Patents by Inventor Ronald M. Lesperance
Ronald M. Lesperance 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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Publication number: 20240125840Abstract: A testing system includes an AC signal generator configured to selectively generate a sinusoidal signal including a plurality of cycles. A dielectric strength and partial discharge tester sequentially performs dielectric strength and partial discharge testing of a stator of an electric machine using the sinusoidal signal. Another testing system includes an impulse signal generator configured to selectively generate an impulse signal including a plurality of cycles. A surge and partial discharge tester for sequentially performing surge and partial discharge testing of a stator of an electric machine using the impulse signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2022Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: John S. AGAPIOU, Ronald M. LESPERANCE
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Patent number: 11675012Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting partial discharge in a stator for an electric motor are provided. An exemplary method includes applying a high voltage AC sinewave input signal to the stator and energizing at least one winding therein. The method includes sensing a first resulting load signal occurring in the stator with a first device and filtering the first resulting load signal to form a first high frequency signal indicating any partial discharge (PD) voltage occurring in the stator. The method also includes sensing a second resulting load signal occurring in the stator with a second device and filtering the second resulting load signal to form a second high frequency signal indicating any partial discharge voltage occurring in the stator. Further, the method includes processing the first and second high frequency signals to form a processed signal indicating whether partial discharge occurred.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Ronald M Lesperance, John S Agapiou
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Patent number: 11668759Abstract: A method of analyzing the quality of a battery cell includes performing a high-throughput quality check on the battery cell with a quality control system, assessing a quality score to the battery cell, with quality score identifying the battery cell as low-quality or high-quality, and performing a comprehensive quality check on the battery cell if identified as low-quality. The method further includes assessing an enhanced quality score to the battery cell superseding the quality score of the quality control system identifying the battery cell as confirmed low-quality or confirmed high-quality and providing revised production instructions for manufacturing successive battery cells if confirmed low-quality.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: James R. Salvador, Debejyo Chakraborty, Ryan Curtis Sekol, Thomas A. Yersak, Sean R. Wagner, Charles W. Wampler, Ronald M. Lesperance, Raffaello Ardanese, Thanh-Son Dao, Dmitriy Bruder
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Publication number: 20230115294Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting partial discharge in a stator for an electric motor are provided. An exemplary method includes applying a high voltage AC sinewave input signal to the stator and energizing at least one winding therein. The method includes sensing a first resulting load signal occurring in the stator with a first device and filtering the first resulting load signal to form a first high frequency signal indicating any partial discharge (PD) voltage occurring in the stator. The method also includes sensing a second resulting load signal occurring in the stator with a second device and filtering the second resulting load signal to form a second high frequency signal indicating any partial discharge voltage occurring in the stator. Further, the method includes processing the first and second high frequency signals to form a processed signal indicating whether partial discharge occurred.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2021Publication date: April 13, 2023Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Ronald M. Lesperance, John S. Agapiou
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Publication number: 20220404431Abstract: A method of analyzing the quality of a battery cell includes performing a high-throughput quality check on the battery cell with a quality control system, assessing a quality score to the battery cell, with quality score identifying the battery cell as low-quality or high-quality, and performing a comprehensive quality check on the battery cell if identified as low-quality. The method further includes assessing an enhanced quality score to the battery cell superseding the quality score of the quality control system identifying the battery cell as confirmed low-quality or confirmed high-quality and providing revised production instructions for manufacturing successive battery cells if confirmed low-quality.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2021Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: James R. Salvador, Debejyo Chakraborty, Ryan Curtis Sekol, Thomas A. Yersak, Sean R. Wagner, Charles W. Wampler, Ronald M. Lesperance, Raffaello Ardanese, Thanh-Son Dao, Dmitriy Bruder
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Publication number: 20220404186Abstract: A quality control system analyzes the quality of a battery cell, with the battery cell defining a gas pouch configured to expand from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration when filled with a gas formed during a cell formation process. The system comprises a computational system comprising a processor and a memory and a measurement instrument in electronic communication with the computational system. The measurement instrument is arranged to measure a distance defined by the gas pouch and transmit a signal to the computational system corresponding to the distance. The computational system is arranged to analyze the distance with the processor and determine a volumetric measurement of the gas within the gas pouch and compare the volumetric measurement to a threshold in the memory to assess a quality score for the battery cell. A corresponding method analyzes the quality of the battery cell with the quality control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2021Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: Dmitriy Bruder, James R. Salvador, Raffaello Ardanese, Ryan C. Sekol, Thomas A. Yersak, Sean Robert Wagner, Ronald M. Lesperance
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Patent number: 11278990Abstract: A computer software product adapted for use in a weld inspection system is executed by a processor and is stored in an electronic storage medium of the weld inspection system adapted to facilitate the inspection of a weld of a work product. The computer software product includes a first module and a combination module. The first module is configured to transform first and second raw thermal images, associated with respective first and second heat pulses of at least a portion of the work product having the weld, into respective first and second binary images. The combination module is configured to transform the first and second binary images into a combined binary image for the reduction of noise.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Megan E. McGovern, Teresa J. Rinker, Ryan C. Sekol, Sean R. Wagner, Ronald M. Lesperance, James G. Schroth, Michael J. Bland, Diana M. Wegner
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Patent number: 11131739Abstract: A partial discharge calibration standard apparatus may include a first and second rigid members defining respective first and second facing surfaces. An electrically insulating material may be disposed between the facing surfaces. The apparatus may further include a pressure member maintaining the rigid members together, thereby fixing the first and second facing surfaces in a substantially parallel spaced relation across the insulating material such that a partial discharge threshold magnitude for an electrical potential difference between the first and second facing surfaces is determined.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2019Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Ronald M. Lesperance, John S. Agapiou, Thomas A. Perry
