Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090075046 | AQUEOUS BASED COATING WITH ATTRACTIVE BARRIER AND OPTICAL CHARACTERISTICS - An improved coating composition including a polymeric component and synthetic clay. The coating composition is particularly useful for coating a polymeric substrate, such as a styrenic polymeric substrate. One particular preferred application involves coating a closed cell foam extruded styrenic polymeric insulation panel with the coating composition, thereby realizing attractive barrier properties and optical characteristics from the coating. | 03-19-2009 |
20090324946 | METHOD FOR MAKING POROUS ACICULAR MULLITE BODIES - Highly porous acicular mullite bodies are prepared. A green body containing mullite precursors and a porogen is formed using a wet method. The green body is heated to sequentially remove any binder, the porogen and calcine it. The calcined body is mullitized. The process formed a calcined body that has excellent strength and can be handled easily. The mullitized body has very high porosity, small pores and has excellent fracture strength. | 12-31-2009 |
20100304165 | MODIFIED GEOPOLYMER COMPOSITIONS, PROCESSES AND USES - The present invention relates to modified geopolymer compositions, geopolymer-coated organic polymer substrates, and methods of manufacturing and articles comprising same. | 12-02-2010 |
20110132230 | GEOPOLYMER PRECURSOR DRY MIXTURE, PACKAGE, PROCESSES AND METHODS - The present invention generally relates to a geopolymer precursor dry mixture, geopolymer precursor package, a process of preparing a geopolymer composition, and a method of providing a geopolymer composition to a geopolymer composition preparation site. | 06-09-2011 |
20110166018 | Method for Making Porous Acicular Mullite-Containing Composites - Porous composites of mullite and cordierite are formed by firing an acicular mullite body in the presence of a magnesium source and a silicon source. In some variations of the process, the magnesium and silicon sources are present when the acicular mullite body is formed. In other variations, the magnesium source and the silicon source are applied to a previously-formed acicular mullite body. Surprisingly, the composites have coefficients of linear thermal expansion that are intermediate to those of mullite and cordierite alone, and have higher fracture strengths than cordierite at a similar porosity. Some of the cordierite forms at grain boundaries and/or points of intersection between mullite needles, rather than merely coating the needles. The presence of magnesium and silicon sources during acicular mullite formation does not significantly affect the ability to produce a highly porous network of mullite needles. | 07-07-2011 |
20130136938 | MODIFIED GEOPOLYMER COMPOSITIONS, PROCESSES AND USES - The present invention relates to modified geopolymer compositions, geopolymer-coated organic polymer substrates, and methods of manufacturing and articles comprising same. | 05-30-2013 |
20140199482 | CEMENT AND SKINNING MATERIAL FOR CERAMIC HONEYCOMB STRUCTURES - Skins and/or adhesive layers are formed on a porous ceramic honeycomb by applying a layer of a cement composition to a surface of the honeycomb and firing the cement composition. The cement composition contains inorganic filler particles, a carrier fluid and a clay material rather than the colloidal alumina and/or silica materials that are conventionally used in such cements. The cement compositions resist permeation into the porous walls of the ceramic honeycomb. As a result, lower temperature gradients are seen in the honeycomb structure during rapid temperature changes, which results in an increased thermal shock resistance. | 07-17-2014 |
20150050486 | GEOPOLYMER PRECURSOR-AEROGEL COMPOSITIONS - Geopolymer precursor-aerogel compositions. As an example, a geopolymer precursor-aerogel composition can include an aluminosilicate reactant, an alkaline activator, an aerogel additive, and a continuous medium. | 02-19-2015 |
20150051312 | EPOXY-MULTILAYER POLYMER RDP GEOPOLYMER COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME - The present invention provides a two component geopolymer composition of wherein one component comprises a dry mix of an aluminosilicate, such as flyash, geopolymer precursor and one or more epoxy multilayer polymer particle redispersible polymer powder (RDP) having an epoxy resin core and an alkali soluble polymer shell, the epoxy resin having a calculated glass transition temperature (T | 02-19-2015 |
20150079367 | FIRE RESISTANT COMPOSITE STRUCTURE - Fire resistant composite structures. As an example, a fire resistant composite structure can have a foam material, a geopolymer thermal protection layer adhered to the foam material, and a facing adhered to the geopolymer layer. The geopolymer thermal protection layer can be formed by curing geopolymer precursors having a silicon to aluminum ratio in a range of 1.0:0.1 to 1.0:3.3. | 03-19-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120011615 | DNA Encoding Ring Zinc-Finger Protein and the use of the DNA in Vectors and Bacteria and in Plants - The present inventions relate to compositions and methods for providing stress tolerant transgenic plants comprising a RING domain zinc-finger motif transcription factor protein. More particularly, the invention relates to compositions and methods comprising a RING-H2 domain transcription factor protein for providing drought and salt tolerant plants, in particular comprising a recombinant XERICO gene and protein. | 01-12-2012 |
