Patents by Inventor Jeffrey J. Ronning

Jeffrey J. Ronning 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: 20220199501
    Abstract: An electric drive module having a motor and an inverter that are disposed in a housing The motor includes a stator, which has a plurality of sets of windings. The inverter has a plurality of power semiconductors, which are mounted into a retaining member, an end plate, which is sealingly coupled to the retaining member, and an inlet port that extends through the end plate. Sets of the semiconductor devices are electrically coupled to corresponding sets of the windings. Power terminals on the semiconductor devices are coupled to a heat sink. Fins on the heat sinks extend into an annular region that is adjacent to axial ends of the windings. At least one of the retaining member and the end plate is sealingly coupled to the housing assembly. The inlet port, the annular region and cooling passages in the stator are coupled in fluid communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: James P. DOWNS, David CRECELIUS, Jeffrey J. RONNING, Paul J. VALENTE, John C. MORGANTE
  • Patent number: 11316410
    Abstract: A method for improving thermal conduction in a stator having electrically conductive windings wound in a plurality of gaps formed between adjacent pairs of a plurality of teeth of the stator. A plurality of interstitial spaces are formed within each of the gaps during winding of the electrically conductive windings around the teeth. A plug is arranged within each one of the gaps to close off slot openings. A thermally conductive filler compound is injected into each gap under sufficient pressure to at least substantially fill the interstitial spaces within each gap and to at least substantially encapsulate the electrically conductive windings. The thermally conductive filler compound is then allowed to set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Ronning
  • Patent number: 11303183
    Abstract: An electric drive module having a motor and an inverter that are disposed in a housing The motor includes a stator, which has a plurality of sets of windings. The inverter has a plurality of power semiconductors, which are mounted into a retaining member, an end plate, which is sealingly coupled to the retaining member, and an inlet port that extends through the end plate. Sets of the semiconductor devices are electrically coupled to corresponding sets of the windings. Power terminals on the semiconductor devices are coupled to a heat sink. Fins on the heat sinks extend into an annular region that is adjacent to axial ends of the windings. At least one of the retaining member and the end plate is sealingly coupled to the housing assembly. The inlet port, the annular region and cooling passages in the stator are coupled in fluid communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, David Crecelius, Jeffrey J. Ronning, Paul J. Valente, John C. Morgante
  • Publication number: 20220037954
    Abstract: An electric drive module having a motor and an inverter that are disposed in a housing The motor includes a stator, which has a plurality of sets of windings. The inverter has a plurality of power semiconductors, which are mounted into a retaining member, an end plate, which is sealingly coupled to the retaining member, and an inlet port that extends through the end plate. Sets of the semiconductor devices are electrically coupled to corresponding sets of the windings. Power terminals on the semiconductor devices are coupled to a heat sink. Fins on the heat sinks extend into an annular region that is adjacent to axial ends of the windings. At least one of the retaining member and the end plate is sealingly coupled to the housing assembly. The inlet port, the annular region and cooling passages in the stator are coupled in fluid communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: James P. DOWNS, David CRECELIUS, Jeffrey J. RONNING, Paul J. VALENTE, John C. MORGANTE
  • Publication number: 20220032784
    Abstract: A drive system with one or more electrically driven axles, a transmission subsystem, which is drivingly coupled to a drive gearbox of each of the electrically driven axles, first and second motors, which are each drivingly coupled to the transmission subsystem and have different motor characteristics, and a controller. The drive gearbox of each axle transmits rotary power to an associated set of vehicle wheels. The controller controls the first and second motors responsive to at least a torque request. Over a significant portion of the operating range of the drive system, the controller is configured to vary the respective magnitudes of the rotary power provided by the first and second motors to satisfy the torque request in a manner that maximizes a combined efficiency of the motors in a predetermined manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. RONNING, John C. MORGANTE
  • Patent number: 11186181
    Abstract: A drive system with one or more electrically driven axles, a transmission subsystem, which is drivingly coupled to the drive gearbox of each of the electrically driven axles, synchronous and asynchronous motors, which are each drivingly coupled to the transmission subsystem, and a controller. Each of the axles has a drive gearbox that transmits rotary power to an associated set of vehicle wheels. The controller controls the synchronous motor and/or the asynchronous motor responsive to at least a torque request and a shaft speed of the synchronous motor and/or the shaft speed of the asynchronous motor. Over a significant portion of the operating range of the drive system, the controller is configured to vary the respective magnitudes of the rotary power provided by the motors to satisfy the torque request in a manner that maximizes a combined efficiency of the motors in a predetermined manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Ronning, John Morgante
  • Publication number: 20210194328
