Patents by Inventor Michael Graves

Michael Graves 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: 20240418223
    Abstract: Generally described, aspects of the present application relate to mitigation of induced voltages in rotor components of an electric motor. Illustratively, one or more aspects relates to incorporation of one or more electrically insulating elements to isolate the rotor from the rest of the components of the electric motor. The electrically insulating elements are integrated into a coupler mechanism between the rotor and stator. Through insulation, the induced voltages cannot discharge through gears and bearings. Illustratively, the isolation coupler is placed on or proximate to the rotor shaft centerline and provides torque transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: Scott Michael Graves, Sina Mobasher Moghaddam
  • Publication number: 20240413679
    Abstract: One or more aspects of the present application relate to cooling management system implemented as part of an electric motor. Illustratively, the cooling management system corresponds to a sealed system/component that surrounding the motor stator magnetic core such that a cooling fluid is able to provide heat mitigation functionality during the operation of the AC induction motor, referred to generally as the electric motor. More specifically, illustratively, the cooling management system includes a reservoir configured to hold a cooling fluid, a pump configured to pump the cooling fluid, a heat exchanger configured to interact with the cooling fluid, and a sealed stator fluid jacket. The sealed stator fluid jacket further includes an over molded inner layer that defines an interior channel characterizing a space for the plurality of stator bars and that defines a plurality of flow channels for the flow of the cooling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Diego Silva, Scott Michael Graves
  • Publication number: 20240392566
    Abstract: Building panels and structures formed from building panels are disclosed. A building panel includes a first building panel unit including a first outer wall and a first sidewall angularly offset from the first outer wall. The building panel can also include a second building panel unit including a second outer wall and a second sidewall depending from the second outer wall. In the building panel, the first sidewall of the first building panel unit is attached to the second sidewall of the second building panel unit, and the attachment of the first sidewall to the second sidewall applies a constant tension to the first outer wall and the second outer wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Graves, Michael Saloga, Scott Beckwith
  • Patent number: 12078236
    Abstract: An electric drive unit and method of assembling the same is disclosed. The electric drive unit includes a rotor having a rotor shaft, and gear shaft, where the rotor shaft is inserted into the gear shaft. The gear shaft is supported by two bearings, while the rotor shaft supported directly at one end by a bearing and at the other by the gear shaft. A wave spring is also disclosed that provides an axial loading to the rotor shaft. Also disclosed is a balancing ring secured to an end of the rotor via a locknut. The balancing ring can be machined in order to balance the rotor. The rotor shaft can be connected to the gear shaft via a spline connection. The rotor shaft can bear against the gear shaft via a pilot journal and pilot bore defined on the rotor shaft and gear shaft respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Dellal, Scott Michael Graves, Luke Ottaway
  • Publication number: 20240060490
    Abstract: An electric pump system and method of operating the same involves pumping a fluid through a fluid passageway defined in a mechanical pump from a pump inlet to a hollow shaft of a motor, through the hollow shaft to an internal motor cavity defined by a housing of the motor, and through another fluid passageway defined in the motor housing and mechanical pump that leads to a pump outlet. The system and method further involve pumping the fluid through another fluid passageway defined in the mechanical pump from yet another pump inlet to the pump outlet. The temperature of fluid exiting the hollow shaft can be assessed and used by an electronic control unit (ECU) of the electric pump system to control the same. The electric pump system can be part of a cooling and lubrication system for an electric vehicle transmission, gearbox, differential or transfer case, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Scott Michael Graves, Eric Bellemare, Yufei Zhu, Benjamin Dellal, Diego Alberto Silva Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20240010811
    Abstract: Described herein are nanocomposites, methods of making nanocomposites, and methods of using nanocomposites. The nanocomposites include magnetite nanoparticles. The nanocomposites are useful in a variety of industrial applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventor: Michael Graves
  • Patent number: 11821420
    Abstract: An electric pump system and method of operating the same involves pumping a fluid through a fluid passageway defined in a mechanical pump from a pump inlet to a hollow shaft of a motor, through the hollow shaft to an internal motor cavity defined by a housing of the motor, and through another fluid passageway defined in the motor housing and mechanical pump that leads to a pump outlet. The system and method further involve pumping the fluid through another fluid passageway defined in the mechanical pump from yet another pump inlet to the pump outlet. The temperature of fluid exiting the hollow shaft can be assessed and used by an electronic control unit (ECU) of the electric pump system to control the same. The electric pump system can be part of a cooling and lubrication system for an electric vehicle transmission, gearbox, differential or transfer case, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Michael Graves, Eric Bellemare, Yufei Zhu, Benjamin Dellal, Diego Alberto Silva Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20230341042
