Patents by Inventor Charles Y. Lafontaine

Charles Y. Lafontaine 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).

  • Publication number: 20120262021
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting between mechanical and electrical energy, particularly suited for use as a compact high power alternator for automotive use and “remove and replace” retrofitting of existing vehicles. The apparatus comprises a rotor with permanent magnets, a stator with a winding, and a cooling system. Mechanisms to prevent the rotor magnets from clashing with the stator by minimizing rotor displacement, and absorbing unacceptable rotor displacement are disclosed. The cooling system directs coolant flow into thermal contact with at least one of the winding and magnets, and includes at least one passageway through the stator core. Various open and closed cooling systems are described. Cooling is facilitated by, for example, loosely wrapping the winding end turns, use of an asynchronous airflow source, and/or directing coolant through conduits extending through the stator into thermal contact with the windings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: MAGNETIC APPLICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Y. Lafontaine, Harold C. Scott
  • Patent number: 8207642
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting between mechanical and electrical energy, particularly suited for use as a compact high power alternator for automotive use and “remove and replace” retrofitting of existing vehicles. The apparatus comprises a rotor with permanent magnets, a stator with a winding, and a cooling system. Mechanisms to prevent the rotor magnets from clashing with the stator by minimizing rotor displacement, and absorbing unacceptable rotor displacement are disclosed. The cooling system directs coolant flow into thermal contact with at least one of the winding and magnets, and includes at least one passageway through the stator core. Various open and closed cooling systems are described. Cooling is facilitated by, for example, loosely wrapping the winding end turns, use of an asynchronous airflow source, and/or directing coolant through conduits extending through the stator into thermal contact with the windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Magnetic Applications Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Y. Lafontaine, Harold C. Scott
  • Publication number: 20120105020
    Abstract: A control system that can accommodate the wide variations in the output of a generator, such as a permanent magnet alternator, while providing an output with relatively uniform phase ripple. The control system includes a zero crossing detector and variable ramp generator for generating control signals to a switching rectifier to generate a regulated DC signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Harold C. Scott, Dave E. Williams, Charles Y. Lafontaine
  • Publication number: 20120038234
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting between mechanical and electrical energy, particularly suited for use as a compact high power alternator for automotive use and “remove and replace” retrofitting of existing vehicles. Various aspects of the invention provide a means of significantly increasing the output of permanent magnet alternators while addressing the issues of radial loading applied to a permanent magnet alternator rotor. Another aspect of the invention allows for the production of power in two discrete voltages. An aspect of this invention allows for a marked increase in output capability without increasing axial length through the use of magnetic fringing. One aspect of the invention offers an effective means of mounting a skewed stack that eliminates or reduces cogging that is present in a permanent magnet machine without negatively impacting airflow. Another aspect of the invention reduces cogging by radially offsetting opposing magnets of a dual rotor permanent magnet machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: MAGNETIC APPLICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Y. Lafontaine, Harold C. Scott
  • Patent number: 8093772
    Abstract: A control system that can accommodate the wide variations in the output of a generator, such as a permanent magnet alternator, while providing an output with relatively uniform phase ripple. The control system includes a zero crossing detector and variable ramp generator for generating control signals to a switching rectifier to generate a regulated DC signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Magnetic Applications, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold C. Scott, Dave E. Williams, Charles Y Lafontaine
  • Patent number: 8018108
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting between mechanical and electrical energy, particularly suited for use as a compact high power alternator for automotive use and “remove and replace” retrofitting of existing vehicles. Various aspects of the invention provide a means of significantly increasing the output of permanent magnet alternators while addressing the issues of radial loading applied to a permanent magnet alternator rotor. Another aspect of the invention allows for the production of power in two discrete voltages. An aspect of this invention allows for a marked increase in output capability without increasing axial length through the use of magnetic fringing. One aspect of the invention offers an effective means of mounting a skewed stack that eliminates or reduces cogging that is present in a permanent magnet machine without negatively impacting airflow. Another aspect of the invention reduces cogging by radially offsetting opposing magnets of a dual rotor permanent magnet machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Magnetic Applications, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Y. Lafontaine, Harold C. Scott
  • Publication number: 20110025143
    Abstract: A control system that can accommodate the wide variations in the output of a generator, such as a permanent magnet alternator, while providing an output with relatively uniform phase ripple. The control system includes a zero crossing detector and variable ramp generator for generating control signals to a switching rectifier to generate a regulated DC signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Harold C. Scott, Dave E. Williams, Charles Y. Lafontaine
  • Publication number: 20110025152
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting between mechanical and electrical energy, particularly suited for use as a compact high power alternator for automotive use and “remove and replace” retrofitting of existing vehicles. The apparatus comprises a rotor with permanent magnets, a stator with a winding, and a cooling system. Mechanisms to prevent the rotor magnets from clashing with the stator by minimizing rotor displacement, and absorbing unacceptable rotor displacement are disclosed. The cooling system directs coolant flow into thermal contact with at least one of the winding and magnets, and includes at least one passageway through the stator core. Various open and closed cooling systems are described. Cooling is facilitated by, for example, loosely wrapping the winding end turns, use of an asynchronous airflow source, and/or directing coolant through conduits extending through the stator into thermal contact with the windings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Charles Y. Lafontaine, Harold C. Scott
  • Patent number: 7863787
