Patents by Inventor Michael W. Major
Michael W. Major 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).
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Patent number: 11183903Abstract: An apparatus includes an inner rotor motor and a stationary wiring conduit. The inner rotor motor includes a stator and a rotor spaced at least in part radially inside the stator. The rotor is rotatable relative to the stator about an axis. The rotor includes a rotatable shaft that presents a shaft bore extending axially therethrough. The stationary wiring conduit extends through the shaft bore and is fixed relative to the motor housing. The shaft bore rotatably receives the wiring conduit, such that the wiring conduit is permitted to remain stationary as the shaft rotates.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: Matthew D. Allen, Aaron Davies, Daniel J. Suda, Philip S. Johnson, Michael W. Major
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Patent number: 10916982Abstract: An electric motor includes a stator having a stator surface and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of poles, each of which is defined by a pair of magnets positioned in a V-shaped arrangement having a vertex positioned radially inward. The magnets present a mechanical pole angle of the corresponding pole. The rotor also includes a rotor surface that is opposite the stator surface. The rotor surface includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced pole segments, each of which spans a respective mechanical pole angle. The rotor also includes a plurality of longitudinally extending recesses, each of which is positioned between adjacent pole segments.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2019Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: Keith I. Hoemann, Lunjie Lu, Michael W. Major
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Patent number: 10910895Abstract: An electric motor includes a stator and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of poles, each of which is defined by a pair of magnets positioned relative to each other in a V-shaped arrangement having a vertex positioned radially inward. Each of the poles includes a mechanical pole angle defined by the pair of magnets. The mechanical pole angle is about one-half of three hundred and sixty divided by the number of the poles of the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: Keith I. Hoemann, Lunjie Lu, Michael W. Major
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Publication number: 20200389065Abstract: An apparatus includes an inner rotor motor and a stationary wiring conduit. The inner rotor motor includes a stator and a rotor spaced at least in part radially inside the stator. The rotor is rotatable relative to the stator about an axis. The rotor includes a rotatable shaft that presents a shaft bore extending axially therethrough. The stationary wiring conduit extends through the shaft bore and is fixed relative to the motor housing. The shaft bore rotatably receives the wiring conduit, such that the wiring conduit is permitted to remain stationary as the shaft rotates.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2019Publication date: December 10, 2020Applicant: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: Matthew D. Allen, Aaron Davies, Daniel J. Suda, Philip S. Johnson, Michael W. Major
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Patent number: 10833552Abstract: An electric motor having a rotor, a stator, a case at least partially enclosing the rotor and the stator, and a lead connector. The lead connector includes a body having a base, a terminal end, and an intermediate portion extending between the base and the terminal end. The lead connector also includes a first sealing interface extending substantially circumferentially about the intermediate portion and a second sealing interface abutting the case.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: Michael W. Major, Richard A. Belley, Marc J. Corcoran
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Patent number: 10700570Abstract: An electric fan includes a plurality of blades and an electric motor for rotating the blades. The electric motor includes a stator and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator about an axis. The rotor includes a backing ring and a diecast rotor can. The can includes a non-machined sidewall that is diecast integrally as part of the rotor can. The sidewall extends about the axis. The rotor can is diecast in an overlying relationship with at least part of the backing ring, with the sidewall and backing ring being securely interengaged so as to restrict relative shifting therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2018Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: Matthew D. Allen, Michael W. Major
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Patent number: 10644551Abstract: A rotor is provided for use in an electric motor. The rotor includes a shaft assembly rotatable about an axis. The rotor also includes a plurality of magnets arranged arcuately about the shaft assembly, and a plurality of pole segments arranged arcuately about the shaft assembly. The pole segments alternate with the magnets, such that each of the magnets is at least in part interposed between adjacent pole segments. The pole segments interlock with the coupling element.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: Keith I. Hoemann, Michael W. Major, Philip S. Johnson, William R. Lewis, Kent A. Sheeran
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Patent number: 10393129Abstract: A blower motor assembly includes a blower wheel and a motor. The blower wheel includes an integrally formed hub. The motor includes a shaft rotatable about an axis. The hub presents a radially inner hub surface that at least in part defines a hub opening. The inner hub surface defines an inner cross-sectional dimension. The shaft is axially received within the hub opening, such that the blower wheel is supported by the shaft for rotational movement. The shaft includes a toothed region defining a plurality of arcuately spaced apart teeth. Each of the teeth includes a cutting edge. The teeth present an outer cross-sectional dimension that is great than the inner cross-sectional dimension of the inner hub surface, such that the cutting edges of the teeth cut a plurality of grooves in the inner hub surface as the shaft is axially received in the hub opening.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: William R. Lewis, L. Ranney Dohogne, Marc J. Corcoran, Matthew D. Allen, Michael W. Major
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Publication number: 20190214863Abstract: An electric motor includes a stator having a stator surface and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of poles, each of which is defined by a pair of magnets positioned in a V-shaped arrangement having a vertex positioned radially inward. The magnets present a mechanical pole angle of the corresponding pole. The rotor also includes a rotor surface that is opposite the stator surface. The rotor surface includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced pole segments, each of which spans a respective mechanical pole angle. The rotor also includes a plurality of longitudinally extending recesses, each of which is positioned between adjacent pole segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Applicant: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: Keith I. Hoemann, Lunjie Lu, Michael W. Major
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Publication number: 20190214862Abstract: An electric motor includes a stator and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of poles, each of which is defined by a pair of magnets positioned relative to each other in a V-shaped arrangement having a vertex positioned radially inward. Each of the poles includes a mechanical pole angle defined by the pair of magnets. The mechanical pole angle is about one-half of three hundred and sixty divided by the number of the poles of the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Applicant: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: Keith I. Hoemann, Lunjie Lu, Michael W. Major
