Patents by Inventor Alfredo R. Munoz
Alfredo R. Munoz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240155817Abstract: A vehicle power module assembly including first and second power modules is provided. The first power module may include a first lock feature extending from a lower portion of a first minor side at a first central axis. The second power module may include a second lock feature at an upper portion of a second minor side at a second central axis. The lock features may be sized for interlock with one another to secure the power modules to one another. The first lock feature may be a loop element defining a through-hole and the second lock feature may be a wedge. The through-hole may be sized for the wedge to extend therein and to interlock the first power module and the second power module to one another. The first lock feature may be a flexible hook element and the second lock feature may be a slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2024Publication date: May 9, 2024Inventors: Akash Changarankumarath Pradeepkumar, Alfredo R. Munoz, Michael W. Degner, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih, Guangyin Lei
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Patent number: 11951857Abstract: This disclosure describes liquid cooled electrical connectors for connecting components of electrified vehicles or components of any other type of power connection/power transfer system. Exemplary electrical connectors include integrated cooling circuits that employ heat exchanger channels for circulating a fluid for convectively cooling bus bars of the connector.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Nicholas B. Chase, Myung Ki Sung, Man Prakash Gupta, Alfredo R. Munoz
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Patent number: 11889667Abstract: A vehicle power module assembly including first and second power modules is provided. The first power module may include a first lock feature extending from a lower portion of a first minor side at a first central axis. The second power module may include a second lock feature at an upper portion of a second minor side at a second central axis. The lock features may be sized for interlock with one another to secure the power modules to one another. The first lock feature may be a loop element defining a through-hole and the second lock feature may be a wedge. The through-hole may be sized for the wedge to extend therein and to interlock the first power module and the second power module to one another. The first lock feature may be a flexible hook element and the second lock feature may be a slot.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Akash Changarankumarath Pradeepkumar, Alfredo R. Munoz, Michael W. Degner, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih, Guangyin Lei
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Publication number: 20230361633Abstract: An electric machine including a stator core having an outer circumferential surface and an axial row of raised projections that extend radially outboard from the outer surface. The raised projections are axially spaced from each other to define circumferential channels therebetween. A housing defines a cavity that receives the stator core. The housing has an inner circumferential surface in contact with the raised projections and radially spaced from the outer surface of the core to define a void space in fluid communication with the channels. The void space and the channels cooperate to form a fluid circuit that overlays the outer circumferential surface such that the fluid is in direct contact with the stator core.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2022Publication date: November 9, 2023Inventors: Dengfu Zhang, Brian Christian Orr, Alfredo R. Munoz, Franco Leonardi, Joel Hetrick
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Patent number: 11799361Abstract: This disclosure relates to thermal management for an electric machine, such as an electric motor, of an electrified vehicle. An example assembly includes a stator having a core and a jacket at least partially surrounding the core. The jacket radially encloses a slot and is configured to permit fluid to flow within the slot from a first face of the stator to a second face of the stator. The assembly further includes a first end cover covering the first face of the stator. The first end cover has an inlet port and is configured to direct fluid from the inlet into the slot. Further, the assembly includes a second end cover covering the second face of the stator and configured to direct fluid that exits the slot.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Man Prakash Gupta, Franco Leonardi, Alfredo R. Munoz, Michael W. Degner, Prasad Dev Hanumalagutti
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Patent number: 11658522Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator and a rotor. The stator has a yoke fitted over a ring that has a plurality of teeth with gaps therebetween for fitting metal windings. The ring of teeth has an inner circumference that is closed and to connect the teeth, and an outer circumference with open gaps or slots between the teeth. The metal windings are fitted through the open outer circumference. Regions of the closed inner circumference between the teeth are treated such that the region's magnetic permeability is reduced relative to the remainder of the stator. The reduction in magnetic permeability provides a magnetic flux barrier between the teeth.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2017Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Feng Liang, Alfredo R. Munoz, Leyi Zhu, Michael W. Degner
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Publication number: 20220225548Abstract: A vehicle power module assembly including first and second power modules is provided. The first power module may include a first lock feature extending from a lower portion of a first minor side at a first central axis. The second power module may include a second lock feature at an upper portion of a second minor side at a second central axis. The lock features may be sized for interlock with one another to secure the power modules to one another. The first lock feature may be a loop element defining a through-hole and the second lock feature may be a wedge. The through-hole may be sized for the wedge to extend therein and to interlock the first power module and the second power module to one another. The first lock feature may be a flexible hook element and the second lock feature may be a slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2022Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Akash Changarankumarath Pradeepkumar, Alfredo R. Munoz, Michael W. Degner, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih, Guangyin Lei
