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).

  • 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
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 9473053
    Abstract: A fastening power tool such as a nailer is provided including a tool housing, an input unit actuated in response to an operator input, and a motor assembly including a motor housed within the tool housing. A control unit is provided including a controller programmable to control an operation of the motor and a decoder circuit configured to control a supply of power from a power source to the controller based on a status of the power source and a status of the input unit. The decoder circuit is configured to connect supply of power from the power source to the controller when the power tool is coupled to the power source prior to an engagement of the input unit, but disconnect the supply of power when the power tool is coupled to the power source after the engagement of the input unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER, INC.
    Inventors: Jongsoo Lim, Erik Ekstrom, Pradeep Pant, Michael P. Baron, Paul G. Gross, Lee M. Brendel
  • Patent number: 9344008
    Abstract: A portable power supply apparatus is provided having reduced impedance losses. The portable power supply apparatus is comprised of: a portable housing; a battery system residing in the housing; and an inverter circuit residing in the housing. The battery system generates a direct current (DC) voltage having a magnitude greater than or equal to a peak value of a desired alternating current (AC) voltage. The inverter circuit receives the DC voltage directly from the battery system, converts the DC voltage to an AC output voltage and outputs the AC output voltage to one or more outlets exposed on an exterior surface of the portable housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Daniele C. Brotto, Nathan J. Cruise, Erik Ekstrom, Ren Wang, Mehdi T. Abolhassani, William D. Spencer, Rouse Roby Bailey, Jr., Andrew E. Seman, Scott Eshleman
  • Patent number: 9318932
    Abstract: A power tool includes a brushless DC motor housed inside an upper body of the tool housing and a control unit housed inside a handle of the housing, the control unit including a micro-controller mounted on a control circuit board, a power unit electronically coupled to the micro-controller and mounted on a power circuit board arranged substantially parallel the control circuit board inside the handle, and a heat sink in thermal contact with the power unit. An input unit may be mounted directly on the control circuit board. An upper portion of the heat sink extending towards the upper body of the housing may include a tab protruding underneath a fan assembly of the motor to transfer heat from the power unit to the airflow created by the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Madhur M. Purohit, Earl M. Ortt, Erik Ekstrom, Shailesh P. Waikar, Marcell E. Coates, Eric E. Hatfield
  • Publication number: 20160056731
    Abstract: A portable power supply includes a housing, and power circuitry providing an output AC waveform having a first positive voltage step level, a second higher positive voltage step level, a third lower positive voltage step level, a fourth negative voltage step level, a fifth higher negative voltage step level, and a sixth lower negative voltage step level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Daniele C. Brotto, Nathan J. Cruise, Erik Ekstrom, Pradeep M. Pant, David A. Carrier, Shailesh P. Waikar, Ren H. Wang, Mehdi T. Abolhassani, William D. Spencer, Rouse Roby Bailey, JR., Andrew E. Seman, JR., John E. Buck, Seth M. Robinson
  • Patent number: 9254991
    Abstract: A filling machine for filling product into a packaging container comprises; at least one filling nozzle for ejection of liquid in a first general direction into the packaging container, wherein the filling nozzle is arranged in a dishbox having an opening through which the product may be ejected towards a package provided in a volume, wherein the opening may selectively be sealed by a sealing valve having a valve body with a portion dimensioned to be inserted in said opening. In the inventive filling machine a recess is arranged in an upper surface of the volume such that the valve body is at least partly insertable in the recess in the rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Jan-Erik Ekström, Bo Runnberg, Henrik Brännmo
  • Patent number: 9169541
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a sandwich?material for brazing, comprising the steps of: providing a core layer of a first alloy that contains (by wt. %): 0.5-2.0% Mn, ?1.0% Mg, ?0.2% Si, ?0.3% Ti, ?0.3% Cr, ?0.3% Zr, ?0.2% Cu, ?3% Zn, ?0.2% In, ?0.1% Sn and ?0.7% (Fe+Ni), the rest Al and ?0.05% of each of unavoidable impurities; providing a barrier layer of a second alloy that contains (by wt. %): ?0.2% Mn+Cr, ?1.0% Mg, 1.6-5% Si, ?0.3% Ti, ?0.2% Zr, ?0.2% Cu, ?3% Zn, ?0.2% In, ?0.1% Sn and ?1.5% (Fe+Ni), the rest Al and ?0.05% of each of unavoidable impurities; rolling the layers together so that they adhere and form a sandwich material; heat treating the sandwich material at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time so that the Si-content is equalized to 0.4-1% in both core layer and barrier layer; rolling the sandwich material to a final thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Gränges Sweden AB
    Inventors: Hans-Erik Ekström, Anders Oskarsson
  • Patent number: 9166422
    Abstract: A portable power supply includes a housing, and power circuitry providing an output AC waveform having a first positive voltage step level, a second higher positive voltage step level, a third lower positive voltage step level, a fourth negative voltage step level, a fifth higher negative voltage step level, and a sixth lower negative voltage step level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Daniele C. Brotto, Nathan J. Cruise, Erik Ekstrom, Pradeep M. Pant, David A. Carrier, Shailesh P. Waikar, Ren Wang, William D. Spencer, Rouse Roby Bailey, Jr., Andrew E. Seman, Jr., John E. Buck, Seth M. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20150207431
