Patents by Inventor Michael D. Hanna

Michael D. Hanna 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: 10164508
    Abstract: A lamination pack for a motor and method of forming the lamination pack is provided. The method includes inserting a plurality of conductor bars into a plurality of rotor slots defined by a lamination stack such that opposing bar ends of the conductor bars extend from opposing end faces of the lamination stack, skewing the lamination stack and the conductor bars to a skew angle relative to a rotation axis of the lamination stack, and subsequently bending the bar ends of the conductor bars in opposing radial directions to a locking angle greater than the skew angle, to lock each of the conductor bars in its respective rotor slot. The bent bar ends exert a compressive axial locking force on the lamination stack to prevent axial and radial movement of the laminations in the lamination stack and to prevent axial movement of the conductor bars relative to the lamination stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John S. Agapiou, Michael D. Hanna
  • Patent number: 10038359
    Abstract: A rotor casting includes a lamination stack and a cast structure including proximal and distal cast end rings respectively adjacent proximal and distal end faces of the lamination stack. Cast axial ribs are distributed radially on a peripheral surface of the lamination stack and extend between the proximal and distal cast end rings. Cast feed members extend axially from the proximal cast end ring and are respectively positioned radially between an adjacent pair of axial ribs. In one example, cast bar segments integral to the proximal and distal cast end rings are formed in axial slots of the lamination stack. In one example, a bar insert in each axial slot has insert ends that extend respectively from the proximal and distal end faces of the lamination stack and are fully encapsulated respectively in the proximal and distal cast end rings. A method of forming the rotor casting is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, John S. Agapiou
  • Publication number: 20180183308
    Abstract: A rotor casting includes a lamination stack and a cast structure including proximal and distal cast end rings respectively adjacent proximal and distal end faces of the lamination stack. Cast axial ribs are distributed radially on a peripheral surface of the lamination stack and extend between the proximal and distal cast end rings. Cast feed members extend axially from the proximal cast end ring and are respectively positioned radially between an adjacent pair of axial ribs. In one example, cast bar segments integral to the proximal and distal cast end rings are formed in axial slots of the lamination stack. In one example, a bar insert in each axial slot has insert ends that extend respectively from the proximal and distal end faces of the lamination stack and are fully encapsulated respectively in the proximal and distal cast end rings. A method of forming the rotor casting is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, John S. Agapiou
  • Patent number: 9973067
    Abstract: A rotor casting includes a lamination stack and a cast structure including proximal and distal cast end rings respectively adjacent proximal and distal end faces of the lamination stack. Cast axial ribs are distributed radially on a peripheral surface of the lamination stack and extend between the proximal and distal cast end rings. Cast feed members extend axially from the proximal cast end ring and are respectively positioned radially between an adjacent pair of axial ribs. In one example, cast bar segments integral to the proximal and distal cast end rings are formed in axial slots of the lamination stack. In one example, a bar insert in each axial slot has insert ends that extend respectively from the proximal and distal end faces of the lamination stack and are fully encapsulated respectively in the proximal and distal cast end rings. A method of forming the rotor casting is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, John S. Agapiou
  • Patent number: 9866092
    Abstract: A method of forming a rotor includes inserting a conductor bar into a slot defined by a lamination stack to define a gap between the conductor bar and the lamination stack. The method further includes, after inserting, swelling the conductor bar within the slot to fill the gap and form the rotor. A rotor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, James G. Schroth, John S. Agapiou, John C. Morgante
  • Patent number: 9758135
    Abstract: A ferritically nitrocarburized rotational member of a vehicle brake is disclosed, including a rotational member having a friction surface configured for braking engagement with a corresponding friction material. A compound zone is disposed at the friction surface. An exposed surface of the compound zone is exposed to an atmosphere. The area of the exposed surface includes from about 0 percent to about 14 percent graphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, Michael L. Holly, Ronnie T. Brown, James A. Webster, Lisa G. Devoe, Donna Y. Sekulovski, Kee Hyuk Im
  • Publication number: 20170163136
    Abstract: A lamination pack for a motor and method of forming the lamination pack is provided. The method includes inserting a plurality of conductor bars into a plurality of rotor slots defined by a lamination stack such that opposing bar ends of the conductor bars extend from opposing end faces of the lamination stack, skewing the lamination stack and the conductor bars to a skew angle relative to a rotation axis of the lamination stack, and subsequently bending the bar ends of the conductor bars in opposing radial directions to a locking angle greater than the skew angle, to lock each of the conductor bars in its respective rotor slot. The bent bar ends exert a compressive axial locking force on the lamination stack to prevent axial and radial movement of the laminations in the lamination stack and to prevent axial movement of the conductor bars relative to the lamination stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John S. Agapiou, Michael D. Hanna
  • Patent number: 9621012
    Abstract: A lamination pack for a motor and method of forming the lamination pack is provided. The method includes inserting a plurality of conductor bars into a plurality of rotor slots defined by a lamination stack such that opposing bar ends of the conductor bars extend from opposing end faces of the lamination stack, skewing the lamination stack and the conductor bars to a skew angle relative to a rotation axis of the lamination stack, and subsequently bending the bar ends of the conductor bars in opposing radial directions to a locking angle greater than the skew angle, to lock each of the conductor bars in its respective rotor slot. The bent bar ends exert a compressive axial locking force on the lamination stack to prevent axial and radial movement of the laminations in the lamination stack and to prevent axial movement of the conductor bars relative to the lamination stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John S. Agapiou, Michael D. Hanna
  • Patent number: 9568062
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a frictional damping insert including a body constructed and arranged to be incorporated into a product and to provide frictional damping of the product, the body including lines of weakness constructed and arranged to segment the body into separate sections upon exposure to a molten material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Walker, Michael D. Hanna, James G. Schroth
