Conversion Elements, (e.g., Transformers, Rectifiers, Etc.) Patents (Class 310/68D)
  • Patent number: 5710467
    Abstract: Cooling wind is introduced into an electric-parts-chamber through openings formed at the bottom of a cover, then taken into the intake side of a cooling fan through the air intakes formed in the wall end of a housing from the electric-parts-chamber. The cooling wind is accelerated by the fan to be driven off from the outlets formed in the peripheral wall of the housing. The cylindrical portion of the positive side cooling fins of the rectifier is extended to the space between the outer periphery of the fan and the outlets. The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion is longer than that of the rear coil end. Thus, the coil end and the cylindrical portion of the positive side cooling fin are cooled sufficiently by the cooling wind blowing thereon at high speed, so that the rectifier can endure large thermal load with reduced wind noise even if the size of the alternator is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Irie, Hiroshi Ishida, Shin Kusase
  • Patent number: 5705867
    Abstract: An insulating plate for a vehicle alternator has a semi-circular body with insulating bushes formed at both ends of the body and an extension formed at one end of the body to support the bottom of a terminal plate of the alternator. A pair of vertical walls are formed on both sides of the extension to tightly grasp the sides of terminal plate. The body of the insulated plate also has at least one protective guide hole to guide the phase leads which extend from the stator to the rectifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Mando Machinery Corporation
    Inventor: Yong Tak Jeon
  • Patent number: 5705870
    Abstract: A universal automotive alternator which comprises an alternator body, a front plate and an assemblage for attaching the front plate to the alternator body. A back plate is also provided. A structure is for securing the back plate to the alternator body. A facility is for mounting the front plate to a bracket on an engine. In some instances, a component is utilized for mounting the back plate to a bracket on the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Inventors: Bradley E. Thomsen, Lawrence G. Trowbridge
  • Patent number: 5691590
    Abstract: In an alternator for a vehicle having a field coil for generating rotating magnetic field and stator coils for generating alternating current voltages in response to the rotating magnetic field, the stator coils are grouped and wound in a dual winding system. In order to reduce magnetic noise, a first group of coils are provided in contact with a stator core and the second group coils. The first and second group of coils are shifted from each other by .pi./3 radian in electrical angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Kawai, Atsushi Umeda
  • Patent number: 5686780
    Abstract: A voltage regulating circuit is provided in a single mold package, which is attached to the case directly or by a heat conductive material such that it is sandwiched between the case of a voltage regulator and a heat sink, conductors which serve as internal wirings and form terminals are insert-molded with the case of the voltage regulator and the brush holder to be superimposed upon the case of the voltage regulator, out of the terminals formed in the conductors, specific terminals on respective sides are aligned, and the brush holder is installed in the case of the voltage regulator in such a manner that they are superimposed upon each other so that electrical connection of these elements is effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsumi Adachi, Ryuichi Ikeda, Kyoko Kurusu
  • Patent number: 5682070
    Abstract: Phase coil lead wires of a vehicle-mounted alternator with two three-phase star connections are led almost in parallel out of the armature in an axial direction, welded to lead wire connection parts of insert terminals of a circuit board, and connected in parallel to form the star connections by way of the insert terminals. The star connections are achieved in a solderless manner, without twisting or bending the phase coil lead wires. Consequently, there is no possibility of injuring the lead wires due to applications of large stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsumi Adachi, Kazunori Tanaka, Kyoko Kurusu
  • Patent number: 5675205
    Abstract: A module for an electronic circuit of chip or hybrid design, combined with a brush holder for generators in motor vehicles has connecting lines embedded between the electronic circuit, the carbon brushes and a plug-in terminal in a housing component made of insulating material. The circuit which is bonded or soldered to a bearing plate is surrounded, for the purpose of making contact with the contacting lines by a collar of the housing component which is closed by a lid. For good dissipation of heat and cost effective manufacture of this module, the bearing plate with the circuit is to be attached directly to the generator housing and the brush holder with its contact components for the brush terminals is also to be formed on in one piece to the housing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Jacob, Christian Greiner
  • Patent number: 5659212
