Patents by Inventor Robert J. Heideman
Robert J. Heideman 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).
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Patent number: 8035273Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine having a number of poles includes a shaft that extends along a portion of an axis and defines an outer surface. A first core portion is formed as a single inseparable component and includes a first portion that extends from the outer surface to a first outside diameter to define a first thickness, and a second portion spaced axially from the first portion that includes a reduced back portion that extends from an inside diameter to the first outside diameter to define a second thickness that is less than the first thickness. A second core portion is connected to the first core portion and includes a second outside diameter that is substantially the same as the first outside diameter.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2007Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: A.O. Smith CorporationInventors: Dan M. Ionel, Stephen J. Dellinger, Robert J. Heideman, Alan E. Lesak
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Patent number: 7821175Abstract: A stator for an electric machine includes a plurality of core segments interconnected with one another. At least one core segment includes a plurality of teeth and a back portion that at least partially interconnects the teeth. A first one-piece mold defines a first end insulator portion and a plurality of slot insulator portions, and a second one-piece mold defines a second end insulator portion and a second plurality of slot insulator portions. The plurality of core segments is positioned between the first mold and the second mold such that the molds align and insulate the core portions. The stator also includes a plurality of coils. Each coil surrounds at least a portion of one tooth.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: A.O. Smith CorporationInventors: Dan M. Ionel, Stephen J. Dellinger, Robert J. Heideman, Alan E. Lesak
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Patent number: 7709991Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine includes a shaft that is rotatable about an axis and defines a first diameter normal to the axis. A first core portion defines a first aperture having a first aperture diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The first core portion is positioned adjacent the shaft to define a first space. A second core portion defines a second aperture having a second aperture diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The second core portion is positioned adjacent the shaft to define a second space. A damping member is positioned in the first space and the second space. The damping member at least partially interconnects the shaft, the first core portion, and the second core portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2005Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventors: Dan M. Ionel, Stephen J. Dellinger, Robert J. Heideman, Alan E. Lesak
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Publication number: 20090085415Abstract: A stator for an electric machine includes a plurality of core segments interconnected with one another. At least one core segment includes a plurality of teeth and a back portion that at least partially interconnects the teeth. A first one-piece mold defines a first end insulator portion and a plurality of slot insulator portions, and a second one-piece mold defines a second end insulator portion and a second plurality of slot insulator portions. The plurality of core segments is positioned between the first mold and the second mold such that the molds align and insulate the core portions. The stator also includes a plurality of coils. Each coil surrounds at least a portion of one tooth.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2008Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATIONInventors: Dan M. Ionel, Stephen J. Dellinger, Robert J. Heideman, Alan E. Lesak
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Patent number: 7468570Abstract: A stator for a multi-phase electric machine having a plurality of core segments interconnected with one another and a plurality of coils. At least one core segment includes a plurality of teeth and a back portion that at least partially interconnects the teeth. The back portion of each segment has a first arrangement in which the teeth of that segment are a first distance from one another and a second arrangement in which the teeth of that segment are a second distance from one another, the second distance being smaller than the first distance. Each coil surrounds at least a portion of one tooth, wherein all coils surrounding teeth of a single core segment are interconnected to at least partially define one phase winding. Each of the plurality of core segments includes a center tooth having a first profile, a first end tooth having a second tooth profile, and a second end tooth having a third tooth profile. The first tooth profile is different than the second tooth profile and the third tooth profile.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2008Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventors: Dan M. Ionel, Stephen J. Dellinger, Robert J. Heideman, Alan E. Lesak
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Publication number: 20080129140Abstract: A stator for a multi-phase electric machine having a plurality of core segments interconnected with one another and a plurality of coils. At least one core segment includes a plurality of teeth and a back portion that at least partially interconnects the teeth. The back portion of each segment has a first arrangement in which the teeth of that segment are a first distance from one another and a second arrangement in which the teeth of that segment are a second distance from one another, the second distance being smaller than the first distance. Each coil surrounds at least a portion of one tooth, wherein all coils surrounding teeth of a single core segment are interconnected to at least partially define one phase winding. Each of the plurality of core segments includes a center tooth having a first profile, a first end tooth having a second tooth profile, and a second end tooth having a third tooth profile. The first tooth profile is different than the second tooth profile and the third tooth profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2008Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATIONInventors: Dan M. Ionel, Stephen J. Dellinger, Robert J. Heideman, Alan E. Lesak
