Patents by Inventor Thomas West

Thomas West 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: 20190345318
    Abstract: A composition composed of at least a first ethylene/?-olefin/nonconjugated polyene interpolymer, which can be used to produce low compression set, foamed rubber materials, articles made from the composition, and methods of producing the composition and articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Colin LiPiShan, Juan C. Tuberquia, Teresita Kashyap, Isao Hattori, Tao Han, Cory M. Thomas West
  • Patent number: 10314200
    Abstract: Operation of a variable frequency in a manner configured to avoid overheating is provided. In one form, a method includes providing a variable frequency drive that includes a switching device in thermal communication with a heat sink including a thermal mass. The method further includes operating the drive in a first mode before active cooling of the heat sink is established and a second mode following the first mode. Operation of the drive in the first mode includes operating the switching device in a first switching frequency mode, and the first switching frequency mode and the thermal mass of the heat sink are selected to provide a temperature of the switching device below a predetermined threshold before active cooling of the heat sink is established. Further embodiments, forms, features, and aspects shall become apparent from the description and drawings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin James Sykora, Nathan Thomas West, David Marshall Foye, Korwin Jay Anderson
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10240839
    Abstract: An exemplary system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator fluidly coupled to form a vapor-compression circuit, and an electric motor configured to drive the compressor. An inverter having a plurality of switching elements is configured to provide an output voltage to the electric motor through operation of the switching elements. A waste heat recovery circuit is configured to transfer waste heat from the inverter to a load. A controller is configured provide switching commands to the switching elements of the inverter. The controller is further configured to sense a condition of the system, determine a heat production requirement based at least in part upon the system condition, and to vary the number of switching commands per unit time based at least in part upon the heat production requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Trane International LLC.
    Inventors: Benjamin James Sykora, Nathan Thomas West, Pavak Mehta
  • Publication number: 20180348063
    Abstract: Temperature value determination of at least one variable frequency drive component is provided. In one form, a method includes providing a variable frequency drive that includes a first component in thermal communication with a second component in thermal communication with a switching device. A temperature value of the second component is determined using a temperature value of the first component, a power loss characteristic of the drive, and a first characteristic of heat transfer between the first and second components. The method further includes sensing a temperature value of the second component and determining a temperature value for the switching device using the power loss characteristic, a second characteristic of heat transfer between the second component and the switching device, and the greater of the sensed and determined temperature values of the second component. Further embodiments, forms, features, and aspects shall become apparent from the description and drawings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Nathan Thomas West, Benjamin James Sykora
  • Patent number: 10141733
    Abstract: Overvoltage protection apparatuses, systems and methods for variable frequency motor drives are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a variable frequency motor drive system including a rectifier, a DC bus electrically coupled with the rectifier, and an inverter electrically coupled with the DC bus is provided. A protection device electrically coupled with the rectifier and configured to interrupt power supply to the system based upon fault conditions is provided. A controller is provided and configured to receive information indicative of a voltage of the DC bus, process the received information to model a condition of at least one component of the variable frequency motor drive, and control the protection device to interrupt power supply to the variable frequency motor drive if the modeled condition meets a fault criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Thomas West, David Marshall Foye, Korwin Jay Anderson
  • Publication number: 20180311791
    Abstract: A method and systems for controlling optical transmissivity of a polish pad material are provided. The method and systems may include adjusting control parameters to determine the optical transmissivity of a polish pad material. The control parameters may also include pre-processing controls, casting controls, and/or curing controls. Methods and systems also provided for assembling a polish pad that controls the optical transmissivity of the polish pad. Additionally, a polish pad with a controlled optical transmissivity is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas West, Gary Quigley, Pepito Galvez, Peter McKeever, Suli Holani
  • Patent number: 10101070
    Abstract: Systems and methods are used to control operation of a rotary compressor of a refrigeration system to limit or prevent movement of rotors due to axial thrust loading resulting from rapid changes in speed of the rotors of the compressor. The operational profile of the motor is controlled to maintain acceleration torque and deceleration torque within predefined limits. The acceleration torque and deceleration torque are maintained within the predefined limits by controlling the speed of the motor, or by controlling the torque applied by the motor to the rotors during acceleration or deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Thomas West, Dennis Myron Beekman, David Marshall Foye, Korwin Jay Anderson, Benjamin James Sykora
  • Patent number: 10041840
    Abstract: Temperature value determination of at least one variable frequency drive component is provided. In one form, a method includes providing a variable frequency drive that includes a first component in thermal communication with a second component in thermal communication with a switching device. A temperature value of the second component is determined using a temperature value of the first component, a power loss characteristic of the drive, and a first characteristic of heat transfer between the first and second components. The method further includes sensing a temperature value of the second component and determining a temperature value for the switching device using the power loss characteristic, a second characteristic of heat transfer between the second component and the switching device, and the greater of the sensed and determined temperature values of the second component. Further embodiments, forms, features, and aspects shall become apparent from the description and drawings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Thomas West, Benjamin James Sykora
  • Patent number: 10022842