    Abstract: A method for improving thermal conduction in a stator having electrically conductive windings wound in a plurality of gaps formed between adjacent pairs of a plurality of teeth of the stator. A plurality of interstitial spaces are formed within each of the gaps during winding of the electrically conductive windings around the teeth. A plug is arranged within each one of the gaps to close off slot openings. A thermally conductive filler compound is injected into each gap under sufficient pressure to at least substantially fill the interstitial spaces within each gap and to at least substantially encapsulate the electrically conductive windings. The thermally conductive filler compound is then allowed to set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. RONNING
  • Publication number: 20210184517
    Abstract: An electric motor can include a stator body defining fluid channels extending axially for fluid communication between axial ends of the stator body. Conductive windings can form first loops extending axially outward from the first end of the stator body and second loops extending axially outward from the second end of the stator body. A first cap can be coupled to the first end of the stator body and can include a first wall. The first wall can be between the first loops and the channels. Pins can extend from a side of the first wall that is opposite the first loops. The second cap can be coupled to the second end of the stator body and include a second wall. The second wall can be between the second loops and the channels. Pins can extend from a side of the second wall that is opposite the second loops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: John Morgante, James P. Downs, David Crecelius, Peter Fischer, Jeffrey J. Ronning
  • Publication number: 20210184518
    Abstract: An electric motor with a stator that is formed of a plurality of distinct laminations. Each of the distinct laminations has a radially inner lamination edge, which borders a rotor aperture configured to receive a rotor therein, a radially outer lamination edge and a plurality of cooling apertures formed there through that are disposed radially between the radially inner and outer lamination edges. Each cooling aperture in a lamination forms part of a separate and distinct cooling channel that extends helically through the laminations about a rotational axis of the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. RONNING, John C. MORGANTE
  • Patent number: 10971975
    Abstract: A method for improving thermal conduction in a stator having electrically conductive windings wound in a plurality of gaps formed between adjacent pairs of a plurality of teeth of the stator. A plurality of interstitial spaces are formed within each of the gaps during winding of the electrically conductive windings around the teeth. A plug is arranged within each one of the gaps to close off slot openings. A thermally conductive filler compound is injected into each gap under sufficient pressure to at least substantially fill the interstitial spaces within each gap and to at least substantially encapsulate the electrically conductive windings. The thermally conductive filler compound is then allowed to set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Ronning
  • Patent number: 10923972
    Abstract: An electric motor with a stator that is formed of a plurality of laminations. Each of the laminations has a radially inner lamination edge, which borders a rotor aperture configured to receive a rotor therein, and a radially outer lamination edge. Each of the laminations has a plurality of cooling apertures formed there through. The cooling apertures formed in a given one of the laminations are disposed radially between the radially outer lamination edge and the radially inner lamination edge. Each of the laminations is sealingly coupled to at least one other lamination. Each cooling aperture in a lamination forms part of a distinct cooling channel that extends along an axial length of the stator. At least a portion of the cooling apertures in each of the cooling channels are staggered circumferentially about a motor axis of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Ronning, John C. Morgante
  • Patent number: 10879749
    Abstract: An electric motor can include a stator body defining fluid channels extending axially for fluid communication between axial ends of the stator body. Conductive windings can form first loops extending axially outward from the first end of the stator body and second loops extending axially outward from the second end of the stator body. A first cap can be coupled to the first end of the stator body and can include a first wall. The first wall can be between the first loops and the channels. Pins can extend from a side of the first wall that is opposite the first loops. The second cap can be coupled to the second end of the stator body and include a second wall. The second wall can be between the second loops and the channels. Pins can extend from a side of the second wall that is opposite the second loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: John Morgante, James P. Downs, David Crecelius, Peter Fischer, Jeffrey J. Ronning
  • Publication number: 20200262299
    Abstract: A drive system with one or more electrically driven axles, a transmission subsystem, which is drivingly coupled to the drive gearbox of each of the electrically driven axles, synchronous and asynchronous motors, which are each drivingly coupled to the transmission subsystem, and a controller. Each of the axles has a drive gearbox that transmits rotary power to an associated set of vehicle wheels. The controller controls the synchronous motor and/or the asynchronous motor responsive to at least a torque request and a shaft speed of the synchronous motor and/or the shaft speed of the asynchronous motor. Over a significant portion of the operating range of the drive system, the controller is configured to vary the respective magnitudes of the rotary power provided by the motors to satisfy the torque request in a manner that maximizes a combined efficiency of the motors in a predetermined manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. RONNING, John MORGANTE
  • Publication number: 20200227964
