Alan Gilmore

US Patent:

6424799, Jul 23, 2002

Filed:

Apr 3, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/834774

Inventors:

Alan A. Gilmore - Baltimore MD

Assignee:

Black Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

H02P 517

US Classification:

388811, 318432, 318434, 318811, 388937, 388930, 388819

Abstract:

A power tool such as an electric drill typically contains a gear train that couples the output spindle of the motor to the tool bit-receiving chuck and has associated therewith a degree of looseness which must be taken up before torque from the motor is applied to the tool bit. The control circuit for the power tool increases the effective torque output of the tool after a predetermined torque level is attained, by alternately turning the motor on and off, with the duration of the off-time sufficient to permit the gear train to relax, thus giving the motor a ârunning startâ when power is reapplied. Various alternative schemes for transitioning to this ratcheting mode of operation are disclosed including the sensing of a predetermined threshold current, a predetermined increase in motor current, and a predetermined rate of deceleration in motor speed. The control circuit preferably provides the operator with means for adjusting the transition point as well as for varying the duration of the on-time in the ratcheting mode. Additional alternative embodiments of the present invention are disclosed that permit the power tool to be continuously operated in a low frequency mode to advantageous effect.

US Patent:

6836614, Dec 28, 2004

Filed:

Jun 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/166805

Inventors:

Alan A. Gilmore - Baltimore MD

Assignee:

Black Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

H02P 517

US Classification:

388811, 388937, 388930, 388819, 318432, 318434, 318599, 173 4, 173 5, 173176, 81467, 81469

Abstract:

A power tool such as an electric drill typically contains a gear train that couples the output spindle of the motor to the tool bit-receiving chuck. The control circuit for the power tool is operable in a ratcheting or pulse mode that causes the output spindle to rotate in discrete incremental amounts. Corresponding methods for controlling the operation of the electric motor of a power tool are also disclosed.

US Patent:

7112934, Sep 26, 2006

Filed:

Oct 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/689232

Inventors:

Alan A Gilmore - Baltimore MD, US

Assignee:

Black & Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

H02P 7/00

US Classification:

318432, 318434, 318599, 3889075, 388937

Abstract:

A power tool such as an electric drill typically contains a gear train that couples the output spindle of the motor to the tool bit-receiving chuck. The control circuit for the power tool is operable in a ratcheting or pulse mode that causes the output spindle to rotate in discrete incremental amounts. Corresponding methods for controlling the operation of the electric motor of a power tool are also disclosed.

US Patent:

50436503, Aug 27, 1991

Filed:

Feb 26, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/161017

Inventors:

Pradeep M. Bhagwat - Baltimore MD
Alan A. Gilmore - Baltimore MD
Fred S. Watts - Shrewsbury PA

Assignee:

Black & Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

H02J 704

US Classification:

320 39

Abstract:

An isolated battery charger suitable for charging lead-acid batteries includes a high-frequency power conditioner that rectifies source current to a DC value and chops the current at a comparatively high frequency, e. g. , 25 KHz, using a pair of MOSFET switches (138 and 140) to provide power pulses to the primary of a step-down transformer (T. sub. 1). The output of the step-down transformer (T. sub. 1) is presented to an enhancement mode MOSFET (206) in series circuit with the battery (B) to be charged with the gate bias of the MOSFET controlled in response to the sensed voltage of the battery to provide current to the battery as a function of its charge. Control circuitry is provided to limit charging to a small `trickle` level in the event the battery (B) is fully discharged to increase its charge level prior to initiating the full charge current. The provision of a voltage converter (100) operating at a relatively high frequency allows use of a lightweight and compact transformer (T. sub. 1) that nonetheless provides a high current for charging.

