Patents Assigned to A. O. Smith Corporation
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Patent number: 7508103Abstract: A terminal board includes an attachment portion engageable with an end cap and defines an attachment plane that is substantially parallel to an end plane defined by the end cap, and a first terminal portion adapted to receive a first terminal wire. The first terminal portion defines a first terminal plane that intersects the end plane to define an included angle. The included angle is between about 40 degrees and 80 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: A.O. Smith CorporationInventors: William J. Watkins, Chih M. Lin
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Patent number: 7508156Abstract: A controller and a motor assembly having a controller. The controller includes a first switch assembly in a series configuration with the motor, where the first switch assembly has a first transistor, a second switch assembly in a parallel configuration with the motor, where the second switch assembly has a second transistor, and a control circuit electrically connected to the first transistor and to the second transistor to control the first switch assembly and the second switch assembly to provide a chopped voltage to a motor.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventor: William Louis Mehlhorn
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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: 20080308689Abstract: A support base is provided for a water heater, the support base having a structure for supporting components of the water heater in their proper position in a manner that elevates an outer jacket of the heater and provides space for insulation between the outer jacket and an inner water tank. The support base comprises a lip at one end of the support base, an angled middle portion projecting upwardly from the lip such that the lip and the angled middle portion intersect to form a trough for positioning and supporting the water tank. The support base also has a top portion extending in a generally vertical direction from an upper end of the angled middle portion such that the top portion provides support for the outer jacket.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: A.O. SMITH CORPORATIONInventor: Rodney R. Syler
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Publication number: 20080303369Abstract: An electric machine has a rotor and includes a first portion that is substantially rectangular and includes a rotor aperture configured to receive a portion of the rotor. A second portion is separate from and connected to the first portion. The second portion is substantially U-shaped and includes a first leg, a second leg, and a base. A first coil surrounds a portion of the first leg and a second coil surrounds a portion of the second leg.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2008Publication date: December 11, 2008Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATIONInventors: Dan M. Ionel, Alan E. Lesak
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Publication number: 20080272667Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator and a rotor core positioned adjacent the stator and rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The rotor core includes a plurality of bar apertures, a plurality of elongated flux barriers separate from the bar apertures and positioned radially inward of the bar apertures, and a plurality of magnet slots separate from the bar slots and positioned radially inward of a portion of the bar apertures. The electric machine also includes a plurality of magnets, each positioned in one of the magnet slots. A plurality of conductive bars are each positioned in one of the bar apertures and includes a first end and a second end. A first end ring is coupled to the first end of each of the bars and a second end ring is coupled to the second end of each of the bars.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2008Publication date: November 6, 2008Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATIONInventors: Dan M. Ionel, Stephen J. Dellinger, Jeremiah Mattingly, Alan E. Lesak
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Patent number: 7427844Abstract: A pump assembly for pumping a liquid and a method of controlling the pump assembly. The pump assembly includes a motor coupled to a pump, and an electronic switch assembly electrically connected to the motor to control the current through the motor. The electronic switch assembly includes an electronic switch, a generator that provides a substantially periodic pulsing signal, a circuit control configured to provide a second signal, and decision logic connected to the generator, the circuit control, and the electronic switch. The decision logic receives the periodic pulsing and second signals and generates a control signal that selectively controls the electronic switch based on the periodic pulsing and second signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventor: William L. Mehlhorn
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Publication number: 20080224558Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator, and a rotor positioned adjacent the stator and configured to rotate with respect to the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of laminations having an outside diameter and stacked in a stackwise direction. Each lamination includes a plurality of non-linear slots positioned inward of the outside diameter. Each non-linear slot includes an inner portion spaced a first distance from the outside diameter and two end portions disposed a second distance from the outside diameter. The second distance is smaller than the first distance. The rotor also includes a plurality of permanent magnets. Each magnet is disposed in one of the non-linear slots.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2008Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATIONInventor: Dan M. Ionel
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Patent number: 7414191Abstract: An electrical-component assembly that includes a first housing portion that includes a wall. The wall includes a slot. At least a portion of the slot includes threads. An electrical component includes a body and a threaded protrusion. The threaded protrusion defines a longitudinal axis and is translational along a path that includes a portion that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to engage with the threaded portion of the slot such that the body inhibits rotation of the electrical component relative to the first housing portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2004Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventor: Norman R. Long
