Patents by Inventor Paul Steven Mullin
Paul Steven Mullin 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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Publication number: 20180087775Abstract: A motor controller for a blower in a gas-burning appliance. The motor controller includes a processor configured to receive a measured pressure differential measured by a sensor disposed in an airflow generated by the blower. The processor is configured to compute a motor speed based on the measured pressure differential and a pressure differential set-point for the gas-burning appliance. The processor is configured to operate the blower at the motor speed to drive the measured pressure differential toward the pressure differential set-point.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2016Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Paul Steven Mullin, William Stuart Gatley
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Patent number: 9819246Abstract: An electrical machine includes a fan guard having a first air flow channel. A stator assembly is coupled to the fan guard and includes a stator yoke having a cylindrical outer surface and a stator pole shoe. The stator pole shoe includes a plurality of stator poles coupled to the stator yoke. The stator assembly includes a second air flow channel defined between the stator yoke and an adjacent pair of the stator poles. A rotor assembly is positioned inside the stator assembly. The rotor assembly includes a rotatable shaft and a rotor. The rotatable shaft defines a rotation axis. A control electronics board includes a plurality of heat making components and is enclosed in a housing having a vented base and a closure. The housing is coupled to the stator assembly opposite the fan guard. The vented base includes a plurality of vent openings opened toward the fan guard.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.Inventors: William Arthur Ziegler, Katie D. Hamilton, Paul Steven Mullin, Jeffrey Jay Long, Michael David Smith
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Patent number: 9817373Abstract: A motor controller configured to be coupled to a motor and to a system controller is described. The motor controller includes a proportional-integral (PI) regulator coupled to a timer controller. The motor controller is configured to generate, by the PI regulator, a pulsed signal representing a reported speed of the motor. Additionally, the motor controller is configured to transmit the pulsed signal to the system controller, measure a time period that elapses for the motor to make a predefined number of revolutions, measure a number of pulses transmitted in the pulsed signal, and determine a measured speed of the motor from the time period. Further, the motor controller is configured to determine, by the PI regulator, a difference between the reported speed and the measured speed, and adjust, by the PI regulator, the pulsed signal based on the difference between the reported speed and the measured speed.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: William Arthur Ziegler, Katie D. Hamilton, Paul Steven Mullin, Jeffrey Jay Long, Michael David Smith
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Publication number: 20170317624Abstract: An electronic control module is provided. The electronic control module is operably connected to a power supply for providing power to a motor. The electronic control module includes an input device, a processor coupled to the input device, and first and second current supply lines. The processor is configured to generate a command signal in response to an input supplied by the input device and transmit the command signal to the motor. The command signal controls an operating point of the motor. The first and second current supply lines are operably connectable to the motor and the processor. At least one of the current supply lines, the input device and the processor are adapted to utilize the current supply lines both to transmit power to the motor and to transmit the command signal to the motor over the current supply lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2016Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Paul Steven Mullin, Michael David Smith, Katie Da-Nelle Hamilton, Srinivas Chandu Kutcherlapati
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Patent number: 9698647Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, an electric machine is provided. The machine includes a support structure and a stator secured to the support structure. The machine also includes a rotor rotatably scoured to the support structure. The rotor defines a wall of the rotor. The machine also includes a sensor secured to the support structure and adapted to cooperate with the wall of the rotor to sense the position of the rotor relative to that of the stator.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Edward Lewis Drye, Harold Dean Willis, Stephen Thomas English, Justin Michael Magyar, Christopher Joseph Roth, Alan Michael Smith, Paul Steven Mullin
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Publication number: 20170012938Abstract: A motor network mapping device is provided. The motor network mapping device includes a processor coupled to a memory device. The motor network mapping device is configured to determine physical distances between a plurality of motors in a network using properties of electronic test signals transmitted through a power line coupled to the plurality of motors. The motor network mapping device is additionally configured to generate a map of physical locations of the motors using the determined physical distances between the plurality of motors and store the map in the memory device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2015Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventor: PAUL STEVEN MULLIN
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Patent number: 9514421Abstract: A motor controller for a motor is described. The motor controller includes a communication device coupled to a memory device. The motor controller is configured to receive, using the communication device, a status query from a client computing device. The motor controller is additionally configured to transmit diagnostic data from the memory device to the client computing device, transmit identification data associated with the motor controller to the client computing device, receive, from the client computing device, a decommission password generated from the identification data, and disable the motor using the decommission password.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Paul Steven Mullin, Michael David Smith
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Publication number: 20160204721Abstract: A motor controller configured to be coupled to a motor and to a system controller is described. The motor controller includes a proportional-integral (PI) regulator coupled to a timer controller. The motor controller is configured to generate, by the PI regulator, a pulsed signal representing a reported speed of the motor. Additionally, the motor controller is configured to transmit the pulsed signal to the system controller, measure a time period that elapses for the motor to make a predefined number of revolutions, measure a number of pulses transmitted in the pulsed signal, and determine a measured speed of the motor from the time period. Further, the motor controller is configured to determine, by the PI regulator, a difference between the reported speed and the measured speed, and adjust, by the PI regulator, the pulsed signal based on the difference between the reported speed and the measured speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2015Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: William Arthur Ziegler, Katie D. Hamilton, Paul Steven Mullin, Jeffrey Jay Long, Michael David Smith
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Publication number: 20160204676Abstract: An electrical machine includes a fan guard having a first air flow channel. A stator assembly is coupled to the fan guard and includes a stator yoke having a cylindrical outer surface and a stator pole shoe. The stator pole shoe includes a plurality of stator poles coupled to the stator yoke. The stator assembly includes a second air flow channel defined between the stator yoke and an adjacent pair of the stator poles. A rotor assembly is positioned inside the stator assembly. The rotor assembly includes a rotatable shaft and a rotor. The rotatable shaft defines a rotation axis. A control electronics board includes a plurality of heat making components and is enclosed in a housing having a vented base and a closure. The housing is coupled to the stator assembly opposite the fan guard. The vented base includes a plurality of vent openings opened toward the fan guard.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2015Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: William Arthur Ziegler, Katie D. Hamilton, Paul Steven Mullin, Jeffrey Jay Long, Michael David Smith
