Patents by Inventor Brian Lee Beifus

Brian Lee 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).

  • Patent number: 11879472
    Abstract: A control system for an electric motor for a fluid moving apparatus includes a drive circuit and a processor. The drive circuit regulates power supplied to the motor to generate fluid flow. The processor is coupled to the drive circuit and controls the drive circuit to operate the motor at a first speed and torque, and at a second speed and torque, receive a first flow corresponding to the first speed and torque, determine a second flow based on a ratio of the first flow to the first speed, and corresponding to the second speed and torque. The processor is configured to define an algorithm based on the first and second speed, torque, and flow, compute a set point for a demanded flow using the algorithm, and control the drive circuit based on the set point to supply power to the motor and generate the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Bin Yang, Brian Lee Beifus, Roger Carlos Becerra
  • Publication number: 20240014763
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor is provided. The motor controller includes an inverter configured to supply current to stator windings of the electric motor. The motor controller further includes a plurality of sensors configured to generate a sensor signal in response to detecting a parameter. The sensor signal represents a measured parameter. The motor controller further includes a processor coupled in communication with the inverter and with the plurality of sensors. The processor is configured to, in a first mode, transmit a control signal to the inverter to operate the electric motor at a first frequency. The processor is further configured to receive the sensor signal from the plurality of sensors. The processor is further configured to determine a first fault condition is present at the electric motor based on the measured parameter represented by the sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Ludovic Andre Chretien, Brian Lee Beifus, Michael R. Koller
  • Patent number: 11791760
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor is provided. The motor controller includes an inverter configured to supply current to stator windings of the electric motor. The motor controller further includes a plurality of sensors configured to generate a sensor signal in response to detecting a parameter. The sensor signal represents a measured parameter. The motor controller further includes a processor coupled in communication with the inverter and with the plurality of sensors. The processor is configured to, in a first mode, transmit a control signal to the inverter to operate the electric motor at a first frequency. The processor is further configured to receive the sensor signal from the plurality of sensors. The processor is further configured to determine a first fault condition is present at the electric motor based on the measured parameter represented by the sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ludovic Andre Chretien, Brian Lee Beifus, Michael R. Koller
  • Patent number: 11761665
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor for driving a blower to generate an airflow. The motor controller includes a processor and a drive circuit configured to regulate power supplied to the motor to turn the blower. The processor computes a system resistance for the blower based on a fixed set point for a first control parameter and a feedback parameter. The processor receives an airflow rate demand value and computes an operating set point for a second control parameter based on the system resistance and the airflow rate demand value. The processor controls the drive circuit based on the operating set point to supply electrical power to the electric motor and to operate the blower to generate the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Bin Yang, Brian Lee Beifus, Roger Carlos Becerra
  • Publication number: 20220316744
    Abstract: A control system for an electric motor configured to drive a fluid-moving apparatus. The control system includes a drive circuit and a processor coupled in communication with the drive circuit. The processor is configured to control the drive circuit to operate the electric motor at a plurality of control values of a control parameter and determine, for each of the plurality of control values, a fluid-flow value and a feedback value, the feedback value corresponding to a feedback parameter, compute a mathematical relationship between fluid-flow rate and one of the control parameter or the feedback parameter, receive a fluid-flow rate demand value, compute an operating setpoint for the control parameter based on the fluid-flow rate demand value and the computed mathematical relationship, and control the drive circuit to operate the electric motor at the operating setpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Bin Yang, Brian Lee Beifus, Roger Carlos Becerra
  • Publication number: 20220255489
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor is provided. The motor controller includes an inverter configured to supply current to stator windings of the electric motor. The motor controller further includes a plurality of sensors configured to generate a sensor signal in response to detecting a parameter. The sensor signal represents a measured parameter. The motor controller further includes a processor coupled in communication with the inverter and with the plurality of sensors. The processor is configured to, in a first mode, transmit a control signal to the inverter to operate the electric motor at a first frequency. The processor is further configured to receive the sensor signal from the plurality of sensors. The processor is further configured to determine a first fault condition is present at the electric motor based on the measured parameter represented by the sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Ludovic Andre Chretien, Brian Lee Beifus, Michael R. Koller
  • Publication number: 20220062487
