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).
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Patent number: 9912207Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Michael David Smith, Jay Matthew Cupps
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Patent number: 9819246Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.Inventors: William Arthur Ziegler, Katie D. Hamilton, Paul Steven Mullin, Jeffrey Jay Long, Michael David Smith
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Patent number: 9817373Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: William Arthur Ziegler, Katie D. Hamilton, Paul Steven Mullin, Jeffrey Jay Long, Michael David Smith
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Publication number: 20170317624Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2016Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Paul Steven Mullin, Michael David Smith, Katie Da-Nelle Hamilton, Srinivas Chandu Kutcherlapati
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Patent number: 9685843Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 4, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Steven W. Post, Shirish M. Vatkar, Joseph A. Henry, Michael David Smith, Gerald R. Muehlbauer
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Patent number: 9599086Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Perkins Engines Company LimitedInventor: Michael David Smith
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Patent number: 9514421Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Paul Steven Mullin, Michael David Smith
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Publication number: 20160285339Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2015Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventors: MICHAEL DAVID SMITH, JAY MATTHEW CUPPS
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Publication number: 20160204676Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2015Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: William Arthur Ziegler, Katie D. Hamilton, Paul Steven Mullin, Jeffrey Jay Long, Michael David Smith
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Publication number: 20160204721Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2015Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: William Arthur Ziegler, Katie D. Hamilton, Paul Steven Mullin, Jeffrey Jay Long, Michael David Smith
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Publication number: 20160136663Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicant: AMERICAN SPIRALWELD PIPE COMPANY LLCInventor: Michael David Smith
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Publication number: 20150270761Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2015Publication date: September 24, 2015Inventors: Steven W. Post, Shirish M. Vatkar, Joseph A. Henry, Michael David Smith
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Publication number: 20150253787Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 10, 2015Applicant: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Paul Steven Mullin, Michael David Smith
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Publication number: 20150193626Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2014Publication date: July 9, 2015Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Steven Makofsky, Nitzan Katz, Michael David Smith
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Patent number: 8935798Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 8, 2011Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventor: Michael David Smith
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Publication number: 20140216407Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: Perkins Engines Company LimitedInventor: Michael David Smith
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Patent number: 7798129Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Perkins Engines Company LimitedInventor: Michael David Smith
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Patent number: 7769532Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Perkins Engines Company LimitedInventors: Michael David Smith, Stephen William Bird
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Publication number: 20090241909Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Inventor: Michael David Smith
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Publication number: 20090248272Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Inventors: Michael David Smith, Stephen William Bird