Patents by Inventor Carl B. Westerby

Carl B. Westerby 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: 20250174952
    Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating a crimping application. A power tool includes a pair of jaws configured to crimp a workpiece, a piston cylinder configured to actuate at least one of the pair of jaws, and a pressure sensor configured to provide pressure signals associated with a crimping application. The power tool also includes an electronic processor connected to the pressure sensor. The electronic processor is configured to monitor, while performing the crimping application, a pressure applied by the piston cylinder, construct a pressure curve indicative of a change in the pressure applied during the crimping application, process the pressure curve into a vector indicative of one or more features, evaluate the crimping application based on the vector, and provide an output indicative of the evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2025
    Publication date: May 29, 2025
    Inventors: Timothy J. Radtke, Carl B. Westerby, Jonathan E. Abbott, Corey J. Dickert
  • Publication number: 20250167655
    Abstract: A power tool including a brushless electric motor having a rotor coupled to a shaft that defines a rotational axis, a stator in which the rotor is received, the stator including a core having a plurality of stator teeth, the core defining an outer circumference, an end cap provided adjacent an end of the core, and a plurality of terminals mounted on the end cap, each terminal of the plurality of terminals includes an angled portion provided at a non-parallel angle to the rotational axis and extending outside the outer circumference of the core. The power tool includes one or more coils wound around respective stator teeth and the end cap to form coil windings. A portion of the coils is routed by at least one of the terminals to form an electrical connection between at least one of the coil windings and the at least one of the terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Keith Boulanger, Matthew R. Bailey, Carl B. Westerby
  • Publication number: 20250147110
    Abstract: A power tool including a housing, a motor, a first sensing circuit configured to detect a battery pack voltage of a battery pack connected to a battery pack interface, a second sensing circuit configured to detect a current from the battery pack, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a first signal from the first sensing circuit related to a first measurement of battery pack voltage, receive a second signal from the second sensing circuit related to the current from the battery pack, receive a third signal from the first sensing circuit related to a second measurement of battery pack voltage, and control the motor by adjusting motor control parameters based on the first measurement of battery pack voltage, the second measurement of battery pack voltage, and the current from the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Carl B. Westerby, Griffin M. Steffy, Alex R. Kuhls, Jonathan E. Abbott, Alexander T. Huber, Gareth Mueckl, Douglas R. Fieldbinder
  • Publication number: 20250073884
    Abstract: Power tools including a housing, an electrical circuit, and the housing. The housing includes a battery pack interface configured to receive a battery pack. The electrical circuit includes a resistor-capacitor (“RC”) circuit arrangement configured to store a voltage on a capacitor. The voltage is proportional to a temperature of the power tool. The electronic controller is connected to the electrical circuit and includes an electronic processor and a memory. The electronic controller is configured to control a voltage applied to the RC circuit arrangement, and determine, in response to determining a power off event of the power tool has ended, the temperature of the power tool based on the voltage of the capacitor of the RC circuit arrangement. The controller is also configured to control the power tool based on the voltage of the capacitor of the RC circuit arrangement and a temperature threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Carl B. Westerby, Sam L. Bertz
  • Patent number: 12237739
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a brushless electric motor including providing a stator that includes a core defining a plurality of stator teeth, positioning a rotor within the stator, coupling a stator end cap to an end of the core, winding a plurality of coils on the plurality of stator teeth, and overmolding a plurality of coil contact plates within the stator end cap. The coil contact plates short-circuit diagonally opposite coils on the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Keith Boulanger, Matthew R. Bailey, Carl B. Westerby
  • Patent number: 12224545
    Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating a crimping application. A power tool includes a pair of jaws configured to crimp a workpiece, a piston cylinder configured to actuate at least one of the pair of jaws, and a pressure sensor configured to provide pressure signals associated with a crimping application. The power tool also includes an electronic processor connected to the pressure sensor. The electronic processor is configured to monitor, while performing the crimping application, a pressure applied by the piston cylinder, construct a pressure curve indicative of a change in the pressure applied during the crimping application, process the pressure curve into a vector indicative of one or more features, evaluate the crimping application based on the vector, and provide an output indicative of the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Radtke, Carl B. Westerby, Jonathan E. Abbott, Corey J. Dickert
  • Patent number: 12196815
