Patents by Inventor Erik Hatch

Erik Hatch 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).

  • Publication number: 20170122407
    Abstract: Thrust balanced planetary gear systems are described herein. An example planetary gear system includes a ring gear supported by a housing, the ring gear having teeth on an inner sidewall of the ring gear, and a plurality of helical gears, each of the plurality of helical gears including a first cylindrical segment having teeth that are configured to mate with teeth of an input drive shaft, the teeth of the first cylindrical segment having helical teeth disposed at a first angle, and a second cylindrical segment extending from the first cylindrical segment, the second cylindrical segment having teeth configured to mate with teeth of the ring gear, the teeth of the second cylindrical segment having helical teeth disposed at a second angle. Advantageously, a linear axial force produced by each of the plurality of helical gears is substantially zero, which creates a thrust balancing within the planetary gear system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Erik Hatch, Kyle Hickey
  • Patent number: 8542085
    Abstract: A high frequency rotary transformer for an electrical machine includes a primary transformer component having a primary transformer winding, and a secondary transformer component having a secondary transformer winding. The primary transformer winding is configured to be coupled to a DC power source via a DC to AC converter. The secondary transformer winding is configured to be coupled to a winding of the rotor. Each of the primary and secondary transformer components are mechanically coupled to either the stator or the rotor. The secondary transformer component is configured to rotate with respect to the primary transformer component to produce a magnetic flux via the primary transformer winding and the secondary transformer winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Constantin C. Stancu, Peter J. Savagian, Khwaja M. Rahman, Robert T. Dawsey, Erik Hatch
  • Patent number: 8497617
    Abstract: A stator includes a stator core, a plurality of slots, and a conductor. The plurality of slots are formed within the stator core. The conductor is disposed continuously within at least two of the plurality of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dang Dinh Dang, Rolf Blissenbach, David Schauer, John Wattleworth, Michael Milani, Erik Hatch
  • Patent number: 8390240
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an automotive drive system using an absolute position sensor for field-oriented control of an induction motor. An automotive drive system comprises an induction motor having a rotor, and a position sensor coupled to the induction motor. The position sensor is configured to sense an absolute angular position of the rotor. A processor may be coupled to the position sensor and configured to determine a relative angular position of the rotor based on a difference between the absolute angular position and an initial angular position obtained when the induction motor is started. A controller may be coupled to the induction motor and the processor and configured to provide field-oriented control of the induction motor based on the relative angular position of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Constantin C. Stancu, Silva Hiti, Robert T. Dawsey, Erik Hatch, Matthew D. Laba, Peter J. Savagian
  • Patent number: 8258671
    Abstract: A rotor assembly is assembled by providing an elongated rectangular strip of material having a first edge and a second edge defining a width, cutting the elongated rectangular strip to form a first patterned strip having a first side corresponding to the first edge, winding the first patterned strip portion around the perimeter of the rotor core such that the first edge is adjacent to the perimeter and the patterned strip portion forms a continuous laminated ring structure. Two laminated ring structures can be cut from a single strip, thereby reducing waste material and forming a strong structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Erik Hatch, Constantin C. Stancu, Peter J. Savagian
  • Publication number: 20120218069
    Abstract: A high frequency rotary transformer for an electrical machine includes a primary transformer component having a primary transformer winding, and a secondary transformer component having a secondary transformer winding. The primary transformer winding is configured to be coupled to a DC power source via a DC to AC converter. The secondary transformer winding is configured to be coupled to a winding of the rotor. Each of the primary and secondary transformer components are mechanically coupled to either the stator or the rotor. The secondary transformer component is configured to rotate with respect to the primary transformer component to produce a magnetic flux via the primary transformer winding and the secondary transformer winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Constantin C. STANCU, Peter J. SAVAGIAN, Khwaja M. RAHMAN, Robert T. DAWSEY, Erik HATCH
  • Patent number: 8247933
    Abstract: A permanent magnetic machine includes a stator body having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of generally radial slots formed therein for accepting a set of windings having a first set of end-turns at the first end and a second set of end-turns at the second end. The stator body has a plurality of channels adjacent to the slots and extending from the first end of the stator body to the second end of the stator body, wherein the channels are configured to allow the flow of a cooling fluid therethrough. A plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with the plurality of channels are configured to spray the cooling fluid onto the first and second set of end turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dang Dinh Dang, Erik Hatch, Rolf Blissenbach, Khiet Le, Jonathan Bird
  • Publication number: 20110025160
