Abstract: A molded polymeric bearing housing is formed of a moldable polymer base material in combination with a glass fiber reinforcing component. A foaming agent is added to the base material to create a fine structural foam within interior regions of the housing. A density gradient is established between regions adjacent to the surfaces of the housing and the internal regions, thereby reducing the need for reinforcing ribs particularly in a base or mounting portion of the housing. An antimicrobial agent may be added to the housing material to inhibit the growth and proliferation of fungi, molds, bacteria, and so forth. Structural features of the housing may be formed subsequent to the molding process, such as by turning operations. Metal inserts may be provided to avoid crushing of regions of the housing, such as by attachment fasteners. The housing forms a mounting base surface in a single plane coextensive with the footprint of the housing.

Abstract: A method for loading slot cell insulators into a plurality of slots in a stator core of a dynamoelectric machine is disclosed. The method includes forming a slot cell insulator having a generally U-shape cross-section. The slot cell insulator may be turned so that an open end of the generally U-shape slot cell insulator face a loading assembly. The slot cell insulator is moved into the loading assembly. The forming and moving are repeated until a plurality of slot cell insulators are stored in the loading assembly. The plurality of slot cell insulators are pushed from the loading assembly into the slots of the stator core.

Abstract: A high temperature superconductor (HTS) synchronous motor or generator includes permanent magnets disposed in the rotor. The permanent magnets can be magnetized after the rotor assembly is manufactured. The permanent magnets reduce flux density perpendicular to the superconducting coil. The magnets can be disposed in the d-axis of the motor. The motor is particularly useful in propulsion applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for electrically connecting a power cable to an explosion-proof electric motor having an electric motor housed within an explosion-proof motor housing. The electric motor has a plurality of motor conductors used to couple power to the electric motor stator. The explosion-proof motor housing has an opening and a connection housing securable to the explosion-proof motor housing to seal the opening. The connection housing has an internal volume to house the slack portions of power cable and motor conductors and the electrical connection formed between the power cable and the motor conductors.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for removably coupling a shaft and hub to one another. The hub includes a pair of tapered regions near ends of its inner peripheral surface. The shaft may be tapered in a region designed to contact one of the tapered surfaces, or a tapered bushing arrangement may be used on the same end. On an opposite end, a tapered bushing is inserted between the shaft and the hub, and interfaces with the tapered portion of the hub to draw the shaft into tight engagement with the hub, with the bushing wedged between, during assembly. A retaining plate abuts a retaining ring, within the bushing, and a fastener through the retaining plate draws the hub and shaft tightly together during assembly. The retaining plate may receive removal fasteners which urge disengagement of the tapered bushing and shaft for easy and controlled disassembly of the hub and shaft from one another for servicing.

Abstract: A stator assembly for use in an electromechanical machine includes an improved concentric winding arrangement. Groups of concentric coils are alternately inserted from both ends of the stator core. In other words, a first phase group is inserted from one end. The stator core is then rotated 180° for insertion of the second phase group. Next, the stator core is rotated back to its original position for insertion of the third phase group. The alternating process continues until all phase groups have been inserted. Preferably, the winding pattern utilizes a combination of full slots and shared slots, with full slots of different groups of the same phase being adjacent to one another. The invention permits the use of automated winding equipment in large inductions motors where hand insertion was often required in the past.

Abstract: A system for determining at least one condition of a seal including an optical fiber for transmitting light from a light source. The optical fiber is embedded in the seal and operatively coupled to an interferometric system. The interferometric system is operatively coupled to a processor. The interferometric system provides the processor with information relating to wear of the optical fiber, and the processor determines wear of the seal, rate of wear and remaining useful life of the seal based on the information relating to wear of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A gear reducer housing includes rotating assembly supports in a housing shell, and fixturing pads disposed about the periphery of the housing shell. The fixturing supports are formed in the casting blank from which the housing shell is machined. The pads permit the shell blank to be fixtured once for machining of various features of the final shell. The pads may be formed in a peripheral flange and the flange may be machined around the pads to form a sealing surface. Apertures may be provided in the flange to facilitate assembly of the gear reducer. The apertures and fixturing pads may be provided in mirror image locations about a centerline of the housing. The apertures may be slotted, with major axes of mirror image-located apertures having transverse major axes, such that inherent tolerance is provided for positioning fasteners used to assemble the product.

Abstract: A sealing system for a gear reducer includes a compound sealing arrangement disposed in a bore of the reducer housing through which a rotating member extends. The sealing arrangement includes an outboard shielding seal and a inboard lip seal disposed adjacent to one another. The shielding seal includes an annular metallic shield and forms a labyrinth with the rotating member. An elastomeric sealing member is bonded to the shield. The inboard seal provides at least two additional points of contact for sealing the rotating member. The arrangement defined multiple barriers to liquid and solid contaminants and seals lubricant within the reducer housing. Similar arrangements may be provided about several rotating members, and about ends of members extending through the reducer housing, such as an output hub.

