Patents by Inventor Cameron R. Schulz
Cameron R. Schulz 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: 11973237Abstract: A battery pack is configured to be coupled to a power tool. The battery pack includes a housing having a cavity. The battery pack includes a battery cell carrier having first and second carriages. The first and second carriages support a plurality of battery cells therebetween. The battery cell carrier is configurable in different configurations based on a size of the plurality of battery cells supported between the first and second carriages. The battery pack includes a plurality of mounting features between the housing and the battery cell carrier. The plurality of mounting features is configured to alternatively secure the different configurations of the battery cell carrier to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Matthew J. Peña, Cameron R. Schulz
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Publication number: 20240128773Abstract: A battery charger may include a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first portion supporting alternating current (AC) electrical components and a second portion supporting direct current (DC) electrical components; an indicator including a light-emitting diode (LED) supported on the first portion of the PCB and operable to emit light; and an isolating member positioned on the first portion between the AC electrical components and the LED. A trace on the PCB may be electrically connected to the second portion of the PCB, the trace extending from the second portion and along the first portion, and the LED may be electrically connected to and receiving DC power through the trace, the LED being selectively positioned along a length of the trace. The LED may be positioned more than about 8 mm from the AC electrical components.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Wyatt R. Silha, Cameron R. Schulz, Kyle C. Fassbender, Zhi Wei Meng
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Patent number: 11945094Abstract: An interface for a battery pack and an electrical combination. The interface may include a battery-receiving portion configured to receive a battery pack and including a cavity. The cavity is defined by a pair of sidewalls with rails defining a groove between the rails and a lower surface of the cavity. The rails are stepped or angled along a battery insertion axis and are configured to guide the sliding engagement of a battery pack within the battery-receiving portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2023Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Kyle J. Radovich, Cameron R. Schulz, Mitchell Carlson, John G. Marx, Paul Rossetto, David M. Schwalbach
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Patent number: 11923514Abstract: A battery pack and a method of assembling a battery pack. The battery pack may include an outer housing; a cell module supportable by the outer housing, the cell module including a module housing, a plurality of battery cells supported by the module housing, the battery cells having an energy of at least about 60 Watt-hours, a controller operable to control an operation of the battery pack, a conductive strap electrically connected to at least one of the battery cells, a weld strap connected between the controller and the conductive strap, and a terminal electrically connected to the battery cells and operable to connect the battery cells to an electrical device for power transfer; and a vapor-deposited, hydrophobic nano coating applied to at least a portion of the cell module.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: James P. Elfering, Cameron R. Schulz, Ryan B. Jipp, Samuel Sheeks, Kyle J. Radovich, Michael Kolden
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Publication number: 20240072311Abstract: A battery pack and a method of assembling a battery pack. The battery pack may include an outer housing; a cell module supportable by the outer housing, the cell module including a module housing, a plurality of battery cells supported by the module housing, the battery cells having an energy of at least about 60 Watt-hours, a controller operable to control an operation of the battery pack, a conductive strap electrically connected to at least one of the battery cells, a weld strap connected between the controller and the conductive strap, and a terminal electrically connected to the battery cells and operable to connect the battery cells to an electrical device for power transfer; and a vapor-deposited, hydrophobic nano coating applied to at least a portion of the cell module.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: James P. Elfering, Cameron R. Schulz, Ryan B. Jipp, Samuel Sheeks, Kyle J. Radovich, Michael Kolden
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Patent number: 11916203Abstract: A battery pack and a method of assembling a battery pack. The battery pack may include an outer housing; a cell module supportable by the outer housing, the cell module including a module housing, a plurality of battery cells supported by the module housing, the battery cells having an energy of at least about 60 Watt-hours, a controller operable to control an operation of the battery pack, a conductive strap electrically connected to at least one of the battery cells, a weld strap connected between the controller and the conductive strap, and a terminal electrically connected to the battery cells and operable to connect the battery cells to an electrical device for power transfer; and a vapor-deposited, hydrophobic nano coating applied to at least a portion of the cell module.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: James P. Elfering, Cameron R. Schulz, Ryan B. Jipp, Samuel Sheeks, Kyle J. Radovich, Michael Kolden
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Patent number: 11855468Abstract: A battery charger may include a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first portion supporting alternating current (AC) electrical components and a second portion supporting direct current (DC) electrical components; an indicator including a light-emitting diode (LED) supported on the first portion of the PCB and operable to emit light; and an isolating member positioned on the first portion between the AC electrical components and the LED. A trace on the PCB may be electrically connected to the second portion of the PCB, the trace extending from the second portion and along the first portion, and the LED may be electrically connected to and receiving DC power through the trace, the LED being selectively positioned along a length of the trace. The LED may be positioned more than about 8 mm from the AC electrical components.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Wyatt R. Silha, Cameron R. Schulz, Kyle C. Fassbender, Zhi Wei Meng
