Patents by Inventor James R. Clarke
James R. Clarke 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: 11837926Abstract: A brushless direct-current (BLDC) motor includes a stator assembly and a rotor assembly including a rotor supporting permanent magnets rotatable relative to the stator assembly. The stator assembly includes a stator comprising a stator core and stator teeth radially extending from the stator core and defining slots therebetween. A first set of stator windings is wound on the stator teeth, and a second set of stator windings is also wound on the stator teeth such that, on each stator tooth, the first and second windings are provided in an electrically parallel configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2021Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: BLACK & DECKER, INC.Inventors: Barak N. Gohn, Colin M. Crosby, Nicholas J. Lowe, James R. Clarke, Daniel F. Heck, Michael P. Sikora, Christian B. Rogerson, Ryan F. Schroeder, Connor T. Mohan, Michael D. Grove
-
Publication number: 20220200388Abstract: A brushless direct-current (BLDC) motor for a power tool includes a rotor assembly; a stator assembly including a stator having stator teeth forming slots therebetween and stator windings wound around the stator teeth; stator terminals extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis from the stator assembly and being substantially aligned with centerlines of the slots of the stator assembly; and a circuit board mounted on the stator terminals adjacent the stator assembly. The circuit board includes conductive traces facilitating a one of a delta or a series connection between the stator windings. An end insulator is provided at an axial end of the stator to electrically insulate the stator from the stator windings, the end insulator including support members to support the stator terminals relative to the stator assembly. The circuit board is mounted and fastened to the support members.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Barak N. GOHN, Colin M. CROSBY, Nicholas J. LOWE, James R. CLARKE, Daniel HECK, Michael P. SIKORA, Christian B. ROGERSON, Ryan F. SCHROEDER, Connor T. MOHAN, Michael D. GROVE
-
Publication number: 20220200368Abstract: A brushless direct-current (BLDC) motor for a power tool includes a rotor assembly and a stator assembly including a stator comprising a stator core and stator teeth radially extending from the stator core and defining slots therebetween, and stator windings wound on the stator teeth. The stator has an inner diameter defined by inner ends of the stator teeth and an outer diameter defined by an outer surface of the stator core. A ratio of the inner diameter to the outer diameter is in the range of 0.5 to 0.53. The stator core has a variable thickness and, for each slot, includes a first portion forming an approximately right angle with the respective stator tooth and a second portion that is substantially normal to a radius of the stator assembly and forms an angle of approximately 25 to 35 degrees with the first portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Barak N. GOHN, Colin M. CROSBY, Nicholas J. LOWE, James R. CLARKE, Daniel HECK, Michael P. SIKORA, Christian B. ROGERSON, Ryan F. SCHROEDER, Connor T. MOHAN, Michael D. GROVE
-
Publication number: 20220200401Abstract: A brushless direct-current (BLDC) motor for a power tool includes a motor housing having a radial wall, a rotor, a stator assembly including stator windings, and stator terminals extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis from the stator assembly. The stator terminals are substantially aligned with centerlines of slots of the stator assembly. A circuit board is mounted on the stator terminals adjacent the stator assembly. The circuit board includes conductive traces facilitating a one of a delta or a series connection between the stator windings. The circuit board may be mounted inside the motor housing in contact with the radial member. A second circuit board may be provided with power switches for driving the motor proximate the circuit board.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Barak N. GOHN, Colin M. CROSBY, Nicholas J. LOWE, James R. CLARKE, Daniel HECK, Michael P. SIKORA, Christian B. ROGERSON, Ryan F. SCHROEDER, Connor T. MOHAN, Michael D. GROVE
-
Publication number: 20220200426Abstract: A brushless direct-current (BLDC) motor includes a stator assembly and a rotor assembly including a rotor supporting permanent magnets rotatable relative to the stator assembly. The stator assembly includes a stator comprising a stator core and stator teeth radially extending from the stator core and defining slots therebetween. A first set of stator windings is wound on the stator teeth, and a second set of stator windings is also wound on the stator teeth such that, on each stator tooth, the first and second windings are provided in an electrically parallel configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Barak N. GOHN, Colin M. CROSBY, Nicholas J. LOWE, James R. CLARKE, Daniel HECK, Michael P. SIKORA, Christian B. ROGERSON, Ryan F. SCHROEDER, Connor T. MOHAN, Michael D. GROVE
-
Publication number: 20220200414Abstract: A brushless direct-current (BLDC) motor for a power tool includes a rotor assembly and a stator assembly including stator windings. A ratio of a motor size (Km) constant of the motor to an electrical envelope of the motor including electrical parts of the motor is greater than approximately 900 (N·m/?W)/m{circumflex over (?)}3. A ratio of a motor size (Km) constant of the motor to a magnetic envelope of the motor including stator core and windings is greater than approximately 810 (N·m/?W)/m{circumflex over (?)}3.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Barak N. GOHN, Colin M. CROSBY, Nicholas J. LOWE, James R. CLARKE, Daniel HECK, Michael P. SIKORA, Christian B. ROGERSON, Ryan F. SCHROEDER, Connor T. MOHAN, Michael D. GROVE
-
Publication number: 20210348548Abstract: Cross-port air flow that improves engine fuel economy and reduces pumping losses during part-throttle operation can be implemented in various types of internal combustion engine systems using ports that interconnect the intake ports of different cylinders, thus allowing different cylinders to share combustion air. Cross-port air flow is commenced during part-throttle engine operation to disrupt the primary combustion air flow from each throttle to its associated cylinder, which reduces charge density and engine power. The engine compensates for the reduced power by incrementally opening the throttles, thus increasing the primary combustion air flow, reducing pumping losses and improving fuel economy.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Applicant: Bright Acceleration Technologies LLCInventors: James R. Clarke, Richard J. Fotsch, C. Thomas Sylke
-
Patent number: 11149632Abstract: Methods and systems for damping an impact velocity in an engine system are provided. In one example, the engine system comprises a variable compression ratio (VCR) mechanism including a rod length adjustment assembly configured to adjust a distance between a crankshaft interface and a piston interface. The rod length adjustment assembly also includes a fluid control circuit including a damping cavity positioned between a first rod section and second rod section and configured to dampen a relative motion between the first and second rod sections during a compression ratio adjustment to reduce noise, vibration, and/or harshness (NVH).Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2020Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Wade, James R. Clarke
-
Patent number: 11022029Abstract: Cross-port air flow that improves engine fuel economy and reduces pumping losses during part-throttle operation can be implemented in various types of internal combustion engine systems using ports that interconnect the intake ports of different cylinders, thus allowing different cylinders to share combustion air. Cross-port air flow is commenced during part-throttle engine operation to disrupt the primary combustion air flow from each throttle to its associated cylinder, which reduces charge density and engine power. The engine compensates for the reduced power by incrementally opening the throttles, thus increasing the primary combustion air flow, reducing pumping losses and improving fuel economy.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2020Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Bright Acceleration Technologies LLCInventors: James R. Clarke, Richard J. Fotsch, C. Thomas Sylke
-
Publication number: 20200400063Abstract: Cross-port air flow that improves engine fuel economy and reduces pumping losses during part-throttle operation can be implemented in various types of internal combustion engine systems using ports that interconnect the intake ports of different cylinders, thus allowing different cylinders to share combustion air. Cross-port air flow is commenced during part-throttle engine operation to disrupt the primary combustion air flow from each throttle to its associated cylinder, which reduces charge density and engine power. The engine compensates for the reduced power by incrementally opening the throttles, thus increasing the primary combustion air flow, reducing pumping losses and improving fuel economy.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Applicant: Bright Acceleration Technologies LLCInventors: James R. Clarke, Richard J. Fotsch, C. Thomas Sylke
-
Patent number: 10697357Abstract: Cross-port air flow that improves engine fuel economy and reduces pumping losses during part-throttle operation can be implemented in various types of internal combustion engine systems using ports that interconnect the intake ports of different cylinders, thus allowing different cylinders to share combustion air. Cross-port air flow is commenced during part-throttle engine operation to disrupt the primary combustion air flow from each throttle to its associated cylinder, which reduces charge density and engine power. The engine compensates for the reduced power by incrementally opening the throttles, thus increasing the primary combustion air flow, reducing pumping losses and improving fuel economy.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2019Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Bright Acceleration Technologies LLCInventors: James R. Clarke, Richard J. Fotsch, C. Thomas Sylke
-
Publication number: 20200072122Abstract: Synergistic induction and turbocharging includes the use of one or more throttles in close proximity to each cylinder intake valve to control air flow in each intake port delivering air to combustion cylinders in an internal combustion engine system. A turbocharger may also be affixed in close proximity to each cylinder exhaust valve to enable a synergistic combination of hyper-filling cylinders with combustion air and immediate harvesting of exhaust gas by adjacent turbochargers. In some implementations the turbochargers may be low-inertia turbochargers. The combination of individual throttles per intake port and a turbocharger in close proximity to each cylinder enables faster ramp-up of an engine in the early stages of acceleration. Various implementations thus provide improved fuel economy and improved engine performance in tandem, instead of one at the expense of the other.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Applicant: Bright Acceleration Technologies LLCInventors: James R. Clarke, Richard J. Fotsch, C. Thomas Sylke
-
Patent number: 10465621Abstract: Synergistic induction and turbocharging includes the use of one or more throttles in close proximity to each cylinder intake valve to control air flow in each intake port delivering air to combustion cylinders in an internal combustion engine system. A turbocharger may also be affixed in close proximity to each cylinder exhaust valve to enable a synergistic combination of hyper-filling cylinders with combustion air and immediate harvesting of exhaust gas by adjacent turbochargers. In some implementations the turbochargers may be low-inertia turbochargers. The combination of individual throttles per intake port and a turbocharger in close proximity to each cylinder enables faster ramp-up of an engine in the early stages of acceleration. Various implementations thus provide improved fuel economy and improved engine performance in tandem, instead of one at the expense of the other.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Bright Acceleration Technologies LLCInventors: James R. Clarke, Richard J. Fotsch, C. Thomas Sylke
-
Publication number: 20190277186Abstract: Cross-port air flow that improves engine fuel economy and reduces pumping losses during part-throttle operation can be implemented in various types of internal combustion engine systems using ports that interconnect the intake ports of different cylinders, thus allowing different cylinders to share combustion air. Cross-port air flow is commenced during part-throttle engine operation to disrupt the primary combustion air flow from each throttle to its associated cylinder, which reduces charge density and engine power. The engine compensates for the reduced power by incrementally opening the throttles, thus increasing the primary combustion air flow, reducing pumping losses and improving fuel economy.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Applicant: Bright Acceleration Technologies LLCInventors: James R. Clarke, Richard J. Fotsch, C. Thomas Sylke
-
Patent number: 10408122Abstract: Synergistic induction and turbocharging includes the use of one or more throttles in close proximity to each cylinder intake valve to control air flow in each intake port delivering air to combustion cylinders in an internal combustion engine system. A turbocharger may also be affixed in close proximity to each cylinder exhaust valve to enable a synergistic combination of hyper-filling cylinders with combustion air and immediate harvesting of exhaust gas by adjacent turbochargers. In some implementations the turbochargers may be low-inertia turbochargers. The combination of individual throttles per intake port and a turbocharger in close proximity to each cylinder enables faster ramp-up of an engine in the early stages of acceleration. Various implementations thus provide improved fuel economy and improved engine performance in tandem, instead of one at the expense of the other.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Bright Acceleration Technologies LLCInventors: James R. Clarke, Richard J. Fotsch, C. Thomas Sylke
-
Patent number: 10364739Abstract: Synergistic induction and turbocharging includes the use of one or more throttles in close proximity to each cylinder intake valve to control air flow in each intake port delivering air to combustion cylinders in an internal combustion engine system. A turbocharger may also be affixed in close proximity to each cylinder exhaust valve to enable a synergistic combination of hyper-filling cylinders with combustion air and immediate harvesting of exhaust gas by adjacent turbochargers. In some implementations the turbochargers may be low-inertia turbochargers. The combination of individual throttles per intake port and a turbocharger in close proximity to each cylinder enables faster ramp-up of an engine in the early stages of acceleration. Various implementations thus provide improved fuel economy and improved engine performance in tandem, instead of one at the expense of the other.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2018Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Bright Acceleration Technologies LLCInventors: James R. Clarke, Richard J. Fotsch, C. Thomas Sylke
-
Patent number: 10309296Abstract: Synergistic induction and turbocharging includes the use of one or more throttles in close proximity to each cylinder intake valve to control air flow in each intake port delivering air to combustion cylinders in an internal combustion engine system. A turbocharger may also be affixed in close proximity to each cylinder exhaust valve to enable a synergistic combination of hyper-filling cylinders with combustion air and immediate harvesting of exhaust gas by adjacent turbochargers. In some implementations the turbochargers may be low-inertia turbochargers. The combination of individual throttles per intake port and a turbocharger in close proximity to each cylinder enables faster ramp-up of an engine in the early stages of acceleration. Various implementations thus provide improved fuel economy and improved engine performance in tandem, instead of one at the expense of the other.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Bright Acceleration Technologies LLCInventors: James R. Clarke, Richard J. Fotsch, C. Thomas Sylke
-
Patent number: 10302008Abstract: Cross-port air flow that improves engine fuel economy and reduces pumping losses during part-throttle operation can be implemented in various types of internal combustion engine systems using ports that interconnect the intake ports of different cylinders, thus allowing different cylinders to share combustion air. Cross-port air flow is commenced during part-throttle engine operation to disrupt the primary combustion air flow from each throttle to its associated cylinder, which reduces charge density and engine power. The engine compensates for the reduced power by incrementally opening the throttles, thus increasing the primary combustion air flow, reducing pumping losses and improving fuel economy.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2018Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Bright Acceleration Technologies LLCInventors: James R. Clarke, Richard J. Fotsch, C. Thomas Sylke
-
Publication number: 20190136749Abstract: Synergistic induction and turbocharging includes the use of one or more throttles in close proximity to each cylinder intake valve to control air flow in each intake port delivering air to combustion cylinders in an internal combustion engine system. A turbocharger may also be affixed in close proximity to each cylinder exhaust valve to enable a synergistic combination of hyper-filling cylinders with combustion air and immediate harvesting of exhaust gas by adjacent turbochargers. In some implementations the turbochargers may be low-inertia turbochargers. The combination of individual throttles per intake port and a turbocharger in close proximity to each cylinder enables faster ramp-up of an engine in the early stages of acceleration. Various implementations thus provide improved fuel economy and improved engine performance in tandem, instead of one at the expense of the other.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: James R. Clarke, Richard J. Fotsch, C. Thomas Sylke
-
Publication number: 20190032584Abstract: Synergistic induction and turbocharging includes the use of one or more throttles in close proximity to each cylinder intake valve to control air flow in each intake port delivering air to combustion cylinders in an internal combustion engine system. A turbocharger may also be affixed in close proximity to each cylinder exhaust valve to enable a synergistic combination of hyper-filling cylinders with combustion air and immediate harvesting of exhaust gas by adjacent turbochargers. In some implementations the turbochargers may be low-inertia turbochargers. The combination of individual throttles per intake port and a turbocharger in close proximity to each cylinder enables faster ramp-up of an engine in the early stages of acceleration. Various implementations thus provide improved fuel economy and improved engine performance in tandem, instead of one at the expense of the other.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: James R. Clarke, Richard J. Fotsch, C. Thomas Sylke