Patents by Inventor R. McDonald

R. McDonald 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: 12378910
    Abstract: In one instance, disclosed herein is a controller configured for operating an engine in an extra-stroke mode, the controller comprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic control module to generate commands for operations including: transitioning operation of the engine from a four-stroke mode to the extra-stroke mode or from the extra-stroke mode to the four-stroke mode, wherein the four-stroke mode includes an intake stroke, a compression stroke, a power stroke, and an exhaust stroke, and wherein the extra-stroke mode includes at least six strokes of a piston disposed within a combustion chamber of an engine cylinder of the engine, during which an exhaust valve of the engine cylinder is opened only once, during or immediately preceding a final upward stroke of the at least six strokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John R. McDonald, Derek A. Tanis
  • Publication number: 20250233534
    Abstract: Braking a power tool motor based on a phase voltage of the motor. The power tool includes a motor and a power source providing operating power to the motor. A power switching network is between the power source and the motor to drive the motor. An actuator is operable to provide an input. An electronic controller is connected to the actuator and the power switching network. The electronic controller is configured to receive an indication related to initiating braking of the motor, control the power switching network to allow the motor to coast, monitor a phase voltage of the motor, determine whether the phase voltage of the motor is equal to or less than a phase voltage threshold, and control, in response to the phase voltage of the motor being equal to or less than the phase voltage threshold, the power switching network to brake the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2025
    Publication date: July 17, 2025
    Inventors: Timothy J. Bartlett, Zachary J. Evans, Jacob R. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20250187089
    Abstract: A circular saw includes a blade guard defining an exhaust chamber, a motor housing coupled to the blade guard, and an electric motor positioned within the motor housing. The electric motor includes an output shaft and a fan coupled for rotation with the output shaft. The fan includes a base plate and a plurality of blades extending from the base plate. The circular saw further includes a first baffle positioned adjacent the fan and in facing relationship with the base plate, and a second baffle positioned radially outward of the fan. A cooling airflow is axially induced by the fan through the electric motor in response to activation of the electric motor, and the fan redirects the cooling airflow in a radial direction against the second baffle. The second baffle redirects the cooling airflow in an axial direction toward the exhaust chamber in the blade guard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2025
    Publication date: June 12, 2025
    Inventors: Jacob R. MCDONALD, Timothy J. BARTLETT, Karly M. SCHOBER, Paul W. EICHE
  • Publication number: 20250135561
    Abstract: A power tool is disclosed and includes a housing and a motor disposed within the housing. The power tool further includes a first blade and a second blade movable relative to the first blade by the motor. During operation, a cutting stroke length of the first blade relative to the second blade is selectively adjustable based on a direction of rotation of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Carmen J. Castanos, Kallol Barai, Hans T. Banholzer, Evan Brown, Julia C. Marsh, Coby A. Nettleton, Dominick S. Ropella, Troy C. Thorson, Terry L. Timmons, Kailie M. Romanski, Justin T. Bickman, Jacob R. McDonald
  • Patent number: 12278586
    Abstract: Braking a power tool motor based on a phase voltage of the motor. The power tool includes a motor and a power source providing operating power to the motor. A power switching network is between the power source and the motor to drive the motor. An actuator is operable to provide an input. An electronic controller is connected to the actuator and the power switching network. The electronic controller is configured to receive an indication related to initiating braking of the motor, control the power switching network to allow the motor to coast, monitor a phase voltage of the motor, determine whether the phase voltage of the motor is equal to or less than a phase voltage threshold, and control, in response to the phase voltage of the motor being equal to or less than the phase voltage threshold, the power switching network to brake the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Bartlett, Zachary J. Evans, Jacob R. McDonald
  • Patent number: 12234781
    Abstract: Operating an engine includes opening and closing exhaust valves in an engine braking timing pattern, charging a first cylinder with air fed directly from an intake manifold, and releasing the directly fed air in a first braking event. Operating the engine further includes charging the first cylinder with air fed via a flow-through path through a second cylinder operating as an air conduit, and releasing the air fed through the flow-through path and pressurized to brake the engine in a second braking event. Related apparatus and valve lift profiles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Wolk, Michael D. Roley, John R. McDonald, Ry C. Colwell, Quinton Burcar
  • Patent number: 12214432
    Abstract: A circular saw includes a blade guard and a saw blade at least partially enclosed within the blade guard. The saw blade has an outer diameter that is greater than 6 inches. The circular saw further includes a motor housing coupled to the blade guard, a brushless electric motor supported within the motor housing, and a battery pack for providing power to the brushless electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jacob R. McDonald, Timothy J. Bartlett, Karly M. Schober, Paul W. Eiche
  • Publication number: 20240352752
    Abstract: A concrete vibrator includes a housing having a motor housing portion extending along a longitudinal axis and a handle portion extending transverse to the longitudinal axis and spaced from the motor housing portion, defining an opening between the handle portion and the motor housing portion. The concrete vibrator also includes a trigger, a brushless DC electric motor positioned within the motor housing portion, a battery pack configured to provide electrical power to the electric motor to drive the motor, and an electronic processor electrically connected with the motor and the battery pack. The electronic processor is configured to adjust the electrical power to the motor in a closed loop to maintain operation of the motor at a rotational speed set point. The concrete vibrator also includes a vibrator head configured to receive torque from the motor, causing the vibrator head to vibrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: Collin C. Rink, Jacob R. McDonald, John L. O’Sullivan, Carmen J. Castanos, Erik A. Freeberg, Terry L. Timmons
  • Patent number: 11814846
    Abstract: A method of forming a leakproof pitched wall or roof section with the use of solar panels includes arranging the solar panels in rows so that at least one panel on the second row is offset upwardly relative to at least one panel on the first row. Seals are provided to prevent the leakage of liquid through the pitched wall or roof section formed by the solar panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Practical Renewables Racking, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth R. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20230339879
