Michael T Forster

US Patent:

6733293, May 11, 2004

Filed:

Jan 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/057483

Inventors:

Michael K. Forster - White Hall MD
Jeffrey L. Vrachan - Agoura Hills CA
Curtis L. Thornton - Simi Valley CA

Assignee:

Provision Entertainment, Inc. - Chatsworth CA

International Classification:

G09B 1916

US Classification:

434 55, 472 60, 472130

Abstract:

A reliable, cost effective motion simulator system wherein a motion platform controlled by three inexpensive fractional horsepower induction AC motors to provide n-axis of motion where n is two, three, four, five or six. A dynamic boost is applied to maintain the position of the motion platform at low speed or zero speed and to handle transient motion demands without use of an encoder. The personal simulator motion base includes a support structure for positioning a rider coupled to the motion platform. A support pedestal and a plurality of linkages support the motion platform. A plurality of motor assemblies is coupled to the motion plate by the linkages. A control algorithm enables the use of low cost power electronics to drive the AC motor-linkage assemblies. The personal simulator may be controlled in response to user-initiated commands, remote-user initiated commands or by commands embedded in game software or the audio track of a video stream.

US Patent:

6913087, Jul 5, 2005

Filed:

Mar 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/812521

Inventors:

Daniele C. Brotto - Baltimore MD, US
Michael Kenneth Forster - White Hall MD, US

Assignee:

Black & Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

B25F005/00

US Classification:

173 1, 173 2, 173176, 173217, 173171

Abstract:

A system and method for unidirectionally or bi-directionally communicating information and data to and from an electronic module housed within a cordless power tool, over power terminals of the cordless power tool, while a battery pack of the tool is removed from the tool. A data transfer device is connected to at least one power terminal of the tool in place of the battery pack. The power terminal is also used for electrically connecting the battery pack to the tool during normal operation of the tool. A voltage supplied by the data transfer device to the tool is sequentially varied between a first level and a second level, in accordance with a predetermined communications protocol, to transmit data from electronic module of the tool to the data transfer device. A voltage signal applied to the electronic module of the tool is sequentially shifted between a first voltage and a second voltage to transmit data from the data transfer device to the tool. Thus, data can be transmitted between the tool and the data transfer device without requiring disassembly of the tool.

US Patent:

7102331, Sep 5, 2006

Filed:

Jan 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/758609

Inventors:

Richard T. Walter - Baldwin MD, US
Michael K. Forster - White Hall MD, US

Assignee:

Black & Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

H02J 1/00
H02J 7/14
H02J 7/24
H02J 7/00

US Classification:

322 8, 320123

Abstract:

A generator system in accordance with the invention has two modes of operation, such as 120 VAC and 240/120 VAC modes of operation. The generator system has a permanent magnet generator with two independent sets of windings that each generate a three phase AC voltage. One three phase AC voltage is coupled to a first or master cycloconverter and the second three phase AC voltage is coupled to a second or slave cycloconverter. Live outputs of each cycloconverter are coupled to each other through a switch, such as a relay and neutral outputs of each cycloconverter are coupled to ground. A controller controls the cycloconverters to provide a first voltage, illustratively 120 VAC, across their respective outputs having the same amplitude. When in the 120 VAC mode, the switch across the live outputs of the first and second cycloconverters is closed, shorting the live outputs of the first and second cycloconverters together and the controller operates the first and second cycloconverters so their output voltages are in phase with each other. When in the 240/120 VAC mode, the switch across the live outputs of the first and second cycloconverters is open and the controller operates the first and second cycloconverters so that their output voltages are 180 degrees out of phase.

US Patent:

7170261, Jan 30, 2007

Filed:

Jul 10, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/483697

Inventors:

Richard T. Walter - Baldwin MD, US
Michael K. Forster - White Hall MD, US

Assignee:

Black & Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

H02J 1/00
H02J 3/00
H02J 7/14

US Classification:

322 8, 320123

Abstract:

A generator system has two modes of operation, such as 120 VAC and 240/120 VAC. The generator system has a permanent magnet generator with two independent sets of windings that each generate a three phase AC voltage. One three phase AC voltage is coupled to a first cycloconverter and the second three phase AC voltage is coupled to a second cycloconverter. Live outputs of each cycloconverter are coupled to each other through a switch, such as a relay, and netural outputs of each cycloconverter are coupled to ground. A controller controls the cycloconverters to provide the modes of operation. In the 120 VAC mode, the switch across the live outputs of the first and second cycloconverters is closed, shorting the live outputs of the first and second cycloconverters together so that the live outputs are in parallel and the controller operates the first and second cycloconverters so their output voltages are in phase with each other. When in the 240/120 VAC mode, the switch across the live outputs of the first and second cycloconverters is open so that the live outputs are in series and the controller operates the first and second cycloconverters so that their output voltages are 180 degrees out of phase. The permanent magnet generator has rotor position sensors that are used by a DC motor drive to drive the generator as a brushless DC motor to start the engine of the generator system and also to develop cosine wave information for use in controlling the cycloconverters.

US Patent:

7180200, Feb 20, 2007

Filed:

Jun 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/453988

Inventors:

Richard T. Walter - Baldwin MD, US
Michael K. Forster - White Hall MD, US
Shailesh P. Waikar - Cockeysville MD, US

Assignee:

Black & Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

F02B 63/04
H02K 7/18
H02K 23/52
F02N 11/04

US Classification:

290 1A, 290 34

Abstract:

A generator starting system utilizes a portable universal battery pack to start an internal combustion engine of the generator. The system is adapted to utilize any one of a plurality of universal battery packs having outputs of varying voltage. The generator can include a permanent magnet generator having first and second sets of windings. One set of windings generates AC power. The second set of windings is used to drive the PMG as an electric motor using power from the universal battery pack. In an embodiment, the system includes a brushless DC controller that electronically commutates the second set of windings to drive the PMG as a brushless DC motor.

US Patent:

7309928, Dec 18, 2007

Filed:

Dec 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/321773

Inventors:

Jeffrey P. Grant - Forest Hill MD, US
Michael K. Forster - White Hall MD, US

Assignee:

Black & Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

F02B 63/04
H02K 7/18
H01R 3/00

US Classification:

290 1A, 439500

Abstract:

A portable electrical generator has a manually movable frame. An internal combustion engine and a generator device that generates AC power are supported on the frame. The internal combustion engine drives the generator device. An electrically powered starting device is coupled to the internal combustion engine. A control panel is coupled to the frame and includes at least one AC outlet and a battery receptacle that is electrically coupled to the starting device. The battery receptacle is materially the same as a foot of a cordless power tool that receives a battery pack. The battery pack for the cordless power tool is received in the battery receptacle and provides electrical power to the starting device. In another aspect, the battery receptacle is disposed in an enclosure supported by the frame. In an aspect, the enclosure further includes a battery charger.

US Patent:

7322506, Jan 29, 2008

Filed:

Mar 31, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/095726

Inventors:

Michael Forster - White Hall MD, US

Assignee:

Black & Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

B25C 1/06

US Classification:

227133

Abstract:

A tool with a driver, which is translatable along a driver axis, and a motor assembly having an electric motor, a flywheel, a roller and an actuator. The electric motor is selectively operable for driving the flywheel. The actuator is selectively operable for translating the roller such that the roller drives the driver against the flywheel to permit energy to be transmitted from the flywheel to the driver. The electric motor is selected to substantially minimize energy losses associated with bringing a mechanical inertial of the motor assembly to a predetermined rotational speed while substantially minimizing an amount of time that is needed to bring the mechanical inertia to the predetermined rotational speed.

US Patent:

7446493, Nov 4, 2008

Filed:

Oct 11, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/545734

Inventors:

Michael K. Forster - White Hall MD, US
Jason K. Leh - Parkville MD, US
John C. Vanko - Timonium MD, US
Daniel R. Beers - Dallastown PA, US
Robert A. Usselman - Forest Hill MD, US
Zoran Mihailovic - Vestal NY, US

Assignee:

Black & Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

H02P 6/00

US Classification:

31840035, 318700, 318727, 31840022

Abstract:

A motor control module for a power tool includes a controller and a triac for controlling current to the given tool motor. The module includes a circuit within the controller for implementing a plurality of control methodologies related to synchronizing the module to the AC input signal, estimating average current flowing through the triac, compensating for amplifier offset to improve accuracy of current measurements in the module, and providing speed measurement and control for the tool motor using principles of hysteresis in a comparator of the controller. Additionally, the controller is configured to calibrate an oscillation calibration register therein.