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Publication number: 20230390907Abstract: A system, an electrical combination and a method for powering a load device. The combination may include a burst circuit configured to provide power to the load device to perform a burst operation, the burst circuit including a supercapacitor, a first switch between a power source and the supercapacitor and operable to control whether power is provided from the power source to charge the supercapacitor, and a second switch between the supercapacitor and the load device and operable to control whether power is provided from the supercapacitor to the load device; and an electronic processor configured to control the first switch and the second switch based at least in part on a voltage of the supercapacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Kevin Minnickel, Brian Carrillo, Ryan B. Jipp, Samuel Sheeks, Cameron R. Schulz, Aditya Subramanian, Martin Guerrero, Izael Zapata, Jorge Michael Chavez
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Patent number: 11839066Abstract: A battery charger and a method of operating a battery charger. The charger may include a housing defining an air inlet and an air outlet; a charging circuit operable to output a charging current to charge a battery couplable to the battery charger; a tubular heat sink; and a fan operable to cause air flow from the air inlet to the air outlet and along the heat sink. The charger may include a first switch operable to electrically connect the charging circuit to a power source when the battery engages the charger; and a second switch operable to electrically connect the charging circuit to a battery terminal after the charger terminal is electrically connected to the battery terminal. The charging current or a fan speed may be adjusted based on at least one of the temperature of the charger or a temperature of the battery.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Donald J. Truettner, Jeffrey M. Brozek, Steven T. Sommerfeld, Cameron R. Schulz
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Publication number: 20230344073Abstract: A battery pack including a housing having a first portion and a second portion coupled to the first portion. The first portion has a first wall and an interface extends from the first wall. The interface includes a plurality of terminal apertures that provide access to electrical terminals within the housing. The second portion has a second wall, and the second wall is positioned opposite the first wall. A first plurality of vents extends through the first wall and a second plurality of vents extends through the second wall. A cumulative surface area of the first plurality of vents is different than a cumulative surface area of the second plurality of vents.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Wyatt R. Silha, John G. Marx, Zachery Meyer, David M. Schwalbach, Joel D. Snyder, Francis X. Summins, Cameron R. Schulz
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Patent number: 11777151Abstract: A battery pack and a method of assembling a battery pack. The battery pack may include an outer housing; a cell module supportable by the outer housing, the cell module including a module housing, a plurality of battery cells supported by the module housing, the battery cells having an energy of at least about 60. Watt-hours, a controller operable to control an operation of the battery pack, a conductive strap electrically connected to at least one of the battery cells, a weld strap connected between the controller and the conductive strap, and a terminal electrically connected to the battery cells and operable to connect the battery cells to an electrical device for power transfer; and a vapor-deposited, hydrophobic nano coating applied to at least a portion of the cell module.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: James P. Elfering, Cameron R. Schulz, Ryan B. Jipp, Samuel Sheeks, Kyle J. Radovich, Michael Kolden
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Publication number: 20230282920Abstract: A battery pack is configured to be coupled to an electrical device. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells, a battery cell carrier to support the battery cells, a housing having an upper housing portion. The battery cell carrier having a plurality of connector screw bosses. The upper housing portion having an outer screw boss on each lateral side and a respective inner screw boss formed on an inner surface of the upper housing portion. The upper housing portion is connected to the battery cell carrier with a plurality of threaded fasteners each extending through one of the outer screw bosses, a respective one of the plurality of connector screw bosses, and a respective inner screw boss creating a double shear condition on each side of the respective connector screw boss.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Gurusiddeshwar Gudimani, Cameron R. Schulz, John G. Marx, Wyatt R. Silha, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz
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Patent number: 11738432Abstract: A system, an electrical combination and a method for powering a load device. The combination may include a burst circuit configured to provide power to the load device to perform a burst operation, the burst circuit including a supercapacitor, a first switch between a power source and the supercapacitor and operable to control whether power is provided from the power source to charge the supercapacitor, and a second switch between the supercapacitor and the load device and operable to control whether power is provided from the supercapacitor to the load device; and an electronic processor configured to control the first switch and the second switch based at least in part on a voltage of the supercapacitor.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Kevin Minnickel, Brian Carrillo, Ryan B. Jipp, Samuel Sheeks, Cameron R. Schulz, Aditya Subramanian, Martin Guerrero, Izael Zapata, Jorge Michael Chavez