    Abstract: A poly-phase rectifier assembly for an alternating current generator includes five heat sinks, three of which are compression spring-loaded to form series electrical circuits to the poly-phase stator windings. The other two sinks are separated by a crush-proof, phenolic type, insulating gasket, and carry a plurality of semiconductor button-type diodes. The stator sinks are cupped to position compression springs, and are slotted for heat transfer. The stator sinks extend above the slotted positive heat sink into the cooling air flow area. A second embodiment utilizes back-to-back diodes, compression spring-loaded into a positive heat sink and a negative heat sink. A cupped stator heat sink forms a nest and provides series connection for the stator poly-phase windings. A plastic assembly supports a capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Electro-Dyn Choke Corporation
    Inventor: Peter S. DePetris
  • Patent number: 5652471
    Abstract: The rectifier arrangement, preferably for a three-phase generator for a motor vehicle, has at least one power diode of positive polarity and at least one power diode of negative polarity assigned to respective half waves of each phase of the three-phase current and a cooling arrangement for the power diodes, the power diodes of like polarity being arranged on respective heat sinks in an electrically and thermally conductive fashion, and the heat sinks being sandwiched together with at least one electrically insulating part (32) which contains the electrical conductors between the diodes and the three-phase winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Mayer, Arno Altpeter, Joerg Streller, Manfred Roessler, Vesna Biallas, Henning Stilke, Godehard Schmitz, Rainer Brachert, Thomas Richard, Siegfried Schuler, Holger Haussmann
  • Patent number: 5646838
    Abstract: An improved bridge rectifier for an alternating current generator includes a first heat sink, an insulating layer disposed on the first heat sink, and a second heat sink disposed on the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Integral Automotive S.A.
    Inventors: Zvi Keidar, Eugen Popa, Sorin Dubrinescu
  • Patent number: 5642008
    Abstract: A motor assembly for driving a working element of a power tool which is provided includes first and second clamshell housing members connectable to define an interior space for the power tool motor and a longitudinal axis extending through the interior space. An armature includes a core and a rotatable shaft for driving a working element of the tool. The armature is mountable in the interior space with the rotatable shaft aligned along the longitudinal axis. A cylindrical stator yoke is mountable in the interior space about the longitudinal axis to encircle the armature. Top and bottom bearings are mounted on corresponding ends of the armature shaft. Alignment and support members on the first and second housing members are provided with the alignment and support members capturing and fixing the yoke and top and bottom bearings in the interior space in alignment about the longitudinal axis when the clamshell housing members are connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Waxing Corporation of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. McCracken
  • Patent number: 5640062
    Abstract: An alternator and method of forming an alternator with a rectifier internal to the alternator housing are disclosed in which a plurality of positive diodes and negative diodes each has a anode electrode and a cathode electrode. The stator of the alternator has a plurality of stator windings, each winding having a first end and a second end. The rectifier bridge member has electrically conductive circuit traces each having a plurality of substantially coplanar solder pads adapted to receive either an anode electrode of a respective positive diode, a cathode electrode of a respective negative diode or a first or second end of a respective stator winding. The rectifier bridge member also has an electrically conductive plate for electrically interconnecting the cathodes of the positive diodes. A housing for enclosing one end of the alternator has an interior and exterior portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Steven John Yockey
  • Patent number: 5621265
    Abstract: The invention proposes a supply and control unit for an alternator in a motor vehicle, of the type comprising a support plate (12) made from insulating material designed to be fixed to a fixed part of the alternator and a brush-holder (22), and of the type in which the support plate (12) bears on a first face (34) an integrated circuit (36) for regulating the voltage supplied by the alternator, the electric connection pins (42) of which extend through the material (18) of the support plate (12) in order to open into a housing (46) formed in the second face (18) of the support plate (12), and of the type comprising an electric connection circuit (50) which comprises connection lugs (56) in contact with the connection pins (42) of the integrated circuit (36), characterised in that the connection pins (42) of the integrated circuit (36) are disposed in a circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur
    Inventor: Roger Abadia
  • Patent number: 5612584
    Abstract: The present invention is a slip ring assembly for an automotive alternator, or other appropriate rotary electric machine, which includes at least one slip ring, a plastic body mounting the slip ring, at least one electrical terminal connected to the slip ring and supported by the body and at least one reinforcement ring. The reinforcement ring is operatively disposed on the plastic body and operatively adapted so as to strengthen the slip ring assembly against catastrophic failure resulting from loads applied to the slip ring assembly while it is under severe operating conditions. By employing such a reinforcement ring, the present slip ring assembly can be produced inexpensively with plastic bodies made from polyester and like plastics and yet still be able to withstand operating loads applied under high rotational speeds, elevated temperatures and other adverse conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Michael T. York, Richard K. Harris