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Publication number: 20190140512Abstract: An electric fan includes a plurality of blades and an electric motor for rotating the blades. The electric motor includes a stator and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator about an axis. The rotor includes a backing ring and a diecast rotor can. The can includes a non-machined sidewall that is diecast integrally as part of the rotor can. The sidewall extends about the axis. The rotor can is diecast in an overlying relationship with at least part of the backing ring, with the sidewall and backing ring being securely interengaged so as to restrict relative shifting therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Applicant: NIDEC MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Matthew D. Allen, Michael W. Major
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Patent number: 10243434Abstract: A stator of an electric motor includes a core and a covering overmolded on the core. The mold for overmolding the covering on the core includes first and second cavity-defining portions and pluralities of first and second pins extending at least generally toward opposite ones of the cavity-defining portions. The cavity is configured to receive the core therein. The first pins and the second pins are configured to extend into the cavity when the mold is in the closed position to cooperatively at least in part secure the core in the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: Michael W. Major, Matthew D. Allen
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Patent number: 10215180Abstract: An electric fan includes a plurality of blades and an electric motor for rotating the blades. The electric motor includes a stator and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator about an axis. The rotor includes a backing ring and a diecast rotor can. The can includes a non-machined sidewall that is diecast integrally as part of the rotor can. The sidewall extends about the axis. The rotor can is diecast in an overlying relationship with at least part of the backing ring, with the sidewall and backing ring being securely interengaged so as to restrict relative shifting therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: Matthew D. Allen, Michael W. Major
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Publication number: 20180358860Abstract: An electric motor having a rotor, a stator, a case at least partially enclosing the rotor and the stator, and a lead connector. The lead connector includes a body having a base, a terminal end, and an intermediate portion extending between the base and the terminal end. The lead connector also includes a first sealing interface extending substantially circumferentially about the intermediate portion and a second sealing interface abutting the case.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Applicant: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: Michael W. Major, Richard A. Belley, Marc J. Corcoran
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Publication number: 20180306197Abstract: A blower motor assembly includes a blower wheel and a motor. The blower wheel includes an integrally formed hub. The motor includes a shaft rotatable about an axis. The hub presents a radially inner hub surface that at least in part defines a hub opening. The inner hub surface defines an inner cross-sectional dimension. The shaft is axially received within the hub opening, such that the blower wheel is supported by the shaft for rotational movement. The shaft includes a toothed region defining a plurality of arcuately spaced apart teeth. Each of the teeth includes a cutting edge. The teeth present an outer cross-sectional dimension that is great than the inner cross-sectional dimension of the inner hub surface, such that the cutting edges of the teeth cut a plurality of grooves in the inner hub surface as the shaft is axially received in the hub opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: William R. Lewis, L. Ranney Dohogne, Marc J. Corcoran, Matthew D. Allen, Michael W. Major
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Patent number: 10036397Abstract: A blower motor assembly includes a blower wheel and a motor. The blower wheel includes an integrally formed hub. The motor includes a shaft rotatable about an axis. The hub presents a radially inner hub surface that at least in part defines a hub opening. The inner hub surface defines an inner cross-sectional dimension. The shaft is axially received within the hub opening, such that the blower wheel is supported by the shaft for rotational movement. The shaft includes a toothed region defining a plurality of arcuately spaced apart teeth. Each of the teeth includes a cutting edge. The teeth present an outer cross-sectional dimension that is great than the inner cross-sectional dimension of the inner hub surface, such that the cutting edges of the teeth cut a plurality of grooves in the inner hub surface as the shaft is axially received in the hub opening.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2015Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: William R. Lewis, L. Ranney Dohogne, Marc J. Corcoran, Matthew D. Allen, Michael W. Major
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Patent number: 9917488Abstract: An electric motor includes a stator, a rotor, and weights removably attached to the rotor shell for use in balancing the rotor. The removable weights may be integrally formed with a rotor shell such that the weights and the rotor shell form a unitary, one-piece construction. The removable weights may be substantially uniformly spaced apart around an entirety of the outer perimeter of the rotor shell. In a method of making an electric motor, the stator is coupled to the rotor such that the weights are accessible for selective removal during balancing of the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Nidec Motor CorporationInventor: Michael W. Major
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Publication number: 20170288486Abstract: A rotor is provided for use in an electric motor. The rotor includes a shaft assembly rotatable about an axis. The rotor also includes a plurality of magnets arranged arcuately about the shaft assembly, and a plurality of pole segments arranged arcuately about the shaft assembly. The pole segments alternate with the magnets, such that each of the magnets is at least in part interposed between adjacent pole segments. The pole segments interlock with the coupling element.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicant: NIDEC MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: KEITH I. HOEMANN, MICHAEL W. MAJOR, PHILIP S. JOHNSON, WILLIAM R. LEWIS, KENT A. SHEERAN
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Publication number: 20160329760Abstract: A method of assembling a motor for use in a machine is disclosed. The motor includes an axially extending rib protruding radially outwardly from the radially outer surface of the core. The motor further includes a groove-defining portion that defines an axially extending groove receding radially outwardly from the radially inner surface of the shell. The motor assembly method includes the steps of: (a) heating at least the groove-defining portion of the shell; (b) rotationally orienting the core and the shell so as to axially align the rib and the groove; (c) axially receiving the core within the shell such that the rib is received in the groove without interfering with the groove-defining portion; and (d) cooling at least the groove-defining portion so that the rib is fit within the groove via an interference fit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2015Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: NIDEC MOTOR CORPORATIONInventor: Michael W. Major
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Patent number: D1018464Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: Michael W. Major, Daniel J. Suda