Patents by Inventor Luke J. Skinner

Luke J. Skinner 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: 20250144781
    Abstract: An example hydraulic tool includes: a fluid reservoir; a pump; an electric motor; a cylinder; a piston; a first trigger button; a second trigger button; and a controller configured to perform operations comprising: receiving a first signal when the first trigger button is triggered, responsively, causing the electric motor to rotate in a first rotational direction, thereby: (i) causing the pump to provide fluid to the cylinder, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a first linear direction, thereafter, receiving a second signal when the second trigger button is triggered, and responsively to the second signal, causing the electric motor to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby: (i) opening a fluid path from the cylinder to the fluid reservoir, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Eric D. Norquist, James G. Ballard, Kris J. Kanack, Luke J. Skinner, Robert Jensen, Marc S. D'Antuono, Peter Davies
  • Patent number: 12214478
    Abstract: An example hydraulic tool includes: a fluid reservoir; a pump; an electric motor; a cylinder; a piston; a first trigger button; a second trigger button; and a controller configured to perform operations comprising: receiving a first signal when the first trigger button is triggered, responsively, causing the electric motor to rotate in a first rotational direction, thereby: (i) causing the pump to provide fluid to the cylinder, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a first linear direction, thereafter, receiving a second signal when the second trigger button is triggered, and responsively to the second signal, causing the electric motor to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby: (i) opening a fluid path from the cylinder to the fluid reservoir, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Eric D. Norquist, James G. Ballard, Kris J. Kanack, Luke J. Skinner, Robert Jensen, Marc S. D'Antuono, Peter Davies
  • Publication number: 20240326221
    Abstract: A power tool includes a tool head, a frame that rotationally couples with the tool head, a piston, and a motor that is operable to drive the piston to perform an operation on a workpiece. The power tool also includes a sensor that senses movement of the piston to provide sensor information indicative of the movement of the piston. The power tool further includes a controller that receives the sensor information from the sensor. The controller operates the motor to perform work on the workpiece until the sensor determines the piston has moved a target distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Luke J. Skinner, Kris J. Kanack, James G. Ballard, David R. Bauer, Troy A. Marks, Marc S. D'Antuono, Paige L. Bovard, Eric Norquist
  • Patent number: 12103152
    Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, a driver blade attached to the piston and movable between a ready position and a driven position, a lifter engageable with the driver blade to return the driver blade from the driven position to the ready position, and a multi-stage planetary transmission including an output shaft operatively coupled to the lifter to provide torque thereto, a first bearing supporting a first portion of the output shaft for rotation, a second bearing supporting a second portion of the output shaft for rotation, and first and second planetary stages. The fastener driver also includes a housing having a cylinder support portion and a transmission housing portion in which the first and second bearings are received. The cylinder support portion and the transmission housing portion are integrally formed as a single piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew R. Wyler, Nathan T. Armstrong, Jason D. Thurner, Troy C. Thorson, John S. Scott, Jeremy R. Ebner, Daniel R. Garces, Ryan A. Dedrickson, Luke J. Skinner, Benjamin R. Suhr
  • Publication number: 20240293886
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide methods and hybrid welder devices including a housing, an alternating current (“AC”) power input, a battery pack interface, a welding circuit, and an electronic controller. The housing including the battery pack interface and the AC power input. The battery pack interface receives a removable battery pack. The AC power input receives power from an AC power source and output an AC power output. The welding circuit provides power to a welding electrode using the AC power input. The electronic controller connected to the AC power source and the removable battery pack. The electronic controller receives power from the AC power source and determines whether the power from the AC power source exceeds a maximum power output threshold. The electronic controller also supplements the power provided to the welding circuit with power from the removable battery pack in response to the power exceeding the maximum output threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Carl B. Westerby, Luke J. Skinner, Christopher J. Derksen, Brandon W. Nowicki, Ryan J. Denissen
  • Publication number: 20240246215
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying power tool accessories. Power tools described herein include a power tool housing including an interface. The interface is configured to receive an accessory. The accessory includes an identifier. The power also includes a motor and an electronic processor connected to the motor and a memory. The electronic processor is configured to detect insertion of the accessory into the interface and determine, when the accessory is inserted into the interface, an accessory type of the accessory based on the identifier. The electronic processor is configured to select operating parameters for the motor based on the accessory type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: Luke T. Burnett, Luke J. Skinner, Timothy J. Radtke
  • Publication number: 20240246219
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a smart accessory storage device for power tool accessories. An example accessory storage device includes a housing including an accessory slot for storing an accessory, a sensor configured to detect a presence of the accessory within the accessory slot, and a controller connected to the sensor. The controller is configured to determine, based on a signal from the sensor, whether the accessory is located within the accessory slot, determine, when the accessory is not located within the accessory slot, determine a set of parameters associated with the accessory, and transmit the set of parameters to an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: Luke J. Skinner, Timothy J. Radtke
  • Patent number: 12011816
