Patents by Inventor Matthew R. Polakowski

Matthew R. Polakowski 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: 12294232
    Abstract: A portable power supply including an internal power source, an AC output, a DC output, and an input unit configured to receive power from a first external source. The portable power supply further includes a first power conversion unit configured to convert the power received from the first external source to a first DC power used for charging the internal power source, an AC power conversion unit configured to convert power output by the internal power source to an AC power used for powering a first peripheral device connected to the AC output, and a DC power conversion unit configured to convert power output by the internal power source to a second DC power used for powering a second peripheral device connected to the DC output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Mahesh M. Swamy, Omid H. Shirazi, Matthew R. Polakowski, Nathan J. Gustafson, Paul C. Chao, Samantha L. Billetdeaux, Michael R. Halverson, Benjamin C. Tesch, Chun Jian Tang, Michael A. Matthews, James Dykstra, Brian M. Hockers, Catherine Kelli Semon, Andrew S. Lentz
  • Patent number: 12280485
    Abstract: A battery connector, an electrical combination and methods. The electrical combination may include a battery connector including a housing with a support portion for a battery pack, and a circuit supported by the housing, the circuit including a universal serial bus (USB) input terminal connectable to a USB cable for receiving power, a charging terminal connectable to a pack terminal of the battery pack, and a battery charging portion operable to receive power from the USB input terminal and to output a charging current to the charging terminal to charge the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Gareth Mueckl, Justin D. Dorman, Patrick S. Lueck, Douglas G. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20250027822
    Abstract: Temperature sensing circuits for devices described herein include a substrate material, a first conductive portion, a second conductive portion, and a third conductive portion associated with the substrate material, and a plurality of thermistors associated with the substrate material for sensing a temperature associated with the device. The plurality of thermistors include a first thermistor and a second thermistor. The first thermistor is connected to the first conductive portion. The first thermistor and the second thermistor are both connected to the second conductive portion. The second thermistor is connected to the third conductive portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Kyle C. Fassbender
  • Publication number: 20240429728
    Abstract: A power tool battery charger includes a battery pack interface configured to receive a power tool battery pack and provide charging current to the battery pack and an electronic controller including a processor. The electronic controller can be configured to receive a set of data associated with the power tool battery pack and use of the power tool battery pack, determine a time for performing a maintenance procedure based on the set of data, determine one or more maintenance procedures to be performed on the power tool battery pack based on the set of data, and perform the one or more maintenance procedures on the power tool battery pack at the determined time. The maintenance procedures may include determining a maximum capacity of the battery pack, cell balancing of the battery pack, cooling the battery pack or heating the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Abbott, Matthew R. Polakowski, Andrew S. Lentz, David W. Siegler
  • Patent number: 12170450
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Brozek, Matthew R. Polakowski, James K. Dykstra, Paul C. Chao, Andrew J. Spaulding
  • Patent number: 12166186
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a battery pack including a housing, a plurality of battery cells supported by the housing, and a terminal block. The terminal block is configured to be coupled to a power tool to provide operating power from the plurality of battery cells to the power tool. The terminal block has a positive power terminal, a charging terminal, and a ground terminal. The battery pack also includes a charging circuit provided between the charging terminal and the plurality of battery cells. The charging circuit is configured to receive and transfer charging current above 12 Amperes to the plurality of battery cells during charging. The charging circuit includes a charging switch and a fuse coupled between the charging terminal and the charging switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas R Fieldbinder, Matthew R. Polakowski
  • Publication number: 20240238961
    Abstract: A battery connector, an electrical combination and methods. The electrical combination may include a battery connector including a housing with a support portion for a battery pack, and a circuit supported by the housing, the circuit including a universal serial bus (USB) input terminal connectable to a USB cable for receiving power, a charging terminal connectable to a pack terminal of the battery pack, and a battery charging portion operable to receive power from the USB input terminal and to output a charging current to the charging terminal to charge the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Gareth Mueckl, Justin D. Dorman, Patrick S. Lueck, Douglas G. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 11976983
