Abstract: Some embodiments include a starter system with an electronic control unit controllable starter that includes a motor coupled to a circuit, and a plunger moveably coupled to a pinion. The system can include a first switch coupled to the circuit that includes two contacts, and a solenoid assembly that includes a first and second solenoid winding that can reversibly move the plunger to couple and decouple from the two contacts. A secondary solenoid assembly includes a third solenoid winding that can electrically couple with secondary solenoid assembly contacts, and two power isolation switches including a second switch and a third switch. The third switch can enable current to flow through the third solenoid winding and in the second solenoid winding after movement of the plunger has coupled the two contacts of the first switch, and the second switch is can enable current to flow to the first solenoid winding.

Abstract: A method of inserting a continuous conductor having a rectangular cross-section into slot segments formed in a stator core includes forming a core member having a plurality of slot segments each having an opening and inserting a stator winding having a plurality of phases into select ones of the slot segments. Each of the plurality of phases has at least one conductor including a plurality of substantially straight segments alternately connected by a plurality of end loop segments. A section of the at least one conductor includes three consecutive end loop segments and three consecutive straight segments formed from a single continuous conductor. The method further includes narrowing the opening of each of the plurality of slot segments by forming an annular stator core having a central axis. The three consecutive straight segments are substantially similarly radially spaced from the central axis.

Abstract: A starter motor includes a motor portion having a stationary field, an armature rotatable relative to the stationary field, an armature shaft coupled to the armature, and a pinion gear slideably disposed relative to the armature shaft and rotatably fixed relative to the armature. The starter motor also includes a solenoid mounted to the motor portion. The solenoid includes a plunger mechanically linked with the pinion gear. The solenoid is configured and disposed to cause the pinion gear to engage with a flywheel as the armature shaft reaches a speed between about 150 RPM and about 250 RPM.

Abstract: A diagnostic system and method for a vehicle with a starter-based stop-start system. At least one diagnostic check is performed before stopping the engine as a function of the stop-start system. Both diagnostic checks may be performed. If a diagnostic check indicates a failure of the starter motor or solenoid, operation of the stop-start system is suspended. The system utilizes a sensor to determine if the starter shaft is rotating when the shaft is in a position wherein a gear on the shaft is disengaged. Operability of the starter motor is checked by energizing and then de-energizing the motor without engaging the gear and determining if the shaft rotates. Operability of the solenoid is checked by sensing the rotation of the starter shaft and then energizing the solenoid to move the shaft into a position where the sensor cannot detect rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A variable flux starter and switch system including a starter motor with motor field winding first and second portions, a control unit capable of selectively issuing starter activation and desired flux level signals, a motor energizing switch moveable between open and closed positions consequent to issuance of the starter activation signal, and a regulating device that transitions between default and activated operational states consequent to issuance of the flux level signal. The regulating device has a moveable blocking member and relatively moveable contact members, and in one of the default and activated operational states, electrical contact between the contact members is permitted or prevented by the blocking member. Current through the closed motor energizing switch substantially bypasses a motor field winding portion when electrical contact between the contact members is permitted, and is conducted through both portions when prevented. Also, a method for varying starter motor flux levels.

Abstract: A vehicle system is provided and includes a 12 volt alternator and a 24 volt wound rotor configured for acceptance in the 12 volt alternator.

Abstract: A starter assembly adapted for use with an engine having a flywheel and electronic control unit. The starter includes a motor, magnetic field source and a pinion gear engageable with the flywheel. An internal power train transmits torque from the armature to the pinion gear and includes a gear set dividing the internal power train into a first segment with the armature and a second segment with the pinion gear. During operation the first segment has a faster rotational speed than the second segment. A speed sensor senses the speed of the first segment and communicates it to the electronic control unit. The starter assembly can be used in a vehicle with an automatic start-stop function and facilitates the synchronizing of the pinion gear and flywheel speeds when restarting the engine. The speed sensor can take various forms and is advantageously supported on the field frame assembly proximate the commutator.

Abstract: A rotor arrangement for an electric machine includes a rotor shaft extending in an axial direction and a fan coupled to the rotor shaft. The fan includes a face with a plurality of arcuate walls extending from the face in the axial direction. Each of the plurality of arcuate walls includes a first end portion and a second end portion. A plurality of radial tines extend from the first end portion of each arcuate wall. A plurality of axial tines extending from the second end portion of each arcuate wall.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a starter machine that includes a motor operatively coupled to a first shaft and a pinion coupled to a second shaft. In some embodiments, a planetary gear drive system can be coupled to the first and the second shafts. The planetary gear drive system can include a planetary gear system and a first clutch being substantially adjacent to a second clutch. The planetary gear drive system can be configured and arranged so that when the first clutch is engaged, the motor can move the pinion at a first rotational speed. The planetary gear drive system is further configured so that when the second clutch is engaged, the motor can move the pinion at a second rotational speed. In some embodiments, the first rotational speed is a greater rotational speed than the second rotational speed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a starter comprising a motor comprising a drive shaft, a pinion, and a clutch. In some embodiments, the starter includes a planetary gear coupled with the clutch. Some embodiments include a pinion speed sensor assembly configured and arranged to provide a signal related to the rotational speed of the pinion based upon a speed of a component of the starter that is coupled to the pinion. Some embodiments of the starter include a pinion rotational speed sensor located within the drive-end region of the starter, and configured and arranged for direct or indirect monitoring of the pinion. Some embodiments include a sensor that is configured and arranged to monitor one or more components of the clutch assembly, the drive-shaft, the pinion, the output shaft, or a planetary gear. The speed sensor can be a magnetic-field flux sensor assembly or an optical sensor assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a starter machine that includes a motor operatively coupled to a first shaft and a pinion coupled to a second shaft. In some embodiments, a planetary gear drive system can be coupled to the first and the second shafts. The planetary gear drive system can include a planetary gear system and a first clutch being substantially adjacent to a second clutch. The planetary gear drive system can be configured and arranged so that when the first clutch is engaged, the motor can move the pinion at a first rotational speed. The planetary gear drive system is further configured so that when the second clutch is engaged, the motor can move the pinion at a second rotational speed. In some embodiments, the first rotational speed is a greater rotational speed than the second rotational speed.

