Patents by Inventor Jeffrey M. Brozek
Jeffrey M. Brozek 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).
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Patent number: 11967817Abstract: A resettable electronic fuse for a high-power device such as a power tool, a battery pack for the power tool, or a battery pack charger. The resettable electronic fuse is connected in a current path of the device and is operable or configured to selectively interrupt current through the resettable electronic fuse based on a detected condition of the device (e.g., a detected fault condition of the device). The resettable electronic fuse is also configured to be reset after a detected fault condition has ended. In some embodiments, the resettable electronic fuse is configured to reset itself. In other embodiments, the resettable electronic fuse is configured to receive a signal (e.g., from a device controller) to reset.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2020Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Jeffrey M. Brozek, Benjamin Tesch, Chien-Chih Chao
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Publication number: 20240085489Abstract: A battery pack, a method of heating a battery cell and an electrical combination. The battery pack may include a housing; a battery cell; a heating element operable to provide heat to the battery cell; a temperature sensing device operable to sense a temperature of an interior of the battery pack; a heating switch operable to control whether power is provided to the heating element; and an electronic processor configured to receive a signal from the temperature sensing device, the signal indicating the temperature of the interior of the battery pack, determine that the temperature of the interior of the battery pack is less than a predetermined temperature threshold, and in response to determining that the temperature of the interior of the battery pack is less than the predetermined temperature threshold, close the heating switch to provide power to the heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Samuel Sheeks, Jeffrey M. Brozek, Matthew J. Mergener, Ryan B. Jipp
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Patent number: 11860236Abstract: A battery pack, a method of heating a battery cell and an electrical combination. The battery pack may include a housing; a battery cell; a heating element operable to provide heat to the battery cell; a temperature sensing device operable to sense a temperature of an interior of the battery pack; a heating switch operable to control whether power is provided to the heating element; and an electronic processor configured to receive a signal from the temperature sensing device, the signal indicating the temperature of the interior of the battery pack, determine that the temperature of the interior of the battery pack is less than a predetermined temperature threshold, and in response to determining that the temperature of the interior of the battery pack is less than the predetermined temperature threshold, close the heating switch to provide power to the heating element.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Samuel Sheeks, Jeffrey M. Brozek, Matthew J. Mergener, Ryan B. Jipp
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Publication number: 20230402855Abstract: A power device including a housing, charging circuitry, and discharge circuitry. The housing defining a first support operable to support a first battery pack, and a second support operable to support a second battery pack. The charging circuitry electrically is connected to the first battery pack and the second battery pack in a parallel-type connection. The charging circuitry is configured to simultaneously charge the first battery pack and the second battery pack. The discharge circuitry is electrically connected to the first battery pack and the second battery pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Matthew J. Mergener, Timothy Ryan Obermann, Kevin L. Glasgow, Jeffrey M. Brozek
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Patent number: 11839066Abstract: A battery charger and a method of operating a battery charger. The charger may include a housing defining an air inlet and an air outlet; a charging circuit operable to output a charging current to charge a battery couplable to the battery charger; a tubular heat sink; and a fan operable to cause air flow from the air inlet to the air outlet and along the heat sink. The charger may include a first switch operable to electrically connect the charging circuit to a power source when the battery engages the charger; and a second switch operable to electrically connect the charging circuit to a battery terminal after the charger terminal is electrically connected to the battery terminal. The charging current or a fan speed may be adjusted based on at least one of the temperature of the charger or a temperature of the battery.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Donald J. Truettner, Jeffrey M. Brozek, Steven T. Sommerfeld, Cameron R. Schulz
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Patent number: 11799300Abstract: Methods and systems for selectively connecting a plurality of battery cells in a dual-mode battery pack in series and parallel configurations and/or for individual cell monitoring. A dual-mode battery pack may generally include a housing; a first set of battery cells connected in series; and a second set of battery cells connected in series. The battery pack may also include series connection contacts selectively connectable to the first set of battery cells and to the second set of battery cells and, when engaged, connecting the first set of battery cells and the second set of battery cells in a series configuration; and parallel connection contacts selectively connectable to the first set of battery cells and the second set of battery cells and, when engaged, connecting the first set of battery cells and the second set of battery cells in a parallel configuration.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Matthew J. Mergener, Jeffrey M. Brozek, Christian Funda, Nicholas Konetzke
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Patent number: 11757294Abstract: A power device including a housing, charging circuitry, and discharge circuitry. The housing defining a first support operable to support a first battery pack, and a second support operable to support a second battery pack. The charging circuitry electrically is connected to the first battery pack and the second battery pack in a parallel-type connection. The charging circuity is configured to simultaneously charge the first battery pack and the second battery pack. The discharge circuitry is electrically connected to the first battery pack and the second battery pack. The discharge circuitry is configured to electrically connect the first battery pack and the second battery pack in a series-type connection during a discharge.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Matthew J. Mergener, Timothy Ryan Obermann, Kevin L. Glasgow, Jeffrey M. Brozek
