Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080223557 | LIQUID COOLING SYSTEM OF AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - Disclosed is a liquid cooling system for an electric machine including a frame heat conductively attachable to a stator of an electric machine. The liquid cooling system further includes a cover mechanically attached to the frame and fluidly sealed to the frame, the cover and frame defining a cavity therebetween. The cover includes at least one protrusion extending substantially a distance between the cover and the frame. A method for constructing a liquid is also provided. The method includes forming at least one protrusion in the cover and structurally affixing the cover to the frame. The cover is fluidly sealed to the frame. | 09-18-2008 |
20080276734 | Torque limiter for engine starter - Disclosed is a starter motor including a drive assembly disposed at least partially within the housing. The drive assembly includes a gear train disposed in the housing, with the gear train in operable communication with a first end of an armature shaft. A pinion gear is in operable communication with a second end of the output shaft. A spacer is disposed between the gear train and the housing. The spacer is disposed and configured to hold the gear train fixed relative to the housing but allow the gear train to rotate relative to the housing when a selected slippage torque is applied to the gear train. | 11-13-2008 |
20090322456 | Starter Solenoid with Vibration Resistant Features - A starter solenoid comprises a solenoid cap defining a contact channel. A first terminal and a second terminal are provided on the solenoid cap. A contact is moveable within the channel between a first position where the contact touches the first and second terminals and a second position where the contact is removed from the first and second terminals. A shield is positioned in the channel to space the contact apart from the channel walls. The contact comprises a first terminal face connected to a second terminal face. The first and second terminal faces are configured to respectively contact the first and second terminals when the contact is in the first position. Opposing lips extend from opposite sides of the first terminal face with a curved shoulder provided between the first terminal face and each of the opposing lips. | 12-31-2009 |
20110273047 | ROTOR LAMINATION ASSEMBLY - An electric machine includes a stator, and a rotor lamination assembly configured to rotate relative to the stator. The rotor assembly includes at least one lamination member that includes a body having an inner diametric edge that extends to an outer diametric edge, and at least one magnet receiving member. The at least one magnet receiving member is formed in the body and includes a first end that extends to a second end. The second end is spaced from the outer diametric edge to form a bridge portion. The at least one lamination member includes at least one stress concentration element positioned between the inner diametric edge and the outer diametric edge. The at least one stress concentration element is configured and disposed to reduce stress in the bridge portion. | 11-10-2011 |
20110273049 | ROTOR LAMINATION ASSEMBLY - An electric machine includes a stator, and a rotor lamination assembly configured and disposed to rotate relative to the stator. The rotor lamination assembly includes at least one lamination member including a body member having an outer diametric edge, and at least one magnet receiving member. The at least one magnet receiving member includes a first end that extends to a second end. The second end establishes an interruption zone in the outer diametric edge. | 11-10-2011 |
20110298315 | Electric Machine Cooling System and Method - Embodiments of the invention provide an electric machine module including a housing. In some embodiments, the housing can include a sleeve member coupled to at least one end cap. The housing can include an inner wall at least partially defining a machine cavity, a coolant sump, and at least one coolant channel positioned between the inner wall and an outer wall of the housing. In some embodiments, the coolant channel can be in fluid communication with the coolant sump. In some embodiments, an electric machine can be positioned in the machine cavity. The electric machine can comprise a stator assembly including stator end turns and a rotor assembly. In some embodiments, a coolant jacket can be at least partially defined by the housing and can be positioned so that to at least partially circumscribe a portion of the stator assembly. | 12-08-2011 |
