Patents by Inventor Michael R. Koller

Michael R. Koller 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: 12224693
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor is provided. The motor controller includes an inverter configured to supply current to stator windings of the electric motor. The motor controller further includes a plurality of sensors configured to generate a sensor signal in response to detecting a parameter. The sensor signal represents a measured parameter. The motor controller further includes a processor coupled in communication with the inverter and with the plurality of sensors. The processor is configured to, in a first mode, transmit a control signal to the inverter to operate the electric motor at a first frequency. The processor is further configured to receive the sensor signal from the plurality of sensors. The processor is further configured to determine a first fault condition is present at the electric motor based on the measured parameter represented by the sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ludovic Andre Chretien, Brian Lee Beifus, Michael R. Koller
  • Patent number: 12212253
    Abstract: An electric motor system is provided. The electric motor system includes a drive circuit including an inverter configured to supply variable frequency current over a first duration and a switch configured to supply line frequency current over a second duration. The electric motor system further includes an electric motor coupled to the drive circuit and a controller communicatively coupled to the drive circuit. The controller is configured to control the inverter to supply variable frequency current to the electric motor over the first duration, determine to control the drive circuit to transition from supplying variable frequency current to supplying line frequency current, measure at least one parameter of the inverter, compute, based on the at least one measured parameter, an adjustment to a default parameter to enable the inverter to reach a threshold output frequency, and operate the inverter based on the computed adjustment to the default parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Koller, Ludovic Andre Chretien
  • Publication number: 20240396409
    Abstract: A system including an electric motor of a compressor system and a controller is disclosed. The electric motor includes an inverter and a contactor to operate the electric motor at variable frequency power and line frequency power, respectively. The controller is configured to determine that the electric motor needs to be operated using the line frequency power instead of the variable frequency power in accordance with a load condition on the system. The controller is configured to determine a time to generate a signal to close the contactor by energizing a coil of the contactor, and initiate transition of the electric motor to operate using the line frequency power instead of the variable frequency power by applying the signal to close the contactor at the determined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Md Naim Miah, Michael R. Koller, Ludovic Andre Chretien, Mehrzad Mohammadi Bijaieh
  • Publication number: 20240388236
    Abstract: A system including an electric motor of a compressor system and a controller is disclosed. The electric motor includes a switch configured to provide line frequency power to the electric motor to drive the electric motor at a full speed, and an inverter to provide variable frequency power to the electric motor to drive the electric motor at a variable speed. The controller is configured to determine whether the switch is closed in response to powering up the electric motor and before supplying the variable frequency power to the electric motor from the inverter. The controller is configured to prevent supply of the variable frequency power to the electric motor from the inverter to prevent damage to the inverter based on the determining that the switch is closed and generate an alert notification to notify a user of a fault in the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Michael R. Koller, Ludovic Andre Chretien
  • Publication number: 20240348191
    Abstract: An HVAC system including a compressor, a fan, and a bypass circuit for the compressor and/or fan are described herein. The bypass system includes a combination of circuits that work together to allow an electric machine to continue operation. The bypass circuit can be coupled to a failed drive to continue to operate the HVAC system if the drive or another part fails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Inventors: Jon Adams, Ludovic Chretien, Sanjeev Shirahatti, Zachary Stauffer, Michael R. Koller
  • Publication number: 20240204698
    Abstract: An electric motor system is provided. The electric motor system includes a drive circuit including an inverter configured to supply variable frequency current over a first duration and a switch configured to supply line frequency current over a second duration. The electric motor system further includes an electric motor coupled to the drive circuit and a controller communicatively coupled to the drive circuit. The controller is configured to control the inverter to supply variable frequency current to the electric motor over the first duration, determine to control the drive circuit to transition from supplying variable frequency current to supplying line frequency current, measure at least one parameter of the inverter, compute, based on the at least one measured parameter, an adjustment to a default parameter to enable the inverter to reach a threshold output frequency, and operate the inverter based on the computed adjustment to the default parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Michael R. Koller, Ludovic Andre Chretien
  • Publication number: 20240014763
