Patents Assigned to A. O. Smith Corporation
  • Publication number: 20100111508
    Abstract: A type of mixed energy heater with constant temperature control, which belongs to the field of water heater technology. This water heater includes a gas heating portion, an electric heating portion, and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a power output controller. The electric heating portion is composed of water passage and electric heating device installed in the water passage. The water passages of the gas heating portion and the electric heating portion are connected together in series or in parallel, and the terminal of the passage is equipped with a temperature sensor. The output of the temperature sensor is connected to the signal input of the control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wei Ding, Bu Qiu, Ping Ju, Zejun Jia
  • Patent number: 7709991
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Dan M. Ionel, Stephen J. Dellinger, Robert J. Heideman, Alan E. Lesak
  • Patent number: 7690897
    Abstract: A method of controlling a motor operating a pumping apparatus of a system includes determining a trip value for a parameter, floating the trip value, and monitoring the operation of the pump. Monitoring the operation of the pump includes determining a value for the parameter, comparing the value to the trip value, and determining whether the comparison indicates a condition of the pump. The method of controlling the motor also includes controlling the motor to operate the pump based on the condition of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: A.O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Branecky, William Louis Mehlhorn
  • Publication number: 20100080714
    Abstract: A pump system. The pump system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, a sensor coupled to a power source, and a controller. The motor operates the pump. The sensor detects an electrical characteristic of the power source. The controller executes a fault check, controls the motor, detects a change in the electrical characteristic, and suspends the execution of the fault check for a predetermined period of time when the detected change in the electrical characteristic is outside of a valid characteristic range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: William L. Mehlhorn, Brian T. Branecky
  • Patent number: 7687965
    Abstract: A stator for a motor having a rotor includes a plurality of laminations each formed in a first elongated arrangement. Each lamination includes a first leg, a second leg, and an intermediate portion that are configured to be rearranged and stacked in a stackwise direction to define a core having a second U-shaped arrangement. A coil is coupled to the first leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Dan M. Ionel, Alan E. Lesak
  • Publication number: 20100068073
    Abstract: A method of controlling a motor operating a pumping apparatus of a fluid-pumping application. The pumping apparatus includes a pump having an inlet to receive a fluid and an outlet to exhaust the fluid, and the motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump. The method includes the acts of controlling the motor to operate the pump and monitoring the operation of the pump. The monitoring act includes monitoring a power of the motor, and determining whether the monitored power indicates an undesired flow of fluid through the pump. The method further includes the act of controlling the motor to cease operation of the pump when the determination indicates an undesired flow of fluid through the pump and zero or more other conditions exist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brian T. Branecky
  • Patent number: 7671555
    Abstract: An air movement system including a blower and an external controller operable to receive signals from a sensing device and generate a command based on the received signals. The command includes an address. The system also includes a communication channel coupled to the external controller and configured to communicate the command, and a motor assembly operable to drive the blower. The motor assembly includes a stator and rotor assembly coupled to the blower, and a drive circuit coupled to the stator and rotor assembly. The motor assembly includes a second controller and a memory. The memory includes a set of data having a plurality of addresses and an instruction associated with each address, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Steven Mullin
  • Patent number: 7669311
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a core for an electrical machine. The method includes providing a planar sheet of magnetic material and creating first and second generally U-shaped laminations from the planar sheet. The first and second generally U-shaped laminations result from a pattern formed in the planar sheet. The pattern includes the first generally U-shaped lamination having a first leg and a second leg, and the second generally U-shaped lamination rotated one hundred-eighty degrees with respect to the first generally U-shaped lamination. The second generally U-shaped lamination includes a third leg and a fourth leg. The third leg is disposed between the first and second legs. The method further includes creating the core by stacking the first and second generally U-shaped laminations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Dan M. Ionel, Brian Branecky, Alan E. Lesak
  • Patent number: 7672751
    Abstract: A system for controlling a temperature of a liquid residing within a tank comprises a tank, a first heating element, a first switch, a temperature-based switch, and logic. The first heating element is mounted on the tank, and the temperature-based switch is coupled to the first heating element and to the first switch. The logic is configured to control a state of the first switch based on a temperature of a liquid residing in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Wade C. Patterson, Terry G. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20100026128
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator and a rotor core including a first rotor portion positioned adjacent the stator and having an outside diameter. The first rotor portion includes a plurality of elongated slots that define a plurality of poles. The electric machine also includes a plurality of magnets. Each of the plurality of magnets is positioned within one of the slots and arranged such that each of the plurality of poles has a magnetic arc length that is different than a magnetic arc length of any adjacent pole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dan M. Ionel
  • Publication number: 20100001598