    Abstract: A hydraulic tool includes a tool head and a moveable piston coupled to the tool head. The hydraulic tool head includes a plurality of jaws, which are operable to open and close for performing work on a workpiece. The hydraulic tool also includes a motor operable to drive the moveable piston to close the plurality of jaws to a closed position at which the work on the workpiece is completed. The hydraulic tool further includes a position sensor configured to detect when the plurality of jaws are at the closed position and responsively generate a sensor signal indicating that the plurality of jaws are at the closed position. Additionally, the hydraulic tool includes a controller configured to receive the sensor signal from the position sensor. The controller is configured to operate the motor based on the sensor signal that the controller receives from the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Luke J. Skinner, Kris J. Kanack, James G. Ballard, David R. Bauer, Troy A. Marks, Marc S. D'Antuono, Paige L. Bovard, Eric Norquist
  • Publication number: 20240165780
    Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, a driver blade attached to the piston and movable therewith between a ready position and a driven position, a lifter to move the driver blade from the driven position to the ready position, and a transmission including an output shaft operatively coupled to the lifter to provide torque to the lifter. The fastener driver also includes an input to provide torque to the transmission and a clutch positioned downstream of the input and operably coupled to the output shaft to limit an amount of torque transferred to the output shaft and the lifter. In response to an application of a reaction torque to the output shaft above a predetermined threshold, torque from the input is diverted from the output shaft via the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2024
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew R. Wyler, Nathan T. Armstrong, Jason D. Thurner, Troy C. Thorson, John S. Scott, Jeremy R. Ebner, Daniel R. Garces, Ryan Allen Dedrickson, Luke J. Skinner, Benjamin R. Suhr
  • Publication number: 20240106180
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a status of an action performed by a power tool. For example, the power tool includes a power tool housing, an accessory, and an electronic processor. The housing includes a recess and an input device. The accessory is configured to be received by the recess. The accessory includes an identifier. The electronic processor is connected to the input device. The electronic processor is configured to receive a first signal from the identifier, determine an accessory type based on the first signal, receive a second signal from the input device, initiate an action based on the second signal, determine an outer diameter of the workpiece, calculate a force applied by the power tool, determine a distance traveled by the accessory during the action, and determine a status of the action based on the force applied to the workpiece and the distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy J. Radtke, Luke J. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20240091924
    Abstract: An example hydraulic tool includes: a fluid reservoir; a pump; an electric motor; a cylinder; a piston; a first trigger button; a second trigger button; and a controller configured to perform operations comprising: receiving a first signal when the first trigger button is triggered, responsively, causing the electric motor to rotate in a first rotational direction, thereby: (i) causing the pump to provide fluid to the cylinder, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a first linear direction, thereafter, receiving a second signal when the second trigger button is triggered, and responsively to the second signal, causing the electric motor to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby: (i) opening a fluid path from the cylinder to the fluid reservoir, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Eric D. Norquist, James G. Ballard, Kris J. Kanack, Luke J. Skinner, Robert Jensen, Marc S. D'Antuono, Peter Davies
  • Patent number: 11926028
    Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, a driver blade attached to the piston and movable therewith between a ready position and a driven position, a lifter to move the driver blade from the driven position to the ready position, and a transmission including an output shaft operatively coupled to the lifter to provide torque to the lifter. The fastener driver also includes an input to provide torque to the transmission and a clutch positioned downstream of the input and operably coupled to the output shaft to limit an amount of torque transferred to the output shaft and the lifter. In response to an application of a reaction torque to the output shaft above a predetermined threshold, torque from the input is diverted from the output shaft via the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew R. Wyler, Nathan T. Armstrong, Jason D. Thurner, Troy C. Thorson, John S. Scott, Jeremy R. Ebner, Daniel R. Garces, Ryan Allen Dedrickson, Luke J. Skinner, Benjamin R. Suhr
  • Patent number: 11878402
    Abstract: An example hydraulic tool includes: a fluid reservoir; a pump; an electric motor; a cylinder; a piston; a first trigger button; a second trigger button; and a controller configured to perform operations comprising: receiving a first signal when the first trigger button is triggered, responsively, causing the electric motor to rotate in a first rotational direction, thereby: (i) causing the pump to provide fluid to the cylinder, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a first linear direction, thereafter, receiving a second signal when the second trigger button is triggered, and responsively to the second signal, causing the electric motor to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby: (i) opening a fluid path from the cylinder to the fluid reservoir, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Eric D. Norquist, James G. Ballard, Kris J. Kanack, Luke J. Skinner, Robert Jensen, Marc S. D'Antuono, Peter Davies
  • Patent number: 11870197
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a status of an action performed by a power tool. For example, the power tool includes a power tool housing, an accessory, and an electronic processor. The housing includes a recess and an input device. The accessory is configured to be received by the recess. The accessory includes an identifier. The electronic processor is connected to the input device. The electronic processor is configured to receive a first signal from the identifier, determine an accessory type based on the first signal, receive a second signal from the input device, initiate an action based on the second signal, determine an outer diameter of the workpiece, calculate a force applied by the power tool, determine a distance traveled by the accessory during the action, and determine a status of the action based on the force applied to the workpiece and the distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Radtke, Luke J. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20230241750
    Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, a driver blade attached to the piston and movable between a ready position and a driven position, a lifter engageable with the driver blade to return the driver blade from the driven position to the ready position, and a multi-stage planetary transmission including an output shaft operatively coupled to the lifter to provide torque thereto, a first bearing supporting a first portion of the output shaft for rotation, a second bearing supporting a second portion of the output shaft for rotation, and first and second planetary stages. The fastener driver also includes a housing having a cylinder support portion and a transmission housing portion in which the first and second bearings are received. The cylinder support portion and the transmission housing portion are integrally formed as a single piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew R. Wyler, Nathan T. Armstrong, Jason D. Thurner, Troy C. Thorson, John S. Scott, Jeremy R. Ebner, Daniel R. Garces, Ryan A. Dedrickson, Luke J. Skinner, Benjamin R. Suhr
  • Patent number: 11654590
    Abstract: An example system includes a cutting tool and a device configured to remotely control the cutting tool. In response to receiving information indicative of actuation of a first user interface item, the device sends a first signal to the cutting tool so as to request enabling the cutting tool to be operated remotely. The cutting tool sends a second signal to the device indicating that remote operation of the cutting tool has been enabled. The cutting tool receives information indicating that the trigger has been activated, and sends a third signal to the device indicating that the cutting tool is ready to perform a cutting operation. The device receives information indicative of actuation of a second user interface item, and responsively, sends a fourth signal to the cutting tool so as to cause the cutting tool to perform the cutting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Luke J. Skinner, Burtrom L. Stampfl, Timothy J. Bartlett, Carter H. Ypma, Timothy R. Obermann, Benjamin O. Cabot, Kris J. Kanack, Thomas C. Hanks, Ian C. Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 11633842
    Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston, a driver blade attached to the piston, the driver blade movable with the piston, a lifter including a rotary component operably coupled to the driver blade to move the driver blade from a driven position to a ready position, and a multi-stage planetary transmission. The transmission includes an output shaft operatively coupled to the lifter to provide torque thereto, a first bearing supporting a first portion of the output shaft for rotation, a second bearing supporting a second portion of the output shaft for rotation. The fastener driver also includes a housing having a cylinder support portion in which the cylinder is received and a transmission housing portion in which the first and second bearings are received to rotatably support the output shaft. The cylinder support portion and the transmission housing portion are integrally formed as a single piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew R. Wyler, Nathan T. Armstrong, Jason D. Thurner, Troy C. Thorson, John S. Scott, Jeremy R. Ebner, Daniel R. Garces, Ryan A. Dedrickson, Luke J. Skinner, Benjamin R. Suhr
  • Publication number: 20220226979
    Abstract: A hydraulic tool includes a tool head and a moveable piston coupled to the tool head. The hydraulic tool head includes a plurality of jaws, which are operable to open and close for performing work on a workpiece. The hydraulic tool also includes a motor operable to drive the moveable piston to close the plurality of jaws to a closed position at which the work on the workpiece is completed. The hydraulic tool further includes a position sensor configured to detect when the plurality of jaws are at the closed position and responsively generate a sensor signal indicating that the plurality of jaws are at the closed position. Additionally, the hydraulic tool includes a controller configured to receive the sensor signal from the position sensor. The controller is configured to operate the motor based on the sensor signal that the controller receives from the position sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Luke J. Skinner, Kris J. Kanack, James G. Ballard, David R. Bauer, Troy A. Marks, Marc S. D'Antuono, Paige L. Bovard, Eric Norquist
  • Patent number: 11292118
    Abstract: A hydraulic tool includes a tool head and a moveable piston coupled to the tool head. The hydraulic tool head includes a plurality of jaws, which are operable to open and close for performing work on a workpiece. The hydraulic tool also includes a motor operable to drive the moveable piston to close the plurality of jaws to a closed position at which the work on the workpiece is completed. The hydraulic tool further includes a position sensor configured to detect when the plurality of jaws are at the closed position and responsively generate a sensor signal indicating that the plurality of jaws are at the closed position. Additionally, the hydraulic tool includes a controller configured to receive the sensor signal from the position sensor. The controller is configured to operate the motor based on the sensor signal that the controller receives from the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Luke J. Skinner, Kris J. Kanack, James G. Ballard, David R. Bauer, Troy A. Marks, Marc S. D'Antuono, Paige L. Bovard, Eric Norquist
  • Publication number: 20210370540
    Abstract: An example system includes a cutting tool and a device configured to remotely control the cutting tool. In response to receiving information indicative of actuation of a first user interface item, the device sends a first signal to the cutting tool so as to request enabling the cutting tool to be operated remotely. The cutting tool sends a second signal to the device indicating that remote operation of the cutting tool has been enabled. The cutting tool receives information indicating that the trigger has been activated, and sends a third signal to the device indicating that the cutting tool is ready to perform a cutting operation. The device receives information indicative of actuation of a second user interface item, and responsively, sends a fourth signal to the cutting tool so as to cause the cutting tool to perform the cutting operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Luke J. Skinner, Burtrom L. Stampfl, Timothy J. Bartlett, Carter H. Ypma, Timothy R. Obermann, Benjamin O. Cabot, Kris J. Kanack, Thomas C. Hanks, Ian C. Zimmermann