Patents by Inventor Christopher Bledsoe
Christopher 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).
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Patent number: 11888363Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 16, 2020Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: BORGWARNER INC.Inventor: Christopher A. Bledsoe
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Patent number: 11557934Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Ian N. Alsman, Christopher Bledsoe
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Patent number: 11545867Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 8, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Ian N. Alsman, Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet
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Publication number: 20220190698Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2020Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventor: Christopher A. Bledsoe
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Publication number: 20220052573Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: Ian N. Alsman, Christopher Bledsoe
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Publication number: 20220029490Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Ian N. Alsman, Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet
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Patent number: 11165301Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 12, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Ian N. Alsman, Christopher Bledsoe
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Patent number: 11146136Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 12, 2019Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Ian N. Alsman, Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet
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Publication number: 20210143699Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2019Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Ian N. Alsman, Christopher Bledsoe
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Publication number: 20210143698Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2019Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Ian N. Alsman, Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet
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Patent number: 10715015Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet
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Publication number: 20190123624Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet
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Patent number: 10186938Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 3, 2015Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet
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Patent number: 10181658Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: BORGWARNER INC.Inventors: Kirk Neet, Christopher Bledsoe, James Paul Murphy
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Patent number: 9960463Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 1, 2012Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Flagship Enterprise Center, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey J. Ronning, Dennie E. Emerson, Laura M. Soverns, Christopher A. Bledsoe
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Publication number: 20170288318Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2016Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Kirk Neet, Christopher Bledsoe, James Paul Murphy
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Patent number: 9634545Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.Inventors: Kirk Neet, Christopher Bledsoe
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Patent number: 9627948Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 11, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: REMY TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet
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Patent number: 9537373Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 2013Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.Inventors: Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet
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Publication number: 20160087513Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: Christopher Bledsoe, Kirk Neet