    Abstract: A motor including a stator, a first connector portion, a selector, and a second connector portion. The stator has a first winding arrangement configured for a first voltage and a second winding arrangement configured for a second voltage different from the first voltage. The first connector portion is selectively connectable to each of the first winding arrangement and the second winding arrangement. The selector is movable between a first position in which the first connector portion is connected to the first winding arrangement, and a second position in which the first connector portion is connected to the second winding arrangement. The second connector portion is electrically connected to a power supply and selectively engageable with the first connector portion to provide power to one of the first winding arrangement and the second winding arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank E. Staigl, III, Ngan-Fai Leung, Dennis Studebaker, Dennis Bush
  • Patent number: 7638913
    Abstract: An electric machine that includes a stator core having a stator core length, a first rotor core portion, and second rotor core portion. A spacer is coupled to the first core portion and the second core portion to at least partially define a rotor core. The rotor core has a length that is greater than the stator core length. A permanent magnet is coupled to the rotor core and has a magnet length. The magnet length is greater than the stator core length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: A.O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Dan M. Ionel, Stephen J. Dellinger
  • Patent number: 7613855
    Abstract: A water heater has a modular control system. The water heater comprises a tank, a heating element, a first controller, and a second controller. The heating element is coupled to the tank. The first controller is mounted on the tank and has a first communication port. The second controller has a second communication port communicatively coupled to the first communication port of the first controller. The first controller is configured to control the heating element in accordance with a first algorithm in an absence of the second controller, and the second controller is configured to control the heating element in accordance with a second algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Terry G. Phillips, Wade C. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7610671
    Abstract: An electric motor includes a stator, a housing supporting the stator and having a bearing seat with an inner surface and an inner end, a bearing having an outer surface, a shaft rotatably supported by the bearing, and a rotor supported by the shaft. The motor also includes a tolerance ring having an interior surface, an exterior surface disposed against the bearing seat inner surface, and a plurality of elastic corrugations. Each of the elastic corrugations projects radially from the interior surface, defining a shoulder section disposed between the bearing and the inner end of the bearing seat. The shoulder section generates a spring force against the bearing to axially and radially support the bearing and to axially preload the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: A.O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Watkins, Chih M. Lin
  • Publication number: 20090267432
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator, a rotor positioned adjacent the stator and rotatable with respect to the stator, and a housing that at least partially surrounds the stator. An enclosure is coupled to the housing and includes a first compartment and a second compartment. A plurality of fins are positioned within the second compartment and a fan is coupled to the rotor and directs a flow of air through the second compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph A. Henry, A. Keith Pant
  • Patent number: 7603204
    Abstract: A system for controlling a temperature of a liquid residing within a tank comprises a temperature sensor, a temperature control element, memory, and logic. The temperature sensor is configured to detect the temperature of the liquid residing within the tank, and the temperature control element is coupled to the tank. The memory stores data indicative of a usage history of the tank, and the logic is configured to automatically control the temperature control element based on the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Wade C. Patterson, Terry G. Phillips
  • Patent number: 7574120
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally pertain to systems and methods for estimating and indicating temperature characteristics of temperature controlled liquids. A system in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has a tank filled at least partially with a liquid, such as water, and the system has a plurality of temperature sensors mounted on the tank. During operation, a controller compares temperatures sensed by these temperature sensors to a predefined temperature profile for the liquid within the tank in order to estimate the likely temperature characteristics of such liquid. The controller then reports these estimated temperature characteristics via a user interface. As an example, the controller may estimate and report the amount of liquid above a threshold temperature that can be drawn from the tank. Based on the reported temperature characteristics, a user may make decisions about whether or how to use liquid drawn from the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Wade C. Patterson, Terry G. Phillips
  • Patent number: 7541701
    Abstract: A motor assembly comprises a first end frame, a second end frame including at least one air outlet aperture, an air shroud surrounding a stator between the first end frame and the second end frame, the air shroud cooperating with the stator to form at least one air passage, and cooperating with the first end frame to form at least one air inlet aperture. The motor assembly also comprises a fan mounted on the rotating shaft, the fan operable to generate an air flow of ambient air through the at least one air inlet aperture, the at least one air passage and the at least one air outlet aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: A.O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Chih M. Lin, William J. Watkins, Oscar Romero, Janice Fitzgerald, John R. Belko, Ming Kuo
  • Patent number: 7514887
    Abstract: An electrical machine having a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a core and a plurality of windings disposed on the core in a multiple-phase arrangement. The rotor is disposed adjacent to the stator to interact with the stator. A method of operating the motor includes applying a pulsed voltage differential to first and second terminals of the windings resulting in movement of the rotor; monitoring the back electromotive force (BEMF) of the windings to sense rotor movement; after the applying and monitoring steps, monitoring the BEMF of the windings to determine whether the rotor is rotating in a desired direction, and electrically commutating the motor when the rotor is rotating in the desired direction and zero or more other conditions exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Steven Mullin, Brian Thomas Branecky
  • Publication number: 20090085415
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dan M. Ionel, Stephen J. Dellinger, Robert J. Heideman, Alan E. Lesak