Patents by Inventor Kipp Knutson
Kipp Knutson 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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Publication number: 20220313046Abstract: A method of controlling a robotic floor cleaning machine includes driving, by an operator, the robotic floor cleaning machine along a transport path and a cleaning path. The transport path defines a path for transport of the robotic floor cleaning machine without active cleaning and the cleaning path defines a path for a cleaning operation. The method further includes recording the transport path and the cleaning path driven by the operator; defining, in a controller of the robotic floor cleaning machine, a route comprising the recorded transport path and the recorded cleaning path, and defining the cleaning operation. The robotic floor cleaning machine executes the defined route and the cleaning operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Stephen Klopp, Stuart McDonald, Kipp Knutson, David Wood, Andrew Graham, Christian Kraft, Donald Joseph Legatt
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Publication number: 20220313047Abstract: A method of controlling a robotic floor cleaning machine includes driving, by an operator, the robotic floor cleaning machine along a transport path and a cleaning path. The transport path defines a path for transport of the robotic floor cleaning machine without active cleaning and the cleaning path defines a path for a cleaning operation. The method further includes recording the transport path and the cleaning path driven by the operator; defining, in a controller of the robotic floor cleaning machine, a route comprising the recorded transport path and the recorded cleaning path, and defining the cleaning operation. The robotic floor cleaning machine executes the defined route and the cleaning operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Kipp Knutson, David Wood, Andrew Graham, Christian Kraft, Donald Joseph Legatt
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Patent number: 11432698Abstract: A control system for a robotic floor cleaning machine configured to perform a cleaning operation along a cleaning path can comprise a controller, and a plurality of sensors. The controller can be configured to control autonomous movement of the robotic floor cleaning machine along the cleaning path and autonomous performance of the cleaning operation. The plurality of sensors can be configured to sense a location of the robotic floor cleaning machine relative to surroundings of the robotic floor cleaning machine. At least two sensors from the plurality of sensors are configured to locate the robotic floor cleaning machine in overlapping areas of the surroundings.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Nilfisk A/SInventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
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Patent number: 11399686Abstract: A control system for a robotic floor cleaning machine configured to perform a cleaning operation along a cleaning path can comprise a controller, and a plurality of sensors. The controller can be configured to control autonomous movement of the robotic floor cleaning machine along the cleaning path and autonomous performance of the cleaning operation. The plurality of sensors can be configured to sense a location of the robotic floor cleaning machine relative to surroundings of the robotic floor cleaning machine. At least two sensors from the plurality of sensors are configured to locate the robotic floor cleaning machine in overlapping areas of the surroundings.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Nilfisk A/SInventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
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Patent number: 11083357Abstract: A floor cleaning machine can comprise a chassis, a cleaning mechanism, a control system, and a cleaning operation sensing system connected to the chassis. The chassis can be configured for movement along a cleaning path. The cleaning mechanism can perform a cleaning operation. The liquid system can provide liquid to the cleaning mechanism. The recovery system can recover liquid from the cleaning operation. The control system can control performance of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can detect a condition of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can comprise a water trailing detection system comprising: a frame connected to the chassis aft of the recovery system; an absorbent medium connected to the frame; and a moisture sensor in communication with the control system to alter a signal in response to moisture in the absorbent medium.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Nilfisk A/SInventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
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Publication number: 20200288936Abstract: A control system for a robotic floor cleaning machine configured to perform a cleaning operation along a cleaning path can comprise a controller, and a plurality of sensors. The controller can be configured to control autonomous movement of the robotic floor cleaning machine along the cleaning path and autonomous performance of the cleaning operation. The plurality of sensors can be configured to sense a location of the robotic floor cleaning machine relative to surroundings of the robotic floor cleaning machine. At least two sensors from the plurality of sensors are configured to locate the robotic floor cleaning machine in overlapping areas of the surroundings.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2020Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