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Patent number: 7348706Abstract: A stator for a multi-phase electric machine having a plurality of core segments interconnected with one another and a plurality of coils. At least one core segment includes a plurality of teeth and a back portion that at least partially interconnects the teeth. The back portion of each segment has a first arrangement in which the teeth of that segment are a first distance from one another and a second arrangement in which the teeth of that segment are a second distance from one another, the second distance being smaller than the first distance. Each coil surrounds at least a portion of one tooth, wherein all coils surrounding teeth of a single core segment interconnect to at least partially define one phase winding.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2005Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventors: Dan M. Ionel, Stephen J. Dellinger, Robert J. Heideman, Alan E. Lesak
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Patent number: 7332845Abstract: A rotor includes a shalt that defines a rotor axis, a first end portion coupled to the shaft, and a pole piece that defines an enclosed aperture therethrough. A second end portion is positioned to dispose the pole piece between the first end portion and the second end portion. A portion of one of the first end portion and the second end portion extends through the aperture and bonds with the other of the first end portion and the second end portion. The portion is integrally-formed as a single piece with one of the first end portion and the second end portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: A. O. Smith CoporationInventors: Robert J. Heideman, Dan M. Ionel
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Patent number: 7157827Abstract: A spoke permanent magnet rotor that includes a shaft defining a rotor axis. A first non-magnetic end portion is coupled to the shaft and a ferromagnetic pole piece defines an aperture therethrough. A second non-magnetic end portion is positioned to dispose the pole piece between the first end portion and the second end portion. A portion of one of the first end portion and the second end portion extends through the aperture and bonds with the other of the first end portion and the second end portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2004Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventors: Robert J. Heideman, Dan M. Ionel
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Patent number: 7148598Abstract: A rotor assembly for an electric motor includes a spoke permanent magnet rotor and a shaft connected thereto. The spoke permanent magnet rotor has an axis of rotation, permanent magnet material, and ferro-magnetic material. The permanent magnet material extends outwardly relative to the axis of rotation to form a plurality of outwardly extending spoke portions of permanent magnet material. The ferro-magnetic material is positioned adjacent to the outwardly extending spoke portions of permanent magnet material. The shaft supports the spoke permanent magnet rotor for rotation about the axis of rotation. The permanent magnet material may circumferentially surround the axis of rotation to form a center portion of permanent magnet material. Further, the axis of rotation may pass through the permanent magnet material. The spoke permanent magnet rotor may be formed using a compaction process and/or an injection molding process.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2003Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: A.O. Smith CorporationInventors: Dan M. Ionel, Robert J. Heideman, Ronald P. Bartos
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Patent number: 6417596Abstract: A rotor in which shaft portions are welded directly to the ends of a rotor stack by friction welding, which eliminates the need for a shaft hole in the rotor stack, thus providing a rotor in which each lamination has an unstamped, solid center, and the rotor has no other bores therein. As a result, no scrap is generated and motor efficiency is improved because the rotor has no bores therein. In addition, the amount of shaft material needed is also reduced because the shaft does not extend through the rotor stack.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2000Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventors: Robert M. Schurter, Robert J. Heideman, Vaughn A. DeVorse
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Patent number: 5865362Abstract: A method of welding together a motor vehicle structural assembly is available. The vehicle structural assembly includes a boxed member including an outboard wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and an inboard wall spaced from the outboard wall. The inboard wall has an opening therein. The motor vehicle structural assembly also includes a cylindrical support including a first end and a shoulder spaced from the first end at least the distance the boxed member inboard wall is spaced from the boxed member outboard wall. The method comprises spinning the support and advancing the support through the inboard wall opening so that the support first end is friction welded to the outboard wall and so that the support shoulder is friction welded to the inboard wall.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1997Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: R. J. Tower CorporationInventors: Richard J. Behrmann, John F. Hinrichs, Robert J. Heideman, Phillip C. Ruehl, Jianzhong Xie
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Patent number: 5407052Abstract: An improved snubber assembly for interconnecting a driving conveyor assembly to a driven conveyor assembly. The snubber assembly includes a shield tube adapted to be attached to the driven conveyor assembly, a cylinder structure, a piston, and a piston rod. The cylinder structure includes a hollow inboard end portion defining a cylinder bore and slidably received in the bore of the shield tube and a solid outboard end portion closing the outboard end of the cylinder bore and positioned outside of the tube bore for attachment to the driving conveyor assembly. The piston is slidably mounted in the cylinder bore and a clevis is secured to the outboard end of the piston rod and fixedly mounted within the bore of the shield tube by a pin passing through the walls of the tube and through the clevis.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1993Date of Patent: April 18, 1995Assignee: Enertrols, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Heideman, Richard T. Mitera
