Patents Represented by Attorney Ralph E. Krisher, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5175461
    Abstract: A permanent magnet rotor includes a rotor core having an axis of rotation and longitudinally extending radially projecting ribs. A plurality of arcuate magnetic elements are retained against an outer surface of the rotor by a cylindrical shell such that each magnet is disposed between a pair of the ribs. A hardenable adhesive is interposed between the outer surface of the core and the magnets and cooperates with the ribs and magnets to prevent rotational slippage of the magnets relative to the core during rotation of the rotor. Various embodiments utilize different techniques for retaining the components in assembled relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert V. Zigler, William H. Stark
  • Patent number: 5144739
    Abstract: Dynamoelectric machines characterized by lengthened ground potential leakage current paths, desirable mechanical conformations, mechanical integrity when subjected to expected centrifugal forces, and ease of manufacture. One process involves establishing an extended path for commutator leakage currents with a path extending structure, establishing a cantilevered insulation skirt about the in-board or armature coil end of a commutator, and securely fastening such skirt to the commutator. The material utilized in making the skirt is one: that has electrical properties that permit it to withstand leakage currents without tracking; that for practical purposes is non-burnable, so as to resist flashovers or sparking; and that has the ability to withstand elevated temperatures that are encountered within dynamoelectric machine. The skirt is provided with openings therein and sandwiched between two glass based bands that adhere to another through the openings and thus lock the skirt in place on the commutator body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roy L. Balke, Joseph E. Jack
  • Patent number: 5141479
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for a treadmill includes an electric motor having a stator winding and an armature winding connected in series with each other and in parallel with a rectified power source. The rectified power source has both a DC component and an AC component. The series-connected motor is capable of producing torque for driving the endless belt of the treadmill from both the AC component and the DC component of the power source. Speed control circuitry of the type normally used with DC motor drives can be employed, while reducing the degradation in motor performance which would occur if a DC motor is used due to the presence of the AC component in the rectified power source. Other features include the use of a speed measuring device mounted adjacent a rotating shaft of the motor to provide direct feedback of motor speed to the speed control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Govind W. Vanjani, Michael A. Pitzer, Eugene W. Andert, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5142261
    Abstract: A constant-on variable-stroke refrigeration thermostat is disclosed wherein the toggle spring-biased operating lever has a fixed-position stop when the contacts are open and a variable-position stop when the contacts are closed, and wherein an air gap is provided between the actuator prong of the operating lever and the moveable contact blade of the switch contacts to allow the operating lever to travel downwardly with increased momentum before the switch contacts are opened. The primary advantage provided by the present invention is that the thermostat is of a much simpler construction, which results in a lower cost and a higher reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kennett R. Fuller, Ronald W. Kelly
  • Patent number: 5140493
    Abstract: A control system for regulating electrical power input to an article cleaning apparatus employing electrically actuated loads means to provide multiple processing modes of operation, including clothes washing, dishwashing and clothes drying type apparatus, uses multiple piezoceramic relay means enabling connection of the power source to each load. The electrical power is applied to the individual load with an individual piezoceramic bender member responsive to control signals and with the control circuitry being directly and ohmically connected to the power source. In one embodiment, the piezoceramic bender members are actuated with control circuitry employing user selection circuits and function control circuits which are operatively associated with power switching circuits to enable automatic operation of the particular apparatus. The piezoelectric relay comprises one or more piezoelectric bender members each connected to a spring which serves as a power conductor to the movable contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Alan J. Janicek
  • Patent number: 5124607
    Abstract: A high permeability slot wedge for a dynamoelectric machine with the wedge configured as an elongated bar of uniform cross-sectional configuration formed of a ferromagnetic material having modestly good electrically insulative properties comprising approximately by weight 60% to 80% relatively small ferromagnetic particles such as powdered iron, about 10% reinforcing glass fabric; and 15% to 20% unsaturated thermosetting plastic resin binder such as a polyester resin is disclosed. The ferromagnetic material is homogeneously distributed throughout the thermosetting plastic binder so that the permeability and resistivity of the resulting wedge is substantially uniform throughout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John C. Rieber, Jeffrey S. McCoy
