Patents by Inventor Robert Keys

Robert Keys 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: 12600019
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing an electronic clutch in a powered fastener driver. One fastener driver includes a motor, a trigger, a position sensor, a speed sensor, and a controller. The position sensor is configured to sense a position of the lifting assembly. The speed sensor is configured to sense a speed of the motor. The controller is configured to provide power to the motor. The controller is configured to receive speed signals from the speed sensor indicative of the speed of the motor, and determine whether the speed of the motor has dropped by a speed drop threshold within a first period of time. The controller is configured to activate an electronic clutch to electronically brake the motor for a second period of time. In response to the second period of time having passed, the controller is configured to provide power to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Arik A. Miller, Jonathon R. Gasteiner, Mitchell A. Ellena, Austin Gaspar, Robert Keys
  • Publication number: 20260077470
    Abstract: Systems and methods for electronically limiting torque in a power tool. One power tool includes a motor, a trigger, and a controller connected to the trigger and the motor. The controller is configured to provide, in response to actuation of the trigger, power to the motor, determine a speed of the motor, activate the electronic clutch, in response to determining that the speed of the motor has dropped by the speed drop threshold within the first period of time, to electronically brake the motor for a second period of time, and provide, in response to the second period of time having passed, power to the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2025
    Publication date: March 19, 2026
    Inventors: Austin Gaspar, Robert Keys
  • Patent number: 12434371
    Abstract: Systems and methods for electronically limiting torque in a power tool. One power tool includes a motor, a trigger, and a controller connected to the trigger and the motor. The controller is configured to provide, in response to actuation of the trigger, power to the motor, determine a speed of the motor, activate the electronic clutch, in response to determining that the speed of the motor has dropped by the speed drop threshold within the first period of time, to electronically brake the motor for a second period of time, and provide, in response to the second period of time having passed, power to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2025
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Austin Gaspar, Robert Keys
  • Publication number: 20250114929
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing an electronic clutch in a powered fastener driver. One fastener driver includes a motor, a trigger, a position sensor, a speed sensor, and a controller. The position sensor is configured to sense a position of the lifting assembly. The speed sensor is configured to sense a speed of the motor. The controller is configured to provide power to the motor. The controller is configured to receive speed signals from the speed sensor indicative of the speed of the motor, and determine whether the speed of the motor has dropped by a speed drop threshold within a first period of time. The controller is configured to activate an electronic clutch to electronically brake the motor for a second period of time. In response to the second period of time having passed, the controller is configured to provide power to the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: Arik A. Miller, Jonathon R. Gasteiner, Mitchell A. Ellena, Austin Gaspar, Robert Keys
  • Publication number: 20250091191
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing enclosing a motor and a sensor. The sensor is configured to control operation of the motor. The power tool includes an output device driven by the motor, a mount coupled to the sensor, and an actuator removably coupled to the mount. The actuator is slidable along the mount to couple the actuator to the mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Robert Keys, Kyle Marten, Brinn Blum, Evan Brown, Ian Turner, Nick Cera, Jordan P. Gilsinger, Josh Navin
  • Patent number: 12122028
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing an electronic clutch in a powered fastener driver. One fastener driver includes a motor, a trigger, a position sensor, a speed sensor, and a controller. The position sensor is configured to sense a position of the lifting assembly. The speed sensor is configured to sense a speed of the motor. The controller is configured to provide power to the motor. The controller is configured to receive speed signals from the speed sensor indicative of the speed of the motor, and determine whether the speed of the motor has dropped by a speed drop threshold within a first period of time. The controller is configured to activate an electronic clutch to electronically brake the motor for a second period of time. In response to the second period of time having passed, the controller is configured to provide power to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Arik A. Miller, Jonathon R. Gasteiner, Mitchell A. Ellena, Austin Gaspar, Robert Keys
  • Publication number: 20240113649
    Abstract: A power tool includes a motor, a speed sensor configured to sense a speed of the motor, and a controller connected to the motor and the speed sensor. The controller is configured to provide power to the motor, determine a first command based on the speed of the motor, determine, while in a first operating mode, whether the first command is greater than or equal to a first limit, determine, while in the first operating mode, a PWM duty cycle ratio based on the first limit, determine, while in a second operating mode, whether a parameter command is greater than or equal to a parameter limit, while in the second operating mode and when the parameter command is greater than or equal to the parameter limit, the PWM duty cycle ratio based on the parameter limit, and drive the motor based on the PWM duty cycle ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Austin Gaspar, Robert Keys, Bradley A. Seymour
  • Publication number: 20230381938
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing an electronic clutch in a powered fastener driver. One fastener driver includes a motor, a trigger, a position sensor, a speed sensor, and a controller. The position sensor is configured to sense a position of the lifting assembly. The speed sensor is configured to sense a speed of the motor. The controller is configured to provide power to the motor. The controller is configured to receive speed signals from the speed sensor indicative of the speed of the motor, and determine whether the speed of the motor has dropped by a speed drop threshold within a first period of time. The controller is configured to activate an electronic clutch to electronically brake the motor for a second period of time. In response to the second period of time having passed, the controller is configured to provide power to the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Arik A. Miller, Jonathon N. Gasteiner, Mitchell A. Ellena, Austin Gaspar, Robert Keys
  • Publication number: 20230321810
