Patents Assigned to Nidec Motor Corporation
  • MOTOR CONNECTOR WITH INTEGRATED MOTOR CONTROL FUNCTIONALITY
    Publication number: 20210152058
    Abstract: A motor assembly includes a motor, a controller controlling at least one aspect of operation of the motor, and a control housing defining a control chamber. The controller is in part received within the control chamber. The controller includes a main electronics board and a modular connector assembly. The modular connector assembly includes a secondary electronics board and a connector at least in part supporting the secondary electronics board. The connector includes an inner connector portion and an outer connector portion. The connector extends through the control housing such that the inner connector portion is disposed inside the control chamber and the outer connector portion is disposed outside the control chamber. The outer connector portion defines a first access portal facilitating access to a first component of the secondary electronics board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Chetan O. Modi, Steven R. Palmer, Daniel E. Bailey, Jared Joseph Lesicko
  • SPACING-ASSURED ELECTRIC FIELD SHIELD FOR GAS DISCHARGE TUBE OF MOTOR CONTROL
    Publication number: 20210144843
    Abstract: A spacing-assured gas discharge tube assembly is installed on a printed circuit board, which may be part of a motor controller. The discharge tube assembly includes a tube body and an electrostatic spacing shield disposed at least partially around the tube body. The shield is configured to prevent close physical proximity of adjacent structures having electrostatic fields that may alter the breakdown voltage of the tube body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventor: James L. Skinner
  • INTEGRATED CONVEYOR MOTOR
    Publication number: 20210130101
    Abstract: A conveyor assembly includes a conveyor module including first and second roller bodies and a conveyor belt; a chassis; and a tensioning system. The tensioning system is operable to adjust the tension of the conveyor belt and includes a tensioning device selectively shiftably mounted to the chassis such that shifting of the tensioning system in the fore-aft direction along the chassis results in corresponding fore-aft shifting of the first roller body relative to the second roller body, thereby facilitating adjustment of the tension of the conveyor belt. The chassis includes a pair of side rails and a slider bed. A stiffening assembly includes a bracket spaced vertically below the slider bed such that a vertical gap is formed between the slider bed and the bracket. The stiffening assembly further includes an insert disposed on the bracket and extending upward across at least a portion of the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua M. Biro, William D. Moore, Richard J. Fadler
  • DUAL MOTOR SYSTEM WITH FLOW CONTROL
    Publication number: 20210123441
    Abstract: A dual motor system includes a first motor providing a lower speed range and a second motor providing a higher speed range, wherein the motors are coaxially arranged and aligned on and drive a common shaft, and a motor control system controlling the speed of the first motor and engaging the second motor as needed. The first motor is a variable speed motor providing a lower two-thirds of a full speed range, and the second motor is an induction motor providing the upper one-third in the form of one or more discrete fixed speeds. The system may include a transformer including a first winding tap which provides a first higher speed, and a second winding tap which provides a second higher speed. The system may also include a flow control system for automatically controlling the speed of the motors for particular applications, such as flow control in a pool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Coupart, James D. Ellis, II, Pranesh Rao, Bret S. Clark, John G. Schrader
  • DUAL MOTOR SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20210123442
    Abstract: A dual motor system includes a first motor providing a lower speed range and a second motor providing a higher speed range, wherein the motors are coaxially arranged and aligned on and drive a common shaft, and a motor control system controlling the speed of the first motor and engaging the second motor as needed. The first motor is a variable speed motor providing a lower two-thirds of a full speed range, and the second motor is an induction motor providing the upper one-third in the form of one or more discrete fixed speeds. The system may include a transformer including a first winding tap which provides a first higher speed, and a second winding tap which provides a second higher speed. The system may also include a flow control system for automatically controlling the speed of the motors for particular applications, such as flow control in a pool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Schrader, Eric Coupart, Ryan M. Bastien, Richard A. Belley
  • System and computer-implemented method for reducing angle error in electric motors
    Patent number: 10992243
    Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for reducing an angle error in an estimated position of a rotor over various loads on an electric motor or type of electric motor. Electrical parameters of an electric motor are measured, a true rotor position is found, and sensorless gains based on the measured parameters are generated, including determining a sensorless angle. Data is gathered at multiple torque levels for at least one speed of the motor, including for each torque level, trying different inductance values, and determining an inductance value that results in an angle error of zero. The angle error is the difference between the true rotor position and the sensorless angle. The inductance value that results in an angle error of zero for each speed may be saved in an electronic memory and used to better control the motor or other motors of the same type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Bret S. Clark, Christopher D. Schock, Michael I. Henderson
  • MOTOR CONTROLLER ASSEMBLY WITH CONTAINMENT SYSTEM FOR CAPACITOR
    Publication number: 20210104939
    Abstract: A motor controller assembly is configured for use with an electric motor and includes a controller and an absorbent pad. The controller includes a capacitor with a capacitor shell and a liquid electrolyte contained therein. The capacitor shell has a frangible rupture area that opens during a capacitor rupture event to permit the discharge of liquid electrolyte from the capacitor shell. The absorbent pad overlies the rupture area to collect discharged liquid electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Chetan O. Modi, Steven R. Palmer, Aashish Pendru, Jeffrey Scott Sherman, Douglas D. Glenn
  • Conveyor system gearmotor with direct roller connection
    Patent number: 10947052
    Abstract: A gearmotor assembly for use with a conveyor system has a rotatable conveyor roller extending laterally between spaced conveyor side rails. The gearmotor assembly includes an electric motor with a rotatable motor output shaft. The gearmotor assembly further includes a gear train drivingly connected to the motor output shaft. The gear train includes a train output shaft axially offset from the motor output shaft, with the train output shaft being drivingly connectable to the conveyor roller, so that rotation of the motor output shaft produces corresponding rotation of the conveyor roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory M. Levine, Edward V. Minnich, Andrew Helgeland, Jaroslaw Sterna
  • LAMINATED ROTOR HAVING MECHANICALLY RETAINED PERMANENT MAGNETS
    Publication number: 20210075278
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for an electric machine includes a rotor core that is fabricated from a plurality of laminations stacked along a rotational axis of the electric machine. The rotor core has a plurality of arcuately arranged, axially extending magnet-receiving slots. The rotor core includes a plurality of magnets received in respective ones of the magnet-receiving slots. Each of the laminations includes opposed deflectable magnet-retaining prongs that extend into a corresponding one of the magnet-receiving slots. The magnet-retaining prongs are deflected by and engage the magnets to exert a reactive force against the magnets and hold them in place. Each of the laminations also includes respective support posts axially adjacent the magnet-retaining prongs. The support posts extend alongside and thereby limit the deflection of the magnet-retaining prongs when engaged with the corresponding one of the magnets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Tucker
  • Traction motor assembly with gear-interconnected wheel and output shaft
    Patent number: 10927923
    Abstract: Electric motors are disclosed. The motors are preferably for use in an automated vehicle, although any one or more of a variety of motor uses are suitable. The motors include lift, turntable, and locomotion motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Moore, Philip S. Johnson
  • Rotor having longitudinal recesses in outer surface between V-slot poles
    Patent number: 10916982
    Abstract: An electric motor includes a stator having a stator surface and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of poles, each of which is defined by a pair of magnets positioned in a V-shaped arrangement having a vertex positioned radially inward. The magnets present a mechanical pole angle of the corresponding pole. The rotor also includes a rotor surface that is opposite the stator surface. The rotor surface includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced pole segments, each of which spans a respective mechanical pole angle. The rotor also includes a plurality of longitudinally extending recesses, each of which is positioned between adjacent pole segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Keith I. Hoemann, Lunjie Lu, Michael W. Major
  • Electric motor with v-slot rotor
    Patent number: 10910895
    Abstract: An electric motor includes a stator and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of poles, each of which is defined by a pair of magnets positioned relative to each other in a V-shaped arrangement having a vertex positioned radially inward. Each of the poles includes a mechanical pole angle defined by the pair of magnets. The mechanical pole angle is about one-half of three hundred and sixty divided by the number of the poles of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Keith I. Hoemann, Lunjie Lu, Michael W. Major
  • MOTOR FAN AND GUARD FOR DIRECTING COOLANT AIR
    Publication number: 20210006128
    Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes a stator, a rotor, a motor housing, a rotatable shaft, a radial fan, and an air scoop. The motor housing at least partly houses the stator and rotor and presents an exterior motor surface. The rotatable shaft is associated with the rotor for rotational movement therewith, with the rotatable shaft extending along a rotational axis. The radial fan is mounted on the rotatable shaft exteriorly of the motor housing and is rotatable with the shaft to direct airflow in a radially outward direction. The air scoop extends radially outwardly relative to the radial fan and axially to receive radial airflow from the radial fan and turn the airflow axially to flow along the exterior motor surface. The air scoop includes spaced apart axially extending airflow vanes to guide the airflow as the airflow is turned axially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Eason, Michael L. Largent, Steven R. Palmer, Jeffrey Scott Sherman, Richard A. Belley
  • MOTOR CONTROLLER WITH INDUCTOR MOUNTED TRANSVERSE TO CONTROL BOARD
    Publication number: 20210006190
    Abstract: A motor control assembly is configured to operate an electric motor and includes a control housing and a controller. The control housing presents a controller chamber. The controller includes a control board mounted within the controller chamber. The controller further includes an inductor attached to the control housing and positioned within the controller chamber adjacent the control board. The inductor defines maximum first and second inductor dimensions measured along corresponding first and second directions parallel to a board plane and orthogonal to one another. The inductor further defines a maximum third inductor dimension measured along a third direction transverse to the board plane, with at least one of the first and second inductor dimensions being less than the maximum third inductor dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Largent, Steven R. Palmer
  • HEATSINK CLAMP FOR MULTIPLE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20210006133
    Abstract: A clamp assembly is operable to engage at least three heat-generating electrical components arranged side-by-side and clamp the electrical components relative to a heat sink. The clamp assembly includes a clamp bar and a fastener to secure the clamp bar to the heat sink. The clamp bar includes at least three spaced apart projections configured to be located in engagement with the respective electrical components. The clamp bar presents a slot positioned between a spaced apart pair of the projections and defines respective clamp bar sections on opposite sides thereof. The slot permits the clamp bar sections to shift relative to one another and thereby facilitate clamping engagement of the projections with the electrical components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Skinner, Richard A. Belley, Michael L. Largent
  • Motor controller with inductor mounted transverse to control board
    Patent number: 10886866
    Abstract: A motor control assembly is configured to operate an electric motor and includes a control housing and a controller. The control housing presents a controller chamber. The controller includes a control board mounted within the controller chamber. The controller further includes an inductor attached to the control housing and positioned within the controller chamber adjacent the control board. The inductor defines maximum first and second inductor dimensions measured along corresponding first and second directions parallel to a board plane and orthogonal to one another. The inductor further defines a maximum third inductor dimension measured along a third direction transverse to the board plane, with at least one of the first and second inductor dimensions being less than the maximum third inductor dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Largent, Steven R. Palmer
  • POWERED WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20200398628
    Abstract: A powered weight distribution system is provided for a vehicle having a platform on which a load is supported. The powered weight distribution system includes a shiftable axle assembly. The shiftable axle assembly includes a drivable axle and a frame supporting the drivable axle. The frame is configured to be supported on the platform. The frame is switchable between a locked configuration in which the frame is fixed relative to the platform and an unlocked configuration in which the frame is shiftable relative to the platform. The shiftable axle assembly further includes a powering element configured to rotatably drive the drivable axle, such that the frame and the drivable axle shift relative to the platform when the frame is in the unlocked configuration and the drivable axle is rotated by the powering element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Schardt, Oran Henry Wiseman
  • Internal bearing plate for gearmotor assembly
    Patent number: 10865642
    Abstract: A motor includes a housing, a shaft, a bearing, a bearing plate, and a seal. The housing includes first and second housing components directly engaging one another along a housing interface. The housing at least in part defines a sealed chamber. The shaft is at least in part received in the chamber. The bearing rotatably supports the shaft. The bearing plate is enclosed within the housing. The bearing plate supports the bearing within the housing. The seal is disposed along the housing interface. The bearing plate is spaced inwardly from the housing interface and the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel E. Hilton, Philip S. Johnson, Paul G. Michaels, Jeffrey M. Hutsler
  • Motor conduit plug
    Patent number: D913332
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Marc J. Corcoran
  • Cover for electric motor
    Patent number: D915467
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Schrader, Steven R. Palmer, Jeffrey S. Sherman