Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Berwald

Thomas J. Berwald 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: 11901790
    Abstract: A linear actuator includes an electromagnetic coil and a stator cover extending over the electromagnetic coil. A set of magnets are disposed end-to-end to form a ring. The magnets are adjacent the electromagnetic coil but offset from the center of the coil. A ferromagnetic central ring disposed within the coil at the inner diameter thereof and next to the magnets. A non-ferromagnetic ring disposed within the coil at the inner diameter thereof extending between the central ring and the other side of the stator cover. A translator is disposed between the magnets and the central axis. The translator is latchable between two positions within the linear actuator depending on the magnetic flux and the direction in which the electric current is flowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Sigma Powertrain, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Berwald
  • Publication number: 20220029515
    Abstract: A linear actuator includes an electromagnetic coil and a stator cover extending over the electromagnetic coil. A set of magnets are disposed end-to-end to form a ring. The magnets are adjacent the electromagnetic coil but offset from the center of the coil. A ferromagnetic central ring disposed within the coil at the inner diameter thereof and next to the magnets. A non-ferromagnetic ring disposed within the coil at the inner diameter thereof extending between the central ring and the other side of the stator cover. A translator is disposed between the magnets and the central axis. The translator is latchable between two positions within the linear actuator depending on the magnetic flux and the direction in which the electric current is flowing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Sigma Powertrain, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Berwald
  • Patent number: 11139097
    Abstract: A linear actuation assembly includes an electromagnetic coil configured to allow electric current to pass therethrough in either direction creating magnetic flux based on the electric current and its direction. The electromagnetic coil defines a center axis, an inner diameter, and first and second sides. A first set of magnets is disposed in end-to-end relation adjacent the first side of the electromagnetic coil at the inner diameter thereof. A second set of magnets is disposed in end-to-end relation adjacent the second side of the electromagnetic coil about the inner diameter thereof. The linear actuation assembly further includes at least one translator disposed adjacent the first and second sets of magnets opposite the electromagnetic coil. The at least one translator is latchable between a first position adjacent the first set of magnets and a second position adjacent the second set of magnets in response to the magnetic flux and the direction in which the electric current is flowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Sigma Powertrain, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J Berwald
  • Publication number: 20200395155
    Abstract: A linear actuation assembly includes an electromagnetic coil configured to allow electric current to pass therethrough in either direction creating magnetic flux based on the electric current and its direction. The electromagnetic coil defines a center axis, an inner diameter, and first and second sides. A first set of magnets is disposed in end-to-end relation adjacent the first side of the electromagnetic coil at the inner diameter thereof. A second set of magnets is disposed in end-to-end relation adjacent the second side of the electromagnetic coil about the inner diameter thereof. The linear actuation assembly further includes at least one translator disposed adjacent the first and second sets of magnets opposite the electromagnetic coil. The at least one translator is latchable between a first position adjacent the first set of magnets and a second position adjacent the second set of magnets in response to the magnetic flux and the direction in which the electric current is flowing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Sigma Powertrain, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Berwald
  • Patent number: 8984742
    Abstract: A three dimensional soft magnetic metal mass suitable for milling is formed wrapping soft magnetic metal ribbon into a three dimensional shape and then applying adhesive to the three dimensional shape. The adhesive permeates the three dimensional shape. The adhesive is then cured. If the soft magnetic metal mass is made as a toroid, then it could be processed into an electromechanical component. The electro-mechanical component would then be suitable for use in very high frequency electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall Scott Page
  • Patent number: 8692639
    Abstract: A flux concentrator and method for manufacturing a flux concentrator is provided. The method can include combining powdered soft magnetic material, a binder, a solvent, a internal lubricant; mixing the materials to create a mixture, evaporating the solvent from the mixture, molding the mixture to form a flux concentrator, and curing the flux concentrator. The flux concentrator may be laminated and broken into multiple pieces, which makes the flux concentrator more flexible. Breaking the flux concentrator does not significantly affect the magnetic properties. Since the permeability of the binder is very similar to that of air, adding tiny air gaps between the fractions is not significantly different than adding more binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Roy M. Taylor, Jr., Matthew J. Norconk, William T. Stoner, Jr., Kaitlyn J. Turner, Thomas J. Berwald, Michael E. Miles
  • Publication number: 20110050382
