Paul W Firehammer

US Patent:

6563280, May 13, 2003

Filed:

Mar 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/800111

Inventors:

Paul W. Firehammer - Livonia MI
William B. Henry - Chelsea MI

Assignee:

Whedco, Inc. - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

G05B 1101

US Classification:

318560, 318603

Abstract:

A labeling machine servo motor to drive the label feed is combined with a control system which tracks the surface of the item to be labeled wherein all of the parameters affecting the placement of the label are instantly programmable. Label motion starting position, label acceleration and deceleration rates, label speed, and label stop position are all under program control and may be adjusted within the control system or by an external device utilizing a network, a serial interface, or a discrete input/output interface to the control system. In the preferred embodiment, the control system comprises a servo controller easily programmable and reprogrammable in the necessary parameters to effect more accurate and faster label application.

US Patent:

6577095, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

Jun 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/594069

Inventors:

Paul W. Firehammer - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Whedco, Inc. - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

H02P 124

US Classification:

318727, 318565, 318 49, 318 50, 318 98, 318 99, 318105, 318106, 318112, 318560

Abstract:

AC servo motor drives which allow several AC drives to be connected in parallel and allow for the connection and reconnection of AC servo motors to be accomplished primarily through a central processing unit (CPU). Thus, multiple AC servo motor drives may be ganged under the supervision of the CPU to provide a servo motor with multiple times the current available from a single drive and optionally redundancy in the drives. To provide necessary coordination, the required motor current magnitude and phase (current vector) are broadcast by an axis controller to the drives. This command current vector is broadcast over a high speed serial data bus which allows many simultaneous listeners (the AC servo motor drives). To protect against damage to each drive, each of the three current output terminals is preceded by an output filter. The output filters preceding the terminals permit phase by phase parallel connection of several drives in the service of one servo motor.

US Patent:

8427107, Apr 23, 2013

Filed:

Jun 22, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/820433

Inventors:

Paul W. Firehammer - Saline MI, US

Assignee:

A 123 Systems, Inc. - Waltham MA

International Classification:

H01M 10/44
H01M 10/46

US Classification:

320128

Abstract:

Systems and methods for extending the useable capacity of a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, flyback transformers supply charge to lower capacity battery cells to extend battery output.

US Patent:

8541979, Sep 24, 2013

Filed:

Jun 22, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/820411

Inventors:

Paul W. Firehammer - Saline MI, US
Benjamin Sinsheimer - Plymouth MI, US

Assignee:

A123 Systems, Inc. - Waltham MA

International Classification:

H02J 7/00
H02J 7/14

US Classification:

320118, 320107, 320127, 320135

Abstract:

Systems and methods for actively balancing battery cells are disclosed. In one example, a charge is supplied to different battery cells at different times during a battery discharge cycle. The method may reduce instantaneous current draw within a battery pack.

US Patent:

8629581, Jan 14, 2014

Filed:

Jun 9, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/796810

Inventors:

Brian D. Rutkowski - Ypsilanti MI, US
Brian C. Moorhead - Willis MI, US
Paul W. Firehammer - Saline MI, US
John W. Wagner - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

A123 Systems, Inc. - Waltham MA

International Classification:

H01H 47/00
H01H 83/00
H02J 7/00

US Classification:

307125, 307150

Abstract:

Systems and methods for communicating notice to limit battery degradation within a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, a signal is generated and passed between modules of a battery pack to provide notice to limit battery pack degradation. The system and method may be particularly useful for a battery pack with distributed battery modules.

US Patent:

20100289453, Nov 18, 2010

Filed:

May 15, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/466462

Inventors:

Paul Waldemar Firehammer - Saline MI, US
John William Wagner - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

H02J 7/00

US Classification:

320118

Abstract:

A vehicle power system may include a plurality of series connected power storage units configured to supply power to move a vehicle, and at least one flyback switch mode converter having a plurality of primary windings and a single secondary winding. Each of the primary windings may be configured to be selectively electrically connected with a respective one of a set of the power storage units. The secondary winding may be electrically connected with a different set of the power storage units.

US Patent:

20110309796, Dec 22, 2011

Filed:

Jun 22, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/820421

Inventors:

Paul W. Firehammer - Saline MI, US

Assignee:

A123 SYSTEMS, INC. - Watertown MA

International Classification:

H02J 7/00

US Classification:

320118, 320116

Abstract:

Systems and methods for a managing charge within a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, flyback transformers manage charge in a second current path. The system and method can improve battery efficiency and performance at least during some conditions.

US Patent:

20120274284, Nov 1, 2012

Filed:

Jan 4, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/520534

Inventors:

Paul W. Firehammer - Saline MI, US
John H. Floros - Novi MI, US

Assignee:

A123 Systems, Inc. - Waltham MA

International Classification:

H02J 7/00

US Classification:

320118

Abstract:

Systems and methods for detecting and managing a plurality of cells within a battery pack supplying power to propel a vehicle are disclosed. One example method comprises, monitoring voltage of a plurality of battery cells of a battery pack, activating a power supply when a voltage of at least one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells exceeds a threshold, and draining a portion of charge from the at least one battery cell.