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Publication number: 20220134896Abstract: This disclosure describes liquid cooled electrical connectors for connecting components of electrified vehicles or components of any other type of power connection/power transfer system. Exemplary electrical connectors include integrated cooling circuits that employ heat exchanger channels for circulating a fluid for convectively cooling bus bars of the connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2020Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Nicholas B. CHASE, Myung Ki SUNG, Man Prakash GUPTA, Alfredo R. MUNOZ
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Patent number: 11317546Abstract: A vehicle power module assembly including first and second power modules is provided. The first power module may include a first lock feature extending from a lower portion of a first minor side at a first central axis. The second power module may include a second lock feature at an upper portion of a second minor side at a second central axis. The lock features may be sized for interlock with one another to secure the power modules to one another. The first lock feature may be a loop element defining a through-hole and the second lock feature may be a wedge. The through-hole may be sized for the wedge to extend therein and to interlock the first power module and the second power module to one another. The first lock feature may be a flexible hook element and the second lock feature may be a slot.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2018Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Akash Changarankumarath Pradeepkumar, Alfredo R. Munoz, Michael W. Degner, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih, Guangyin Lei
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Publication number: 20220029508Abstract: This disclosure relates to thermal management for an electric machine, such as an electric motor, of an electrified vehicle. An example assembly includes a stator having a core and a jacket at least partially surrounding the core. The jacket radially encloses a slot and is configured to permit fluid to flow within the slot from a first face of the stator to a second face of the stator. The assembly further includes a first end cover covering the first face of the stator. The first end cover has an inlet port and is configured to direct fluid from the inlet into the slot. Further, the assembly includes a second end cover covering the second face of the stator and configured to direct fluid that exits the slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2020Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Man Prakash Gupta, Franco Leonardi, Alfredo R. Munoz, Michael W. Degner, Prasad Dev Hanumalagutti
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Publication number: 20210226496Abstract: A cooling system for an electric vehicle motor may include a stator having a plurality of coils forming end windings at each of an end of the stator and at least one orifice plate arranged at the end windings of at least one end of the stator, the orifice plate including a plurality of nozzles configured to supply coolant at the end windings.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2020Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Alfredo R. MUNOZ, Michael W. DEGNER, Myung Ki SUNG
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Patent number: 11052740Abstract: An electric vehicle power supply includes a housing, a power supply, and a plurality of fasteners. The housing defines an internal cavity and has inwardly protruding tabs that extend into the cavity. The power assembly has a front cover and an end cover. The power assembly also has an array of electrical switching units arranged horizontally between the front and end covers. The front and end covers have outwardly protruding tabs. Each of the plurality of fasteners extend vertically, engage one inwardly protruding tab, and engage one outwardly protruding tab to secure the power assembly to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2018Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Akash Changarankumarath Pradeepkumar, Alfredo R. Munoz, Michael W. Degner, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih, Guangyin Lei
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Patent number: 10874037Abstract: A power-module assembly includes a plurality of power modules each including a power stage having a substrate and a transistor-based switching arrangement supported on the substrate. The power modules are arranged in a stack that defines coolant chambers interleaved with the power stages and defines a pair of coolant-supply manifolds disposed on opposing sides of the stack and extending along a length of the stack. For each power module, the substrate defines a network of cooling channels connecting the supply manifolds to a corresponding one of the chambers. The network includes first channels each configured to receive coolant from the pair of coolant-supply manifolds, second channels substantially parallel to the first channels and each opening into the corresponding one of the chambers, and third channels crisscrossing the first and second channels to connect the first and second channels in fluid communication.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Man Prakash Gupta, Michael W. Degner, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih, Alfredo R. Munoz
