Patents by Inventor Peter H. Strom

Peter H. Strom 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: 7449852
    Abstract: A powered panel moving system includes a motor, electronic drive circuitry, mechanics, a coupler, and electronic anti-entrapment circuitry. The drive circuitry drives a rotor of the motor such that the rotor has a rotational output in response to being driven. The mechanics moves a panel upon being driven. The coupler couples the rotational output of the rotor to the mechanics in order drive the mechanics for the mechanics to move the panel. The anti-entrapment circuitry controls the drive circuitry to prevent the panel from entrapping an object. The drive circuitry drives the motor based on measurements indicative of at least one of motor current, motor speed, and panel position. The drive circuitry and the anti-entrapment circuitry are integrated with one another such that the anti-entrapment circuitry controls the drive circuitry based on the same measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Nartron Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Washeleski, Stephen R. W. Cooper, Peter H. Strom, Todd R. Newman
  • Patent number: 7312591
    Abstract: A powered panel moving system includes a motor, electronic drive circuitry, a mechanism, a coupler, and electronic function circuitry. The drive circuitry drives a rotor of the motor. The coupler couples rotational output of the rotor to the mechanism to drive the mechanism in order to move the panel. The function circuitry is integrated with the drive circuitry for providing additional functionality beyond driving the motor for panel movement. The drive circuitry includes a current sensor for determining rotor position based on motor current, a back emf sensor for determining rotor position based on back emf of the motor, and an impedance sensor for determining rotor position based on motor impedance. The function circuitry may include an analyzer to determine presence of an obstruction to the motion of the panel based on at least one of the rotor position, the motor current, and the back emf of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: NPC Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Washeleski, Stephen R. W. Cooper, Peter H. Strom, Todd R. Newman
  • Patent number: 6396259
    Abstract: An electronic position sensor for determining position as a function of magnetic flux density. The position sensor includes a magnetic flux sensor and a movable magnet, the sensed magnetic flux density by the magnetic sensor being a function of the relative air gap, magnet thickness, and magnetic field direction between the magnet and the magnet sensor element. The relationship between the magnetic flux density sensed by the magnetic sensing element and the positional disposition of the moved magnet component of the sensor is geometrically defined and optionally linear between two defined points of the range of articulation or motion of the sensor. The magnetic flux sensing element is a Hall-effect integrated circuit, magnetoresistor, magnetodiode, magnetotransistor, or similar sensing element with associated electronic circuitry having adjustable or programmable features including ratiometry, gain, offset voltage, temperature coefficient, and output signal range limiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Nartron Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Washeleski, Peter H. Strom, David W. Shank, Ronald L. Ballast
  • Patent number: 6269695
    Abstract: Two embodiments of an analog liquid level sensor are provided for measuring the level of a liquid in a container having a volume/depth relationship wherein each sensor has a resistance-to-float-displacement profile matched to the volume/depth relationship of the container. Each sensor includes a dielectric coated metal bar which acts as a heat sink and a ground plane. A pair of electrically spaced terminals and a printed circuit including a thick film resistor pattern and a metallization pattern having metallized graduations are formed on the metal bar for reduced electrical noise characteristics and improved hysteresis. The resistance of the resistor pattern is electrically coupled between the terminals and has a resistance which varies at different positions between the terminals. The metallization pattern is formed on the resistor pattern which, in turn, is formed on opposite sides of the dielectric coated metal bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Nartron Corporation
    Inventors: Kimberly Cesternino, Peter H. Strom
  • Patent number: 6078117
    Abstract: An end cap assembly is configured as an electronic conducted noise filter and/or radiated field shield for incorporation as the end cap of a motor housing case as original equipment. The assembly includes a conductive panel having conductive members which interconnect discrete electrical components of a filter network array. Alternatively, various types of printed circuit boards, wireframe assemblies, wirewrap assemblies, and lead frame assemblies may be used. These assemblies include the conductive members which are held in position within an electrically insulative component member or housing of the end cap assembly by such means as insertion of tabs into captivating slots, insert overmolding, encapsulation, heat staking, mechanical., fasteners, and/or adhesives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Nartron Corporation
    Inventors: Randall L. Perrin, John M. Washeleski, Peter H. Strom
  • Patent number: 5642043
    Abstract: A linear position sensor includes coextensively positioned primary and secondary windings, each having an elongated core and a coil radially spaced around the core. A cyclically varying signal is applied to the primary winding which develops a signal across the secondary winding due to transformer coupling. A coupling adjustment member varies the amount of transformer coupling and is longitudinally movable with respect to the winding assembly. The relative longitudinal positioning of the coupling member with respect to the winding assembly is determined by measuring the signal developed across the secondary winding. In one embodiment, the windings are similarly configured, are arranged side-by-side and spaced apart; the coupling adjustment member enhances the transformer coupling between the windings which are telescopingly received within the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Nartron Corporation
    Inventors: Clyde Ko, Carl Munch, David Shank, Peter H. Strom
  • Patent number: 5576524
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning a turn signal switch housing with respect to a cancellation pin support bracket includes installation of the bracket on a steering wheel hub. The bracket includes a gauge pin formed in one piece with the steering wheel hub ring bracket. The ring bracket supports cancellation pins to extend at radially displaced positions for registering with the actuator of the turn signal switch assembly. The turn signal switch assembly is supported upon the steering column housing by a mount for adjusting the axial position of the housing. In the preferred embodiment, the gauge pin is carried by the hub-mounted ring bracket and is positioned for engagement with an engagement surface on the turn signal housing adjacent the actuator to be operated by the cancellation pin. The switch housing is slid axially along the steering column housing while supported in a mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Nartron Corporation
    Inventors: Peter H. Strom, David Bull
  • Patent number: 5217280
    Abstract: A brake pedal actuation sensor includes an optical coupler. In a preferred embodiment: the optical sensor is carried by a housing; a shutter is provided to interrupt the optical coupling according to the distance between the housing and a bearing; the shutter is carried by the bearing; and the distance between the housing and the bearing is dependent upon the force applied to the brake. Additionally, a circuit responsive to an output of the optical coupler is provided for generating an electrical output signal indicating brake pedal actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Nartron Corporation
    Inventors: Todd M. Nykerk, Ronald D. Ingraham, Peter H. Strom
  • Patent number: 5010972
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle having accessories as for example cruise control, transmission torque converter lock-up control, or anti-dive suspension control, has an electrical logic circuit which is effective for applying control type signals to such accessories in response to magnitude of the force applied to the vehicular braking system by the driver; a force sensitive resistor placed in the vehicular braking system is effective to create output signals to the logic circuit which signals are employed by the logic circuit to determine when respective control type signals are to be applied to such accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Nartron Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald D. Ingraham, Todd M. Nykerk, Peter H. Strom
  • Patent number: 4978177
    Abstract: A vehicular brake lever arrangement is shown as having a brake lever pivotally supported at one end and a swingable other end provided with a pad for the application of a braking force thereto; a brake rod linkage leading to the vehicular braking system is pivotally connected to the brake lever as to have a slight translational movement relative to the brake lever; and a force sensitive resistor is placed as to experience a force thereagainst as such translational movement occurs between the brake lever and brake rod linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Nartron Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald D. Ingraham, Peter H. Strom