Patents by Inventor Michael David Smith

Michael David Smith 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: 9912207
    Abstract: A housing for an electrical machine includes an endshield and a cover. The electrical machine has a rotation axis, a rotor assembly including a rotor, and a controller assembly. The rotor assembly includes a bearing assembly. The endshield includes an annular center section including a bore sized to couple to the bearing assembly. The cover is coupled to the endshield. The cover includes a generally axially-extending flange wall formed about a perimeter of the cover, a volute-shaped inner chamber configured to at least partially enclose the rotor coupled to the rotor assembly of the electrical machine, and a cooling channel positioned radially outward from the inner chamber. The cooling channel is configured to at least partially enclose the controller assembly of the electrical machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael David Smith, Jay Matthew Cupps
  • Patent number: 9819246
    Abstract: An electrical machine includes a fan guard having a first air flow channel. A stator assembly is coupled to the fan guard and includes a stator yoke having a cylindrical outer surface and a stator pole shoe. The stator pole shoe includes a plurality of stator poles coupled to the stator yoke. The stator assembly includes a second air flow channel defined between the stator yoke and an adjacent pair of the stator poles. A rotor assembly is positioned inside the stator assembly. The rotor assembly includes a rotatable shaft and a rotor. The rotatable shaft defines a rotation axis. A control electronics board includes a plurality of heat making components and is enclosed in a housing having a vented base and a closure. The housing is coupled to the stator assembly opposite the fan guard. The vented base includes a plurality of vent openings opened toward the fan guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: William Arthur Ziegler, Katie D. Hamilton, Paul Steven Mullin, Jeffrey Jay Long, Michael David Smith
  • Patent number: 9817373
    Abstract: A motor controller configured to be coupled to a motor and to a system controller is described. The motor controller includes a proportional-integral (PI) regulator coupled to a timer controller. The motor controller is configured to generate, by the PI regulator, a pulsed signal representing a reported speed of the motor. Additionally, the motor controller is configured to transmit the pulsed signal to the system controller, measure a time period that elapses for the motor to make a predefined number of revolutions, measure a number of pulses transmitted in the pulsed signal, and determine a measured speed of the motor from the time period. Further, the motor controller is configured to determine, by the PI regulator, a difference between the reported speed and the measured speed, and adjust, by the PI regulator, the pulsed signal based on the difference between the reported speed and the measured speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: William Arthur Ziegler, Katie D. Hamilton, Paul Steven Mullin, Jeffrey Jay Long, Michael David Smith
  • Publication number: 20170317624
    Abstract: An electronic control module is provided. The electronic control module is operably connected to a power supply for providing power to a motor. The electronic control module includes an input device, a processor coupled to the input device, and first and second current supply lines. The processor is configured to generate a command signal in response to an input supplied by the input device and transmit the command signal to the motor. The command signal controls an operating point of the motor. The first and second current supply lines are operably connectable to the motor and the processor. At least one of the current supply lines, the input device and the processor are adapted to utilize the current supply lines both to transmit power to the motor and to transmit the command signal to the motor over the current supply lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Steven Mullin, Michael David Smith, Katie Da-Nelle Hamilton, Srinivas Chandu Kutcherlapati
  • Patent number: 9685843
    Abstract: A grounding device for an electric machine, having a rotating component and a stationary component, includes a core fabricated from a non-conductive material and a plurality of conductive fibers coupled to the core and extending therefrom. The plurality of conductive fibers are configured to electrically couple the rotating component with the stationary component such that an electrostatic charge on the rotating component is directed through the plurality of conductive fibers to the stationary component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Post, Shirish M. Vatkar, Joseph A. Henry, Michael David Smith, Gerald R. Muehlbauer
  • Patent number: 9599086
    Abstract: A method of controlling a fuel system includes determining the opening of a pressure relief valve and initiating a reseat strategy for the valve. The fuel system comprises a source of high pressure fuel and a pressure relief valve having at least one inlet fluidly coupled to the source of high pressure fuel and at least one outlet. The pressure relief valve has a closed position and at least one open position in which fuel is able to pass from the inlet to the outlet. The method comprises the steps of continuously measuring the pressure of the fuel in the fuel source, determining whether the pressure relief valve is in an open position, and generating an open signal if it is determined that the pressure relief valve is in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventor: Michael David Smith
  • Patent number: 9514421