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Publication number: 20190014965Abstract: A floor cleaning machine can comprise a chassis, a cleaning mechanism, a control system, and a cleaning operation sensing system connected to the chassis. The chassis can be configured for movement along a cleaning path. The cleaning mechanism can perform a cleaning operation. The liquid system can provide liquid to the cleaning mechanism. The recovery system can recover liquid from the cleaning operation. The control system can control performance of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can detect a condition of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can comprise a water trailing detection system comprising: a frame connected to the chassis aft of the recovery system; an absorbent medium connected to the frame; and a moisture sensor in communication with the control system to alter a signal in response to moisture in the absorbent medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, David Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
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Patent number: 10010231Abstract: A floor cleaning machine can comprise a chassis, a cleaning mechanism, a control system, and a cleaning operation sensing system connected to the chassis. The chassis can be configured for movement along a cleaning path. The cleaning mechanism can perform a cleaning operation. The liquid system can provide liquid to the cleaning mechanism. The recovery system can recover liquid from the cleaning operation. The control system can control performance of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can detect a condition of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can comprise a water trailing detection system comprising: a frame connected to the chassis aft of the recovery system, an absorbent medium connected to the frame; and a moisture sensor in communication with the control system to alter a signal in response to moisture in the absorbent medium.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: NILFISK A/SInventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
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Publication number: 20170049288Abstract: A control system for a robotic floor cleaning machine configured to perform a cleaning operation along a cleaning path can comprise a controller, and a plurality of sensors. The controller can be configured to control autonomous movement of the robotic floor cleaning machine along the cleaning path and autonomous performance of the cleaning operation. The plurality of sensors can be configured to sense a location of the robotic floor cleaning machine relative to surroundings of the robotic floor cleaning machine. At least two sensors from the plurality of sensors are configured to locate the robotic floor cleaning machine in overlapping areas of the surroundings.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2016Publication date: February 23, 2017Inventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
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Publication number: 20170049287Abstract: A floor cleaning machine can comprise a chassis, a cleaning mechanism, a control system, and a cleaning operation sensing system connected to the chassis. The chassis can be configured for movement along a cleaning path. The cleaning mechanism can perform a cleaning operation. The liquid system can provide liquid to the cleaning mechanism. The recovery system can recover liquid from the cleaning operation. The control system can control performance of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can detect a condition of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can comprise a water trailing detection system comprising: a frame connected to the chassis aft of the recovery system, an absorbent medium connected to the frame; and a moisture sensor in communication with the control system to alter a signal in response to moisture in the absorbent medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2016Publication date: February 23, 2017Inventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
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Publication number: 20100076599Abstract: A robotic device is manually driven along a perimeter of a Region Of Interest (ROI) or along a Path Of Interest (POI) for future autonomous operation. An Initial Point (IP) is established by identifying a unique machine recognizable feature, for example, a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag located at the IP. The robotic device is then manually driven along the perimeter or along the path and sensors carried by the robotic device collects data to characterize the ROI or POI. The sensors may include sonar, vision systems, laser, or radar devices for measuring relative positions of a wall, stairs, or obstacles. Wheel odometry may be used to track distances traveled and data fusion exercised to combine the odometry data with the sonar and/or laser measurements to model the ROI or POI. Characterization is performed by collecting points along a wall, fitting a line to the points, and finding the intersections of consecutive lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2008Publication date: March 25, 2010Inventors: Steven Jacobs, Kipp Knutson, David Wood
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Publication number: 20060102206Abstract: An onboard treatment solution injection system (40) includes a container (42) removably received in a holder (51) having a plurality of condition sensors (52) arranged in a vertical linear series. An injection pump (44) draws treatment solution from the container (42) and injects it into cleaning solution flowing in a line (15) from a solution tank (16) under action of a solution pump (18). The relative pumping rates of the pumps (18, 44) are controlled by a controller (58) controlled by the condition sensors (52) detecting a magnet (56) which is adjustably slideably mounted on the container (42) according to the type of treatment solution held therein. A valve (50) allows the injection pump (44) to be alternately in fluid communication with the container (42) or the solution tank (16) for purging.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2004Publication date: May 18, 2006Applicant: Nilfisk-Advance, Inc.Inventors: David Wood, Kipp Knutson