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for an electrical machine rotor. The apparatus comprises a cylinder and a first slot proximate to an edge of the cylinder. The first slot is at least partially closed. The apparatus further comprises a hairpin winding disposed within the first slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: CONSTANTIN C. STANCU, PETER J. SAVAGIAN, ERIK HATCH
  • Publication number: 20110012471
    Abstract: A stator includes a stator core, a plurality of slots, and a conductor. The plurality of slots are formed within the stator core. The conductor is disposed continuously within at least two of the plurality of openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: DANG DINH DANG, ROLF BLISSENBACH, DAVID SCHAUER, JOHN WATTLEWORTH, MICHAEL MILANI, ERIK HATCH
  • Publication number: 20110012466
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for stator assembly for use with an electric motor assembly. The stator assembly includes, but is not limited to a stator core that has an inner surface and a plurality of stator slots defined in the inner surface. A fractional slot winding having a plurality of conductors is coupled to the stator core. Each stator slot contains a group of the conductors arranged in a radially adjacent configuration. The groups of conductors in each of the stator slots together form a plurality of concentric rings of conductors. The conductors in each mixed group are arranged such that conductors carrying differing phases of electric current are arranged in a radially alternating configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: ROLF BLISSENBACH, DANG DINH DANG, ERIK HATCH, MICHAEL MILANI, DAVID SCHAUER, JOHN WATTLEWORTH
  • Publication number: 20110012467
    Abstract: A stator assembly for use with an electric motor includes, but is not limited to, a stator core having an inner surface and a plurality of open slots defined in the inner surface. The stator assembly also includes a winding having multiple conductors. The winding is coupled to the stator core such that a predetermined quantity of conductors is disposed within each open slot. The winding is configured to control a magnitude of a torque ripple produced by operation of the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: ROLF BLISSENBACH, DANG DINH DANG, ERIK HATCH, MICHAEL MILANI
  • Publication number: 20100295411
    Abstract: A rotor assembly is assembled by providing an elongated rectangular strip of material having a first edge and a second edge defining a width, cutting the elongated rectangular strip to form a first patterned strip having a first side corresponding to the first edge, winding the first patterned strip portion around the perimeter of the rotor core such that the first edge is adjacent to the perimeter and the patterned strip portion forms a continuous laminated ring structure. Two laminated ring structures can be cut from a single strip, thereby reducing waste material and forming a strong structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: ERIK HATCH, CONSTANTIN C. STANCU, PETER J. SAVAGIAN
  • Publication number: 20100277016
    Abstract: A permanent magnetic machine includes a stator body having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of generally radial slots formed therein for accepting a set of windings having a first set of end-turns at the first end and a second set of end-turns at the second end. The stator body has a plurality of channels adjacent to the slots and extending from the first end of the stator body to the second end of the stator body, wherein the channels are configured to allow the flow of a cooling fluid therethrough. A plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with the plurality of channels are configured to spray the cooling fluid onto the first and second set of end turns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: DANG DINH DANG, ERIK HATCH, ROLF BLISSENBACH, KHIET LE, JONATHAN BIRD
  • Patent number: 7717747
    Abstract: A vehicular power inverter connector assembly is provided. The assembly includes a housing, a plurality of first engagement formations on the housing shaped to mate with a plurality of inverter engagement formations on a vehicular power inverter, a plurality of second engagement formations on the housing shaped to mate with a plurality motor engagement formations on a vehicular motor, and a plurality of current sensors connected to the housing and configured to detect current flowing between the vehicular power inverter and the vehicular motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Korich, Mark L Selogie, Young Doo, Erik Hatch
  • Publication number: 20090039825
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an automotive drive system using an absolute position sensor for field-oriented control of an induction motor. An automotive drive system comprises an induction motor having a rotor, and a position sensor coupled to the induction motor. The position sensor is configured to sense an absolute angular position of the rotor. A processor may be coupled to the position sensor and configured to determine a relative angular position of the rotor based on a difference between the absolute angular position and an initial angular position obtained when the induction motor is started. A controller may be coupled to the induction motor and the processor and configured to provide field-oriented control of the induction motor based on the relative angular position of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Constantin C. STANCU, Silva HITI, Robert T. DAWSEY, Erik HATCH, Matthew D. LABA, Peter J. SAVAGIAN
  • Publication number: 20080105476
    Abstract: A vehicular power inverter connector assembly is provided. The assembly includes a housing, a plurality of first engagement formations on the housing shaped to mate with a plurality of inverter engagement formations on a vehicular power inverter, a plurality of second engagement formations on the housing shaped to mate with a plurality motor engagement formations on a vehicular motor, and a plurality of current sensors connected to the housing and configured to detect current flowing between the vehicular power inverter and the vehicular motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Mark D. Korich, Mark L. Selogie, Young Doo, Erik Hatch