Abstract: An AC-induction-motor rotor lamination has a longitudinal axis and circumferentially spaced apart and closed rotor slots. Each rotor slot includes first through fifth corners, a straight slot base, straight first and second slot sides, and first and second curved sides. The slot base extends from the first corner to the second corner, the first slot side extends substantially radially inward from the second corner to the third corner, and the second slot side extends substantially radially inward from the first corner to the fourth corner. The first and second curved sides extend from a corresponding one of the third and fourth corners to the fifth corner. A rotor lamination having slot sides extending substantially radially outwardly from the second and first corners, and rotor laminations having open rotor slots (with slot sides extending substantially radially inward or outward) are also described.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric-machine stator includes a stator lamination stack, a plurality of electrically-conductive magnetic wedges, a plurality of electrically-insulative nonmagnetic wedges, and coil windings. The stator lamination stack has circumferentially-spaced-apart stator teeth. Adjacent stator teeth each have a tooth side bounding an intervening stator slot. Adjacent stator teeth each have a radially-outermost tooth tip which circumferentially projects from the corresponding tooth side into the intervening stator slot to partially close the intervening stator slot. The coil windings are randomly wound in the stator slots. The magnetic wedges are each positioned in a corresponding stator slot and physically and solid-magnetically contact the corresponding tooth tips to fully close the corresponding stator slot proximate the corresponding tooth tips. The nonmagnetic wedges are each positioned in a corresponding stator slot between the corresponding coil windings and the corresponding magnetic wedge.

Abstract: An AC-induction-motor rotor lamination has a longitudinal axis and circumferentially spaced apart and closed rotor slots. Each rotor slot includes first through fifth corners, a straight slot base, straight first and second slot sides, and first and second curved sides. The slot base extends from the first corner to the second corner, the first slot side extends substantially radially inward from the second corner to the third corner, and the second slot side extends substantially radially inward from the first corner to the fourth corner. The first and second curved sides extend from a corresponding one of the third and fourth corners to the fifth corner. A rotor lamination having slot sides extending substantially radially outwardly from the second and first corners, and rotor laminations having open rotor slots (with slot sides extending substantially radially inward or outward) are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus including a monolithic, motor/generator phase insulation article having a manufactured state and a ready-to-use state. The insulation article has longitudinally-spaced-apart first and second tabs and flexible, transversely-spaced-apart first and second legs each having a first end monolithically joined to the first tab and a second end monolithically joined to the second tab. The first and second tabs are disposed longitudinally closer together in the manufactured state than in the ready-to-use state. In the manufactured state the first and second legs each have a more serpentine shape, and in the ready-to-use state the first and second legs each have a less serpentine shape. A method for manufacturing the insulation article is also described which cuts a monolithic, substantially-rectangular sheet of motor/generator phase insulation to create the insulation article.

Abstract: Apparatus including a locomotive-radiator-cooling-fan tankhead assembly having a substantially-circular base plate and a substantially-circular outer ring. The base plate has a central longitudinal axis and a circumference. The outer ring is substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis and is attached to the base plate proximate the circumference. The base plate has a substantially-planar first surface having a central recess substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis and having circumferentially-separated, first and second peripheral recesses each radially spaced apart from the central recess and extending radially inward from proximate the circumference. The outer ring longitudinally extends beyond the first surface. The tankhead assembly is devoid of any gussets attached to the base plate and is devoid of any gussets attached to the outer ring.

Abstract: A notching apparatus for notching both an outer lamination and an inner lamination from a single lamination blank at s single station using a single press device includes a multi-piece die assembly provides multiple outer slot punches, multiple inner slot punches, and a separator punch. The outer slot punch portion, inner slot punch portion, and separator punch portion of the multi-piece die assembly are all selectively positionable in respective punching positions and non-punching positions to facilitate a controlled notching operation.

Abstract: A locomotive cab heating system having a plurality of separately actuated heating units housed in a supply air duct and connected to a microcontroller. Preferably, the system includes a high temperature shutdown thermostat. The microcontroller is equipped with memory storing a program that is configured to control the microcontroller to turn on and off a predetermined number of the heating units responsive to temperature readings received from the temperature sensor, thereby maintaining air temperature in the duct within a selected range, regardless of fan speed and air flow rate. By controlling the number of heating units in operation at any given time, the heating system of the present invention controls the heat delivered to a locomotive cab more effectively, thereby ensuring the comfort of the occupants of the cab. The locomotive cab heating system of the present invention is designed to be easily and inexpensively retrofitted to preexisting heating systems.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly apparatus for electric power leads that includes a receptacle, a backshell, and a disk-shaped member clamped therebetween. The receptacle has a housing and a grommet having orifices formed therethrough to receive power leads and associated pins. The disk-shaped member is formed of a relatively hard dielectric material such as nylon and contains orifices therethrough, corresponding to orifices in the grommet, which receive the electric power leads and associated pins. The lead pins have annular ribs formed thereon such that the ribs are captured between a collar on the disk-shaped member and a protrusion on the grommet, thereby preventing relative rearward movement of the lead pins and associated leads.

Abstract: The invention is a stator lamination jig system which comprises a centrally located spindle and a support for a stator lamination having a plurality of holes therein. The support is rotatively-mounted on the spindle for driving the lamination during a notching operation. A plate is included to secure the lamination on the support and a non-rotatable ejector is located below the support which has a lowered position and a raised position. An ejection cylinder is seated upon the ejector which is shaped and positioned to extend through holes in the support. The invention also comprises a cylinder connected to the ejector for driving the ejector. When the cylinder is actuated upwards, the ejector is in a raised position which urges the ejection cylinder through the holes in the support to cause the lamination to be released from the jig.

Abstract: A stator lamination for an electric motor includes a plurality of notches extending about an inner periphery thereof shaped to minimize damage to insulation of the conductor during insertion of the conductor into the notches and removal of the conductor from the notches. Each notch includes two side walls which intersect the inner periphery of the laminate at a tapered angle. The side walls each include a cutout shaped to receive a retaining strip or slat therebetween, and the cutouts intersect the walls at tapered angles. The tapered angles are preferably less than about 12.degree. or greater than about 14.degree., in order to prevent the formation of a locking taper.

Abstract: The invention is a stator lamination jig system which comprises a centrally located spindle and a support for a stator lamination having a plurality of holes therein. The support is rotatively-mounted on the spindle for driving the lamination during a notching operation. A plate is included to secure the lamination on the support and a non-rotatable ejector is located below the support which has a lowered position and a raised position. An ejection cylinder is seated upon the ejector which is shaped and positioned to extend through holes in the support. The invention also comprises a cylinder connected to the ejector for driving the ejector. When the cylinder is actuated upwards, the ejector is in a raised position which urges the ejection cylinder through the holes in the support to cause the lamination to be released from the jig.