Patents by Inventor Martin Houle

Martin Houle 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: 8601676
    Abstract: The insertion of electrically insulating paper from a continuous roll into slots of a stator created by outwardly projecting teeth is described herein. The insertion of the insulating paper is done by the insertion of prewound coils in the stator slots. The electrically insulating paper is not cut prior to its insertion in the slots, thereby completely covering the outer surface of the stator. The insertion systems and methods described herein are also optionally concerned with the insertion of interphase insulation paper between the different coils inserted in the stator slots and with the insertion of slot closing wedges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: TM4 Inc.
    Inventors: Bruno Carpentier, Martin Houle, Stephane Poulin
  • Publication number: 20130140935
    Abstract: Electrically insulating material so foldable as to form a slot liner and an interphase insulator combination so configured as to be inserted in the slots of the stator or the rotor of an electric machine to prevent coils from being in contact with the slot walls and to prevent separate coils inserted in the same slot to be in direct contact with one another is described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventor: Martin Houle
  • Patent number: 8378534
    Abstract: A liquid cooling arrangement for electric machines uses a continuous cooling tube associated with a heat storing element. The cooling tube has a serpentine configuration and the heat storing element includes longitudinal slots starting from both longitudinal ends of the heat storing element. Accordingly, it is possible to slightly deform the heat storing element to properly position it into the internal stator of an electric machine. An internal biasing assembly may be used to force the external surface of the heat storing element to the internal surface of the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: TM4 Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Houle, George Bursuc, Sebastien Bigras, Bruno Carpentier
  • Publication number: 20120198962
    Abstract: A transmission for a Series/Parallel Hybrid Vehicles (SPHV) enabling the vehicle to switch between series and parallel modes while the vehicle is in motion and while both the traction motor and the prime mover are operating at efficient levels is described herein. The traction motor and the prime mover are connected to an intermediate shaft via different ratio gear assemblies. A clutch is provided between the prime mover gear assembly and the intermediate shaft to allow the switch between the series mode and the parallel mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: TM4 INC.
    Inventor: Martin Houle
  • Publication number: 20120117790
    Abstract: The insertion of electrically insulating paper from a continuous roll into slots of a stator created by outwardly projecting teeth is described herein. The insertion of the insulating paper is done by the insertion of prewound coils in the stator slots. The electrically insulating paper is not cut prior to its insertion in the slots, thereby completely covering the outer surface of the stator. The insertion systems and methods described herein are also optionally concerned with the insertion of interphase insulation paper between the different coils inserted in the stator slots and with the insertion of slot closing wedges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: TM4 INC
    Inventors: Bruno Carpentier, Martin Houle, Poulin Stephane
  • Patent number: 8167752
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission described herein comprises a planetary gear arrangement and a clutch including two electromagnetic clutch portions used to interconnect an internal combustion engine, an electric traction motor, an electric motor/generator and driving wheels of a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid transmission described herein allows various modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: TM4 Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Houle
  • Publication number: 20110278968
    Abstract: A multi-path liquid cooling arrangement for electric machines comprising a heat storing element provided with channels having a generally C-shaped cross-section and cooling tubes so configured and sized as to be insertable in the channels is described herein. The cooling tubes, once inserted in the channels are deformed to conform thereto, whereby heat stored in the heat storing element is extracted by circulating cooling fluid inside the cooling tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: TM4 Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Houle, Bruno Carpentier, George Bursuc, Steve Fleming, Mathieu Guertin, François Messier
  • Patent number: 8004142
    Abstract: A stator assembly is provided with detachable teeth that are made of magnetic powder material. The teeth are so configured and sized as to be interconnected to a core body of the stator with pre-formed coils that are positioned between adjacent teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: TM4 Inc.
