automatically measure electrical characteristics of the electric motor, identify the electric motor using the measured electrical characteristics, load pre defined running parameters selected based on the identification into the memory device, and control an operation of the electric motor using the controller and the loaded running parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ludovic Andre Chretien, Brian L. Beifus, Michael R. Koller, Norman C. Golm, Jr., Gregory P. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20140361716
    Abstract: A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Stephen Solan, JR., Brian L. Beifus, Roger C. Becerra
  • Patent number: 8847526
    Abstract: A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Solan, Jr., Brian L. Beifus, Roger C. Becerra
  • Publication number: 20140265974
    Abstract: Methods and systems for starting an electric motor using a motor controller including a processor are provided. The method includes determining if the electric motor is operating, increasing a failed start counter if the electric motor is determined not to be operating, determining a reverse rotation by comparing a failed start counter to a predetermined threshold, and applying a reverse rotation start routine to the electric motor when a reverse rotation is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ludovic Andre Chretien, Brian L. Beifus
  • Publication number: 20140265990
    Abstract: A system and a method of automatically determining an electric motor type are provided. An electric motor drive controller is configured to be coupled to an electric motor and to determine running parameters of the drive controller for the electric motor. The drive controller includes a memory device, a processor communicatively coupled to the memory device and to a user interface wherein the processor is configured to execute instructions stored on the memory device that cause the processor to automatically measure electrical characteristics of the electric motor, identify the electric motor using the measured electrical characteristics, load pre defined running parameters selected based on the identification into the memory device, and control an operation of the electric motor using the controller and the loaded running parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ludovic Andre Chretien, Brian L. Beifus, Michael R. Koller, Norman C. Golm, JR., Gregory P. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20140257576
    Abstract: A motor control system for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications is described. The motor control system includes a thermostat and an electronically commutated motor (ECM) coupled to the thermostat. The ECM is configured to retrofit an existing non-ECM electric motor included in an HVAC application and to operate in one of a plurality of HVAC modes. The HVAC modes include at least one of a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a continuous fan mode. The HVAC mode is determined based at least partially on outputs provided by the thermostat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger C. Becerra, Steven A. Nardin, Michael R. Koller, Andrew C. Barry, Brian L. Beifus, Andrew M. Knollman
  • Patent number: 8766573
    Abstract: A motor control system for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications is described. The motor control system includes a thermostat and an electronically commutated motor (ECM) coupled to the thermostat. The ECM is configured to retrofit an existing non-ECM electric motor included in an HVAC application and to operate in one of a plurality of HVAC modes. The HVAC modes include at least one of a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a continuous fan mode. The HVAC mode is determined based at least partially on outputs provided by the thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger C. Becerra, Steven A. Nardin, Michael R. Koller, Andrew C. Barry, Brian L. Beifus, Andrew M. Knollman
  • Patent number: 8749927
    Abstract: A unit for recording operating information of an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The unit includes a system controller communicatively coupled to an ECM. The system controller includes a processing device configured to control the unit. The unit also includes a memory device communicatively coupled to the system controller. The memory device is configured to receive and store ECM operating information provided by the processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Beifus, Paul Nathanael Selking, Vijay Dayaldas Gurudasani, Michael R. Koller
  • Publication number: 20140139157
    Abstract: A unit for recording operating information of an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The unit includes a system controller communicatively coupled to an ECM. The system controller includes a processing device configured to control the unit. The unit also includes a memory device communicatively coupled to the system controller. The memory device is configured to receive and store ECM operating information provided by the processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Beifus, Paul N. Selking, Vijay D. Gurudasani, Michael R. Koller
  • Publication number: 20140079564
    Abstract: An electric motor communication system for use with a fluid moving system is provided. The electric motor communication system includes an electric motor including a wireless communication device configured to transmit and receive wireless signals, and a processing device coupled to the wireless communication device and configured to control the electric motor based at least in part on wireless signals received at the wireless communication device. The electric motor communication system further includes at least one external device configured to communicate wirelessly with the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Carlos Becerra, Brian L. Beifus
  • Publication number: 20130334994
    Abstract: A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Stephen Solan, JR., Brian L. Beifus, Roger C. Becerra
  • Publication number: 20130289779
    Abstract: A method for editing a motor profile is described. The method includes receiving a stored motor profile selection via a user interface, wherein a stored motor profile associated with the stored motor profile selection includes a speed instruction that corresponds to at least one of a pumping amplitude and a pumping time. The method also includes receiving user inputs via the user interface. The user inputs include instructions relating to an edit of the selected motor profile. The method further includes storing the edited motor profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Thaylen Leany, Steve Zavodny, Vijay D. Gurudasani, Brian L. Beifus, Michael R. Koller, Edward Yager
  • Patent number: 8487562
    Abstract: A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Solan, Jr., Brian L. Beifus, Roger C. Becerra
  • Patent number: 8473110
    Abstract: A method for editing a motor profile is described. The method includes receiving a stored motor profile selection via a user interface, and receiving user inputs via the user interface. The user inputs include instructions relating to an edit of the selected motor profile. The method also includes storing the edited motor profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Thaylen Leany, Steve Zavodny, Vijay D. Gurudasani, Brian L. Beifus, Michael R. Koller, Edward Yager