Abstract: An electric machine includes a rotor lamination assembly having a lamination member formed from a material having a first yield strength. The lamination member includes a first bridge portion having a first width, and a first bridge zone having a first thickness. The rotor lamination assembly also includes at least one lamination section having a second bridge zone having a second thickness. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness. The rotor lamination assembly further includes at least one lamination element formed from a second material having a second yield strength that is higher than the first yield strength, and at least one lamination component. The at least one lamination component includes a second bridge portion having a second width. The second width is greater than the first width.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator, and a rotor lamination assembly configured to rotate relative to the stator. The rotor assembly includes at least one lamination member that includes a body having an inner diametric edge that extends to an outer diametric edge, and at least one magnet receiving member. The at least one magnet receiving member is formed in the body and includes a first end that extends to a second end. The second end is spaced from the outer diametric edge to form a bridge portion. The at least one lamination member includes at least one stress concentration element positioned between the inner diametric edge and the outer diametric edge. The at least one stress concentration element is configured and disposed to reduce stress in the bridge portion.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator, and a rotor lamination assembly configured and disposed to rotate relative to the stator. The rotor lamination assembly includes at least one lamination member including a body member having an outer diametric edge, and at least one magnet receiving member. The at least one magnet receiving member includes a first end that extends to a second end. The second end establishes an interruption zone in the outer diametric edge.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes a stator defining a first interior space, a rotor positioned within the first interior space and configured for rotation relative to the stator, the rotor defining a second interior space, and a planetary gear assembly associated with the rotor and at least partially positioned within the second interior space.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, a traction member associated with the chassis, and a drive system associated with the chassis and the traction member comprising an electric traction motor, a planetary gear assembly coupled to the electric traction motor, the planetary gear assembly comprising an output member coupled to the traction member, wherein rotation of the output member provides a drive torque for the traction member.

Abstract: A planetary gear assembly includes a ring gear configured for connection to a rotor of an electric motor when in a first position and configured for connection to a housing of the electric motor when in a second position, a sun gear configured for connection to the housing when the ring gear is in the first position and configured for connection to the rotor when the ring gear is in the second position, and a plurality of planet gears configured to mesh with the ring gear and the sun gear.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a starter motor clutch. The clutch includes, a shell, a wedgable component support member operably positioned adjacent the shell, and at least one wedgable component positioned between the shell and the wedgable component support member. The at least one wedgable component is displaceable into engagement with the shell to lock the shell into synchronous movement with the wedgable component support member upon initial rotational movement of the wedgable component support member in either direction relative to the shell while allowing asynchronous movement of the shell relative to the wedgable component support member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a planetary gear assembly and drive is provided. The planetary gear assembly and drive has a space index of 60 and includes at least one planet gear with 15 teeth. The gear assembly and drive is capable of employing 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 planet gears and if multiple planet gears are employed, they are equally spaced about the circumference of the sun gear. The planetary gear assembly and drive further achieves a low frequency of tooth reconnection.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a main body having an outer wall member, an inner wall member, and an intermediate portion. The main body including a central opening defined by the inner wall member. The sensor assembly further includes at least one anti-rotation mechanism formed on the inner wall member. The at least one anti-rotation mechanism is adapted to deflect radially toward the outer wall member upon engagement with a component to be sensed. Upon deflection, the at least one anti-rotation mechanism fixedly secures the sensor assembly to the component to be sensed.

Abstract: An engine starter comprises a housing with a planetary gear arrangement provided within the housing. The planetary gear arrangement includes a ring gear configured to pivot about an axis. The ring gear includes a face oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis, the face including a plurality of detents provided as a plurality of ribs and a plurality of depressions on the face. A torque limiter is positioned adjacent to the face of the ring gear within the housing of the engine starter. The torque limiter includes a plurality of projecting members engaging the plurality of detents on the ring gear when the ring gear pivots about the axis. The torque limiter is provided as a plate including a central hole, a body portion, and a perimeter portion. The plurality of projecting members comprise a plurality of spring fingers extending from the body portion at an angle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus that relates to a dynamoelectric machine brush holder assembly. The apparatus includes, a plurality of brushes, a plurality of brush holders each having a cavity receptive of one of the plurality of brushes and having two protrusions extending in opposite directions along a surface of the brush holder. A base plate with a surface and a plurality of pairs of tangs radially inwardly open radially outwardly closed and each receptive of one of the protrusions of the brush holders.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a planetary gear assembly and drive is provided. The planetary gear assembly and drive has a space index of 60 and includes at least one planet gear with 15 teeth. The gear assembly and drive is capable of employing 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 planet gears and if multiple planet gears are employed, they are equally spaced about the circumference of the sun gear. The planetary gear assembly and drive further achieves a low frequency of tooth reconnection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus that relates to a dynamoelectric machine brush holder assembly. The apparatus comprising, a plurality of brushes, a plurality of brush holders each having a cavity receptive of one of the plurality of brushes and having two protrusions extending in opposite directions along a surface of the brush holder. A base plate with a surface and a plurality of pairs of tangs radially inwardly open radially outwardly closed and each receptive of one of the protrusions of the brush holders.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a starter motor clutch. The clutch includes, a shell, a wedgable component support member operably positioned adjacent the shell, and at least one wedgable component positioned between the shell and the wedgable component support member. The at least one wedgable component is displaceable into engagement with the shell to lock the shell into synchronous movement with the wedgable component support member upon initial rotational movement of the wedgable component support member in either direction relative to the shell while allowing asynchronous movement of the shell relative to the wedgable component support member.

Abstract: A method for lubricating gear reduction and overrunning clutch mechanisms in internal combustion engine starter motors, and apparatuses embodying the method. According to the present invention, sealing features are added to a gear reduction mechanism, overrunning clutch mechanism, or combined gear reduction and overrunning clutch mechanism. The sealed mechanism then is filled with oil for lubrication.