Abstract: A starter assembly adapted for use with an engine having a flywheel and electronic control unit. The starter includes a motor, magnetic field source and a pinion gear engageable with the flywheel. An internal power train transmits torque from the armature to the pinion gear and includes a gear set dividing the internal power train into a first segment with the armature and a second segment with the pinion gear. During operation the first segment has a faster rotational speed than the second segment. A speed sensor senses the speed of the first segment and communicates it to the electronic control unit. The starter assembly can be used in a vehicle with an automatic start-stop function and facilitates the synchronizing of the pinion gear and flywheel speeds when restarting the engine. The speed sensor can take various forms and is advantageously supported on the field frame assembly proximate the commutator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a starter machine control system including an electronic control unit. The control system can include a starter machine that is in communication with the electronic control unit. The starter machine can comprise a solenoid assembly that includes at least one biasing members and a coil winding. The starter machine can also include a motor that is coupled to a pinion. The motor can include a field assembly and an armature assembly. The field assembly can include a support body and permanent magnets that are supported within the support body. A plurality of flux members can be disposed between the permanent magnets. A plurality of windings can be disposed around the flux members and can be coupled to a control circuit.

Abstract: A data mining and analysis system which analyzes a database of wellbore-related data in order to determine those predictor variables which influence or predict well performance.

Abstract: A variable flux starter and switch system including a starter motor with motor field winding first and second portions, a control unit capable of selectively issuing starter activation and desired flux level signals, a motor energizing switch moveable between open and closed positions consequent to issuance of the starter activation signal, and a regulating device that transitions between default and activated operational states consequent to issuance of the flux level signal. The regulating device has a moveable blocking member and relatively moveable contact members, and in one of the default and activated operational states, electrical contact between the contact members is permitted or prevented by the blocking member. Current through the closed motor energizing switch substantially bypasses a motor field winding portion when electrical contact between the contact members is permitted, and is conducted through both portions when prevented. Also, a method for varying starter motor flux levels.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a starter machine including a housing. A motor can be positioned within the housing and coupled to a gear train, which can be coupled to a shaft. A switched reluctance solenoid assembly can be positioned within the housing and capable of being coupled to inverters that communicate with an electronic control unit. The switched reluctance solenoid assembly includes at least two switched reluctance stator assemblies and a rotor that is coupled to the shaft. The rotor can also include an integral pinion and is movably positioned within the switched reluctance stator assemblies. The rotor is capable of linear and rotational movement.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus, including a program encoded on computer-readable medium, for detecting duplicate data files to be stored in a well job data archive includes identifying a well job data file for storage in a well job data archive and performing an initial duplicate check and a secondary duplicate check to determine if the well job data file is a duplicate of a data file stored in the well job data archive, as well as a quality assurance test of the file data. At least one of the well job data file or one or more of the data files stored in the well job data archive is identified as a duplicate data file based on the initial and secondary duplicate checks, and the well job data file is stored in the well job data archive in accordance with the initial and secondary duplicate checks and the identification of a duplicate data file.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a starter system including a starter, capable of being in communication with an electronic control unit. The starter can include a motor coupled to a circuit and a pinion including a plunger, and a plurality of solenoid assemblies including a plurality of biasing members. The plurality of solenoid assemblies can include at least one solenoid winding capable of moving the plunger, and at least one solenoid assembly capable of holding the plunger, and at least one solenoid assembly capable of controlling current flow to the motor. Some embodiments include a first switch coupled to the circuit that is capable of being activated by the plunger to control current flowing to at least a portion of the circuit. Some embodiments include at least two power isolation switches capable of controlling a current flow within the circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an electric machine module including a housing. In some embodiments, the housing can include a sleeve member coupled to at least one end cap. The housing can include an inner wall at least partially defining a machine cavity, a coolant sump, and at least one coolant channel positioned between the inner wall and an outer wall of the housing. In some embodiments, the coolant channel can be in fluid communication with the coolant sump. In some embodiments, an electric machine can be positioned in the machine cavity. The electric machine can comprise a stator assembly including stator end turns and a rotor assembly. In some embodiments, a coolant jacket can be at least partially defined by the housing and can be positioned so that to at least partially circumscribe a portion of the stator assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for managing a customer interaction with a virtual assistant. Managing a customer interaction with a virtual assistant can comprise receiving a request to initiate an interaction between the virtual assistant and the customer. A context of the request or the interaction between the virtual assistant and the customer can be identified. The context can be based on information identifying at least one of the customer or a product or service that is a subject of the interaction. Information relevant to the interaction between the virtual assistant and the customer can be retrieved based on the identified context. The retrieved information can be stored in a session memory supporting the interaction and the interaction with the customer can be conducted dynamically through the virtual assistant based on the information stored in the session memory.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a starter system with an electronic control unit controllable starter that includes a motor coupled to a circuit, and a plunger moveably coupled to a pinion. The system can include a first switch coupled to the circuit that includes two contacts, and a solenoid assembly that includes a first and second solenoid winding that can reversibly move the plunger to couple and decouple from the two contacts. A secondary solenoid assembly includes a third solenoid winding that can electrically couple with secondary solenoid assembly contacts, and two power isolation switches including a second switch and a third switch. The third switch can enable current to flow through the third solenoid winding and in the second solenoid winding after movement of the plunger has coupled the two contacts of the first switch, and the second switch is can enable current to flow to the first solenoid winding.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator and a housing having at least two sheet metal sections, at least one cooling channel being formed at an axial end of the electric machine between the two sections. A method of cooling an electric machine includes forming two sheet metal housing sections to each include a radially inward extending portion at an axial end of the electric machine and an axially extending portion, and attaching the housing sections to one another at contiguous portions thereof, whereby at least one cooling channel is formed between the respective radially inward extending portions of the sections. A method of cooling an electric machine includes circulating coolant in a plurality of cavities formed between two sheet metal housing sections, the cavities including a cooling channel at an axial end of the electric machine.

