Patents by Inventor Kirk Neet

Kirk Neet 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: 8044549
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a housing, a stator mounted within the housing, and a rotor including a spool assembly. The spool assembly includes a spool having a main body portion having a first end portion that extends substantially uninterrupted to a second end portion through an intermediate portion. The spool further includes a first plurality of mounting elements provided on the first end portion and a second plurality mounting elements provided on the first end portion. A star member is secured to the first end portion of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kirk Neet, Scott Bitzer
  • Publication number: 20110167622
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kirk Neet, Jeremiah Shives
  • Patent number: 7919892
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electric machine. The electric machine includes, a housing defining an internal volume, a stationary shaft fixedly attached to the housing, a stationary field coil attached to the shaft, a pole assembly rotatable about the shaft, and a pulley fixedly attached to the pole assembly being positioned externally of the internal volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kirk Neet, Michael T. York
  • Patent number: 7911105
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved stator for a dynamoelectric machine including a stator core which has a plurality of core slots extending axially from a first end of the stator core to a second end of the stator core. The stator also includes a stator winding having a plurality of phases. Each phase of the stator winding includes at least a first filar. The first filar extends around the stator core and form a plurality of layers and has a plurality of slot segments disposed in the plurality of core slots. The slot segments are alternately connected at the first and second ends of the stator core by a plurality of end loop segments. The slot segments are configured such that at least two consecutive slot segments are disposed in substantially the same radial position relative to additional slot segments of the plurality of slot segments disposed in the respective core slots, and the at least two consecutive slot segments are disposed at differing radial distances from a central axis of the stator core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Remy International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Neet
  • Publication number: 20110031842
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kirk Neet, Scott Bitzer
  • Patent number: 7821166
    Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine insulator includes, a body having a plurality of holes therethrough at least some of the plurality of holes being receptive of a lead such that a lead extending through each of the plurality of holes is electrically isolated from a lead extending through each of the other of the plurality of holes, and at least one channel in the body extending arcuately along a perimetrical extent of the body. The at least one channel configured and dimensioned to insulate at least one lead routed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kirk Neet, Ted Garcia, Scott Bitzer, Michael T. York, Ryan Libler
  • Patent number: 7808137
    Abstract: Disclosed is a terminal assembly for a stator of a dynamoelectric machine. The terminal assembly includes a at least five electrically conductive tracks arrayed in a single layer, each track configured and positioned for electrical communication with corresponding leads extending from the stator providing electrical connection between at least one lead of stator leads and a rectifier bridge. The tracks are at least partially encapsulated in a nonconductive casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kirk Neet, Scott Bitzer
  • Patent number: 7808148
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electric machine stator. The electric machine stator includes a tubular body with a plurality of radial slots formed into a perimetrical surface thereof, each of the plurality of slots having a width that varies over at least a portion of a radial depth of the slot such that the slot width is narrower near the perimetrical surface than the slot width further from the perimetrical surface. The stator further includes at least one winding positioned within each of the plurality of slots and at least one of the at least one winding is deformed within the slot such that at least one dimension of the at least one winding is greater than a narrowest slot width dimension thereby retaining the winding within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Remy International
    Inventor: Kirk Neet
  • Publication number: 20100139082
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jeremiah Shives, Kirk Neet, David Schuster, Keith J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 7687954
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a brushless electric machine comprising, a housing, a stationary field coil, a shaft, a bearing, a pole segment, and a stator. The stator including a core having a plurality of core slots that extend between a first and a second end of the stator core. The stator also including a winding with a plurality of phases, each of the phases having at least one conductor having a plurality of substantially straight segments disposed in the core slots. The straight segments are alternately connected at the first and the second ends of the stator core by a plurality of end loop segments. A section of at least one of the conductors including three consecutive end loop segments and two straight segments, is formed from a single continuous conductor, and one of the core slots houses a plurality of the straight segments arranged in at least one radial row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kirk Neet, Michael T. York, Michael Bradfield
  • Publication number: 20100019607
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a housing, a stator mounted within the housing, and a rotor including a spool assembly. The spool assembly includes a spool having a main body portion having a first end portion that extends substantially uninterrupted to a second end portion through an intermediate portion. The spool further includes a first plurality of mounting elements provided on the first end portion and a second plurality mounting elements provided on the first end portion. A star member is secured to the first end portion of the spool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kirk Neet, Scott Bitzer
  • Publication number: 20090179530
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved stator for a dynamoelectric machine including a stator core which has a plurality of core slots extending axially from a first end of the stator core to a second end of the stator core. The stator also includes a stator winding having a plurality of phases. Each phase of the stator winding includes at least a first filar. The first filar extends around the stator core and form a plurality of layers and has a plurality of slot segments disposed in the plurality of core slots. The slot segments are alternately connected at the first and second ends of the stator core by a plurality of end loop segments. The slot segments are configured such that at least two consecutive slot segments are disposed in substantially the same radial position relative to additional slot segments of the plurality of slot segments disposed in the respective core slots, and the at least two consecutive slot segments are disposed at differing radial distances from a central axis of the stator core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: REMY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Kirk Neet
