Patents by Inventor Carter H. Ypma

Carter H. Ypma 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: 20240123596
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and acting on bind-up conditions of a power tool. The power tool includes a housing, a motor, a battery pack, and a motion sensor configured to sense rotational motion of the housing. An electronic controller is connected to the motor, the battery pack, and the motion sensor. The electronic controller is configured to determine whether a battery fetting event is occurring and adjust a rotational motion threshold used to determine a bind-up event based on the battery fetting event. The electronic controller is further configured to receive, from the motion sensor, a first signal associated with a rotational motion of the housing, compare a value based on the signal to the rotational motion threshold, and initiate, in response to the value being greater than or equal to the rotational motion threshold, a protective operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Abbott, Maxwell L. Merget, Carter H. Ypma
  • Publication number: 20240123590
    Abstract: A power tool includes an electronic controller including a processor and a memory, one or more attachments, a motor, and a sensor communicatively coupled to the electronic controller. The electronic controller obtains, via the sensor, one or more indications for the one or more attachments and determines information about a configuration of the one or more attachments based on the one or more indications. The electronic controller adaptively controls the motor based on the information about the configuration to, for example, prevent or mitigate a kickback occurrence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Abbott, Maxwell L. Merget, Levi D. Speckman, Carter H. Ypma
  • Publication number: 20240083008
    Abstract: A power tool including a housing, a motor, a controller, and a trigger mechanism. The housing includes a handle housing portion and a motor housing portion. The motor is supported within the motor housing portion. The controller is disposed in the housing and is configured to control operation of the motor. The trigger mechanism is coupled to the handle housing portion. The trigger mechanism includes a trigger contact body and a sensor configured to detect a force applied on the trigger contact body and transmit a signal to the controller to energize the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Zachary G. Stanke, Daniel M. Blau, Gareth Mueckl, Levi D. Speckman, Carter H. Ypma
  • Patent number: 11919135
    Abstract: Power tools described herein include a tool output, a motor driving the tool output, a battery pack interface, a power switching network coupled between the battery pack interface and the motor, and a controller coupled to the power switching network to control operation of the motor. The controller is configured to operate the motor at a no-load speed at startup and detect a load state of the power tool. The load state indicates whether the power tool is in a loaded state or an unloaded state. The controller is also configured to incrementally ramp up a speed of the motor from the no-load speed to a selected speed when the power tool is in the loaded state and incrementally ramp down the speed of the motor from the selected speed to the no-load speed when the power tool is in the unloaded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Panetta, Carter H. Ypma, Arik A. Miller, Mitchell A. Ellena
  • Patent number: 11845173
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and acting on bind-up conditions of a power tool. The power tool includes a housing, a motor, a battery pack, and a motion sensor configured to sense rotational motion of the housing. An electronic controller is connected to the motor, the battery pack, and the motion sensor. The electronic controller is configured to determine whether a battery fetting event is occurring and adjust a rotational motion threshold used to determine a bind-up event based on the battery fetting event. The electronic controller is further configured to receive, from the motion sensor, a first signal associated with a rotational motion of the housing, compare a value based on the signal to the rotational motion threshold, and initiate, in response to the value being greater than or equal to the rotational motion threshold, a protective operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Abbott, Maxwell L. Merget, Carter H. Ypma
  • Publication number: 20230271289
    Abstract: A power tool including a motor configured to produce an output, and a sensor configured to measure an acceleration of the power tool along at least one of three spatial axes and generate an output signal related to the acceleration. The power tool further including a controller configured to receive the output signal related to the acceleration of the power tool from the sensor, compare the acceleration of the power tool to a free-fall acceleration threshold, initiate a timer when the acceleration of the power tool corresponds to the free-fall acceleration threshold, compare the timer to a free-fall timer threshold, and stop the motor from producing the output when the timer is greater than or equal to the free-fall timer threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Abbott, Hannah E. Phipps, Carter H. Ypma, Daniel E. Endean, Nicholas J. LePar, Grace Whitmore, Niladri Basu Bal, Arhum M. Zafar
  • Patent number: 11654590