20130254930 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR XYLEM-SPECIFIC EXPRESSION IN PLANT CELLS - The invention provides promoter sequences that regulate specific expression of operably linked sequences in developing xylem cells and/or in developing xylem tissue. The developing xylem-specific sequences are exemplified by the DX5, DX8, DX11, and DX15 promoters, portions thereof, and homologs thereof. The invention further provides expression vectors, cells, tissues and plants that contain the invention's sequences. The compositions of the invention and methods of using them are useful in, for example, improving the quantity (biomass) and/or the quality (wood density, lignin content, sugar content etc.) of expressed biomass feedstock products that may be used for bioenergy, biorefinary, and generating wood products such as pulp, paper, and solid wood. | 09-26-2013 |
20150052641 | CONTROL OF CELLULOSE BIOSYNTHESIS BY OVEREXPRESSION OF A TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR - The invention relates to the over-expression of a transcription factor selected from the group consisting of MYB46, HAM1, HAM2, MYB112, WRKY11, ERF6, and any combination thereof in a plant, which can modulate and thereby modulating the cellulose content of the plant. | 02-19-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120208106 | CATALYST INK PREPARATION FOR FUEL CELL ELECTRODE FABRICATION - Methods of fabricating gas diffusion electrodes and gas diffusion electrodes made from such methods are disclosed herein. One method of fabricating a gas diffusion electrode for a fuel cell comprises preparing a catalyst ink of a predetermined viscosity. Preparing the catalyst ink comprises mixing a catalyst solution comprising catalyst particles, an ionomer and a solvent at a first speed for a first period of time and homogenizing the catalyst solution at a second speed in a temperature controlled environment for a second period of time, wherein the second period of time is longer than the first period of time, the second period of time and the second speed selected to preserve a structure of the catalyst particles during homogenization. An active electrode layer is formed by spraying the catalyst ink directly on a gas diffusion layer in a single application and a uniform loading. | 08-16-2012 |
20130045430 | PROCESS TO RECOVER PERFORMANCE OF FUEL CELL CATALYSTS - Disclosed herein are processes for recovering performance of fuel cells by recovering fuel cell catalyst activity and methods of testing the durability and activity performance of fuel cells. One catalyst recovery process disclosed herein for a fuel cell having a membrane electrode assembly comprises operating the fuel cell for a first recovery cycle with fuel gas supplied to an anode of the fuel cell and an oxidant supplied to a cathode of the fuel cell while drawing a current from the fuel cell at steady state throughout the first recovery cycle, the first recovery cycle having a predetermined time period. The fuel cell has reached end of life due in part to intermittent use prior to operating the fuel cell for the first recovery cycle. A life of the fuel cell improves when the first recovery cycle is complete. | 02-21-2013 |
20130045431 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE RECOVERY OF FUEL CELL CATALYST PERFORMANCE - Disclosed herein are systems and methods for recovering performance of fuel cells by recovering fuel cell catalyst activity. One system for recovering catalyst performance of a fuel cell stack made of one or more fuel cells in a vehicle comprises a sensor for detecting an EOL state of the fuel cell. A notification device notifies a user when the sensor detects the EOL state of the fuel cell. Means for drawing a steady-state load from the fuel cell stack is used to operate the fuel cell stack until the catalyst performance is recovered. | 02-21-2013 |
20130126072 | FABRICATION OF CATALYST COATED ELECTRODE SUBSTRATE WITH LOW LOADINGS USING DIRECT SPRAY METHOD - Disclosed herein are methods of making a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell. One method disclosed herein comprises preparing a catalyst ink of a predetermined viscosity, masking an electrode substrate having a first surface and a second surface on the first surface with a magnetic mask, spraying the catalyst ink on the first surface of the electrode substrate, and drying the catalyst ink by heating the electrode substrate and the magnetic mask in an oven at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time. | 05-23-2013 |
20130157153 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF IN SITU CATALYST DEGRADATION DETECTION DURING FUEL CELL OPERATION - Disclosed herein are catalyst degradation detection assemblies and methods of catalyst degradation detection that can be performed in-situ. One embodiment of an in-situ fuel cell catalyst degradation detection assembly comprises a humidified hydrogen supply configured to supply humidified hydrogen to an anode of a fuel cell, a humidified nitrogen supply configured to supply humidified nitrogen to a cathode of the fuel cell, a collection cell containing a liquid, the collection cell configured to receive either cathode exhaust from the fuel cell through a cathode exhaust line or anode exhaust from the fuel cell through an anode exhaust line and means for detecting a gas. | 06-20-2013 |
