Patents by Inventor Daniel E. Wilkins

Daniel E. Wilkins 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).

  • Electrical isolation of an alternator
    Patent number: 10693340
    Abstract: An alternator for generating electrical power to one or more components of a power network includes a machine portion including a stator, a rotor and a rectifier, a battery connection terminal connected to the machine portion and configured to be connected to a battery, and an isolation device integral to the alternator. The isolation device is located on an electrical path between at least the machine portion and the battery connection terminal, and the isolation device is configured to isolate at least one of the alternator and another component of the power network from receiving electric current from the battery based on an undesirable condition occurring in the power network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Alfermann, Daniel E. Wilkins, Drake J. Sayre
  • Alternator including wireless voltage regulator
    Patent number: 10097125
    Abstract: An alternator configured for use in a vehicle includes a housing, a stator located within the housing, a field coil, a regulator, and a transceiver. The field coil is positioned in proximity to the stator and is configured for rotation relative to the stator. The regulator is electrically connected to the field coil and is configured to supply the field coil with an electrical signal based on a control signal. The transceiver is electrically connected to the regulator and is configured to wirelessly receive the control signal from an engine control module of the vehicle and to transmit the control signal to the regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Zook, Carlvon Cheng, Michael L. Hull, Daniel E. Wilkins
  • ELECTRICAL ISOLATION OF AN ALTERNATOR
    Publication number: 20180109160
    Abstract: An alternator for generating electrical power to one or more components of a power network includes a machine portion including a stator, a rotor and a rectifier, a battery connection terminal connected to the machine portion and configured to be connected to a battery, and an isolation device integral to the alternator. The isolation device is located on an electrical path between at least the machine portion and the battery connection terminal, and the isolation device is configured to isolate at least one of the alternator and another component of the power network from receiving electric current from the battery based on an undesirable condition occurring in the power network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Alfermann, Daniel E. Wilkins, Drake J. Sayre
  • ALTERNATOR INCLUDING WIRELESS VOLTAGE REGULATOR
    Publication number: 20170077853
    Abstract: An alternator configured for use in a vehicle includes a housing, a stator located within the housing, a field coil, a regulator, and a transceiver. The field coil is positioned in proximity to the stator and is configured for rotation relative to the stator. The regulator is electrically connected to the field coil and is configured to supply the field coil with an electrical signal based on a control signal. The transceiver is electrically connected to the regulator and is configured to wirelessly receive the control signal from an engine control module of the vehicle and to transmit the control signal to the regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Chad Zook, Carlvon Cheng, Michael L. Hull, Daniel E. Wilkins