Patents by Inventor Robert F. Birkenstock, JR.

Robert F. Birkenstock, JR. 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).

  • Publication number: 20210095676
    Abstract: A highly efficient circulator system is provided, useful for hydronic systems, including both heating and cooling systems. The stand-alone circulator motor is controllable by input from certain sensors, preferably thermal sensors, which provide data enabling the controller of the brushless pump motor to vary its flow output to meet changes in systems loads. The circulator has a ceramic permanent magnet rotor, such as a ferrite, with an electronically, preferably sinusoidally, commutated, electro-magnetic stator controlling the input of electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Steve Thompson, Vladislav Milchev Stakev, Robert F. Birkenstock, JR., Douglas Bird, David E. Sweet
  • Patent number: 9866093
    Abstract: The brushless DC motor of the present invention comprises a permanent magnet rotor rotating coaxially with and inside of the stator containing the electric windings, separated by a radial, axially extending gap. The rotor can be formed of four or more permanent, e.g., ferrite ceramic magnets, spaced substantially equidistantly circumferentially around the rotor and extending radially along the axial length of the rotor. The preferred ferrite magnets are substantially corrosion resistant, and thus durable in the wet rotor environment, in which it may be used, sufficient to withstand the effects of even hot salt water. Preferably, four of the permanent magnets are bar magnets, i.e., rectangular in cross-section, extending radially and perpendicularly to the adjacent magnets. Most preferably, the bar magnets are separated by generally wedge-shaped, or quadrant-shaped, sections of magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Taco, Inc.
    Inventors: Di Wu, Vladislav Milchev Stakev, Robert F. Birkenstock, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160329786
    Abstract: The brushless DC motor of the present invention comprises a permanent magnet rotor rotating coaxially with and inside of the stator containing the electric windings, separated by a radial, axially extending gap. The rotor can be formed of four or more permanent, e.g., ferrite ceramic magnets, spaced substantially equidistantly circumferentially around the rotor and extending radially along the axial length of the rotor. The preferred ferrite magnets are substantially corrosion resistant, and thus durable in the wet rotor environment, in which it may be used, sufficient to withstand the effects of even hot salt water. Preferably, four of the permanent magnets are bar magnets, i.e., rectangular in cross-section, extending radially and perpendicularly to the adjacent magnets. Most preferably, the bar magnets are separated by generally wedge-shaped, or quadrant-shaped, sections of magnetic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: Taco, Inc.
    Inventors: Di Wu, Vladislav Milchev Stakev, Robert F. Birkenstock, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160230767
    Abstract: A highly efficient circulator system is provided, useful for hydronic systems, including both heating and cooling systems. The stand-alone circulator motor is controllable by input from certain sensors, preferably thermal sensors, which provide data enabling the controller of the brushless pump motor to vary its flow output to meet changes in systems loads. The circulator has a ceramic permanent magnet rotor, such as a ferrite, with an electronically, preferably sinusoidally, commutated, electro-magnetic stator controlling the input of electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Steve Thompson, Vladislav Michev Stakev, Robert F. Birkenstock, JR., Douglas Bird, David E. Sweet
  • Patent number: 9401631
    Abstract: The brushless DC motor of the present invention comprises a permanent magnet rotor rotating coaxially with and inside of the stator containing the electric windings, separated by a radial, axially extending gap. The rotor can be formed of four or more permanent, e.g., ferrite ceramic magnets, spaced substantially equidistantly circumferentially around the rotor and extending radially along the axial length of the rotor. The preferred ferrite magnets are substantially corrosion resistant, and thus durable in the wet rotor environment, in which it may be used, sufficient to withstand the effects of even hot salt water. Preferably, four of the permanent magnets are bar magnets, i.e., rectangular in cross-section, extending radially and perpendicularly to the adjacent magnets. Most preferably, the bar magnets are separated by generally wedge-shaped, or quadrant-shaped, sections of magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: TACO, INC.
    Inventors: Di Wu, Vladislav Milchev Stakev, Robert F. Birkenstock, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140111052
    Abstract: The brushless DC motor of the present invention comprises a permanent magnet rotor rotating coaxially with and inside of the stator containing the electric windings, separated by a radial, axially extending gap. The rotor can be formed of four or more permanent, e.g., ferrite ceramic magnets, spaced substantially equidistantly circumferentially around the rotor and extending radially along the axial length of the rotor. The preferred ferrite magnets are substantially corrosion resistant, and thus durable in the wet rotor environment, in which it may be used, sufficient to withstand the effects of even hot salt water. Preferably, four of the permanent magnets are bar magnets, i.e., rectangular in cross-section, extending radially and perpendicularly to the adjacent magnets. Most preferably, the bar magnets are separated by generally wedge-shaped, or quadrant-shaped, sections of magnetic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Di Wu, Vladislav Milchev Stakev, Robert F. Birkenstock, JR.