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Publication number: 20230283221Abstract: An electrical combination, a tool system, an electric motor, a battery pack, and operating and manufacturing methods. The tool may include a tool housing, a motor supported by the tool housing, the motor having a nominal outer diameter of up to about 80 millimeters (mm), the motor being operable to output at least about 2760 watts (W), and a tool terminal electrically connected to the motor; a battery pack including a pack housing defining a volume of the battery pack, the volume being up to about 5.2×106 cubic millimeters (mm3), battery cells supported by the pack housing, the battery cells being electrically connected and having a nominal voltage of up to about 80 volts (V), and a pack terminal electrically connectable to the tool terminal to transfer current between the battery pack and the tool; and a controller operable to control the transfer of current.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Samuel Sheeks, Jeffrey M. Brozek, Keith Boulanger, Andrew T. Beyerl, Timothy R. Obermann, Alex Huber, Samantha L. Billetdeaux, Lance D. Lamont, Matthew J. Mergener
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Patent number: 11652437Abstract: An electrical combination, a tool system, an electric motor, a battery pack, and operating and manufacturing methods. The tool may include a tool housing, a motor supported by the tool housing, the motor having a nominal outer diameter of up to about 80 millimeters (mm), the motor being operable to output at least about 2760 watts (W), and a tool terminal electrically connected to the motor; a battery pack including a pack housing defining a volume of the battery pack, the volume being up to about 5.2×106 cubic millimeters (mm3), battery cells supported by the pack housing, the battery cells being electrically connected and having a nominal voltage of up to about 80 volts (V), and a pack terminal electrically connectable to the tool terminal to transfer current between the battery pack and the tool; and a controller operable to control the transfer of current.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2018Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Samuel Sheeks, Jeffrey M. Brozek, Keith Boulanger, Andrew T. Beyerl, Timothy R. Obermann, Alex Huber, Samantha L. Billetdeaux, Lance D. Lamont, Matthew J. Mergener
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Publication number: 20230144937Abstract: A resettable electronic fuse for a high-power device such as a power tool, a battery pack for the power tool, or a battery pack charger. The resettable electronic fuse is connected in a current path of the device and is operable or configured to selectively interrupt current through the resettable electronic fuse based on a detected condition of the device (e.g., a detected fault condition of the device). The resettable electronic fuse is also configured to be reset after a detected fault condition has ended. In some embodiments, the resettable electronic fuse is configured to reset itself. In other embodiments, the resettable electronic fuse is configured to receive a signal (e.g., from a device controller) to reset.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2020Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventors: Jeffrey M. Brozek, Benjamin Tesch, Chien-Chih Chao
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Publication number: 20220231387Abstract: A battery pack, an electrical combination and a method of operating a battery pack. The battery pack may include a housing; a plurality of battery cells supported by the housing; a plurality of terminals including a positive power terminal, a negative power terminal, and a low power terminal; a low power circuit connecting the plurality of battery cells to the low power terminal and the negative terminal to output a first voltage; and a power circuit connecting the plurality of battery cells to the positive power terminal and the negative terminal to output a second voltage, the second voltage being greater than the first voltage. A terminal block for one of a battery pack and an electrical device may include a terminal with a terminal blade, and a terminal support portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventors: Jeffrey M. Brozek, Donald J. Truettner, Lance D. Lamont, Burtrom L. Stampfl, Timothy R. Obermann, Matthew J. Mergener, Seyed A. Hamidi, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Kyle J. Radovich
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Patent number: 11374528Abstract: An electrical combination, a tool system, an electric motor, a battery pack, and operating and manufacturing methods. The tool may include a tool housing, a motor supported by the tool housing, the motor having a nominal outer diameter of up to about 80 millimeters (mm), the motor being operable to output at least about 2760 watts (W), and a tool terminal electrically connected to the motor; a battery pack including a pack housing defining a volume of the battery pack, the volume being up to about 5.2×106 cubic millimeters (mm3), battery cells supported by the pack housing, the battery cells being electrically connected and having a nominal voltage of up to about 80 volts (V), and a pack terminal electrically connectable to the tool terminal to transfer current between the battery pack and the tool; and a controller operable to control the transfer of current.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Samuel Sheeks, Jeffrey M. Brozek, Keith Boulanger, Andrew T. Beyerl, Timothy R. Obermann, Alex Huber, Samantha L. Billetdeaux, Lance D. Lamont, Matthew J. Mergener
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Publication number: 20220166235Abstract: Systems described herein include a battery pack including one or more battery cells and a first resistive element connected to a positive electrode of a first battery cell. The systems also include an external device capable of receiving the battery pack. The external device includes a second resistive element, a switch, and a controller. The second resistive element is configured to be in series with the first resistive element upon the battery pack being received within the external device. The switch is positioned in series with the second resistive element and a common potential is coupled to both the battery pack and the external device. The controller is configured to activate the switch, measure a voltage between the first resistive element and the second resistive element in response to the switch being activated, and determine an identification of the battery pack based on the measured voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2021Publication date: May 26, 2022Inventors: Jeffrey M. Brozek, Matthew R. Polakowski, James K. Dykstra, Chien-Chih Chao, Andrew J. Spaulding