    Abstract: Temperature sensing circuits for devices described herein include a substrate material, a first conductive portion, a second conductive portion, and a third conductive portion associated with the substrate material, and a plurality of thermistors associated with the substrate material for sensing a temperature associated with the device. The plurality of thermistors include a first thermistor and a second thermistor. The first thermistor is connected to the first conductive portion. The first thermistor and the second thermistor are both connected to the second conductive portion. The second thermistor is connected to the third conductive portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Kyle C. Fassbender
  • Publication number: 20240088472
    Abstract: A temperature controlled enclosure that includes a temperature control device for controlling the temperature within an internal cavity of the temperature controlled enclosure. The temperature controlled enclosure also includes one or more charging ports for receiving and charging a battery pack. A controller within the temperature controlled enclosure controls the temperature within the internal cavity to a predetermined or desired temperature (e.g., 20° C.). When a battery pack is received in the one or more charging ports, the temperature of the battery pack can be determined. If, for example, the temperature of the battery pack is below 0° C., the battery pack is allowed to warm up inside the temperature controlled enclosure before the battery pack is charged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Kyle C. Fassbender
  • Publication number: 20240055677
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a battery pack including a housing, a plurality of battery cells supported by the housing, and a terminal block. The terminal block is configured to be coupled to a power tool to provide operating power from the plurality of battery cells to the power tool. The terminal block has a positive power terminal, a charging terminal, and a ground terminal. The battery pack also includes a charging circuit provided between the charging terminal and the plurality of battery cells. The charging circuit is configured to receive and transfer charging current above 12 Amperes to the plurality of battery cells during charging. The charging circuit includes a charging switch and a fuse coupled between the charging terminal and the charging switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Douglas R. Fieldbinder, Matthew R. Polakowski
  • Patent number: 11890739
    Abstract: A battery connector, an electrical combination and methods. The electrical combination may include a battery connector including a housing with a support portion for a battery pack, and a circuit supported by the housing, the circuit including a universal serial bus (USB) input terminal connectable to a USB cable for receiving power, a charging terminal connectable to a pack terminal of the battery pack, and a battery charging portion operable to receive power from the USB input terminal and to output a charging current to the charging terminal to charge the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Gareth Mueckl, Justin D. Dorman, Patrick S. Lueck, Douglas G. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 11894528
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a battery pack including a housing, a plurality of battery cells supported by the housing, and a terminal block. The terminal block is configured to be coupled to a power tool to provide operating power from the plurality of battery cells to the power tool. The terminal block has a positive power terminal, a charging terminal, and a ground terminal. The battery pack also includes a charging circuit provided between the charging terminal and the plurality of battery cells. The charging circuit is configured to receive and transfer charging current above 12 Amperes to the plurality of battery cells during charging. The charging circuit includes a charging switch and a fuse coupled between the charging terminal and the charging switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas R. Fieldbinder, Matthew R. Polakowski
  • Publication number: 20240006700
    Abstract: A power tool system includes first and second power tools, each having a mechanical connector and an electrical connector. At least one of the connectors of the second power tool is dissimilar from the connectors of the first power tool. The power tool system further includes a battery housing defining a cavity therein, a battery cell positioned within the cavity of the battery housing, a mechanical connector configured to mechanically couple with the mechanical connector of the first power tool, an electrical connector configured to electrically couple with the electrical connector of the first power tool, and an adaptor configured to removably engage a connector of the battery such that the battery is configured to couple to the second power tool when the adaptor is coupled to the battery and is configured to couple to the first power tool when the adaptor is removed from the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Kyle C. Fassbender, Anthony M. Miosi, Samuel Sheeks, Matthew R. Polakowski, Scott Anderson, Derek J. Schwab, Ryan R. Kohlmeyer
  • Patent number: 11811038
