Patents by Inventor Charles Michael Stephens
Charles Michael Stephens 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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Patent number: 11005312Abstract: Provided is a method for implementing skewing in a hybrid homopolar generator. The method includes aligning slots within an axial front segment of a stator, with corresponding slots within an axial back segment of the stator. The method also includes moving, during assembly, the axial front segment and the axial back segment relative to each other such that slots in the axial front segment and the axial back segment form a pattern.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: UNISON INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Daniel Michael Saban, Charles Michael Stephens
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Patent number: 11005313Abstract: Provided is a method for implementing skewing in a hybrid homopolar generator comprising. The method includes aligning inductor poles within an axial front segment of a rotor, with corresponding magnets within an axial back segment of the rotor. The method also includes moving, during assembly, the axial front segment and the axial back segment relative to each other such that inductor poles in the axial front segment and the axial back segment form a pattern.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: UNISON INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Daniel Michael Saban, Charles Michael Stephens
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Patent number: 10833541Abstract: There is provided a stator and a method of making the same. For example, there is provided a stator that includes a single piece yoke and a set of teeth mounted on an inner surface of the single piece yoke. Each tooth is pre-wound with a coil and includes a tail portion configured to secure the tooth on the inner surface. Furthermore, at least two teeth of the set of teeth are mounted on the single piece yoke at a slot opening distance of less than about 35%.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: UNISON INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Daniel Michael Saban, Charles Michael Stephens
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Patent number: 10833545Abstract: There is provided an electric machine that includes a rotor comprising a pole and magnet assemblies divided axially in a first subsection and a second subsection. Each of the first and second subsections includes poles and magnets, and the poles and magnets of the first subsection are offset from the poles and magnets of the second subsection.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: UNISON INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Charles Michael Stephens, Daniel Michael Saban
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Publication number: 20180145551Abstract: There is provided an electric machine that includes a rotor comprising a pole and magnet assemblies divided axially in a first subsection and a second subsection. Each of the first and second subsections includes poles and magnets, and the poles and magnets of the first subsection are offset from the poles and magnets of the second subsection.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Applicant: UNISON INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Charles Michael Stephens, Daniel Michael Saban
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Publication number: 20180145572Abstract: Provided is a method for implementing skewing in a hybrid homopolar generator. The method includes aligning slots within an axial front segment of a stator, with corresponding slots within an axial back segment of the stator. The method also includes moving, during assembly, the axial front segment and the axial back segment relative to each other such that slots in the axial front segment and the axial back segment form a pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Applicant: UNISON INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: DANIEL MICHAEL SABAN, CHARLES MICHAEL STEPHENS
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Publication number: 20180145573Abstract: Provided is a method for implementing skewing in a hybrid homopolar generator comprising. The method includes aligning inductor poles within an axial front segment of a rotor, with corresponding magnets within an axial back segment of the rotor. The method also includes moving, during assembly, the axial front segment and the axial back segment relative to each other such that inductor poles in the axial front segment and the axial back segment form a pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Applicant: UNISON INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: DANIEL MICHAEL SABAN, CHARLES MICHAEL STEPHENS
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Publication number: 20180145547Abstract: There is provided a stator and a method of making the same. For example, there is provided a stator that includes a single piece yoke and a set of teeth mounted on an inner surface of the single piece yoke. Each tooth is pre-wound with a coil and includes a tail portion configured to secure the tooth on the inner surface. Furthermore, at least two teeth of the set of teeth are mounted on the single piece yoke at a slot opening distance of less than about 35%.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Applicant: UNISON INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: DANIEL MICHAEL SABAN, CHARLES MICHAEL STEPHENS
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Publication number: 20150138859Abstract: A power conversion system is presented. The power conversion system includes a power converter. The power converter includes at least two circuits, where each of the at least two circuits includes two or more phase legs, where each of the two or more phase legs includes at least two semiconductor switches. Also, the at least two circuits includes an interphase reactor configured to couple one of the two or more phase legs to at least one other phase leg in the two or more phase legs. Moreover, the power conversion system includes a controller configured to obtain a switching pattern for each of the at least two semiconductor switches of the at least two circuits and selectively switch each of the at least two semiconductor switches based on the obtained switching pattern to reduce a common mode signal in the power conversion system. Method for power conversion is also presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rui Zhou, Luis Jose Garces, Fengfeng Tao, Maja Harfman Todorovic, Charles Michael Stephens, Lei Wang
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Patent number: 8928441Abstract: A magnetic component such as a transformer or inductor comprises one or more litz-wire windings and one or more metallic cooling tube windings. Each litz-wire winding is wound together with a corresponding single metallic cooling tube winding on a common bobbin to provide an indirectly-cooled magnetic component.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Satish Prabhakaran, Konrad Roman Weeber, Richard S. Zhang, Charles Michael Stephens, Mark Edward Dame, Yang Cao
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Publication number: 20120112571Abstract: The present invention provides an encapsulated stator assembly comprising: (a) a stator having a stator core and a stator end region; and (b) a ceramic bore tube defining a surface of the stator core; wherein the stator end region is disposed adjacent to the stator core, and wherein the stator end region comprises a plurality of stator armature end-windings, and wherein the stator end region comprises an inwardly-facing stator wall, and wherein the ceramic bore tube and the inwardly-facing stator wall define an interior volume configured to accommodate a rotor, said inwardly-facing stator wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, at least a portion of said inner surface comprising a barrier layer of a conductive metal selected from the group consisting of copper, silver and aluminum, said inwardly-facing stator wall comprising a corrosion resistant metal. Also provided are motors comprising the novel encapsulated stator assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2010Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Charles Michael Stephens
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Publication number: 20120092108Abstract: A magnetic component such as a transformer or inductor comprises one or more litz-wire windings and one or more metallic cooling tube windings. Each litz-wire winding is wound together with a corresponding single metallic cooling tube winding on a common bobbin to provide an indirectly-cooled magnetic component.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Inventors: Satish Prabhakaran, Konrad Roman Weeber, Richard S. Zhang, Charles Michael Stephens, Mark Edward Dame, Yang Cao
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Patent number: 8141234Abstract: A method for magnetizing a rotor of an electrical machine is provided. The method includes assembling an array of non-magnetized anisotropic permanent magnet segments around a rotor spindle encased in a metallic ring. The method also includes determining multiple optimal magnetization orientation directions of the non-magnetized anisotropic permanent magnet segments. Further, the method includes positioning the assembled non-magnetized anisotropic permanent magnet segments around the rotor spindle such that the optimal magnetization orientation directions of the anisotropic permanent magnet segments are aligned with multiple flux lines produced by a magnetization fixture. Finally, the method includes energizing the magnetization fixture for magnetizing the segments via a pulse direct current for an optimal duration of the pulse.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Charles Michael Stephens, Konrad Roman Weeber, Steven Joseph Galioto, Ralph James Carl, Jr.