20130158757 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF IN-SITU DIAGNOSIS OF FUEL CELL HEALTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION - Disclosed herein are systems and methods of diagnosing in situ the health of a fuel cell stack while it is in operation in a vehicle. One such system of diagnosing in situ the health of a fuel cell stack while it is in operation in a vehicle comprises at least one gas sensor configured to detect a gas in exhaust from the fuel cell stack and a control unit configured to receive data from the gas sensor. The control unit has baseline data particular to a catalyst of the fuel cell stack and is programmed to determine information from the baseline data and the data from the gas sensor, the information providing a condition of the fuel cell stack. A display unit is configured to display an indication of the condition. | 06-20-2013 |
20140001176 | APPARATUS FOR RAPID SYNTHESIS OF FUEL CELL CATALYST USING CONTROLLED MICROWAVE HEATING | 01-02-2014 |
20140004440 | ULTRALOW LOADING FUEL CELL CATALYST | 01-02-2014 |
20140011665 | Rapid Synthesis of Fuel Cell Catalyst Using Controlled Microwave Heating - Methods for the rapid synthesis of catalyst are provided, as well as catalyst formed from such methods. One method of the rapid synthesis of catalyst comprises forming a homogenous solution comprising a precious metal precursor and a catalyst substrate, reducing the precious metal precursor to precious metal nanoparticles, and depositing the precious metal nanoparticles onto the catalyst substrate to form catalyst particles. The reducing and depositing steps comprise controlling a rate of increase in temperature of the solution with microwave irradiation until the solution is a predetermined temperature and maintaining the solution at the predetermined temperature with microwave irradiation. The method further comprises detecting completion of the reduction and deposition and ceasing microwave irradiation upon detection. | 01-09-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090283032 | HIGH PERFORMANCE KINETIC SPRAY NOZZLE - A nozzle assembly for a kinetic spray system includes a convergent portion, a throat portion, and a divergent portion, each cooperating together to define a passage therethrough for passing a mixture of powder particles suspended in a flow of a high pressure heated gas. The nozzle assembly further includes an extension portion attached to the divergent portion and extending to a distal end a pre-determined length from the divergent portion of the nozzle assembly. The extension portion permits a dragging force exerted on the powder particles by the flow of high pressure heated gas to act upon the powder particles for a longer duration of time, thereby permitting the powder particles to accelerate to a greater velocity than has been previously achievable. | 11-19-2009 |
20090285996 | HIGH PERFORMANCE KINETIC SPRAY NOZZLE - A nozzle assembly for a kinetic spray system includes a convergent portion, a throat portion, and a divergent portion, each cooperating together to define a passage therethrough for passing a mixture of powder particles suspended in a flow of a high pressure heated gas. The nozzle assembly further includes an extension portion attached to the divergent portion and extending to a distal end a pre-determined length from the divergent portion of the nozzle assembly. The extension portion permits a dragging force exerted on the powder particles by the flow of high pressure heated gas to act upon the powder particles for a longer duration of time, thereby permitting the powder particles to accelerate to a greater velocity than has been previously achievable. | 11-19-2009 |
20100010753 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DEVELOPING MESH NETWORKS AND ESTIMATING AIR FLOW AROUND VEHICLE BODY SURFACES - A method for developing a mesh network for analyzing air flow around a surface of a vehicle body includes the steps of determining a plurality of estimates for a flow direction for the air flow for a plurality of locations around the surface and generating the mesh network based at least in part on the plurality of estimates. The mesh network comprises a plurality of mesh lines. Each mesh line is at least substantially aligned with the flow direction proximate a corresponding one of the plurality of locations. | 01-14-2010 |
20100019050 | Automatic Climate Control for a Vehicle - A system and method of operating an automatic climate control system for a vehicle is disclosed. The method may include determining a breath level air temperature in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; determining a mean radiant temperature in the passenger compartment; determining an average air velocity in the passenger compartment; determining a clothing level factor, and calculating an equivalent homogeneous temperature based on the breath level air temperature, the mean radiant temperature, the average air velocity and the clothing level factor; comparing the calculated equivalent homogeneous temperature to a desired equivalent homogeneous temperature; and adjusting an output of the automatic climate control system based on the comparison of the calculated equivalent homogeneous temperature to the desired equivalent homogeneous temperature. | 01-28-2010 |
