Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrical coil. An embodiment of the method comprises providing a core, the core being constructed of a material suitable for use in an electrical coil, the core being of a generally cylindrical shape; providing wire, the wire being of a type suitable for use in an electrical coil, the wire comprising an electrical conductor surrounded by insulation, the electrical conductor having a substantially circular cross-section; winding the wire around an outer surface of the core; and while the wire is winding, compressing the wire thereby causing the cross-section of the electrical conductor to permanently change shape. In an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the step of compressing the wire comprises the steps of positioning the wire between the core and at least one cylindrical roller; and apply force against the wire with the at least one cylindrical roller.

Abstract: An improvement to a bridge rectifier assembly of the type used to convert alternating current produced by an motor vehicle alternator into direct current. The bridge rectifier assembly of this type comprises a heat sink, a plurality of pressfit diodes installed in the heat sink, and a plurality of terminals electrically connected to the motor vehicle alternator. The first end of a flexible conductor is mechanically and electrically connected to a conductive connector. The second end of the flexible conductor is mechanically and electrically connected to a lead of one of the plurality of pressfit diodes. The conductive connector is electrically connected to one of the plurality of terminals to complete an electrical connection between the one of the plurality of pressfit diodes and the one of the plurality of terminals.

Abstract: An improved alternator rotor comprising a nonhomogenous steel rotor core, the nonhomogenous steel rotor core comprising a low carbon inner portion and a high carbon outer portion around the low carbon inner portion. An improved alternator rotor comprising a steel rotor core of nonhomogenous hardness, wherein an outer portion of the steel rotor core is harder than an inner portion of the steel rotor core.

Abstract: An electric machine having multi-set rectangular copper hairpin windings comprises a stator having a plurality of partially closed stator slots. A first winding set and a second winding set are positioned in the stator slots. The first winding set and the second winding set are connected by adjacent leg ends. According to a first embodiment, conductor layers in alternate slots alternate between different phases. The conductor layers in the remaining slots are all of the same phase. Hairpins having unequal length legs are used to implement the first embodiment. According to a second embodiment, conductor layers in alternate slots include one phase for the first winding set and another phase for the second winding set. The conductor layers in the remaining slots are all of the same phase. Hairpins having equal length legs are used to implement the second embodiment.