Abstract: A starter assembly adapted for use with an engine having a flywheel and electronic control unit. The starter includes a motor, magnetic field source and a pinion gear engageable with the flywheel. An internal power train transmits torque from the armature to the pinion gear and includes a gear set dividing the internal power train into a first segment with the armature and a second segment with the pinion gear. During operation the first segment has a faster rotational speed than the second segment. A speed sensor senses the speed of the first segment and communicates it to the electronic control unit. The starter assembly can be used in a vehicle with an automatic start-stop function and facilitates the synchronizing of the pinion gear and flywheel speeds when restarting the engine. The speed sensor can take various forms and is advantageously supported on the field frame assembly proximate the commutator.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a pair of substantially aligned sheet metal housing sections each including a substantially “L” shaped portion, at least one cooling channel being formed at an axial end between the two sections, and a plurality of power electronics components engaged with at least one of the housing sections adjacent the axial end cooling channel. An embodiment includes a stator, a pair of housing sections enclosing the stator, power electronics components positioned at an axial end of the electric machine for controlling operation of the electric machine, and a coolant flow path that includes a power electronics cooling channel formed at the axial end between the housing sections. A method includes forming an axial end cooling channel between two sheet metal housing sections, and positioning power electronics components at the axial end along the cooling channel, whereby heat from the electronics components is transferred to the cooling channel.

Abstract: A variable flux starter and switch system including a starter motor with motor field winding first and second portions, a control unit capable of selectively issuing starter activation and desired flux level signals, a motor energizing switch moveable between open and closed positions consequent to issuance of the starter activation signal, and a regulating device that transitions between default and activated operational states consequent to issuance of the flux level signal. The regulating device has a moveable blocking member and relatively moveable contact members, and in one of the default and activated operational states, electrical contact between the contact members is permitted or prevented by the blocking member. Current through the closed motor energizing switch substantially bypasses a motor field winding portion when electrical contact between the contact members is permitted, and is conducted through both portions when prevented. Also, a method for varying starter motor flux levels.

