Patents by Inventor Christopher A. Bledsoe

Christopher A. Bledsoe 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).

  • Patent number: 11888363
    Abstract: A fixture for holding a stator including a stator core having a plurality of stator windings during assembly. The fixture includes a first fixture portion including a base defining a first stator receiving portion that is receptive of a first end of the stator, a second fixture portion including second stator receiving portion that is receptive of a second end of the stator, and at least one alignment feature provided on one of the first fixture portion and the second fixture portion. The at least one alignment feature is configurated to establish a selected alignment between a terminal end of each of the plurality of stator windings and busbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventor: Christopher A. Bledsoe
  • Patent number: 11557934
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a core with windings positioned on the core. The windings include in-slot portions, end turns, and leads. The in-slot portions are positioned in slots of the core. The end turns extend from the in-slot portions at ends of the core. The leads extend from the in-slot portions and axially past the end turns. A bus bar assembly is positioned radially inward from the end turns. The bus bar assembly includes an arc portion, a plurality of axial lead connectors, and a plurality of axial phase terminals. The arc portion is positioned axially within the end turns. The axial lead connectors extend axially past the end turns and are connected to the leads. The axial phase terminals also extend axially past the end turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Ian N. Alsman, Christopher Bledsoe
  • Patent number: 11545867
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator assembly and a bus bar assembly. The stator assembly includes a core with windings positioned on the core. The windings include in-slot portions, end turns, and leads. The leads extend from the in-slot portions at one of the ends of the core with ends of the leads extending axially past the end turns. The leads include a first plurality of leads positioned on a first side of the stator opposite a second plurality of leads positioned on a second side of the stator. The bus bar is substantially circular in shape and positioned radially inward from the end turns. The bus bar assembly includes three bus bars, each bus bar connecting at least one of the first plurality of leads to at least one of the second plurality of leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Ian N. Alsman, Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet
  • Publication number: 20220190698
    Abstract: A fixture for holding a stator including a stator core having a plurality of stator windings during assembly. The fixture includes a first fixture portion including a base defining a first stator receiving portion that is receptive of a first end of the stator, a second fixture portion including second stator receiving portion that is receptive of a second end of the stator, and at least one alignment feature provided on one of the first fixture portion and the second fixture portion. The at least one alignment feature is configurated to establish a selected alignment between a terminal end of each of the plurality of stator windings and busbar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventor: Christopher A. Bledsoe
  • Publication number: 20220052573
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a core with windings positioned on the core. The windings include in-slot portions, end turns, and leads. The in-slot portions are positioned in slots of the core. The end turns extend from the in-slot portions at ends of the core. The leads extend from the in-slot portions and axially past the end turns. A bus bar assembly is positioned radially inward from the end turns. The bus bar assembly includes an arc portion, a plurality of axial lead connectors, and a plurality of axial phase terminals. The arc portion is positioned axially within the end turns. The axial lead connectors extend axially past the end turns and are connected to the leads. The axial phase terminals also extend axially past the end turns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Ian N. Alsman, Christopher Bledsoe
  • Publication number: 20220029490
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator assembly and a bus bar assembly. The stator assembly includes a core with windings positioned on the core. The windings include in-slot portions, end turns, and leads. The leads extend from the in-slot portions at one of the ends of the core with ends of the leads extending axially past the end turns. The leads include a first plurality of leads positioned on a first side of the stator opposite a second plurality of leads positioned on a second side of the stator. The bus bar is substantially circular in shape and positioned radially inward from the end turns. The bus bar assembly includes three bus bars, each bus bar connecting at least one of the first plurality of leads to at least one of the second plurality of leads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Ian N. Alsman, Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet
  • Patent number: 11165301
