Patents by Inventor Erik Ekstrom

Erik Ekstrom 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: 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
  • Patent number: 11750069
    Abstract: A power adaptor is provided including a housing receiving a first power cord couplable to a power source through a and a second power cord couplable to a load through a second axial end, a protective capacitor mounted on a circuit board within the housing, a first set of terminals mounted on a first side of the circuit board adjacent the protective capacitor and configured to electrically couple line and neutral wires of the first power cord to the protective capacitor, and a second set of terminals mounted on a second side of the circuit board adjacent the protective capacitor and configured to electrically couple line and neutral wires of the second power cord to the protective capacitor. The protective capacitor is configured to discharge when current draw by the load exceeds a current threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Erik A. Ekstrom, Shailesh P. Waikar, Joseph B. Narbut, Alexandros T. Theos, Daniel F. Nace, Zachary S. Olmsted
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20220336904
    Abstract: A power tool is provided an electric motor, a nosecone assembly having a metal body, a terminal block that couples to a removable battery pack, and an electronic power module that regulates supply of electric current from the battery pack to the motor. A discharge wire is coupled to the terminal block on a first end and to the metal body of the nosecone assembly on a second end to provide a discharge path from the nosecone directly to the battery pack bypassing the electronic power module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Brian E. FRIEDMAN, Michael P. SIKORA, Tyler J. PETRUS, Robert G. KUSMIERSKI, Christopher W. SHOOK, Erik A. EKSTROM, Alexandros T. THEOS, Daniel L. KROUT, Spencer J. SHECKELLS, Jacob N. PRESTON
  • Publication number: 20220085699
    Abstract: A power adaptor is provided including a housing receiving a first power cord couplable to a power source through a and a second power cord couplable to a load through a second axial end, a protective capacitor mounted on a circuit board within the housing, a first set of terminals mounted on a first side of the circuit board adjacent the protective capacitor and configured to electrically couple line and neutral wires of the first power cord to the protective capacitor, and a second set of terminals mounted on a second side of the circuit board adjacent the protective capacitor and configured to electrically couple line and neutral wires of the second power cord to the protective capacitor. The protective capacitor is configured to discharge when current draw by the load exceeds a current threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Erik A. EKSTROM, Shailesh P. WAIKAR, Joseph B. NARBUT, JR., Alexandros T. THEOS, Daniel F. NACE, Zachary S. OLMSTED
  • 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: 10608501
    Abstract: An electronic module is provided including: a circuit board including conductive pads and a sense pad coupled to an output signal; an actuator having a wiper member accommodating a conductive wiper, the wiper having a first end arranged to slidably engage the sense pad and a second end arranged to slidably engage at least one of the conductive pads; and at least one gap disposed to partition the sense pad into segments along an axial movement path of the conductive wiper, the segments being electrically connected to each other to have the same electric potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Erik A. Ekstrom, Michael D. Grove, Alpay Hizal, Alexandros T. Theos
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10497524
    Abstract: An electronic switch and control module for a power tool having an electric motor is provided. The module includes a printed circuit board (PCB), an encapsulation member forming an enclosed compartment enclosing a portion of a surface of the PCB, and power switches mounted on the surface of the PCB outside the enclosed compartment, where the power switches are electrically configured to switchably connect a supply of electric power from a power source to the electric motor. The module further includes an input unit having at least one electro-mechanical element at least partially disposed within the enclosed component and generating a signal for controlling a switching operation of the plurality of power switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Erik A. Ekstrom, Matthew J. Velderman, Redeat G. Alemu, Michael D. Grove, Alexandros T. Theos, Alpay Hizal
  • Patent number: 10414033
    Abstract: A mode selector switch for a power tool that can have a source of a magnetic field and use a magnetoresistive component to produce an output signal that changes when the strength of the magnetic field changes. The power tool can have a microprocessor that changes an operational mode of the power tool based on a change of the output signal from the magnetoresistive component. The magnetoresistive component can be a Hall effect sensor and the power tool can be a nailer. The power tool can have a switching means which changes an operational mode based upon a change in the strength of the magnetic field upon a magnetoresistive component. A method of controlling a power tool, having a step of changing an operational mode of a power tool based upon identifying a change in output from a magnetoresistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Ekstrom, Stuart E. Garber, Jongsoo Lim, David J. Smith, Shailesh P. Waikar
  • Publication number: 20180342928
