Patents by Inventor Nigel Strike
Nigel Strike 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: 8374716Abstract: A computer program product stored in a computing device has a processor and a communication interface to determine cooling specifications of a remote housing. The computer program product includes a machine-readable storage medium and machine-readable program code, stored on the machine-readable storage medium. The machine readable program code includes instructions, which when executed, to cause the processor to interact with a user to obtain fan motor operating parameters and conditions. Motor operation is then controlled in accordance with the user-provided operating parameters and conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2008Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Scott Frankel, Eric Hardt, Masaaki Matsubara, Nigel Strike, Yukihiro Tanada
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Patent number: 8092154Abstract: Disclosed is a compact and integrated fan, pump, and heat exchanger system where air-cooling is performed via the fan, liquid cooling is performed via a pump, and the drilled pump diffusers act as a heat exchanger. The pump has drilled diffusers through which liquid passes into the volute, the drilled diffusers are streamlined and thus act as fan stator blades. Hot liquid is centrifuged and carried inside the drilled diffusers while air flows around the outside surfaces of the drilled diffusers. A heat transfer occurs where heat transfers from the hot liquid into the air stream.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yousef M. Jarrah, Nigel Strike
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Publication number: 20110129346Abstract: An impeller blade hub profile which inhibits stall is described. In an embodiment, the hub profile includes a frontal rising contour followed by a rear constant contour. In another embodiment, the hub profile includes a frontal rapidly rising contour followed by a substantially rear constant contour. It was discovered that this combination is much more effective than conventionally known profiles. Also, the present invention provides a unique way of turning the flow within the passages of the rotating impeller blades. In an embodiment, the blade does not turn much over either the front portion of the hub or the rear portion of the hub, but instead turns near the boundary between the front portion and the rear portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yousef Jarrah, Nigel Strike, Hirofumi Shoji
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Patent number: 7902777Abstract: Method and system for motor oscillatory state detection. According to various embodiments, the present invention presents a method for determining whether a motor is in an oscillatory state. The method includes powering up a motor for a period of time and then monitoring the movement of the motor during a period after the power if turned off. Based on the movement of the motor and/or impeller during a time period after the power is turned off, whether the motor is in an oscillatory state is determined. The method also includes initiating a process for handle error if the motor is in the oscillation state.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jerome Pierre, Nigel Strike, Eric A. Hardt
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Patent number: 7889977Abstract: Disclosed is a drive circuit for generating the drive current used to energize the windings of a motor. The drive circuit includes a data processing unit that produces two outputs used to control an H-bridge and generation of the drive current. One output, a commutation signal, controls the timing of generation of drive current. The drive current in turn is determined based on the other output, a speed signal. The speed signal waveform includes blanking portions to avoid occurrences of shoot through in the H-bridge.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nigel Strike, Eric Hardt
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Patent number: 7714524Abstract: A system and method for controlling multiple cooling fans is presented. The circuitry for directly driving each of the motors is removed from the motor casings, thus increasing air flow and reducing replacement costs should a motor fail. The system includes a common processor for centrally controlling the speeds of the motors and monitoring the performance of each of the multiple motors.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Scott Frankel, Nigel Strike, Eric Hardt, Takashi Shinano
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Publication number: 20090251085Abstract: Method and system for motor oscillatory state detection. According to various embodiments, the present invention presents a method for determining whether a motor is in an oscillatory state. The method includes powering up a motor for a period of time and then monitoring the movement of the motor during a period after the power if turned off. Based on the movement of the motor and/or impeller during a time period after the power is turned off, whether the motor is in an oscillatory state is determined. The method also includes initiating a process for handle error if the motor is in the oscillation state.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2008Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jerome Pierre, Nigel Strike, Eric A. Hardt
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Publication number: 20090154905Abstract: Disclosed is a drive circuit for generating the drive current used to energize the windings of a motor. The drive circuit includes a data processing unit that produces two outputs used to control an H-bridge and generation of the drive current. One output, a commutation signal, controls the timing of generation of drive current. The drive current in turn is determined based on the other output, a speed signal. The speed signal waveform includes blanking portions to avoid occurrences of shoot through in the H-bridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nigel Strike, Eric Hardt
