Patents Assigned to Reliance Electric Company
  • Patent number: 5495160
    Abstract: Digital sinusoidal waves are generated using a method based on an error measuring algorithm used to generate a synthesized circle. X and Y waves are generated step-wise to follow the contour of a reference circle in the x-y plane by computing the mean square error at each step and using the error value to calculate the next values of X and Y. The digital sine waves are converted to three-phase, pulse width modulated signals. Direct current power is inverted to three phase power to operate a motor under the control of the PWM signals. The controller permits control of voltage, voltage-frequency ratio, boost voltage, and acceleration-deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Pond
  • Patent number: 5038892
    Abstract: A standard grease fitting for the bore of a main shaft is replaced with an integral lube shaft rotatably supported within the main shaft bore with bearing assemblies. Snap rings hold two sealed bearings, spaced by a spacer element, against a stepped shoulder of the lube shaft, and axially position the lube shaft within the main shaft bore. Seals on the inboard side of the innermost bearing assembly prevent grease from escaping about the outside of the lube shaft. The rotatably mounted lube shaft permits lubrication of the main shaft even as it rotates. Grease may be manually applied, or remotely applied with a grease gun having a controlled, mechanized actuator. Flexible tubing interconnects the grease gun output with the lube shaft so that even readily inaccessible devices may be relatively remotely lubricated, even during their operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventor: Joseph J. Maloney
  • Patent number: 5028151
    Abstract: A bearing assembly suitable for use in a wet or harsh chemical environment including a support housing having a bore therein and a bearing insert received in said bore, exterior surfaces of said housing and interior surfaces defining said bore having tough, durable coatings of fluorocarbon polymer to render same resistant to corrosive chemical attack during usage in the good and chemical industry and the method of making the same, and to permit said bearing insert to self-seat in said bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventor: Donald L. Nisley
  • Patent number: 5011301
    Abstract: An auxiliary sealing system generally includes a flexible sealing ring, with an optional restraining element, such as a metal band, secured therearound for further fastening same to a given circular member. Such circular member may comprise an extension of the inner race of a bearing assembly secured to a shaft by a plurality of set screw arrangements radially disposed about such inner race extension. The auxiliary seal may be provided with radial holes in the circumference thereof for selective alignment with such set screws to provide access thereto. After the set screws are tightened, the auxiliary seal may be rotated and clamped to the given circular member to thereby protect the set screws from contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventor: Howard W. Martinie
  • Patent number: 4976186
    Abstract: A control system for mechanically adjustable motor drives which have a shiftable speed control for controlling the speed of the drive. The system includes a double acting pneumatic cylinder which is remotely controlled to shift the speed control by varying the air pressure in the double acting cylinder, to increase or to decrease the speed of the motor drive. The air pressure can be varied manually or by automatic control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventors: Keith L. Carmichael, James F. Runyan
  • Patent number: 4928795
    Abstract: A standard grease fitting for the bore of a main shaft is replaced with an integral lube shaft rotatably supported within the main shaft bore with bearing assemblies. Snap rings hold two sealed bearings, spaced by a spacer element, against a stepped shoulder of the lube shaft, and axially position the lube shaft within the main shaft bore. Seals on the inboard side of the innermost bearing assembly prevent grease from escaping about the outside of the lube shaft. The rotatably mounted lube shaft permits lubrication of the main shaft even as it rotates. Grease may be manually applied, or remotely applied with a grease gun having a controlled, mechanized actuator. Flexible tubing interconnects the grease gun output with the lube shaft so that even readily inaccessible devices may be relatively remotely lubricated, even during their operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventor: Joseph J. Maloney
  • Patent number: 4875786
    Abstract: A carrier ring member is disclosed for holding one or more sealing devices in sealing engagement between a shaft and a bearing block, and having a snap-ring for maintaining the carrier member within the block. The snap-ring is held in its flexed condition to permit insertion of the carrier member within the block by a pin releasably retained on the ring when flexed and releases the free ends when manually pulled out of the member allowing the ring to assume its normal unflexed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventor: Gary DeWachter
  • Patent number: 4863291
    Abstract: An improved modular bearing assembly capable of operation for radical and thrust loads under starved and flooded lubricant conditions with low power losses. A journal bearing alone may be employed or journal and thrust bearings. Thrust bearings per se are also disclosed and claimed. Particular bearing characteristics are disclosed for preferred journal liner and thrust bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventors: Hooshang Heshmat, Paul T. Gorski
  • Patent number: 4862053
    Abstract: An electronic starting circuit for a single-phase electric motor is disclosed in which the motor has a first, and possibly a second, main winding and has an auxiliary winding used for starting. The voltage across the auxiliary winding increases as the motor speed accelerates and is used as a sensing signal. This signal is applied through an amplifier to a peak detector which determines the peak DC output and compares it with a reference voltage. When the reference voltage is the larger, then an auxiliary switch connected in series with the motor auxiliary winding is closed for starting of the motor. When the peak DC output voltage from the peak detector exceeds the reference voltage, the auxiliary switch is opened. Instant reversing of the motor is possible by discharging a capacitor in the peak detector at the time of reversal so as to re-energize the auxiliary winding. The circuit also operates on a two-speed motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventors: Howard E. Jordan, Edward J. Woods, John T. Caruso, Luciano Forte
  • Patent number: 4846260
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cooling system for industrial equipment such as, for example, controlled start transmission gear reducer. The cooling system comprises a fan disposed on the rotatable shaft of the equipment for rotation in either direction and a fan shroud disposed about the fan for directing air currents generated by said fan through a connecting duct to an item or area to be cooled such as clutch. The ducting is connected to said fan shroud by means of an outlet duct which is substantially in the center of the outer periphery of the fan shroud. Disposed within the shroud and pivoted at a point near the periphery of the fan is an air deflector element. A free end of the deflector element is swingable from one side of the outlet ducts to the other side to close off one or the other of the outlet portions of the outlet duct, depending upon the direction of rotation of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventor: Harvey E. Maas
  • Patent number: 4832511
    Abstract: A seal system for a bearing having a housing with a chamber therein for receiving a shaft supported by a bearing assembly therein. The sealing system includes three and preferably four seal devices integrally related by means of a seal ring detachably retained within an exterior chamber of the housing. One of the seal devices is in the form a V-ring which has its flexible lip held in sealing engagement with a surface of the housing by the positioning of the ring in its operating condition. Another seal device in the form of a quad-ring, O-ring or the like is mounted in a groove in the ring and is held tightly fixed upon the shaft. The rotation of the seal ring provides a third seal device by being adapted to fling moisture and contaminants which may run along the shaft during rotation thereof. The fourth seal device is in the form of a labyrinth seal between a wall of the seal ring and a cooperating wall of the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald L. Nisley, Howard M. Martinie
  • Patent number: 4791831
    Abstract: A motor and associated gear system share an extended shaft axial with the motor. A rotor and a driving gear are attached to the shaft. Such an integral gearmotor concept minimizes coupling and sealing problems associated with prior art coupled motors and speed reducers. Particular housing features further enhance integrated advantages of the invention. Also, a reduction in the number of separate parts and use of a shim technique for establishing the stator/rotor air gap of the motor reduces prior art manufacturing costs associated with high precision borings while maintaining the accuracy of critical air gap characteristics. The shim feature of this invention is also equally and generally applicable to the establishment of air gaps in motors other than the present integral gearmotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward Behnke, Joseph E. Dickey
  • Patent number: 4789376
    Abstract: A gear-type shaft coupling for connecting shafts in an end-to-end relation, in which there are two hubs mounted on the ends of the shafts and sleeves disposed on the hubs and having internal gearing for meshing with external gearing on the hubs. A ring overlaps and connects the two sleeves to form a rigid assembly for transmitting torque between the gear teeth of one hub and the gear teeth of the other hub. Bolts or screws extending radially connect the ring and the sleeves and, in several embodiments of the invention, the ring is segmented to permit the ring to be easily assembled in the coupling as the coupling is installed on the drive and driven machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventor: George G. Grant
  • Patent number: 4778000
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cooling system for industrial equipment such as, for example, controlled start transmission gear reducer. The cooling system comprises a fan disposed on the rotatable shaft of the equipment for rotation in either direction and a fan shroud disposed about the fan for directing air currents generated by said fan through a connecting duct to an item or area to be cooled such as clutch. The ducting is connected to said fan shroud by means of an outlet duct which is substantially in the center of the outer periphery of the fan shroud. Disposed within the shroud and pivoted at a point near the periphery of the fan is an air deflector element. A free end of the deflector element is swingable from one side of the outlet ducts to the other side to close off one or the other of the outlet portions of the outlet duct, depending upon the direction of rotation of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventor: Harvey E. Maas
  • Patent number: 4776709
    Abstract: A seal for a bearing having a housing with an opening therein for receiving a shaft in which a bearing assembly is mounted in the housing and has an inner race for receiving the shaft. A seal consisting of a ring having a radially extending, outwardly facing flat surface is disposed in the housing opening adjacent the inner race, and a seal which may be of the V-ring type is mounted on the inner race and has a lip which seats on and rubs against the radial surface of the ring. Collars may be used on the race to retain the lipped seal in proper relationship with the ring on the inner race. The relationship of the lip to the metal ring is such that the bearing assembly can be purged by the outward flowing of the lubricant yet protected from the ingress of foreign matter. In some modifications, an auxiliary seal, which is disposed externally with respect to the lipped seal, may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Tooley
  • Patent number: 4770065
    Abstract: A mechanically adjustable variable speed drive includes an electric actuation apparatus which can be controlled by an analog embodiment or a digital circuitry embodiment. A speed change actuator is automatically and mechanically adjustable, such as with a controlled servomotor. A tachometer determines the actual rotational speed of a drive shaft, which is compared in a digital controller with a manually set desired rotational output speed. The digital controller (or an analog circuit in the case of the analog embodiment) controls the servomotor to adjust the mechanically adjustable variable speed drive. An automatic deadband means inhibits driving of the servomotor whenever the tachometer signal and the desired speed setting signal is within a predetermined deadband, which deadband is adaptively changed responsive to various conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventor: Joseph Woyton
  • Patent number: 4765760
    Abstract: An improved modular bearing assembly capable of operation for radial and thrust loads under starved and flooded lubricant conditions with low power losses. A journal bearing alone may be employed or journal and thrust bearings. Thrust bearings per se are also disclosed and claimed. Particular bearing characteristics are disclosed for preferred journal liner and thrust bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventors: Hooshang Heshmat, Paul T. Gorski
  • Patent number: 4763904
    Abstract: An auxiliary sealing system generally includes a flexible sealing ring, with an optional restraining element, such as a metal band, secured therearound for further fastening same to a given circular member. Such circular member may comprise an extension of the inner race of a bearing assembly secured to a shaft by a plurality of set screw arrangements radially disposed about such inner race extension. The auxiliary seal may be provided with radial holes in the circumference thereof for selective alignment with such set screws to provide access thereto. After the set screws are tightened, the auxiliary seal may be rotated and clamped to the given circular member to thereby protect the set screws from contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventor: Howard W. Martinie
  • Patent number: 4750530
    Abstract: A system for loading predetermined amounts of flowable bulk materials, such as a coal, from a storage area into a conveyance such as a railroad car includes a conveyor for transporting material from the storage area. The conveyor is driven by an adjustable speed drive system while a belt scale provides information as to the weight of material on the conveyor. The conveyor delivers material to a surge bin which feeds it alternately to each of a pair weigh bins. The weigh bins are discharged alternately into the conveyance when a predetermined weight of material has been accumulated in the weigh bin. A programmable controller controls the rate of delivery of material to the surge bin, the loading of each weigh bin and the discharging of material into the conveyance to maintain an efficient throughput of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventors: Amiel R. Helle, Jerry L. Bays
  • Patent number: 4744783
    Abstract: A flexible coupling for connecting a driving shaft and a driven shaft together in an end-to-end relationship for transmitting power from the driving shaft to the driven shaft. Flexible coupling sub-assemblies which are balanced and aligned are provided between a center spacer member and coupling hubs attached to the driving shaft and to the driven shaft. The flexible coupling sub-assemblies each include a pair of annular adaptor rings having therebetween a flexible element member which preferably includes a plurality of side-by-side flexible members. The adaptor rings include an annular flange having on one side thereof a substantially radially extending countersunk face and on the other side thereof a substantially radially extending, generally planar face. The countersunk guide face guides the adaptor rings onto annular flanges of the coupling hubs and center spacer member to ensure proper alignment and balancing of the flexible coupling upon provision thereof with flexible elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventors: Holmes A. Downey, Steven C. Marsh