Abstract: An adjustable mounting bracket for mounting a skull of an animal onto a wall. The mounting bracket is adjustable so that the angle of the skull can be changed, so that the skull can be rotated from side to side, and so that the stinger that secures the skull to the mounting bracket can be lifted off of the base of the mounting bracket without removing the base from the wall. Each side of the stinger has a pointed stabilizer for engaging the skull to hold it firmly to the stinger. The base can be made in a variety of shapes and designs. One design has a base with an opening therein that forms a picture frame. Adjustment of the mounting bracket does not require any tools. The stinger is removable from the base to facilitate marketing, packaging and distribution and to make it easier to attach a skull.

Abstract: An adjustable mounting bracket for mounting a skull of an animal onto a wall or other flat surface. The mounting bracket is adjustable so that the angle at which the skull is held can be changed, so that the mounted skull of the animal can be rotated from side to side, and so that the stinger to which the skull is secured to the mounting bracket can be lifted off of the base of the mounting bracket without removing the base from the wall to which it is secured. The base can be made in a variety of shapes and designs to add to the esthetics of the mount. Adjustment of the mounting bracket does not require any tools. The stinger is removable which facilitates marketing, packaging and distribution requirements in addition to making it easier to attach a skull to it.

Abstract: A hide puller for skinning an animal with telescoping upright support member that is retractable for storage. The puller mounts on a truck hitch receiver. A pulley system with movable mounting bracket attached on an upper end of the support member and wings provided on a lower end of the upright support member. Button and loop fasteners are employed for securing the animal's hide to one end of the support member via either the mounting bracket or the wings and means for securing the animal's carcass to the opposite end of the upright support member via either the wings or the mounting bracket. A cable is attached to the pulley system and attached to means for retracting and releasing the cable to raise and lower the mounting bracket relative to the wings to remove hide from the carcass. A hunter's gambrel may substitute for the movable mounting bracket.

Abstract: A vehicular wheel assembly includes a first bearing component configured to be coupled to a frame of a vehicle, a second bearing component rotatably coupled to the first bearing component, and a brake mechanism coupled to the second bearing component. The motor includes a stator and a rotor. The stator is coupled to the first bearing component and the rotor is coupled to the second bearing component such that rotation of the rotor relative to the stator causes the second bearing component to rotate relative to the first bearing component. The brake mechanism is between the motor and the frame and is configured to slow the rotation of the second bearing component and the rotor.

Abstract: An electric motor includes a stator having a plurality of slots. The slots have slot ends and channels formed between the slot ends. A plurality of wire windings is disposed in the slots. A plurality of winding end-turns is formed by the wire windings and is adjacent to the slot ends. The electric motor also includes a cooling tube connected to a periphery formed by the winding end-turns. The cooling tube is operable to absorb heat from the electric motor. The cooling tube can cool the winding end-turns more efficiently than traditional electric motor water jackets and/or cooling fans.

Abstract: An interface device for coupling an electrical device to a metal junction includes a conformable conductor plate having a first side and a second side. The interface device also includes a plurality of first channels that intersect with a plurality of second channels formed on at least one of the first side and the second side. The formation of the first channels and the second channels weaken the conductor plate. A plurality of protrusions is formed by the intersection of the first channels and the second channels. The protrusions are deformable by coupling the conformable plate between the electrical device and the metal junction. An elongated slot formed throughout at least a portion of the interface device.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling a heat-generating device to a heat-removing device. The apparatus includes a thermally-conductive plate having a first side and a second side. The apparatus also includes a plurality of first channels that intersect with a plurality of second channels formed on at least one of the first side and the second side. The formation of the first channels and the second channels weaken the thermally-conductive plate. The apparatus further includes a plurality of protrusions formed by the intersection of the first channels and the second channels. The protrusions are deformable by coupling the thermally-conductive plate between the heat-generating device and the heat-removing device.

Abstract: In order to provide a modular arrangement, an inverter for an electric traction motor used to drive an automotive vehicle is positioned in proximity with the traction motor. The inverter is located within a compartment adjacent to one end of the electric traction motor and is cooled in a closed system by spraying a liquid coolant directly onto the inverter. The liquid coolant absorbs heat from the inverter and is cooled by a heat exchange arrangement comprising a reservoir with pipes carrying a second coolant from the radiator of the automotive vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the coolant is collected from the inverter in an annular reservoir that is integral with the compartment containing the inverter. In accordance with one embodiment of the cooling arrangement, heat from the inverter vaporizes the liquid coolant by absorbing heat from the inverter during a phase change from a liquid to a vapor.

Abstract: A method of controlling an IPM machine having a salient rotor. Stator terminal signals are measured and rotated to obtain synchronous reference frame current signals. A rotor position is estimated based on an impedance generated using the rotor and included in the current signals. The estimated rotor position is used to control the machine. An alternator-starter system in which this method is used can provide high cranking torque and generation power over a wide speed range while providing operational efficiency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an axial electric motor. The apparatus comprises, a stator having coils thereon for producing a magnetic field, a rotor rotated by the magnetic field, and an output shaft coupled to the rotor. The rotor includes a magnetic and non-magnetic component. The non-magnetic component has a lower density than the magnetic component. One or both of the rotor components have apertures therein for ventilation and weight reduction. Permanent magnets are desirably mounted on the magnetic component of the rotor facing the stator and portions of the rotor behind the permanent magnets are hollowed out to be thinner than portions of the rotor between the permanent magnets. This reduces rotor weight without significantly affecting magnetic flux density in the rotor or motor torque.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an axial electric motor. The apparatus comprises, a stator having coils thereon for producing a magnetic field, a rotor rotated by the magnetic field, an output shaft coupled to the rotor, and a ring incorporating a coolant channel circumferentially engaging the stator for absorbing heat and reaction torque from the stator. It is preferable that that the ring have inwardly extending teeth that mesh with the coils on the stator. The space between the teeth and the coils is preferably filled with a substantially solid thermally conductive material to transmit stator reaction torque to the teeth and cool the stator. The coils are preferably formed from a flat ribbon a portion of whose principal surface is perpendicular to the teeth. A supporting frame is desirably fixedly coupled to the ring and rotatably coupled to the output shaft.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an electric vehicle embodying an axial flux traction motor directly coupled to a wheel thereof. The traction motor comprises a stator having coils for producing a magnetic field, an annular rotor magnetically coupled to the stator and mechanically to an output shaft. Permanent magnets of alternating polarity are mounted on the annular rotor. Magnetic shunts bridge a portion of the stator slots above the coils. The magnets are arranged in groups with group-to-group spacing exceeding magnet-to-magnet spacing. Adjacent edges of the magnets diverge. The method comprises, looking up d- and q-axis currents to provide the requested torque and motor speed for the available DC voltage, combining at least one of the d- and q-axis currents with a field weakening correction term, converting the result from synchronous to stationary frame and operating an inverter therewith to provide current to the coils of the motor.