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Publication number: 20210031309Abstract: A computer software product adapted for use in a weld inspection system is executed by a processor and is stored in an electronic storage medium of the weld inspection system adapted to facilitate the inspection of a weld of a work product. The computer software product includes a first module and a combination module. The first module is configured to transform first and second raw thermal images, associated with respective first and second heat pulses of at least a portion of the work product having the weld, into respective first and second binary images. The combination module is configured to transform the first and second binary images into a combined binary image for the reduction of noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2019Publication date: February 4, 2021Inventors: Megan E. McGovern, Teresa J. Rinker, Ryan C. Sekol, Sean R. Wagner, Ronald M. Lesperance, James G. Schroth, Michael J. Bland, Diana M. Wegner
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Publication number: 20200355776Abstract: A partial discharge calibration standard apparatus may include a first and second rigid members defining respective first and second facing surfaces. An electrically insulating material may be disposed between the facing surfaces. The apparatus may further include a pressure member maintaining the rigid members together, thereby fixing the first and second facing surfaces in a substantially parallel spaced relation across the insulating material such that a partial discharge threshold magnitude for an electrical potential difference between the first and second facing surfaces is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2019Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventors: Ronald M. Lesperance, John S. Agapiou, Thomas A. Perry
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Patent number: 10213878Abstract: An arc welding/brazing process is disclosed that is useful to join together a first copper piece and a second copper piece without damaging more heat-sensitive materials that may be located nearby is disclosed. The arc welding/brazing process includes using a non-consumable electrode wire, which electrically communicates with a weld control in a straight polarity orientation, to strike an arc across a gap established between a leading tip end of the electrode wire and the first copper piece. The current that flows through the arc when the arc is established heats the first copper piece such that the first copper piece becomes joined to a second copper piece. The joint between the first copper piece and the second copper piece may be an autogenous weld joint or a braze joint.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: James G. Schroth, Thomas A. Perry, John S. Agapiou, Ronald M. Lesperance
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Patent number: 9821424Abstract: A manufacturing fixture includes a rigid base defining a control plane. A first cone locator pin has a first longitudinal axis. The first cone locator pin is connected to the rigid base with the first longitudinal axis orthogonal to the control plane to engage a complementary locating aperture defined in a workpiece. The first cone locator pin engages the complementary locating aperture to locate the workpiece and constrain translation of the workpiece with respect to the control plane. A second cone locator pin has a second longitudinal axis. The second cone locator pin is connected to the rigid base with the second longitudinal axis orthogonal to the control plane to engage a complementary locating hole defined in a workpiece. The second cone locator pin engages the complementary locating hole to locate the workpiece and prevent rotation of the workpiece about the first longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2014Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Ronald M. Lesperance, Charles W. Wampler, II, Mark Allen Smith
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Publication number: 20160218603Abstract: An arc welding/brazing process is disclosed that is useful to join together a first copper piece and a second copper piece without damaging more heat-sensitive materials that may be located nearby is disclosed. The arc welding/brazing process includes using a non-consumable electrode wire, which electrically communicates with a weld control in a straight polarity orientation, to strike an arc across a gap established between a leading tip end of the electrode wire and the first copper piece. The current that flows through the arc when the arc is established heats the first copper piece such that the first copper piece becomes joined to a second copper piece. The joint between the first copper piece and the second copper piece may be an autogenous weld joint or a braze joint.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: James G. Schroth, Thomas A. Perry, John S. Agapiou, Ronald M. Lesperance
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Publication number: 20160096246Abstract: A manufacturing fixture includes a rigid base defining a control plane. A first cone locator pin has a first longitudinal axis. The first cone locator pin is connected to the rigid base with the first longitudinal axis orthogonal to the control plane to engage a complementary locating aperture defined in a workpiece. The first cone locator pin engages the complementary locating aperture to locate the workpiece and constrain translation of the workpiece with respect to the control plane. A second cone locator pin has a second longitudinal axis. The second cone locator pin is connected to the rigid base with the second longitudinal axis orthogonal to the control plane to engage a complementary locating hole defined in a workpiece. The second cone locator pin engages the complementary locating hole to locate the workpiece and prevent rotation of the workpiece about the first longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2014Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventors: Ronald M. Lesperance, Charles W. Wampler, II, Mark Allen Smith
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Publication number: 20100138435Abstract: A method of linking information to an electronically enabled manufactured part archive includes identifying an area of the electronically enabled manufactured part archive, defining the area with a geometric token, and electronically identifying information. The information may relate to at least a portion of a manufactured part which is associated with the identified area of the manufactured part archive. The method may also include electronically associating the information with the identified area and/or the geometric token, wherein the information is configured for retrieval.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2010Publication date: June 3, 2010Inventors: Ronald M. Lesperance, John A. Cafeo, Andrea M. Simon, Alexander P. Morgan
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Publication number: 20080082559Abstract: A method of linking information to an electronically enabled manufactured part archive includes identifying an area of the electronically enabled manufactured part archive, defining the area with a geometric token, and electronically identifying information. The information may relate to at least a portion of a manufactured part which is associated with the identified area of the manufactured part archive. The method may also include electronically associating the information with the identified area and/or the geometric token, wherein the information is adapted for retrieval.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Ronald M. Lesperance, John A. Cafeo, Andrea M. Simon, Alexander P. Morgan