Richard Clay Walter

US Patent:

6515451, Feb 4, 2003

Filed:

Sep 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/963809

Inventors:

James B. Watson - Fallston MD
Paul S. White - Ellicott City MD
Christopher R. Yahnker - Eldersburg MD
Daniel Puzio - Baltimore MD
Thomas J. Bodine - Jessup MD
Robert Bradus - Bel Air MD
Daniele C. Brotto - Baltimore MD
John E. Buck - Cockeysville MD
Daniel J. White - Baltimore MD
Samuel G. Woods - Bel Air MD
Richard T. Walter - Baldwin MD
Edward A. Harrison - Bel Air MD
Adan Ayala - Owings Mills MD

Assignee:

Black Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

H02J 700

US Classification:

320117, 320114

Abstract:

A system of cordless power tools includes a cordless power tool adapted to removably receive a rechargeable battery pack. The system further includes a battery pack charger and a converter for converting AC electricity to DC electricity. A battery pack interface block is captured between clam shell halves of a battery pack housing and includes a plurality of male blade terminals. The male blade terminals are received within recessed female terminals of a tool terminal block and similarly received by recessed female terminals of the charger. The tool terminal block further includes a pair of male terminals which engage recessed female terminals of the converter.

US Patent:

6538403, Mar 25, 2003

Filed:

Dec 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/742839

Inventors:

Bhanuprasad V. Gorti - Abindgon MD
Richard T. Walter - Baldwin MD

Assignee:

Black Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

H02P 118

US Classification:

318254, 318138, 318439, 310 40 R, 310 42, 310 68 R

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling a brushless DC motor ( ) is provided. The motor ( ) includes a rotor ( ) and a stator ( ) having at least three phases. The rotor ( ) is magnetically coupled to and moveable by the stator ( ) when the coils ( ) are appropriately energized. Each of the coils ( ) is characterized by a corresponding voltage waveform. No more than two position sensors ( ) are provided for sensing the position of the rotor ( ) during a start-up mode. Each position sensor ( ) has an associated position sensor signal. The position sensors ( ) are aligned to sense the rotor position such that each position sensor signal indicates a zero torque point corresponding to a phase voltage waveform. The position of the rotor ( ) is sensed such that the position sensor signals indicate the start-up operating state of the motor ( ). During a first ambiguous start-up state, two predetermined coils ( ) are alternately energized.

US Patent:

6570284, May 27, 2003

Filed:

Dec 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/014711

Inventors:

Michael Jeffrey Agnes - Bel Air MD
Garrett Patrick McCormick - Baltimore MD
Richard Thomas Walter - Baldwin MD
Christopher Ryan Yahnker - Eldersburg MD

Assignee:

Black Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

H02K 500

US Classification:

310 89, 310 88, 310 43, 310 50, 310215, 310156

Abstract:

A double insulated electronically commutated brushless motor for coupling to a gearbox of a motor driven product. The motor includes a first layer of electrical insulation that includes a plurality of insulating strips formed in the shape of stator slots and inserted into the stator slots before windings are wound in the stator slots. Additionally, the first layer of electrical insulation includes a plurality of insulating strips wedged between the winding and a mouth of the winding slots after the windings are inserted. The motor further includes a second layer of electrical insulation made up of an insulating tube pressed onto a shaft between the shaft and a rotor stack.

US Patent:

6600136, Jul 29, 2003

Filed:

Jul 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/205035

Inventors:

Peter Edward Morris - Baltimore MD
Richard Thomas Walter - Baldwin MD
James Michael Weaver - Stewartstown PA

Assignee:

Black Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

H05B 100

US Classification:

219205, 392497

Abstract:

A system for heating fluid in an internal combustion engine. The system includes a portable universal battery pack having an output voltage of a specified voltage rating. Additionally, the system includes a receiving unit that is adapted to removably receive the battery pack and transfer power from the battery pack to an immersion heater. The immersion heater includes a heating element that is at least partially immersed in the fluid. Power from the battery pack is utilized by the heater to heat the heating element, thereby heating the fluid in the engine. The system is adapted to readily use any number of different battery packs from a related line of battery packs, wherein that the various battery packs can have different output voltages.

