Patents Assigned to Nidec Motor Corporation
  • Publication number: 20200385217
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a conveyor assembly. The conveyor assembly includes a conveyor module, a power module, and a chassis supporting the conveyor module and the power module. The conveyor module includes a roller rotatable about an axis and a conveyor belt shiftable in response to rotation of the roller. The power module provides rotational power to the roller. The power module includes a power assembly and a drive configured to transmit rotational power to the roller from the power assembly. The power assembly includes a power source and a housing at least substantially surrounding the power source. The chassis integrally forms a portion of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua M. Biro, William D. Moore, Richard J. Fadler
  • Publication number: 20200389065
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an inner rotor motor and a stationary wiring conduit. The inner rotor motor includes a stator and a rotor spaced at least in part radially inside the stator. The rotor is rotatable relative to the stator about an axis. The rotor includes a rotatable shaft that presents a shaft bore extending axially therethrough. The stationary wiring conduit extends through the shaft bore and is fixed relative to the motor housing. The shaft bore rotatably receives the wiring conduit, such that the wiring conduit is permitted to remain stationary as the shaft rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew D. Allen, Aaron Davies, Daniel J. Suda, Philip S. Johnson, Michael W. Major
  • Patent number: 10833550
    Abstract: A blower motor is provided for use in a machine. The motor includes a stator and a rotor rotatable about an axis. The stator includes a generally toroidal core, a first-main winding, and an auxiliary winding that is electrically out of phase with the first-main winding. The first-main winding and the auxiliary winding are both full pitch windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan M. Bastien, Joseph A. Vehige, John H. Hussey, Keith I. Hoemann
  • Patent number: 10833552
    Abstract: An electric motor having a rotor, a stator, a case at least partially enclosing the rotor and the stator, and a lead connector. The lead connector includes a body having a base, a terminal end, and an intermediate portion extending between the base and the terminal end. The lead connector also includes a first sealing interface extending substantially circumferentially about the intermediate portion and a second sealing interface abutting the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Major, Richard A. Belley, Marc J. Corcoran
  • Patent number: 10831165
    Abstract: A system and method for replacing a sixteen-pin ECM with a non-sixteen-pin, field adjustable ECM in an HVAC or other system, and adjusting the performance of the replacement motor at the point of installation. A converter module receives programming information from an existing control board via an existing sixteen-pin harness, and converts the information to six signals. The module includes potentiometers for tuning speed/torque for first and second settings, adjusting a horsepower output of the replacement ECM, and adjusting a ramp time to increase or decrease a rate at which the speed/torque changes. The module includes switches for selecting between clockwise and counterclockwise directions for the replacement ECM, selecting between PWM and non-PWM control, and selecting between torque and speed modes. A non-sixteen-pin motor controller receives the information from the converter module via a four-wire harness, translates the information, and outputs a control signal to the replacement ECM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tarris A. Reed, Christopher D. Schock, Ryan Timothy Wade, Morgan Jeremy Silvey, Prakash B. Shahi, Robert J. Ploof, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20200348945
    Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly communicating with an HVAC motor or other motor in order to manage the motor with regard to, e.g., identifying a suitable replacement for, programming, monitoring and/or diagnosing, and/or tuning or otherwise reprogramming the motor without physically connecting to the motor. A technician uses a software application on a smartphone, tablet, or other portable device to communicate with the motor controller via a wireless communication device incorporated into the motor assembly. The smartphone may receive relevant information, such as identification, programming, or diagnostic information, and process the information or wirelessly transmit the information to a server for processing. Based on the information, the smartphone may transmit programming instructions to the motor controller via the wireless communication device. Further, the wireless communication device may transmit sensor data associated with the motor to allow for monitoring the motor's performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Prakash B. Shahi, Christopher D. Schock, Randy L. Bomkamp, Anandan C. Velayutham
  • Patent number: 10826906
    Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for controlling wireless access to the operations of communicative electric motors. An electronic processing element receives an authentication request from a remote access device via a wireless transceiver, approves the authentication request, including determining an associated access level from among a hierarchy of access levels, and grants access to a motor controller to perform actions allowed by the associated access level. Approving the request may be based on receiving a valid password, which may be calculated on the remote access device by a computer program using an electronic key, or by receiving information from an authentication hardware component associated with the device. The various access levels may allow for shutting off, read-only monitoring (of, e.g., temperature, vibration), controlling (e.g., speed), and programming (e.g., tap settings) operation of the motor, and controlling the authentication process (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. Mertens, Prakash B. Shahi, Bret S. Clark, Hector M. Hernandez, Daniel Bugger
  • Publication number: 20200343792
    Abstract: An electric motor including a rotor, a stator, a motor housing having a controller can, and a controller having an electronic component disposed within the controller can. The controller can includes an insert comprising thermally conductive metal for exchanging heat with an external heat sink space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Palmer, Richard L. Eason
  • Patent number: 10811930
    Abstract: An electric motor includes a housing shell, an electrical component, and a baffle for directing airflow to the electrical component. The baffle includes a baffle connection element. The shell includes a shell connection element. Interengagement of the connection elements at least substantially restricts axial shifting of the baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: René Cruz Iglesias, Mark S. Amalfitano, Eric De La Garza, John H. Hussey, Jeffrey S. Sherman, Fidel Flores Mercado
  • Publication number: 20200319612
    Abstract: A system and method for replacing a sixteen-pin ECM with a non-sixteen-pin, field adjustable ECM in an HVAC or other system, and adjusting the performance of the replacement motor at the point of installation. A converter module receives programming information from an existing control board via an existing sixteen-pin harness, and converts the information to six signals. The module includes potentiometers for tuning speed/torque for first and second settings, adjusting a horsepower output of the replacement ECM, and adjusting a ramp time to increase or decrease a rate at which the speed/torque changes. The module includes switches for selecting between clockwise and counterclockwise directions for the replacement ECM, selecting between PWM and non-PWM control, and selecting between torque and speed modes. A non-sixteen-pin motor controller receives the information from the converter module via a four-wire harness, translates the information, and outputs a control signal to the replacement ECM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tarris A. Reed, Christopher D. Schock, Ryan Timothy Wade, Morgan Jeremy Silvey, Prakash B. Shahi, Robert J. Ploof, JR.
  • Publication number: 20200313498
    Abstract: A gearmotor includes a motor assembly and a gear assembly. The motor assembly includes a rotor and a rotor bearing. The rotor is rotatable about an axis. The rotor includes a rotor shaft. The rotor bearing rotatably supports the rotor shaft. The gear assembly includes an output shaft and a gear system. The output shaft is rotatable about the axis. The gear system is configured to transmit rotation from the rotor shaft to the output shaft. The gear system includes a deformable gear and a gear bearing. The gear bearing couples the rotor shaft to the deformable gear. The deformable gear defines a plurality of teeth. The deformable gear defines an interior space. The rotor bearing and the gear bearing are received within the interior space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Tucker, Philip S. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20200313509
    Abstract: A gearmotor includes a motor assembly, a gear assembly, and an electronics assembly. The motor assembly includes a rotor including a rotor shaft; a stator; and a stator retention apparatus. The stator includes a core defining a core orientation feature, and a plurality of coils. The stator retention apparatus includes an apparatus orientation feature and an electronics assembly support structure. The gear assembly includes an output shaft. The electronics assembly includes a rotor shaft rotation sensor that is radially spaced from a rotor shaft position indicium, an output shaft rotation sensor that is radially spaced from an output shaft position indicium, and a magnetic sensor mounted to the electronics assembly support structure. The core orientation feature and the apparatus orientation feature engage one another to position the stator retention apparatus radially and arcuately relative to the core, such that the magnetic sensor is positioned adjacent an axial coil margin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Tucker, Philip S. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20200286325
    Abstract: A drive system for a vending or other dispensing machine includes an electronic switch and an electric motor configured to actuate dispensing coils or other dispensing technologies to dispense instances of products. The drive system minimizes the risk of sparking and igniting propane or other volatile refrigerants or other volatile chemicals or materials used in or near the machine. The electronic switch may be a Hall effect switch, and the electric motor may be a brushless DC electric motor. A homing circuit is connected to the drive system to control/monitor actuation of the dispensing mechanism. A wiring harness connects the electronic switch to the electric motor, and may include a connector which can be set to allow the electric motor to operate in a clockwise direction or in a counterclockwise direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Stoyan Staev, Eric Hancock, Paul Vanaria