    Abstract: An example system includes a cutting tool and a device configured to remotely control the cutting tool. In response to receiving information indicative of actuation of a first user interface item, the device sends a first signal to the cutting tool so as to request enabling the cutting tool to be operated remotely. The cutting tool sends a second signal to the device indicating that remote operation of the cutting tool has been enabled. The cutting tool receives information indicating that the trigger has been activated, and sends a third signal to the device indicating that the cutting tool is ready to perform a cutting operation. The device receives information indicative of actuation of a second user interface item, and responsively, sends a fourth signal to the cutting tool so as to cause the cutting tool to perform the cutting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Luke J. Skinner, Burtrom L. Stampfl, Timothy J. Bartlett, Carter H. Ypma, Timothy R. Obermann, Benjamin O. Cabot, Kris J. Kanack, Thomas C. Hanks, Ian C. Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20220406161
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a jobsite keep out zone system are provided. The system includes one or more detectors configured to determine when an intruder is within and/or is approaching a protected area. In response to the determination, one or more alarms and/or notifications are generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Steven B. Sedig, Sara D. Linginfelter, Todd Andrew Zeilinger, Samuel L. Lombardi, Benjamin T. Jones, Scott Michael Cline, George I. Roudebush, Jonathan E. Abbott, Carter H. Ypma, Nicholas J. LePar, Arhum M. Zafar, Hannah Elizabeth Phipps, James C. Popp
  • Publication number: 20220118595
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and acting on bind-up conditions of a power tool. The power tool includes a housing, a motor, a battery pack, and a motion sensor configured to sense rotational motion of the housing. An electronic controller is connected to the motor, the battery pack, and the motion sensor. The electronic controller is configured to determine whether a battery fetting event is occurring and adjust a rotational motion threshold used to determine a bind-up event based on the battery fetting event. The electronic controller is further configured to receive, from the motion sensor, a first signal associated with a rotational motion of the housing, compare a value based on the signal to the rotational motion threshold, and initiate, in response to the value being greater than or equal to the rotational motion threshold, a protective operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Abbott, Maxwell L. Merget, Carter H. Ypma
  • Publication number: 20220001525
    Abstract: Power tools described herein include a tool output, a motor driving the tool output, a battery pack interface, a power switching network coupled between the battery pack interface and the motor, and a controller coupled to the power switching network to control operation of the motor. The controller is configured to operate the motor at a no-load speed at startup and detect a load state of the power tool. The load state indicates whether the power tool is in a loaded state or an unloaded state. The controller is also configured to incrementally ramp up a speed of the motor from the no-load speed to a selected speed when the power tool is in the loaded state and incrementally ramp down the speed of the motor from the selected speed to the no-load speed when the power tool is in the unloaded state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Michael J. Panetta, Carter H. Ypma, Arik A. Miller, Mitchell A. Ellena
  • Publication number: 20210370540
    Abstract: An example system includes a cutting tool and a device configured to remotely control the cutting tool. In response to receiving information indicative of actuation of a first user interface item, the device sends a first signal to the cutting tool so as to request enabling the cutting tool to be operated remotely. The cutting tool sends a second signal to the device indicating that remote operation of the cutting tool has been enabled. The cutting tool receives information indicating that the trigger has been activated, and sends a third signal to the device indicating that the cutting tool is ready to perform a cutting operation. The device receives information indicative of actuation of a second user interface item, and responsively, sends a fourth signal to the cutting tool so as to cause the cutting tool to perform the cutting operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Luke J. Skinner, Burtrom L. Stampfl, Timothy J. Bartlett, Carter H. Ypma, Timothy R. Obermann, Benjamin O. Cabot, Kris J. Kanack, Thomas C. Hanks, Ian C. Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 11110624
    Abstract: An example system includes a cutting tool and a device configured to remotely control the cutting tool. In response to receiving information indicative of actuation of a first user interface item, the device sends a first signal to the cutting tool so as to request enabling the cutting tool to be operated remotely. The cutting tool sends a second signal to the device indicating that remote operation of the cutting tool has been enabled. The cutting tool receives information indicating that the trigger has been activated, and sends a third signal to the device indicating that the cutting tool is ready to perform a cutting operation. The device receives information indicative of actuation of a second user interface item, and responsively, sends a fourth signal to the cutting tool so as to cause the cutting tool to perform the cutting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Luke J. Skinner, Burtrom L. Stampfl, Timothy J. Bartlett, Carter H. Ypma, Timothy R. Obermann, Benjamin O. Cabot, Kris J. Kanack, Thomas C. Hanks, Ian C. Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20210001503