20100122571 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING ENGINE OIL LIFE BASED ON VISCOSITY - A method and control module for indicating engine oil life includes a viscosity determination module determining a viscosity of the engine oil based on an engine oil pressure and engine oil temperature. The control system further includes a comparison module comparing the viscosity of the engine oil to a threshold and generating a warning signal in response to comparing the viscosity. | 05-20-2010 |
20110206965 | COMBINATION OF HEAT PIPE AND LOUVERED FINS FOR AIR-COOLING OF LI-ION BATTERY CELL AND PACK - A heat pipe is described. The heat pipe includes a heat pipe body containing a working fluid; and a louvered cooling fin adjacent to one end of the heat pipe body, the louvered cooling fin extending outward from a surface of the heat pipe body. Air-cooled battery packs containing the heat pipe are also described. | 08-25-2011 |
20110244293 | SECONDARY BATTERY MODULE - A secondary battery module includes a plurality of secondary battery cells each having a measureable temperature and each spaced apart from an adjacent one of the secondary battery cells to define a cooling channel therebetween. The plurality of cells includes a first one of the cells having a measureable first temperature and a terminal one of the cells having a measureable terminal temperature and separated from the first one of the cells by at least one other of the cells. The module includes a fluid flowable within each of the cooling channels and in thermal energy exchange relationship with each of the cells, and a housing defining an inlet channel disposed in fluid flow communication with each of the cooling channels and configured for directing fluid flow uniformly to each of the cooling channels, and further defining a plurality of inlet ports in fluid flow communication with the inlet channel. | 10-06-2011 |
20110244294 | SECONDARY BATTERY THERMAL MANAGEMENT DEVICE AND SYSTEM - A thermal management device for dissipating thermal energy from a secondary battery cell includes a first plate defining a first channel and a second channel spaced apart from the first channel, wherein the first plate further defines an inlet port in communication with the first channel and an outlet port in communication with the second channel and spaced opposite the inlet port. The device includes a second plate configured for thermal energy exchange with the cell and disposed in contact with the first plate to define a cross-flow channel, wherein the cross-flow channel interconnects the first and second channels. A thermal management system includes a cell having a first temperature, a fluid having a second temperature that is less than the first temperature, and the device. The fluid is conveyable from the inlet port to the outlet port via the cross-flow channel to thereby dissipate thermal energy from the cell. | 10-06-2011 |
20110244295 | SECONDARY BATTERY MODULE - A secondary battery module includes a plurality of secondary battery cells each having a measureable temperature and each spaced apart from an adjacent one of the cells to define a cooling channel therebetween. The plurality of cells includes a first one of the cells having a measureable first temperature, and a terminal one of the cells having a measureable terminal temperature and separated from the first one of the cells by at least one other of the cells. The module includes a fluid flowable within each of the cooling channels and in thermal energy exchange relationship with each of the cells. The module includes a housing having a surface defining an inlet channel disposed in fluid flow communication with each of the cooling channels and configured for directing the fluid flow to each of the cooling channels. The surface has a shape defined by a spline. | 10-06-2011 |
20110274957 | SECONDARY BATTERY MODULE AND COMPOSITE ARTICLE THEREOF - A composite article for dissipating thermal energy from a secondary battery cell includes a first graphite layer, a second graphite layer spaced away from and arranged parallel to the first graphite layer, and a metal layer sandwiched between and disposed in contact with each of the first graphite layer and the second graphite layer. The composite article has a thermal conductivity of greater than or equal to about 1,200 W/mK and an electrical conductivity of greater than or equal to about 10,000 S/cm. A secondary battery module includes the composite article and a secondary battery cell having a length and an average measurable temperature along the length during operation of the secondary battery module. The composite article is disposed adjacent and in contact with the secondary battery cell to thereby dissipate thermal energy from the secondary battery cell during operation of the secondary battery module. | 11-10-2011 |
20110293984 | Enhanced high voltage terminal cooling with a high thermal conductivity coating - A battery cell pack having improved heat transfer is described. In one embodiment, the battery cell pack includes a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell having an anode foil and a cathode foil; a pair of taps, the first tap attached to the anode foil and the second tap attached to the cathode foil; wherein at least one battery cell has a high thermal conductivity coating on at least one side of the anode foil, or the cathode foil, or both; or at least one of the taps has a high thermal conductivity coating on at least one side; or both. Methods of improving the heat transfer of battery cell packs are also described. | 12-01-2011 |