US Patent:

6602634, Aug 5, 2003

Filed:

Mar 31, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/281870

Inventors:

Dale K. Wheeler - Fallston MD
Richard T. Walter - Baldwin MD

Assignee:

Black Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

H01M 210

US Classification:

429 97, 429 98, 429 99, 429123

Abstract:

A battery pack (FIG. ) comprises an elongated cylindrical, metal casing , a plurality of cells in casing and three coaxial pack terminals. For enhanced convenience, pack terminals are electrically connectable in a cordless device regardless of the angular orientation of the pack about casing axis. To reduce cost and increase durability, pack has no welded connections and will permit high current discharge rates. Cells are electrically connected but are mechanically disconnected. A spring engages cell and biases cells tightly together in compression to form good, low resistance electrical contact between cells , casing base cap and top. To provide a pack with two output voltages, the third pack terminal has a polarity (relative to first pack terminal ) the same as second pack terminal and is electrically connected to the cell can terminal of forward cell , thereby electrically by-passing cell.

US Patent:

6608401, Aug 19, 2003

Filed:

Feb 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/077219

Inventors:

Richard Thomas Walter - Baldwin MD

Assignee:

Black Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

H02H 320

US Classification:

307 39, 307 18, 363142, 322 25, 322 28

Abstract:

An alternator/inverter system for use with a portable generator which includes a voltage regulation system. The alternator/inverter incorporates a pair of permanent magnet generators (PMGs), a pair of active rectifier circuits, a pair of DC bus capacitors and a pair of H-bridge inverters, forming two distinct alternator/inverter sections. Each alternator/inverter section provides a 120 VAC output, and a 240 VAC output is formed between the two alternator/inverters sections. The voltage regulation system is formed from a pair of voltage regulation circuits that are associated with each alternator/inverter section. The circuits monitor the DC bus voltage of each alternator/inverter and determine the DC losses resulting from electrical cabling coupling the alternator/inverters to external loads, as well as the H-bridge inverters. A microcomputer or an analog device(s) controls the rectifiers of each to perform âV+IRâ compensation based on the sensed DC bus voltage of each alternator/inverter section.

US Patent:

6646406, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Apr 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/049263

Inventors:

Charles Pollock - Rutland, GB
Helen Geraldine Phyllis Pollock - Rutland, GB
Richard Thomas Walter - Towson MD

Assignee:

Black Decker Inc. - Newark DE
University of Warwick - Warwichshire

International Classification:

G05B 1128

US Classification:

318599, 318254, 318138, 318439

Abstract:

An electrical machine comprises a rotor without windings, a stator having an armature winding and a field winding for generating a magnetomotive force in a direction extending transversely of the magnetomotive force generated by the armature winding. An electronic circuit is provided for controlling the current in the armature winding such that periods in which a magnetomotive force in one direction is associated with a first current pulse alternate with periods in which a magnetomotive force in the opposite direction is associated with a second current pulse. A position sensor is provided for monitoring the rotational position of the rotor and for supplying output signals at a rate dependent on the speed of rotation of the rotor. Furthermore a control system supplies control signals to the circuit to control the current in the armature winding in response to the output signals. The control system uses a control signal of extended duration at the beginning of the first current pulse on start-up of the motor from rest as compared with the duration of the control signals produced over the remainder of the first current pulse during acceleration of the rotor.

US Patent:

6653815, Nov 25, 2003

Filed:

Dec 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/309840

Inventors:

James B. Watson - Fallston MD
Paul S. White - Ellicott City MD
Christopher R. Yahnker - Eldersburg MD
Daniel Puzio - Baltimore MD
Thomas J. Bodine - Jessup MD
Robert Bradus - Bel Air MD
Daniele C. Brotto - Baltimore MD
John E. Buck - Cockeysville MD
Daniel J. White - Baltimore MD
Samuel G. Woods - Bel Air MD
Richard T. Walter - Baldwin MD
Edward A. Harrison - Bel Air MD
Adan Ayala - Owings Mills MD

Assignee:

Black Decker Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

H02J 700

US Classification:

320114, 320117

Abstract:

A system of cordless power tools includes a cordless power tool adapted to removably receive a rechargeable battery pack. The system further includes a battery pack charger and a converter for converting AC electricity to DC electricity. A battery pack interface block is captured between clam shell halves of a battery pack housing and includes a plurality of male blade terminals. The male blade terminals are received within recessed female terminals of a tool terminal block and similarly received by recessed female terminals of the charger. The tool terminal block further includes a pair of male terminals which engage recessed female terminals of the converter.