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).
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Patent number: 11976983Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Kyle C. Fassbender
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Publication number: 20240088472Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Kyle C. Fassbender
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Publication number: 20240055677Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Douglas R. Fieldbinder, Matthew R. Polakowski
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Patent number: 11894528Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 19, 2023Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Douglas R. Fieldbinder, Matthew R. Polakowski
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Patent number: 11890739Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 27, 2022Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Gareth Mueckl, Justin D. Dorman, Patrick S. Lueck, Douglas G. Schwartz
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Publication number: 20240006700Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Kyle C. Fassbender, Anthony M. Miosi, Samuel Sheeks, Matthew R. Polakowski, Scott Anderson, Derek J. Schwab, Ryan R. Kohlmeyer
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Patent number: 11811038Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 10, 2022Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Kyle C. Fassbender
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Publication number: 20230318105Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Keith Boulanger, Ryan B. Jipp, Kyle C. Fassbender, Matthew R. Polakowski, Nicholas A. Sanchez, Richard M. Sebzda
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Patent number: 11749846Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 29, 2019Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Douglas R. Fieldbinder, Matthew R. Polakowski
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Publication number: 20230231219Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2023Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Kyle C. Fassbender
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Publication number: 20230160758Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2020Publication date: May 25, 2023Inventors: Matthew R. POLAKOWSKI, Kyle C. FASSBENDER
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Publication number: 20230134286Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Gareth Mueckl, Justin D. Dorman, Patrick S. Lueck, Douglas G. Schwartz
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Patent number: 11605850Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 16, 2022Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Kyle C. Fassbender
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Publication number: 20230036479Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Kyle C. Fassbender
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Publication number: 20230027193Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery pack housing, a plurality of battery pack terminals, and a plurality of battery cells supported within the battery pack housing. At least one battery cell includes a battery cell terminal. The battery pack also includes a compound fuse electrically coupled between the battery cell terminal of the at least one battery cell and at least one battery pack terminal. The compound fuse comprises a first material and a second material that has a lower melting point than the first material. The compound fuse includes a first portion electrically coupled to the battery cell terminal, a second portion electrically coupled to the at least one battery pack terminal, and a fuse portion that connects the first portion to the second portion. The fuse portion is configured to establish a discontinuity between the first portion and the second portion during a hard short event.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Cameron R. Schulz, Samuel Sheeks, Matthew R. Polakowski, Kyle C. Fassbender
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Publication number: 20230021235Abstract: An electrical combination, a motorized device system, a motor assembly, a battery pack, and operating methods. The combination may include an electrical device including a device housing, a load supported by the device housing, the load being operable to output at least about 1800 watts (W), and a device terminal electrically connected to the load; a battery pack including a pack housing, battery cells supported by the pack housing, the battery cells being electrically connected and having a nominal voltage of up to about 20 volts, and a pack terminal electrically connectable to the device terminal to transfer current between the battery pack and the electrical device; and a controller operable to control the transfer of current.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Samuel Sheeks, Keith Boulanger, Andrew T. Beyerl, Timothy R. Obermann, Carl B. Westerby, Matthew J. Mergener, Cameron R. Schulz, Kyle C. Fassbender, Matthew R. Polakowski
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Publication number: 20230011238Abstract: A battery pack including a supporting structure, a battery cell housed within the supporting structure, a sleeve partially surrounding the battery cell, a bus bar, and a wire. The sleeve extends over a portion of a first end of the battery cell and has a laser-cut cutaway portion exposing a laser-cleaned first bonding area of the first end of the battery cell. The laser-cleaned first bonding area is positioned adjacent to an outer perimeter of the first end of the battery cell. The bus bar has a laser-cleaned second bonding area. The wire is bonded to the first and second laser-cleaned bonding areas to electrically connect the battery cell to the bus bar.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2022Publication date: January 12, 2023Inventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Kyle C. Fassbender
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Patent number: 11534901Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 3, 2018Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Gareth Mueckl, Justin D. Dorman, Patrick S. Lueck, Douglas G. Schwartz
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Publication number: 20220407250Abstract: An electrical system includes a conductor configured to carry energy from an electrical power supply, a receiver configured to output energy to an electrical component, and a connector electrically and mechanically connecting the conductor and the receiver. The connector includes a base and a head extending from the base along a longitudinal axis. The head includes a void defined therein by a radially inner surface and further includes a radially outer surface. At least a portion of the radially outer surface is curved about the longitudinal axis. The head is insertable into the receiver, and elastic deformation of the head causes the connector to press against the receiver to retain the connector and the receiver together.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: Matthew R. Polakowski, Kyle C. Fassbender
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Patent number: 11476527Abstract: An electrical combination, a motorized device system, a motor assembly, a battery pack, and operating methods. The combination may include an electrical device including a device housing, a load supported by the device housing, the load being operable to output at least about 1800 watts (W), and a device terminal electrically connected to the load; a battery pack including a pack housing, battery cells supported by the pack housing, the battery cells being electrically connected and having a nominal voltage of up to about 20 volts, and a pack terminal electrically connectable to the device terminal to transfer current between the battery pack and the electrical device; and a controller operable to control the transfer of current.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2018Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Samuel Sheeks, Keith Boulanger, Andrew T. Beyerl, Timothy R. Obermann, Carl B. Westerby, Matthew J. Mergener, Cameron R. Schulz, Kyle C. Fassbender, Matthew R. Polakowski