    Abstract: Disclosed are chromane compounds, analogs thereof, and methods of their synthesis and use. The compounds may be synthesized by methods involving reductive annulations of arylidene malonates with unsaturated electrophiles using photoredox/Lewis acid cooperative catalysis. The compounds may be formulated in a pharmaceutical composition for treating one of the aforementioned diseases or disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Karl A. Scheidt, Rick C. Betori, Benjamin R. McDonald
  • Patent number: 11755078
    Abstract: A solid-state drive (SSD) includes a first rigid printed circuit board comprising a surface that defines a first plane. A second rigid printed circuit board of the SSD comprises a surface that defines a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. A flexible interconnect couples the first rigid printed circuit board and the second rigid printed circuit board. The flexible interconnect partially encloses a volume. A capacitor is disposed within the volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Brian Lee Burski, Ted R McDonald, Darrel R Culver
  • Publication number: 20230183272
    Abstract: Described herein are precursors and methods for forming silicon-containing films. In one aspect, there is provided a precursor of Formula I: as described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: XINJIAN LEI, MATTHEW R. MCDONALD, MANCHAO XIAO, MING LI, MEILIANG WANG
  • Publication number: 20230147317
    Abstract: Braking a power tool motor based on a phase voltage of the motor. The power tool includes a motor and a power source providing operating power to the motor. A power switching network is between the power source and the motor to drive the motor. An actuator is operable to provide an input. An electronic controller is connected to the actuator and the power switching network. The electronic controller is configured to receive an indication related to initiating braking of the motor, control the power switching network to allow the motor to coast, monitor a phase voltage of the motor, determine whether the phase voltage of the motor is equal to or less than a phase voltage threshold, and control, in response to the phase voltage of the motor being equal to or less than the phase voltage threshold, the power switching network to brake the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy J. Bartlett, Zachary J. Evans, Jacob R. McDonald
  • Patent number: 11639340
    Abstract: Disclosed are chromane compounds, analogs thereof, and methods of their synthesis and use. The compounds may be synthesized by methods involving reductive annulations of arylidene malonates with unsaturated electrophiles using photoredox/Lewis acid cooperative catalysis. The compounds may be formulated in a pharmaceutical composition for treating one of the aforementioned diseases or disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Karl A. Scheidt, Rick C. Betori, Benjamin R. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20230116313
    Abstract: A circular saw includes a blade guard and a saw blade at least partially enclosed within the blade guard. The saw blade has an outer diameter that is greater than 6 inches. The circular saw further includes a motor housing coupled to the blade guard, a brushless electric motor supported within the motor housing, and a battery pack for providing power to the brushless electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Jacob R. MCDONALD, Timothy J. BARTLETT, Karly M. SCHOBER, Paul W. EICHE
  • Patent number: 11557989
    Abstract: Braking a power tool motor based on a phase voltage of the motor. The power tool includes a motor and a power source providing operating power to the motor. A power switching network is between the power source and the motor to drive the motor. An actuator is operable to provide an input. An electronic controller is connected to the actuator and the power switching network. The electronic controller is configured to receive an indication related to initiating braking of the motor, control the power switching network to allow the motor to coast, monitor a phase voltage of the motor, determine whether the phase voltage of the motor is equal to or less than a phase voltage threshold, and control, in response to the phase voltage of the motor being equal to or less than the phase voltage threshold, the power switching network to brake the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Bartlett, Zachary J. Evans, Jacob R. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20220404881
    Abstract: A solid-state drive (SSD) includes a first rigid printed circuit board comprising a surface that defines a first plane. A second rigid printed circuit board of the SSD comprises a surface that defines a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. A flexible interconnect couples the first rigid printed circuit board and the second rigid printed circuit board. The flexible interconnect partially encloses a volume. A capacitor is disposed within the volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Brian Lee Burski, Ted R McDonald, Darrel R Culver
  • Patent number: 11447954
    Abstract: At least first and second rows of panels may be mounted onto, or to form, at least part of a pitched roof, wall or other structure by mounting a panel support framework onto an underlying structure and arranging the panels so that each panel on the second row is offset upwardly relative to each panel on the first row in a stepped fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Practical Renewables Racking Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth R. McDonald
  • Patent number: 11387583
    Abstract: A connector includes a flexible connector having a first plurality of solder bumps arranged in a first pattern, and a base connector having a second plurality of solder bumps arranged in a second pattern concentric with and of a different size than the first pattern. A method of interconnecting a flexible connector to a base connector includes providing the flexible connector with a first plurality of solder bumps arranged in a first pattern, and providing the base connector with a second plurality of solder bumps arranged in a second pattern. The flexible and base connectors are aligned by aligning the first and second pluralities of solder bumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Brian Lee Burski, Ted R. McDonald, Chau Chin Low
  • Publication number: 20220085534
    Abstract: A connector includes a flexible connector having a first plurality of solder bumps arranged in a first pattern, and a base connector having a second plurality of solder bumps arranged in a second pattern concentric with and of a different size than the first pattern. A method of interconnecting a flexible connector to a base connector includes providing the flexible connector with a first plurality of solder bumps arranged in a first pattern, and providing the base connector with a second plurality of solder bumps arranged in a second pattern. The flexible and base connectors are aligned by aligning the first and second pluralities of solder bumps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Brian Lee Burski, Ted R. McDonald, Chau Chin Low