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor is provided. The motor controller includes an inverter configured to supply current to stator windings of the electric motor. The motor controller further includes a plurality of sensors configured to generate a sensor signal in response to detecting a parameter. The sensor signal represents a measured parameter. The motor controller further includes a processor coupled in communication with the inverter and with the plurality of sensors. The processor is configured to, in a first mode, transmit a control signal to the inverter to operate the electric motor at a first frequency. The processor is further configured to receive the sensor signal from the plurality of sensors. The processor is further configured to determine a first fault condition is present at the electric motor based on the measured parameter represented by the sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Ludovic Andre Chretien, Brian Lee Beifus, Michael R. Koller
  • Patent number: 11791760
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor is provided. The motor controller includes an inverter configured to supply current to stator windings of the electric motor. The motor controller further includes a plurality of sensors configured to generate a sensor signal in response to detecting a parameter. The sensor signal represents a measured parameter. The motor controller further includes a processor coupled in communication with the inverter and with the plurality of sensors. The processor is configured to, in a first mode, transmit a control signal to the inverter to operate the electric motor at a first frequency. The processor is further configured to receive the sensor signal from the plurality of sensors. The processor is further configured to determine a first fault condition is present at the electric motor based on the measured parameter represented by the sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ludovic Andre Chretien, Brian Lee Beifus, Michael R. Koller
  • Patent number: 11480186
    Abstract: A blower assembly for advancing the flow of air in an air flow device at a selected one of a plurality of air flow rates. The blower assembly includes a blower housing defining a body thereof and a wall of the blower housing moveably secured to the body, a blower wheel rotatably mounted to the blower housing and a motor for rotating the blower wheel at a selected one of a plurality of rotational speeds. The blower assembly further includes a motion device secured to the body and to the wall. The motion device moves the wall relative to the body to a selected one of a plurality of distinct wall positions. The motor rotates the blower wheel at a selected one of a plurality of rotational speeds. A controller calculates an optimum wall position and rotational speed to provide for minimal energy usage rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Philip Wayne Johnson, Rachele Barbara Cocks, Shailesh Prabhakar Waikar, Michael R Koller, John Sheldon Wagley
  • Patent number: 11469704
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor includes an enclosure and a processing device, memory device, and communication interface disposed within the enclosure. The processing device is configured to control the electric motor and collect operating information from the electric motor during operation of the electric motor. The memory device is communicatively coupled to the processing device. The memory device is configured to receive and store the operating information collected during operation of the electric motor. The communication interface is communicatively coupled to the processing device and the memory device, and is configured to enable access to the operating information stored on the memory device by a computing device disposed remotely from the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Brian L. Beifus, Paul Nathanael Selking, Vijay Dayaldas Gurudasani, Michael R. Koller
  • Publication number: 20220255489
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor is provided. The motor controller includes an inverter configured to supply current to stator windings of the electric motor. The motor controller further includes a plurality of sensors configured to generate a sensor signal in response to detecting a parameter. The sensor signal represents a measured parameter. The motor controller further includes a processor coupled in communication with the inverter and with the plurality of sensors. The processor is configured to, in a first mode, transmit a control signal to the inverter to operate the electric motor at a first frequency. The processor is further configured to receive the sensor signal from the plurality of sensors. The processor is further configured to determine a first fault condition is present at the electric motor based on the measured parameter represented by the sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Ludovic Andre Chretien, Brian Lee Beifus, Michael R. Koller
  • Publication number: 20220052634
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor includes an enclosure and a processing device, memory device, and communication interface disposed within the enclosure. The processing device is configured to control the electric motor and collect operating information from the electric motor during operation of the electric motor. The memory device is communicatively coupled to the processing device. The memory device is configured to receive and store the operating information collected during operation of the electric motor. The communication interface is communicatively coupled to the processing device and the memory device, and is configured to enable access to the operating information stored on the memory device by a computing device disposed remotely from the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Brian L. Beifus, Paul Nathanael Selking, Vijay Dayaldas Gurudasani, Michael R. Koller
  • Publication number: 20210159837
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor includes an enclosure and a processing device, memory device, and communication interface disposed within the enclosure. The processing device is configured to control the electric motor and collect operating information from the electric motor during operation of the electric motor. The memory device is communicatively coupled to the processing device. The memory device is configured to receive and store the operating information collected during operation of the electric motor. The communication interface is communicatively coupled to the processing device and the memory device, and is configured to enable access to the operating information stored on the memory device by a computing device disposed remotely from the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Brian L. Beifus, Paul Nathanael Selking, Vijay Dayaldas Gurudasani, Michael R. Koller
