Patents by Inventor Derek Frei Lahr

Derek Frei Lahr has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240146131
    Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine includes a magnetic core configured for arrangement on a shaft. An end ring is arranged on opposite axial ends of the magnetic core. A composite sleeve includes an annular body including an inner surface and an outer surface, and a polymer matrix encapsulating circumferentially oriented fibers. The composite sleeve includes a first tapered portion on the inner surface arranged adjacent to an axial end thereof and configured to facilitate press-fitting of the composite sleeve onto the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Coppola, Derek Frei Lahr, Alireza Fatemi, Alan G. Holmes, Michael B. Viola, Bradley Allen Newcomb
  • Patent number: 11916446
    Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine includes a rotor assembly having an outer surface and including a plurality of poles with permanent magnets. A solid layer is formed on the outer surface of the rotor assembly and has an outer surface with a first coefficient of friction that is lower than a second coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the rotor assembly. The rotor includes an outer sleeve. The rotor assembly is press-fit into the outer sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Coppola, Alireza Fatemi, Derek Frei Lahr, Kestutis A. Sonta, Alan G. Holmes
  • Patent number: 11876409
    Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine includes a rotor body formed from a plurality of rotor laminations defining a first axial end and a second axial end. Each of the plurality of rotor laminations includes a plurality of openings that are aligned so as to define a plurality of passages through the rotor body. A plurality of reinforcement elements extend through the plurality of laminations. Each of the plurality of reinforcement elements is arranged in a corresponding one of the plurality of passages and includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion and the second end portion of select ones of the plurality of reinforcement elements extend outwardly of the first axial end and the second axial end. An end ring is positioned at the first axial end. The end ring is integrally formed with the select ones of the plurality of reinforcement elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alireza Fatemi, Anthony Michael Coppola, Derek Frei Lahr
  • Publication number: 20230344287
    Abstract: A rotor of an electric machine includes: N pole pieces, each of the N pole pieces including two half pole pieces, where N is an integer greater than 2; apertures through the half pole pieces, respectively; permanent magnets disposed within the apertures, respectively, the permanent magnets including, in each of the N pole pieces, a first permanent magnet of a first magnetic polarity and a second permanent magnet of a second magnetic polarity; and structural non-magnetic portions disposed in gaps of the half pole pieces, respectively, and configured to magnetically disconnect a rotor web from a q-axis flux guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Derek Frei LAHR, Anthony Michael COPPOLA, Alireza FATEMI
  • Patent number: 11777348
    Abstract: A rotor core for an electric machine of an automobile includes a core stack including a plurality of lamination plates. Each lamination plate includes a plurality of apertures formed therein. The plurality of apertures of each of the lamination plates are axially aligned and define and a slot extending through the core stack and shaped to receive a corresponding insert. The rotor core also includes at least one insert received by the slot that provides radial structural stability to the plurality of lamination plates to prevent portions of the plurality of lamination plates adjacent the plurality of magnet slots from flexing due to radial forces exerted on the plurality of lamination plates during operation of the rotor core. The rotor core includes a load bearing polymer disposed within the aperture of the rotor core that provides contact between and the insert and the lamination plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Derek Frei Lahr, Alireza Fatemi, Anthony Michael Coppola
  • Patent number: 11728535
    Abstract: According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a battery module housing cooling assembly is disclosed. The battery module housing cooling assembly can include an endwall including a first polymer plate and a second polymer plate that define a slot therebetween. At least one of the first polymer plate or the second polymer plate define a channel therein that is configured to receive a coolant fluid, and the slot is configured to receive an electrical connector. The battery module housing cooling assembly can also include a cooling plate defining a first connection port and a second connection port, wherein the first connection port and a second connection port are configured to provide the coolant fluid to the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Anthony Michael Coppola, Jian Gao, Derek Frei Lahr, Velmurugan Ayyanar, SeungHwan Keum
  • Patent number: 11713803
    Abstract: An electric motor drive unit including an electric motor having an output shaft and a plurality of gears in driving engagement with the output shaft. The plurality of gears being supported by a plurality of laterally spaced bearings. A composite housing member includes a structural support skeleton supporting multiple ones of the plurality of laterally spaced bearings and a composite shell molded to the structural support skeleton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Coppola, Derek Frei Lahr, Alireza Fatemi, Alan G. Holmes, Bradley Allen Newcomb
  • Publication number: 20230170746
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a permanent magnet motor includes a first assembly including a first plurality of laminations and a second assembly including a second plurality of laminations. The first assembly is located radially inside of the second assembly. The first assembly and the second assembly define a first opening therebetween. First and second permanent magnets are located in the first opening. Polymeric material surrounds the first and second permanent magnets in the first opening. An outer layer surrounds the rotor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Coppola, Alireza Fatemi, Derek Frei Lahr, Kestutis A. Sonta, Alan G. Holmes
  • Publication number: 20230170772
    Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine includes a rotor assembly having an outer surface and including a plurality of poles with permanent magnets. A solid layer is formed on the outer surface of the rotor assembly and has an outer surface with a first coefficient of friction that is lower than a second coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the rotor assembly. The rotor includes an outer sleeve. The rotor assembly is press-fit into the outer sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Coppola, Alireza Fatemi, Derek Frei Lahr, Kestutis A. Sonta, Alan G. Holmes