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Publication number: 20220093965Abstract: An electrical combination. The combination comprises a hand held power tool, a battery pack and a controller. The battery pack includes a battery pack housing connectable to and supportable by the hand held power tool, a plurality of battery cells supported by the battery pack housing, each of the plurality of battery cells having a lithium-based chemistry, being individually tapped and having an individual state of charge. A communication path is provided by a battery pack sense terminal and a power tool sense terminal. The controller is operable to monitor a state of charge of a number of battery cells less than the plurality of battery cells and to generate a signal based on the monitored state of charge of the number of battery cells less than the plurality of battery cells, the signal being operable to control the operation of the hand held power tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2021Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventors: Todd W. Johnson, Jay J. Rosenbecker, Gary D. Meyer, Jeffrey M. Zeiler, Kevin L. Glasgow, Jonathan A. Zick, Jeffrey M. Brozek, Karl F. Scheucher
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Patent number: 11251508Abstract: A battery pack, an electrical combination and a method of operating a battery pack. The battery pack may include a housing; a plurality of battery cells supported by the housing; a plurality of terminals including a positive power terminal, a negative power terminal, and a low power terminal; a low power circuit connecting the plurality of battery cells to the low power terminal and the negative terminal to output a first voltage; and a power circuit connecting the plurality of battery cells to the positive power terminal and the negative terminal to output a second voltage, the second voltage being greater than the first voltage. A terminal block for one of a battery pack and an electrical device may include a terminal with a terminal blade, and a terminal support portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Jeffrey M. Brozek, Donald J. Truettner, Lance D. Lamont, Burtrom L. Stampfl, Timothy R. Obermann, Matthew J. Mergener, Seyed A. Hamidi, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Kyle J. Radovich
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Patent number: 11196080Abstract: An electrical combination. The combination comprises a hand held power tool, a battery pack and a controller. The battery pack includes a battery pack housing connectable to and supportable by the hand held power tool, a plurality of battery cells supported by the battery pack housing, each of the plurality of battery cells having a lithium-based chemistry, being individually tapped and having an individual state of charge. A communication path is provided by a battery pack sense terminal and a power tool sense terminal. The controller is operable to monitor a state of charge of a number of battery cells less than the plurality of battery cells and to generate a signal based on the monitored state of charge of the number of battery cells less than the plurality of battery cells, the signal being operable to control the operation of the hand held power tool.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Todd W. Johnson, Jay J. Rosenbecker, Gary D. Meyer, Jeffrey M. Zeiler, Kevin L. Glasgow, Jonathan A. Zick, Jeffrey M. Brozek, Karl F. Scheucher
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Publication number: 20210359526Abstract: A power device including a housing, charging circuitry, and discharge circuitry. The housing defining a first support operable to support a first battery pack, and a second support operable to support a second battery pack. The charging circuitry electrically is connected to the first battery pack and the second battery pack in a parallel-type connection. The charging circuity is configured to simultaneously charge the first battery pack and the second battery pack. The discharge circuitry is electrically connected to the first battery pack and the second battery pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventors: Matthew J. Mergener, Timothy Ryan Obermann, Kevin L. Glasgow, Jeffrey M. Brozek
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Patent number: 11095148Abstract: A power device including a housing, charging circuitry, and discharge circuitry. The housing defining a first support operable to support a first battery pack, and a second support operable to support a second battery pack. The charging circuitry electrically is connected to the first battery pack and the second battery pack in a parallel-type connection. The charging circuitry is configured to simultaneously charge the first battery pack and the second battery pack. The discharge circuitry is electrically connected to the first battery pack and the second battery pack.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Matthew J. Mergener, Timothy Ryan Obermann, Kevin L. Glasgow, Jeffrey M. Brozek
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Publication number: 20210234381Abstract: A battery pack, a method of heating a battery cell and an electrical combination. The battery pack may include a housing; a battery cell; a heating element operable to provide heat to the battery cell; a temperature sensing device operable to sense a temperature of an interior of the battery pack; a heating switch operable to control whether power is provided to the heating element; and an electronic processor configured to receive a signal from the temperature sensing device, the signal indicating the temperature of the interior of the battery pack, determine that the temperature of the interior of the battery pack is less than a predetermined temperature threshold, and in response to determining that the temperature of the interior of the battery pack is less than the predetermined temperature threshold, close the heating switch to provide power to the heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Samuel Sheeks, Jeffrey M. Brozek, Matthew J. Mergener, Ryan B. Jipp
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Publication number: 20210135463Abstract: Methods and systems for selectively connecting a plurality of battery cells in a dual-mode battery pack in series and parallel configurations and/or for individual cell monitoring. A dual-mode battery pack may generally include a housing; a first set of battery cells connected in series; and a second set of battery cells connected in series. The battery pack may also include series connection contacts selectively connectable to the first set of battery cells and to the second set of battery cells and, when engaged, connecting the first set of battery cells and the second set of battery cells in a series configuration; and parallel connection contacts selectively connectable to the first set of battery cells and the second set of battery cells and, when engaged, connecting the first set of battery cells and the second set of battery cells in a parallel configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2021Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Matthew J. Mergener, Jeffrey M. Brozek, Christian Funda, Nicholas Konetzke