Abstract: An alternator configured for use in a vehicle includes a housing, a stator located within the housing, a field coil, a regulator, and a transceiver. The field coil is positioned in proximity to the stator and is configured for rotation relative to the stator. The regulator is electrically connected to the field coil and is configured to supply the field coil with an electrical signal based on a control signal. The transceiver is electrically connected to the regulator and is configured to wirelessly receive the control signal from an engine control module of the vehicle and to transmit the control signal to the regulator.

Abstract: An alternator configured for use in a vehicle includes a housing, a stator located within the housing, a field coil, a regulator, and a transceiver. The field coil is positioned in proximity to the stator and is configured for rotation relative to the stator. The regulator is electrically connected to the field coil and is configured to supply the field coil with an electrical signal based on a control signal. The transceiver is electrically connected to the regulator and is configured to wirelessly receive the control signal from an engine control module of the vehicle and to transmit the control signal to the regulator.

Abstract: An improved generator fan serves to draw air into the generator through an inlet in the generator housing, pass the air through the rotor and stator, and direct the air out openings in the generator housing. The fan of the present invention includes a disc and at least one multi-directional blade extending from the disc. The multi-direction blade includes a leading segment extending from the disc between a first radius measured from the axis of rotation and a second radius, the leading segment including a leading edge extending from the disc at an angle of about ninety degrees from the disc, the leading segment extending from the disc with an increasing angle along the length of the leading segment; and a trailing segment extending from the disc between the second radius and a third radius measured from the axis of rotation, the third radius being greater than the second radius and the trailing segment extending from the disc with an angle having a rate of change different than the leading segment.

Abstract: An improved generator has an improved rotor assembly that includes a rotor shaft defining an axis of rotation, a first pole member and a second pole member mounted on the rotor shaft and a deflector supported about the axis of rotation and having non-magnetic axial extensions. Pole claws of the first pole member and second pole member comprise north and south poles that are intermeshed and spaced apart from one another. The deflector is supported about either of the first end or second end of the shaft and corresponds to the member mounted on the same end of the shaft. The deflector is adapted to rotate with the corresponding member and includes a plurality of non-magnetic axial extensions having a base extending between adjacent pole claws of the corresponding member. The non-magnetic axial extensions provide a substantially uniform circumference creating more desirable airflow as the improved rotor assembly rotates about its axis.

Abstract: An improved generator fan serves to draw air into the generator through an inlet in the generator housing, pass the air through the rotor and stator, and direct the air out openings in the generator housing. The fan of the present invention includes a disc and at least one multi-directional blade extending from the disc. The multi-direction blade includes a leading segment extending from the disc between a first radius measured from the axis of rotation and a second radius, the leading segment including a leading edge extending from the disc at an angle of about ninety degrees from the disc, the leading segment extending from the disc with an increasing angle along the length of the leading segment; and a trailing segment extending from the disc between the second radius and a third radius measured from the axis of rotation, the third radius being greater than the second radius and the trailing segment extending from the disc with an angle having a rate of change different than the leading segment.

Abstract: An improved generator has an improved rotor assembly that includes a rotor shaft defining an axis of rotation, a first pole member and a second pole member mounted on the rotor shaft and a deflector supported about the axis of rotation and having non-magnetic axial extensions. Pole claws of the first pole member and second pole member comprise north and south poles that are intermeshed and spaced apart from one another. The deflector is supported about either of the first end or second end of the shaft and corresponds to the member mounted on the same end of the shaft. The deflector is adapted to rotate with the corresponding member and includes a plurality of non-magnetic axial extensions having a base extending between adjacent pole claws of the corresponding member. The non-magnetic axial extensions provide a substantially uniform circumference creating more desirable airflow as the improved rotor assembly rotates about its axis.

Abstract: A rotating machine is provided, including a rotor having a longitudinal axis with a connected fan and a stator surrounding said rotor. Front and rear frames rotatably support the rotor. At least one of said frames has a hub with a core with an opening for receiving a bearing mounting the rotor with said hub. The hub has an opening and ribs generally radially connecting the core with an outer rim of said hub. The ribs have a cross-sectional area being generally tilted with respect to a line extending generally parallel with the axis of said rotor.

Abstract: A plastic fastener is disclosed. The fastener may be employed in a vehicle generator. The fastener has a plastic body extending through an aperture of a first component and through an aperture of a second component. The body has a first distal head that retainingly abuts the opening of the aperture of the first component. The plastic body also has a second distal head that retainingly abuts the opening of the aperture of the second component. The configuration of the body secures the first component to the second component. The invention further provides a method of fastening components of a vehicular generator. A plastic body with first and second studs is over molded about a first generator component. At least one stud may be extended through an aperture of a second generator component. The studs are then formed into distal heads to secure the first component to the second component.

Abstract: A plastic fastener is disclosed. The fastener may be employed in a vehicle generator. The fastener has a plastic body extending through an aperture of a first component and through an aperture of a second component. The body has a first distal head that retainingly abuts the opening of the aperture of the first component. The plastic body also has a second distal head that retainingly abuts the opening of the aperture of the second component. The configuration of the body secures the first component to the second component. The invention further provides a method of fastening components of a vehicular generator. A plastic body with first and second studs is over molded about a first generator component. At least one stud may be extended through an aperture of a second generator component. The studs are then formed into distal heads to secure the first component to the second component.

Abstract: An improved shape for a tooth of a rotor assembly in an AC generator is generally trapezoidal in shape and includes a base, a tip, and leading and trailing edges. The leading edge comprises a first portion, and a second portion. The first portion extends from the tip toward the base, and the second portion extends from the first portion toward the base. The second portion slopes at a first rate that would cover about one slot pitch were it allowed to continue all the way up to the tip. However, the first slope continues only to a transition point. The first portion is generally parallel to the trailing edge of an adjacent, magnetically opposing rotor tooth. The modified tooth presents a wider tooth cross-section.

Abstract: A rotating electrical machine is provided, including a rotor having a longitudinal axis with a connected fan and a stator surrounding said rotor. Front and rear frames rotatably support the rotor. At least one of said frames has a hub with a core with an opening for receiving a bearing mounting the rotor with said hub. The hub has an opening and ribs generally radially connecting the core with an outer rim of said hub. The ribs have a cross-sectional area being generally tilted with respect to a line extending generally parallel with the axis of said rotor.

Abstract: An alternating current (AC) generator includes a casing or housing defining an accommodation space therein. A stator assembly is rigidly mounted in the accommodation space in the casing and includes stator slots and a 5-phase winding distributed through and among the stator slots. A rotor assembly is rotatably disposed inside the stator assembly and includes a plurality of pairs of opposed pole members. Pairs of pole members are configured for energization in opposite magnetic polarity. A plurality of rectifiers rectify output voltages generated by the 5-phase windings.

Abstract: An improved shape for a tooth of a rotor assembly in an AC generator is generally trapezoidal in shape and includes a base, a tip, and leading and trailing edges. The leading edge comprises a first portion, and a second portion. The first portion extends from the tip toward the base, and the second portion extends from the first portion toward the base. The second portion slopes at a first rate that would cover about one slot pitch were it allowed to continue all the way up to the tip. However, the first slope continues only to a transition point. The first portion is generally parallel to the trailing edge of an adjacent, magnetically opposing rotor tooth. The modified tooth presents a wider tooth cross-section.