    Abstract: A portable power supply apparatus is provided having reduced impedance losses. The portable power supply apparatus is comprised of: a portable housing; a battery system residing in the housing; and an inverter circuit residing in the housing. The battery system generates a direct current (DC) voltage having a magnitude greater than or equal to a peak value of a desired alternating current (AC) voltage. The inverter circuit receives the DC voltage directly from the battery system, converts the DC voltage to an AC output voltage and outputs the AC output voltage to one or more outlets exposed on an exterior surface of the portable housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Daniele C. Brotto, Nathan J. Cruise, Erik Ekstrom, Ren Wang, Mehdi T. Abolhassani, William D. Spencer, Rouse Roby Bailey, Jr., Andrew E. Seman, Scott Eshleman
  • Patent number: 8994336
    Abstract: A portable power supply apparatus is provided having reduced impedance losses. The portable power supply apparatus is comprised of: a portable housing; a battery system residing in the housing; and an inverter circuit residing in the housing. The battery system generates a direct current (DC) voltage having a magnitude greater than or equal to a peak value of a desired alternating current (AC) voltage. The inverter circuit receives the DC voltage directly from the battery system, converts the DC voltage to an AC output voltage and outputs the AC output voltage to one or more outlets exposed on an exterior surface of the portable housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Daniele C. Brotto, Nathan J. Cruise, Erik Ekstrom, Ren Wang, Mehdi T. Abolhassani, William D. Spencer, Rouse Roby Bailey, Jr., Andrew E. Seman, Jr., Scott Eshleman
  • Publication number: 20140132093
    Abstract: A power tool includes a brushless DC motor housed inside an upper body of the tool housing and a control unit housed inside a handle of the housing, the control unit including a micro-controller mounted on a control circuit board, a power unit electronically coupled to the micro-controller and mounted on a power circuit board arranged substantially parallel the control circuit board inside the handle, and a heat sink in thermal contact with the power unit. An input unit may be mounted directly on the control circuit board. An upper portion of the heat sink extending towards the upper body of the housing may include a tab protruding underneath a fan assembly of the motor to transfer heat from the power unit to the airflow created by the fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Madhur M. Purohit, Earl M. Ortt, Erik Ekstrom, Shailesh P. Waikar, Marcell E. Coates, Eric E. Hatfield
  • Publication number: 20140100687
    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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Ekstrom, Stuart E. Garber, Jongsoo Lim, David J. Smith, Shailesh P. Waikar
  • Publication number: 20140088753
    Abstract: A fastening power tool such as a nailer is provided including a tool housing, an input unit actuated in response to an operator input, and a motor assembly including a motor housed within the tool housing. A control unit is provided including a controller programmable to control an operation of the motor and a decoder circuit configured to control a supply of power from a power source to the controller based on a status of the power source and a status of the input unit. The decoder circuit is configured to connect supply of power from the power source to the controller when the power tool is coupled to the power source prior to an engagement of the input unit, but disconnect the supply of power when the power tool is coupled to the power source after the engagement of the input unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Jongsoo Lim, Erik Ekstrom, Pradeep Pant, Michael P. Baron, Paul G. Gross, Lee M. Brendel
  • Publication number: 20140076953
    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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Erik Ekstrom, David J. Smith
  • Patent number: 8574723
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sandwich material for brazing comprising a core layer of a first aluminum alloy and a barrier layer of a second aluminum alloy characterized by that: the first alloy, constituting the core layer contains (in weight %): 0.8-2% Mn, ?1.0% Mg, 0.3-1.5% Si, ?0.3% Ti, ?0.3% Cr, ?0.3% Zr, ?1.3% Cu, ?0.5% Zn, ?0.2% In, ?0.1% Sn and ?0.7% (Fe+Ni), the balance consisting of Al and ?0.05% of each of the unavoidable impurities, and that the second alloy, constituting the barrier layer contains (in weight %): ?0.2% Mn+Cr, ?1.0% Mg, ?1.5% Si, ?0.3% Ti, ?0.2% Zr, ?0.3% Cu, ?0.5% Zn, ?0.2% In, ?0.1% Sn and ?1.5% (Fe+Ni), the balance consisting of Al and ?0.05% of each of the unavoidable impurities, The invention also concerns a method for the manufacture of the sandwich material, a brazed product, such as a heat exchanger comprising the sandwich material and the use of the brazed product at high and low temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sapa Heat Transfer AB
    Inventor: Hans-Erik Ekström
  • Patent number: 8388417
    Abstract: An angle grinder is provided including a radial fan assembly. The radial fan assembly is configured to direct exhaust radially outwardly and axially away from a user of the angle grinder. Brush card assemblies for an angle grinder are also provided. The brush card assemblies provide for the securing of brush cards to a field case of the angle grinder by the interface between the field case and brush cards. Additionally, a spindle lock mechanism and a safety mechanism for an angle grinder are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K. Trautner, Philip T. Miller, Kevin S. Agan, Erik Ekstrom, Junyi Xie, Yaping Yang, Jason R. Melvin, Gregg L. Sheddy
  • Patent number: 8347978
    Abstract: A driving tool having a driver, a power source, a sensor and a controller. The power source selectively provides an input to the driver to cause the driver to translate along an axis. The sensor senses a condition in the power source that is indicative of a level of kinetic energy of an element in the power source and generates a sensor signal in response thereto. The controller is coupled to the power source and the sensor and is responsive to the sensor signal for deactivating the power source to inhibit the power source from providing the input to the driver when the level of kinetic energy of the element in the power source is below a predetermined threshold. A method for operating a driving tool is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Forster, Craig A. Schell, Paul Gross, Charles L. Bradenbaugh, IV, Nathan Cruise, Erik Ekstrom