Patents by Inventor Richard Hellinga

Richard Hellinga 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: 11374510
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electric motor is described herein. The method comprises setting a current limit, a speed limit and a torque limit. The method also comprises sensing a DC link current, comparing the sensed DC link current with the current limit and adjusting the torque limit based on the comparison with the current limit to provide an adjusted torque limit. The method also comprises sensing the speed of the electric motor, comparing the speed with the speed limit and further adjusting the adjusted torque limit based on the comparison with the speed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: BorgWarner Gateshead Limited
    Inventors: Richard Hellinga, Jason Wiseman, Howard Slater, Chris Pearce
  • Patent number: 11370307
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electric motor is described herein. The method includes setting a current limit, a speed limit and a torque limit. The method also includes sensing a DC link current, comparing the sensed DC link current with the current limit and adjusting the torque limit based on the comparison with the current limit to provide an adjusted torque limit. The method also includes sensing the speed of the electric motor, comparing the speed with the speed limit and further adjusting the adjusted torque limit based on the comparison with the speed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Borg Warner Gateshead Limited
    Inventors: Richard Hellinga, Jason Wiseman, Howard Slater, Chris Pearce
  • Publication number: 20200321898
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electric motor is described herein. The method comprises setting a current limit, a speed limit and a torque limit. The method also comprises sensing a DC link current, comparing the sensed DC link current with the current limit and adjusting the torque limit based on the comparison with the current limit to provide an adjusted torque limit. The method also comprises sensing the speed of the electric motor, comparing the speed with the speed limit and further adjusting the adjusted torque limit based on the comparison with the speed limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventor: Richard Hellinga
  • Publication number: 20190111804
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electric motor is described herein. The method includes setting a current limit, a speed limit and a torque limit. The method also includes sensing a DC link current, comparing the sensed DC link current with the current limit and adjusting the torque limit based on the comparison with the current limit to provide an adjusted torque limit. The method also includes sensing the speed of the electric motor, comparing the speed with the speed limit and further adjusting the adjusted torque limit based on the comparison with the speed limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Applicant: Sevcon Limited
    Inventors: Richard Hellinga, Jason Wiseman, Howard Slater, Chris Pearce
  • Patent number: 8375635
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing an overhead door, having a door assembly for mounting to the overhead door, and an operator for securely engaging the door assembly. The operator has a chassis, and a cable reel rotatably mounted to the chassis and coupled to a main cable. When the main cable is coupled to the door assembly, as the cable reel is rotated in a first direction, the door assembly is drawn towards the operator so as to close the door. The apparatus may include a latch assembly for securing the door assembly to the operator when the door is closed, and a latch release mechanism for selectively disengaging the latch assembly so as to disengage the door assembly from the operator. The overhead door may be biased so that when the latch assembly is disengaged, the overhead door automatically opens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventors: Richard Hellinga, Michael Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110047877
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for opening and closing an overhead door, having a door assembly for mounting to the overhead door, and an operator for securely engaging the door assembly, the operator having a chassis, and a cable reel rotatably mounted to the chassis and coupled to a main cable, wherein, when the main cable is coupled to the door assembly, as the cable reel is rotated in a first direction, the door assembly is drawn towards the operator so as to close the door. The apparatus may further comprise a latch assembly for securing the door assembly to the operator when the door is closed, and a latch release mechanism for selectively disengaging the latch assembly so as to disengage the door assembly from the operator. The overhead door may be biased to the open position so that when the latch assembly is disengaged, the overhead door automatically opens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Richard Hellinga, Michael Johnson
  • Publication number: 20050097822
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the descent of a moveable element pivotally attached to a rigid structure is described herein. The moveable element is directly attached to the rigid structure, and is then connected to a compressible strut, which is attached to a linkage connected to the rigid structure. The descent of the moveable element is controlled using a microcontroller and a motor attached to the linkage, and the control path for the linkage is selected based on a comparison of the angle between the linkage and rigid structure and the angle between the moveable element and the rigid structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Applicant: MULTIMATIC, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Hellinga, Michael Johnson
  • Patent number: 5982126
    Abstract: A power closure panel control apparatus is independent of closure panel configuration and capable of a diverse range of remote and direct activation. Sophisticated safety features utilize an adaptive strategy to facilitate highly sensitive obstruction detection by learning the closure system's force requirement and applying a safety margin to it. The control system allows the closure panel to operate in a totally manual mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignees: Multimatic, Inc, Agile Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Hellinga, Robert Lankin, Brad Watson