  • Patent number: 5610459
    Abstract: A photovoltaic drive motor comprises a rotor, a photo shade section and a field magnet means. The rotor includes a printed circuit board, a plurality of electrical conduction arms having a photovoltaic transducer disposed on the printed circuit board with fixed spacing there between, a first short circuit section connected to one end of each of the plurality of electrical conduction arms and a second short circuit section connected to an opposite end of the plurality of electrical conduction arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hirokazu Izawa
  • Patent number: 5587616
    Abstract: A compact rotor for a dynamoelectric machine in the form of a brushless alternator is provided through the use of a compact rotating rectifier of unitary construction and a suppression resistor which are mounted within the rotor. The rectifier is of an elemental construction in which all elements of the rectifier perform dual functions as essential structure and as elements of an electrical circuit. The rotor, rectifier, and resistor are highly integrated and configured in a complementary manner such that virtually all non-essential structure related to the rectifier and resistor are eliminated, and such that electrical connections between the components of the rotor are significantly simplified. The rotor also includes features for directing a flow of coolant about the rectifier and the resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Tyrone A. Johnsen
  • Patent number: 5550527
    Abstract: A resistor device for controlling a rotational speed of a resistance unit and an open-circuit means. A receiving recess is provided to any one side surface of a heat sink vertically affixed to a top surface plate of a housing. A resistance unit, which is protected by a film and made of metal material forming a resistor circuit for gradually controlling the rotational speed of a motor, is received within the recess in the heat sink and connected to a terminal. An open-circuit means, having a soldered portion which is fused at a predetermined temperature upon an overload of the motor, is provided at a predetermined distance between the resistance unit and a terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Dong A Electric Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Woo Y. Lee
  • Patent number: 5519275
    Abstract: An electric machine according to various aspects of the invention includes a transformer having a rotating component for transmitting power from a stationary portion of the machine to a rotating portion of the machine, or vice versa. Both the rotating component and a stationary component of the transformer includes a winding, wherein the windings are disposed to be magnetically coupled. Current provided to the winding of the stationary component generates a magnetic field, which induces current in the winding of the rotating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Coleman Powermate, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold C. Scott, Gary W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5473208
    Abstract: Briefly, the invention comprises an improved cooling fin arrangement for a triphasic bridge rectifier used in conjunction with a three phase alternator in an automotive vehicle. The heat transfer ability of a metallic air core heat sink and radiator is more than doubled by increasing its thickness (and thus its exposed surface area) and by providing a cutout groove allowing the air to flow in two directions thus reducing the air flow resistance. An improved cover plate cooperates with the newly provided air flow paths and also provides simplified connectors for the electrical elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Inventor: Edward Stihi
  • Patent number: 5453648
    Abstract: A bridge rectifier for rectifying the alternating output voltage of an alternating current generator. The bridge rectifier has two heat sinks which are electrically insulated from each other. Each heat sink carries groups of semiconductor diodes that are respectively electrically connected to the heat sinks. A metallic output terminal stud is connected to and supported by one of the heat sinks. A part of the terminal stud has self-tapping threads and this part is tapped into a hole in the heat sink to thereby provide a self-tapped threaded connection between the terminal stud and the heat sink. The terminal stud has an electrical connector portion that has conventional threads. A threaded nut is adapted to be screwed onto the threaded connector portion to thereby secure a terminal connected to a conductor or cable in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. Bradfield
  • Patent number: 5451823
    Abstract: A bridge rectifier assembly includes: a self aligning cloverleaf shaped diode header which sandwiches each diode chip; a semi-circular heat and electrically conductive plate accommodated with receptacles to position the cloverleaf diodes; a heat and non-electrical conductive insulator; a finned heat and electrical conductive extrusion with similar receptacles to position the cloverleaf diodes; an articulated terminal to provide thermal and mechanical stress relief executing an electrode function adhered to the cloverleaf diode header; and a molded insulated integument with embedded electrical conductors of a cantilevered configuration to further alleviate thermodynamic and mechanical stresses. A second embodiment repeats the first embodiment, and includes a heat and electrical conductive plate that is larger in area and with the extrusion succeeded by a second plate of identical outline as the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Transpo Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Deverall, Nicholas F. DeNardis, Michael C. Simmons
