Patents by Inventor Colin Hamer

Colin Hamer 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: 9812248
    Abstract: An ignition coil for delivering a spark-generating current to a spark plug includes a magnetically-permeable core; a primary winding disposed outward of the core; and a secondary winding radially surrounding the primary winding and inductively coupled to the primary winding, the secondary winding having a low-voltage end and a high-voltage end. The secondary winding includes a secondary winding first section proximal to the low-voltage end and having a first thickness. The secondary winding also includes a secondary winding second section proximal to the high-voltage end and having a second thickness that is less than the first thickness of the secondary winding first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Albert A. Skinner, Colin Hamer, Harry O. Levers, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160363108
    Abstract: An ignition system for a spark ignition internal combustion engine includes a transformer, a switching device, a spark-plug, and a controller. The switching-device is operable to an off-state, an on-state, and a linear-state to control a primary current through a primary coil and a secondary current through a secondary coil. The controller is configured to receive a single control-signal that includes a spark-control portion followed by a snubbing-control portion, and operate the switching-device based on the single control-signal. The controller operates the switching device from the off-state to the on-state and back to the off-state in response to the spark-control portion, whereby the secondary current is sufficient for the spark-plug to generate a spark, and operates the switching-device from the off-state to the on-state followed by the linear-state in response to the snubbing-control portion, whereby the secondary current is suppressed such that the spark-plug does not generate a spark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: COLIN HAMER, ALBERT A. SKINNER
  • Patent number: 9263926
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a permanent magnet electric machine includes a plurality of rotor laminations joined to form a rotor body. Each of the plurality of rotor laminations includes a plurality of slots. One or more permanent magnets are mounted within respective ones of the plurality of slots. Each of the one or more permanent magnets includes a thermal enhancement bonding coating. A method of forming a rotor assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Colin Hamer, Koon Hoong Wan
  • Publication number: 20150364246
    Abstract: An ignition coil for delivering a spark-generating current to a spark plug includes a magnetically-permeable core; a primary winding disposed outward of the core; and a secondary winding radially surrounding the primary winding and inductively coupled to the primary winding, the secondary winding having a low-voltage end and a high-voltage end. The secondary winding includes a secondary winding first section proximal to the low-voltage end and having a first thickness. The secondary winding also includes a secondary winding second section proximal to the high-voltage end and having a second thickness that is less than the first thickness of the secondary winding first section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: ALBERT A. SKINNER, COLIN HAMER, HARRY O. LEVERS, JR.
  • Patent number: 9209661
    Abstract: An electric machine housing includes a housing body having an outer surface provided with a plurality of materially integrally formed ribs defining a plurality of coolant channels. Each of the plurality of materially integrally formed ribs has an outer surface portion. A sleeve is provided on the housing body extending about the outer surface. The sleeve has an inner surface section that is matingly engaged with the outer surface portion of each of the materially integrally formed ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Andrew Dragon, Colin Hamer
  • Patent number: 9139097
    Abstract: An electric power source supplies electrical power to an electric machine of a vehicle via a plurality of high voltage lines. A plurality of connections are disposed within a housing for connecting the high voltage lines. A cover member encloses a hidden magnet and is removably secured to the housing so that removal is necessary to obtain access to the high voltage lines. A reed switch is mounted proximate the cover member, when secured, within a magnetic field of the magnet, whereby the reed switch is closed when the cover member is secured and is open when the cover member is removed. A controller is controllably coupled to the power source via a control connector and circuit of the electric machine. Such circuit extends from the reed switch to the controller, where the controller causes the electric power source to stop supplying electrical power when the cover member is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley D. Chamberlin, Colin Hamer
  • Patent number: 9067546
    Abstract: An interlock system and method are provided for protecting high voltage electrical couplings. The interlock system may control access to the electrical couplings based on the voltage of the electrical couplings. The interlock system may also selectively energize and de-energize the electrical couplings based on the position of a lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Andrew Meyer, Ronald Erli, Alex Creviston, Colin Hamer, Cary Ramey
  • Patent number: 9006943
    Abstract: An electro-dynamic machine is provided and includes stator assembly end turns and a coolant chargeable bladder disposable to contact the end turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bradley D. Chamberlin, Colin Hamer
  • Patent number: 8987953
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a housing, a stator fixedly mounted relative to the housing, and a rotor assembly rotatably mounted relative to the stator. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor laminations forming a rotor body, one or more permanent magnets provided in the rotor body, and a sleeve extending around the one or more permanent magnets. The sleeve provides a thermal interface between the one or more permanent magnets and the rotor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thomas Goesch, Colin Hamer, Koon Hoong Wan
  • Patent number: 8907540
    Abstract: A stator assembly for an electric machine including a stator core supporting a plurality of electrical conductors. A plurality of elongated insulator spacers is interwoven between the conductors proximate connection ends thereof in axially spaced relation to the stator core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: REMY Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Colin Hamer, Bradley D. Chamberlin, Cary Ramey
  • Patent number: 8878406
