Abstract: A system for cooling a superconductor device includes a cryocooler located in a stationary reference frame and a closed circulation system external to the cryocooler. The closed circulation system interfaces the stationary reference frame with a rotating reference frame in which the superconductor device is located. A method of cooling a superconductor device includes locating a cryocooler in a stationary reference frame, and transferring heat from a superconductor device located in a rotating reference frame to the cryocooler through a closed circulation system external to the cryocooler. The closed circulation system interfaces the stationary reference frame with the rotating reference frame.

Abstract: A system for determining wear of an article including an optical fiber for transmitting light from a light source. The optical fiber is embedded in the article, and operatively coupled to an interferometric system. The interferometric system is operatively coupled to a processor. The interferometric system provides the processor with information relating to wear of the optical fiber, and the processor determines wear of the article rate of wear and remaining useful life of the article based on the information relating to wear of the optical fiber.

Abstract: An electromechanical machine includes a stator fixed with respect to a housing structure and a rotor fixed with respect to a shaft. The shaft is rotatably supported by a pair of bearing assemblies maintained in the housing structure. A pair of coilheads extend from respective sides of the stator core axially external of the rotor. Shaft shields, preferably configured as tubular members, radially interpose the shaft and the respective coilhead. The shaft shields may be constructed of a magnetically permeable material to divert flux that would otherwise cut through the shaft. As a result, errant currents that could be induced in the shaft by such flux are desirably reduced.

Abstract: A system for determining wear of an article including an optical fiber for transmitting light from a light source. The optical fiber is embedded in the article, and operatively coupled to an interferometric system. The interferometric system is operatively coupled to a processor. The interferometric system provides the processor with information relating to wear of the optical fiber, and the processor determines wear of the article rate of wear and remaining useful life of the article based on the information relating to wear of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A system and a method for forming, storing and loading slot cell insulators into slots in a stator core of a dynamoelectric machine. The system includes a forming assembly for forming slot cell insulators and a loading assembly for storing the insulators and loading the insulators into the stator core. The system also includes a transfer mechanism for moving the insulators from the forming assembly into the loading assembly. In the process, these elements cooperate to align end portions of the insulators before they are inserted into the stator core, thereby improving the efficiency of the loading procedure. When the stator core is ready to receive the insulators, the loading assembly simultaneously loads all of the insulators into the stator core.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant bearing includes a bearing insert and a housing supporting the bearing insert. The bearing insert includes an outer ring, an inner ring and a plurality of rolling bearing elements disposed between the rings. At least one of the bearing components includes a multi-layer corrosion resistant system for inhibiting or delaying corrosion of the substrate of the component. The substrate may be made of high carbon or alloy steel. The corrosion resistant system includes a galvanic or sacrificial metallic plating layer disposed directly on the component substrate. One or more mechanical protection layers is formed or disposed over the plating layer. A first mechanical protection layer includes a clear chromate coating formed on the plating layer. Additional mechanical protection layers include non-metallic layers, such as acetate or polytetrafluoroethylene coatings.

Abstract: Phase insulation for separating the end turns of the windings at the lead end of a stator core for a dynamoelectric machine and a method for the simultaneously inserting multiple sets of windings with the phase insulation into the stator core. The phase insulation is connected at its ends to form a continuous ring. The phase insulation includes openings along an edge combined with continuous portions between each opening and another edge. The openings and continuous portions allow the diameter of the phase insulation ring to contract while retaining substantially a ring shape without moving toward or away from the stator core and without tearing to maintain complete electrical separation of the different phase windings.

Abstract: A speed reducer apparatus includes an auxiliary seal assembly to inhibit ingress of particulate matter. Preferably, the seal assembly is located axially outboard of a primary seal, such as a land riding seal. The seal assembly includes a plate defining a hole through which a rotatable member extends. The hole is sized to provide a predetermined gap between the inside surface of the plate and the outside surface of the rotatable member. An annular bead member is set in place from a viscous state about the rotatable member. In particular, the annular bead member extends across the gap between the plate and the rotatable member, functioning as a dam. Methods of forming the auxiliary seal assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling is provided having a first shaft and a second shaft. A plurality of first magnets is in rotationally driving engagement with the first shaft and defines alternating polarity magnetic surfaces. A plurality of second magnets is in rotationally driving engagement with the second shaft and defines alternating polarity magnetic surfaces. The first and second magnet surfaces are separated by a gap so that rotation of one of the first magnets and second magnets urges synchronous rotation of the other. An electrically conductive member is in rotationally driving engagement with the second shaft and is disposed proximate to the first magnet surfaces so that rotation of the conductive member or the first magnets relative to the other induces electric current in the conductive member and urges asynchronous rotation of the other of the conductive member and the first magnets in the same rotational direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing magnetically-permeable cores for use in electromechanical machines, such as electric motors. The apparatus includes a plurality of welding arbors adapted to support a stack of core laminations. A storage structure defines a plurality of arbor storage locations at which respective welding arbors are maintained. A transporter device is operative to individually move the welding arbors to and from a respective arbor storage location. A welding device is operative to weld the stack of core laminations together. A conveyor assembly is also provided for moving the welding arbors between the welding device and the transporter device.