  • Publication number: 20230053482
    Abstract: A rotor lamination for an electric machine includes a body having a first axial surface, a second axial surface, a central opening, and an outer annular edge defining a radius. A plurality of magnet receiving openings are formed in the body. Each of the plurality of magnet receiving openings includes a first magnet receiving portion and a second magnet receiving portion. A composite insert is mounted in the body. The composite insert extending along the radius across the magnet receiving opening physically separating the first magnet receiving portion from the second magnet receiving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Derek Frei Lahr, Anthony Michael Coppola, Alireza Fatemi
  • Publication number: 20230045291
    Abstract: A rotor core for an electric machine of an automobile includes a core stack including a plurality of lamination plates. Each lamination plate includes a plurality of apertures formed therein. The plurality of apertures of each of the lamination plates are axially aligned and define and a slot extending through the core stack and shaped to receive a corresponding insert. The rotor core also includes at least one insert received by the slot that provides radial structural stability to the plurality of lamination plates to prevent portions of the plurality of lamination plates adjacent the plurality of magnet slots from flexing due to radial forces exerted on the plurality of lamination plates during operation of the rotor core. The rotor core includes a load bearing polymer disposed within the aperture of the rotor core that provides contact between and the insert and the lamination plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Derek Frei Lahr, Alireza Fatemi, Anthony Michael Coppola
  • Publication number: 20230017309
    Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine includes a rotor body formed from a plurality of stacked laminations defining a first axial end and an opposing second axial end. Each of the plurality of stacked laminations includes a plurality of openings that are aligned so as to define a plurality of passages through the rotor body. A plurality of reinforcement elements extend through the plurality of stacked laminations. Each of the plurality of reinforcement elements is arranged in a corresponding one of the plurality of passages and includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion and the second end portion of select ones of the plurality of reinforcement elements extend outwardly of the first axial end and the second axial end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Alireza Fatemi, Anthony Michael Coppola, Derek Frei Lahr, Kestutis A. Sonta
  • Publication number: 20230018286
    Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine includes a rotor body formed from a plurality of rotor laminations defining a first axial end and a second axial end. Each of the plurality of rotor laminations includes a plurality of openings that are aligned so as to define a plurality of passages through the rotor body. A plurality of reinforcement elements extend through the plurality of laminations. Each of the plurality of reinforcement elements is arranged in a corresponding one of the plurality of passages and includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion and the second end portion of select ones of the plurality of reinforcement elements extend outwardly of the first axial end and the second axial end. An end ring is positioned at the first axial end. The end ring is integrally formed with the select ones of the plurality of reinforcement elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Alireza Fatemi, Anthony Michael Coppola, Derek Frei Lahr
  • Publication number: 20230017290
    Abstract: According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a battery module housing cooling assembly is disclosed. The battery module housing cooling assembly can include an endwall including a first polymer plate and a second polymer plate that define a slot therebetween. At least one of the first polymer plate or the second polymer plate define a channel therein that is configured to receive a coolant fluid, and the slot is configured to receive an electrical connector. The battery module housing cooling assembly can also include a cooling plate defining a first connection port and a second connection port, wherein the first connection port and a second connection port are configured to provide the coolant fluid to the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Anthony Michael Coppola, Jian Gao, Derek Frei Lahr, Velmurugan Ayyanar, SeungHwan Keum
  • Patent number: 7878935
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes: (a) at least one external, three-dimensional cam; (b) at least four follower assemblies, each including a planet pulley, a roller shaft, and at least one follower roller, the roller shaft being mounted on the planet pulley, the roller shaft being connected to the follower roller; (c) at least two sun assemblies, each including a sun pulley, at least one sprag clutch, and a differential pulley, the differential pulley being mounted to the sun pulley, the sun pulley driving the sprag clutch; (d) an input assembly including a sun pulley shaft, the sun pulley shaft being connected to the at least two sun pulley assemblies through the respective sprag clutches; and (e) at least one differential mechanism connecting each of the sun pulleys to at least two of the planet pulleys; wherein the cam is external to the follower assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Derek Frei Lahr
  • Publication number: 20090137356
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes: (a) at least one external, three-dimensional cam; (b) at least four follower assemblies, each including a planet pulley, a roller shaft, and at least one follower roller, the roller shaft being mounted on the planet pulley, the roller shaft being connected to the follower roller; (c) at least two sun assemblies, each including a sun pulley, at least one sprag clutch, and a differential pulley, the differential pulley being mounted to the sun pulley, the sun pulley driving the sprag clutch; (d) an input assembly including a sun pulley shaft, the sun pulley shaft being connected to the at least two sun pulley assemblies through the respective sprag clutches; and (e) at least one differential mechanism connecting each of the sun pulleys to at least two of the planet pulleys; wherein the cam is external to the follower assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Derek Frei Lahr