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Publication number: 20090154906Abstract: A system and method for controlling multiple cooling fans is presented. The circuitry for directly driving each of the motors is removed from the motor casings, thus increasing air flow and reducing replacement costs should a motor fail. The system includes a common processor for centrally controlling the speeds of the motors and monitoring the performance of each of the multiple motors.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Scott Frankel, Nigel Strike, Eric Hardt, Takashi Shinano
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Publication number: 20090155060Abstract: Disclosed is a compact and integrated fan, pump, and heat exchanger system where air-cooling is performed via the fan, liquid cooling is performed via a pump, and the drilled pump diffusers act as a heat exchanger. The pump has drilled diffusers through which liquid passes into the volute, the drilled diffusers are streamlined and thus act as fan stator blades. Hot liquid is centrifuged and carried inside the drilled diffusers while air flows around the outside surfaces of the drilled diffusers. A heat transfer occurs where heat transfers from the hot liquid into the air stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yousef M. Jarrah, Nigel Strike
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Publication number: 20070285042Abstract: A method of controlling a motor speed for a fan assembly includes receiving a duty cycle value at a microcontroller. The microcontroller receives a measured fan speed from a speed sensor. An expected fan speed is determined, where the expected fan speed corresponds to the duty cycle value. The measured fan speed is compared with the expected fan speed. A duty cycle of a motor driving signal is reduced if the measured fan speed is less than a predetermined fraction of the expected fan speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2007Publication date: December 13, 2007Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Scott Frankel, Eric Hardt, Nigel Strike
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Publication number: 20070219756Abstract: A method of controlling a motor speed for a fan assembly includes receiving a duty cycle value at a microcontroller. The microcontroller receives a measured fan speed from a speed sensor. An expected fan speed is determined, where the expected fan speed corresponds to the duty cycle value. The measured fan speed is compared with the expected fan speed. A duty cycle of a motor driving signal is reduced if the measured fan speed is less than a predetermined fraction of the expected fan speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2007Publication date: September 20, 2007Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Scott Frankel, Eric Hardt, Nigel Strike
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Publication number: 20060142901Abstract: A method of controlling a motor speed for a fan assembly includes receiving a duty cycle value at a microcontroller. The microcontroller receives a measured fan speed from a speed sensor. An expected fan speed is determined, where the expected fan speed corresponds to the duty cycle value. The measured fan speed is compared with the expected fan speed. A duty cycle of a motor driving signal is reduced if the measured fan speed is less than a predetermined fraction of the expected fan speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2004Publication date: June 29, 2006Inventors: Scott Frankel, Eric Hardt, Nigel Strike
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Patent number: 7002311Abstract: A microcontroller emulates advancement of a speed sensor for a motor, rather than having a physical movement of the speed sensor. The microcontroller calculates an advancement time based on the motor's efficiency. The microcontroller measures a motor speed utilizing a tachometer signal transmitted from the speed sensor. The microcontroller subtracts the emulated advancement time from the motor speed to generate a commutation countdown time. The microcontroller switches or commutates outputs when the commutation countdown time has elapsed. The microcontroller measures an actual advance time, which is a time between the commutating of the outputs and a receipt of the next speed sensor interrupt. The microcontroller calculates an anticipated motor speed by adding the actual advance time to the commutation countdown time.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2004Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nigel Strike, Carl Brewer
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Publication number: 20050206335Abstract: A microcontroller emulates advancement of a speed sensor for a motor, rather than having a physical movement of the speed sensor. The microcontroller calculates an advancement time based on the motor's efficiency. The microcontroller measures a motor speed utilizing a tachometer signal transmitted from the speed sensor. The microcontroller subtracts the emulated advancement time from the motor speed to generate a commutation countdown time. The microcontroller switches or commutates outputs when the commutation countdown time has elapsed. The microcontroller measures an actual advance time, which is a time between the commutating of the outputs and a receipt of the next speed sensor interrupt. The microcontroller calculates an anticipated motor speed by adding the actual advance time to the commutation countdown time.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2004Publication date: September 22, 2005Applicant: MINEBEA CO., LTD.Inventors: Nigel Strike, Carl Brewer
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Publication number: 20040264226Abstract: A motor control circuit for controlling a motor, the circuit comprising a switched mode power supply operable to drive a full bridge switching transistor arrangement and to provide a stable voltage to the motor control circuit, wherein the switching transistor arrangement is connectable to the windings of the motor to be controlled, and wherein the switching transistor arrangement comprises: a first set of transistors in an upper part of the full bridge and a second set of transistors in a lower part of the full bridge, the first set of transistors being driven by a first output of the switched mode power supply and the second set of transistors being driven by a second output of the switched mode power supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: Nigel Strike, Henry Riddoch