    Abstract: A method and systems for controlling optical transmissivity of a polish pad material are provided. The method and systems may include adjusting control parameters to determine the optical transmissivity of a polish pad material. The control parameters may also include pre-processing controls, casting controls, and/or curing controls. Methods and systems also provided for assembling a polish pad that controls the optical transmissivity of the polish pad. Additionally, a polish pad with a controlled optical transmissivity is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Thomas West, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas West, Gary Quigley, Pepito Galvez, Peter McKeever, Suli Holani
  • Patent number: 10003287
    Abstract: Techniques for motor magnet degradation controls and diagnostics are disclosed. An exemplary technique determines q-axis current, d-axis current, q-axis voltage, and/or d-axis voltage of a permanent magnet motor based upon sensed current and voltage information of the motor. This information is utilized to determine flux information. The flux information is utilized in evaluating collective state conditions of a plurality of motor magnets and evaluating localized state conditions of a subset of the plurality of motor magnets. The evaluations can be used to identify degradation or damage to one or more of the magnets which may occur as a result of elevated temperature conditions, physical degradation, or chemical degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Thomas West, David Marshall Foye
  • Patent number: 9939795
    Abstract: A controller is configured to generate control signals to control a variable frequency drive coupled with a load. A simulator receives the control signals and processes the control signals. The simulator simulates a variable frequency drive and a load by generating feedback signals based on a model and the control signals. The controller receives the feedback signals from the simulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Korwin Jay Anderson, Nathan Thomas West
  • Publication number: 20180042806
    Abstract: The present invention is a muscle roller. It has interchangeable foam rollers connected to an alternate hand grip which is connected to a removable hand grip. The rollers are interchangeable with different levels of firmness. The tension of the roller is adjustable to meet the preference of the user of the roller. In the preferred embodiment, the muscle roller body can fit into a regular backpack, gym bag or even in a carrying bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: Nicholas Thomas West
  • Patent number: 9733482
    Abstract: A wearable display apparatus includes a display for providing viewable images. A display support assembly can support the display. The display support assembly can be self centering and telescoping for adjusting the position of the display for viewing by a user. The display support assembly can include right side and left side arm members spaced apart from each other, and a flexibly resilient support member to which the display is mounted between the arm members. The support member can be telescopically mounted to the arm members. The support member can have flexibly resilient right and left side portions secured to the display. Each side portion can be slidably mounted to a respective arm member for telescoping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Kopin Corporation
    Inventors: Adrian Mark Thomas West, Zachary Jarrod Traina, Junggeun Tak, Thomas Gerard Parent
  • 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: 20170203411
    Abstract: A method and systems for controlling optical transmissivity of a polish pad material are provided. The method and systems may include adjusting control parameters to determine the optical transmissivity of a polish pad material. The control parameters may also include pre-processing controls, casting controls, and/or curing controls. Methods and systems also provided for assembling a polish pad that controls the optical transmissivity of the polish pad. Additionally, a polish pad with a controlled optical transmissivity is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas West, Gary Quigley, Pepito Galvez, Peter McKeever, Suli Holani
  • Publication number: 20170179859
    Abstract: Techniques for motor magnet degradation controls and diagnostics are disclosed. An exemplary technique determines q-axis current, d-axis current, q-axis voltage, and/or d-axis voltage of a permanent magnet motor based upon sensed current and voltage information of the motor. This information is utilized to determine flux information. The flux information is utilized in evaluating collective state conditions of a plurality of motor magnets and evaluating localized state conditions of a subset of the plurality of motor magnets. The evaluations can be used to identify degradation or damage to one or more of the magnets which may occur as a result of elevated temperature conditions, physical degradation, or chemical degradation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Nathan Thomas West, David Marshall Foye
  • Publication number: 20170167769
    Abstract: Systems and methods are used to control operation of a rotary compressor of a refrigeration system to limit or prevent movement of rotors due to axial thrust loading resulting from rapid changes in speed of the rotors of the compressor. The operational profile of the motor is controlled to maintain acceleration torque and deceleration torque within predefined limits. The acceleration torque and deceleration torque are maintained within the predefined limits by controlling the speed of the motor, or by controlling the torque applied by the motor to the rotors during acceleration or deceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: NATHAN THOMAS WEST, Dennis Myron Beekman, David Marshall Foye, Korwin Jay Anderson, Benjamin James Sykora
  • Patent number: 9654049
    Abstract: Variable frequency drive active harmonic mitigation controls and diagnostics are disclosed. Exemplary controls and diagnostics include operating a variable frequency drive including converting an AC input line voltage to a DC voltage, generating a motor drive signal using the DC voltage, and driving an electric motor with the motor drive signal. A harmonic mitigation signal is provided to the drive configured to at least partially mitigate harmonics during the operation of the drive. The harmonic mitigation signal is inhibited based upon presence of an error condition associated with the drive input. The inhibiting is terminated based upon the absence of the error condition. A diagnostic fault condition based upon a number of occurrences of the error condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Trane International, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Thomas West, Benjamin James Sykora, David Marshall Foye, Korwin Jay Anderson, William James Walters
  • Patent number: 9654048
    Abstract: Diagnostic and/or control methods, systems and apparatuses for variable frequency drives are disclosed. The variable frequency drive may be controlled by a controller that may conduct one or more tests or evaluations. The tests or evaluations may include determining whether a switching device in the variable frequency drive is open-circuited, short-circuited, or operating normally. The tests may include determining whether current provided at an inverter output of the variable frequency drive is within a predetermined range. An exemplary embodiment evaluates the drive for a short circuit condition, an open circuit condition, and a sensor error or failure condition, controls operation of the drive based upon these one or more evaluations, may abort operation of the drive based upon one or more evaluations, and may set a fault code indicative of the type of error encountered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Thomas West, Benjamin James Sykora, Korwin Jay Anderson, Matthew August Shepeck, David Marshall Foye