  • Patent number: 5424593
    Abstract: Difficulties in cooling the rotor (28) of a dynamoelectric machine carrying a rotating rectifier (54) are avoided by providing a coolant inlet 68 extending to the interior of a rectifier housing 50 through which the coolant may flow to emerge from a port 66 in the housing 50 and flow via an annulus 52 within the rotor shaft 30 to conduits 98 to cool the rotor windings 48. The coolant is returned to the interior of the rotor shaft 30 and ultimately to a coolant outlet 84.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Vallabh V. Vaghani, Wayne A. Flygare
  • Patent number: 5424594
    Abstract: A vehicle alternator output rectifier instrument in which mesa structure Zener diodes, formed by diffusion of impurity on a P-type silicon substrate, are used as rectifier elements which are used in rectifier circuits for rectifying an alternate current output of a vehicle alternator. Since the vehicle alternator output rectifier instrument employs the above Zener diodes, this rectifier instrument can endure high temperature circumstances, considerably reduce a reverse leakage current to thereby prevent a battery voltage from being discharged and reduce a radio noise to thereby reduce a bad influence exerted upon an electronic device serving as a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Saito, Keiichi Mashino, Yoshiaki Honda, Yuuji Maeda, Kazutoyo Narita
  • Patent number: 5365133
    Abstract: A modular rotating rectifier assembly for use with a brushless self-excited, liquid cooled, dynamo electric device such as a generator. The rotating rectifier assembly is positioned in a rotating hollow shaft of the generator and is coupled with a coolant circulating system for transferring heat from the rectifier assembly to the coolant flowing therethrough. The rotating rectifier assembly is positioned inside the shaft in close proximity to a central axis, longitudinally extending through the shaft, thereby minimizing the centrifugal forces induced on the diode components of the rotating rectifier assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: EEMCO/DATRON, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard A. Raad
  • Patent number: 5350959
    Abstract: An electrical connection for connecting the interior of an alternating current generator to the exterior of the generator. The generator has a three phase full-wave bridge rectifier that has three AC input terminal studs. The ends of three power supply conductors are connected to the terminal studs by terminals. The conductors extend from the terminal studs to the exterior of the generator and they extend through an opening formed in a side wall of the frame. The conductors are supported and guided by a conductor support part that is formed of plastic material. This conductor support part has a clamping block portion and a U-shaped conductor support portion. Portions of the conductors are disposed between a clamping block and the clamping block portion of the conductor support part. A plurality of threaded fasteners extend through aligned openings in the clamping block and in the block portion and are threaded into threaded bores formed in a lug portion of the end frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Keith F. Flaminio, Larry McReynolds
  • Patent number: 5347188
    Abstract: The present invention is a liquid cooled electric machine (10) having enhanced cooling of the end turns (22) by providing intimate contact between the end turns and coolant fluid flowing through a first annular flow channel (34) and a second annular flow channel (50). Furthermore, a cylindrical liner (62) which is force fit within the annulus of the stator 12 forms part of the first and second annular flow channels and further provides support against radially inward deflection of the end turns (22). Furthermore, the invention is a cooling system (200) for an exciter generator in a self-excited electric power generator which has a liquid coolant circuit (216) which splits coolant flow between an inside surface (222) of a fullwave rectifier assembly (214) and an outside surface (226) of the fullwave rectifier assembly which absorbs heat from the rotor of the exciter generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Sunstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Walter J. Iseman, Michael G. Schneider, William Schumacher, Patrick J. Murray, Roger J. Collings
  • Patent number: 5345132
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to, in a vehicular alternating current (AC) dynamo, reduce an influence of vibration on a brush during operation, thereby preventing the brush from wobbling, cracking or causing other damages, also to make the brush sufficiently exposed to cooling air during operation, thereby preventing the brush temperature from rising excessively. In the vehicular AC dynamo, by virtue of a pressing force produced upon a tubular cover integral with a fan guide being fixed to a rear bracket through a seal member, an abutting end surface of a projection of the tubular cover is axially abutted with an inner abutting surface of a recess of the brush holder for pressing and fixing said brush holder against and to the rear bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignees: Hitachi Automotive Engineering, Hitachi, Ltd. and Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Sasaki, Hisashi Wada, Takashi Oguri, Susumu Terumoto, Akihiro Saito