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Patent number: 10631429Abstract: A vehicle power module assembly including an array of stacked switch unit assemblies, a front cover, first and second side rails, and an end cover is provided. Each of the assemblies may include a power stage frame having a mid-cutout located at a substantially central side frame region such that a mid-cutout region is defined along each side of the array. The front cover may be disposed at a first end of the array. The first and second side rails may each extend from the front cover and each may be disposed within one of the mid-cutout regions such that an outer surface of each side rail is substantially flush with an outer surface of a respective power stage frame. The end cover may be arranged with the front cover to retain the assemblies therebetween. The assembly may further include a clamping plate and a spring element.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Akash Changarankumarath Pradeepkumar, Alfredo R. Munoz, Michael W. Degner, Edward Jih, Guangyin Lei
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Publication number: 20200022278Abstract: A vehicle power module assembly including an array of stacked switch unit assemblies, a front cover, first and second side rails, and an end cover is provided. Each of the assemblies may include a power stage frame having a mid-cutout located at a substantially central side frame region such that a mid-cutout region is defined along each side of the array. The front cover may be disposed at a first end of the array. The first and second side rails may each extend from the front cover and each may be disposed within one of the mid-cutout regions such that an outer surface of each side rail is substantially flush with an outer surface of a respective power stage frame. The end cover may be arranged with the front cover to retain the assemblies therebetween. The assembly may further include a clamping plate and a spring element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2018Publication date: January 16, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Akash Changarankumarath Pradeepkumar, Alfredo R. Munoz, Michael W. Degner, Edward Jih, Guangyin Lei
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Publication number: 20190394907Abstract: A vehicle power module assembly including first and second power modules is provided. The first power module may include a first lock feature extending from a lower portion of a first minor side at a first central axis. The second power module may include a second lock feature at an upper portion of a second minor side at a second central axis. The lock features may be sized for interlock with one another to secure the power modules to one another. The first lock feature may be a loop element defining a through-hole and the second lock feature may be a wedge. The through-hole may be sized for the wedge to extend therein and to interlock the first power module and the second power module to one another. The first lock feature may be a flexible hook element and the second lock feature may be a slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2018Publication date: December 26, 2019Applicant: Ford Glogal Technologies, LLCInventors: Akash Changarankumarath Pradeepkumar, Alfredo R. Munoz, Michael W. Degner, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih, Guangyin Lei
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Publication number: 20190366823Abstract: An electric vehicle power supply includes a housing, a power supply, and a plurality of fasteners. The housing defines an internal cavity and has inwardly protruding tabs that extend into the cavity. The power assembly has a front cover and an end cover. The power assembly also has an array of electrical switching units arranged horizontally between the front and end covers. The front and end covers have outwardly protruding tabs. Each of the plurality of fasteners extend vertically, engage one inwardly protruding tab, and engage one outwardly protruding tab to secure the power assembly to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Akash Changarankumarath PRADEEPKUMAR, Alfredo R. MUNOZ, Michael W. DEGNER, Edward Chan-Jiun JIH, Guangyin LEI
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Publication number: 20190273407Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine assembly including a rotor mount region and a plurality of magnet pockets is provided. The rotor mount region may extend radially about a shaft through-hole. Each of the plurality of magnet pockets may be defined within the rotor mount region. Each magnet pocket may include a central pocket region between an outer pocket region and an inner pocket region. The central pocket region may be sized to receive a magnet having a wedge shape. The central pocket region and the magnet may each have a first side offset at an angle relative to a second side. The outer pocket region may define an outcropped portion extending into the central pocket region. A length of the magnet may be greater than a length between an edge of the magnet adjacent the inner pocket region and an edge of the outcropped portion adjacent the central pocket region.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2018Publication date: September 5, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Alfredo R. Munoz, Feng Liang, Michael Degner, Wei Wu, Chun Tang
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Patent number: 10405466Abstract: According to one embodiment, a power-module assembly includes a power-module stack having coolant chambers interleaved with power modules and supply and return manifold channels extending axially along the stack. An endcap has a major side defining recessed inlet and outlet manifold cavities aligned with the channels and inlet and outlet ports disposed on one or more minor sides that are perpendicular to the major side.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Akash Changarankumarath Pradeepkumar, Alfredo R. Munoz, Michael W. Degner, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih, Guangyin Lei
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Patent number: 10377217Abstract: A vehicle power supply includes a housing, a backing plate, a power assembly, and a clamp. The housing has a bottom wall and a side wall. The backing plate extends from the bottom wall. The power assembly has an array of electrical switching units that extend from the side wall to the backing plate. The clamp extends from the backing plate and is configured to engage a backside of the array such that a frontside of the array is forced into engagement with the side wall.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2018Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Akash Changarankumarath Pradeepkumar, Alfredo R. Munoz, Michael W. Degner, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih, Guangyin Lei