Patents by Inventor Will Didier

Will Didier 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: 20250091184
    Abstract: A power tool includes an electric motor having a motor shaft and a fan assembly attachable to the motor shaft for rotation in a first rotational direction to generate an airflow for cooling the electric motor. The fan assembly includes a fan body, a bearing that rotates with the fan body, and a flywheel having a central portion that defines a central bore configured to receive the bearing so that the bearing is rotatably affixed to the flywheel. The power tool further includes a spring configured to receive torque from the electric motor such that the torque winds the spring to store energy when the electric motor is activated and release the energy to supply torque to the fan assembly so that the fan assembly continues to rotate and generate the airflow for cooling the electric motor when the electric motor is deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Matthew R. Bailey, Will Didier, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger
  • Patent number: 12162124
    Abstract: A method of cooling an electric motor configured for use in a power tool. The electric motor has a motor shaft rotatable about a motor axis. The power tool further includes a fan assembly attachable to the motor shaft and an energy storage device coupled to the motor shaft and to the fan assembly. The method includes activating the electric motor to supply torque to the motor shaft. The method further includes rotating the motor shaft and the fan assembly about the motor axis. The fan assembly generates an airflow to cool the electric motor. Moreover, the method includes supplying torque from the electric motor to the energy storage device and deactivating the electric motor to stall rotation of the motor shaft. The fan assembly continues to rotate about the motor axis to generate the airflow after rotation of the motor shaft has ceased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew R. Bailey, Will Didier, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger
  • Publication number: 20240336002
    Abstract: A method of operating an expanding tool includes advancing a ram a first distance to rotate an expander head in a first rotational direction and advancing the ram a second distance so that the ram causes head segments of the expander head to expand radially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventors: Corey Dickert, Alex Huber, Jarrod Kotes, Will Didier, Ian Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20240247970
    Abstract: A lifting device includes a base, a mast coupled to the base, a carriage coupled to the mast, and a lifting assembly configured to move the mast and carriage in a first direction to a desired elevation relative to the base. The lifting device includes an electric motor, a battery pack for providing electrical power to the electric motor and a spool with a cable to alternately raise and lower the carriage in the first direction. The lifting device includes means for detecting a weight and/or a center of gravity of a load to be lifted by the lifting device, and a user interface operable to communicate information about the weight and/or the center of gravity of the load to a user of the lifting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: Beau A. Harrier, Caleb R. Hendryx, Allison M. Neuser, Garrett P. Mitchell, Evan M. Glanzer, Joseph W. Miller, Will Didier
  • Publication number: 20240246800
    Abstract: A lifting device includes a base, a mast coupled to the base, a carriage coupled to the mast, and a lifting assembly configured to move the mast and carriage in a first direction to a desired elevation relative to the base. The lifting device also includes an electric motor, a battery pack for providing electrical power to the electric motor and a first spool with a first cable to alternately raise and lower the carriage in the first direction. The lifting device further includes an auxiliary drive unit including a second spool with a second cable to raise and lower the lifting device in a second direction different than the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: Garrett P. Mitchell, Evan M. Glanzer, Joseph W. Miller, Allison M. Neuser, Will Didier, Alicia G. Rothenberg, Beau A. Harrier, Daryl S. Richards
  • Patent number: 12023849
    Abstract: An expanding tool comprising: an actuator comprising a cylindrical housing that defines an actuator housing cavity; a primary ram disposed within the actuator housing cavity, the primary ram defining an internal primary ram cavity; a secondary ram disposed within the internal primary ram cavity; a cam roller carrier coupled to a distal end of the secondary ram; a drive collar positioned within a distal end of the actuator housing cavity; a roller clutch disposed within an internal cavity defined by an inner surface of the drive collar; a shuttle cam positioned between the roller clutch and a distal end of the primary ram; an expander cone coupled to the primary ram; and an expander head operably coupled to the drive collar. When triggered, the actuator first rotates the expander head and then the actuator expands the expander head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Corey Dickert, Alex Huber, Jarrod Kotes, Will Didier, Ian Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20230256578
    Abstract: A method of cooling an electric motor configured for use in a power tool. The electric motor has a motor shaft rotatable about a motor axis. The power tool further includes a fan assembly attachable to the motor shaft and an energy storage device coupled to the motor shaft and to the fan assembly. The method includes activating the electric motor to supply torque to the motor shaft. The method further includes rotating the motor shaft and the fan assembly about the motor axis. The fan assembly generates an airflow to cool the electric motor. Moreover, the method includes supplying torque from the electric motor to the energy storage device and deactivating the electric motor to stall rotation of the motor shaft. The fan assembly continues to rotate about the motor axis to generate the airflow after rotation of the motor shaft has ceased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew R. Bailey, Will Didier, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger
