Abstract: A terminal structure for vehicle drive power electronics circuits reduces the need for a DC bus and thereby the incidence of parasitic inductance. The structure is secured to a support that may receive one or more power electronic circuits. The support may aid in removing heat from the circuits through fluid circulating through the support. The support may form a shield from both external EMI/RFI and from interference generated by operation of the power electronic circuits. Features may be provided to permit and enhance connection of the circuitry to external circuitry, such as by direct contact between the terminal assembly and AC and DC circuit components. Modular units may be assembled that may be coupled to electronic circuitry via plug-in arrangements or through interface with a backplane or similar mounting and interconnecting structures.

Abstract: A sealed modular control and monitoring system is provided which affords location of electrical control and monitoring components adjacent to an application. The system comprises modular components which are mounted on a shared thermal base. The base is sealed to the components and presents thermal exchange features on interior and exterior surfaces thereof. Forced convection within the modular system is afforded by a circulating fan that directs air through the component circuitry and adjacent to the thermal base to remove heat from the circuitry during operation.

Abstract: A technique is provided for controlling and protecting loads such as electric motors. In the technique, current sensing circuitry detects electrical current applied to the load. Device thermal modeling circuitry, such as circuitry for modeling heating of a motor, determines heating based upon the sensed current, and generates a first trip signal in a first range based upon the current. Conductor thermal modeling circuitry estimates heating of conductors that supply current to the load, and generates a second trip signal in a second range based upon the conductor heating. The system provides an extended range of operation for a wide range of loads by effectively modeling conventional thermal overload and instantaneous trip devices.

Abstract: A support may receive one or more power electronic circuits. The support may aid in removing heat from the circuits through fluid circulating through the support. The support, in conjunction with other packaging features may form a shield from both external EMI/RFI and from interference generated by operation of the power electronic circuits. Features may be provided to permit and enhance connection of the circuitry to external circuitry, such as improved terminal configurations. Modular units may be assembled that may be coupled to electronic circuitry via plug-in arrangements or through interface with a backplane or similar mounting and interconnecting structures.

Abstract: A system operable to detect voltages within an electrical device and provide an output based on the voltages detected by the system. The electrical device may include an isolation switch adapted to selectively isolate the electrical device from an electrical bus. The system may be operable to detect voltage data in the electrical bus and the electrical device downstream of the isolation switch. The system may provide an indication that voltage is detected in the electrical bus, but that no hazardous voltages are detected within the electrical device downstream of the isolation switch. The system may be adapted to produce a plurality of outputs based on the voltage data detected on the electrical bus and in the electrical device downstream of the isolation switch.

Abstract: An inductor design is disclosed which balances thermal requirements with magnetic and other requirements. The package is designed based upon the desired magnetic volume and the dimensions of a primary heat dissipation surface, which is preferably designed for conductive heat transfer during operation. The other dimensions, such as the height of the package, result from these two parameters. Optimized package designs may thus be obtained which provide the desired operating temperatures, while better utilizing the magnetic volume. Package designs may include new aspect ratios, such as ratios providing a base area greater than a lateral side area. Aspect ratios between base dimensions, such as a diameter in cylindrical package and the resulting height may also be characteristic of the inductors resulting from the novel design approach.

Abstract: A motor control technique is disclosed in which a first algorithm controls interruption of power to a motor in a first current range. A second algorithm controls interruption of power in a second, higher current range. The algorithms may be adapted to specific motor sizes, ratings or classes. The extended range may extend from a transition point (e.g., 6–10 times the FLC of the motor) to an upper limit. The upper limit may be determined based upon a current rating of an instantaneous trip device.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to accommodate positional variations in a bearing assembly, which has a clearance adjustment assembly for setting the roller clearance therein. The bearing assembly has multiple rows of tapered rollers disposed circumferentially between an inner sleeve and the clearance adjustment assembly, which is secured by an outer retaining sleeve. The clearance adjustment assembly has at least one clearance adjustment ring disposed adjacent multiple tapered support rings, which extend circumferentially about the multiple rows of tapered rollers. In the bearing assembly, the at least one clearance adjustment ring forces the multiple tapered support rings against the multiple rows of tapered rollers to set the desired roller clearance. Accordingly, the bearing assembly can accommodate expansion, contraction, and angular variations in the system.

Abstract: A resistance network is provided for synthesizing a non-linear logarithmic response in the resistance of the network comprising a potentiometer from the change of the resistance of the potentiometer. The network additionally comprises a set of resistors. The potentiometer allows the resistance of the network to be varied, while the network manipulates the current in such a fashion that the input current required to produce a desired output voltage is a linear function of the resistance of the potentiometer. Incorporated into a current overload detection circuit, this allows an even spacing of the desired trip current settings about the dial of the potentiometer.