  • Patent number: 5125067
    Abstract: A method of operating a brushless motor having a stationary assembly with at least two different energizable windings for producing spaced apart magnetic fields in time sequence, and a rotor adapted to rotate in response to the magnetic fields. The method includes the steps of simulating rotor position in accordance with the back emf condition of at least one winding, energizing a selected one of the windings in accordance with the simulated rotor position, sensing an underspeed condition when the motor speed is less than a minimum value for a length of time, and preventing energization of any of the windings when the motor speed is less than the minimum value for the length of time. An electrically commutated motor controller apparatus controls the speed of a variable speed motor compressor driven by an electrically commutated motor. A controller circuit includes a circuit for producing feedback signals representative of a back emf of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David M. Erdman
  • Patent number: 5117656
    Abstract: A method of releasably securing a blower motor to a cover for a unit for conditioning air with the blower motor having at least one end frame and with the cover and the at least one end frame respectively including a set of means for interconnection in releasable engagement with each other, respectively. In practicing this method, the at least one end frame is positioned adjacent the cover, and the interconnecting means are respectively associated with each other. The blower motor is rotated relative to the cover, and the interconnecting means are respectively interconnected with each other upon the rotation of the blower motor thereby to releasably secure the blower motor to the cover. A lock screw is interlocked in engagement between the cover and the at least one end frame to obviate displacement of the interconnecting means from their respective interconnections in releasable engagement with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arthur C. Keck, Darrell L. Zweerink
  • Patent number: 5113104
    Abstract: A structured product family of dynamoelectric machines for use in a plurality of applications has a frame with a closed end, and a set of permanent magnets is adhesively secured within the frame. An armature disposed in the frame for interaction with the permanent magnets includes a shaft, a core having a set of winding receiving slots therein, and a commutator. During manufacturing and assembly, stress on the motor shaft and commutator is minimized. A brush plate is associated with the frame for locating a set of brushes relative to the commutator, and an end shield is secured to the frame opposite its closed end. At least one freely aligning bearing assembly disposed in the end shield for freely aligning the shaft and including a bearing and a retainer having predetermined conditions preset with the retainer being adhesively secured to the end shield. A bracket is adhesively secured to the frame for connecting the dynamoelectric machine in anyone of the applications; and a novel brush assembly is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harald E. Blaettner, Richard F. Uhen, Robert E. Ellis, Eldon R. Cunningham, Michael J. Usher, Joseph E. Miller
  • Patent number: 5101129
    Abstract: A bushing for mounting an overload protector within an opening in a motor shell comprises segments adapted to be coaxially positioned around a portion of the overload protector. Mating features formed on the segments and protector restrict movement of the protector relative to the segments. Grooves formed on the segments secure the segments within the opening and restrict movement of the bushing and protector assembly relative to the structure. The bushing preferably comprises a pair of generally symmetrical segments connected together by an integrally formed hinge. The one-piece bushing is molded from a thermoplastic material, such as nylon. In one embodiment, the features which restrict axial movements of the overload protector relative to the segments are mating threads formed on a portion of the internal surfaces of the segments, and on opposing portions of the external surface of the protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James A. Butcher
  • Patent number: 5101188
    Abstract: A condition responsive switching apparatus with an alarm feature for use in refrigeration appliances, such as freezers or the like. The switching apparatus includes a contact operator which moves between first, second, and third positions in response to the pressure changes of a bellows. The bellows pressure increases and decreases in response to changes in temperature sensed at the appliance. The apparatus includes a first set of control contacts to provide energization of a compressor and a second set of alarm contacts to provide energization of an alarm circuit. The contact operator has a first dog which opens and closes the control set of contacts as the operator moves through a snap action increment of travel between the first and second positions. An alarm spring opposes the travel of a second dog of the contact operator beyond the second position with a preload force until the excess of the snap action energy of the operator is dissipated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Kelly, Kennett R. Fuller
  • Patent number: 5093592
    Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine has a housing, a terminal board and a stationary assembly including a winding with a set of leads. The terminal board has a pair of opposite faces with a peripheral portion therebetween and a set of separate recesses in the peripheral portion. The recesses define with the housing a set of separate passages for receiving at least the winding leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lynn E. Fisher, Richard A. Wandler, James P. Frank
  • Patent number: 5090123
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a lead terminal device having a body formed of an electrically conductive sheet material. One leg of a pair of legs on the body is deformed into a generally closed loop, and opposite end sections of the one leg are arranged in overlaying engagement with each other. A flange on one of the opposite end sections of the one leg is inserted into a slot in the one leg spaced adjacent the other of the opposite end sections thereof, and a pair of openings in the opposite end sections are aligned with each other, respectively, when the opposite end sections are arranged in overlaying engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jerome P. Hurtgen
  • Patent number: 5079488
    Abstract: An apparatus for pumping fluid such as an integral pump/motor is provided. A housing having an inlet and an outlet has a rotatable assembly including an impeller located within and adapted to rotate within the housing to move fluid through the housing from the inlet to the outlet. Secured to the exterior of the housing is a stationary assembly for applying an electromagnetic field through the housing to and around the impeller to rotate the impeller and thereby to cause it to move fluid through the housing.The apparatus is for use in a cooling system, such as a cooling system of an automobile engine, to pump fluid through the cooling system. A temperature sensor is provided for sensing the temperature of the fluid within the cooling system. An electronic control, responsive to the temperature sensor, supplies electrical power to stationary assembly.Also, a method of circulating fluid within a system, such as a cooling system of an automobile engine, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harold B. Harms, Richard F. Broo, William M. Hood
  • Patent number: 5059841
    Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine has a stationary assembly with a winding thereon, and a rotatable assembly is supported by the stationary assembly and associated in magnetic coupling relation with the winding. A switch and terminal assembly is mounted to the stationary assembly, and a centrifugal device is conjointly rotatable with the rotatable assembly for operating the switch and terminal assembly to control the energization of the winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James P. Frank, James L. King
  • Patent number: 5049232
    Abstract: A method of making a plurality of separate pressure transducers of the type comprising a strain gauge circuit bonded to a diaphragm, comprising the steps of providing an array of a plurality of strain gauge circuits formed on a laminate sheet and an array of a plurality of diaphragms corresponding to the array of the strain gauge circuits. The array of strain gauge circuits is aligned with the array of diaphragms. The laminate sheet is bonded to the array of diaphragms, with each strain gauge circuit aligned with a respective diaphragm. Finally, the laminate is cut to form the separate pressure transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jeffry Tola
  • Patent number: 5045742
    Abstract: Motor for commercial and industrial applications such as golf carts and lift trucks. Features include a thin shell; stator; stator winding; and rotor. Rotor laminations have equally circumferentially spaced semi-closed slots having area for receiving conductors, and the ratio of the number of rotor lamination slots to the rotor outer diameter (measured in inches) is greater than 14.0. In one construction, this ratio is about 15.75; the ratio of the outer diameter to the rotor slot length is from about 9.04 to about 9.16; and the ratio of rotor slot depth or length to rotor slot opening width is from about 10.8 to about 12.5. Cylindrical stator lamination has a given outer diameter and a certain bore diameter determined by the distance between opposing poles. Through-bolt holes are located in the yoke, proximate the outer periphery thereof, and centered with respect to each pole. The ratio of stator pole neck minimum width to two times the yoke thickness or width is from about 0.809 to about 1.009.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Frederick J. Armstrong, Lynn E. Bradtmueller, Ronnie G. Smitley, James P. Alexander
  • Patent number: RE33691
    Abstract: Improved piezoelectric ceramic switching devices are described along with their .[.method.]. .Iadd.methods .Iaddend.of fabrication. In addition to the devices themselves, novel electric circuits are described for the energization as well as the use of such devices as switching elements in electrical systems. Parts of both the energization circuits and/or utilization circuits employing the piezo ceramic switching device are physically mounted on and supported by non-polarized parts of the piezoelectric ceramic plate elements comprising the switching devices so that lightweight compact construction is achieved along with substantial reduction of stray inductance intercoupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John D. Harnden, Jr., William P. Kornrumpf
  • Patent number: D323813
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Arthur C. Keck
  • Patent number: D332081
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert L. Sieber