20130037252 | SMART HVAC SYSTEM HAVING OCCUPANT DETECTION CAPABILITY - A smart HVAC system adapted for selectively regulating fluid flow into a space generally includes an HVAC system including at least one active vent, a preferably variable blower fluidly coupled thereto, and at least one sensor associated with each vent, wherein the sensor is operable to cause the associated vent to shift between opened and closed conditions, and/or preferably the blower output to change, when an occupant is autonomously detected within at least a portion of the space. | 02-14-2013 |
20130054096 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING A BUFFETING CONDITION IN A PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF A VEHICLE - A system and method for reducing a buffeting condition in a passenger compartment of a vehicle is disclosed herein. The system includes, but is not limited to, a blocking member disposed between the passenger compartment and an adjacent space that is configured to move between an open position and a closed position to respectively open and close an opening between the passenger compartment and the adjacent space. The system further includes a motor operatively coupled with the blocking member and configured to move the blocking member between the open position and the closed position. The system still further includes a controller operatively coupled to the motor and configured to control the motor to move the blocking member to alternate between the open position and the closed position at a predetermined rate in response to a triggering event, whereby a buffeting condition experienced in the passenger compartment is diminished. | 02-28-2013 |
20140077758 | APPARATUS FOR INDUCTIVE CHARGING OF PORTABLE DEVICES IN VEHICLES - A portable device recharging system includes a base unit generating an electromagnetic field. A portable device includes a rechargeable battery inductively charged by the electromagnetic field. Spacers are disposed between the portable device and the base unit. The spacers support the portable device and maintain an air gap between the base unit and the portable device. | 03-20-2014 |
20140217194 | Vehicle Anti-Icing and De-Icing Systems and Corresponding Methods of Operation - A system, for inhibiting ice formation on a vehicle surface, and de-icing if determined needed to remove any frozen matter formed on the surface, including an anti-icing reservoir, a fluid-selecting control valve, and code that causes a processor to perform operations including determining whether the vehicle is parked, initiating, if parked, activation of, or obtaining of readouts from, any local sensors or routines to be used to determine whether a condition triggering initiation of an anti-freezing cycle is present. The operations include commencing, if triggered, an anti-icing cycle, including initiating changing of the fluid-selection valve to select the anti-freezing reservoir, and initiating pumping of the anti-icing fluid from the anti-icing reservoir to and through a fluid-dispensing nozzle, and onto the surface for inhibiting bonding of frozen material on the surface and/or remove any already formed frozen material on the surface. | 08-07-2014 |
20140272496 | Micro-Channel Cooling Fin Design Based on an Equivalent Temperature Gradient - A micro-channel cooling fin for a battery module and battery is provided. The cooling fin includes a metal plate assembly that defines a plurality of cooling channels therein. The metal plate assembly includes an inlet section for introducing a coolant into the plurality of cooling channels and an outlet section from which the coolant exits the plurality of cooling channels. Each channel has an output temperature and an input temperature such that the output temperature minus the input temperature for each cooling channel is within a predetermined amount. | 09-18-2014 |
20140293538 | TEMPERATURE REGULATION OF INDUCTIVE CHARGING DEVICES IN EXTREME VEHICLE ENVIRONMENTS - A thermal conditioning system for an inductive charging system. An open enclosure charging unit includes at least one surface generating an electromagnetic field for inductively charging a portable device. A primary conduit coupled to the open enclosure charging unit. The primary conduit outputs conditioned air to the open enclosure charging unit. The conditioned air output by the primary conduit maintains a temperature of the portable device at a predetermined temperature range within the open enclosure charging unit. | 10-02-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090271138 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR A VIRTUAL TEST CELL - A method for calibrating a physical test cell includes the steps of: determining a set of inputs to be provided to the physical test cell based in part on a set of historical test data; providing the inputs to the physical test cell and receiving a set of outputs associated therewith, wherein the providing includes implementing a sequential space filling sampling procedure to substantially cover a region defined by the set of historical values; creating a virtual test cell comprising one or more response surfaces based on the set of outputs; and interrogating the virtual test cell to determine a calibration relationship between at least one of the inputs and at least one of the outputs. Smooth Kriging may be used to determine the virtual test cell. | 10-29-2009 |