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Publication number: 20110088249Abstract: A method for magnetizing a rotor of an electrical machine is provided. The method includes assembling an array of non-magnetized anisotropic permanent magnet segments around a rotor spindle encased in a metallic ring. The method also includes determining multiple optimal magnetization orientation directions of the non-magnetized anisotropic permanent magnet segments. Further, the method includes positioning the assembled non-magnetized anisotropic permanent magnet segments around the rotor spindle such that the optimal magnetization orientation directions of the anisotropic permanent magnet segments are aligned with multiple flux lines produced by a magnetization fixture. Finally, the method includes energizing the magnetization fixture for magnetizing the segments via a pulse direct current for an optimal duration of the pulse.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Charles Michael Stephens, Konrad Roman Weeber, Steven Joseph Galioto, Ralph James Carl, JR.
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Patent number: 7811068Abstract: A compressor assembly for use in transporting natural gas is provided. The assembly includes a natural gas compressor comprising at least one stage of compression, a permanent magnet-type super-synchronous motor coupled to the natural gas compressor for powering said compressor, and a housing, the compressor positioned within the housing, and the compressor configured to facilitate increasing a pressure of natural gas being transmitted.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2005Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Konrad Roman Weeber, Christopher Anthony Kaminski, Yu Wang, James Michael Fogarty, Ralph James Carl, Jr., Charles Michael Stephens
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Patent number: 7709988Abstract: An electrical machine to facilitate transporting fluids through a pipeline is provided. The electrical machine includes a rotor assembly that further includes an array of magnets configured to generate a distributed magnetic field. The rotor assembly has corrosion-resistant features that facilitates mitigating deleterious effects to the rotor assembly while being exposed to aggressive and harsh fluids.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christopher Anthony Kaminski, Charles Michael Stephens, James Michael Fogarty, Jeremy Daniel Van Dam, John Russell Yagielski, Konrad Roman Weeber
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Publication number: 20090009012Abstract: A magnetizer for a rotor of an electrical machine is provided. The magnetizer includes a magnetizing yoke and coils wound around the magnetizing yoke. The magnetizing yoke includes multiple pole-pieces extending therefrom, and at least some of the pole-pieces include a cobalt alloy.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2007Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Charles Michael Stephens, Christopher Anthony Kaminski, Konrad Roman Weeber, John Russell Yagielski
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Patent number: 7228616Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing an electrical machine is provided. An array of permanent magnet segments is assembled around a rotor spindle. Desired orientation directions of the permanent magnet segments are determined. The assembled permanent magnet segments are then positioned in a magnetization fixture such that the desired orientation directions of the permanent magnet segments are aligned with corresponding flux directions of the magnetizing fixture.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2005Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Charles Michael Stephens
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Patent number: 7145302Abstract: A method for driving a DC motor includes generating a first voltage pulse, based on a pre-determined speed input and duty cycle, and configured to generate motor current of reference current value sufficient to achieve a desired speed according to the speed input. Subsequent pulses of the voltage are generated to maintain the current substantially within a range of the reference current. Another method includes sensing and comparing motor current to reference current value and generating an error signal therebetween, which is integrated over time to generate an integrated current error, which is compared with a reference pulse. Thereafter generating applied voltage pulses configured to: switch at each instance of the integrated current error exceeding or becoming less than the reference pulse value; generate a motor current sufficient to achieve a desired speed according to a pre-determined speed input; and having substantially zero average variation from the reference current.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2004Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Amit Raja Sanglikar, Herman Lucas Norbert Wiegman, Charles Michael Stephens, Sunit Kumar Saxena, Pradeep Vijayan, Ajit Wasant Kane
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Patent number: 6908349Abstract: A marine vehicle propulsion system is provided that combines a fuel cell electrical source for an AC propulsion motor for a marine vessel with an electrolyzer and a DC-AC converter. The fuel cell provides power for the AC propulsion motor. When the fuel cell is depleted, the DC-AC converter is disconnected from the AC propulsion motor and is reconnected to an AC power source from a host ship, and the power electronic DC-AC converter is disconnected from the fuel cell and reconnected to the electrolyzer. The fuel cell is replenished by operating the electrolyzer device that runs using DC power from the host ship to separate water into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. The power electronic drive is operated in reverse to power the electrolyzer from the host ship.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2003Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Charles Michael Stephens