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Publication number: 20230261271Abstract: A charger includes a housing with an interface positioned in a front wall and configured to engage a battery pack. The interface includes charging terminals positioned between a first rail and a second rail, a first groove positioned between the first rail and a wall of the housing, and a second groove positioned between the second rail and the wall of the housing. The interface is in communication with an interior of the housing. A fan is coupled within the housing adjacent the interface, and an air passage member includes a hollow body that has a first end coupled to the fan and a second end spaced apart from the first end extending through another wall of the housing. The fan is operable to suck an air flow into the housing from outside the housing and guide the air flow through the air passage member to the interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Wyatt R. Silha, John G. Marx, Cameron R. Schulz, Samuel Sheeks, Joel D. Snyder, Jacob D. Rosenthal
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Patent number: 11715862Abstract: A battery pack including a housing having a first portion and a second portion coupled to the first portion. The first portion has a first wall and an interface extends from the first wall. The interface includes a plurality of terminal apertures that provide access to electrical terminals within the housing. The second portion has a second wall, and the second wall is positioned opposite the first wall. A first plurality of vents extends through the first wall and a second plurality of vents extends through the second wall. A cumulative surface area of the first plurality of vents is different than a cumulative surface area of the second plurality of vents.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2022Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Wyatt R. Silha, John G. Marx, Zachery Meyer, David M. Schwalbach, Joel D. Snyder, Francis X. Summins, Cameron R. Schulz
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Patent number: 11685037Abstract: An interface for a battery pack and an electrical combination. The interface may include a battery-receiving portion configured to receive a battery pack and including a cavity. The cavity is defined by a pair of sidewalls with rails defining a groove between the rails and a lower surface of the cavity. The rails are stepped or angled along a battery insertion axis and are configured to guide the sliding engagement of a battery pack within the battery-receiving portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Kyle J. Radovich, Cameron R. Schulz, Mitchell Carlson, John G. Marx, Paul Rossetto, David M. Schwalbach
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Patent number: 11670808Abstract: A charger includes a housing with an interface positioned in a front wall and configured to engage a battery pack. The interface includes charging terminals positioned between a first rail and a second rail, a first groove positioned between the first rail and a wall of the housing, and a second groove positioned between the second rail and the wall of the housing. The interface is in communication with an interior of the housing. A fan is coupled within the housing adjacent the interface, and an air passage member includes a hollow body that has a first end coupled to the fan and a second end spaced apart from the first end extending through another wall of the housing. The fan is operable to suck an air flow into the housing from outside the housing and guide the air flow through the air passage member to the interface.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Wyatt R. Silha, John G. Marx, Cameron R. Schulz, Samuel Sheeks, Joel D. Snyder, Jacob D. Rosenthal
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Publication number: 20230170714Abstract: A battery charger may include a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first portion supporting alternating current (AC) electrical components and a second portion supporting direct current (DC) electrical components; an indicator including a light-emitting diode (LED) supported on the first portion of the PCB and operable to emit light; and an isolating member positioned on the first portion between the AC electrical components and the LED. A trace on the PCB may be electrically connected to the second portion of the PCB, the trace extending from the second portion and along the first portion, and the LED may be electrically connected to and receiving DC power through the trace, the LED being selectively positioned along a length of the trace. The LED may be positioned more than about 8 mm from the AC electrical components.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2022Publication date: June 1, 2023Inventors: Wyatt R. Silha, Cameron R. Schulz, Kyle C. Fassbender, Zhi Wei Meng
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Publication number: 20230150106Abstract: An interface for a battery pack and an electrical combination. The interface may include a battery-receiving portion configured to receive a battery pack and including a cavity. The cavity is defined by a pair of sidewalls with rails defining a groove between the rails and a lower surface of the cavity. The rails are stepped or angled along a battery insertion axis and are configured to guide the sliding engagement of a battery pack within the battery-receiving portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2023Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Kyle J. Radovich, Cameron R. Schulz, Mitchell Carlson, John G. Marx, Paul Rossetto, David M. Schwalbach
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Publication number: 20230027193Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery pack housing, a plurality of battery pack terminals, and a plurality of battery cells supported within the battery pack housing. At least one battery cell includes a battery cell terminal. The battery pack also includes a compound fuse electrically coupled between the battery cell terminal of the at least one battery cell and at least one battery pack terminal. The compound fuse comprises a first material and a second material that has a lower melting point than the first material. The compound fuse includes a first portion electrically coupled to the battery cell terminal, a second portion electrically coupled to the at least one battery pack terminal, and a fuse portion that connects the first portion to the second portion. The fuse portion is configured to establish a discontinuity between the first portion and the second portion during a hard short event.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Cameron R. Schulz, Samuel Sheeks, Matthew R. Polakowski, Kyle C. Fassbender