Patents by Inventor Michael Duane

Michael Duane 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: 12368332
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a housing having an inner surface, an upper portion, and a bottom portion. The bottom portion supports a coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet. A stator is mounted in the housing. The stator includes a plurality of stator laminations having a first end turn and a second end turn. The plurality of stator laminations includes a coolant flow path having a plurality of coolant channels that extend circumferentially about the stator. A first portion of the plurality of coolant channels direct a coolant circumferentially about the stator in a clockwise direction and a second portion of the plurality of coolant channels direct the coolant circumferentially about the stator in a counter-clockwise direction. The coolant flow path includes a first outlet and a second outlet. The first outlet directs onto the first end turn, and the second outlet directs coolant onto the second end turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventor: Michael Duane Bradfield
  • Patent number: 12293351
    Abstract: Particular embodiments determine, at least in part by a computing device of a payment service, to associate a data object with a user account that is associated with a stored balance managed by the payment service. The computing device associates an amount of the data object with a distinct stored balance associated with the user account. The distinct stored balance is associated with a condition of use. The computing device monitors transaction data associated with users of the payment service. The computing device identifies, from the transaction data, a transaction associated with an identifier associated with the user account. Based on a determination that the transaction satisfies the condition of use, processing payment for the transaction using at least a portion of the distinct stored balance prior to using the stored balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Duane, Matthew Hickman, Steven Austin, Benjamin Shen
  • Publication number: 20250057305
    Abstract: A detachable pool brush equipped with a magnetic locking mechanism is disclosed. The brush is specifically designed to clean dirt and debris from the edges of a pool while ensuring surface protection. The brush comprises a brush head with detachable brush ends, a elongated removable handle, a magnetic ring locking mechanism to attach and detach the brush ends and a peg ejector to detach brush ends from brush head. The magnetic locking system includes a metal peg that locks with magnetic ring as the brush ends slide into the brush head. The peg ejector is attached to the brush head is used to disengage the metal pin from magnetic ring thereby detaching the brush ends from the brush head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2023
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Applicant: Protuff Products LLC
    Inventor: Michael Duane Kaufman
  • Publication number: 20250015215
    Abstract: An example of an apparatus to generate electricity from light with photovoltaic cells is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells. The plurality of photovoltaic cells is to form a module. Furthermore, the apparatus includes an electro-conductive backsheet to connect the plurality of photovoltaic cells. The electro-conductive backsheet is to collect current from the plurality of photovoltaic cells. Each photovoltaic cell of the plurality of photovoltaic cells is formed on a silicon wafer by cutting along a {100} plane to provide a substantially square wafer and cleaving the substantially square wafer along a preferred cleavage plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: SILFAB SOLAR INC
    Inventors: Eric Schneller, Paolo Dilorenzo, Mahyar Mohammadnezhad, Michael Duane Alexander, Itai Suez, Joshua Williams
  • Publication number: 20240235305
    Abstract: A rotating electric machine receiving a flow of fluid at a rotor includes a stator having stator slots and a plurality of stator windings for receiving electrical current; the rotor, concentrically received within the stator, including: at least one axially-extending fluid channel in fluid communication with an end face of the rotor and an opposite end face of the rotor, wherein the axially-extending fluid channel is configured to receive fluid applied by a fluid outlet spaced a distance from the end face of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventor: Michael Duane Bradfield
  • Patent number: 12034336
    Abstract: A wound field rotor includes a shaft having an outer surface, an inner surface defining a flow path, and an opening defining a passage extending from the flow path through the outer surface. A plurality of laminations is mounted to the outer surface. The plurality of laminations includes an inner annular surface disposed on the shaft and an outer annular surface defining a plurality of rotor teeth. A plurality of field windings is disposed about corresponding ones of the plurality of rotor teeth. A first portion of the plurality of rotor laminations includes a first passage portion that extends from the inner annular surface radially outwardly and is fluidically connected to the passage, and a second portion of the plurality or rotor laminations adjacent the first portion includes a second passage portion that includes a first end that registers with the first passage portion and a second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventor: Michael Duane Bradfield
  • Publication number: 20240136877
    Abstract: A rotating electric machine receiving a flow of fluid at a rotor includes a stator having stator slots and a plurality of stator windings for receiving electrical current; the rotor, concentrically received within the stator, including: at least one axially-extending fluid channel in fluid communication with an end face of the rotor and an opposite end face of the rotor, wherein the axially-extending fluid channel is configured to receive fluid applied by a fluid outlet spaced a distance from the end face of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventor: Michael Duane Bradfield
  • Publication number: 20240055915