20120286613 | ASYMMETRIC STATOR TEETH IN AN ELECTRIC MOTOR - A permanent magnet motor includes a permanent magnet rotor, a stator surrounding the rotor having a plurality of teeth radially inwardly oriented toward a longitudinal axis of the stator wherein each tooth has a tooth length and a tooth tip surface geometry. An asymmetric air gap is defined by variations in the tooth lengths and tooth tip surface geometries. | 11-15-2012 |
20120293105 | ROTOR SLOT ASYMMETRY IN AN ELECTRIC MOTOR - An electric motor includes a stator configured to receive electrical energy and generate an electromagnetic field in accordance with the electrical energy received. A rotor is in electromagnetic communication with the stator and is configured to rotate in accordance with the electromagnetic field generated by the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of poles including a first set of poles and a second set of poles. The first set of poles defines a first slot and the second set of poles defines a second slot that has a different configuration than the first slot to reduce a torque ripple effect. The electric motor may be used in a system having a power source configured to output direct current energy and an inverter configured to convert direct current energy to alternating current energy. | 11-22-2012 |
20130020896 | ROTOR FOR A PERMANENT MAGNET ELECTRIC MACHINE - A rotor for a permanent magnet electric machine includes an axis of rotation, an outer surface, and a cross-section orthogonal to the axis of rotation with a non-circular contour of the outer surface defined by a plurality of radii angularly distributed around the axis of rotation. | 01-24-2013 |
20130069470 | INTERIOR PERMANENT MAGNET MACHINE WITH RADIALLY ASYMMETRIC MAGNET CONFIGURATION - An interior permanent magnet machine is provided with a rotor that includes a plurality of slots and at least one barrier defined by the plurality of slots. A plurality of first and second magnets are disposed within the barrier. The rotor is configured such that at least one of the first magnets is located at a different radial distance from the center of the rotor relative to at least one of the second magnets. The rotor may be configured to produce an averaging effect similar to that achieved through traditional skewing of rotor magnets. The rotor includes a plurality of poles defined by respective pole axes in the rotor and may be configured to reflect radial asymmetry between poles (pole-to-pole) and/or radial asymmetry within a pole. | 03-21-2013 |
20130141082 | LINEAR POSITION SENSOR ASSEMBLY HAVING MAGNETIC SHIELD - A linear position sensor assembly having a magnetic shield minimizes interference (noise) from adjacent electrical and electromagnetic devices, particularly solenoids. The sensor assembly includes a permanent magnet linear contactless displacement (PLCD) sensor comprising a pair of magnetic field sensors which are spaced apart by a member of high magnetic permeability such as a metal bar. The sensors and metal bar are enclosed, i.e., surrounded on three sides, by a cover or shield of high magnetic permeability material such as steel or mu metal, for example. A permanent magnet is disposed in sensed proximity to the sensors and translates with a clutch actuator component. When the clutch actuator component translates axially, the two field sensors provide a signal to associated electronics having high linearity, low noise and no deadband. | 06-06-2013 |
20130147309 | ROTOR GEOMETRY FOR REDUCTION OF TORQUE RIPPLE IN A WOUND FIELD MACHINE - An electric machine is provided with a rotor configured to be rotatable within a stator. A first and second tooth are disposed circumferentially along an outer perimeter of the rotor and at least partially define a first slot. The first and the second tooth define a respective first and second outer edge extending between a respective tooth base and a respective tooth tip. An arc radius from the origin to the outer perimeter of the rotor varies along the first outer edge of the first tooth, thereby creating a first non-uniform gap between the rotor and the stator. The arc radius from the origin to the outer perimeter of the rotor varies along the second outer edge of the second tooth, thereby creating a second non-uniform gap between the rotor and the stator. The rotor geometry is configured to reduce torque ripple without skewing either the rotor or the stator. | 06-13-2013 |
20130270952 | AXIALLY ASYMMETRIC PERMANENT MAGNET MACHINE - A permanent magnet machine is provided with a rotor positioned at least partially within a stator. The rotor includes first and second ring segments oriented axially around a central axis. The rotor defines first and second configurations in the first and second ring segments, respectively. The first configuration is sufficiently different from the second configuration such that torque ripple may be minimized. A first layer of slots, defining a slot outer edge, may be formed in the rotor. In one embodiment, a stator-to-slot gap varies between the first and second ring segments. In another embodiment, a stator-rotor gap varies between the first and second ring segments. In another embodiment, a bridge thickness varies between the first and second ring segments. Thus the rotor exhibits axial asymmetry. | 10-17-2013 |