Patents by Inventor Eric W. WACHTER

Eric W. WACHTER 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: 12113402
    Abstract: An electronic switch module includes a circuit board having conductive pads coupled to a power source and a sense pad coupled to an output signal; and a variable-speed actuator assembly having an actuator positioned adjacent a side edge of the circuit board and moveable along a movement axis, a plunger coupled to the actuator, and a conductive wiper secured to the plunger in contact with the circuit board. The wiper includes a first leg arranged to slidably engage the sense pad and a second leg arranged to slidably engage at least one of the conductive pads. The sense pad is longitudinally aligned with the conductive pads. The first leg of the wiper is located between the actuator and the second leg, and the sense pad is located between the side edge of the circuit board and the conductive pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. Wachter, Erik A. Ekstrom, Alpay Hizal
  • Publication number: 20240022140
    Abstract: An electronic module for a power tool having an electric motor is provided including a printed circuit board (PCB), an inverter bridge circuit, a first conductive track disposed on the PCB and coupled to the power source, a second conductive track disposed on the PCB and coupled to the inverter bridge circuit, and a fuse strap provided between the first conductive track and the second conductive track. The fuse strap includes a main body spaced apart from the PCB, a first mounting portion mounted on the first conductive track via a first solder joint, and a second mounting portion mounted on the second conductive track via a second solder joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. WACHTER, Erik A. EKSTROM
  • Patent number: 11811272
    Abstract: An electronic module for a power tool having an electric motor is provided including a printed circuit board (PCB), an inverter bridge circuit, a first conductive track disposed on the PCB and coupled to the power source, a second conductive track disposed on the PCB and coupled to the inverter bridge circuit, and a fuse strap provided between the first conductive track and the second conductive track. The fuse strap includes a main body spaced apart from the PCB, a first mounting portion mounted on the first conductive track via a first solder joint, and a second mounting portion mounted on the second conductive track via a second solder joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER, INC.
    Inventors: Eric W. Wachter, Erik A. Ekstrom
  • Publication number: 20230041179
    Abstract: An electronic switch module includes a circuit board having conductive pads coupled to a power source and a sense pad coupled to an output signal; and a variable-speed actuator assembly having an actuator positioned adjacent a side edge of the circuit board and moveable along a movement axis, a plunger coupled to the actuator, and a conductive wiper secured to the plunger in contact with the circuit board. The wiper includes a first leg arranged to slidably engage the sense pad and a second leg arranged to slidably engage at least one of the conductive pads. The sense pad is longitudinally aligned with the conductive pads. The first leg of the wiper is located between the actuator and the second leg, and the sense pad is located between the side edge of the circuit board and the conductive pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Eric W. WACHTER, Erik A. EKSTROM, Alpay HIZAL
  • Patent number: 11095193
    Abstract: An electronic switch module for a power tool having an electric motor is provided, including a printed circuit board (PCB), power switches mounted on the PCB and configured to switchably supply electric power from a power source to the electric motor, a series of primary heat sinks mounted on the PCB in association with the power switches, and a secondary heat sink mounted on the primary heat sinks. Output wires attached to the PCB to facilitate electrical connection between the power switches and the electric motor are passed through a slot of the secondary heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. Wachter, Erik A. Ekstrom, Alpay Hizal
  • Publication number: 20210099055
    Abstract: An electronic module for a power tool having an electric motor is provided including a printed circuit board (PCB), an inverter bridge circuit, a first conductive track disposed on the PCB and coupled to the power source, a second conductive track disposed on the PCB and coupled to the inverter bridge circuit, and a fuse strap provided between the first conductive track and the second conductive track. The fuse strap includes a main body spaced apart from the PCB, a first mounting portion mounted on the first conductive track via a first solder joint, and a second mounting portion mounted on the second conductive track via a second solder joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Eric W. WACHTER, Erik A. EKSTROM
  • Publication number: 20200112233
    Abstract: An electronic switch module for a power tool having an electric motor is provided, including a printed circuit board (PCB), power switches mounted on the PCB and configured to switchably supply electric power from a power source to the electric motor, a series of primary heat sinks mounted on the PCB in association with the power switches, and a secondary heat sink mounted on the primary heat sinks. Output wires attached to the PCB to facilitate electrical connection between the power switches and the electric motor are passed through a slot of the secondary heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Eric W. WACHTER, Erik A. EKSTROM, Alpay HIZAL
  • Patent number: 10541588
    Abstract: An electronic switch module for a power tool having an electric motor is provided, including a printed circuit board (PCB), power switches mounted on the PCB and configured to switchably supply electric power from a power source to the electric motor, a series of primary heat sinks mounted on the PCB in association with the power switches, and a secondary heat sink mounted on the primary heat sinks and securely fastened to at least one of the primary heat sinks via a fastener, the secondary heat sink being electrically insulated from at least one of the primary heat sinks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. Wachter, Erik A. Ekstrom, Alpay Hizal
  • Publication number: 20180342932
    Abstract: An electronic switch module for a power tool having an electric motor is provided, including a printed circuit board (PCB), power switches mounted on the PCB and configured to switchably supply electric power from a power source to the electric motor, a series of primary heat sinks mounted on the PCB in association with the power switches, and a secondary heat sink mounted on the primary heat sinks and securely fastened to at least one of the primary heat sinks via a fastener, the secondary heat sink being electrically insulated from at least one of the primary heat sinks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Eric W. WACHTER, Erik A. EKSTROM, Alpay HIZAL