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a housing having an inner surface, an upper portion, and a bottom portion. The bottom portion supports a coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet. A stator is mounted in the housing. The stator includes a plurality of stator laminations having a first end turn and a second end turn. The plurality of stator laminations includes a coolant flow path having a plurality of coolant channels that extend circumferentially about the stator. A first portion of the plurality of coolant channels direct a coolant circumferentially about the stator in a clockwise direction and a second portion of the plurality of coolant channels direct the coolant circumferentially about the stator in a counter-clockwise direction. The coolant flow path includes a first outlet and a second outlet. The first outlet directs onto the first end turn, and the second outlet directs coolant onto the second end turn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventor: Michael Duane Bradfield
  • Publication number: 20240047585
    Abstract: An example of an apparatus to convert light energy to electrical energy is provided. The apparatus includes a semiconductor material to absorb energy from a photon. The energy is to be converted to a current. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a positive electrode disposed on a backside of the semiconductor material to collect the current from the backside. In addition, the apparatus includes a via to connect the backside of the semiconductor material electrically to a frontside of the semiconductor material. The apparatus also includes a plurality of fingers disposed on the frontside of the semiconductor material to collect the current from the frontside. The apparatus further includes a trunkline connected to the plurality of fingers to deliver the current to the via. The trunkline is to increase a cross-sectional area toward the via to reduce parasitic resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: SILFAB SOLAR INC.
    Inventors: Eric Schneller, Paolo Dilorenzo, Mahyar Mohammadnezhad, Michael Duane Alexander, Itai Suez
  • Publication number: 20240006961
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator formed from a plurality of stator laminations arranged in a first lamination group and a second lamination group. The first lamination group and the second lamination group form a tortuous flow path that extends across the stator. The first lamination group includes at least two of the plurality of stator laminations joined together. The at least two of the plurality of stator laminations include a first plurality of cooling channel defining members. The second lamination group includes a second plurality of stator teeth and a second plurality of cooling channel defining members. The second plurality of cooling channel defining members of the second lamination group are circumferentially offset from corresponding ones of the first plurality of cooling channel defining members of the first lamination group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventor: Michael Duane Bradfield
  • Patent number: 11842345
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method including storing assets from an external entity in a first wallet of a payment service; training a machine-learning model using transaction data, user data, and/or rewards data; determining, using the machine-learning model, reward offers personalized for a user; activating a reward offer; receiving a request to process payment for a user's payment transaction; determining that a reward configuration is applicable; determining an amount of stored assets to assign to the user and assigning the assets to a second wallet of the user, wherein assigning the amount comprises: updating, using an internal ledger, the first wallet to indicate that a portion of the stored assets is owned by the user; and updating the second wallet to indicate ownership of the amount of the asset, wherein the updating of the first wallet and the second wallet is performed without accessing the external entity when updating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Shen, Rebecca Corcillo, Michael Duane, Owen Jennings
  • Patent number: 11811294
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator formed from a plurality of stator laminations arranged in a first lamination group and a second lamination group that is circumferentially off-set from the first lamination group. The first lamination group and the second lamination group forming a tortuous flow path that extends axially across the stator. Each of the plurality of stator laminations of the first lamination group includes a body having an inner surface section and an outer surface section. The inner surface section includes a plurality of stator teeth. A plurality of cooling channel defining members is integrally formed with and extend radially outwardly from the outer surface section. Each of the plurality of cooling channel defining members being spaced from others of the plurality of cooling channel defining members by a corresponding gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventor: Michael Duane Bradfield
  • Publication number: 20230179037
    Abstract: A wound field rotor includes a shaft having an outer surface, an inner surface defining a flow path, and an opening defining a passage extending from the flow path through the outer surface. A plurality of laminations is mounted to the outer surface. The plurality of laminations includes an inner annular surface disposed on the shaft and an outer annular surface defining a plurality of rotor teeth. A plurality of field windings is disposed about corresponding ones of the plurality of rotor teeth. A first portion of the plurality of rotor laminations includes a first passage portion that extends from the inner annular surface radially outwardly and is fluidically connected to the passage, and a second portion of the plurality or rotor laminations adjacent the first portion includes a second passage portion that includes a first end that registers with the first passage portion and a second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Duane Bradfield
  • Publication number: 20230115712
    Abstract: Data indicative of a line of sight to a target is obtained from a sensor mounted on an aircraft. Data indicative of an orientation of the aircraft relative to the Earth is obtained from a navigation system associated with the aircraft. An expression is generated that couples a first variable indicative of misalignment of an orientation of the sensor and the orientation of the aircraft and a second variable indicative of the location of the target relative to the Earth. The first variable and second variable are determined using the data indicative of the line of sight from the sensor to the target and the expression coupling the first variable and the second variable. The misalignment of the orientation of the sensor and the orientation of the aircraft is compensated for using the first variable. The location of the target relative to the Earth is determined using the second variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Thomas GRABBE, Michael Lindsey MAHAFFEY, Michael Duane SAPP, Brian Joseph HOLDEN