    Abstract: An electric drive unit and method of assembling the same is disclosed. The electric drive unit includes a rotor having a rotor shaft, and gear shaft, where the rotor shaft is inserted into the gear shaft. The gear shaft is supported by two bearings, while the rotor shaft supported directly at one end by a bearing and at the other by the gear shaft. A wave spring is also disclosed that provides an axial loading to the rotor shaft. Also disclosed is a balancing ring secured to an end of the rotor via a locknut. The balancing ring can be machined in order to balance the rotor. The rotor shaft can be connected to the gear shaft via a spline connection. The rotor shaft can bear against the gear shaft via a pilot journal and pilot bore defined on the rotor shaft and gear shaft respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Benjamin Dellal, Scott Michael Graves, Luke Ottaway
  • Patent number: 11757320
    Abstract: An electric motor includes a case, a stator having stator windings, a rotor having a rotor shaft, and at least one main rotor bearing coupling the rotor shaft to the case. Common mode charge builds up on the rotor due to imbalances of the stator. The at least one main rotor bearing has a first electrical resistance between the rotor shaft and the case. The electric motor further includes a rotor discharge bearing coupling the rotor shaft to the case. The rotor discharge bearing has a second electrical resistance between the rotor shaft and the case that is less than the first electrical resistance, causing the common mode charge to discharge through the rotor discharge bearing. In a differing embodiment, a rotor discharge brush coupled between the case and the rotor shaft along the longitudinal axis of the rotor shaft discharges the common mode charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Michael Graves, Diego Alberto Silva Rodriguez, Tyler Nils Grendahl, Alexander Hain
  • Patent number: 11746871
    Abstract: A method for mitigating torque steer in a vehicle having a steering axle with a limited slip differential and a pair of output members. The limited slip differential includes a pair of differential outputs and a clutch. The method includes: operating the limited slip differential with the clutch in the first condition; determining that the vehicle is in a state in which a torque steer condition is occurring or is likely to occur; and operating the clutch to reduce a torque differential between the differential outputs to mitigate the torque steer condition. A vehicle with a steering axle and a controller that is configured to operate a clutch in the steering axle to attenuate torque steer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Jonathan Michael Graves, Andrew Monticello, Brent Clark
  • Publication number: 20230274435
    Abstract: A system for analyzing images is provided. The system includes a computing device having at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device. The at least one processor is programmed to receive an image including a plurality of objects, detect the plurality of objects in the image, determine dependencies between each of the plurality of objects, identify the plurality of objects based, at least in part, on the plurality of dependencies, and determine one or more objects of interest from the plurality of identified objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Graves, Joseph Graves
  • Patent number: 11686384
    Abstract: An electric drive unit and method of assembling the same is disclosed. The electric drive unit includes a rotor having a rotor shaft, and gear shaft, where the rotor shaft is inserted into the gear shaft. The gear shaft is supported by two bearings, while the rotor shaft supported directly at one end by a bearing and at the other by the gear shaft. A wave spring is also disclosed that provides an axial loading to the rotor shaft. Also disclosed is a balancing ring secured to an end of the rotor via a locknut. The balancing ring can be machined in order to balance the rotor. The rotor shaft can be connected to the gear shaft via a spline connection. The rotor shaft can bear against the gear shaft via a pilot journal and pilot bore defined on the rotor shaft and gear shaft respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Dellal, Scott Michael Graves, Luke Ottaway
  • Patent number: 11663721
    Abstract: A system for analyzing images is provided. The system includes a computing device having at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device. The at least one processor is programmed to receive an image including a plurality of objects, detect the plurality of objects in the image, determine dependencies between each of the plurality of objects, identify the plurality of objects based, at least in part, on the plurality of dependencies, and determine one or more objects of interest from the plurality of identified objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SafeTek, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Graves, Joseph Graves
  • Patent number: 11514467
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining application experience of a user. One embodiment presented herein includes a computer-implemented method, which includes receiving, at a computing device, eye tracking data of a user interacting with at least a first page of an application. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, based at least on the eye tracking data, at least a current user experience regarding the first page. The computer-implemented method further includes predicting, based on evaluating the current user experience, that the user is likely to discontinue use of the application. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, based at least on the prediction, an intervention that reduces a likelihood of the user discontinuing use of the application, and interacting with the user according to the intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: INTUIT, INC.