    Abstract: A motor drive system with a rotor assembly having an insert, which is received into a blind hollow rotor space in a shaft, a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet. The insert has an insert body, a first flow passage and a plurality of second flow passages. The insert body has an outer insert surface that is engaged to an inside surface of a shaft wall of the shaft. The first flow passage extends longitudinally through the insert body. The second flow passages extend longitudinally through the insert body radially between the outer insert surface and the first flow passage. The coolant inlet is fluidly coupled to one of the first and second flow passages, while the coolant outlet is fluidly coupled to the other one of the first and second flow passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. RONNING, James P. DOWNS, John MORGANTE, Peter D. FISCHER, David CRECELIUS, Zugang HUANG, Paul J. VALENTE
  • Patent number: 10675984
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a drive system for a vehicle. The drive system may have an electronic drive unit (EDU) subsystem including at least one synchronous motor and at least one asynchronous motor, controllable independently from one another. An electronic controller may be used which is responsive to a torque request input signal and configured to control the EDU subsystem. A memory may be included which is operably associated with the electronic controller and configured to store at least one blending map containing information on percentage outputs from the synchronous and asynchronous motors for the electronic controller to select in response to different torque request input signals, the percentage outputs being selected to optimize a characteristic of the EDU subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Ronning, John Morgante
  • Publication number: 20200039362
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a drive system for a vehicle. The drive system may have an electronic drive unit (EDU) subsystem including at least one synchronous motor and at least one asynchronous motor, controllable independently from one another. An electronic controller may be used which is responsive to a torque request input signal and configured to control the EDU subsystem. A memory may be included which is operably associated with the electronic controller and configured to store at least one blending map containing information on percentage outputs from the synchronous and asynchronous motors for the electronic controller to select in response to different torque request input signals, the percentage outputs being selected to optimize a characteristic of the EDU subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. RONNING, John MORGANTE
  • Patent number: 10404111
    Abstract: An electric motor can include a stator positioning device. First and second housing bodies can define a motor cavity. The stator can be disposed about the rotor within the motor cavity. The stator positioning device can include a plurality of contact members, and a plurality of cover members. The contact members can cooperate to form an annular contact ring that is coaxial with an output axis and has a first side and a second side. The first side can be in contact with a first end of the stator core. The cover members can cooperate to form an annular cover ring that is coaxial with the axis and coupled to the second side of the contact ring. The cover ring can include a flange that extends radially outward of the contact ring and is axially between the first and second housing bodies to inhibit axial movement of the cover ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Oetjens, Yogesh Mehta, Wei Li, Jeffrey J. Ronning, Lars Y. Hessman
  • Publication number: 20190173331
    Abstract: An electric motor can include a stator positioning device. First and second housing bodies can define a motor cavity. The stator can be disposed about the rotor within the motor cavity. The stator positioning device can include a plurality of contact members, and a plurality of cover members. The contact members can cooperate to form an annular contact ring that is coaxial with an output axis and has a first side and a second side. The first side can be in contact with a first end of the stator core. The cover members can cooperate to form an annular cover ring that is coaxial with the axis and coupled to the second side of the contact ring. The cover ring can include a flange that extends radially outward of the contact ring and is axially between the first and second housing bodies to inhibit axial movement of the cover ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas J. Oetjens, Yogesh Mehta, Wei Li, Jeffrey J. Ronning, Lars Y. Hessman
  • Publication number: 20190173332
    Abstract: An electric motor with a stator that is formed of a plurality of laminations. Each of the laminations has a radially inner lamination edge, which borders a rotor aperture configured to receive a rotor therein, and a radially outer lamination edge. Each of the laminations has a plurality of cooling apertures formed there through. The cooling apertures formed in a given one of the laminations are disposed radially between the radially outer lamination edge and the radially inner lamination edge. Each of the laminations is sealingly coupled to at least one other lamination. Each cooling aperture in a lamination forms part of a distinct cooling channel that extends along an axial length of the stator. At least a portion of the cooling apertures in each of the cooling channels are staggered circumferentially about a motor axis of the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. RONNING, John C. MORGANTE
  • Publication number: 20190157923
    Abstract: An electric motor can include a stator body defining fluid channels extending axially for fluid communication between axial ends of the stator body. Conductive windings can form first loops extending axially outward from the first end of the stator body and second loops extending axially outward from the second end of the stator body. A first cap can be coupled to the first end of the stator body and can include a first wall. The first wall can be between the first loops and the channels. Pins can extend from a side of the first wall that is opposite the first loops. The second cap can be coupled to the second end of the stator body and include a second wall. The second wall can be between the second loops and the channels. Pins can extend from a side of the second wall that is opposite the second loops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: John Morgante, James P. Downs, David Crecelius, Peter Fischer, Jeffrey J. Ronning