Patents by Inventor Griffith D. Neal
Griffith D. Neal 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: 7928348Abstract: Electromagnetic components are provided with a heat exchange mechanism. For example, a fluid-cooled electromagnetic field-functioning device, such as a motor, generator, transformer, solenoid or relay, includes one or more electrical conductors. A monolithic body of phase change material substantially encapsulates the conductors or an inductor. At least one liquid-tight coolant channel is also substantially encapsulated within the body of phase change material. The coolant channel may be part of a heat pipe or cold plate. The coolant channel may be made by molding a conduit into the body, using a “lost wax” molding process, or injecting gas into the molten phase change material while it is in the mold. The coolant channel may also be formed at the juncture between the body and a cover over the body.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Encap Technologies Inc.Inventor: Griffith D. Neal
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Patent number: 7683509Abstract: Electromagnetic components are provided with a heat exchange mechanism. For example, a fluid-cooled electromagnetic field-functioning device, such as a motor, generator, transformer, solenoid or relay, comprises one or more electrical conductors. A monolithic body of phase change material substantially encapsulates the conductors or an inductor. At least one liquid-tight coolant channel is also substantially encapsulated within the body of phase change material. The coolant channel may be part of a heat pipe or cold plate. The coolant channel may be made by molding a conduit into the body, using a “lost wax” molding process, or injecting gas into the molten phase change material while it is in the mold. The coolant channel may also be formed at the juncture between the body and a cover over the body.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2006Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Encap Technologies Inc.Inventor: Griffith D. Neal
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Patent number: 7629716Abstract: Electromagnetic components are provided with a heat exchange mechanism. For example, a fluid-cooled electromagnetic field-functioning device, such as a motor, generator, transformer, solenoid or relay, comprises one or more electrical conductors. A monolithic body of phase change material substantially encapsulates the conductors or an inductor. At least one liquid-tight coolant channel is also substantially encapsulated within the body of phase change material. The coolant channel may be part of a heat pipe or cold plate. The coolant channel may be made by molding a conduit into the body, using a “lost wax” molding process, or injecting gas into the molten phase change material while it is in the mold. The coolant channel may also be formed at the juncture between the body and a cover over the body.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2006Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Encap Technologies Inc.Inventor: Griffith D. Neal
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Patent number: 7566999Abstract: Electromagnetic components are provided with a heat exchange mechanism. For example, a fluid-cooled electromagnetic field-functioning device, such as a motor, generator, transformer, solenoid or relay, comprises one or more electrical conductors. A monolithic body of phase change material substantially encapsulates the conductors or an inductor. At least one liquid-tight coolant channel is also substantially encapsulated within the body of phase change material. The coolant channel may be part of a heat pipe or cold plate. The coolant channel may be made by molding a conduit into the body, using a “lost wax” molding process, or injecting gas into the molten phase change material while it is in the mold. The coolant channel may also be formed at the juncture between the body and a cover over the body.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2006Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Encap Technologies Inc.Inventor: Griffith D. Neal
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Publication number: 20080029506Abstract: Electromagnetic components are provided with a heat exchange mechanism. For example, a fluid-cooled electromagnetic field-functioning device, such as a motor, generator, transformer, solenoid or relay, comprises one or more electrical conductors. A monolithic body of phase change material substantially encapsulates the conductors or an inductor. At least one liquid-tight coolant channel is also substantially encapsulated within the body of phase change material. The coolant channel may be part of a heat pipe or cold plate. The coolant channel may be made by molding a conduit into the body, using a “lost wax” molding process, or injecting gas into the molten phase change material while it is in the mold. The coolant channel may also be formed at the juncture between the body and a cover over the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2006Publication date: February 7, 2008Inventor: Griffith D. Neal
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Publication number: 20080018180Abstract: Electromagnetic components are provided with a heat exchange mechanism. For example, a fluid-cooled electromagnetic field-functioning device, such as a motor, generator, transformer, solenoid or relay, comprises one or more electrical conductors. A monolithic body of phase change material substantially encapsulates the conductors or an inductor. At least one liquid-tight coolant channel is also substantially encapsulated within the body of phase change material. The coolant channel may be part of a heat pipe or cold plate. The coolant channel may be made by molding a conduit into the body, using a “lost wax” molding process, or injecting gas into the molten phase change material while it is in the mold. The coolant channel may also be formed at the juncture between the body and a cover over the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2006Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventor: Griffith D. Neal
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Publication number: 20080018181Abstract: Electromagnetic components are provided with a heat exchange mechanism. For example, a fluid-cooled electromagnetic field-functioning device, such as a motor, generator, transformer, solenoid or relay, comprises one or more electrical conductors. A monolithic body of phase change material substantially encapsulates the conductors or an inductor. At least one liquid-tight coolant channel is also substantially encapsulated within the body of phase change material. The coolant channel may be part of a heat pipe or cold plate. The coolant channel may be made by molding a conduit into the body, using a “lost wax” molding process, or injecting gas into the molten phase change material while it is in the mold. The coolant channel may also be formed at the juncture between the body and a cover over the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2006Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventor: Griffith D. Neal
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Publication number: 20080017354Abstract: Electromagnetic components are provided with a heat exchange mechanism. For example, a fluid-cooled electromagnetic field-functioning device, such as a motor, generator, transformer, solenoid or relay, comprises one or more electrical conductors. A monolithic body of phase change material substantially encapsulates the conductors or an inductor. At least one liquid-tight coolant channel is also substantially encapsulated within the body of phase change material. The coolant channel may be part of a heat pipe or cold plate. The coolant channel may be made by molding a conduit into the body, using a “lost wax” molding process, or injecting gas into the molten phase change material while it is in the mold. The coolant channel may also be formed at the juncture between the body and a cover over the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2006Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventor: Griffith D. Neal
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Publication number: 20080012436Abstract: Electromagnetic components are provided with a heat exchange mechanism. For example, a fluid-cooled electromagnetic field-functioning device, such as a motor, generator, transformer, solenoid or relay, comprises one or more electrical conductors. A monolithic body of phase change material substantially encapsulates the conductors or an inductor. At least one liquid-tight coolant channel is also substantially encapsulated within the body of phase change material. The coolant channel may be part of a heat pipe or cold plate. The coolant channel may be made by molding a conduit into the body, using a “lost wax” molding process, or injecting gas into the molten phase change material while it is in the mold. The coolant channel may also be formed at the juncture between the body and a cover over the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2006Publication date: January 17, 2008Inventor: Griffith D. Neal
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Patent number: 7262527Abstract: A plurality of stator segments 20 are linked together by a phase change material 22 enabling simplified winding and higher slot fill. Once wound this continuous structure can be formed into a toroidal core 17 for a stator assembly 40 used to make a motor 100. In a preferred embodiment, a monolithic body 42 of phase change material substantially encapsulates the conductors and holds the stator segments 20 in contact with each other in the toroidal core 17. Hard disc drives using the motor 100, and methods of constructing the motor 100 are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2006Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Encap Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Griffith D. Neal
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Patent number: 7190548Abstract: The present invention is directed to a miniature hard disc drive having a metal base plate, an actuator assembly wherein the actuator assembly comprises a plurality of bearings, a shaft, and a housing; a spindle motor assembly comprising a stator with conductors, a shaft, a plurality of bearings, and a rotor; and a monolithic body of phase change material unitizing said actuator assembly housing and stator to the base plate. Methods of developing and constructing the hard disc drive are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Encap Technologies Inc.Inventors: Griffith D. Neal, Dennis K. Lieu
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Patent number: 7154200Abstract: A motor has a stator substantially encapsulated within a body of thermoplastic material; and one or more solid parts used in the motor either within or near the body. The thermoplastic material has a coefficient of linear thermal expansion such that the thermoplastic material contracts and expands at approximately the same rate as the one or more solid parts. In another aspect, a motor for a hard disc drive comprises at least one conductor, at least one magnet, at least one bearing and a shaft; and a monolithic body of thermoplastic material substantially encapsulating the at least one conductor. The bearing is either encapsulated in the thermoplastic material, housed in a hollow cylindrical insert encapsulated in the thermoplastic material, or secured in a bore formed in the body of thermoplastic material. The motor has improved shock resistance.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Encap Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Griffith D. Neal
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Patent number: 7067952Abstract: A plurality of stator arc segments 20 are linked together by a phase change material 22 enabling simplified winding and higher slot fill. Once wound this continuous structure can be formed into a toroidal core 17 for a stator assembly 40 used to make a motor 100. In a preferred embodiment, a monolithic body 42 of phase change material substantially encapsulates the conductors and holds the stator arc segments 20 in contact with each other in the toroidal core 17. Hard disc drives using the motor 100, and methods of constructing the motor 100 are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2003Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Encap Motor CorporationInventor: Griffith D. Neal
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Patent number: 7067944Abstract: A motor comprises a baseplate, a shaft supported by said baseplate, a stator assembly having windings, the stator being rigidly attached to said baseplate, and injection molded thermoplastic material encapsulating said windings. In one embodiment, the stator is coreless. In other embodiments, the stator has a core and the core is substantially encapsulated by the thermoplastic material. In preferred embodiments, the thermoplastic material secures the stator to the baseplate or forms the baseplate.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2005Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Encap Motor CorporationInventors: Dennis K. Lieu, Griffith D. Neal
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Patent number: 7049715Abstract: A motor is constructed from a stator assembly including a stator having multiple conductors that create a plurality of magnetic fields when electrical current is conducted by the conductors and a body of a phase change material such as a thermoplastic substantially encapsulating the stator. A rotatable hub having a magnet connected thereto is in operable proximity to the stator. The motor also includes a shaft, a bearing surrounding the shaft and one of the bearing or shaft being fixed to the stator assembly and the other of the bearing or shaft being fixed to the rotatable hub. Hard disc drives using the motor, and methods of developing and constructing the motor and hard disc drives are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2004Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Encap Motor CorporaitonInventor: Griffith D. Neal
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Patent number: 7036207Abstract: A plurality of stator arc segments form a toroidal core for a stator assembly used to make a motor. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of magnetic fields is created when electrical current is conducted through wire wound around poles on the toroidal core. A monolithic body of phase change material substantially encapsulates the conductors and holds the stator arc segments in contact with each other in the toroidal core. Hard disc drives using the motor, and methods of constructing the motor and hard disc drives are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2001Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Encap Motor CorporationInventor: Griffith D. Neal
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Patent number: 7019422Abstract: A motor includes a stator having multiple conductors that create a plurality of magnetic fields when electrical current is conducted through the conductors. The stator has a pair of opposing end surfaces in contact with each other forming a toroidal core. A monolithic body of phase change material substantially encapsulates the conductors and holds said toroidal core in place. The stator is formed by laminating strips together to form a linear core preform, winding wire around poles extending from a side of the core preform, then rolling the preform to bring its two ends together to form the toroidal core. Hard disc drives using the motor, and methods of constructing the motor and hard disc drives are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2004Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Encap Motor CorporationInventors: Griffith D. Neal, Albert D. Neal
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Patent number: 6941640Abstract: The present invention is directed to a miniature hard disc drive having a metal base plate, an actuator assembly wherein the actuator assembly comprises a plurality of bearings, a shaft, and a housing; a spindle motor assembly comprising a stator with conductors, a shaft, a plurality of bearings, and a rotor; and a monolithic body of phase change material unitizing said actuator assembly housing and stator to the base plate. Methods of developing and constructing the hard disc drive are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2001Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Encap Motor CorporationInventors: Griffith D. Neal, Dennis K. Lieu
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Patent number: 6911166Abstract: A method for injection molding a layer of phase change material around a surface of a plurality of identical motor components or hard disc drive components which includes providing a plurality of motor components or hard disc drive components; placing a motor component or hard disc drive component in a mold cavity of an injection molding machine having a controllable fill rate and a controllable injection pressure; closing said mold cavity; injecting a molten phase change material into said mold cavity at a fill rate and injection pressure; monitoring pressure in the mold cavity; controlling the fill rate of molten phase change material to obtain said motor component or hard disc drive component with the phase change material thereon, having a reproducible resonance spectrum; and repeating the above steps to produce a plurality of motor components or hard disc drive components each having a substantially uniform resonance spectrum.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2001Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Encap Motor CorporationInventor: Griffith D. Neal
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Patent number: 6892439Abstract: A motor includes a stator having multiple conductors that create a plurality of magnetic fields when electrical current is conducted through the conductors. The stator has a pair of opposing end surfaces in contact with each other forming a toroidal core. A monolithic body of phase change material substantially encapsulates the conductors and holds said toroidal core in place. The stator is formed by laminating strips together to form a linear core preform, winding wire around poles extending from a side of the core preform, then rolling the preform to bring its two ends together to form the toroidal core. Hard disc drives using the motor, and methods of constructing the motor and hard disc drives are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2001Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Encap Motor CorporationInventors: Griffith D. Neal, Albert D. Neal