    Inventors: Stephane Poulin, Ruisheng Shi, Sebastien Bigras, Gabriel Rakotonirina, Steve Fleming, Martin Houle
  • Patent number: 7900760
    Abstract: A multi-position clutch allows selectively coupling at least two of at least three rotatable shafts is described herein. The clutch comprises at least three cooperation elements respectively associated to one of the at least three rotatable shafts for selective engagement therebetween; the at least three cooperation elements are mounted to the at least three rotatable shafts so as to be sequentially positioned for selective coupling of at least two adjacent cooperation elements. An actuating mechanism is provided for selectively coupling at least two adjacent cooperation elements from the at least three cooperation elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: TM4 Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Houle, Pierre Blouin, Louis-Philippe Bibeau, Jianhong Xu
  • Publication number: 20100176669
    Abstract: A liquid cooling arrangement for electric machines uses a continuous cooling tube associated with a heat storing element. The cooling tube has a serpentine configuration and the heat storing element includes longitudinal slots starting from both longitudinal ends of the heat storing element. Accordingly, it is possible to slightly deform the heat storing element to properly position it into the internal stator of an electric machine. An internal biasing assembly may be used to force the external surface of the heat storing element to the internal surface of the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Martin Houle, George Bursuc, Sebastien Bigras, Bruno Carpentier
  • Patent number: 7641583
    Abstract: A first aspect of the present invention is concerned with a series hybrid drive train for a vehicle comprising a traction motor, an electric generator, a three-position clutch (20) and a controller. The three-position clutch allows the generator to be connected to an internal combustion engine (12) of the vehicle, to the traction motor or to remain freewheeling. In a second aspect of the present invention, a four-position clutch is used to further allow the internal combustion engine to be connected directly to the wheels to thereby yield a series/parallel drive train. A third aspect of the present invention is concerned with a method of operating such a hybrid drive train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: TM4 Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Houle, Pierre Blouin, Louis-Philippe Bibeau, Jianhong Xu, Ghislain Lambert, Philippe Noël
  • Publication number: 20090286652
    Abstract: A system and method for starting an ICE of a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle having a generator with a rotor rotating at an angular speed and a clutch provided between the ICE and the rotor. The method includes steps of disengaging the clutch so that the rotor and the ICE can operate independently; increasing the angular speed; upon the angular speed reaching a predetermined speed, engaging the clutch; allowing the ICE to crank; and starting the ICE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Philippe Noel, Ghislain Lambert, Maalainine El Yacoubi, Jean-Marc Cyr, Martin Houle
  • Publication number: 20090236919
    Abstract: A stator assembly is provided with detachable teeth that are made of magnetic powder material. The teeth are so configured and sized as to be interconnected to a core body of the stator with pre-formed coils that are positioned between adjacent teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Stephane POULIN, Ruisheng SHI, Sebastien BIGRAS, Gabriel RAKOTONIRINA, Steve FLEMING, Martin HOULE
  • Publication number: 20090221390
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission described herein comprises a planetary gear arrangement and a clutch including two electromagnetic clutch portions used to interconnect an internal combustion engine, an electric traction motor, an electric motor/generator and driving wheels of a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid transmission described herein allows various modes of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: TM4 INC.
    Inventor: Martin Houle
  • Publication number: 20090200129
    Abstract: A multi-position clutch allows selectively coupling at least two of at least three rotatable shafts is described herein. The clutch comprises at least three cooperation elements respectively associated to one of the at least three rotatable shafts for selective engagement therebetween; the at least three cooperation elements are mounted to the at least three rotatable shafts so as to be sequentially positioned for selective coupling of at least two adjacent cooperation elements. An actuating mechanism is provided for selectively coupling at least two adjacent cooperation elements from the at least three cooperation elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Martin Houle, Pierre Blouin, Louis-Philippe Bibeau, Jianhong Xu
  • Patent number: 7513349
    Abstract: A multi-position clutch allows selectively coupling at least two of at least three rotatable shafts is described herein. The clutch comprises at least three cooperation elements respectively associated to one of the at least three rotatable shafts for selective engagement therebetween; the at least three cooperation elements are mounted to the at least three rotatable shafts so as to be sequentially positioned for selective coupling of at least two adjacent cooperation elements. An actuating mechanism is provided for selectively coupling at least two adjacent cooperation elements from the at least three cooperation elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: TM4 Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Houle, Pierre Blouin, Louis-Philippe Bibeau, Jianhong Xu
  • Patent number: 7423507
    Abstract: The present invention is generally concerned with an inductance assembly that is so configured and sized as to be inserted inside the cooling assembly of an electric machine to thereby decrease the overall volume of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: TM4 Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Houle, Jean-Marc Cyr, Jianhong Xu, Ruisheng Shi, Jane Roundell, George Bursuc, François Messier, Gabriel Rakotonirina
  • Publication number: 20080117013
    Abstract: The present invention is generally concerned with an inductance assembly that is so configured and sized as to be inserted inside the cooling assembly of an electric machine to thereby decrease the overall volume of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Martin Houle, Jean-Marc Cyr, Jianhong Xu, Ruisheng Shi, Jane Roundell, George Bursuc, Francois Messier, Gabriel Rakotonirina
  • Publication number: 20080096717
    Abstract: A first aspect of the present invention is concerned with a series hybrid drive train for a vehicle comprising a traction motor, an electric generator, a three-position clutch (20) and a controller. The three-position clutch allows the generator to be connected to an internal combustion engine (12) of the vehicle, to the traction motor or to remain freewheeling. In a second aspect of the present invention, a four-position clutch is used to further allow the internal combustion engine to be connected directly to the wheels to thereby yield a series/parallel drive train. A third aspect of the present invention is concerned with a method of operating such a hybrid drive train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Martin Houle, Pierre Blouin, Louis-Philippe Bibeau, Jianhong Xu, Ghislain Lambert, Philippe Noel
  • Publication number: 20080023237
    Abstract: A parallel hybrid drive train is provided with an internal combustion engine (ICE) that supplies mechanical power to two driving wheels of a vehicle. Each driving wheel is provided with a respective hub motor having a stator mounted to the vehicle and a rotor directly connected to the driving wheel. The interconnection between the ICE and the driving wheel is done via a cardan joint provided between the output shaft of the ICE and each driving wheel. Accordingly, when the hub motors are energized, the drive train is in a parallel hybrid mode where both the ICE and the hub motors contribute to the rotation of the wheel. The drive train may also be placed in a conventional mode when the hub motors are not energized and in a purely electric mode when the ICE is not running.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Martin Houle