  • Patent number: 10910986
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor includes an enclosure and a processing device, memory device, and wireless transmitter disposed within the enclosure. The processing device is configured to control the electric motor and collect operating information from the electric motor during operation of the electric motor. The memory device is communicatively coupled to the processing device. The memory device is configured to receive and store the operating information collected during operation of the electric motor. The wireless transmitter is communicatively coupled to the processing device and the memory device. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit the operating information stored on the memory device to a computing device disposed remotely from the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Brian L. Beifus, Paul Nathanael Selking, Vijay Dayaldas Gurudasani, Michael R. Koller
  • Patent number: 10840777
    Abstract: A diagnostic device for an electric motor includes a device memory, a wireless communication interface, and a processor. The interface is coupled to the device memory and retrieves, over a first wireless channel, operating data stored in motor memory on the electric motor. The interface transmits, over the first wireless channel, operating parameters to the electric motor. The operating parameters define a test routine for the electric motor. The test routine, when carried out by the electric motor, generates test data corresponding to the operating parameters and that is written to the motor memory. The interface retrieves, over a second wireless channel, the test data stored in the motor memory. The processor is coupled to the device memory and the interface. The processor processes at least the test data to diagnose the malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Scott A. Coonrod, Mohamad Khalil Dahouk, Emil C. Dragan, Michael R. Koller
  • Publication number: 20200313521
    Abstract: A diagnostic device for an electric motor includes a device memory, a wireless communication interface, and a processor. The interface is coupled to the device memory and retrieves, over a first wireless channel, operating data stored in motor memory on the electric motor. The interface transmits, over the first wireless channel, operating parameters to the electric motor. The operating parameters define a test routine for the electric motor. The test routine, when carried out by the electric motor, generates test data corresponding to the operating parameters and that is written to the motor memory. The interface retrieves, over a second wireless channel, the test data stored in the motor memory. The processor is coupled to the device memory and the interface. The processor processes at least the test data to diagnose the malfunction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Scott A. Coonrod, Mohamad Khalil Dahouk, Emil C. Dragan, Michael R. Koller
  • Publication number: 20200007067
    Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor includes an enclosure and a processing device, memory device, and wireless transmitter disposed within the enclosure. The processing device is configured to control the electric motor and collect operating information from the electric motor during operation of the electric motor. The memory device is communicatively coupled to the processing device. The memory device is configured to receive and store the operating information collected during operation of the electric motor. The wireless transmitter is communicatively coupled to the processing device and the memory device. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit the operating information stored on the memory device to a computing device disposed remotely from the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Brian L. Beifus, Paul Nathanael Selking, Vijay Dayaldas Gurudasani, Michael R. Koller
  • Patent number: 10447193
    Abstract: A unit for recording operating information of an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The unit includes a system controller communicatively coupled to an ECM. The system controller includes a processing device configured to control the unit. The unit also includes a memory device communicatively coupled to the system controller. The memory device is configured to receive and store ECM operating information provided by the processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Beifus, Paul Nathanael Selking, Vijay Dayaldas Gurudasani, Michael R. Koller
  • Publication number: 20190120241
    Abstract: A blower assembly for advancing the flow of air in an air flow device at a selected one of a plurality of air flow rates is provided. The blower assembly includes a blower housing defining a body thereof and a wall of the blower housing moveably secured to the body, a blower wheel rotatably mounted to the blower housing and a motor for rotating the blower wheel at a selected one of a plurality of rotational speeds. The blower assembly further includes a motion device secured to the body and to the wall. The motion device moves the wall relative to the body to a selected one of a plurality of distinct wall positions. The motor rotates the blower wheel at a selected one of a plurality of rotational speeds. A controller calculates optimum wall position and rotational speed to provide for minimal energy usage rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Philip Wayne Johnson, Rachele Barbara Cocks, Shailesh Prabhakar Waikar, Michael R. Koller, John Sheldon Wagley
  • Publication number: 20180367081
    Abstract: A unit for recording operating information of an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The unit includes a system controller communicatively coupled to an ECM. The system controller includes a processing device configured to control the unit. The unit also includes a memory device communicatively coupled to the system controller. The memory device is configured to receive and store ECM operating information provided by the processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: BRIAN L. BEIFUS, Paul Nathanael Selking, Vijay Dayaldas Gurudasani, Michael R. Koller