Patents by Inventor Eric J. MJOLHUS

Eric J. MJOLHUS 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: 10801667
    Abstract: A system for harvesting energy from a lubrication event includes a fluid pump, a fluid injector, an energy harvesting device, a wireless transmitter, and a controller unit. The fluid injector receives fluid from the fluid pump. The fluid injector is connected to the energy harvesting device, which is configured to produce electrical energy in response to a firing of the fluid injector. Electrical energy produced by the energy harvesting device powers the wireless transmitter, which is configured to transmit a wireless signal. The wireless signal indicates that the fluid injector fired. The wireless signal is received by the controller unit, which controls the fluid pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Paar, Eric J. Mjolhus, Igor V. Radzyuk, Andrew M. Grunloh, Anna M. Hegdahl, Benjamin R. Stassen, Christopher J. Stack, Walter L. Franklin, III
  • Publication number: 20180135801
    Abstract: A system for harvesting energy from a lubrication event includes a fluid pump, a fluid injector, an energy harvesting device, a wireless transmitter, and a controller unit. The fluid injector receives fluid from the fluid pump. The fluid injector is connected to the energy harvesting device, which is configured to produce electrical energy in response to a firing of the fluid injector. Electrical energy produced by the energy harvesting device powers the wireless transmitter, which is configured to transmit a wireless signal. The wireless signal indicates that the fluid injector fired. The wireless signal is received by the controller unit, which controls the fluid pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Paar, Eric J. Mjolhus, Igor V. Radzyuk, Andrew M. Grunloh, Anna M. Hegdahl, Benjamin R. Stassen, Christopher J. Stack, Walter L. Franklin,, III
  • Patent number: 9618156
    Abstract: A motor control system for a lubricant pump motor comprises a pump system power input, a motor drive, a current sensor, a lubrication controller, and a drive controller. The pump system power input is configured to supply system power. The motor drive is configured to drive the lubricant pump motor using the system power. The current sensor is disposed between the pump system power input and the motor drive to sense an input current of the system power. The lubrication controller configured to provide motor activation signals. The drive controller is disposed to receive the motor activation signals via an isolated digital input, and to control the motor drive as a function of the sensed input current and a user-defined current set-point, in response to the activation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Klaphake, Eric J. Mjolhus, Suresha S. Nijaguna, Jesse L. Lanie
  • Publication number: 20160186740
    Abstract: A motor control system for a lubricant pump motor comprises a pump system power input, a motor drive, a current sensor, a lubrication controller, and a drive controller. The pump system power input is configured to supply system power. The motor drive is configured to drive the lubricant pump motor using the system power. The current sensor is disposed between the pump system power input and the motor drive to sense an input current of the system power. The lubrication controller configured to provide motor activation signals. The drive controller is disposed to receive the motor activation signals via an isolated digital input, and to control the motor drive as a function of the sensed input current and a user-defined current set-point, in response to the activation signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. KLAPHAKE, Eric J. MJOLHUS, Suresha S. NIJAGUNA, Jesse L. LANIE