  • Publication number: 20230045946
    Abstract: Particular embodiments determine, at least in part by a computing device of a payment service, to associate a data object with a user account that is associated with a stored balance managed by the payment service. The computing device associates an amount of the data object with a distinct stored balance associated with the user account. The distinct stored balance is associated with a condition of use. The computing device monitors transaction data associated with users of the payment service. The computing device identifies, from the transaction data, a transaction associated with an identifier associated with the user account. Based on a determination that the transaction satisfies the condition of use, processing payment for the transaction using at least a portion of the distinct stored balance prior to using the stored balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Duane, Matthew Hickman, Steven Austin, Benjamin Shen
  • Patent number: 11526882
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method associated with a payment service provided by a payment server, comprising processing, by the payment server, a payment for a point-of-sale (POS) transaction using a payment instrument associated with a user account maintained in a data store of the payment server. The payment server determines a reward configuration stored in the user account, wherein the reward configuration includes settings to reward the user account with cryptocurrency assets and is based on historical transaction activity associated with the user account. The payment server calculates an amount of cryptocurrency assets according to the reward configuration, wherein the amount of the cryptocurrency assets is based on a value of the cryptocurrency at a time of the transaction. The payment server assigns the amount of cryptocurrency assets from a cryptocurrency wallet of the payment service to a cryptocurrency wallet of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Shen, Rebecca Corcillo, Michael Duane, Owen Jennings
  • Patent number: 11469647
    Abstract: An electric machine including a rotor and a stator positioned about the rotor. The stator includes a stator core having a plurality of stator teeth and a plurality of stator windings supported by the stator core about the plurality of stator teeth. The plurality of stator windings include a first end turn and a second end turn. The stator includes a plurality of interlocking insulators extending about corresponding ones of the plurality of stator teeth. Each of the plurality of interlocking insulators includes a first base portion extending circumferentially outwardly in a first direction and a second base portion extending circumferentially outwardly in a second direction. The first base portion being configured to inter-engage with a second base portion on an adjacent interlocking insulator to form a coolant passage and a coolant barrier about the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventor: Michael Duane Bradfield
  • Publication number: 20220246148
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for implementation and use of voice activated laboratory environments (VALET) are disclosed. According to one aspect, a VALET controls a first instrument in a first location, and has, in acoustic proximity to the first location, an audio interface configured to receive voice commands, to enunciate responses to the voice commands, and to transmit a first signal responsive to a first voice command to an intermediary location. The VALET also includes a computer configured to receive a computer instruction from the intermediary location, the computer instruction configuring the computer to select and issue an instrument command to cause the first instrument to effectuate the voice command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Duane CHRISTOPHER, Radhika Kozhikodakatha MENON
  • Publication number: 20220239170
    Abstract: An electric machine including a housing and a stator mounted in the housing. The stator is formed from a plurality of stator laminations arranged in a first lamination group and a second lamination group that is circumferentially off-set from the first lamination group. The first lamination group and the second lamination group form a coolant flow path that extends circumferentially about and axially across the stator. Each of the plurality of stator laminations of the first and second lamination groups include a body having an inner surface section and an outer surface section. A plurality of cooling channels defining members is integrally formed with and extend radially outwardly from the outer surface section. The plurality of cooling channel defining members create a coolant flow path that extends circumferentially in a first plurality of channels and axially in a second plurality of channels across the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventor: Michael Duane Bradfield
  • Publication number: 20220172194
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method associated with a payment service provided by a payment server, comprising processing, by the payment server, a payment for a point-of-sale (POS) transaction using a payment instrument associated with a user account maintained in a data store of the payment server. The payment server determines a reward configuration stored in the user account, wherein the reward configuration includes settings to reward the user account with cryptocurrency assets and is based on historical transaction activity associated with the user account. The payment server calculates an amount of cryptocurrency assets according to the reward configuration, wherein the amount of the cryptocurrency assets is based on a value of the cryptocurrency at a time of the transaction. The payment server assigns the amount of cryptocurrency assets from a cryptocurrency wallet of the payment service to a cryptocurrency wallet of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin Shen, Rebecca Corcillo, Michael Duane, Owen Jennings