20120068570 | PARALLEL PATH PHASE LEAD EXITS FROM ELECTRIC MACHINE - A stator winding for an electric machine includes two or more conductors defining one or more phases about the stator winding. Each phase includes at least two conductors of the two or more conductors arranged in an electrically switchable relationship. An end of each conductor of the two or more conductors extends to an exterior of the electric machine and is configured for independent electrical connection to a component at the exterior of the electric machine. An electric machine includes a stator having a stator winding including two or more conductors defining one or more phases about the stator winding including at least two conductors of the two or more conductors arranged in an electrically switchable relationship. An end of each conductor of the two or more conductors extends to an exterior of the electric machine for independent electrical connection to a component at the exterior of the electric machine. | 03-22-2012 |
20120068656 | SWITCH MODULE FOR AN ELECTRIC MACHINE HAVING SWITCHABLE STATOR WINDINGS - An electric machine including a housing and a stator arranged within the housing. The stator includes a plurality of stator windings that define a number of phases. A switch module is mounted at the housing. The switch module includes a plurality of switch members that are operatively connected to the plurality of stator windings. The plurality of switch members are configured and disposed to selectively establish one of a first electrical connection configuration and a second electrical connection configuration of the plurality of stator windings. | 03-22-2012 |
20120068657 | ELECTRIC MACHINE SYSTEM INCLUDING AN ELECTRIC MACHINE HAVING SWITCHED STATOR WINDINGS - An electric machine system includes an electric motor. The electric motor includes a stator having a plurality of windings that define a number of phases. A plurality of switch members are operatively coupled to the plurality of windings. The plurality of switch members are no more than one less than three times the number of phases. A controller is operatively coupled to the plurality of switch members. The controller selectively changes a state of the plurality of switch members to establish one of a first electrical connection configuration of the plurality of windings and a second electrical connection configuration of the plurality of windings. | 03-22-2012 |
20120126660 | ROTOR LAMINATION COMPRESSION SLEEVE FOR AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - An electric machine including a stator, and a rotor lamination assembly configured and disposed to rotate relative to the stator. The rotor lamination assembly includes a plurality of laminations that define an outer diametric surface. A rotor lamination compression sleeve extends about the outer diametric surface of the rotor lamination assembly. The rotor lamination compression sleeve exerts a compressive radial force on the rotor lamination assembly. The rotor lamination compression sleeve is configured and disposed to expand when subjected to a centrifugal force while still maintaining a compressive radial force. | 05-24-2012 |
20120181882 | ELECTRIC MACHINE HAVING AN INTEGRATED ROTOR TEMPERATURE SENSOR - An electric machine includes a housing, a stator mounted within the housing, and a rotor rotatably mounted within the housing relative to the stator. The rotor includes a rotor lamination assembly having a plurality of laminations. A temperature sensor is arranged within the housing. The temperature sensor includes a sensing surface configured and disposed to detect a temperature of the rotor. | 07-19-2012 |
20120181883 | ELECTRIC MACHINE WITH INTEGRATED COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR - An electric machine including a housing, a stator mounted within the housing, a rotor rotatably mounted within the housing relative to the stator, and a coolant system fluidly connected to the housing. The coolant system delivers a flow of coolant through the housing. A coolant temperature sensor is arranged within the housing and exposed to the flow of coolant. The coolant temperature sensor configured and disposed to detect a temperature of the coolant in the housing. | 07-19-2012 |
20120181884 | ELECTRIC MACHINE HAVING AN INTEGRATED COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR - An electric machine includes a housing having a coolant collection area, a stator mounted within the housing, a rotor assembly rotatably mounted within the housing relative to the stator, and a coolant level sensor arranged at the coolant collection area. The coolant level sensor includes a sensing surface configured and disposed to detect a level of coolant collected in the coolant collection area. | 07-19-2012 |
20120181965 | ELECTRIC MACHINE HAVING AN INTEGRATED VIBRATION SENSOR - An electric machine including a housing, a stator mounted within the housing, a rotor rotatably mounted within the housing relative to the stator, and a vibration sensor arranged within the housing. The vibration sensor includes a sensing member configured and disposed to detect vibrations of the electric machine. | 07-19-2012 |
20120181967 | PERMANENT MAGNET ELECTRIC MACHINE HAVING AN INTEGRATED MAGNETIC FLUX SENSOR - A permanent magnet electric machine that includes a housing, a stator mounted within the housing, a rotor assembly, a plurality of permanent magnets mounted within the rotor assembly, and a magnetic flux sensor arranged within the housing. The magnetic flux sensor includes a sensing surface configured and disposed to detect magnetic flux leaking from the rotor assembly. | 07-19-2012 |