    Abstract: A temperature controlled enclosure that includes a temperature control device for controlling the temperature within an internal cavity of the temperature controlled enclosure. The temperature controlled enclosure also includes one or more charging ports for receiving and charging a battery pack. A controller within the temperature controlled enclosure controls the temperature within the internal cavity to a predetermined or desired temperature (e.g., 20° C.). When a battery pack is received in the one or more charging ports, the temperature of the battery pack can be determined. If, for example, the temperature of the battery pack is below 0° C., the battery pack is allowed to warm up inside the temperature controlled enclosure before the battery pack is charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Kyle C. Fassbender
  • Publication number: 20230318105
    Abstract: A battery pack includes an outer housing and a plurality of pouch cells arranged within the outer housing. Each of the plurality of pouch cells has a first cell end, a second cell end, and a cell side surface provided between the first cell end and the second cell end. The cell side surface includes a first face, a second face, and a third face. Each of the plurality of pouch cells has a thickness in a first direction extending between the first cell end and the second cell end and has a two-dimensional projection in a plane that is orthogonal to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Keith Boulanger, Ryan B. Jipp, Kyle C. Fassbender, Matthew R. Polakowski, Nicholas A. Sanchez, Richard M. Sebzda
  • Patent number: 11749846
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a battery pack including a housing, a plurality of battery cells supported by the housing, and a terminal block. The terminal block is configured to be coupled to a power tool to provide operating power from the plurality of battery cells to the power tool. The terminal block has a positive power terminal, a charging terminal, and a ground terminal. The battery pack also includes a charging circuit provided between the charging terminal and the plurality of battery cells. The charging circuit is configured to receive and transfer charging current above 12 Amperes to the plurality of battery cells during charging. The charging circuit includes a charging switch and a fuse coupled between the charging terminal and the charging switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas R. Fieldbinder, Matthew R. Polakowski
  • Publication number: 20230231219
    Abstract: A temperature controlled enclosure that includes a temperature control device for controlling the temperature within an internal cavity of the temperature controlled enclosure. The temperature controlled enclosure also includes one or more charging ports for receiving and charging a battery pack. A controller within the temperature controlled enclosure controls the temperature within the internal cavity to a predetermined or desired temperature (e.g., 20° C.). When a battery pack is received in the one or more charging ports, the temperature of the battery pack can be determined. If, for example, the temperature of the battery pack is below 0° C., the battery pack is allowed to warm up inside the temperature controlled enclosure before the battery pack is charged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Kyle C. Fassbender
  • Publication number: 20230160758
    Abstract: Temperature sensing circuits for devices described herein include a substrate material, a first conductive portion, a second conductive portion, and a third conductive portion associated with the substrate material, and a plurality of thermistors associated with the substrate material for sensing a temperature associated with the device. The plurality of thermistors include a first thermistor and a second thermistor. The first thermistor is connected to the first conductive portion. The first thermistor and the second thermistor are both connected to the second conductive portion. The second thermistor is connected to the third conductive portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew R. POLAKOWSKI, Kyle C. FASSBENDER
  • Publication number: 20230134286
    Abstract: A battery connector, an electrical combination and methods. The electrical combination may include a battery connector including a housing with a support portion for a battery pack, and a circuit supported by the housing, the circuit including a universal serial bus (USB) input terminal connectable to a USB cable for receiving power, a charging terminal connectable to a pack terminal of the battery pack, and a battery charging portion operable to receive power from the USB input terminal and to output a charging current to the charging terminal to charge the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Gareth Mueckl, Justin D. Dorman, Patrick S. Lueck, Douglas G. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 11605850
    Abstract: A temperature controlled enclosure that includes a temperature control device for controlling the temperature within an internal cavity of the temperature controlled enclosure. The temperature controlled enclosure also includes one or more charging ports for receiving and charging a battery pack. A controller within the temperature controlled enclosure controls the temperature within the internal cavity to a predetermined or desired temperature (e.g., 20° C.). When a battery pack is received in the one or more charging ports, the temperature of the battery pack can be determined. If, for example, the temperature of the battery pack is below 0° C., the battery pack is allowed to warm up inside the temperature controlled enclosure before the battery pack is charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Kyle C. Fassbender