    Abstract: Systems and methods for electronically limiting torque in a power tool. One power tool includes a motor, a trigger, and a controller connected to the trigger and the motor. The controller is configured to provide, in response to actuation of the trigger, power to the motor, determine a speed of the motor, activate the electronic clutch, in response to determining that the speed of the motor has dropped by the speed drop threshold within the first period of time, to electronically brake the motor for a second period of time, and provide, in response to the second period of time having passed, power to the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Austin Gaspar, Robert Keys
  • Patent number: 8971706
    Abstract: Automatic discovery and verification of optical communication links as well as isolation of link failures in an optical communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Rockstar Consortium US LP
    Inventors: Ornan A. Gerstel, Humair Raza, Rajiv Ramaswami, Babu O. Narayanan, Robert Ward, Robert Keys, David Park, Vasant Sahay, Osama Aboul-Magd, Frederic Simard
  • Patent number: 7826055
    Abstract: An optical analyzer (14) for performing spectral analysis on an optical beam (18) includes an optical filter (28), a mover (30), an optical launcher (36), and an optical receiver (38). The optical filter (28) includes a filter area (46) that is a narrow band pass type filter having multiple alternative center bandwidths that are distributed along the filter area (46). The mover (30) moves the optical filter (28). The first optical launcher (36) directs the optical beam (18) at the filter area (46) so that the optical beam (18) is near normal incidence to the filter area (46). The optical analyzer (14) can be used to simultaneously monitor multiple optical signals. Additionally, the optical analyzer (14) can include a beam redirector (40) that causes the optical beam (18) to make two passes through the optical filter (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Oclaro Technology Limited
    Inventors: Mike Scobey, Robert Keys, Rad Sommer
  • Publication number: 20090299638
    Abstract: Method for determining best and worst cases for values of model parameters such as porosity and shale volume fraction generated by non-unique matrix inversion of physical data such as seismic reflection amplitudes. The matrix is diagonalized, and then orthonormal basis vectors associated with insignificant diagonal elements are used to generate upper and lower bounds on the solution. Best and worst case solutions are determined as linear combinations of the null basis vectors, where the expansion coefficients are determined by making a best fit to the upper and lower bounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Rebecca L. Saltzer, Christopher Finn, Robert Keys
  • Publication number: 20080086287
    Abstract: Method for constructing an integrated rock physics model that simulates both shale anisotropy and stress-induced anisotropy of clastic rocks. In the model, the total pore volume is divided into three parts according to the estimated shale volume and effective stress: (1) clay-related pores, (2) sand-related pores, and (3) microcracks (mainly in the sand component). The pore space is then partitioned into the clay-related and sand-related pores using a scheme first disclosed by Xu and White in 1995. The model simulates shale anisotropy via the preferred orientation of clay-related pores and stress-induced anisotropy via the preferred orientation of microcracks, which is controlled by the differential stresses. Laboratory measurements or well logs are needed to establish a relationship between crack density and the effective stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Shiyu Xu, Rebecca Saltzer, Robert Keys
  • Publication number: 20070222994
    Abstract: An optical analyzer (14) for performing spectral analysis on an optical beam (18) includes an optical filter (28), a mover (30), an optical launcher (36), and an optical receiver (38). The optical filter (28) includes a filter area (46) that is a narrow band pass type filter having multiple alternative center bandwidths that are distributed along the filter area (46). The mover (30) moves the optical filter (28). The first optical launcher (36) directs the optical beam (18) at the filter area (46) so that the optical beam (18) is near normal incidence to the filter area (46). The optical analyzer (14) can be used to simultaneously monitor multiple optical signals. Additionally, the optical analyzer (14) can include a beam redirector (40) that causes the optical beam (18) to make two passes through the optical filter (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Mike Scobey, Robert Keys, Rad Sommer
  • Publication number: 20060063696
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a biodegradable softener compounds with an acid value of no more than 6.5. A process for making said compound is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventors: Hugo Demeyere, Robert Keys, Jans-Jurgen Kohle, Johan De Poortere, Errol Wahl
  • Publication number: 20050130874
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a biodegradable softener compounds with an acid value of no more than 6.5. A process for making said compound is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Hugo Demeyere, Robert Keys, Jans-Jurgen Kohle, Johan De Poortere, Errol Wahl
  • Patent number: 6751414
    Abstract: To support interleaving of optical channels and to provide sufficient isolation between such interleaved channels, a circulator (60-62) receives, on an optical fiber (16-18), a broadband signal containing a plurality of adjacent channels. The circulator selectively routes the broadband signal through a filter (64, 66) to isolate, on an individual basis, at least one desired channel. A filtered signal, corresponding to the at least one desired channel, is then output from the filter (64-66) and reflected back into the filter by a mirror (68-70) such that the at least one desired channel is subjected to a second filtering process that further improves isolation of the at least one desired channel. Following this second filtering process, the at least one desired channel is applied to the circulator (60-62) for re-inserting into the optical fiber (16-18), as illustrated in FIG. 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Fiona Davies, Nigel Edward Jolley, Kevan Jones, Robert Keys, Maurice O'Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20040008988
    Abstract: Automatic discovery and verification of optical communication links as well as isolation of link failures in an optical communication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Ornan A. Gerstal, Humair Raza, Rajiv Ramaswami, Babu O. Narayanan, Robert Ward, Robert Keys, David Park, Vasant Sahay, Osama Aboul-Magd, Frederic Simard
  • Patent number: 6222668
    Abstract: A fast means of detecting that a fiber has been disconnected at one end of a bidirectional optical amplifier by monitoring for several signature effects simultaneously. Upon detection of a loss of signal, the pump laser in the corresponding direction is shut off quickly to prevent oscillation from occurring should the other end of the amplifier be subsequently disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Mathieu Dutrisac, Richard Achile Habel, Robert Keys, Franz Li Hsien Mok, Jeffrey Alan Weslowski