    Abstract: A motor controller for a motor is described. The motor controller includes a communication device coupled to a memory device. The motor controller is configured to receive, using the communication device, a status query from a client computing device. The motor controller is additionally configured to transmit diagnostic data from the memory device to the client computing device, transmit identification data associated with the motor controller to the client computing device, receive, from the client computing device, a decommission password generated from the identification data, and disable the motor using the decommission password.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Steven Mullin, Michael David Smith
  • Publication number: 20160285339
    Abstract: A housing for an electrical machine includes an endshield and a cover. The electrical machine has a rotation axis, a rotor assembly including a rotor, and a controller assembly. The rotor assembly includes a bearing assembly. The endshield includes an annular center section including a bore sized to couple to the bearing assembly. The cover is coupled to the endshield. The cover includes a generally axially-extending flange wall formed about a perimeter of the cover, a volute-shaped inner chamber configured to at least partially enclose the rotor coupled to the rotor assembly of the electrical machine, and a cooling channel positioned radially outward from the inner chamber. The cooling channel is configured to at least partially enclose the controller assembly of the electrical machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: MICHAEL DAVID SMITH, JAY MATTHEW CUPPS
  • Publication number: 20160204676
    Abstract: An electrical machine includes a fan guard having a first air flow channel. A stator assembly is coupled to the fan guard and includes a stator yoke having a cylindrical outer surface and a stator pole shoe. The stator pole shoe includes a plurality of stator poles coupled to the stator yoke. The stator assembly includes a second air flow channel defined between the stator yoke and an adjacent pair of the stator poles. A rotor assembly is positioned inside the stator assembly. The rotor assembly includes a rotatable shaft and a rotor. The rotatable shaft defines a rotation axis. A control electronics board includes a plurality of heat making components and is enclosed in a housing having a vented base and a closure. The housing is coupled to the stator assembly opposite the fan guard. The vented base includes a plurality of vent openings opened toward the fan guard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: William Arthur Ziegler, Katie D. Hamilton, Paul Steven Mullin, Jeffrey Jay Long, Michael David Smith
  • Publication number: 20160204721
    Abstract: A motor controller configured to be coupled to a motor and to a system controller is described. The motor controller includes a proportional-integral (PI) regulator coupled to a timer controller. The motor controller is configured to generate, by the PI regulator, a pulsed signal representing a reported speed of the motor. Additionally, the motor controller is configured to transmit the pulsed signal to the system controller, measure a time period that elapses for the motor to make a predefined number of revolutions, measure a number of pulses transmitted in the pulsed signal, and determine a measured speed of the motor from the time period. Further, the motor controller is configured to determine, by the PI regulator, a difference between the reported speed and the measured speed, and adjust, by the PI regulator, the pulsed signal based on the difference between the reported speed and the measured speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: William Arthur Ziegler, Katie D. Hamilton, Paul Steven Mullin, Jeffrey Jay Long, Michael David Smith
  • Publication number: 20160136663
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mobile cart for lining a section of water main pipe having an interior surface. The mobile cart comprising a wheeled platform with a mixer operatively connected to the wheeled platform; a discharge pump operatively connected to the wheeled platform; and a lance operatively connected to the wheeled platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: AMERICAN SPIRALWELD PIPE COMPANY LLC
    Inventor: Michael David Smith
  • Publication number: 20150270761
    Abstract: A grounding device for an electric machine, having a rotating component and a stationary component, includes a core fabricated from a non-conductive material and a plurality of conductive fibers coupled to the core and extending therefrom. The plurality of conductive fibers are configured to electrically couple the rotating component with the stationary component such that an electrostatic charge on the rotating component is directed through the plurality of conductive fibers to the stationary component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Steven W. Post, Shirish M. Vatkar, Joseph A. Henry, Michael David Smith
  • Publication number: 20150253787
    Abstract: A motor controller for a motor is described. The motor controller includes a communication device coupled to a memory device. The motor controller is configured to receive, using the communication device, a status query from a client computing device. The motor controller is additionally configured to transmit diagnostic data from the memory device to the client computing device, transmit identification data associated with the motor controller to the client computing device, receive, from the client computing device, a decommission password generated from the identification data, and disable the motor using the decommission password.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Steven Mullin, Michael David Smith