  • Patent number: 5331231
    Abstract: The rectifier device has a metallic front cooling plate and a rear cooling plate spaced from each other and extending parallel to each other; positive diodes arranged on one cooling plate and negative diodes arranged on the other cooling plate; a printed circuit board made of insulating material fastened between the cooling plates and having conductors for connecting the diodes with each other and also with a three-phrase generator; electrical connection device for making electrical connection with the front cooling plate comprising a threaded bolt having a flange, an annular shoulder and an axial pin projecting into an opening of the rear cooling plate, the threaded bolt being pressed in a hole in the front cooling plate and the flange and shoulder being dimensioned so that the annular shoulder contacts on a rear side of the front cooling plate, and a nut screwed on the threaded bolt from a front side of the front cooling plate to secure the threaded bolt in the hole; and an insulating material bush received
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Koplin, Stefan Renner, Gerhard Pflueger, Henning Fasterding
  • Patent number: 5319272
    Abstract: A modular rotating rectifier assembly for use with a brushless self-excited, liquid cooled, dynamo electric device such as a generator. The rotating rectifier assembly is positioned in a rotating hollow shaft of the generator and is coupled with a coolant circulating system for transferring heat from the rectifier assembly to the coolant flowing therethrough. The rotating rectifier assembly is positioned inside the shaft in close proximity to a central axis, longitudinally extending through the shaft, thereby minimizing the centrifugal forces induced on the diode components of the rotating rectifier assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: EEMCO/Datron, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard A. Raad
  • Patent number: 5296778
    Abstract: The stator of the alternator has a delta winding with each winding having twelve coils. Three diode bridges are provided with each bridge being connected to the junction of two of the windings. Each bridge has four positive diodes connected in parallel and four negative diodes connected in parallel. Two of the positive diodes of each bridge and two of the negative diodes of each bridge are connected to a first output member and the other two positive diodes and the other two negative diodes of each bridge are connected to a second output member. Two heat sink plates are connected to the inside of one wall of the alternator housing and a third heat sink plate is connected to the outside of the wall. Each plate supports diodes from three of the bridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Inventor: Leburn W. Stroud
  • Patent number: 5296770
    Abstract: The electric machine, preferably a three-phase generator (10) for vehicles with a liquid-cooled, pot-shaped metal housing (20) includes two three-phase systems arranged in the house and situated one after the other in the axial direction, a drive shaft (13) received in the base of the metal housing on one end and in a bearing cover (18) on the drive end. For a compact connection of the two three-phase systems and exciter systems with rectifier units and regulators the electrical connections of the three-phase and exciter windings (31, 32; 14, 15) are received in the bearing cover (18) so that they are electrically connected with positive and negative diodes (44, 45) of the rectifier units arranged externally on the bearing cover (18) and with the regulators and connection terminals (22) of the machine via printed circuit boards (65, 80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Pflueger, Bernhard Fakler, Susanne Klaus, Klaus-Georg Buerger
  • Patent number: 5266857
    Abstract: An output-terminal device for an a.c. generator for a vehicle has a connecting seat which is provided at a connecting portion formed in an output side heat sink in a rectifier device attached to the rear bracket of the generator. When an output-terminal bolt extends in the lateral direction, an output-terminal bolt, which has a flat portion at the rear end portion, a polygonal flange portion at an intermediate portion and a threaded portion for connecting a terminal of an external wire at the front end portion, is attached to the connecting seat at its flat portion so as to extend in the lateral direction of the rear bracket. When an output-terminal bolt extends in the rear direction, the output-terminal bolt, which has first and second threaded portions at its rear and front end portions, is fixed to the connecting seat by inserting the rear end portion of the bolt in an opening formed in the connecting seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki K.K.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Gotoh
  • Patent number: 5258673
    Abstract: In a rectifier device in a vehicle AC generator, a pair of heat sinks are formed curved with the middle portions of the diode mounting seats thereof parallel-shifted vertically from the remaining end portions, and each of the diode mounting seats has a number of cooling fins, and the cooling fins extended from the middle portions of the diode mounting seats are longer than those extended from the other portions, whereby the heat sinks are increased in heat radiating area and decreased in length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki K.K.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Gotoh
  • Patent number: 5253613
