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).

  • Patent number: 8374716
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Frankel, Eric Hardt, Masaaki Matsubara, Nigel Strike, Yukihiro Tanada
  • Patent number: 8092154
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yousef M. Jarrah, Nigel Strike
  • Publication number: 20110129346
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yousef Jarrah, Nigel Strike, Hirofumi Shoji
  • Patent number: 7902777
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jerome Pierre, Nigel Strike, Eric A. Hardt
  • Patent number: 7889977
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nigel Strike, Eric Hardt
  • Patent number: 7714524
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Frankel, Nigel Strike, Eric Hardt, Takashi Shinano
  • Publication number: 20090251085
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jerome Pierre, Nigel Strike, Eric A. Hardt
  • Publication number: 20090154905
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nigel Strike, Eric Hardt
  • Publication number: 20090154906
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Frankel, Nigel Strike, Eric Hardt, Takashi Shinano
  • Publication number: 20090155060
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yousef M. Jarrah, Nigel Strike
  • Publication number: 20070285042
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Frankel, Eric Hardt, Nigel Strike
  • Publication number: 20070219756
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Frankel, Eric Hardt, Nigel Strike
  • Publication number: 20060142901
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Scott Frankel, Eric Hardt, Nigel Strike
  • Patent number: 7002311
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nigel Strike, Carl Brewer
  • Publication number: 20050206335
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nigel Strike, Carl Brewer
  • Publication number: 20040264226
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Nigel Strike, Henry Riddoch