Stephen R Post

US Patent:

7898203, Mar 1, 2011

Filed:

Jul 11, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/172139

Inventors:

Marc R. Davis - Dublin CA, US
Andrew J. Shepherd - Danville CA, US
Stephen Post - Walnut Creek CA, US

Assignee:

Curtis Instruments, Inc. - Livermore CA

International Classification:

G01R 31/34

US Classification:

318490, 318473, 318558, 318139

Abstract:

Electric motor controllers that dynamically adjust a motor resistance parameter are described. In order to adjust the motor resistance parameter, power is applied the electric motor while the controlled vehicle is stopped and its brake is set so that the vehicle remains stopped while a measurement is taken that can be used to determine motor resistance. A new motor resistance value is then generated based at least in part upon the measurement(s) and the motor resistance parameter is set to the new motor resistance value. The new motor resistance parameter may then be used in the control of the electric motor. In some embodiments, the measurements are taken after the controller receives a brake release request but before actually releasing the brake. The described arrangement can be used in a wide variety of motor controllers and is especially well suited for use in low cost controllers that control motors that are susceptible to wide variations in their resistance such as brushed permanent magnet DC motors.

US Patent:

D3873331, Dec 9, 1997

Filed:

Sep 25, 1995

Appl. No.:

D/044406

Inventors:

Donald L. Pellow - Pleasanton CA
Stephen F. Post - Walnut Creek CA

Assignee:

Curtis Instruments, Inc. - Mt. Kisco NY

International Classification:

1303

US Classification:

D13184

US Patent:

53748816, Dec 20, 1994

Filed:

Nov 24, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/981164

Inventors:

Stephen F. Post - Walnut Creek CA
Warren J. Vinzant - Castro Valley CA
Scott A. Bowman - Fairfax CA
George L. Ackerson - Alamo CA

Assignee:

Curtis Instruments, Inc. - Mount Kisco NY

International Classification:

H02P 310

US Classification:

318373

Abstract:

A motor controller comprises a plug detect circuit which detects "continuous" plug diode conduction during plug braking. The plug detect circuit detects "continuous" plug braking by detecting when a plug diode is or is not conducting current throughout substantially the entire time that a power MOSFET controlling the plug braking is conductive in one pulse width modulated MOSFET switching cycle. Continuous plug detection facilitates the motor controller's controlling a vehicle so that the vehicle has a more constant and smooth plug braking deceleration and subsequent powered acceleration in the opposite direction. According to another aspect of the invention, a motor controller comprises a POT HI and a POT LO driver circuit. The POT HI and POT LO driver circuits allow the detection of faults in throttle devices and the connections of the throttle devices to the POT HI and POT LO driver circuits. One of the POT HI and POT LO driver circuits has a greater current limit than does the other driver circuit so that numerous faults including open circuit breaks in the connection of a throttle device as well as shorts across or through the throttle device are detectable by the motor controller.

US Patent:

62082450, Mar 27, 2001

Filed:

Aug 2, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/365196

Inventors:

Stephen F. Post - Walnut Creek CA
Steven J. Lacker - Blauvelt NY

Assignee:

Curtis Instruments, Inc. - Mt. Kisco NY

International Classification:

B60Q1/00

US Classification:

3404574

Abstract:

In a preferred embodiment, an engine oil change indicator system, including: a combination engine oil pressure sensor and engine oil temperature sensor connected to a port on the engine to which port is normally connected an oil pressure switch; and a microprocessor connected to receive inputs from the combination engine oil pressure sensor and engine oil temperature sensor and to cause a low engine oil pressure warning light to be illuminated when the microprocessor has calculated from the inputs that the engine oil should be changed.