Patents Assigned to Light Engineering, Inc.
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Patent number: 8984742Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 8, 2008Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall Scott Page
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Patent number: 7714479Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 19, 2007Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Richard Lex Seneff, Andrew D. Hirzel
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Patent number: 7596856Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall S. Page, Andrew D. Hirzel
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Patent number: 7468569Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 12, 2007Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Andrew D. Hirzel
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Patent number: 7395596Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 23, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Light Engineering Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall Scott Page
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Patent number: 7372185Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 17, 2007Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Andrew D. Hirzel, David R. Crecelius
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Patent number: 7258759Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 24, 2004Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall Scott Page
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Patent number: 7230361Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 25, 2006Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Andrew D. Hirzel
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Patent number: 7190101Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 2, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Andrew D. Hirzel
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Patent number: 7180216Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 18, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Andrew D. Hirzel, David R. Crecelius
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Patent number: 7148782Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 26, 2004Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Andrew Hirzel
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Patent number: 7105975Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 5, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Burley C. Semones, Andrew D. Hirzel
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Patent number: 7067950Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Andrew D. Hirzel, Jeffrey A. Day, Burley C. Semones, Mathew R. Johnston
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Patent number: 7034427Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 16, 2004Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Andrew D. Hirzel
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Patent number: 7018498Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 11, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Light Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Berwald, Kendall Scott Page
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Publication number: 20050237146Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2004Publication date: October 27, 2005Applicant: Light Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Andrew Hirzel