    Inventors: Igor A. Podgorny, Benjamin Indyk, Michael Graves
  • Publication number: 20220260145
    Abstract: A method for mitigating torque steer in a vehicle having a steering axle with a limited slip differential and a pair of output members. The limited slip differential includes a pair of differential outputs and a clutch. The method includes: operating the limited slip differential with the clutch in the first condition; determining that the vehicle is in a state in which a torque steer condition is occurring or is likely to occur; and operating the clutch to reduce a torque differential between the differential outputs to mitigate the torque steer condition. A vehicle with a steering axle and a controller that is configured to operate a clutch in the steering axle to attenuate torque steer is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Jonathan Michael Graves, Andrew Monticello, Brent Clark
  • Patent number: 11407308
    Abstract: A system includes a differential, sensors, and a controller. The differential is operable in a first differential mode in which a first shaft and a second shaft are allowed to rotate at different speeds, and a second differential mode in which the differential inhibits relative rotation between the first and second shafts. The sensors are configured to measure vehicle operating conditions. The controller is in communication with the sensors and the differential. The controller, when the vehicle mode is selected, is configured to determine if an intended path of the vehicle is straight, determine if a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined vehicle speed, and operate the differential in the second differential mode for a predetermined time period in response to the controller determining that the intended path of the vehicle is straight and the vehicle speed is less than the predetermined vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Daniel Joseph Dunn, Matthew Johnson, Andrew Monticello, Jonathan Michael Graves
  • Patent number: 11308620
    Abstract: A system for analyzing images is provided. The system includes a computing device having at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device. The at least one processor is programmed to receive an image including a plurality of objects, detect the plurality of objects in the image, determine dependencies between each of the plurality of objects, identify the plurality of objects based, at least in part, on the plurality of dependencies, and determine one or more objects of interest from the plurality of identified objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SAFE TEK, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Graves, Joseph Graves
  • Publication number: 20220003306
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling power transmission systems are include providing oil through an aperture defined in a housing to a stator cooling ring, through the stator cooling ring and into stator cooling channels, through the stator cooling channels and into spaces defined between the housing and jet rings, and through holes in the jet rings and onto the end-windings. The stator cooling ring, stator cooling channels and jet rings can encircle the stator and end-windings and, via the holes in the jet rings, spray pressurized jets of oil from various angles onto the end-windings, and in particular middle regions thereof. Seals may be used between the jet rings and housing, and between the jet rings and stator ends. The seals may be compressed so as to form an interference fit between the jet rings and housing or stator ends as the case may be.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Scott Michael Graves, Eric Bellemare, Alexander Hain
  • Patent number: 11218045
    Abstract: An electric motor includes a case, a stator that includes end-windings, a rotor coupled to the case via at least one rotor bearing, at least one drive motor fluid pump, and drive motor electronics. The rotor includes a hollow cylindrical body, a first shaft portion, and a second shaft portion, a fluid feed tube having a fluid receive end and a fluid feed end, the fluid feed end extending into the hollow cylindrical body, and a plurality of fluid exit ports. The drive motor electronics power the stator with or without causing rotation of the rotor. The drive motor fluid pump pumps fluid into the hollow cylindrical body via the fluid feed tube, pumps the fluid out of the plurality of fluid ports, and onto the stator end-windings to collect heat from the rotor and the stator. The heated fluid may be used for heating a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Bozhi Yang, Tomas Vianna Martins, Scott Michael Graves, Ethan Swint, Eric Bellemare, Lev Fedoseyev, Benjamin Dellal, Leif E. Olsen, Alexander Hain
  • Publication number: 20210367467
    Abstract: An electric motor includes a case, a stator having stator windings, a rotor having a rotor shaft, and at least one main rotor bearing coupling the rotor shaft to the case. Common mode charge builds up on the rotor due to imbalances of the stator. The at least one main rotor bearing has a first electrical resistance between the rotor shaft and the case. The electric motor further includes a rotor discharge bearing coupling the rotor shaft to the case. The rotor discharge bearing has a second electrical resistance between the rotor shaft and the case that is less than the first electrical resistance, causing the common mode charge to discharge through the rotor discharge bearing. In a differing embodiment, a rotor discharge brush coupled between the case and the rotor shaft along the longitudinal axis of the rotor shaft discharges the common mode charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Scott Michael Graves, Diego Alberto Silva Rodriguez, Tyler Nils Grendahl, Alexander Hain