Abstract: An electric vehicle drive includes a thermal support may receive one or more power electronic circuits. The support may aid in removing heat from the circuits through fluid circulating through the support, which may be controlled in a closed-loop manner. Interfacing between circuits, circuit mounting structure, and the support provide for greatly enhanced cooling. The support may form a shield from both external EMI/RFI and from interference generated by operation of the power electronic circuits. Features may be provided to permit and enhance connection of the circuitry to external circuitry, such as improved terminal configurations. Modular units may be assembled that may be coupled to electronic circuitry via plug-in arrangements or through interface with a backplane or similar mounting and interconnecting structures.

Abstract: A technique for monitoring operational parameters of networked components includes storing data within each component descriptive of the component. The data is polled by a monitoring station and provides a basis for monitor views compiled in real time. The monitor views provide a view of current levels of parameters controlled or monitored by each device, such as on virtual meters. Historical levels of operational parameters may be presented in virtual strip chart output. Textual descriptions of the components are provided, along with listings of key settings. More detailed data may be accessed by links between the monitor views and other user viewable representations for the system and the specific components.

Abstract: A support may receive one or more power electronic circuits. The support may aid in removing heat from the circuits through fluid circulating through the support. The support, in conjunction with other packaging features may form a shield from both external EMI/RFI and from interference generated by operation of the power electronic circuits. Features may be provided to permit and enhance connection of the circuitry to external circuitry, such as improved terminal configurations. Modular units may be assembled that may be coupled to electronic circuitry via plug-in arrangements or through interface with a backplane or similar mounting and interconnecting structures.

Abstract: An electric vehicle drive includes a support may receive one or more power electronic circuits. The support may aid in removing heat from the circuits through fluid circulating through the support. The support, in conjunction with other packaging features may form a shield from both external EM/RFI and from interference generated by operation of the power electronic circuits. Features may be provided to permit and enhance connection of the circuitry to external circuitry, such as improved terminal configurations. Modular units may be assembled that may be coupled to electronic circuitry via plug-in arrangements or through interface with a backplane or similar mounting and interconnecting structures.

Abstract: A connector system is provided in which a branch connector may be secured in a pre-wired power and data network. The branch connector is designed to interface with existing network connections to provide at least one additional interface point for added or temporary devices. The connector may be designed to interface with existing connectors in a manner similar to existing cable assemblies, and may present sockets or similar interfaces which are substantially identical to the interface to which the connector is applied. Expanded network connectivity is thus provided for additional devices or temporary devices, such as programming, logging, system configuration and troubleshooting, and similar applications.

Abstract: A method of constructing a segmented wound member of an N phase electromechanical device comprises winding N sets of segments and combining the N sets of segments in a common circular arrangement to form the wound member. The N sets of segments are wound with a single continuous length of wire for each set. Each of the N sets of segments is wound separately from the remaining sets of segments and then combined in the common circular arrangement with the remaining sets of segments to form the wound member.

Abstract: A device comprises a first magnetically conductive structure, a second magnetically conductive structure, and a circuit coupled the first and second magnetically conductive structures. The circuit senses information pertaining to a permeability of the first magnetically conductive structure relative to a permeability of the second magnetically conductive structure. The device may be used for various flux sensing and control applications, such as in current sensors.

Abstract: A system is provided for securing a rotating member with respect to a non-rotating member. A hollow member, such as an inner ring of a bearing assembly, includes an extension having an annular outer groove. A tapered sleeve serves to lock the hollow member about a mechanical component, such as a shaft. A nut engageable on the sleeve includes an eccentric front aperture adjacent to a concentric groove, thereby forming a lip of varying depth. The system is engaged by rotation of the nut on the sleeve in one direction, and disassembled by counterrotation of the nut such that a portion of the varying depth lip co-acts with a lip formed by the groove of the hollow member.

Abstract: A support may receive one or more power electronic circuits. The support may aid in removing heat from the circuits through fluid circulating through the support. The support, in conjunction with other packaging features may form a shield from both external EMI/RFI and from interference generated by operation of the power electronic circuits. Features may be provided to permit and enhance connection of the circuitry to external circuitry, such as improved terminal configurations. Modular units may be assembled that may be coupled to electronic circuitry via plug-in arrangements or through interface with a backplane or similar mounting and interconnecting structures.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making an electric motor stator. In accordance with the method, coil groups are inserted for different electrical phases through a first and second ends of a stator core. An insertion tool is used for insertion of the coil groups independently. Coils for individual phases are inserted through the first and second ends, and leads for the coil groups may exit alternative ends as a result of the method.

Abstract: An electronic device using total internal reflection to guide light from a light source housed within the electronic device to the surface of the device. The electronic device has a cover secured to a protective housing to form a protective enclosure for the electronic device. The cover is adapted to use total internal reflection to guide light through the cover to a plurality of surface portion of the cover. A second surface portion of the cover is adapted to totally internally reflect a first portion of the light to the first surface portion.