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a core with windings positioned on the core. The windings include in-slot portions, end turns, and leads. The in-slot portions are positioned in slots of the core. The end turns extend from the in-slot portions at ends of the core. The leads extend from the in-slot portions and axially past the end turns. A bus bar assembly is positioned radially inward from the end turns. The bus bar assembly includes an arc portion, a plurality of axial lead connectors, and a plurality of axial phase terminals. The arc portion is positioned axially within the end turns. The axial lead connectors extend axially past the end turns and are connected to the leads. The axial phase terminals also extend axially past the end turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Ian N. Alsman, Christopher Bledsoe
  • Patent number: 11146136
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator assembly and a bus bar assembly. The stator assembly includes a core with windings positioned on the core. The windings include in-slot portions, end turns, and leads. The leads extend from the in-slot portions at one of the ends of the core with ends of the leads extending axially past the end turns. The leads include a first plurality of leads positioned on a first side of the stator opposite a second plurality of leads positioned on a second side of the stator. The bus bar is substantially circular in shape and positioned radially inward from the end turns. The bus bar assembly includes three bus bars, each bus bar connecting at least one of the first plurality of leads to at least one of the second plurality of leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Ian N. Alsman, Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet
  • Publication number: 20210143699
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a core with windings positioned on the core. The windings include in-slot portions, end turns, and leads. The in-slot portions are positioned in slots of the core. The end turns extend from the in-slot portions at ends of the core. The leads extend from the in-slot portions and axially past the end turns. A bus bar assembly is positioned radially inward from the end turns. The bus bar assembly includes an arc portion, a plurality of axial lead connectors, and a plurality of axial phase terminals. The arc portion is positioned axially within the end turns. The axial lead connectors extend axially past the end turns and are connected to the leads. The axial phase terminals also extend axially past the end turns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Ian N. Alsman, Christopher Bledsoe
  • Publication number: 20210143698
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator assembly and a bus bar assembly. The stator assembly includes a core with windings positioned on the core. The windings include in-slot portions, end turns, and leads. The leads extend from the in-slot portions at one of the ends of the core with ends of the leads extending axially past the end turns. The leads include a first plurality of leads positioned on a first side of the stator opposite a second plurality of leads positioned on a second side of the stator. The bus bar is substantially circular in shape and positioned radially inward from the end turns. The bus bar assembly includes three bus bars, each bus bar connecting at least one of the first plurality of leads to at least one of the second plurality of leads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Ian N. Alsman, Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet
  • Patent number: 10715015
    Abstract: An electronics package for an alternator includes a positive carrier member having an inner side and an outer side, a plurality of switches connected to the positive carrier member, and a terminal assembly engaging the positive carrier member. The terminal assembly includes an electrically insulative portion and a plurality of electrical traces attached to the electrically insulative portion. The electrically insulative portion includes a post extending from the inner side to the outer side of the positive carrier member, a first shoulder engaging the outer side of the positive carrier member, and a second shoulder engaging the inner side of the positive carrier member. The second shoulder is provided by a deformed segment of the post. The post, first shoulder, and second shoulder are all formed as a unitary component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet
  • Publication number: 20190123624
    Abstract: An electronics package for an alternator includes a positive carrier member having an inner side and an outer side, a plurality of switches connected to the positive carrier member, and a terminal assembly engaging the positive carrier member. The terminal assembly includes an electrically insulative portion and a plurality of electrical traces attached to the electrically insulative portion. The electrically insulative portion includes a post extending from the inner side to the outer side of the positive carrier member, a first shoulder engaging the outer side of the positive carrier member, and a second shoulder engaging the inner side of the positive carrier member. The second shoulder is provided by a deformed segment of the post. The post, first shoulder, and second shoulder are all formed as a unitary component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet
  • Patent number: 10186938
    Abstract: A method of making an electronics package for an alternator includes inserting a post of a terminal assembly thorough a hole in an electrically conductive carrier member such that the terminal assembly is positioned on a first side of the carrier member and an end portion of the post extends from a second side of the carrier member. The method further includes deforming the post extending through the hole on the second side of the carrier member such that the terminal assembly engages the second side of the carrier member and the carrier member is connected to the terminal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet
