Patents by Inventor Samuel Sheeks

Samuel Sheeks 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: 20240429730
    Abstract: A power tool battery charger includes a housing, at least one charging circuit coupled to the housing, and an electronic controller coupled to the housing. The electronic controller is configured to receive power tool device data from a power tool device, which may be the same or another power tool battery charger, a battery pack, and/or a power tool. The power tool device data indicate various data associated with the power tool device. Charger operation data are generated by the electronic controller based on the power tool device data, and can include a charging rate, charging target, and/or time indication for when to adjust the charging rate and/or charging target of the at least one charging circuit. A machine learning or artificial intelligence controller can also be used when generating the charger operation data. The at least one charging circuit is then operated based on the charger operation data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Abbott, Samuel Sheeks, Ryan B. Jipp
  • Publication number: 20240421630
    Abstract: A power tool comprising a power tool housing, an auxiliary power source, a user input for user control of power tool operation, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a control signal from the user input, control the power tool in response to the control signal, receive, from a sensor, a signal indicative of an operational characteristic of the power tool, and selectively provide energy from the auxiliary power source to a load of the power tool based on the operational characteristic of the power tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: William Varian, Aditya Subramanian, Ryan B. Jipp, Samuel Sheeks
  • Publication number: 20240413654
    Abstract: A power tool battery charger includes a housing, at least one charging circuit coupled to the housing, and an electronic controller coupled to the housing. The electronic controller is configured to receive power tool device data from a power tool device, which may be the same or another power tool battery charger, a battery pack, and/or a power tool. The power tool device data indicate various data associated with the power tool device. Charger operation data are generated by the electronic controller based on the power tool device data, and can include a charging rate, charging target, and/or time indication for when to adjust the charging rate and/or charging target of the at least one charging circuit. A machine learning or artificial intelligence controller can also be used when generating the charger operation data. The at least one charging circuit is then operated based on the charger operation data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Abbott, Samuel Sheeks, Ryan B. Jipp, Kyle Reeder
  • Publication number: 20240332652
    Abstract: A charger includes a housing with an interface positioned in a front wall and configured to engage a battery pack. The interface includes charging terminals positioned between a first rail and a second rail, a first groove positioned between the first rail and a wall of the housing, and a second groove positioned between the second rail and the wall of the housing. The interface is in communication with an interior of the housing. A fan is coupled within the housing adjacent the interface, and an air passage member includes a hollow body that has a first end coupled to the fan and a second end spaced apart from the first end extending through another wall of the housing. The fan is operable to suck an air flow into the housing from outside the housing and guide the air flow through the air passage member to the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Wyatt R. Silha, John G. Marx, Cameron R. Schulz, Samuel Sheeks, Joel D. Snyder, Jacob D. Rosenthal
  • Patent number: 12064855
    Abstract: A system, an electrical combination and a method for powering a load device. The combination may include a burst circuit configured to provide power to the load device to perform a burst operation, the burst circuit including a supercapacitor, a first switch between a power source and the supercapacitor and operable to control whether power is provided from the power source to charge the supercapacitor, and a second switch between the supercapacitor and the load device and operable to control whether power is provided from the supercapacitor to the load device; and an electronic processor configured to control the first switch and the second switch based at least in part on a voltage of the supercapacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Minnickel, Brian Carrillo, Ryan B. Jipp, Samuel Sheeks, Cameron R. Schulz, Aditya Subramanian, Martin Guerrero, Izael Zapata, Jorge Michael Chavez
  • Patent number: 12021378
    Abstract: A power tool comprising a power tool housing, an auxiliary power source, a user input for user control of power tool operation, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a control signal from the user input, control the power tool in response to the control signal, receive, from a sensor, a signal indicative of an operational characteristic of the power tool, and selectively provide energy from the auxiliary power source to a load of the power tool based on the operational characteristic of the power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: William Varian, Aditya Subramanian, Ryan B. Jipp, Samuel Sheeks
  • Patent number: 12015130
    Abstract: A charger includes a housing with an interface positioned in a front wall and configured to engage a battery pack. The interface includes charging terminals positioned between a first rail and a second rail, a first groove positioned between the first rail and a wall of the housing, and a second groove positioned between the second rail and the wall of the housing. The interface is in communication with an interior of the housing. A fan is coupled within the housing adjacent the interface, and an air passage member includes a hollow body that has a first end coupled to the fan and a second end spaced apart from the first end extending through another wall of the housing. The fan is operable to suck an air flow into the housing from outside the housing and guide the air flow through the air passage member to the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Wyatt R. Silha, John G. Marx, Cameron R. Schulz, Samuel Sheeks, Joel D. Snyder, Jacob D. Rosenthal