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Carl B. Westerby, Griffin M. Steffy, Alex R. Kuhls, Jonathan E. Abbott, Alexander T. Huber, Gareth Mueckl, Douglas R. Fieldbinder
  • Patent number: 12166447
    Abstract: A power tool includes a three-phase DC motor, a power switching network, a power source, and an electronic processor. A first phase of the motor is connected between a first low side electronic switch and a power source electronic switch, and connected to the power source via a first high side electronic switch in parallel with a diode. The electronic processor is configured to receive an indication to stop the motor during operation of the motor and activate the first low side electronic switch and a second low side electronic switch for a first predetermined time responsive to receiving the indication such that a back-electromagnetic force generated by the motor is stored in the first phase. The electronic processor is configured to deactivate the second low side electronic switch after the first predetermined time such that a first regenerative current is provided to the power source via the diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Carl B. Westerby, Timothy R. Obermann, Alex Huber
  • Publication number: 20240293886
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide methods and hybrid welder devices including a housing, an alternating current (“AC”) power input, a battery pack interface, a welding circuit, and an electronic controller. The housing including the battery pack interface and the AC power input. The battery pack interface receives a removable battery pack. The AC power input receives power from an AC power source and output an AC power output. The welding circuit provides power to a welding electrode using the AC power input. The electronic controller connected to the AC power source and the removable battery pack. The electronic controller receives power from the AC power source and determines whether the power from the AC power source exceeds a maximum power output threshold. The electronic controller also supplements the power provided to the welding circuit with power from the removable battery pack in response to the power exceeding the maximum output threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Carl B. Westerby, Luke J. Skinner, Christopher J. Derksen, Brandon W. Nowicki, Ryan J. Denissen
  • Publication number: 20240097542
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a brushless electric motor including providing a stator that includes a core defining a plurality of stator teeth, positioning a rotor within the stator, coupling a stator end cap to an end of the core, winding a plurality of coils on the plurality of stator teeth, and overmolding a plurality of coil contact plates within the stator end cap. The coil contact plates short-circuit diagonally opposite coils on the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Keith Boulanger, Matthew R. Bailey, Carl B. Westerby
  • Patent number: 11881750
    Abstract: A motor assembly for use with a power tool includes a motor housing, a brushless electric motor disposed at least partially in the motor housing, and a PCB assembly coupled to the motor housing. The PCB assembly includes a heat sink, a power PCB coupled to a first side of the heat sink, and a position sensor PCB coupled to a second side of the heat sink opposite the first side and in facing relationship with the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Keith Boulanger, Matthew R. Bailey, Carl B. Westerby
  • Publication number: 20230421078
    Abstract: A power tool includes a three-phase DC motor, a power switching network, a power source, and an electronic processor. A first phase of the motor is connected between a first low side electronic switch and a power source electronic switch, and connected to the power source via a first high side electronic switch in parallel with a diode. The electronic processor is configured to receive an indication to stop the motor during operation of the motor and activate the first low side electronic switch and a second low side electronic switch for a first predetermined time responsive to receiving the indication such that a back-electromagnetic force generated by the motor is stored in the first phase. The electronic processor is configured to deactivate the second low side electronic switch after the first predetermined time such that a first regenerative current is provided to the power source via the diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Carl B. Westerby, Timothy R. Obermann, Alex Huber
  • Patent number: 11695352
    Abstract: A power tool includes a three-phase DC motor, a power switching network, a power source, and an electronic processor. A first phase of the motor is connected between a first low side electronic switch and a power source electronic switch, and connected to the power source via a first high side electronic switch in parallel with a diode. The electronic processor is configured to receive an indication to stop the motor during operation of the motor and activate the first low side electronic switch and a second low side electronic switch for a first predetermined time responsive to receiving the indication such that a back-electromagnetic force generated by the motor is stored in the first phase. The electronic processor is configured to deactivate the second low side electronic switch after the first predetermined time such that a first regenerative current is provided to the power source via the diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Carl B. Westerby, Timothy R. Obermann, Alex Huber
  • Publication number: 20230060846