    Abstract: An electronic module is provided including: a circuit board including conductive pads and a sense pad coupled to an output signal; an actuator having a wiper member accommodating a conductive wiper, the wiper having a first end arranged to slidably engage the sense pad and a second end arranged to slidably engage at least one of the conductive pads; and at least one gap disposed to partition the sense pad into segments along an axial movement path of the conductive wiper, the segments being electrically connected to each other to have the same electric potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Erik A. EKSTROM, Michael D. GROVE, Alpay HIZAL, Alexandros T. Theos
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10131970
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing AlMn strip or sheet for making components by brazing, as well as the products obtained by said method. In particular this method is related to fin materials used in heat exchangers. The fins can be delivered with or without a cladding depending on application. Rolling slabs are produced from a melt which contains 0.3-1.5% Si, ?0.5% Fe, ?0.3% Cu, 1.0-2.0% Mn, ?0.5% Mg, ?4.0% Zn, ?0.3% each of elements from group IVb, Vb, or VIb elements, and unavoidable impurity elements, as well as aluminum as the remainder in which the rolling slabs prior to hot rolling are preheated at a preheating temperature of less than 550° C., preferably between 400 and 520° C., more preferably between 450 and 520° C. to control the number and size of dispersoid particles, and the preheated rolling slab is hot rolled into a hot strip. The strip is thereafter cold rolled into a strip with a total reduction of at least 90%, and the cold rolled strip is heat treated to obtain a 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Gränges Sweden AB
    Inventors: Anders Oskarsson, Hans-Erik Ekström, Richard Westergård, Stian Tangen
  • Patent number: 10043619
    Abstract: A directional input unit is provided for a power tool having an electric motor is provided, where the input unit is configured to output a signal indicative of a rotational direction of the electric motor. The input unit includes a forward/reverse actuator having a lever extending from an engagement member and pivotable around a pivot member, the lever having a contact tip, and a biasing member. The biasing member including a lever engaging member engaging the contact tip and having an upper portion and a lower portion with a groove formed at an end common point of the upper and lower portions. A first leg of the biasing member extend downwardly from the upper portion and arranged to be securely received inside an opening of a holder, and a second leg extends upwardly from the lower portion outside the opening between the lever engaging member and the first leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Erik A. Ekstrom, Alexandros T. Theos, Alpay Hizal
  • Patent number: 9847194
    Abstract: An electronic switch and control module for a power tool having an electric motor is provided. The module includes a module housing including a bottom surface, side walls, and an open face, a printed circuit board (PCB) received from the open face of the module housing and securely disposed within the module housing at a distance from the bottom surface of the module housing; power switches mounted on a top surface of the PCB, and heat sinks discretely arranged and each mounted over a respective one of the plurality of power switches and secured to the top surface of the PCB to transfer heat away from the power switch through the open face of the module housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Erik A. Ekstrom, Matthew J. Velderman, Redeat G. Alemu, Michael D. Grove, Alexandros T. Theos, Alpay Hizal
  • Patent number: 9577493
    Abstract: A battery powered tool includes a housing containing a motor assembly. A fan positioned in the housing is rotated by the motor assembly. The fan has a circular ring/body and further has multiple fan blades directly connected to the circular ring body. The circular ring/body defines a concave shaped surface having the fan blades directly connected to the concave shaped surface. A housing cover includes: first and second extending walls; a slot created between the first and second extending walls; and multiple air intake vents all positioned in a lower housing zone separated from an upper housing zone by the slot. An electronics module is positioned in the housing proximate to the housing cover lower housing zone such that air entering the intake vents passes only through the lower housing zone and past the electronics module to cool the electronics module before entering the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Ekstrom, David J. Smith
  • Patent number: 9493861
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing AlMn strip or sheet for making components by brazing, as well as the products obtained by said method. In particular this method is related to fin materials used in heat exchangers. The fins can be delivered with or without a cladding depending on application. Rolling slabs are produced from a melt which contains 0.3-1.5% Si, ?0.5% Fe, ?0.3% Cu, 1.0-2.0% Mn, ?0.5% Mg, ?4.0% Zn, ?0.3% each of elements from group IVb, Vb, or VIb elements, and unavoidable impurity elements, as well as aluminum as the remainder in which the rolling slabs prior to hot rolling are preheated at a preheating temperature of less than 550° C., preferably between 400 and 520° C., more preferably between 450 and 520° C. to control the number and size of dispersoid particles, and the preheated rolling slab is hot rolled into a hot strip. The strip is thereafter cold rolled into a strip with a total reduction of at least 90%, and the cold rolled strip is heat treated to obtain a 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: GRÄNGES SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Anders Oskarsson, Hans-Erik Ekstrom, Richard Westergard, Stian Tangen