Patents by Inventor Robert Bakkestuen

Robert Bakkestuen 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: 10746448
    Abstract: A system includes a refrigerant compressor, an electric motor and configured to drive the refrigerant compressor, and a controller. The controller is configured to operate the compressor in a liquid clearing start mode where electrical current through the motor is prevented from exceeding a predetermined current limit for a period of time not to exceed a predetermined period of time, and is configured to operate the compressor in a run mode in response to determining the motor exceeds a predetermined speed threshold at or before expiration of the predetermined period of time, wherein the run mode does not prevent electrical current through the motor from exceeding said predetermined current limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin James Sykora, Nathan Thomas West, David Marshall Foye, Dennis Myron Beekman, Korwin Jay Anderson, Robert Bakkestuen
  • Patent number: 10295239
    Abstract: A system includes a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a condenser, an expander, an electric motor configured to drive the compressor, and a controller configured to control a motor drive to drive the electric motor. The controller is configured to first evaluate whether the compressor is idle based upon a control state of the controller being configured not to operate the motor drive to drive the motor, second, in response to an affirmative evaluation that the compressor is idle, evaluate a risk of undesired or un-commanded compressor rotation based upon a combination of two or more system conditions, each of the two or more system conditions indicating the risk of undesired or un-commanded compressor rotation, and third, in response to an affirmative evaluation of the risk of undesired or un-commanded compressor rotation, control the motor drive to oppose rotation of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Thomas West, Benjamin James Sykora, David Marshall Foye, Dennis Myron Beekman, Korwin Jay Anderson, Robert Bakkestuen
  • Publication number: 20170227273
    Abstract: Unique apparatuses, methods, and systems of opposing, limiting, and/or preventing undesired or un-commanded compressor rotation are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is an HVACR system comprising a variable frequency drive configured to drive an electric motor to rotate a screw compressor or scroll compressor. A controller is configured to monitor various aspects of the system and to control the drive. When a condition indicative of potential undesired or un-commanded compressor rotation is identified, the controller commands the variable frequency drive to control the motor to limit and preferably prevent compressor rotation. One technique comprises shorting switches of the drive to a DC bus rail to allow back EMF induced current in the motor windings to be dissipated through winding resistance thus providing a damping force. Another technique comprises controlling the inverter to insert a DC current into the motor to cause the motor to align to and hold a particular position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: NATHAN THOMAS WEST, Benjamin James Sykora, David Marshall Foye, Dennis Myron Beekman, Korwin Jay Anderson, Robert Bakkestuen
  • Publication number: 20150377536
    Abstract: Unique apparatuses, methods, and systems of opposing, limiting, and/or preventing undesired or un-commanded compressor rotation are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is an HVACR system comprising a variable frequency drive configured to drive an electric motor to rotate a screw compressor or scroll compressor. A controller is configured to monitor various aspects of the system and to control the drive. When a condition indicative of potential undesired or un-commanded compressor rotation is identified, the controller commands the variable frequency drive to control the motor to limit and preferably prevent compressor rotation. One technique comprises shorting switches of the drive to a DC bus rail to allow back EMF induced current in the motor windings to be dissipated through winding resistance thus providing a damping force. Another technique comprises controlling the inverter to insert a DC current into the motor to cause the motor to align to and hold a particular position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Nathan Thomas West, Benjamin James Sykora, David Marshall Foye, Dennis Myron Beekman, Korwin Jay Anderson, Robert Bakkestuen