US Patent:

57316732, Mar 24, 1998

Filed:

Jan 9, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/370394

Inventors:

Alan A. Gilmore - Baltimore MD

Assignee:

Black & Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

H02P 700

US Classification:

318432

Abstract:

A power tool such as an electric drill typically contains a gear train that couples the output spindle of the motor to the tool bit-receiving chuck and has associated therewith a degree of looseness which must be taken up before torque from the motor is applied to the tool bit. The control circuit for the power tool increases the effective torque output of the tool after a predetermined torque level is attained, by alternately turning the motor on and off, with the duration of the off-time sufficient to permit the gear train to relax, thus giving the motor a "running start" when power is reapplied. Various alternative schemes for transitioning to this ratcheting mode of operation are disclosed including the sensing of a predetermined threshold current, a predetermined increase in motor current, and a predetermined rate of deceleration in motor speed. The control circuit preferably provides the operator with means for adjusting the transition point as well as for varying the duration of the on-time in the ratcheting mode. A corresponding method for controlling the operation of the electric motor of a power tool is also disclosed.

US Patent:

54499976, Sep 12, 1995

Filed:

Jan 24, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/186011

Inventors:

Alan A. Gilmore - Baltimore MD
Daniele C. Brotto - Baltimore MD

Assignee:

Black & Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

H01M 1044
H02J 704

US Classification:

320 39

Abstract:

An ultra-quick charging device for charging battery packs for an assortment of different appliances, such as power tools, having a wide range of output voltages. The charging device includes an AC to DC high current power supply circuit and a microcomputer-based controller circuit for monitoring the voltage of the battery and converting from fast charge to trickle charge when the second inflection point in the battery voltage charge curve is detected. In order to permit the device to charge battery packs of different rated voltages, the device includes a logarithmic analog-to-digital converter circuit having a selectable prescaler circuit that attenuates the battery voltage signal. The microcomputer is programmed to automatically set the appropriate attenuation level of the prescaler circuit at the outset of the charging cycle by assuming that the maximum voltage of the battery pack being charged will be less than or equal to 150 percent of its observed battery voltage following the initial settling period of the charge cycle. In this manner the present invention is able to automatically fully charge battery packs ranging in voltage between 3 volts and 24 volts.

US Patent:

52489280, Sep 28, 1993

Filed:

Mar 19, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/853842

Inventors:

Alan A. Gilmore - Baltimore MD

Assignee:

Black & Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

H02J 704
H02J 710
H01M 1044

US Classification:

320 37

Abstract:

A charger 10 includes facility, such as a capacitor 14, for establishing a constant current source which is rectified by rectifier 16 to provide a supply of charging current at a single level in each of two successive periods of a charging cycle. The output of rectifier 16 is coupled through a SCR 26 to a battery B to be charged. Under control of a timer 28, SCR 26 remains conductive for a prescribed continuous period to facilitate the supply of the single-level charging current to battery B during a full charge or first period mode at a 100% duty cycle. At the end of the prescribed first period, a timer 36 then controls the on-off operation of SCR 26 to facilitate the supply of the single-level charging current during a trickle charge mode at a 20% duty cycle. In an alternative embodiment, a charge 100 includes four timers 118, 120, 122 and 124 which provide for three phases or modes of operation in which a single-level charging current is supplied to battery B at a duty cycle of 75% during a first of the three periods, at a duty cycle of 100% during a second of the three periods and at a duty cycle of 12. 5% during a third of the three periods.

US Patent:

49053000, Feb 27, 1990

Filed:

May 21, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/052760

Inventors:

Pradeep M. Bhagwat - Baltimore MD
Richard T. Walter - Baltimore MD
Alan A. Gilmore - Baltimore MD

Assignee:

Black & Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

H02P 5402

US Classification:

388800

Abstract:

A pulsating D. C. voltage is developed by a rectifier 86 and is filtered by a capacitor 100 to facilitate application of a relatively smooth, enhanced D. C. voltage to a motor 106. The charged voltage of capacitor 100 is applied across a series circuit which includes a rheostat 118, a resistor 126 and motor 106. When the CEMF of motor 106 drops as a result of a decrease in motor speed, a disc 122 is biased through the voltage appearing across rheostat 118 and resistor 126 to cause an SCR 116 to fire. When SCR 116 fires, the voltage of capacitor 100 supplies a boost of power to motor 106 to overcome the decrease in motor speed. A circuit 212 prevents an overspeed of motor 106 from occurring while braking circuits 264, 266 and 268 provide for a dynamic braking effect when the motor is a universal motor.