    Abstract: A compact, high power, power conversion apparatus including a rotor and a stator. The rotor includes a cylindrical casing, and a predetermined number of permanent magnets disposed on the casing, and is adapted for rotation about the axis of the casing. The stator includes a core and a plurality of sets of conductive windings, each set including a predetermined number of individual conductive windings and associated with an electrical phase. A respective collecting conductor is associated with each set of conductive windings, with each individual conductive winding of the set being electrically connected to the associated collecting conductor. The respective collecting conductors are disposed in a coolant flow path a coolant flow path directing coolant into contact with the stator windings, electrically isolated from each other and spaced apart from each other and from the windings. Collecting conductors in the form of continuous rings and in the form of a plurality of arcs are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Magnetic Applications, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Y. Lafontaine, Harold C. Scott, Davey Earl Williams
  • Publication number: 20100253163
    Abstract: A compact, high power, power conversion apparatus including a rotor and a stator. The rotor includes a cylindrical casing, and a predetermined number of permanent magnets disposed on the casing, and is adapted for rotation about the axis of the casing. The stator includes a core and a plurality of sets of conductive windings, each set including a predetermined number of individual conductive windings and associated with an electrical phase. A respective collecting conductor is associated with each set of conductive windings, with each individual conductive winding of the set being electrically connected to the associated collecting conductor. The respective collecting conductors are disposed in a coolant flow path a coolant flow path directing coolant into contact with the stator windings, electrically isolated from each other and spaced apart from each other and from the windings. Collecting conductors in the form of continuous rings and in the form of a plurality of arcs are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Charles Y. Lafontaine, Harold C. Scott, Davey Earl Williams
  • Patent number: 7768166
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting between mechanical and electrical energy, particularly suited for use as a compact high power alternator for automotive use and “remove and replace” retrofitting of existing vehicles. The apparatus includes a rotor with permanent magnets, a stator with a winding, and a cooling system. Mechanisms to prevent the rotor magnets from clashing with the stator by minimizing rotor displacement, and absorbing unacceptable rotor displacement are disclosed. Various open and closed cooling systems are described. Cooling is facilitated by, for example, loosely wrapping the winding end turns, use of an asynchronous airflow source, and/or directing coolant through conduits extending through the stator into thermal contact with the windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Magnetic Applications, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Y. Lafontaine, Harold C. Scott
  • Patent number: 7768165
    Abstract: A control system that can accommodate the wide variations in the output of a generator, such as a permanent magnet alternator, while providing an output with relatively uniform phase ripple. The control system includes a zero crossing detector and variable ramp generator for generating control signals to a switching rectifier to generate a regulated DC signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Magnetic Applications, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold C. Scott, Dave E. Williams, Charles Y. Lafontaine
  • Patent number: 7692341
    Abstract: A compact, high power, power conversion apparatus including a rotor and a stator. The rotor includes a cylindrical casing, and a predetermined number of permanent magnets disposed on the casing, and is adapted for rotation about the axis of the casing. The stator includes a core and a plurality of sets of conductive windings, each set including a predetermined number of individual conductive windings and associated with an electrical phase. A respective collecting conductor is associated with each set of conductive windings, with each individual conductive winding of the set being electrically connected to the associated collecting conductor. The respective collecting conductors are disposed in a coolant flow path a coolant flow path directing coolant into contact with the stator windings, electrically isolated from each other and spaced apart from each other and from the windings. Collecting conductors in the form of continuous rings and in the form of a plurality of arcs are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Magnetic Applications, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Y. Lafontaine, Harold C. Scott
  • Publication number: 20090200884
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting between mechanical and electrical energy, particularly suited for use as a compact high power alternator for automotive use and “remove and replace” retrofitting of existing vehicles. Various aspects of the invention provide a means of significantly increasing the output of permanent magnet alternators while addressing the issues of radial loading applied to a permanent magnet alternator rotor. Another aspect of the invention allows for the production of power in two discrete voltages. An aspect of this invention allows for a marked increase in output capability without increasing axial length through the use of magnetic fringing. One aspect of the invention offers an effective means of mounting a skewed stack that eliminates or reduces cogging that is present in a permanent magnet machine without negatively impacting airflow. Another aspect of the invention reduces cogging by radially offsetting opposing magnets of a dual rotor permanent magnet machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Charles Y. Lafontaine, Harold C. Scott
  • Publication number: 20080211330
    Abstract: A control system that can accommodate the wide variations in the output of a generator, such as a permanent magnet alternator, while providing an output with relatively uniform phase ripple. The control system includes a zero crossing detector and variable ramp generator for generating control signals to a switching rectifier to generate a regulated DC signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Harold C. Scott, Dave E. Williams, Charles Y. Lafontaine
  • Patent number: 7327123
    Abstract: A control system that can accommodate the wide variations in the output of a generator, such as a permanent magnet alternator, while providing an output with relatively uniform phase ripple. The control system includes a zero crossing detector and variable ramp generator for generating control signals to a switching rectifier to generate a regulated DC signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Magnetic Applications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ira S. Faberman, Stewart C. Koch, Charles Y. Lafontaine, Dave E. Williams, Harold C. Scott
  • Patent number: 7122923
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting between mechanical and electrical energy, particularly suited for use as a compact high power alternator for automotive use and “remove and replace” retrofitting of existing vehicles. The apparatus comprises a rotor with permanent magnets, a stator with a winding, and a cooling system. Mechanisms to prevent the rotor magnets from clashing with the stator by minimizing rotor displacement, and absorbing unacceptable rotor displacement are disclosed. The cooling system directs coolant flow into thermal contact with at least one of the winding and magnets, and includes at least one passageway through the stator core. Various open and closed cooling systems are described. Cooling is facilitated by, for example, loosely wrapping the winding end turns, use of an asynchronous airflow source, and/or directing coolant through conduits extending through the stator into thermal contact with the windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Magnetic Applications Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Y. Lafontaine, Harold C. Scott