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reporting usage of a power tool. The power tool comprises a pair of jaws configured to crimp a workpiece, a piston cylinder configured to actuate at least one of the pair of jaws, and a sensor configured to sense operating characteristics associated with a crimping application. An electronic processor connected to the sensor. The electronic processor is configured to receive, from the sensor, one or more characteristic signals, determine, based on the one or more characteristic signals, a first operating characteristic of the power tool, and determine, based on the one or more characteristic signals, a second operating characteristic of the power tool. The electronic processor is configured to determine the crimping application of the power tool based on the first operating characteristic and the second operating characteristic and generate a report indicating the crimping application performed by the power tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Carl B. Westerby, Jonathan E. Abbott, Corey J. Dickert
  • Publication number: 20230021235
    Abstract: An electrical combination, a motorized device system, a motor assembly, a battery pack, and operating methods. The combination may include an electrical device including a device housing, a load supported by the device housing, the load being operable to output at least about 1800 watts (W), and a device terminal electrically connected to the load; a battery pack including a pack housing, battery cells supported by the pack housing, the battery cells being electrically connected and having a nominal voltage of up to about 20 volts, and a pack terminal electrically connectable to the device terminal to transfer current between the battery pack and the electrical device; and a controller operable to control the transfer of current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Samuel Sheeks, Keith Boulanger, Andrew T. Beyerl, Timothy R. Obermann, Carl B. Westerby, Matthew J. Mergener, Cameron R. Schulz, Kyle C. Fassbender, Matthew R. Polakowski
  • Publication number: 20220407274
    Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating a crimping application. A power tool includes a pair of jaws configured to crimp a workpiece, a piston cylinder configured to actuate at least one of the pair of jaws, and a pressure sensor configured to provide pressure signals associated with a crimping application. The power tool also includes an electronic processor connected to the pressure sensor. The electronic processor is configured to monitor, while performing the crimping application, a pressure applied by the piston cylinder, construct a pressure curve indicative of a change in the pressure applied during the crimping application, process the pressure curve into a vector indicative of one or more features, evaluate the crimping application based on the vector, and provide an output indicative of the evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy J. Radtke, Carl B. Westerby, Jonathan E. Abbott, Corey J. Dickert
  • Patent number: 11476527
    Abstract: An electrical combination, a motorized device system, a motor assembly, a battery pack, and operating methods. The combination may include an electrical device including a device housing, a load supported by the device housing, the load being operable to output at least about 1800 watts (W), and a device terminal electrically connected to the load; a battery pack including a pack housing, battery cells supported by the pack housing, the battery cells being electrically connected and having a nominal voltage of up to about 20 volts, and a pack terminal electrically connectable to the device terminal to transfer current between the battery pack and the electrical device; and a controller operable to control the transfer of current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Samuel Sheeks, Keith Boulanger, Andrew T. Beyerl, Timothy R. Obermann, Carl B. Westerby, Matthew J. Mergener, Cameron R. Schulz, Kyle C. Fassbender, Matthew R. Polakowski
  • Patent number: 11462794
    Abstract: An electrical combination, a motorized device system, a motor assembly, a battery pack, and operating methods. The combination may include an electrical device including a device housing, a load supported by the device housing, the load being operable to output at least about 1800 watts (W), and a device terminal electrically connected to the load; a battery pack including a pack housing, battery cells supported by the pack housing, the battery cells being electrically connected and having a nominal voltage of up to about 20 volts, and a pack terminal electrically connectable to the device terminal to transfer current between the battery pack and the electrical device; and a controller operable to control the transfer of current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Samuel Sheeks, Keith Boulanger, Andrew T. Beyerl, Timothy R. Obermann, Carl B. Westerby, Matthew J. Mergener, Cameron R. Schulz, Kyle C. Fassbender, Matthew R. Polakowski
  • Publication number: 20220137147
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Carl B. Westerby, Griffin M. Steffy, Alex R. Kuhls, Jonathan E. Abbott, Alexander T. Huber, Gareth Mueckl, Douglas R. Fieldbinder
  • Publication number: 20210384809
    Abstract: A motor assembly for use with a power tool includes a motor housing, a brushless electric motor disposed at least partially in the motor housing, and a PCB assembly coupled to the motor housing. The PCB assembly includes a heat sink, a power PCB coupled to a first side of the heat sink, and a position sensor PCB coupled to a second side of the heat sink opposite the first side and in facing relationship with the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Keith Boulanger, Matthew R. Bailey, Carl B. Westerby