Patents by Inventor Mike Hornick
Mike Hornick 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).
-
Publication number: 20160135269Abstract: A wireless power distribution system and method for power tools and other battery-powered devices. The system includes a power transmitter configured to transmit a power signal within a first power distribution volume and a plurality receivers configured to receive the power signal. The receivers include power harvesters, batteries, light sources and light sensors. The receivers determine whether the received power signal is greater than a power threshold value and convert the RF power signals into direct current. The direct current is used to charge a battery, power the light source, etc. The light source selectively receives power from the battery when the ambient light, detected by the light sensor, is below a light threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2016Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: Mike Hornick, Robert E. McCracken, Mark Huggins, Jason P. Whitmire
-
Patent number: 9257865Abstract: A wireless power distribution system and method for power tools and other battery-powered devices. The system includes a power transmitter and a plurality of power harvesters or receivers. The receivers are located in power tools, battery packs that are attachable to and detachable from the power tools, a device or case that is interfaceable with the power tool or battery pack, conventionally-sized batteries, or other battery-powered devices. The power transmitter transmits radio frequency (“RF”) power signals to the receivers that are within transmission range of the power transmitter. The receivers receive the RF power signals and convert the RF power signals into direct current. The direct current is used to charge a battery, directly power a tool, etc.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Techtronic Power Tools Technology LimitedInventors: Mark Huggins, Robert E. McCracken, Jason P. Whitmire, Mike Hornick
-
Patent number: 8441230Abstract: An energy-efficient and compact battery charger. The battery charger includes, among other things, a charging port, a power supply module, a battery charger control module or controller, a power control safety module, a battery charger switch, and an indicator. The controller, the power control safety module, and the battery charger switch work in conjunction with each other to control the operation of the battery charger. The controller is configured to execute a charging control process which detects the insertion of a battery pack into the charging port, controls the charging of the battery pack, and controls the illumination or display of the indicator. The power control safety module includes a power control safety circuit that is configured to prevent the charging current and/or the charging voltage from damaging the battery charger or battery pack during a malfunction.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2010Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Techtronic Power Tools Technology LimitedInventors: Samuel Boyles, Umesh Rajani, Anthony Thomas Tocco, Mike Hornick, William Stuart Miller
-
Patent number: 8378624Abstract: An energy-efficient and compact multi-port battery charger. The battery charger includes, among other things, a power supply module, a battery charger control module or controller, a power switching module, one or more power control safety modules, a plurality of battery charger switches, and a plurality of indicators. The controller, the power switching module, the power control safety modules, and the battery charger switches work in conjunction with each other to control the operation of the battery charger. The controller is configured to execute a charging control process which detects the insertion of a battery pack into a charging port, selects a charging port for charging, controls the power output from the power switching module, and controls the illumination or display of the indicators. The power switching module uses control signals from the controller to switch the power received from the power supply module such that a charging current is applied to a single charging port.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Techtronic Power Tools Technology LimitedInventors: Samuel Boyles, Anthony Thomas Tocco, Umesh Rajani, Mike Hornick
-
Publication number: 20120187851Abstract: A wireless power distribution system and method for power tools and other battery-powered devices. The system includes a power transmitter and a plurality of power harvesters or receivers. The receivers are located in power tools, battery packs that are attachable to and detachable from the power tools, a device or case that is interfaceable with the power tool or battery pack, conventionally-sized batteries, or other battery-powered devices. The power transmitter transmits radio frequency (“RF”) power signals to the receivers that are within transmission range of the power transmitter. The receivers receive the RF power signals and convert the RF power signals into direct current. The direct current is used to charge a battery, directly power a tool, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2012Publication date: July 26, 2012Inventors: Mark Huggins, Robert E. McCracken, Jason P. Whitmire, Mike Hornick
-