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure includes a fluid moving system. The fluid moving system includes a fluid moving apparatus configured to convey a fluid through a housing from an inlet to an outlet. The fluid moving system includes an active cleaning device configured to neutralize or remove at least a portion of an undesired matter from the fluid conveyed through the housing. The fluid moving system includes an electric motor including a rotor coupled to the fluid moving apparatus and configured to turn the fluid moving apparatus upon application of electric power to a stator of the electric motor. The fluid moving system includes a motor controller communicatively coupled to the electric motor and configured to control at least one of a speed output or a torque output thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Roger Carlos Becerra, William Stuart Gatley, William Arthur Ziegler, Mohamad Khalil Dahouk, Michael David Smith, Audwin William Cash, Zachary Joseph Stauffer, Brian Lee Beifus, John Carl Kunze, Ramin Rezaei, Joseph A. Henry
  • Patent number: 11128250
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a motor assembly including a motor and a motor controller coupled to the motor and configured to control operation of the motor. The electric machine also includes a motor housing defining an interior space and enclosing the motor assembly within the interior space. The electric machine further includes an electric machine housing. The motor housing is enclosed within the electric machine housing. The electric machine also includes an NFC antenna communicatively coupled to the motor controller and mounted such that an antenna range of the NFC antenna extends on an exterior of the electric machine housing. The NFC antenna is configured to receive a signal relating to a user command from a handheld device and relay the signal to the motor controller. The motor controller is configured to adjust an operational parameter of the motor based at least partially on the user command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Albert Nardin, Brian Lee Beifus, Ryan Keith Stephens, Shailesh Prabhakar Waikar
  • Publication number: 20210277908
    Abstract: A control system for an electric motor for a fluid moving apparatus includes a drive circuit and a processor. The drive circuit regulates power supplied to the motor to generate fluid flow. The processor is coupled to the drive circuit and controls the drive circuit to operate the motor at a first speed and torque, and at a second speed and torque, receive a first flow corresponding to the first speed and torque, determine a second flow based on a ratio of the first flow to the first speed, and corresponding to the second speed and torque. The processor is configured to define an algorithm based on the first and second speed, torque, and flow, compute a set point for a demanded flow using the algorithm, and control the drive circuit based on the set point to supply power to the motor and generate the flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Bin Yang, Brian Lee Beifus, Roger Carlos Becerra
  • Patent number: 11101759
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor is provided. The electric motor is configured to drive a blower to generate an airflow. The motor controller includes a memory and a processor coupled thereto. The memory is configured to store a speed-to-airflow ratio associated with an airflow restriction on the blower. The processor is configured to receive a command for a calibrating airflow and operate the electric motor in a constant airflow mode to generate the calibrating airflow at a calibrating speed. The processor is further configured to write the calibrating speed and the calibrating airflow to the memory as the speed-to-airflow ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lee Beifus, Kathryn Bloomfield, Andrew C. Barry
  • Patent number: 10908590
    Abstract: A motor controller coupled to a motor is provided. The motor controller includes a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, a first input coupled to the processor, wherein the first input is associated with a first mode of operation, and a second input coupled to the processor, wherein the second input is associated with a calibration mode. The motor controller is configured to receive, through the first input, a first activation signal, operate the motor in the first mode of operation in response to receiving the first activation signal, while operating the motor in the first mode of operation, receive, through the second input, a second activation signal, in response to receiving the first activation signal and the second activation signal, adjust a value of a parameter associated with the first mode of operation, and store the value of the parameter in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Roger Carlos Becerra, Brian Lee Beifus, Ludovic Andre Chretien, Yao Da, Glen Chester Young
  • Publication number: 20200284462
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor for driving a blower to generate an airflow. The motor controller includes a processor and a drive circuit configured to regulate power supplied to the motor to turn the blower. The processor computes a system resistance for the blower based on a fixed set point for a first control parameter and a feedback parameter. The processor receives an airflow rate demand value and computes an operating set point for a second control parameter based on the system resistance and the airflow rate demand value. The processor controls the drive circuit based on the operating set point to supply electrical power to the electric motor and to operate the blower to generate the airflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Bin Yang, Brian Lee Beifus, Roger Carlos Becerra
  • Publication number: 20200259446
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a motor assembly including a motor and a motor controller coupled to the motor and configured to control operation of the motor. The electric machine also includes a motor housing defining an interior space and enclosing the motor assembly within the interior space. The electric machine further includes an electric machine housing. The motor housing is enclosed within the electric machine housing. The electric machine also includes an NFC antenna communicatively coupled to the motor controller and mounted such that an antenna range of the NFC antenna extends on an exterior of the electric machine housing. The NFC antenna is configured to receive a signal relating to a user command from a handheld device and relay the signal to the motor controller. The motor controller is configured to adjust an operational parameter of the motor based at least partially on the user command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Steven Albert Nardin, Brian Lee Beifus, Ryan Keith Stephens, Shailesh Prabhakar Waikar