  • Patent number: 11964378
    Abstract: A job box includes a base defining a storage area, a lid coupled to the base and moveable between an open position, in which the storage area is accessible, and a closed position, in which the storage area in not accessible, and a charging station supported by the base. The station includes a first charging port configured to charge a battery pack of a first type, a second charging port configured to charge a battery pack of a second type, a light, and a first power outlet. The charging station is moveable relative to the job box to a plurality of different positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sara Burch, David Proeber, Benjamin D. Gall, David A. Selby, Jeremy R. Ebner, Ryan B. Jipp, Mark W. Cors, Samuel Sheeks, Jonathan Lowry, Scott T. Moeller, Whitney Montondo
  • Publication number: 20240085489
    Abstract: A battery pack, a method of heating a battery cell and an electrical combination. The battery pack may include a housing; a battery cell; a heating element operable to provide heat to the battery cell; a temperature sensing device operable to sense a temperature of an interior of the battery pack; a heating switch operable to control whether power is provided to the heating element; and an electronic processor configured to receive a signal from the temperature sensing device, the signal indicating the temperature of the interior of the battery pack, determine that the temperature of the interior of the battery pack is less than a predetermined temperature threshold, and in response to determining that the temperature of the interior of the battery pack is less than the predetermined temperature threshold, close the heating switch to provide power to the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Samuel Sheeks, Jeffrey M. Brozek, Matthew J. Mergener, Ryan B. Jipp
  • Patent number: 11923514
    Abstract: A battery pack and a method of assembling a battery pack. The battery pack may include an outer housing; a cell module supportable by the outer housing, the cell module including a module housing, a plurality of battery cells supported by the module housing, the battery cells having an energy of at least about 60 Watt-hours, a controller operable to control an operation of the battery pack, a conductive strap electrically connected to at least one of the battery cells, a weld strap connected between the controller and the conductive strap, and a terminal electrically connected to the battery cells and operable to connect the battery cells to an electrical device for power transfer; and a vapor-deposited, hydrophobic nano coating applied to at least a portion of the cell module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Elfering, Cameron R. Schulz, Ryan B. Jipp, Samuel Sheeks, Kyle J. Radovich, Michael Kolden
  • Publication number: 20240072311
    Abstract: A battery pack and a method of assembling a battery pack. The battery pack may include an outer housing; a cell module supportable by the outer housing, the cell module including a module housing, a plurality of battery cells supported by the module housing, the battery cells having an energy of at least about 60 Watt-hours, a controller operable to control an operation of the battery pack, a conductive strap electrically connected to at least one of the battery cells, a weld strap connected between the controller and the conductive strap, and a terminal electrically connected to the battery cells and operable to connect the battery cells to an electrical device for power transfer; and a vapor-deposited, hydrophobic nano coating applied to at least a portion of the cell module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: James P. Elfering, Cameron R. Schulz, Ryan B. Jipp, Samuel Sheeks, Kyle J. Radovich, Michael Kolden
  • Patent number: 11916203
    Abstract: A battery pack and a method of assembling a battery pack. The battery pack may include an outer housing; a cell module supportable by the outer housing, the cell module including a module housing, a plurality of battery cells supported by the module housing, the battery cells having an energy of at least about 60 Watt-hours, a controller operable to control an operation of the battery pack, a conductive strap electrically connected to at least one of the battery cells, a weld strap connected between the controller and the conductive strap, and a terminal electrically connected to the battery cells and operable to connect the battery cells to an electrical device for power transfer; and a vapor-deposited, hydrophobic nano coating applied to at least a portion of the cell module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Elfering, Cameron R. Schulz, Ryan B. Jipp, Samuel Sheeks, Kyle J. Radovich, Michael Kolden
  • Publication number: 20240006700
    Abstract: A power tool system includes first and second power tools, each having a mechanical connector and an electrical connector. At least one of the connectors of the second power tool is dissimilar from the connectors of the first power tool. The power tool system further includes a battery housing defining a cavity therein, a battery cell positioned within the cavity of the battery housing, a mechanical connector configured to mechanically couple with the mechanical connector of the first power tool, an electrical connector configured to electrically couple with the electrical connector of the first power tool, and an adaptor configured to removably engage a connector of the battery such that the battery is configured to couple to the second power tool when the adaptor is coupled to the battery and is configured to couple to the first power tool when the adaptor is removed from the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Kyle C. Fassbender, Anthony M. Miosi, Samuel Sheeks, Matthew R. Polakowski, Scott Anderson, Derek J. Schwab, Ryan R. Kohlmeyer
  • Patent number: 11860236