    Abstract: A plurality of high power semiconductor devices are connected in circuit with at least one electric traction motor for controlling electric power to the motor. The semiconductor devices are each thermally connected between a pair of generally hollow heat sinks adapted for passing cooling air therethrough for extracting heat therefrom. An anode terminal of the devices is coupled to one of the heat sinks of a pair and a cathode terminal of the devices is connected to the other heat sink of the pair. Each of the heat sinks are mounted in a cantilever fashion to a common air plenum forming one wall of an electrical circuit area of a vehicle. The distal ends of the heat sinks of a pair are coupled together by an air flow conduit thus forming a continuous air passage through the pair of heat sinks which begins and ends at the surface containing the air supply plenum. One end of one of the pair of heat sinks, preferably the heat sink coupled to the cathode terminal, is connected to an exhaust conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald B. Bailey, Ronald F. Griebel
  • Patent number: 5237227
    Abstract: An electrical power generating system (10) for generating alternating current in accordance with the invention includes a main generator (14) for generating the alternating current having a stator (22) and a rotor (24) and an excitor (12) for generating excitation current of the main generator having a stator (16) and a rotor (18) With the rotors being coaxial and driven by an input shaft (36); a cylindrical non-electrically conductive containment sleeve (70) mounted in surface contact with the coaxial rotors so that the rotors fit within the sleeve to provide support for the rotors against centrifugal acceleration and for containing coolant liquid inside the cylinder and an outside surface facing an inner cylindrical surface of the stator; and a coolant circuit (50) for circulating the coolant liquid to cool windings (30) of the main generator rotor and windings (42) of the excitor rotor, the coolant circuit including a first portion (52) through which flows the coolant liquid received from a coolant input (
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Inventor: John B. Huss
  • Patent number: 5234363
    Abstract: A battery charging device installing structure for an outboard motor wherein the outboard motor includes a power head having an internal combustion engine and a surrounding protective cowling. An alternator is driven by the engine and charges a remotely positioned battery through a rectifier that is mounted apart from the engine and on a highly heat conducting portion of the heat protective cowling for cooling of the rectifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hitoshi Motose
  • Patent number: 5233246
    Abstract: An improved terminal for electrical connection to an alternator includes a connecting plate formed as portion of a radiator plate including recesses adapted to receive diodes for use in forming a rectifier bridge. The rectifier bridge assembly comprises a plastic housing that is insert molded over the radiator plate including louvers for passing cooling air past the diodes. The connector plate includes an opening to receive the stem of an enlarged headed fastener before the plastic body is formed around the radiator plate. Before molding, the bolt is pressed by a mold insert against the contact plate so the stem extends outwardly within an axially extending, circumferentially interrupted wall formed by the molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Steven J. Yockey
  • Patent number: 5229675
    Abstract: An output-terminal device for an a.c. generator for a vehicle includes an output-terminal bolt which has a flat portion at its rear end, a polygonal flange portion at an intermediate portion and a threaded portion at its front end. The output-terminal bolt is connected at its flat portion to a connecting seat which is extended from an output side heat sink of a rectifier device attached to the rear bracket of the a.c. generator. An insulation cover is fitted to the rear bracket and supports an insulation terminal socket provided with a cylindrical portion at which bottom portion a polygonal opening is formed. The polygonal flange portion of the output-terminal bolt is fitted to the polygonal opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki K.K.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Gotoh
  • Patent number: 5227942
    Abstract: An auxiliary stranded copper conductor carries the fault currents generated by a diode failure about the periphery of a brushless exciter diode wheel. The auxiliary conductor is constructed with a lower high-frequency impedance than the adjacent diode wheel, so that AC fault currents in particular are diverted to the auxiliary conductor. The auxiliary conductor carries the fault currents to equalize both AC and DC fault currents among the fuse-legs of the same phase. In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary conductor is circular and is mounted between all of the diode fuse bases at one end of the diode wheel and the diode wheel itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Rourk
  • Patent number: 5194772
    Abstract: An ac motor comprises a dc micromotor with terminals passing through an insulating end bell to receive dc current from a rectifier module. The flat surface of the end bell contains fixing grooves and a hole. The rectifier module is fitted within the hole. Fixing bosses are also provided on the end surface of the end bell. An input terminal plate is provided with holes for engaging the four bosses. The input terminal plate is provided with cut grooves which delimit four input terminal portions. The input terminal plate also has a middle hole. The input terminal plate is pressed into engagement with the four bosses resulting in the input terminal plate separating into four input terminal pieces, which are bent into the fixing grooves and also bent into the hole to fixedly fit the input terminal pieces to the end bell. Terminals of the rectifier module are electrically and mechanically connected to be held by the input terminal pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Mabuchi Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuo Matsushita