  • Patent number: 11667021
    Abstract: A power tool includes a motor having a motor shaft that rotates about a motor axis in a first rotational direction. The power tool also includes a fan assembly attachable to the motor shaft for rotation in the first rotational direction. The fan assembly includes a fan body, a bearing having a race that rotates with the fan body, and a flywheel rotatably affixed to the fan body. The race is freely rotatable relative to the motor shaft in the first rotational direction, and fixed against rotation relative to the motor shaft in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. The flywheel has a central portion that defines a central bore, and the race is received into the central bore and rotatably affixed to the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew R. Bailey, Will Didier, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger
  • Patent number: 11648727
    Abstract: An expanding tool comprising: an actuator comprising a cylindrical housing that defines an actuator housing cavity; a primary ram disposed within the actuator housing cavity, the primary ram defining an internal primary ram cavity; a secondary ram disposed within the internal primary ram cavity; a cam roller carrier coupled to a distal end of the secondary ram; a drive collar positioned within a distal end of the actuator housing cavity; a roller clutch disposed within an internal cavity defined by an inner surface of the drive collar; a shuttle cam positioned between the roller clutch and a distal end of the primary ram; an expander cone coupled to the primary ram; and an expander head operably coupled to the drive collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Corey Dickert, Alex Huber, Jarrod Kotes, Will Didier, Ian Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20220268036
    Abstract: A concrete trowel includes a frame, a drive assembly including an electric motor mounted on the frame having an output shaft extending from the motor defining a drive axis, a guide handle extending from the frame for controlling the trowel, a battery pack for supplying electrical power to the motor, and a rotor including a plurality of blades, the rotor rotatably coupled to the drive assembly for rotating about a rotational axis that is coaxial with the drive axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Ian C. Richards, Will Didier
  • Publication number: 20220032437
    Abstract: An impact mechanism for use in a power tool having a motor and adapted to impart axial impacts to a tool bit. The impact mechanism includes a piston configured to reciprocate in response to receiving torque from the motor, a striker that is selectively reciprocable within the spindle in response to reciprocation of the piston, and an anvil that is impacted by the striker when the striker reciprocates towards the tool bit. The anvil imparts axial impacts to the tool bit. The striker includes a body portion formed of a first material and an insert portion within the body portion. The insert portion is formed of a second material that is more dense than the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Will Didier, Tyler Young, Kevin A. McLachlan
  • Publication number: 20210178657
    Abstract: An expanding tool comprising: an actuator comprising a cylindrical housing that defines an actuator housing cavity; a primary ram disposed within the actuator housing cavity, the primary ram defining an internal primary ram cavity; a secondary ram disposed within the internal primary ram cavity; a cam roller carrier coupled to a distal end of the secondary ram; a drive collar positioned within a distal end of the actuator housing cavity; a roller clutch disposed within an internal cavity defined by an inner surface of the drive collar; a shuttle cam positioned between the roller clutch and a distal end of the primary ram; an expander cone coupled to the primary ram; and an expander head operably coupled to the drive collar. When triggered, the actuator first rotates the expander head and then the actuator expands the expander head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Corey Dickert, Alex Huber, Jarrod Kotes, Will Didier, Ian Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20210170666
    Abstract: An expanding tool comprising: an actuator comprising a cylindrical housing that defines an actuator housing cavity; a primary ram disposed within the actuator housing cavity, the primary ram defining an internal primary ram cavity; a secondary ram disposed within the internal primary ram cavity; a cam roller carrier coupled to a distal end of the secondary ram; a drive collar positioned within a distal end of the actuator housing cavity; a roller clutch disposed within an internal cavity defined by an inner surface of the drive collar; a shuttle cam positioned between the roller clutch and a distal end of the primary ram; an expander cone coupled to the primary ram; and an expander head operably coupled to the drive collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Corey Dickert, Alex Huber, Jarrod Kotes, Will Didier, Ian Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 11007631
    Abstract: A bit retention assembly, for securing a tool bit to a spindle of a rotary hammer, includes a plurality of detent members movable in unison from a locking position to an insertion position in response to insertion of the tool bit within the spindle, a biasing member configured to bias the detent members toward the locking position, and a collar movable along the spindle between a first axial position and a second axial position. The collar has an annular wall at least partially defining a pocket. A first end of the biasing member is received within the pocket when the detent members are in the locking position such that the first end of the biasing member is radially constrained by the annular wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Will Didier, Benjamin J. Ludy