Abstract: A methodology of sleeving at least one lead of a stator is provided. The methodology includes the steps of robotically selecting at least one of the stator leads, and robotically positioning an insulating sleeve over the stator lead.

Abstract: An electromechanical device comprises a stator and a rotor which is capable of rotating relative to the stator. The rotor has a sensor embedded therein. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor is disposed within a plurality of laminations that are stacked one on top of another. For example, one of the plurality of laminations may be a sensor lamination, in which case the sensor is at least partially disposed within a cavity formed in the sensor lamination. Advantageously, the sensor may be used to directly measure rotor-associated operating conditions, such as rotor current (including the magnitude, frequency and phase of the rotor current), rotor fatigue, rotor temperature, rotor airgap, rotor flux and rotor torque. The sensor is especially well-suited for measuring current in the rotor of an induction motor.

Abstract: A broadband test procedure detects the onset of stator winding insulation damage, identifies the failure mechanism, determines the winding's susceptibility to further damage, and predicts stator winding failure. This is accomplished by realizing that changes in the stator winding insulation and/or geometry are reflected as changes in the capacitance between the individual windings and, hence, as changes in the stator winding's broadband impedance response. In the currently preferred approach, the impedance response includes the frequency, magnitude, width, and phase of the resonant impedance.

Abstract: A system of manufacturing a stator is provided. The system comprises: a pallet, which includes, a base portion, a first ring rotatably disposed within the base portion for supporting the stator, a second ring rotatably disposed in the base portion, the second ring including a plurality of clips for releasably securing a plurality of leads extending from the stator; a conveyor system for supporting the pallet and moving the pallet between a plurality of stations; and a means for sleeving at least one of the plurality of leads of the stator at one of the plurality of stations.

Abstract: A high temperature superconductor (HTS) synchronous motor or generator includes permanent magnets disposed in the rotor. The permanent magnets can be magnetized after the rotor assembly is manufactured. The permanent magnets reduce flux density perpendicular to the superconducting coil. The magnets can be disposed in the d-axis of the motor. The motor is particularly useful in propulsion applications.

Abstract: A high temperature superconductor (HTS) synchronous motor or generator includes permanent magnets disposed in the rotor. The permanent magnets can be magnetized after the rotor assembly is manufactured. The permanent magnets reduce flux density perpendicular to the superconducting coil. The magnets can be disposed in the d-axis of the motor. The motor is particularly useful in propulsion applications.

Abstract: A diagnostics/prognostics system and related method for collecting and processing data relating to a plurality of subsystems of a dynamic system includes a plurality of sensors, each sensor gathering data and generating a data signal indicative of the health of a corresponding one of the subsystems. In addition, the diagnostics/prognostics system includes a plurality of subsystem modules coupled to corresponding ones of the sensors for generating a subsystem health signal in response to corresponding ones of the data signals. Further, a master diagnostics module is coupled to the subsystems to generate an overall system health signal in response to the subsystem health signals. Preferably, the master diagnostics module includes a memory having an embedded model to facilitate generating the overall system health signal and a related trend analysis.

Abstract: A bearing subassembly includes an improved arrangement for securing the bearing subassembly to a shaft. An adjusting nut is axially locked to a bearing inner ring by sliding the adjusting nut over the inner ring so that a groove in the adjusting nut and recesses, for example, pockets, on the inner ring align. Securement elements, for example, balls, are inserted into the groove and seated in the recesses through a bore from the outer diameter of the adjusting nut to the groove. The inner ring is rotated to allow the securement elements to fall into the recesses and are enclosed between the groove and recesses by inserting, for example, a set screw after the securement elements are loaded. The securement arrangement then prevents the bearing subassembly adjusting nut and inner ring from separating.

Abstract: A methodology of grouping a plurality of leads of a stator is provided. The methodology includes the steps of positioning a lead secured to a first lead securing device to a predetermined position, removing the lead from the first lead securing device, rotating a second lead securing device to a predetermined position, and securing the lead to the second lead securing device.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided which includes an annular support member and a plurality of thrust bearing elements coupled to and distributed about the face of the support member. The thrust bearing elements are adapted to receive and support an axial load of a rotating member such as a thrust collar on a shaft. An annular distribution ring is mounted to the face of the support member for restricting motion of the thrust bearing elements. A distribution passage is formed between the distribution ring and the support member in such a manner that the distribution passage carries fluid to and across each of the thrust bearing elements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method used to detect metallized containers or other objects in closed packages traveling in a conveyor stream. The apparatus includes a pair of coil units mounted in association with a packaging conveyor such that the closed packages will pass therebetween. Appropriate field generation circuitry are connected to the coil units for producing a magnetic field. When the metallized containers pass through the magnetic field, the impedance across the coils will vary. The varying impedance is measured continuously, thus giving an indication as to whether the metallized object has been detected. If the package is nonconforming, steps can be taken to automatically remove it from the conveyor stream.