  • Publication number: 20090066182
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electric machine stator. The electric machine stator includes a tubular body with a plurality of radial slots formed into a perimetrical surface thereof, each of the plurality of slots having a width that varies over at least a portion of a radial depth of the slot such that the slot width is narrower near the perimetrical surface than the slot width further from the perimetrical surface. The stator further includes at least one winding positioned within each of the plurality of slots and at least one of the at least one winding is deformed within the slot such that at least one dimension of the at least one winding is greater than a narrowest slot width dimension thereby retaining the winding within the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: REMY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Kirk Neet
  • Publication number: 20090009015
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electric machine. The electric machine includes, a housing defining an internal volume, a stationary shaft fixedly attached to the housing, a stationary field coil attached to the shaft, a pole assembly rotatable about the shaft, and a pulley fixedly attached to the pole assembly being positioned externally of the internal volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: REMY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Kirk Neet, Michael T. York
  • Publication number: 20080252170
    Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine insulator includes, a body having a plurality of holes therethrough at least some of the plurality of holes being receptive of a lead such that a lead extending through each of the plurality of holes is electrically isolated from a lead extending through each of the other of the plurality of holes, and at least one channel in the body extending arcuately along a perimetrical extent of the body. The at least one channel configured and dimensioned to insulate at least one lead routed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: REMY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Kirk Neet, Ted Garcia, Scott Bitzer, Micheal T. York, Ryan Libler
  • Patent number: 7432626
    Abstract: An automotive alternator including a rotor having a plurality of poles; a plurality of phases in operable communication with the plurality of poles; and a stator core in operable communication with the rotor, the stator having a number of slots defined by: S=(P×PH)+((M×PH)+N) where S=number of slots P=number of poles PH=number of phases M=a whole integer greater than or equal to 0 N=a whole integer selected from a group of integers ranging from, and including, 1 through the number of phases minus 1. A method for reducing magnetic noise in an automotive alternator includes selecting a number of poles, selecting a number of phases, selecting a number of stator core slots, the foregoing selections interacting in the automotive alternator to produce an order of frequency of a tangential force different than any multiple of the number of phases and different than an order of frequency of a radial force of the alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Remy International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Neet
  • Publication number: 20080084128
    Abstract: Disclosed is a terminal assembly for a stator of a dynamoelectric machine. The terminal assembly includes a at least five electrically conductive tracks arrayed in a single layer, each track configured and positioned for electrical communication with corresponding leads extending from the stator providing electrical connection between at least one lead of stator leads and a rectifier bridge. The tracks are at least partially encapsulated in a nonconductive casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Kirk Neet, Scott Bitzer
  • Publication number: 20070228898
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a brushless electric machine comprising, a housing, a stationary field coil, a shaft, a bearing, a pole segment, and a stator. The stator including a core having a plurality of core slots that extend between a first and a second end of the stator core. The stator also including a winding with a plurality of phases, each of the phases having at least one conductor having a plurality of substantially straight segments disposed in the core slots. The straight segments are alternately connected at the first and the second ends of the stator core by a plurality of end loop segments. A section of at least one of the conductors including three consecutive end loop segments and two straight segments, is formed from a single continuous conductor, and one of the core slots houses a plurality of the straight segments arranged in at least one radial row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Kirk Neet, Michael T. York, Michael Bradfield
  • Publication number: 20070222323
    Abstract: A stator of a rotary electric machine having secured core slot insulators includes a multi-phase stator winding, having a plurality of slot segments that are adapted to be radially inserted into a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially-extending core slots in a surface of a cylindrically-shaped stator core. The stator winding includes the plurality of slot segments alternately connected at the first and second ends of the stator core by a plurality of end loop segments to form the winding. The plurality of core slots house an insulator to electrically isolate the slot segments from the core slots. The insulator is secured to the sides of the core slot prior to the process of radial inserting the plurality of slot segments into the plurality of core slots of the cylindrically-shaped stator core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventor: Kirk Neet
  • Publication number: 20070182267
    Abstract: An automotive alternator including a rotor having a plurality of poles; a plurality of phases in operable communication with the plurality of poles; and a stator core in operable communication with the rotor, the stator having a number of slots defined by: S=(P×PH)+((M×PH)+N) where S=number of slots P=number of poles PH=number of phases M=a whole integer greater than or equal to 0 N=a whole integer selected from a group of integers ranging from, and including, 1 through the number of phases minus 1. A method for reducing magnetic noise in an automotive alternator includes selecting a number of poles, selecting a number of phases, selecting a number of stator core slots, the foregoing selections interacting in the automotive alternator to produce an order of frequency of a tangential force different than any multiple of the number of phases and different than an order of frequency of a radial force of the alternator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventor: Kirk Neet