Patents Assigned to Light Engineering, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8984742
    Abstract: A three dimensional soft magnetic metal mass suitable for milling is formed wrapping soft magnetic metal ribbon into a three dimensional shape and then applying adhesive to the three dimensional shape. The adhesive permeates the three dimensional shape. The adhesive is then cured. If the soft magnetic metal mass is made as a toroid, then it could be processed into an electromechanical component. The electro-mechanical component would then be suitable for use in very high frequency electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall Scott Page
  • Patent number: 7714479
    Abstract: A composite rotor for an axial airgap, permanent magnet dynamoelectric machine comprises a plurality of magnet subassemblies adhesively bonded together to form the rotor. Each magnet subassembly comprises a rotor permanent magnet and an optional spacer. A fibrous belt is wrapped around the periphery of each subassembly to provide high tensile strength at least along the radial sides of the subassembly. The belt is preferably infiltrated with an adhesive agent, such as an epoxy resin, that is used to bond the subassemblies. The rotor is thereby provided with high strength and low mass, making it suitable for use in a high-speed, high pole count electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Lex Seneff, Andrew D. Hirzel
  • Patent number: 7596856
    Abstract: An electromagnetic component is formed from a pre-form comprising layers of soft magnetic metal ribbon. Adhesive is applied to permeate the pre-form and is then cured. The bonded pre-form is placed within a milling assembly that supports and constrains the ribbon layers during a milling operation used to process the pre-form into an electromagnetic component shape. Optionally, the shape is thermally processed. The resulting electromechanical component has attractive soft magnetic properties, including low core loss, that render it useful as a component in electric motors and generators and static inductive devices operable at high excitation frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall S. Page, Andrew D. Hirzel
  • Patent number: 7468569
    Abstract: A dynamoelectric, rotating electric machine includes a stator assembly that includes stacked stator coil windings. The machine is preferably a polyphase, axial airgap device. Improved slot filling results from the stacked stator coil configuration. Device performance capability is thereby increased. The stator assembly of the electric device has a magnetic core made from low loss, high frequency material. A high pole count permits the electrical device to operate at high commutating frequencies, with high efficiency, high power density and improved performance characteristics. Low-loss materials incorporated by the device include amorphous metals, nanocrystalline metals, optimized Si—Fe alloys, grain-oriented Fe-based materials or non-grain-oriented Fe-based materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew D. Hirzel
  • Patent number: 7395596
    Abstract: A three dimensional soft magnetic metal mass suitable for milling is formed wrapping soft magnetic metal ribbon into a three dimensional shape and then applying adhesive to the three dimensional shape. The adhesive permeates the three dimensional shape. The adhesive is then cured. If the soft magnetic metal mass is made as a toroid, then it could be processed into an electromechanical component. The electromechanical component would then be suitable for use in very high frequency electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Light Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall Scott Page
  • Patent number: 7372185
    Abstract: A high intensity lighting system comprises a plurality of high intensity discharge lamps electrically connected to a polyphase alternator and a prime mover mechanically connected to the alternator. An inherent impedance characteristic of the alternator permits the lamps to be reliably started and energized without any separate ballast or comparable impedance element. The alternator comprises a stator having teeth extending from a backiron. The teeth consist of the alternator phases, and the coils encircle the respective teeth of each pair and are wound in opposite sense and connected in series. The machine is preferably an axial airgap device wherein the stator assembly has a magnetic core made from low loss, high frequency material. A high pole count permits the electrical device to operate at high commutating frequencies, with high efficiency, high power density and improved performance characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Hirzel, David R. Crecelius
  • Patent number: 7258759
    Abstract: A three dimensional soft magnetic metal mass suitable for milling is formed wrapping soft magnetic metal ribbon into a three dimensional shape and then applying adhesive to the three dimensional shape. The adhesive permeates the three dimensional shape. The adhesive is then cured. If the soft magnetic metal mass is made as a toroid, then it could be processed into an electro-mechanical component. The electro-mechanical component would then be suitable for use in very high frequency electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall Scott Page
  • Patent number: 7230361
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to an electric device, such as an electric motor, a generator, or a regenerative motor, having a wound stator core made from advanced low-loss material. In preferred embodiments, the electric device is an axial airgap-type configuration. The invention provides an electric device having a high pole count that operates at high commutating frequencies, with high efficiency and high torque and power densities. Advanced low-loss materials exploited by the present invention include amorphous metals, nanocrystalline metals, and optimized Fe-based alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew D. Hirzel
  • Patent number: 7190101
