Patents by Inventor John Backman

John Backman 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: 9973114
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing rollback in a counterbalancing system as a holding brake is released is disclosed. A limited amount of movement of a drive shaft is present in the holding brake. A motor drive provides current to the motor with the holding brake set such that a torque is applied at the drive shaft. The current is controlled to generate torque in both directions. The limited amount of movement in the brake may be used to determine a direction and magnitude of torque required to support a mechanical load being applied to the motor. The motor drive then provides a current to generate the necessary torque required to support the load prior to releasing the holding brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Magnetek, Inc.
    Inventors: Garry Anderson, Mark Kobiske, John Backman, Edward G. Butte
  • Publication number: 20170222577
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing rollback in a counterbalancing system as a holding brake is released is disclosed. A limited amount of movement of a drive shaft is present in the holding brake. A motor drive provides current to the motor with the holding brake set such that a torque is applied at the drive shaft. The current is controlled to generate torque in both directions. The limited amount of movement in the brake may be used to determine a direction and magnitude of torque required to support a mechanical load being applied to the motor. The motor drive then provides a current to generate the necessary torque required to support the load prior to releasing the holding brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Garry Anderson, Mark Kobiske, John Backman, Edward G. Butte
  • Patent number: 9093937
    Abstract: A system for determining the angular position of a synchronous motor includes an encoder with a friction wheel engaging a rotating surface of the motor. The friction wheel is spun by the rotation of the motor, and the encoder generates a signal corresponding to the angular position of the friction wheel. An independent, sensor is provided to generate a pulse once per revolution of the motor. The independent sensor detects the presence of a target on the rotating surface of the motor and generates the pulse when the target is proximate to the sensor. A controller receives the signal corresponding to the angular position of the friction wheel as well as the pulse generated by the independent sensor to determine the angular position of the motor. The controller compensates the angular position of the motor each time the pulse is generated, correcting accumulated position error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Magnetek, Inc.
    Inventors: John Backman, Garry Anderson
  • Publication number: 20150015170
    Abstract: A system for determining the angular position of a synchronous motor includes an encoder with a friction wheel engaging a rotating surface of the motor. The friction wheel is spun by the rotation of the motor, and the encoder generates a signal corresponding to the angular position of the friction wheel. An independent, sensor is provided to generate a pulse once per revolution of the motor. The independent sensor detects the presence of a target on the rotating surface of the motor and generates the pulse when the target is proximate to the sensor. A controller receives the signal corresponding to the angular position of the friction wheel as well as the pulse generated by the independent sensor to determine the angular position of the motor. The controller compensates the angular position of the motor each time the pulse is generated, correcting accumulated position error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: John Backman, Garry Anderson
  • Patent number: 8708835
    Abstract: Golf putter apparatus includes a golf putter, a laser light generator and mirror mounting structure inserted in the shaft maintaining proper positioning of a mirror used to reflect laser light from the laser light generator and operable to hold the mirror in stable fixed position and orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Lazer Putter, LLC
    Inventors: John Backman, Clark Tatum, Craig William Dye, Michael William Slota