  • Patent number: 9534651
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a damped product including a first portion, a second portion, a first cavity formed in one of the first portion or the second portion, and a frictional damping insert at least partially received in the first cavity so that the first portion and the second portion completely enclose the frictional damping insert and so that vibration of the product is damped by the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, Mohan Sundar, James G. Schroth, Thomas C. Zebehazy
  • Patent number: 9409231
    Abstract: A method including positioning an insert in a vertical mold including a first mold portion and a second mold portion; and casting a material including a metal around at least a portion of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, Mohan Sundar, Andrew Schertzer
  • Publication number: 20160197539
    Abstract: A lamination pack for a motor and method of forming the lamination pack is provided. The method includes inserting a plurality of conductor bars into a plurality of rotor slots defined by a lamination stack such that opposing bar ends of the conductor bars extend from opposing end faces of the lamination stack, skewing the lamination stack and the conductor bars to a skew angle relative to a rotation axis of the lamination stack, and subsequently bending the bar ends of the conductor bars in opposing radial directions to a locking angle greater than the skew angle, to lock each of the conductor bars in its respective rotor slot. The bent bar ends exert a compressive axial locking force on the lamination stack to prevent axial and radial movement of the laminations in the lamination stack and to prevent axial movement of the conductor bars relative to the lamination stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John S. Agapiou, Michael D. Hanna
  • Patent number: 9353812
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment may include a product including a first brake rotor cheek having a first body and at least a first outer surface. A first hardened region may extend from the first outer surface towards the center of the body. In one embodiment, the first hardened region may include a nitro-carburized ferrous metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, Mohan Sundar
  • Patent number: 9279467
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a brake rotor including a desired custom marking having a predetermined size and shape. The method includes applying a chemical treatment to a marking portion of a surface of the rotor. The marking portion has a size and shape corresponding to the predetermined size and shape of the desired custom marking. The chemical treatment is configured to affect, in a predetermined manner, an ability of a stimulus, to which the rotor is to be exposed, to alter properties of the rotor. The method also includes exposing the rotor, having the chemical treatment applied thereto, to the stimulus. The stimulus alters properties of the rotor at the marking portion differently than the stimulus alters properties of the rotor at other portions of the rotor adjacent the marking portion, thereby forming physical differences in the rotor, which, being visually perceptible, form the custom marking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, James A. Webster
  • Patent number: 9219399
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a rotor for an induction motor includes disposing a first flux material on a plurality of first exposed ends of a respective plurality of conductor bars of a rotor core. A second flux material is disposed on a first end face of the rotor core. A first portion of a conductive material is cast over the plurality of first exposed ends to form a first shorting end ring to electrically and mechanically connect the plurality of conductor bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Richard M. Kleber, Michael D. Hanna
  • Publication number: 20150333606
    Abstract: A method of forming a rotor includes inserting a conductor bar into a slot defined by a lamination stack to define a gap between the conductor bar and the lamination stack. The method further includes, after inserting, swelling the conductor bar within the slot to fill the gap and form the rotor. A rotor is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, James G. Schroth, John S. Agapiou, John C. Morgante
  • Patent number: 9174274
    Abstract: A multi-piece sound dampened brake rotor comprises a relatively light weight hub with a hub flange and a heavier rotor body with a sound damping insert and a rotor body flange. The hub and rotor body are attached at their flanges. The flanges may be mechanically attached such as with bolts. Or the hub and rotor may be attached by casting the hub of a lower melting metal alloy against the rotor body and rotor body flange. The rotor body may have vanes for air cooling and a sound damping insert may be incased in either or both body portions sandwiching the vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, Richard M. Kleber, Mohan Sundar, Thomas C. Zebehazy
  • Publication number: 20150288265
    Abstract: A rotor casting includes a lamination stack and a cast structure including proximal and distal cast end rings respectively adjacent proximal and distal end faces of the lamination stack. Cast axial ribs are distributed radially on a peripheral surface of the lamination stack and extend between the proximal and distal cast end rings. Cast feed members extend axially from the proximal cast end ring and are respectively positioned radially between an adjacent pair of axial ribs. In one example, cast bar segments integral to the proximal and distal cast end rings are formed in axial slots of the lamination stack. In one example, a bar insert in each axial slot has insert ends that extend respectively from the proximal and distal end faces of the lamination stack and are fully encapsulated respectively in the proximal and distal cast end rings. A method of forming the rotor casting is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, John S. Agapiou
  • Patent number: 9127734
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of a brake rotor includes a cheek member, an intermediate portion, and a hub member. The intermediate portion may be located between the cheek and hub members, and may extend from either the cheek member or the hub member. The intermediate portion may have an exposed section with multiple openings located in the exposed section. The intermediate portion may also have multiple blades extending from inner surfaces of all or some of the openings. The blades cause airflow to pass through the openings to cool the intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, Richard M. Kleber, Ronnie T. Brown, Charon L Morgan
  • Publication number: 20150129377
    Abstract: A method for improving corrosion resistance in FNC cast iron substrates without the need for additional coating or painting. The exemplary methods remove a portion of the FNC coating applied to a cast iron substrate, preferably through polishing, to expose the epsilon phase portion of the compound area. The epsilon phase portion is thought to provide improved corrosion protection as compared to non-polished FNC cast iron substrates. One exemplary product that may be provided with improved corrosion protection according to the above method is a brake rotor having a FNC treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, Michael L. Holly