  • Patent number: 10742084
    Abstract: A motor includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor is rotatable about an axis. The rotor includes a core including a plurality of pole segments arranged arcuately about the axis. The rotor further includes a plurality of arcuately arranged magnets alternating arcuately with the pole segments, such that each of the magnets is at least in part interposed between a pair of adjacent pole segments. The plurality of pole segments includes a plurality of first-polarity pole segments having a first polarity and a plurality of second-polarity pole segments having a second polarity that is different than the first polarity. The rotor further includes a connecting element connecting at least some of the first-polarity pole segments to one another without connecting the second-polarity pole segments to the first-polarity pole segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Keith I. Hoemann
  • Patent number: 10742089
    Abstract: A motor assembly broadly includes an electric motor and a clamp. The electric motor includes a motor housing and a shaft rotatably supported relative to the motor housing to rotate about a shaft axis, with part of the shaft being exposed relative to the motor housing. The motor housing includes a mounting base. The clamp is connected between the exposed part of the shaft and the mounting base. The clamp is selectively adjustable to apply a variable off-axis load to the exposed part of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald W. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10715010
    Abstract: An electric motor including a rotor, a stator, a motor housing having a controller can, and a controller having an electronic component disposed within the controller can. The controller can includes an insert comprising thermally conductive metal for exchanging heat with an external heat sink space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Palmer, Chetan O. Modi, Jeffrey S. Sherman, Douglas D. Glenn, Richard Eason
  • Publication number: 20200220419
    Abstract: A motor assembly includes a stator, a rotor rotatable about an axis, and a housing at least in part defining a motor chamber. The stator and the rotor at least in part are received within the motor chamber. The housing includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The housing portions engage one another along an interface. The interface restricts ingress of contaminants therethrough into the motor chamber. The housing portions cooperatively define a nested portion that at least in part defines the interface. The nested portion includes an arcuately extending projection and an arcuately extending receiver. The receiver defines an arcuately extending receiving channel. The projection is at least in part received within the receiving channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Marc J. Corcoran, Mark Emanuel, Ryan M. Bastien
  • Patent number: 10707720
    Abstract: An induction motor assembly includes a motor. The motor includes a rotor rotatable about a rotor axis, and a stator at least substantially circumscribing the rotor. The stator includes a generally toroidal core. The core includes a generally circumferential yoke and a plurality of arcuately spaced apart teeth extending radially inwardly from the yoke. The tooth length is at least three (3) times the yoke thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Marc J. Corcoran, Mark Emanuel, Ryan M. Bastien
  • Patent number: 10707719
    Abstract: A motor assembly includes a motor, a controller for controlling at least one aspect of operation of the motor, a housing, and an insulation system. The housing defines a motor chamber at least substantially receiving the motor and a controller chamber at least substantially receiving the controller. The housing includes a generally annular sidewall at least in part defining the controller chamber. The sidewall includes an electrically conductive portion adjacent the controller, such that a generally radially extending potentially electrical pathway is defined between the controller and the electrically conductive portion. The insulation system extends along the electrically conductive portion, in electrically insulative engagement therewith, to at least in part obstruct the pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Chetan O. Modi, Douglas D. Glenn, Jeffrey S. Sherman, James L. Skinner
  • Patent number: 10700570
    Abstract: An electric fan includes a plurality of blades and an electric motor for rotating the blades. The electric motor includes a stator and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator about an axis. The rotor includes a backing ring and a diecast rotor can. The can includes a non-machined sidewall that is diecast integrally as part of the rotor can. The sidewall extends about the axis. The rotor can is diecast in an overlying relationship with at least part of the backing ring, with the sidewall and backing ring being securely interengaged so as to restrict relative shifting therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew D. Allen, Michael W. Major