Abstract: A method for controlling a specific electric machine includes receiving with a controller a back electromotive force (BEMF) coefficient for the specific electric machine. The controller is configured to control operation of an inverter coupled to the electric machine where the inverter is configured to provide or receive multi-phase electricity to or from the electric machine in motor mode or generator mode, respectively. The method further includes receiving with the controller an input related to a selected torque to be applied by or a selected power to be removed from the electric machine. The method further includes determining a first electrical parameter the inverter is to apply to in motor mode or a second electrical parameter the inverter is to convert power to in generator mode using the BEMF coefficient, and applying the first electrical parameter to the electric machine or converting the received power to the second electrical parameter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an electric machine module. The module can include a housing that can define a machine cavity. The housing can include a coolant jacket that contains a first coolant. A coolant sump can be in fluid communication with the machine cavity and can contain a second coolant that is different than the first coolant. The coolant sump can be in thermal communication with the coolant jacket. An electric machine can be positioned within the machine cavity. The electric machine can include a stator assembly, a rotor assembly, and a shaft. The module can also include at least one coolant channel, at least one shaft channel, and at least one rotor channel.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided and includes a hub, including first and second opposing faces, a first sidewall fixed at opposite ends thereof to the first and second opposing faces to define a first interior between the first and second opposing faces and a second sidewall fixed to one of the first and second opposing faces to define a second interior within the first interior, a first assembly, disposed within the second interior, to generate current from input mechanical energy and a second assembly, electrically coupled to the first assembly and disposed within the first interior, to generate mechanical energy from current associated with the current generated by the first assembly.

Abstract: A method for controlling a specific electric machine includes receiving with a controller a back electromotive force (BEMF) coefficient for the specific electric machine. The controller is configured to control operation of an inverter coupled to the electric machine where the inverter is configured to provide or receive multi-phase electricity to or from the electric machine in motor mode or generator mode, respectively. The method further includes receiving with the controller an input related to a selected torque to be applied by or a selected power to be removed from the electric machine. The method further includes determining a first electrical parameter the inverter is to apply to in motor mode or a second electrical parameter the inverter is to convert power to in generator mode using the BEMF coefficient, and applying the first electrical parameter to the electric machine or converting the received power to the second electrical parameter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a starter comprising a motor comprising a drive shaft, a pinion, and a clutch. In some embodiments, the starter includes a planetary gear coupled with the clutch. Some embodiments include a pinion speed sensor assembly configured and arranged to provide a signal related to the rotational speed of the pinion based upon a speed of a component of the starter that is coupled to the pinion. Some embodiments of the starter include a pinion rotational speed sensor located within the drive-end region of the starter, and configured and arranged for direct or indirect monitoring of the pinion. Some embodiments include a sensor that is configured and arranged to monitor one or more components of the clutch assembly, the drive-shaft, the pinion, the output shaft, or a planetary gear. The speed sensor can be a magnetic-field flux sensor assembly or an optical sensor assembly.

Abstract: An electrical machine including a stator and a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly defines a rotational axis and has a rotor core wherein the rotor core defines first and second axial end surfaces. A balance ring is rotationally fixed to the rotor assembly and is configured to rotationally balance the rotor assembly. The balance ring comprises an electrically conductive and magnetically permeable material and is disposed proximate the first axial end surface and defines an air gap disposed axially between the balance ring and the first axial end surface. In some embodiments, the electric machine includes a plurality of spacers extending between the first axial end surface and the balance ring. The rotor core and balance ring may comprise a plurality of stacked electrical steel laminations. The balance ring can be used to provide electromagnetic interference shielding for a resolver. A method of manufacturing an electric machine is also disclosed.