  • Patent number: 10946576
    Abstract: An expanding tool comprising: an actuator comprising a cylindrical housing that defines an actuator housing cavity; a primary ram disposed within the actuator housing cavity, the primary ram defining an internal primary ram cavity; a secondary ram disposed within the internal primary ram cavity; a cam roller carrier coupled to a distal end of the secondary ram; a drive collar positioned within a distal end of the actuator housing cavity; a roller clutch disposed within an internal cavity defined by an inner surface of the drive collar; a shuttle cam positioned between the roller clutch and a distal end of the primary ram; an expander cone coupled to the primary ram; and an expander head operably coupled to the drive collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Corey Dickert, Alex Huber, Jarrod Kotes, Will Didier, Ian Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 10926451
    Abstract: An expanding tool comprising: an actuator comprising a cylindrical housing that defines an actuator housing cavity; a primary ram disposed within the actuator housing cavity, the primary ram defining an internal primary ram cavity; a secondary ram disposed within the internal primary ram cavity; a cam roller carrier coupled to a distal end of the secondary ram; a drive collar positioned within a distal end of the actuator housing cavity; a roller clutch disposed within an internal cavity defined by an inner surface of the drive collar; a shuttle cam positioned between the roller clutch and a distal end of the primary ram; an expander cone coupled to the primary ram; and an expander head operably coupled to the drive collar. When triggered, the actuator first rotates the expander head and then the actuator expands the expander head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Corey Dickert, Alex Huber, Jarrod Kotes, Will Didier, Ian Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20190314968
    Abstract: A power tool includes a motor having a motor shaft that rotates about a motor axis in a first rotational direction. The power tool also includes a fan assembly attachable to the motor shaft for rotation in the first rotational direction. The fan assembly includes a fan body and a bearing having a race that is rotatably affixed to the fan body. The race is freely rotatable relative to the motor shaft in the first rotational direction, and fixed against rotation relative to the motor shaft in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew R. Bailey, Will Didier
  • Publication number: 20190134884
    Abstract: An expanding tool comprising: an actuator comprising a cylindrical housing that defines an actuator housing cavity; a primary ram disposed within the actuator housing cavity, the primary ram defining an internal primary ram cavity; a secondary ram disposed within the internal primary ram cavity; a cam roller carrier coupled to a distal end of the secondary ram; a drive collar positioned within a distal end of the actuator housing cavity; a roller clutch disposed within an internal cavity defined by an inner surface of the drive collar; a shuttle cam positioned between the roller clutch and a distal end of the primary ram; an expander cone coupled to the primary ram; and an expander head operably coupled to the drive collar. When triggered, the actuator first rotates the expander head and then the actuator expands the expander head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Corey Dickert, Alex Huber, Jarrod Kotes, Will Didier, Ian Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 10195783
    Abstract: An expanding tool comprising: an actuator comprising a cylindrical housing that defines an actuator housing cavity; a primary ram disposed within the actuator housing cavity, the primary ram defining an internal primary ram cavity; a secondary ram disposed within the internal primary ram cavity; a cam roller carrier coupled to a distal end of the secondary ram; a drive collar positioned within a distal end of the actuator housing cavity; a roller clutch disposed within an internal cavity defined by an inner surface of the drive collar; a shuttle cam positioned between the roller clutch and a distal end of the primary ram; an expander cone coupled to the primary ram; and an expander head operably coupled to the drive collar. When triggered, the actuator first rotates the expander head and then the actuator expands the expander head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Corey Dickert, Alex Huber, Jarrod Kotes, Will Didier, Ian Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20180281273
    Abstract: An expanding tool comprising: an actuator comprising a cylindrical housing that defines an actuator housing cavity; a primary ram disposed within the actuator housing cavity, the primary ram defining an internal primary ram cavity; a secondary ram disposed within the internal primary ram cavity; a cam roller carrier coupled to a distal end of the secondary ram; a drive collar positioned within a distal end of the actuator housing cavity; a roller clutch disposed within an internal cavity defined by an inner surface of the drive collar; a shuttle cam positioned between the roller clutch and a distal end of the primary ram; an expander cone coupled to the primary ram; and an expander head operably coupled to the drive collar. When triggered, the actuator first rotates the expander head and then the actuator expands the expander head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Corey Dickert, Alex Huber, Jarrod Kotes, Will Didier, Ian Zimmermann