    Abstract: A battery pack, a method of heating a battery cell and an electrical combination. The battery pack may include a housing; a battery cell; a heating element operable to provide heat to the battery cell; a temperature sensing device operable to sense a temperature of an interior of the battery pack; a heating switch operable to control whether power is provided to the heating element; and an electronic processor configured to receive a signal from the temperature sensing device, the signal indicating the temperature of the interior of the battery pack, determine that the temperature of the interior of the battery pack is less than a predetermined temperature threshold, and in response to determining that the temperature of the interior of the battery pack is less than the predetermined temperature threshold, close the heating switch to provide power to the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Sheeks, Jeffrey M. Brozek, Matthew J. Mergener, Ryan B. Jipp
  • Publication number: 20230390907
    Abstract: A system, an electrical combination and a method for powering a load device. The combination may include a burst circuit configured to provide power to the load device to perform a burst operation, the burst circuit including a supercapacitor, a first switch between a power source and the supercapacitor and operable to control whether power is provided from the power source to charge the supercapacitor, and a second switch between the supercapacitor and the load device and operable to control whether power is provided from the supercapacitor to the load device; and an electronic processor configured to control the first switch and the second switch based at least in part on a voltage of the supercapacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Kevin Minnickel, Brian Carrillo, Ryan B. Jipp, Samuel Sheeks, Cameron R. Schulz, Aditya Subramanian, Martin Guerrero, Izael Zapata, Jorge Michael Chavez
  • Publication number: 20230336020
    Abstract: A power tool comprising a power tool housing, an auxiliary power source, a user input for user control of power tool operation, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a control signal from the user input, control the power tool in response to the control signal, receive, from a sensor, a signal indicative of an operational characteristic of the power tool, and selectively provide energy from the auxiliary power source to a load of the power tool based on the operational characteristic of the power tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: William Varian, Aditya Subramanian, Ryan B. Jipp, Samuel Sheeks
  • Patent number: 11777151
    Abstract: A battery pack and a method of assembling a battery pack. The battery pack may include an outer housing; a cell module supportable by the outer housing, the cell module including a module housing, a plurality of battery cells supported by the module housing, the battery cells having an energy of at least about 60. Watt-hours, a controller operable to control an operation of the battery pack, a conductive strap electrically connected to at least one of the battery cells, a weld strap connected between the controller and the conductive strap, and a terminal electrically connected to the battery cells and operable to connect the battery cells to an electrical device for power transfer; and a vapor-deposited, hydrophobic nano coating applied to at least a portion of the cell module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Elfering, Cameron R. Schulz, Ryan B. Jipp, Samuel Sheeks, Kyle J. Radovich, Michael Kolden
  • Publication number: 20230283221
    Abstract: An electrical combination, a tool system, an electric motor, a battery pack, and operating and manufacturing methods. The tool may include a tool housing, a motor supported by the tool housing, the motor having a nominal outer diameter of up to about 80 millimeters (mm), the motor being operable to output at least about 2760 watts (W), and a tool terminal electrically connected to the motor; a battery pack including a pack housing defining a volume of the battery pack, the volume being up to about 5.2×106 cubic millimeters (mm3), battery cells supported by the pack housing, the battery cells being electrically connected and having a nominal voltage of up to about 80 volts (V), and a pack terminal electrically connectable to the tool terminal to transfer current between the battery pack and the tool; and a controller operable to control the transfer of current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Samuel Sheeks, Jeffrey M. Brozek, Keith Boulanger, Andrew T. Beyerl, Timothy R. Obermann, Alex Huber, Samantha L. Billetdeaux, Lance D. Lamont, Matthew J. Mergener
  • Patent number: 11738432
    Abstract: A system, an electrical combination and a method for powering a load device. The combination may include a burst circuit configured to provide power to the load device to perform a burst operation, the burst circuit including a supercapacitor, a first switch between a power source and the supercapacitor and operable to control whether power is provided from the power source to charge the supercapacitor, and a second switch between the supercapacitor and the load device and operable to control whether power is provided from the supercapacitor to the load device; and an electronic processor configured to control the first switch and the second switch based at least in part on a voltage of the supercapacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Minnickel, Brian Carrillo, Ryan B. Jipp, Samuel Sheeks, Cameron R. Schulz, Aditya Subramanian, Martin Guerrero, Izael Zapata, Jorge Michael Chavez
  • Publication number: 20230261271
    Abstract: A charger includes a housing with an interface positioned in a front wall and configured to engage a battery pack. The interface includes charging terminals positioned between a first rail and a second rail, a first groove positioned between the first rail and a wall of the housing, and a second groove positioned between the second rail and the wall of the housing. The interface is in communication with an interior of the housing. A fan is coupled within the housing adjacent the interface, and an air passage member includes a hollow body that has a first end coupled to the fan and a second end spaced apart from the first end extending through another wall of the housing. The fan is operable to suck an air flow into the housing from outside the housing and guide the air flow through the air passage member to the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Wyatt R. Silha, John G. Marx, Cameron R. Schulz, Samuel Sheeks, Joel D. Snyder, Jacob D. Rosenthal