Patents by Inventor William L. Mehlhorn
William L. Mehlhorn 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).
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Patent number: 8354809Abstract: A pump system. The pump system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, a sensor coupled to a power source, and a controller. The motor operates the pump. The sensor detects an electrical characteristic of the power source. The controller executes a fault check, controls the motor, detects a change in the electrical characteristic, and suspends the execution of the fault check for a predetermined period of time when the detected change in the electrical characteristic is outside of a valid characteristic range.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Regal Beloit EPC Inc.Inventors: William L. Mehlhorn, Brian T. Branecky
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Patent number: 8133034Abstract: A method of controlling a motor operating a pumping apparatus of a fluid-pumping application. The pumping apparatus includes a pump having an inlet to receive a fluid and an outlet to exhaust the fluid, and the motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump. The method includes the acts of controlling the motor to operate the pump and monitoring the operation of the pump. The monitoring act includes monitoring a power of the motor, and determining whether the monitored power indicates an undesired flow of fluid through the pump. The method further includes the act of controlling the motor to cease operation of the pump when the determination indicates an undesired flow of fluid through the pump and zero or more other conditions exist.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2006Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Regal Beloit EPC Inc.Inventors: William L. Mehlhorn, Brian T. Branecky, Ronald P. Bartos, Steve D. O'Brien, Howard Richardson
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Publication number: 20100080714Abstract: A pump system. The pump system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, a sensor coupled to a power source, and a controller. The motor operates the pump. The sensor detects an electrical characteristic of the power source. The controller executes a fault check, controls the motor, detects a change in the electrical characteristic, and suspends the execution of the fault check for a predetermined period of time when the detected change in the electrical characteristic is outside of a valid characteristic range.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATIONInventors: William L. Mehlhorn, Brian T. Branecky
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Patent number: 7427844Abstract: A pump assembly for pumping a liquid and a method of controlling the pump assembly. The pump assembly includes a motor coupled to a pump, and an electronic switch assembly electrically connected to the motor to control the current through the motor. The electronic switch assembly includes an electronic switch, a generator that provides a substantially periodic pulsing signal, a circuit control configured to provide a second signal, and decision logic connected to the generator, the circuit control, and the electronic switch. The decision logic receives the periodic pulsing and second signals and generates a control signal that selectively controls the electronic switch based on the periodic pulsing and second signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventor: William L. Mehlhorn
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Patent number: 7355520Abstract: A motor receiving power from a power source. The motor comprises a motor housing, a stator at least partially disposed within the motor housing and supported by the motor housing, a rotor disposed to magnetically interact with the stator, and a visual indicator integrated with the housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2004Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: A.O. Smith CorporationInventor: William L. Mehlhorn
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Patent number: 7327118Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling an electric machine. The method can include using a controller to detect whether power is present at a first node of the controller, detect whether power is present at a second node of the controller, generate at least one signal based at least in part on the detection, and energize the electric machine using a detected power when the at least one signal indicates power is present at at least one of the first node, the second node, and a combination of the first node and the second node.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2006Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventors: Albert Keith Pant, Brian Thomas Branecky, William L. Mehlhorn, Andrew W. Phillips
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Patent number: 7268505Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling an electric machine. The method can include using a controller to detect whether power is present at a first node of the controller, detect whether power is present at a second node of the controller, generate at least one signal based at least in part on the detection, and energize the electric machine using a detected power when the at least one signal indicates power is present at at least one of the first node, the second node, and a combination of the first node and the second node.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2005Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventors: Albert Keith Pant, Brian Thomas Branecky, William L. Mehlhorn, Andrew W. Phillips
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Patent number: 7183741Abstract: A pump assembly for pumping a liquid and a method of controlling the pump assembly. The pump assembly includes a motor coupled to a pump, and an electronic switch assembly electrically connected to the motor to control the current through the motor. The electronic switch assembly includes an electronic switch, a generator that provides a substantially periodic pulsing signal, a circuit control configured to provide a second signal, and decision logic connected to the generator, the circuit control, and the electronic switch. The decision logic receives the periodic pulsing and second signals and generates a control signal that selectively controls the electronic switch based on the periodic pulsing and second signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventor: William L. Mehlhorn
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Patent number: 7102324Abstract: A controller for an electric machine. The controller includes a first voltage input that directly provides a first voltage to the electric machine, a second voltage input configured to receive a second voltage, and an inverter coupled to the second voltage input. The inverter is configured to be activated by the second voltage, to frequency-regulate the second voltage to generate a frequency-regulated voltage, and to provide the frequency-regulated voltage to the electric machine.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2003Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: A.O. Smith CorporationInventors: Brian Thomas Branecky, William L. Mehlhorn, Andrew W. Phillips, Albert Keith Pant
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Patent number: 7042192Abstract: A compressor having a winding circuit and a driven member being driven in part by a winding of the winding circuit. The compressor further includes an auxiliary circuit connected in a parallel relationship with the winding circuit. The auxiliary circuit has an auxiliary circuit element and an electronic switch assembly connected in a series relationship such that the electronic switch assembly controls the current through the auxiliary circuit element.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2005Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: A.O. Smith CorporationInventor: William L. Mehlhorn
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Patent number: 6989649Abstract: A switch assembly including a switch (e.g., an electronic switch) and a controller connected to the switch to control the switch. The switch assembly can also include a power supply connectable to a power source and connected to the controller. The power supply is configured to receive power from the power source and controllably power the controller. The switch assembly can also include a generator and decision logic. The switch assembly can be used in an electric machine (e.g., a motor).Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2003Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventor: William L. Mehlhorn
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Patent number: 5883485Abstract: A control circuit for controlling a switch reluctance motor including at least one phase, the control comprising a power stage including means for variably supplying a DC voltage, and a winding stage including for each phase a phase winding having one end and another end. The winding stage further includes a high voltage bus connected to the power stage, and a low voltage bus connected to the power stage. The winding stage further includes, for each phase, a first current path comprising an upper commutating switch connected to the high voltage bus, the respective phase winding one end connected to the upper switch, and a lower commutating switch connected to the respective phase winding other end and to the low voltage bus.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1997Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventor: William L. Mehlhorn
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Patent number: 5537019Abstract: A switched reluctance motor includes a rotor mounted for rotation about an axis, and having a plurality of rotor poles, and a stator surrounding the rotor and including first, second and third stator phases. The motor also includes energizing means for sequentially energizing the stator phases with an energy source to cause rotation of the rotor, based on rotor position information, the energizing means causing one phase to be energized and then deenergized to near a zero current level prior to a point where the rotor pole breaks away from the stator pole. The energizing means further includes limited current turn on means connected to switch operating means for operating a switch on the one phase to permit flow of limited current through the one phase after it reaches a near zero current level but before the break away point.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1995Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventors: Thomas G. Van Sistine, Ronald P. Bartos, William L. Mehlhorn, Timothy H. Houle