20120183247 | ELECTRIC MACHINE WITH INTEGRATED BEARING TEMPERATURE SENSOR - An electric machine includes a housing and a shaft arranged within the housing. The shaft includes a first end portion and a second end portion. At least one bearing is mounted at one of the first end portion of the shaft and the second end portion of the shaft. A stator is mounted within the housing and a rotor is mounted relative to the shaft and rotatable relative to the stator. A temperature sensor is integrated into the housing at the at least one bearing. The temperature sensor includes a sensing element that detects a temperature of the at least one bearing. | 07-19-2012 |
20120256523 | STARTER MACHINE SYSTEM AND METHOD - Embodiments of the invention provide a starter machine comprising a housing. A motor can be positioned within the housing and coupled to a gear train, which can be coupled to a shaft. A switched reluctance solenoid assembly can be positioned within the housing and capable of being coupled to inverters that communicate with an electronic control unit. The switched reluctance solenoid assembly includes at least two switched reluctance stator assemblies and a rotor that is coupled to the shaft. The rotor can also include an integral pinion and is movably positioned within the switched reluctance stator assemblies. The rotor is capable of linear and rotational movement. | 10-11-2012 |
20120256524 | STARTER MACHINE SYSTEM AND METHOD - Embodiments of the invention provide a starter machine control system including an electronic control unit. The control system can include a starter machine that is in communication with the electronic control unit. The starter machine can comprise a solenoid assembly that includes at least one biasing members and a coil winding. The starter machine can also include a motor that is coupled to a pinion. The motor can include a field assembly and an armature assembly. The field assembly can include a support body and permanent magnets that are supported within the support body. A plurality of flux members can be disposed between the permanent magnets. A plurality of windings can be disposed around the flux members and can be coupled to a control circuit. | 10-11-2012 |
20120305226 | ELECTRIC MACHINE MODULE COOLING SYSTEM AND METHOD - Embodiments of the invention provide an electric machine module. The module can include a housing that can define a machine cavity. The housing can include a coolant jacket that contains a first coolant. A coolant sump can be in fluid communication with the machine cavity and can contain a second coolant that is different than the first coolant. The coolant sump can be in thermal communication with the coolant jacket. An electric machine can be positioned within the machine cavity. The electric machine can include a stator assembly, a rotor assembly, and a shaft. The module can also include at least one coolant channel, at least one shaft channel, and at least one rotor channel. | 12-06-2012 |
20130061457 | METHOD OF FORMING A ROTOR LAMINATION ASSEMBLY - A method of forming a rotor lamination assembly for an electric machine includes aligning a plurality of laminations to form a rotor lamination assembly. The rotor lamination assembly includes an outer diametric surface. The method also includes mounting a rotor lamination compression sleeve to the outer diametric surface of the rotor lamination assembly. The rotor lamination compression sleeve radially compresses the plurality of laminations. | 03-14-2013 |
20130127269 | METHOD OF OPERATING AN ELECTRIC MACHINE HAVING AN INTEGRATED COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR - A method of operating an electric machine includes flowing a coolant into an interior portion of a housing of the electric machine, and sensing a level of coolant in a coolant collection area within the interior portion with a coolant level sensor arranged at the housing. | 05-23-2013 |
20140125258 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING TORQUE VARIATION IN MOTOR DRIVE SYSTEMS - A method for controlling a specific electric machine includes receiving with a controller a back electromotive force (BEMF) coefficient for the specific electric machine. The controller is configured to control operation of an inverter coupled to the electric machine where the inverter is configured to provide or receive multi-phase electricity to or from the electric machine in motor mode or generator mode, respectively. The method further includes receiving with the controller an input related to a selected torque to be applied by or a selected power to be removed from the electric machine. The method further includes determining a first electrical parameter the inverter is to apply to in motor mode or a second electrical parameter the inverter is to convert power to in generator mode using the BEMF coefficient, and applying the first electrical parameter to the electric machine or converting the received power to the second electrical parameter. | 05-08-2014 |