  • Patent number: 10181658
    Abstract: An electric machine having a rotor, stator and at least one winding. The winding defines a first lead having a conductive core and an electrically insulative exterior layer. A connector engaged with the first lead includes a plurality of projections that pierce the exterior layer of the first lead to engage the conductive core. The connector may be C-shaped having a spine and first and second arms with first and second bend lines respectively disposed between the spine and the two arms. Alternatively, the connector may be U-shaped having a spine and first and first and second arms wherein a bend line and a central opening are disposed between the two arms. The first lead extends through the central opening and is grippingly engaged by the connector between the first and second arms. The connector may also be used to securely engage an uninsulated terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventors: Kirk Neet, Christopher Bledsoe, James Paul Murphy
  • Patent number: 9960463
    Abstract: A battery pack apparatus comprising a first cell bank and a laminated cooling plate. The first cell bank includes a first tray and at least one battery cell coupled to the tray. The laminated cooling plate being in contact with the first cell bank and including a plurality of face sheets and a plurality of internal sheets. The face sheets forming a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The plurality of internal sheets forming a plurality of fluid passages connecting the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The internal sheets further formed to include fluid pathways defining the fluid passages wherein none of the fluid pathways individually defining an uninterrupted flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Flagship Enterprise Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Ronning, Dennie E. Emerson, Laura M. Soverns, Christopher A. Bledsoe
  • Publication number: 20170288318
    Abstract: An electric machine having a rotor, stator and at least one winding. The winding defines a first lead having a conductive core and an electrically insulative exterior layer. A connector engaged with the first lead includes a plurality of projections that pierce the exterior layer of the first lead to engage the conductive core. The connector may be C-shaped having a spine and first and second arms with first and second bend lines respectively disposed between the spine and the two arms. Alternatively, the connector may be U-shaped having a spine and first and first and second arms wherein a bend line and a central opening are disposed between the two arms. The first lead extends through the central opening and is grippingly engaged by the connector between the first and second arms. The connector may also be used to securely engage an uninsulated terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Kirk Neet, Christopher Bledsoe, James Paul Murphy
  • Patent number: 9634545
    Abstract: An electric machine component includes a rotor assembly having at least one claw pole member having a number of pole members, an outer fan member support surface, and a central hub projecting from the outer fan member support surface. The central hub includes an anti-rotation member and a substantially planar bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kirk Neet, Christopher Bledsoe
  • Patent number: 9627948
    Abstract: An electronics package for an alternator includes an electrically conductive carrier member and a terminal assembly engaging the carrier member. The carrier member includes an inner side, an outer side, and at least one passage extending from the inner side to the outer side. A plurality of switches are connected to the carrier member. The terminal assembly includes an electrically insulative portion and a plurality of electrical traces extending through the electrically insulative portion. The electrically insulative portion includes a post extending through the at least one passage of the carrier member, a first shoulder engaging the outer side of the carrier member, and a second shoulder engaging the inner side of the carrier member. The post, the first shoulder, and second shoulder are all formed as a unitary component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: REMY TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet
  • Patent number: 9537373
    Abstract: An alternator fan includes a base member having a central hub, an outer peripheral edge, and a web that extends between the central hub and the outer peripheral edge, and a plurality of openings extending through web. A plurality of fan blade elements is arranged in corresponding ones of each of the plurality of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet
  • Publication number: 20160087513
    Abstract: A method of making an electronics package for an alternator includes inserting a post of a terminal assembly thorough a hole in an electrically conductive carrier member such that the terminal assembly is positioned on a first side of the carrier member and an end portion of the post extends from a second side of the carrier member. The method further includes deforming the post extending through the hole on the second side of the carrier member such that the terminal assembly engages the second side of the carrier member and the carrier member is connected to the terminal assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet