Patents by Inventor James R. Crowell

James R. Crowell 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: 6633097
    Abstract: A stator frame for an electric motor including a substantially cylindrical shaped body section having opposed ends, a cooling passageway extending through at least a portion of the body section, and at least one spacer bar. The cooling passageway includes a cooling conduit having an inlet port and an outlet port in flow communication with the cooling passageway. The spacer bar has a notched side and at least one finger extending therefrom such that the finger mechanically couples the spacer bar to the cooling conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Dunlap, James R. Crowell
  • Publication number: 20030048031
    Abstract: A stator frame for an electric motor including a substantially cylindrical shaped body section having opposed ends, a cooling passageway extending through at least a portion of the body section, and at least one spacer bar. The cooling passageway includes a cooling conduit having an inlet port and an outlet port in flow communication with the cooling passageway. The spacer bar has a notched side and at least one finger extending therefrom such that the finger mechanically couples the spacer bar to the cooling conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Robert A. Dunlap, James R. Crowell
  • Patent number: 6394658
    Abstract: A bearing system includes a housing with first and second relief cuts, and a bearing assembly that includes an inner race and an outer race. An adjust screw contacts a preload spring positioned adjacent the outer race. The preload spring exerts a force on the outer race. The outer race includes a first and second edge, and a connecting portion. The first and second edges are positioned adjacent the first and second relief cuts respectively. The connecting portion contacts a bearing bore surface while the first and second edges of the outer race do not contact the bore surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James R. Crowell
  • Patent number: 6357718
    Abstract: A jackscrew insert and a method for jackscrew insertion into existing mounting openings in a machine base are described. A jacking shoulder is provided by a modification of the existing mounting openings utilizing a jackscrew machining tool. The jackscrew machining tool includes a cutting edge which cuts the jacking shoulder into the machine base adjacent the existing mounting openings. Should the existing mounting openings not be modified for proper utilization of the jackscrew insert, a jackscrew assembly and method for use are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James R. Crowell, Mark F. Fleer
  • Patent number: 6123462
    Abstract: A bearing system includes a housing with first and second relief cuts, and a bearing assembly that includes an inner race and an outer race. An adjust screw contacts a preload spring positioned adjacent the outer race. The preload spring exerts a force on the outer race. The outer race includes a first and second edge, and a connecting portion. The first and second edges are positioned adjacent the first and second relief cuts respectively. The connecting portion contacts a bearing bore surface while the first and second edges of the outer race do not contact the bore surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James R. Crowell
  • Patent number: 5859482
    Abstract: Liquid cooled electric motors including stator frames having cast in place cooling conduits are described. In an exemplary embodiment, the conduit is arranged in a generally helical configuration and the stator frame is cast around the conduit so that the conduit is embedded within, and integral with, the frame. Spacer, or stabilizer, bars are engaged to the conduit and provide support for the conduit and facilitate maintaining the desired spacing between lengths of conduit and between the conduit and the frame wall. The stator frame with the cast in place cooling conduit has the advantages of a liquid cooled motor yet is believed to be lower cost than known liquid cooled motors. The frame also is believed to be less susceptible to corrosion and liquid leaks as compared to known liquid cooled motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James R. Crowell, Matthew M. Doctor, Walter R. Johnson, Timothy K. Marker, Darrell R. Sontag, Ajoy K. Basu
  • Patent number: 5787568
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing an apparatus adapted to be connected to a power source, the apparatus for driving a rotatable component. A motor has a stationary assembly and a rotatable assembly in magnetic coupling relation to the stationary assembly, the rotatable assembly in driving relation to the rotatable component, the stationary assembly including windings adapted to be energized by the power source to produce an electromagnetic field for rotating the rotatable assembly, the windings having a maximum desired operating temperature and a predetermined minimum desired temperature rise. A heater is in heat exchange relationship to an outer surface of the windings, the heater adapted to be connected to the power source at least when the motor windings are not energized to generate heat transferred to the windings to increase the temperature of the windings. An optional thermostat may be connected in series between the heater and the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James R. Crowell
  • Patent number: 5631509
    Abstract: An apparatus adapted to be connected to a power source, the apparatus for driving a rotatable component. A motor has a stationary assembly and a rotatable assembly in magnetic coupling relation to the stationary assembly, the rotatable assembly in driving relation to the rotatable component, the stationary assembly including windings adapted to be energized by the power source to produce an electromagnetic field for rotating the rotatable assembly, the windings having a maximum desired operating temperature and a predetermined minimum desired temperature rise. A heater is in heat exchange relationship to an outer surface of the windings, the heater adapted to be connected to the power source at least when the motor windings are not energized to generate heat transferred to the windings to increase the temperature of the windings. An optional thermostat may be connected in series between the heater and the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James R. Crowell