    Abstract: A flux concentrator and method for manufacturing a flux concentrator is provided. The method can include combining powdered soft magnetic material, a binder, a solvent, a internal lubricant; mixing the materials to create a mixture, evaporating the solvent from the mixture, molding the mixture to form a flux concentrator, and curing the flux concentrator. The flux concentrator may be laminated and broken into multiple pieces, which makes the flux concentrator more flexible. Breaking the flux concentrator does not significantly affect the magnetic properties. Since the permeability of the binder is very similar to that of air, adding tiny air gaps between the fractions is not significantly different than adding more binder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Roy M. Taylor, JR., Matthew J. Norconk, William T. Stoner, JR., Kaitlyn J. Turner, Thomas J. Berwald, Michael E. Miles
  • Patent number: 7596856
    Abstract: An electromagnetic component is formed from a pre-form comprising layers of soft magnetic metal ribbon. Adhesive is applied to permeate the pre-form and is then cured. The bonded pre-form is placed within a milling assembly that supports and constrains the ribbon layers during a milling operation used to process the pre-form into an electromagnetic component shape. Optionally, the shape is thermally processed. The resulting electromechanical component has attractive soft magnetic properties, including low core loss, that render it useful as a component in electric motors and generators and static inductive devices operable at high excitation frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall S. Page, Andrew D. Hirzel
  • Publication number: 20090032141
    Abstract: A three dimensional soft magnetic metal mass suitable for milling is formed wrapping soft magnetic metal ribbon into a three dimensional shape and then applying adhesive to the three dimensional shape. The adhesive permeates the three dimensional shape. The adhesive is then cured. If the soft magnetic metal mass is made as a toroid, then it could be processed into an electromechanical component. The electromechanical component would then be suitable for use in very high frequency electric motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall Scott Page
  • Patent number: 7395596
    Abstract: A three dimensional soft magnetic metal mass suitable for milling is formed wrapping soft magnetic metal ribbon into a three dimensional shape and then applying adhesive to the three dimensional shape. The adhesive permeates the three dimensional shape. The adhesive is then cured. If the soft magnetic metal mass is made as a toroid, then it could be processed into an electromechanical component. The electromechanical component would then be suitable for use in very high frequency electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Light Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall Scott Page
  • Patent number: 7258759
    Abstract: A three dimensional soft magnetic metal mass suitable for milling is formed wrapping soft magnetic metal ribbon into a three dimensional shape and then applying adhesive to the three dimensional shape. The adhesive permeates the three dimensional shape. The adhesive is then cured. If the soft magnetic metal mass is made as a toroid, then it could be processed into an electro-mechanical component. The electro-mechanical component would then be suitable for use in very high frequency electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall Scott Page
  • Patent number: 7018498
    Abstract: A three dimensional amorphous metal mass suitable for milling is formed wrapping amorphous metal ribbon into a three dimensional shape and then applying adhesive to the three dimensional shape. The adhesive permeates the three dimensional shape. The adhesive is then cured. The three dimensional shape is mechanically contained in three dimensions. If the amorphous metal mass is made as a toroid, then it could be processed into a stator. The stator would then be suitable for use in very high frequency electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall Scott Page
  • Publication number: 20040250940
    Abstract: A three dimensional soft magnetic metal mass suitable for milling is formed wrapping soft magnetic metal ribbon into a three dimensional shape and then applying adhesive to the three dimensional shape. The adhesive permeates the three dimensional shape. The adhesive is then cured. If the soft magnetic metal mass is made as a toroid, then it could be processed into an electromechanical component. The electromechanical component would then be suitable for use in very high frequency electric motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall Scott Page
  • Publication number: 20040250953
    Abstract: A three dimensional amorphous metal mass suitable for milling is formed wrapping amorphous metal ribbon into a three dimensional shape and then applying adhesive to the three dimensional shape. The adhesive permeates the three dimensional shape. The adhesive is then cured. The three dimensional shape is mechanically contained in three dimensions. If the amorphous metal mass is made as a toroid, then it could be processed into a stator. The stator would then be suitable for use in very high frequency electric motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall Scott Page
  • Publication number: 20040250408
    Abstract: A three dimensional soft magnetic metal mass suitable for milling is formed wrapping soft magnetic metal ribbon into a three dimensional shape and then applying adhesive to the three dimensional shape. The adhesive permeates the three dimensional shape. The adhesive is then cured. If the soft magnetic metal mass is made as a toroid, then it could be processed into an electro-mechanical component. The electro-mechanical component would then be suitable for use in very high frequency electric motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall Scott Page