Patents by Inventor Chris Knaack

Chris Knaack 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: 10481568
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for configuring a motor controller using a one-click configuration scheme, simplifying the process of motor configuration in drives and similar devices. The system includes a specify component, a display component, and a single-action identification and configuration component. The specify component specifies a motor in communication with the motor controller. The display component displays information on the status of the motor controller. The single-action identification and configuration component, in response to performance of only a single action (i.e., a single-click or equivalent starting signal), performs an identification and configuration sequence for the motor comprising at least three identification steps to establish a single parameter for driving the motor. The at least three identification steps can include measurements of system parameters, noise, and resonance. The recommend bandwidth for motor operation can be selected from within a range of permissible bandwidths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: DANFOSS POWER ELECTRONICS A/S
    Inventors: Gang Tian, Adam Reynolds, Chris Knaack
  • Patent number: 10289082
    Abstract: An app store includes a plurality of state machines that describe the function of a product. The system allows a user to select at least one app from this plurality of apps. The user may also customize the state machine represented by the app or parameters thereof. The selected state machine can be translated into a format readable by a semiconductor device in a target platform without requiring the user to generate computer code. The app store can also transact rights to use the app represented by the state machine. The state machine may be executed in a simulation environment, on a reference platform or development board, or on a semiconductor device in an end-user product to facilitate control in accordance with the state machine defined by the state machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: DANFOSS POWER ELECTRONICS A/S
    Inventors: Ali Husain, Greg Jackson, Chris Knaack, David Stopher
  • Patent number: 10222776
    Abstract: A motor control wizard implements a simple workflow for creating an application-specific program for operation of a motor control system. The wizard prompts for selection of an application area, which sensitizes the system to tune certain motor control parameters in accordance with the demands of the selected application area. The wizard also prompts for selection of a target devices, such as a particular type of motor with a set of basic operating parameters. With the target device and application area known, the wizard runs an automatic adaptation step without requiring additional user-settable parameters. The adaptation step yields an adapted motor control program based characteristics of the motor control system obtained via the adaptation step. The wizard then confirms operation of the motor using the adapted program. Additional features allow the user to fine tune parameters beyond this set of initial configuration parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: LINESTREAM TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Adam Reynolds, Chris Knaack, Boris Eligulashvili, David Stopher
  • Patent number: 10184917
    Abstract: A resonance estimation system implements resonance detection methods that can obtain accurate estimates of a motion system's resonance and amplitude without the need for a high-resolution encoder or high-frequency sampling. The system solves for resonance information by removing the slow motion dynamics and fast torque control dynamics from the measured speed transfer function in order to obtain resonance transfer function. Smoothing functions are applied to the obtained resonance frequency response data to remove spikes and obtain relatively smooth gain and phase curves for the resonance frequency response. The system then applies a searching algorithm to determine the locations of the phase peaks in the phase curve data, and uses these phase peak locations to locate the gain peaks in the gain curve data, which correspond to the resonance frequencies and amplitudes. This approach allows the gain peaks to be located even when analyzing non-ideal gain curves that are degraded by noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: LINESTREAM TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Gang Tian, Chris Knaack
  • Publication number: 20180364656
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for configuring a motor controller using a one-click configuration scheme, simplifying the process of motor configuration in drives and similar devices. The system includes a specify component, a display component, and a single-action identification and configuration component. The specify component specifies a motor in communication with the motor controller. The display component displays information on the status of the motor controller. The single-action identification and configuration component, in response to performance of only a single action (i.e., a single-click or equivalent starting signal), performs an identification and configuration sequence for the motor comprising at least three identification steps to establish a single parameter for driving the motor. The at least three identification steps can include measurements of system parameters, noise, and resonance. The recommend bandwidth for motor operation can be selected from within a range of permissible bandwidths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Gang Tian, Adam Reynolds, Chris Knaack
  • Publication number: 20180074472
    Abstract: A motor control wizard implements a simple workflow for creating an application-specific program for operation of a motor control system. The wizard prompts for selection of an application area, which sensitizes the system to tune certain motor control parameters in accordance with the demands of the selected application area. The wizard also prompts for selection of a target devices, such as a particular type of motor with a set of basic operating parameters. With the target device and application area known, the wizard runs an automatic adaptation step without requiring additional user-settable parameters. The adaptation step yields an adapted motor control program based characteristics of the motor control system obtained via the adaptation step. The wizard then confirms operation of the motor using the adapted program. Additional features allow the user to fine tune parameters beyond this set of initial configuration parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Adam Reynolds, Chris Knaack, Boris Eligulashvili, David Stopher
  • Publication number: 20180067086
    Abstract: A resonance estimation system implements resonance detection methods that can obtain accurate estimates of a motion system's resonance and amplitude without the need for a high-resolution encoder or high-frequency sampling. The system solves for resonance information by removing the slow motion dynamics and fast torque control dynamics from the measured speed transfer function in order to obtain resonance transfer function. Smoothing functions are applied to the obtained resonance frequency response data to remove spikes and obtain relatively smooth gain and phase curves for the resonance frequency response. The system then applies a searching algorithm to determine the locations of the phase peaks in the phase curve data, and uses these phase peak locations to locate the gain peaks in the gain curve data, which correspond to the resonance frequencies and amplitudes. This approach allows the gain peaks to be located even when analyzing non-ideal gain curves that are degraded by noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Gang Tian, Chris Knaack
  • Publication number: 20160094628
    Abstract: An app store includes a plurality of state machines that describe the function of a product. The system allows a user to select at least one app from this plurality of apps. The user may also customize the state machine represented by the app or parameters thereof. The selected state machine can be translated into a format readable by a semiconductor device in a target platform without requiring the user to generate computer code. The app store can also transact rights to use the app represented by the state machine. The state machine may be executed in a simulation environment, on a reference platform or development board, or on a semiconductor device in an end-user product to facilitate control in accordance with the state machine defined by the state machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Ali Husain, Greg Jackson, Chris Knaack, David Stopher