Publication number: 20110121783Abstract: An energy-efficient and compact battery charger. The battery charger includes, among other things, a charging port, a power supply module, a battery charger control module or controller, a power control safety module, a battery charger switch, and an indicator. The controller, the power control safety module, and the battery charger switch work in conjunction with each other to control the operation of the battery charger. The controller is configured to execute a charging control process which detects the insertion of a battery pack into the charging port, controls the charging of the battery pack, and controls the illumination or display of the indicator. The power control safety module includes a power control safety circuit that is configured to prevent the charging current and/or the charging voltage from damaging the battery charger or battery pack during a malfunction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventors: Samuel Boyles, Umesh Rajani, Anthony Thomas Tocco, Mike Hornick, William Stuart Miller
-
Publication number: 20110068742Abstract: Audio devices powered by rechargeable batteries or an external power source including a separate audio device housing and battery charger housing that are engageable with each other. The audio device housing and battery charger housing can share an external power source. Furthermore, when separated, the audio device housing and battery charger housing are usable alone to produce sound and to charge a battery, respectively. In some instances, a battery placed in a first position is charged and, when placed in a second position, provides power to the audio circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventors: Ronald C. McCurry, Wolf Mueller, Jeffrey N. Cutler, Mike Hornick, Jonathan A. Zick, Scott D. Bublitz, Melissa A. Ottens-Rendon
-
Publication number: 20100190052Abstract: A battery pack that is capable of supplying high- and low-current discharge to end products. The battery pack includes a cylindrical housing with a lithium-ion battery cell enclosed within the housing. The housing also includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a body portion. The first end portion includes a plurality of terminals for electrically connecting to the end product. The terminals include a high-current discharge terminal, a low-current discharge terminal, a battery pack identification terminal, a battery pack temperature terminal, and a positive voltage terminal. The second end portion includes a recess for removably securing the battery pack to an end product, such as a battery charger or a power tool. Included within the battery pack housing is circuitry for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery pack through the low-current discharge terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Inventors: Umesh Rajani, Samuel Boyles, Mike Hornick, Fabio Romero, William S. Miller, Michael E. Buckner, Mark Huggins, Ryan Harrison, Taku Ohi, Thomas Parel
-
Publication number: 20100181964Abstract: A wireless power distribution system and method for power tools. The system includes a power transmitter and a plurality of power harvesters or receivers. The receivers are located in power tools, battery packs that are attachable to and detachable from the power tools, or a device or case that is interfaceable with the power tool or battery pack. The power transmitter transmits radio frequency (“RF”) power signals to the receivers that are within transmission range of the power transmitter. The receivers receive the RF power signals and convert the RF power signals into direct current. The direct current is used to charge a battery, directly power a tool, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2010Publication date: July 22, 2010Inventors: Mark Huggins, Robert E. McCracken, Jason P. Whitmire, Mike Hornick
-
Publication number: 20100060232Abstract: An energy-efficient and compact multi-port battery charger. The battery charger includes, among other things, a power supply module, a battery charger control module or controller, a power switching module, one or more power control safety modules, a plurality of battery charger switches, and a plurality of indicators. The controller, the power switching module, the power control safety modules, and the battery charger switches work in conjunction with each other to control the operation of the battery charger. The controller is configured to execute a charging control process which detects the insertion of a battery pack into a charging port, selects a charging port for charging, controls the power output from the power switching module, and controls the illumination or display of the indicators. The power switching module uses control signals from the controller to switch the power received from the power supply module such that a charging current is applied to a single charging port.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2009Publication date: March 11, 2010Inventors: Samuel Boyles, Anthony Thomas Tocco, Umesh Rajani, Mike Hornick
-
Publication number: 20040242042Abstract: A battery ejection mechanism for ejecting a battery housing removably attached to an electrical device housing. The mechanism includes at least one ejection member having a button and an arm. The arm is adapted to transfer a force applied on the button to the electrical device housing to assist in the removal of the battery pack from the electrical device housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2003Publication date: December 2, 2004Applicant: ONE WORLD TECHNOLOGIES LIMITEDInventors: William Buck, Kenneth M. Brazell, Chris Lewis, Taku Ohi, Mike Hornick, Feng Kun Lu, Xiao Ping Liu