Patents by Inventor Tim Knodel

Tim Knodel 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: 12132427
    Abstract: A method for controlling switched reluctance machine (SRM) utilizing a SRM control system. The method allows for adaptive pulse positioning over a wide range of speeds and loads. An initial rotor position is provided for the SRM utilizing an initialization mechanism. A pinned point on a phase current waveform is defined during an initial current rise phase of the current waveform. A slope of the current rise is determined as the current waveform reaches the pinned point. The slope is then fed to the commutation module of the SRM control system. An error signal from calculated inductance or current slope is used as an input to a control loop in the SRM control system. The time determining module determines an optimum time signal to fire a next pulse. The optimum time signal is fed to the SRM for turning the plurality of SRM switches to on and off states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Turntide Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor Creary, Mahesh Krishnamurthy, Tim Knodel
  • Publication number: 20230208336
    Abstract: A method for controlling switched reluctance machine (SRM) utilizing a SRM control system. The method allows for adaptive pulse positioning over a wide range of speeds and loads. An initial rotor position is provided for the SRM utilizing an initialization mechanism. A pinned point on a phase current waveform is defined during an initial current rise phase of the current waveform. A slope of the current rise is determined as the current waveform reaches the pinned point. The slope is then fed to the commutation module of the SRM control system. An error signal from calculated inductance or current slope is used as an input to a control loop in the SRM control system. The time determining module determines an optimum time signal to fire a next pulse. The optimum time signal is fed to the SRM for turning the plurality of SRM switches to on and off states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: TREVOR CREARY, MAHESH KRISHNAMURTHY, TIM KNODEL
  • Publication number: 20230107792
    Abstract: A switched reluctance machine comprising at least one rotor comprising a set of rotor poles arranged about a central axis, at least one stator positioned concentric to and radially outward from the central axis and the rotor, the stator having an outer surface and an outer surface active zone; a housing having a sleeve positioned only radially outward from the stator outer surface active zone; at least one housing endplate coupled to an end of said housing; wherein said stator has no direct connection to said housing, and wherein the number of rotor poles Rn and number of stator poles Sn utilizing a numerical relationship defined by a mathematical formula, Rn=2Sn?Fp, when Sn=m×Fp, wherein Fp is the maximum number of independent flux paths in the stator when stator and rotor poles are fully aligned, and m is the number of phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Piyush Desai, Tim Knodel, Bryan Knodel, Earl Fairall, Mark Johnston, Mahesh Krishnamurthy
  • Patent number: 11601081
    Abstract: A method for controlling switched reluctance machine (SRM) utilizing a SRM control system. The method allows for adaptive pulse positioning over a wide range of speeds and loads. An initial rotor position is provided for the SRM utilizing an initialization mechanism. A pinned point on a phase current waveform is defined during an initial current rise phase of the current waveform. A slope of the current rise is determined as the current waveform reaches the pinned point. The slope is then fed to the commutation module of the SRM control system. An error signal from calculated inductance or current slope is used as an input to a control loop in the SRM control system. The time determining module determines an optimum time signal to fire a next pulse. The optimum time signal is fed to the SRM for turning the plurality of SRM switches to on and off states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Turntide Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor Creary, Mahesh Krishnamurthy, Tim Knodel
  • Patent number: 11532976
    Abstract: A switched reluctance machine exhibiting reduced noise and vibration, the machine comprising at least one rotor arranged to rotate about a central axis, the at least one rotor comprising a set of rotor poles arranged about the central axis; at least one stator positioned concentric to and radially outward from both the central axis and the at least one rotor, the at least one stator having an outer surface and an outer surface active zone; a housing having a sleeve positioned only radially outward from the stator outer surface active zone; at least one housing endplate coupled to an end of said housing; and wherein said stator has no direct connection to said housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventors: Piyush Desai, Tim Knodel, Bryan Knodel, Earl Fairall
  • Publication number: 20220060132
    Abstract: A method for controlling switched reluctance machine (SRM) utilizing a SRM control system. The method allows for adaptive pulse positioning over a wide range of speeds and loads. An initial rotor position is provided for the SRM utilizing an initialization mechanism. A pinned point on a phase current waveform is defined during an initial current rise phase of the current waveform. A slope of the current rise is determined as the current waveform reaches the pinned point. The slope is then fed to the commutation module of the SRM control system. An error signal from calculated inductance or current slope is used as an input to a control loop in the SRM control system. The time determining module determines an optimum time signal to fire a next pulse. The optimum time signal is fed to the SRM for turning the plurality of SRM switches to on and off states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: TREVOR CREARY, MAHESH KRISHNAMURTHY, TIM KNODEL
  • Patent number: 11165382
    Abstract: A method for controlling switched reluctance machine (SRM) utilizing a SRM control system. The method allows for adaptive pulse positioning over a wide range of speeds and loads. An initial rotor position is provided for the SRM utilizing an initialization mechanism. A pinned point on a phase current waveform is defined during an initial current rise phase of the current waveform. A slope of the current rise is determined as the current waveform reaches the pinned point. The slope is then fed to the commutation module of the SRM control system. An error signal from calculated inductance or current slope is used as an input to a control loop in the SRM control system. The time determining module determines an optimum time signal to fire a next pulse. The optimum time signal is fed to the SRM for turning the plurality of SRM switches to on and off states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Turntide Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor Creary, Mahesh Krishnamurthy, Tim Knodel
  • Publication number: 20200389114
    Abstract: A method for controlling switched reluctance machine (SRM) utilizing a SRM control system. The method allows for adaptive pulse positioning over a wide range of speeds and loads. An initial rotor position is provided for the SRM utilizing an initialization mechanism. A pinned point on a phase current waveform is defined during an initial current rise phase of the current waveform. A slope of the current rise is determined as the current waveform reaches the pinned point. The slope is then fed to the commutation module of the SRM control system. An error signal from calculated inductance or current slope is used as an input to a control loop in the SRM control system. The time determining module determines an optimum time signal to fire a next pulse. The optimum time signal is fed to the SRM for turning the plurality of SRM switches to on and off states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: TREVOR CREARY, MAHESH KRISHNAMURTHY, TIM KNODEL
  • Publication number: 20200366178
    Abstract: A switched reluctance machine exhibiting reduced noise and vibration, the machine comprising at least one rotor arranged to rotate about a central axis, the at least one rotor comprising a set of rotor poles arranged about the central axis; at least one stator positioned concentric to and radially outward from both the central axis and the at least one rotor, the at least one stator having an outer surface and an outer surface active zone; a housing having a sleeve positioned only radially outward from the stator outer surface active zone; at least one housing endplate coupled to an end of said housing; and wherein said stator has no direct connection to said housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: Software Motor Company
    Inventors: Piyush DESAI, Tim KNODEL, Bryan KNODEL, Earl FAIRALL
  • Patent number: 5779131
    Abstract: A surgical stapler having an end effector with a reduced stacking height for its components to decrease the diameter of a trocar cannula or other access device during minimally invasive surgery is disclosed. The end effector includes an elongated channel containing a staple cartridge and an anvil movable toward and away from the channel. The anvil is movable to first, second and third fixed positions relative to the channel. The first fixed position is a closed position which eliminates clearance between the anvil and cartridge. The second fixed position is an open position for inserting tissue between the anvil and cartridge. The third fixed position is a clamped position where a tissue-clamping gap exists between the anvil and cartridge to properly clamp tissue. The elimination of clearance between the anvil and cartridge of the first fixed position of the anvil reduces the stacking height, and therefore enables the user to insert the stapler through a smaller diameter access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Knodel, Bryan D. Knodel, Anil Nalagatla, Dale R. Schulze
  • Patent number: 5779132
    Abstract: A surgical stapler having an end effector with a reduced stacking height for its components to decrease the diameter of a trocar cannula or other access device during minimally invasive surgery is disclosed. The end effector includes an elongated channel containing a staple cartridge and an anvil movable toward and away from the channel. The anvil is movable to first, second and third fixed positions relative to the channel. The first fixed position is a closed position which eliminates clearance between the anvil and cartridge. The second fixed position is an open position for inserting tissue between the anvil and cartridge. The third fixed position is a clamped position where a tissue-clamping gap exists between the anvil and cartridge to properly clamp tissue. The elimination of clearance between the anvil and cartridge of the first fixed position of the anvil reduces the stacking height, and therefore enables the user to insert the stapler through a smaller diameter access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Knodel, Bryan D. Knodel, Anil Nalagatla, Dale R. Schulze
  • Patent number: 5769303
    Abstract: A surgical stapler having an end effector with a reduced stacking height for its components to decrease the diameter of a trocar cannula or other access device during minimally invasive surgery is disclosed. The end effector includes an elongated channel containing a staple cartridge and an anvil movable toward and away from the channel. The anvil is movable to first, second and third fixed positions relative to the channel. The first fixed position is a closed position which eliminates clearance between the anvil and cartridge. The second fixed position is an open position for inserting tissue between the anvil and cartridge. The third fixed position is a clamped position where a tissue-clamping gap exists between the anvil and cartridge to properly clamp tissue. The elimination of clearance between the anvil and cartridge of the first fixed position of the anvil reduces the stacking height, and therefore enables the user to insert the stapler through a smaller diameter access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Knodel, Bryan D. Knodel, Anil Nalagatla, Dale R. Schulze
  • Patent number: 5697542
    Abstract: A surgical stapler having an end effector with a reduced stacking height for its components to decrease the diameter of a trocar cannula or other access device during minimally invasive surgery is disclosed. The end effector includes an elongated channel containing a staple cartridge and an anvil movable toward and away from the channel. The anvil is movable to first, second and third fixed positions relative to the channel. The first fixed position is a closed position which eliminates clearance between the anvil and cartridge. The second fixed position is an open position for inserting tissue between the anvil and cartridge. The third fixed position is a clamped position where a tissue-clamping gap exists between the anvil and cartridge to properly clamp tissue. The elimination of clearance between the anvil and cartridge of the first fixed position of the anvil reduces the stacking height, and therefore enables the user to insert the stapler through a smaller diameter access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Knodel, Bryan D. Knodel, Anil Nalagatla, Dale R. Schulze