Patents by Inventor William Mehlhorn
William 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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Publication number: 20070113647Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2007Publication date: May 24, 2007Applicant: A.O. SMITH CORPORATIONInventor: William Mehlhorn
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Publication number: 20070069683Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling an electric machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2006Publication date: March 29, 2007Applicant: A. O. Smith CorporationInventors: Albert Pant, Brian Branecky, William Mehlhorn, Andrew Phillips
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Publication number: 20060127227Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2006Publication date: June 15, 2006Applicant: A.O. Smith CorporationInventors: William Mehlhorn, Brian Branecky, Ronald Bartos, Steve O'Brien, Howard Richardson
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Publication number: 20060061224Abstract: An electric machine having a stator assembly that includes a stator core and a coil supported by the stator core and a rotor assembly that includes a shaft and a rotor supported by the shaft that is in magnetic interaction with the stator core. The electric machine may include a single sensor configured to detect magnetic polarities of the rotor as the rotor rotates relative to the sensor and to generate a signal representing the detected magnetic polarities of the rotor. The signal and an inverted version of the signal are utilized to control current through the coil. The current may be controlled indirectly by controlling the application of voltage to the coil. The sensor may be encapsulated on a circuit board to positively position the sensor relative to the circuit board. The circuit board may be mounted to a bearing housing of the electric machine. The sensor may be received in a pocket of a bearing housing of the electric machine so the sensor is positively positioned relative to the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2005Publication date: March 23, 2006Applicant: A.O. Smith CorporationInventors: Paul Mullin, Albert Pant, Dan Ionel, Brian Branecky, William Mehlhorn, Alan Lesak, Anthony Coloma
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Publication number: 20060022534Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2004Publication date: February 2, 2006Applicant: A.O. Smith CorporationInventor: William Mehlhorn
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Publication number: 20050226731Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2005Publication date: October 13, 2005Applicant: A.O. Smith CorporationInventors: William Mehlhorn, Andrew Phillips
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Publication number: 20050162108Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2005Publication date: July 28, 2005Applicant: A. O. Smith CorporationInventors: Albert Pant, Brian Branecky, William Mehlhorn, Andrew Phillips
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Publication number: 20050158177Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2005Publication date: July 21, 2005Applicant: A.O. Smith CorporationInventor: William Mehlhorn
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Publication number: 20050156557Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2005Publication date: July 21, 2005Applicant: A. O. Smith CorporationInventor: William Mehlhorn
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Publication number: 20050122073Abstract: An electric machine having a stator assembly that includes a stator core and a coil supported by the stator core and a rotor assembly that includes a shaft and a rotor supported by the shaft that is in magnetic interaction with the stator core. The electric machine may include a single sensor configured to detect magnetic polarities of the rotor as the rotor rotates relative to the sensor and to generate a signal representing the detected magnetic polarities of the rotor. The signal and an inverted version of the signal are utilized to control current through the coil. The current may be controlled indirectly by controlling the application of voltage to the coil. The sensor may be encapsulated on a circuit board to positively position the sensor relative to the circuit board. The circuit board may be mounted to a bearing housing of the electric machine. The sensor may be received in a pocket of a bearing housing of the electric machine so the sensor is positively positioned relative to the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2003Publication date: June 9, 2005Applicant: A.O. Smith CorporationInventors: Paul Mullin, Albert Pant, Dan Ionel, Brian Branecky, William Mehlhorn, Alan Lesak, Anthony Coloma
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Publication number: 20050062350Abstract: A motor including a frame, a stator fixed relative to the frame, and a bearing assembly fixed relative to the frame may be provided. The bearing assembly may include ball bearings at least partially encompassed by a conductive grease. The conductive grease may include grease and particles including at least one of carbon, metal and a combination thereof. At least one particle may be coated with a conductive polymer. A rotor may be supported by the bearing assembly for rotation relative to the stator.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2003Publication date: March 24, 2005Applicant: A.O. Smith CorporationInventors: Ming Kuo, William Hoover, Marc Akkala, William Mehlhorn
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Publication number: 20050057201Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2003Publication date: March 17, 2005Inventors: Brian Branecky, William Mehlhorn, Andrew Phillips, Albert Pant
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Publication number: 20050007062Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2003Publication date: January 13, 2005Inventor: William Mehlhorn