  • Patent number: 10731889
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor for driving a blower to generate an airflow. The motor controller includes a processor and a drive circuit configured to regulate power supplied to the motor to turn the blower. The processor computes a system resistance for the blower based on a fixed set point for a first control parameter and a feedback parameter. The processor receives an airflow rate demand value and computes an operating set point for a second control parameter based on the system resistance and the airflow rate demand value. The processor controls the drive circuit based on the operating set point to supply electrical power to the electric motor and to operate the blower to generate the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Bin Yang, Brian Lee Beifus, Roger Carlos Becerra
  • Publication number: 20200217548
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor for driving a blower to generate an airflow. The motor controller includes a processor and a drive circuit configured to regulate power supplied to the motor to turn the blower. The processor computes a system resistance for the blower based on a fixed set point for a first control parameter and a feedback parameter. The processor receives an airflow rate demand value and computes an operating set point for a second control parameter based on the system resistance and the airflow rate demand value. The processor controls the drive circuit based on the operating set point to supply electrical power to the electric motor and to operate the blower to generate the airflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Bin Yang, Brian Lee Beifus, Roger Carlos Becerra
  • Patent number: 10697663
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor for driving a blower to generate an airflow. The motor controller includes a processor and a drive circuit configured to regulate power supplied to the motor to turn the blower. The processor computes a system resistance for the blower based on a fixed set point for a first control parameter and a feedback parameter. The processor receives an airflow rate demand value and computes an operating set point for a second control parameter based on the system resistance and the airflow rate demand value. The processor controls the drive circuit based on the operating set point to supply electrical power to the electric motor and to operate the blower to generate the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Bin Yang, Brian Lee Beifus, Roger Carlos Becerra
  • Patent number: 10651778
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a motor assembly including a motor controller including an NFC tuned circuit. The electric machine also includes a motor housing defining an interior space and enclosing the motor assembly within the interior space. The electric machine further includes an electric machine housing. The motor housing is enclosed within the electric machine housing. The electric machine also includes an NFC antenna mounted within the electric machine housing and configured to emit a magnetic field at a selected frequency. The magnetic field is configured to induce an electric current in the NFC tuned circuit. The electric machine further includes a memory configured to store information included in signals transmitted between the NFC antenna and the NFC tuned circuit via the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Albert Nardin, Brian Lee Beifus, Ryan Keith Stephens, Shailesh Prabhakar Waikar
  • Publication number: 20190326840
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor is provided. The electric motor is configured to drive a blower to generate an airflow. The motor controller includes a memory and a processor coupled thereto. The memory is configured to store a speed-to-airflow ratio associated with an airflow restriction on the blower. The processor is configured to receive a command for a calibrating airflow and operate the electric motor in a constant airflow mode to generate the calibrating airflow at a calibrating speed. The processor is further configured to write the calibrating speed and the calibrating airflow to the memory as the speed-to-airflow ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Brian Lee Beifus, Kathryn Bloomfield, Andrew C. Barry
  • Patent number: 10294950
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor is provided. The electric motor is configured to drive a blower to generate an airflow. The motor controller includes a memory and a processor coupled thereto. The memory is configured to store a speed-to-airflow ratio associated with an airflow restriction on the blower. The processor is configured to receive a command for a calibrating airflow and operate the electric motor in a constant airflow mode to generate the calibrating airflow at a calibrating speed. The processor is further configured to write the calibrating speed and the calibrating airflow to the memory as the speed-to-airflow ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Lee Beifus, Kathryn Bloomfield, Andrew C. Barry
  • Publication number: 20190149080
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a motor assembly including a motor controller including an NFC tuned circuit. The electric machine also includes a motor housing defining an interior space and enclosing the motor assembly within the interior space. The electric machine further includes an electric machine housing. The motor housing is enclosed within the electric machine housing. The electric machine also includes an NFC antenna mounted within the electric machine housing and configured to emit a magnetic field at a selected frequency. The magnetic field is configured to induce an electric current in the NFC tuned circuit. The electric machine further includes a memory configured to store information included in signals transmitted between the NFC antenna and the NFC tuned circuit via the magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Steven Albert Nardin, Brian Lee Beifus, Ryan Keith Stephens, Shailesh Prabhakar Waikar