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Publication number: 20160094110Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, an electric machine is provided. The machine includes a support structure and a stator secured to the support structure. The machine also includes a rotor rotatably scoured to the support structure. The rotor defines a wall of the rotor. The machine also includes a sensor secured to the support structure and adapted to cooperate with the wall of the rotor to sense the position of the rotor relative to that of the stator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2014Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: Edward Lewis Drye, Harold Dean Willis, Stephen Thomas English, Justin Michael Magyar, Christopher Joseph Roth, Alan Michael Smith, Paul Steven Mullin
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Publication number: 20160056622Abstract: A thermal protection device and methods for protecting a motor are described. The thermal protection device is electrically coupled between a power supply and a gate drive circuit for driving the motor. The thermal protection device is configured to disconnect the power supply from the gate drive circuit when a temperature measured by the thermal protection device exceeds a threshold temperature value.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2014Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Katie D. Hamilton, Darrel Clyde Buttram, Paul Steven Mullin, William Arthur Ziegler
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Publication number: 20160028559Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor is described. The motor controller is coupled to a power line communication connection and includes a communication device coupled to a memory device. The motor controller is configured to receive, using the communication device, a status query from a server computing device via the power line communication connection. The motor controller is additionally configured to transmit electric motor diagnostic data from the memory device to the server computing device via the power line communication connection. The motor controller is further configured to receive motor configuration data from a client computing device wirelessly coupled to the motor controller. The motor configuration data is for controlling the electric motor. The motor controller is also configured to operate the electric motor in accordance with the motor configuration data.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Brian Steven Bernard, Paul Steven Mullin, Srinivas Chandu Kutcherlapati
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Publication number: 20150253787Abstract: A motor controller for a motor is described. The motor controller includes a communication device coupled to a memory device. The motor controller is configured to receive, using the communication device, a status query from a client computing device. The motor controller is additionally configured to transmit diagnostic data from the memory device to the client computing device, transmit identification data associated with the motor controller to the client computing device, receive, from the client computing device, a decommission password generated from the identification data, and disable the motor using the decommission password.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 10, 2015Applicant: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Paul Steven Mullin, Michael David Smith
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Patent number: 8288975Abstract: A brushless direct current (BLDC) motor having a simulated tapped-winding input. The BLDC motor includes a stator/rotor assembly having a stator and a rotor. The BLDC motor has a common input and a plurality of power inputs. Each power input corresponds to an operating parameter. The BLDC motor receives an AC voltage across the common input and one of the power inputs and operates the stator/rotor assembly according to an operating parameter corresponding to the power input receiving power.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2008Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Regal Beloit EPC Inc.Inventors: Paul Steven Mullin, Stephen J. Dellinger
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Patent number: 8084970Abstract: An electrical machine having a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a core and a plurality of windings disposed on the core in a multiple-phase arrangement. The rotor is disposed adjacent to the stator to interact with the stator. A method of operating the motor includes applying a pulsed voltage differential to first and second terminals of the windings resulting in movement of the rotor; monitoring the back electromotive force (BEMF) of the windings to sense rotor movement; after the applying and monitoring steps, monitoring the BEMF of the windings to determine whether the rotor is rotating in a desired direction, and electrically commutating the motor when the rotor is rotating in the desired direction and zero or more other conditions exist.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Regal Beloit EPC Inc.Inventors: Paul Steven Mullin, Brian Thomas Branecky
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Patent number: 8067911Abstract: An interface module is operable to download data from an electrical machine. The interface module includes a cable for transferring data, the cable having a first connector at a first end thereof, a circuit board having a programmable device electrically coupled in circuit to the cable, and a memory connected to the circuit board and configured to store data related to the operating characteristics of the electrical machine.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2009Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Regal Beloit EPC Inc.Inventor: Paul Steven Mullin
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Patent number: 8067912Abstract: An interface cord is operable to connect an external controller to an electrical machine. The interface cord includes a first connector having a first pin configuration, a cable coupled to the first connector, a second connector coupled to the cable and having a second pin configuration different from the first pin configuration, and a circuit board with a programmable electrically coupled in circuit between the first connector and the second connector.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2009Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Regal Beloit EPC Inc.Inventor: Paul Steven Mullin
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Patent number: 8063593Abstract: An interface cord is operable to connect an external controller to an electrical machine. The interface cord includes a first connector having a first pin configuration, a cable coupled to the first connector, a second connector coupled to the cable and having a second pin configuration different from the first pin configuration, and a circuit board with a programmable electrically coupled in circuit between the first connector and the second connector.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Regal Beloit EPC Inc.Inventor: Paul Steven Mullin
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Patent number: 7671555Abstract: An air movement system including a blower and an external controller operable to receive signals from a sensing device and generate a command based on the received signals. The command includes an address. The system also includes a communication channel coupled to the external controller and configured to communicate the command, and a motor assembly operable to drive the blower. The motor assembly includes a stator and rotor assembly coupled to the blower, and a drive circuit coupled to the stator and rotor assembly. The motor assembly includes a second controller and a memory. The memory includes a set of data having a plurality of addresses and an instruction associated with each address, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventor: Paul Steven Mullin
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Publication number: 20090209128Abstract: An interface cord is operable to connect an external controller to an electrical machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2007Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventor: Paul Steven Mullin