    Abstract: A dynamoelectric, rotating electric machine includes a stator assembly that includes stacked stator coil windings. The machine is preferably a polyphase, axial airgap device. Improved slot filling results from the stacked stator coil configuration. Device performance capability is thereby increased. The stator assembly of the electric device has a magnetic core made from low loss, high frequency material. A high pole count permits the electrical device to operate at high commutating frequencies, with high efficiency, high power density and improved performance characteristics. Low-loss materials incorporated by the device include amorphous metals, nanocrystalline metals, optimized Si—Fe alloys, grain-oriented Fe-based materials or non-grain-oriented Fe-based materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew D. Hirzel
  • Patent number: 7180216
    Abstract: A high intensity lighting system comprises a plurality of high intensity discharge lamps electrically connected to a polyphase alternator and a prime mover mechanically connected to the alternator. An inherent impedance characteristic of the alternator permits the lamps to be reliably started and energized without any separate ballast or comparable impedance element. The alternator comprises a stator having teeth extending from a backiron. The teeth consist of the alternator phases, and the coils encircle the respective teeth of each pair and are wound in opposite sense and connected in series. The machine is preferably an axial airgap device wherein the stator assembly has a magnetic core made from low loss, high frequency material. A high pole count permits the electrical device to operate at high commutating frequencies, with high efficiency, high power density and improved performance characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Hirzel, David R. Crecelius
  • Patent number: 7148782
    Abstract: An energizable magnetic core for use in an inductor or a transformer includes a plurality of legs extending from the back yoke. The back yoke is formed in a loop arranged to provide a magnetic circuit. Each of the plurality of legs have a first end adjacent to the back yoke and a second end extending away from the back yoke. With the legs positioned upon the back yoke, a cover yoke is positioned adjacent to the second end of each of the plurality of legs. The cover yoke is also formed in a loop such that the cover loop is arranged to provide a magnetic circuit. Coils are positioned upon the legs of the energizable magnetic core. In one embodiment, amorphous metal may be used to construct the energizable magnetic core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Hirzel
  • Patent number: 7105975
    Abstract: A rotating, dynamoelectric machine, such as an electric motor, a generator, or a regenerative motor, comprises a stator assembly that includes a backiron section, a plurality of stator tooth sections, and a frontiron. The dynamoelectric machine has an axial airgap-type configuration. In addition, the electric machine has a high pole count that operates at high commutating frequencies, with high efficiency, high power density and reduced heating in the rotor. Low-loss materials employed in the dynamoelectric machine include amorphous metals, nanocrystalline metals, optimized Fe-based alloys, and optimized grain-oriented Fe-based materials or non-grain-oriented Fe-based materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Burley C. Semones, Andrew D. Hirzel
  • Patent number: 7067950
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to an electric device, such as an electric motor, a generator, or a regenerative motor, having a wound stator core made from advanced low-loss material. In preferred embodiments, the electric device is an axial airgap-type configuration. The invention provides an electric device having a high pole count that operates at high commutating frequencies, with high efficiency and high power density. Advanced low-loss materials exploited by the present invention include amorphous metals, nanocrystalline metals, and optimized Si—Fe alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Hirzel, Jeffrey A. Day, Burley C. Semones, Mathew R. Johnston
  • Patent number: 7034427
    Abstract: An axial gap dynamoelectric machine comprises first and second stators disposed coaxially with an intermediate rotor. The stators are selectively aligned with an axial offset between the positions of their respective teeth and slots. The stators comprise toroidal cores having laminated layers composed of a material selected from the group consisting of amorphous and nanocrystalline metals and optimized Fe-based alloy. Optionally, the machine further comprises misalignment means for adjusting the offset of the stators. Adaptive adjustment permits the machine to be operated to in a mode that reduces the back EMF of the motor, allowing constant voltage to be maintained as speed is increased. Reducing back EMF also allows a wider range of operating speed, especially in combination with use of high pole counts. Alternatively, the machine can be operated, e.g. at lower speed, in a constant torque mode. The machine may exploit the high pole count achievable by use of improved soft magnetic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew D. Hirzel
  • Patent number: 7018498
    Abstract: A three dimensional amorphous metal mass suitable for milling is formed wrapping amorphous metal ribbon into a three dimensional shape and then applying adhesive to the three dimensional shape. The adhesive permeates the three dimensional shape. The adhesive is then cured. The three dimensional shape is mechanically contained in three dimensions. If the amorphous metal mass is made as a toroid, then it could be processed into a stator. The stator would then be suitable for use in very high frequency electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall Scott Page
  • Publication number: 20050237146
    Abstract: An energizable magnetic core for use in an inductor or a transformer includes a plurality of legs extending from the back yoke. The back yoke is formed in a loop arranged to provide a magnetic circuit. Each of the plurality of legs have a first end adjacent to the back yoke and a second end extending away from the back yoke. With the legs positioned upon the back yoke, a cover yoke is positioned adjacent to the second end of each of the plurality of legs. The cover yoke is also formed in a loop such that the cover loop is arranged to provide a magnetic circuit. Coils are positioned upon the legs of the energizable magnetic core. In one embodiment, amorphous metal may be used to construct the energizable magnetic core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Applicant: Light Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Hirzel