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Patent number: 5369300Abstract: A semiconductor device aluminum-containing metallization system that is particularly useful for integrated circuits (ICs) having P-type contact regions and also having a likelihood of extended exposure to elevated temperatures. Use of an aluminum/silicon diffusion barrier formed of an amorphous tungsten/silicon on such ICs is made commercially practical. A titanium or transition metal silicide layer is disposed beneath the amorphous tungsten/silicon layer, to consistently provide durable low resistance electrical contacts to P-type regions of the IC.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1993Date of Patent: November 29, 1994Assignee: Delco Electronics CorporationInventors: Robert J. Heideman, Randy A. Rusch, Michael S. Baird
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Patent number: 5159997Abstract: A miniature shock absorber including an outer tubular housing, an inner tubular housing positioned within the outer tubular housing to define a pressure chamber within the inner housing and an annular accumulator chamber between the housings, a piston mounted for movement in the inner tubular housing, and a piston rod extending out of the front end of the tubular housings for impact by an object to be decelerated. A needle valve is positioned in the rear end of the shock absorber for coaction with an axial passage defined at the rear end of the pressure chamber. The needle valve is threadably received in the rear end wall of the shock absorber and includes an external knob to threadably move the needle valve relative to the axial passage to thereby vary the resistance offered to an impacting object.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Enertrols, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Heideman, Richard T. Mitera
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Patent number: 5147017Abstract: A shock absorber of the linear deceleration type in which the housing includes a forward reduced diameter threaded portion and a fixed flange at the rear end of the housing. This arrangement combines the advantages of the primary type of shock absorber and the fixed flange type of shock absorber and allows the invention shock absorber to be mounted in a wide variety of work situations with the mounting in each situation providing a positive position of the shock absorber relative to the mounting structure so that the shock absorber may be exchanged without fear of losing the precise positioning of the shock absorber relative to the object to be decelerated and with the mounting in each situation allowing the ready provision of a stop member to accurately position the component being stopped and to assure that the shock absorber will not bottom out internally.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1989Date of Patent: September 15, 1992Assignee: Enertrols, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Heideman, Richard T. Mitera
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Patent number: 5050712Abstract: A shock-absorbing device (10) includes an inner cylinder (22) surournded by an outer tube (12) whose ends are enclosed by end caps (14, 128). A piston (42) within the cylinder (22) forces hydraulic fluid through holes (106-116). A metering sleeve (130) slidable over the cylinder (22) includes cross-cut openings (132-142) therein defining rectangularly-shaped metering orifices which selectively close off the openings (106-116) in the cylinder (22) to adjust the flow of hydraulic fluid, and thereby alter the shock-absorbing characteristics of the device. The cross-cut openings (132-142) may be formed by passing a cutting element along a straight stroke through a side of the metering sleeve (130) at a depth sufficient to create an orifice in the inner wall of the sleeve (130).Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1989Date of Patent: September 24, 1991Assignee: Enertrols, Inc.Inventor: Robert J. Heideman
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Patent number: 5012575Abstract: A wheel assembly especially suitable for use on large heavy refuse carts. The wheel assembly includes an axis which has been heat treated and plated to provide a central core, an outer skin on the central core of substantially increased strength and hardness, and a chromium plating on the outer skin, and the associated hub of the wheel has been heat treated to provide an annular interior skin in journalling association with the axle having an increased hardness and strength as compared to the main body of the hub. The chrome plating on the axle has a hardness in excess of the hardness of the interior hardened skin of the wheel hub.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1990Date of Patent: May 7, 1991Inventor: Robert J. Heideman
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Patent number: 4919491Abstract: A wheel assembly especially suitable for use on large heavy refuse carts. The wheel assembly includes an axle which has been heat treated and plated to provide a central core, an outer skin on the central core of substantially increased strength and hardness, and a chromium plating on the outer skin, and the associated hub of the wheel has been heat treated to provide an annular interior skin in journalling association with the axle having an increased hardness and strength as compared to the main body of the hub. The chrome plating on the axle has a hardness in excess of the hardness of the interior hardened skin of the wheel hub.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1988Date of Patent: April 24, 1990Inventor: Robert J. Heideman
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Patent number: 4825031Abstract: A weld gun assembly including a support structure; a pair of arm members pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on the support structure on a common pivot axis; a weld tip at one end of each arm member; an air cylinder interconnected between the other ends of the arm members and operative when actuated to move the weld tips together in a closing direction; and a pair of hydraulic cushioning devices extending respectively between the support structure and one arm member and between the support structure and the other arm member. The cushioning devices are selectively adjustable to vary the resistance provided to the movement of each arm member toward its closed position so that the resistance to the closing movement of each arm member may be selectively adjusted in compensation for the unbalanced forces that are acting on the individual arm members and thereby ensure that the weld tips arrive at their welding position adjacent the panels to be welded at the same time.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1987Date of Patent: April 25, 1989Assignee: Enertrols, Inc.Inventor: Robert J. Heideman