  • Publication number: 20150193626
    Abstract: A user content protection system and method that may include a content-sharing application associated with a user device and/or an access monitor configured to monitor access limitations placed on content shared by the content sharing application. The content-sharing application may be configured to share content from the user device to one or more other user devices. The access monitor may provide conditional access to the content depending on whether or not certain access limitations have been exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Makofsky, Nitzan Katz, Michael David Smith
  • Patent number: 8935798
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer storage mediums automatically enabling private browsing of a web page are described herein. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to equipping a web browser with the ability to automatically open web pages in a privacy mode based on content of the web pages so that a user is not required to manually activate the privacy mode. The web browser is able to identify characteristics of the content provided by the web pages by analyzing the web pages for content that increases the likelihood that the user may require that the web page be opened in the privacy mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Michael David Smith
  • Publication number: 20140216407
    Abstract: A method of controlling a fuel system includes determining the opening of a pressure relief valve and initiating a reseat strategy for the valve. The fuel system comprises a source of high pressure fuel and a pressure relief valve having at least one inlet fluidly coupled to the source of high pressure fuel and at least one outlet. The pressure relief valve has a closed position and at least one open position in which fuel is able to pass from the inlet to the outlet. The method comprises the steps of continuously measuring the pressure of the fuel in the fuel source, determining whether the pressure relief valve is in an open position, and generating an open signal if it is determined that the pressure relief valve is in an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventor: Michael David Smith
  • Patent number: 7798129
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for a combustion engine is disclosed. The fuel injection system may have a fuel injector configured to inject fuel in one of a first shot mode and a second shot mode. Additionally, the fuel injection system may have a sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of a desired rate of change of a supplied fuel quantity and generate a corresponding signal. The fuel injection system may also have a controller in communication with the fuel injector and the sensor. The controller may be configured to operate the fuel injector in one of the first shot mode and the second shot mode during an injection event, based on a count and the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventor: Michael David Smith
  • Patent number: 7769532
    Abstract: A machine is disclosed. The machine may have an engine having a combustion chamber. The machine may also have a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a speed of the combustion engine. Additionally, the machine may have a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a desired supplied fuel quantity. The machine may also have a counter configured to generate a third signal indicative of a count. Additionally, the machine may have a fuel injection system having a controller. The controller may be configured to, based on the first, second, and third signals, select one of a plurality of shot modes and generate a corresponding fourth signal. The fuel injection system may also have a fuel injector configured to, based on the fourth signal, inject a quantity of fuel into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventors: Michael David Smith, Stephen William Bird
  • Publication number: 20090241909
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for a combustion engine is disclosed. The fuel injection system may have a fuel injector configured to inject fuel in one of a first shot mode and a second shot mode. Additionally, the fuel injection system may have a sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of a desired rate of change of a supplied fuel quantity and generate a corresponding signal. The fuel injection system may also have a controller in communication with the fuel injector and the sensor. The controller may be configured to operate the fuel injector in one of the first shot mode and the second shot mode during an injection event, based on a count and the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Michael David Smith
  • Publication number: 20090248272
    Abstract: A machine is disclosed. The machine may have an engine having a combustion chamber. The machine may also have a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a speed of the combustion engine. Additionally, the machine may have a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a desired supplied fuel quantity. The machine may also have a counter configured to generate a third signal indicative of a count. Additionally, the machine may have a fuel injection system having a controller. The controller may be configured to, based on the first, second, and third signals, select one of a plurality of shot modes and generate a corresponding fourth signal. The fuel injection system may also have a fuel injector configured to, based on the fourth signal, inject a quantity of fuel into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Michael David Smith, Stephen William Bird