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Publication number: 20080185923Abstract: A motor that is operable in response to an external power supply includes a stator core that is electrically connected to the external power supply and a rotor core positioned adjacent the stator core and rotatable about an axis in response to power being delivered to the stator core by the external power supply. A first encasement member is formed around the stator core to define a cavity and a second encasement member is formed around the rotor core and is sized such that at least a portion of the second encasement member and rotor core is disposed within the cavity. A quantity of coolant is disposed within the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2007Publication date: August 7, 2008Applicant: A.O. SMITH CORPORATIONInventor: Gary D. Noe
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Publication number: 20080180048Abstract: A brushless direct current (BLDC) motor having a simulated tapped-winding input. The BLDC motor includes a stator/rotor assembly having a stator and a rotor. The BLDC motor has a common input and a plurality of power inputs. Each power input corresponds to an operating parameter. The BLDC motor receives an AC voltage across the common input and one of the power inputs and operates the stator/rotor assembly according to an operating parameter corresponding to the power input receiving power.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: A.O. SMITH CORPORATIONInventors: Paul Steven Mullin, Stephen J. Dellinger
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Publication number: 20080179979Abstract: An electric motor includes a stator, a rotor positioned adjacent the stator and cooperating with the stator to generate a torque, and a bearing support assembly coupled to the rotor to at least partially support the rotor for rotation. An end frame includes a post positioned to engage and support the bearing support assembly. The end frame and the bearing support assembly cooperate to define a space therebetween. A mainframe is coupled to and cooperates with the end frame to substantially enclose the stator, and a set of electronics for controlling the motor is mounted in the space.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATIONInventor: Alice Nolley
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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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Publication number: 20080095639Abstract: A pumping apparatus for a jetted-fluid system includes a pump having an inlet connectable to the drain, and an outlet connectable to the return. The pump is adapted to receive the fluid from the drain and jet fluid through the return. The pumping apparatus includes a motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump, a sensor connectable to the power source and configured to generate a signal having a relation to a parameter of the motor, and a switch coupled to the motor and configured to control at least a characteristic of the motor. The pumping apparatus also includes a microcontroller coupled to the sensor and the switch. The microcontroller is configured to generate a derivative value based on the signal, and to control the motor based on the derivative value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: A.O. SMITH CORPORATIONInventors: Ronald P. Bartos, Brian Thomas Branecky, Howard Richardson
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Publication number: 20080093951Abstract: An electric machine includes a rotor, a first tooth portion, and a second tooth portion spaced apart from the first tooth portion and cooperating with the first tooth portion to at least partially define a rotor opening. At least a portion of the rotor is disposed within the rotor opening. A bridge has a first end connected to the first tooth portion and a second end connected to the second tooth portion such that the bridge defines a portion of the rotor opening. An aperture is defined by the bridge and is disposed between the first end and the second end.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2007Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: A. O. Smith CorporationInventors: Dan Lonel, Alan Lesak
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Publication number: 20080095640Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: A.O. SMITH CORPORATIONInventors: Brian Thomas Branecky, William Louis Mehlhorn
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Publication number: 20080095638Abstract: A pumping apparatus for a jetted-fluid system includes a pump having an inlet connectable to the drain, and an outlet connectable to the return. The pump is adapted to receive the fluid from the drain and jet fluid through the return. The apparatus includes a motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump, a sensor configured to generate a signal having a relation to a parameter of the motor, and a switch coupled to the motor and configured to control at least a characteristic of the motor. The apparatus also includes a microcontroller coupled to the sensor and the switch. The microcontroller includes a model observer configured to receive a first value based on the signal and to generate a second value representative of at least one of a modeled flow or a modeled pressure based on the first value. The microcontroller is configured to control the motor based on the second value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: A.O. SMITH CORPORATIONInventor: Brian Thomas Branecky
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Patent number: 7355520Abstract: A motor receiving power from a power source. The motor comprises a motor housing, a stator at least partially disposed within the motor housing and supported by the motor housing, a rotor disposed to magnetically interact with the stator, and a visual indicator integrated with the housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2004Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: A.O. Smith CorporationInventor: William L. Mehlhorn
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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: 7327118Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling an electric machine. The method can include using a controller to detect whether power is present at a first node of the controller, detect whether power is present at a second node of the controller, generate at least one signal based at least in part on the detection, and energize the electric machine using a detected power when the at least one signal indicates power is present at at least one of the first node, the second node, and a combination of the first node and the second node.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2006Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventors: Albert Keith Pant, Brian Thomas Branecky, William L. Mehlhorn, Andrew W. Phillips