    Abstract: A stator includes a stator core having a plurality of slot segments, a plurality of stator winding conductors arranged in select ones of the plurality of slot segments, a jumper conductor interconnecting select ones of the plurality of stator winding conductors to form one or more stator windings, a common conductor connected to at least one of the stator winding conductors, a phase conductor connected to corresponding ones of the one or more stator windings, and a composite sleeve provided on at least one of the jumper conductor, the common conductor, and the phase conductor. The composite sleeve includes a first sleeve, and a second sleeve positioned about the first sleeve. One of the first and second sleeves is formed from a compressed amide synthetic fiber. The first and second sleeves cooperate to provide protection for the conductor from external elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Colin Hamer, John Matthew Sigler, Max A. Butcher, Arlen Phillip Suter
  • Publication number: 20140175916
    Abstract: A liquid-cooled rotor assembly for a rotary electric machine, including a shaft provided with a fluid passageway receivable of a liquid coolant, and a substantially cylindrical rotor core rotatable in unison with the shaft. The rotor core is provided with a plurality of passages each terminating at a void in a rotor core axial end. Permanent magnets are disposed in rotor core passages, a gap is defined between each magnet and its respective rotor core passage. The shaft fluid passageway is in fluid communication with the rotor core end voids through the gaps, whereby the rotor core and the magnets are convectively cooled by liquid coolant receivable by the shaft fluid passageway and delivered to a rotor core end through the rotor core passages. Also, a method for liquid cooling a rotor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley D. Chamberlin, Colin Hamer
  • Publication number: 20140132094
    Abstract: A rotor of an electric machine includes a lamination stack having a plurality of longitudinally extending magnet channels each having a magnet space and longitudinally extending gaps on each lateral end of the magnet space. A plurality of permanent magnets are respectively disposed in ones of the magnet channels, substantially non-magnetic bars are disposed in each longitudinally extending gap, and a thermally conductive filler material secures the magnets and the bars within the channels. A method of thermal management of an internal permanent magnet (IPM) rotor includes installing, into at least one longitudinally extending magnet channel of a lamination stack, a pair of substantially non-magnetic bars adjacent opposite lateral ends of a longitudinally extending permanent magnet, and transferring heat from the magnet through the bars into the lamination stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Remy Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley D. Chamberlin, Colin Hamer, Alex Creviston, Koon Hoong Wan
  • Publication number: 20140091652
    Abstract: An electric machine housing includes a housing body having an outer surface provided with a plurality of materially integrally formed ribs defining a plurality of coolant channels. Each of the plurality of materially integrally formed ribs has an outer surface portion. A sleeve is provided on the housing body extending about the outer surface. The sleeve has an inner surface section that is matingly engaged with the outer surface portion of each of the materially integrally formed ribs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Andrew Dragon, Colin Hamer
  • Publication number: 20140077632
    Abstract: A rotor of an internal permanent magnet (IPM) electric machine includes a core having first and second axial ends, longitudinal channels extending between the ends, and a plurality of permanent magnets disposed in the channels. A first conical spring washer having a circumferential edge is secured to the first axial end and a second conical spring washer having a circumferential edge is secured to the second axial end. Space between the first conical spring washer and the first axial end is in fluid communication, via the channels, with space between the second conical spring washer and the second axial end. A method includes stacking and aligning laminations on a shaft to thereby form a rotor core, placing a conical spring washer onto the shaft at each axial end of the lamination stack, and tightening the conical spring washers onto the shaft, whereby the conical spring washers compress the lamination stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Joshua King, Colin Hamer
  • Publication number: 20140070658
    Abstract: A lamination assembly having a lamination stack including a plurality of lamination members, and at least one inter-lamination thermal transfer member coupled to at least one of the plurality of lamination members. The at least one inter-lamination thermal transfer member establishes a heat dissipation path from the lamination stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Colin Hamer
  • Publication number: 20140070637
    Abstract: A rotor of an electric machine includes a rotor core having a plurality of longitudinally extending magnet channels each containing a permanent magnet, and a plurality of moldable containers each containing a heat transfer material and each being contiguous with portions of the respective permanent magnet and its magnet channel. A method of thermal management of an internal permanent magnet (IPM) rotor includes installing, into at least one longitudinally extending magnet channel of a rotor core, a permanent magnet having opposite lateral ends. The method also includes installing a moldable container, enclosing a heat transfer material, into the magnet channel adjacent one of the lateral ends of the permanent magnet. The method further includes transferring heat from the magnet through the container into the rotor core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Colin Hamer, Alex Creviston, Koon Hoong (Thomas) Wan
  • Publication number: 20140070636
    Abstract: An electro-dynamic machine is provided and includes stator assembly end turns and a coolant chargeable bladder disposable to contact the end turns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bradley D. Chamberlin, Colin Hamer
  • Publication number: 20140070635
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a housing, a stator fixedly mounted relative to the housing, and a rotor assembly rotatably mounted relative to the stator. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor laminations forming a rotor body, one or more permanent magnets provided in the rotor body, and a sleeve extending around the one or more permanent magnets. The sleeve provides a thermal interface between the one or more permanent magnets and the rotor body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thomas Goesch, Colin Hamer, Koon Hoong Wan
  • Publication number: 20140070654
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a permanent magnet electric machine includes a plurality of rotor laminations joined to form a rotor body. Each of the plurality of rotor laminations includes a plurality of slots. One or more permanent magnets are mounted within respective ones of the plurality of slots. Each of the one or more permanent magnets includes a thermal enhancement bonding coating. A method of forming a rotor assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Colin Hamer, Koon Hoong Wan