Abstract: An end turn phase insulator for a stator assembly including a stator core having a plurality of slots and a stator winding composed of at least two different phase coils wound on the stator core through the slots. The phase coils form radially disposed end turns extending from ends of the stator core. The end turn phase insulator includes an elongated body formed of a flexible insulation material and is inserted between the radially disposed end turns. The elongated body has an elongated tab member which bends in a hook-shaped configuration about a lower portion of one of the end turns. A method of inserting and securing the insulator to the stator assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A machine diagnostic system is provided which includes a host computer for determining a health state of a machine. The host computer is operatively coupled to a network backbone. The system also includes a machine diagnostic module adapted to be integrally mounted to a machine, the machine diagnostic module being operatively coupled to the network backbone. The machine diagnostic module collects data relating to operation of the machine and preprocesses the data, and the host computer analyzes the preprocessed data in determining the health state of the machine. The machine diagnostic system includes a system architecture which facilitates the machine diagnosis. The system architecture includes several software layers which provide for collecting and preprocessing machine data, transmitting the collected and/or preprocessed data over a network and analyzing such for machine diagnosis and process diagnosis.

Abstract: A test procedure detects the onset of stator winding damage, identifies the failure mechanism, determines the winding's susceptibility to further damage, and predicts stator winding failure. This is accomplished by introducing a high frequency signal onto power lines which feed the stator and monitoring a change in the capacitance between the individual windings during introduction of the high frequency signal. In order to monitor the change in capacitance, a current sensor and voltage sensor are used to measure the current and voltage on the power lines during introduction of the high frequency signal. Changes in the capacitance between the individual stator windings are reflected as changes in the broadband impedance response of the stator windings which can be calculated by dividing the measured voltage by the measured current.

Abstract: A worm gear assembly for a medical mobility apparatus, such as a motorized wheelchair or scooter, comprises a worm and a worm gear. The worm is operatively coupled to a motor shaft of a drive motor of the medical mobility apparatus. The worm gear, which is disposed on an intermediate shaft, is adapted for being driven by the worm and is adapted for driving a drive wheel of the medical mobility apparatus. The worm gear and the worm have a gear ratio of less than 10:1 and the worm has a lead angle in the range of about 20-30.degree.. This arrangement permits the worm gear to selectively drive the worm and permits manual reverse mobility of the medical mobility apparatus.

Abstract: A gear reduction system is provided including two-stage gear reducers that may be converted to three-stage gear reducers by addition of a modular input stage. The modular input stage converts the input stage of the two-stage reducers to an intermediate stage of the three-stage reducers. Gearing, preferably including both drive pinions and driven gears, of the input stages of the two-stage reducers are used in the intermediate stages of the three-stage reducers, thereby reducing the overall number of parts needed for a family or series of reducers. Gearing is also common between input (and intermediate) stages of smaller gear reducers and modular input stages used with larger gear reducers, further reducing the number of different parts. The two-stage reducers and modular input stages of the three-stage reducers are preferably driven by modular transmission adapters that support the drive pinions of the input stages.

Abstract: A heat sink apparatus including a fluid conduit within a body portion wherein the body portion including at least one body member linked to the fluid conduit and forming at least first and second walls which are in different planes, the walls forming at least a first mounting surface for mounting heat generating devices.

Abstract: Bearing assemblies supporting the shaft of an electrical rotating machine are electrically insulated from the bearing housing. For each bearing assembly, a portion of the housing defines a receptacle into which an insertion ring is positioned. The gap between the insertion ring is filled with an appropriate insulative material, such as a nonconductive binding compound or an insulative polymer. In a preferred construction, nonconductive binding compound is located between spacers of insulative polymer. In another preferred construction, a nonconductive coating is applied to the outer surface and the remainder of the gap is filled with nonconductive binding compound. Insulative polymeric material may be used without binding compound in some embodiments. The bearing assembly is maintained in the insertion ring.

Abstract: A micro-viscosity sensor for measuring the viscosity of a lubricant. The micro-viscosity sensor including at least one finger-like element or an array of finger-like elements vertically extending from the surface of a semiconductor base, the at least one finger-like element being oscillated at a desired frequency. The power required to oscillate the at least one-finger-like element is monitored because the power required is a function of the viscosity of the lubricant. The sensor also includes a temperature detector, wherein the thermal conductivity of the temperature detector varies in correspondence with the temperature of the lubricant. A first set of electrical contacts provides for electrical connection to the at least one finger-like element; and a second set of electrical contacts provides for electrical connection to the temperature detector.

Abstract: An assembly for supplying wire from a spool includes a support for holding the spool, a sensor mounted on the support and detachably secured to an end of the spool for detecting supplying of the end of the wire from the spool, and a controller for precluding supplying of wire from the spool when the sensor detects supplying of the end of the wire. The support may hold a plurality of spools and include a plurality of sensors and indicators for sensing and indicating spool depletion. Wires may follow a wire feed path to a winder including a first portion extending generally vertically from the support, a second portion extending generally vertically from the winder, and a third portion connecting the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: An electromechanical machine includes a stator fixed with respect to a housing structure and a rotor fixed with respect to a driven shaft. The stator includes a magnetically permeable core having a plurality of parallel winding slots containing driven windings. Coilheads are located at opposite axial ends of the magnetically permeable core where the windings turn to extend down a parallel winding slot. The motor is also equipped with an auxiliary winding arrangement to reduce capacitive coupling between the stator and rotor during operation. The auxiliary winding arrangement comprises grounded auxiliary windings located in the winding slots and the inside surface of the coilheads to interpose the driven windings and the rotor.