Abstract: A brush holder assembly for an alternator having a rotational axis includes a pair of brushes each having a contacting surface defining a width and a height, and each having a shunt wire extending laterally from the brush in the widthwise direction. The brush holder assembly includes a housing having first and second brush chambers, corresponding first and second wire cavities each defining a cavity height, and first and second slots respectively interposed between the corresponding chamber and cavity. The respective shunt wires extend through the first and second slots then through the first and second wire cavities. The cavity heights are each at least approximately 0.9 times the height of one of the brushes. The height of the first wire cavity is less than approximately 0.97 times ((A/2) plus B), wherein A is the brush height and B is the distance between the brushes.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading stator windings into a stator core includes an arbor member including a body having an outer diametric portion and a central axis. The outer diametric potion includes a plurality of slots. The apparatus also includes a guide track having a first end that extends to a second end through a slide portion. The first end is positioned adjacent the outer diametric portion of the arbor member. At least one of the guide track and the arbor member is selectively positionable to guide slot segment portions of a stator winding into predetermined ones of the plurality of slots.

Abstract: A method of loading stator windings into a stator core includes guiding a first stator winding including a plurality of slot segment portions along at least one guide track towards an arbor member having a plurality of slots, inserting one of the plurality of slot segment portions of the first stator winding into one of the plurality of slots, and guiding a second stator winding including a plurality of slot segment portions along the at least one guide track towards the arbor member. The method also includes indexing one of the at least one guide track and the arbor member to position another of the plurality of slots adjacent the at least one guide track, inserting one of the plurality of slot segment portions of the second stator winding into another of the plurality of slots, rotating the arbor member, and feeding a plurality of slot segment portions into remaining ones of the plurality of slots.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading stator windings into a stator core includes an arbor member including a body having a central axis and an outer diametric portion provided with a plurality of slots. An insertion element is rotatably mounted adjacent the arbor member. The insertion element includes a plurality of slot elements that are configured to register with the plurality of slots. A loading member is rotatably mounted adjacent the insertion element. The loading member includes a plurality of slot members that are configured to register with the plurality of slot elements. The loading member is selectively operated to receive a stator winding into one of the plurality of slot members and transfer the stator winding into one of the plurality of slot elements. The at least one insertion element is selectively operated to transfer the stator winding into one of the plurality of slots of the arbor member.

Abstract: A component for an electric machine includes a spool having a main body portion provided with a first end portion that extends substantially uninterrupted to a second end portion through an intermediate portion. A plurality of mounting elements are provided on the first end portion. A star member is operatively connected to the spool. The star member includes a main body, a plurality of flap members that extend from the main body and collectively define a central opening, and a plurality of mounting members that extend into the central opening. The plurality of mounting members engage with corresponding ones of the plurality of mounting elements to detachably mount the star member to the first end portion of the spool.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading stator windings into a stator core. The apparatus includes an arbor member including a body having an outer diametric portion including a plurality of slots. The apparatus also includes a first guide track having a first end that is positioned adjacent the outer diametric portion. A second guide track includes a first end is positioned adjacent the outer diametric portion and spaced from the first end of the first guide track. The apparatus further includes a third guide track including a first end is positioned adjacent the outer diametric portion and spaced from the first end of the first guide track and the first end of the second guide track. At least one of the first, second, and third guide tracks and the arbor member is positionable to guide slot segment portions of corresponding first, second, and third stator windings into predetermined ones of the slots.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a rotor. The rotor includes a body having a number of pole members, a central hub, and a plurality of mounting members. The plurality of mounting members are fewer than half the number of pole members. A fan member is mounted to the rotor. The fan member includes a number of fan blades that project outward from a hub portion. A plurality of mounting elements are provided on select ones of the number of fan blades. The plurality of mounting members engage respective ones of the plurality of mounting elements to attach the fan member to the rotor.

Abstract: A method of loading stator windings into a stator core includes guiding a first stator winding including a plurality of slot segment portions along at least one guide track towards an arbor member having a plurality of slots, inserting one of the plurality of slot segment portions of the first stator winding into one of the plurality of slots, and guiding a second stator winding including a plurality of slot segment portions along the at least one guide track towards the arbor member. The method also includes indexing one of the at least one guide track and the arbor member to position another of the plurality of slots adjacent the at least one guide track, inserting one of the plurality of slot segment portions of the second stator winding into another of the plurality of slots, rotating the arbor member, and feeding a plurality of slot segment portions into remaining ones of the plurality of slots.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading stator windings into a stator core includes an arbor member including a body having an outer diametric portion and a central axis. The outer diametric potion includes a plurality of slots. The apparatus also includes a guide track having a first end that extends to a second end through a slide portion. The first end is positioned adjacent the outer diametric portion of the arbor member. At least one of the guide track and the arbor member is selectively positionable to guide slot segment portions of a stator winding into predetermined ones of the plurality of slots.