    Abstract: An example system includes a cutting tool and a device configured to remotely control the cutting tool. In response to receiving information indicative of actuation of a first user interface item, the device sends a first signal to the cutting tool so as to request enabling the cutting tool to be operated remotely. The cutting tool sends a second signal to the device indicating that remote operation of the cutting tool has been enabled. The cutting tool receives information indicating that the trigger has been activated, and sends a third signal to the device indicating that the cutting tool is ready to perform a cutting operation. The device receives information indicative of actuation of a second user interface item, and responsively, sends a fourth signal to the cutting tool so as to cause the cutting tool to perform the cutting operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Luke J. Skinner, Burtrom L. Stampfl, Timothy J. Bartlett, Carter H. Ypma, Timothy R. Obermann, Benjamin O. Cabot, Kris J. Kanack, Thomas C. Hanks, Ian C. Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 10792832
    Abstract: An example system includes a cutting tool and a device configured to remotely control the cutting tool. In response to receiving information indicative of actuation of a first user interface item, the device sends a first signal to the cutting tool so as to request enabling the cutting tool to be operated remotely. The cutting tool sends a second signal to the device indicating that remote operation of the cutting tool has been enabled. The cutting tool receives information indicating that the trigger has been activated, and sends a third signal to the device indicating that the cutting tool is ready to perform a cutting operation. The device receives information indicative of actuation of a second user interface item, and responsively, sends a fourth signal to the cutting tool so as to cause the cutting tool to perform the cutting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luke J. Skinner, Burtrom L. Stampfl, Timothy J. Bartlett, Carter H. Ypma, Timothy R. Obermann, Benjamin O. Cabot, Kris J. Kanack, Thomas C. Hanks, Ian C. Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20200078897
    Abstract: A power tool and method for heat management using speed control. The power tool includes a housing, a motor within the housing, and an electronic processor coupled to the motor. The electronic processor is configured to operate the motor at a first speed corresponding and determine whether the power tool has been unloaded for a predetermined amount of time during which the motor has been operated at the first speed. In response to determining that the motor has been unloaded for the predetermined amount of time, the electronic processor operates the motor at a second speed lower than the first speed. The electronic processor further determines whether the power tool is loaded while operating the motor at the second speed and operates the motor at the first speed in response to determining that the motor is loaded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventor: Carter H. Ypma
  • Publication number: 20200061861
    Abstract: An example system includes a cutting tool and a device configured to remotely control the cutting tool. In response to receiving information indicative of actuation of a first user interface item, the device sends a first signal to the cutting tool so as to request enabling the cutting tool to be operated remotely. The cutting tool sends a second signal to the device indicating that remote operation of the cutting tool has been enabled. The cutting tool receives information indicating that the trigger has been activated, and sends a third signal to the device indicating that the cutting tool is ready to perform a cutting operation. The device receives information indicative of actuation of a second user interface item, and responsively, sends a fourth signal to the cutting tool so as to cause the cutting tool to perform the cutting operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Luke J. Skinner, Burtrom L. Stampfl, Timothy J. Bartlett, Carter H. Ypma, Timothy R. Obermann, Benjamin O. Cabot, Kris J. Kanack, Thomas C. Hanks, Ian C. Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 10471618
    Abstract: An example system includes a cutting tool and a device configured to remotely control the cutting tool. In response to receiving information indicative of actuation of a first user interface item, the device sends a first signal to the cutting tool so as to request enabling the cutting tool to be operated remotely. The cutting tool sends a second signal to the device indicating that remote operation of the cutting tool has been enabled. The cutting tool receives information indicating that the trigger has been activated, and sends a third signal to the device indicating that the cutting tool is ready to perform a cutting operation. The device receives information indicative of actuation of a second user interface item, and responsively, sends a fourth signal to the cutting tool so as to cause the cutting tool to perform the cutting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Luke J. Skinner, Burtrom L. Stampfl, Timothy J. Bartlett, Carter H. Ypma, Timothy R. Obermann, Benjamin O. Cabot, Kris J. Kanack, Thomas C. Hanks, Ian C. Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20170157787
    Abstract: An example system includes a cutting tool and a device configured to remotely control the cutting tool. In response to receiving information indicative of actuation of a first user interface item, the device sends a first signal to the cutting tool so as to request enabling the cutting tool to be operated remotely. The cutting tool sends a second signal to the device indicating that remote operation of the cutting tool has been enabled. The cutting tool receives information indicating that the trigger has been activated, and sends a third signal to the device indicating that the cutting tool is ready to perform a cutting operation. The device receives information indicative of actuation of a second user interface item, and responsively, sends a fourth signal to the cutting tool so as to cause the cutting tool to perform the cutting operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Luke J. Skinner, Burtrom L. Stampfl, Timothy J. Bartlett, Carter H. Ypma, Timothy R. Obermann, Benjamin O. Cabot, Kris J. Kanack, Thomas C. Hanks, Ian C. Zimmermann