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.

Abstract: The disclosed system, which includes a wearable BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) sampling device and proprietary monitoring software, provides the wearer with the confidence to drink alcoholic beverages freely, up to the point where the software determines the wearer's BAC will be approaching the BAC Sweet Spot. The BAC Sweet Spot is defined as a range of BAC levels at which a person should be experiencing the height of the alcoholic experience, but at the same time not overindulging. The precise personalized calculation of the BAC Sweet Spot and maintaining the users BAC within the BAC Sweet Spot throughout the drinking session are the goals of this invention.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A drive unit is disclosed that includes case portions, a gasket interposed between the case portions, shafts, bearings having respective bearing races, and a bearing shim plate. One shaft includes an input oil tube which provides a fluid pathway between the bearing shim plate and a rotor of the drive unit. Interposed between bearings, and the bearing shim plate, are shims. An approach for sizing shims for use with a drive unit is also disclosed, the approach including determining the distance from a mating flange of a case portion, to different bearing races, selecting shims based on the determined distances, and attaching the bearing shim plate to the case portion with shims interposed therebetween.

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.

Abstract: A gear box and method of providing oil through the same is provided. The gear box includes a windage tray that includes a tray having a bleed hole therein, and another tray having another second bleed hole therein. Oil is provided through the bleed holes to respective gears situated in the trays. The windage tray may also include a magnet positioned within a magnet slot of the windage tray, for removing debris from the oil. A tube may also be attached to the windage tray, which tube can include a bleed hole therein, for spraying the oil out of the tube and towards a differential, for example. The windage tray and tube can be made from molded plastic, and can be made using the same mold. The gear box housing may further define a drain in an inner side wall to provide oil to a differential bearing, for example.

Abstract: A control system for monitoring operation of an industrial machine includes a processor and a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable memory communicating with the processor. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory includes instructions that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: receiving image data from an imaging device that monitors an image zone around the industrial machine, analyzing the image data, generating, based upon the analyzing, operational data associated with the industrial machine, and transmitting the operational data to a display that is communicatively coupled to the control system.

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.

Abstract: A control system for operation of an industrial machine includes a processor and a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable memory communicating with the processor. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory includes instructions that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: receiving image data from an imaging device that monitors an image zone around the industrial machine, and analyzing the image data. The processor further performs operations including determining, based upon the analyzing, that the control system is functional, determining, based upon the analyzing, that the image data includes at least one of a predefined color, a predefined pattern, and a predefined shape, and transmitting a proximity signal to at least one relay module coupled between the processor and the industrial machine to halt operation of the industrial machine.

Abstract: An audio accessory key detection system (40) includes a host circuit (2-3) coupled to communicate via a microphone line (7) with an accessory circuit (3-3) in either a MSFT mode or a digital communication mode. Depletion mode transistors (44-1,2,3) in the accessory circuit are coupled between keys (15-1,2,3) of the accessory circuit, respectively. The depletion mode transistors are allowed to remain conductive for MSFT mode operation. For digital communications mode operation, the host circuit sends a command via the microphone line to a key detector and controller circuit (29A) in the accessory circuit. In response, a voltage is generated to turn the depletion mode transistors off so as to allow digital communications mode operation between the accessory circuit and the host circuit.

Abstract: A control system for operation of an industrial machine includes a processor and a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable memory communicating with the processor. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory includes instructions that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: receiving image data from an imaging device that monitors an image zone around the industrial machine, and analyzing the image data. The processor further performs operations including determining, based upon the analyzing, that the control system is functional, determining, based upon the analyzing, that the image data includes at least one of a predefined color, a predefined pattern, and a predefined shape, and transmitting a proximity signal to at least one relay module coupled between the processor and the industrial machine to halt operation of the industrial machine.

Abstract: A gate control circuit for a tristate output buffer operating in a first voltage domain includes a pull-up circuit coupled between an upper rail and a first gate control signal, a pull-down circuit coupled between a lower rail and a second gate control signal, and a gate isolation switch coupled between the first gate control signal and the second gate control signal. The gate isolation switch includes a first PMOS transistor coupled in parallel with a first NMOS transistor. The first NMOS transistor is controlled by a first enable signal and the first PMOS transistor is controlled by a second enable signal.

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.

Abstract: A drive unit is disclosed that includes case portions, a gasket interposed between the case portions, shafts, bearings having respective bearing races, and a bearing shim plate. One shaft includes an input oil tube which provides a fluid pathway between the bearing shim plate and a rotor of the drive unit. Interposed between bearings, and the bearing shim plate, are shims. An approach for sizing shims for use with a drive unit is also disclosed, the approach including determining the distance from a mating flange of a case portion, to different bearing races, selecting shims based on the determined distances, and attaching the bearing shim plate to the case portion with shims interposed therebetween.

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.

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.

Abstract: Systems and method for cooling and lubricating power transmission systems include providing oil to an oil tube and then to a rotor shaft via the oil tube. Oil may also be provided through at least one channel defined in an end of the oil tube inserted into an annular region of the rotor shaft, through at least one channel defined in an end of the gear shaft and between the end and a shoulder of the rotor shaft and through at least one channel defined in side surface of the rotor shaft in a region of rotor shaft inserted into the gear shaft. Such systems and method can also include providing oil a fluid passageway in a bearing shim plate via an inlet tube. Oil may also be provided through a radial gap adjacent a bearing shim plate outlet and chamber defined in the bearing shim plate.

Abstract: A gear box and method of providing oil through the same is provided. The gear box includes a windage tray that includes a tray having a bleed hole therein, and another tray having another second bleed hole therein. Oil is provided through the bleed holes to respective gears situated in the trays. The windage tray may also include a magnet positioned within a magnet slot of the windage tray, for removing debris from the oil. A tube may also be attached to the windage tray, which tube can include a bleed hole therein, for spraying the oil out of the tube and towards a differential, for example. The windage tray and tube can be made from molded plastic, and can be made using the same mold. The gear box housing may further define a drain in an inner side wall to provide oil to a differential bearing, for example.