  • Patent number: 5191248
    Abstract: An improved connection arrangement is provided for forming the electrical connection between a rotor winding and a rotatable diode pack, mounted on the rotor, in which rotor winding terminals are compressably sandwiched between the diode pack and the rotor or a diode pack mounting arrangement, such as an end winding support, attached thereto. By sandwiching the winding terminal in this manner, mechanical stresses and strain hardening of the connection may be avoided to increase reliability. Further mechanical support for the electrical connection is also provided while avoiding the use of parts which significantly contribute to the overall length of the electrical machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: John B. Huss
  • Patent number: 5191254
    Abstract: An air-cooled ac generator arrangement is rearranged to take advantage of otherwise wasted space within the generator. The permanent magnet generator is moved to the drive end of the rotor where it is placed under the drive end side winding of the main armature. The permanent magnet generator field now obstructs the passage of air to the drive end bearing so a comparatively small air impeller is added in the otherwise void space between the permanent magnet generator and the main field. Ports are also added to the permanent magnet generator field hub to provide for the required air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard A. Raad, Hong Lee
  • Patent number: 5172022
    Abstract: An alternator apparatus for use with motorcycles has a first end connected to a second end via an elongated cylindrical body. The body encloses several elements which are used to produce a steady output voltage. Also disclosed is a shaft, which is inserted into one of the ends, that has three different configured sections made from a monolithic piece of material, and paired bore holes for mounting the alternator apparatus to the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Inventor: Dana A. Ketola
  • Patent number: 5166564
    Abstract: The problem of assembling and maintaining good electrical contact in a rotating rectifier assembly (40) is solved using brazed connections. The rectifier assembly (40) includes a cylindrical housing (44) receiving a pair of coaxial copper plates (50,52) which act as outputs. Each copper plate (50,52) has three angularly spaced, square-shaped diode wafers (64,70) brazed thereto on one face. The opposite face of each diode wafer (64,70) is brazed to a conductive strap (68,74). The straps (68,74) extend radially outwardly. The two plates (50,52) are angularly aligned so that their respective diode wafers (64,70) are in angular alignment, with the straps (68,74) for the aligned diode wafers (64,70) of each plate (50,52) being soldered together to provide a phase connection. A conductive strap (58,60) is brazed to each of the two plates (50,52) for connection to conductive posts (48) which connect to the main field (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Mohammad Shahamat, Michael R. Hernden, Frank W. Allen, III
  • Patent number: 5164624
    Abstract: A power semiconductor bridge assembly for an alternator-fed DC power source, including positive and negative parallel spaced DC bus bars and a plurality of disk device phase modules disposed therebetween for interconnecting the bus bars with the alternator phase windings. The modules are mounted within the bus bars so as to facilitate their installation and removal. Each phase module includes a pair of disk-type power semiconductor devices separated by an inner heat sink which is connected to a motor phase winding, and sandwiched between first and second outer heat sinks. The semiconductor devices and various heat sinks are aligned along a mutual longitudinal axis which substantially coincides with a longitudinal axis of the bus bar cavity. The outer heat sinks are staggered or offset along a transverse axis of the cavity such that the first outer heat sink engages the positive DC bus bar, and the second outer heat sink engages the negative DC bus bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Prakash H. Desai, Robert W. Becker, Roger M. Boor, John E. Carter
  • Patent number: 5160864
    Abstract: Cooling of an alternator driven by an internal combustion engine wherein a field core of the alternator is composed of claw-type magnet poles and a cylindrical core such that an oil passage is formed in the regions where the cylindrical core and the rotor shaft oppose each other and where the cylindrical core and the claw-type magnetic poles oppose each other. The oil passage is communicated at its one end with an oil source outside the alternator so as to introduce an oil into the oil passage during operation of the alternator so that a centrifugal force is applied to the oil by the rotation of the rotary field core thereby spraying the oil in the form of vapor or mist onto the stator coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Saito
  • Patent number: 5144178
    Abstract: A generator includes a permanent magnet rotor formed in a hollow rotating member rotatably mounted in a casing. A Randell rotor mounted adjacent to the permanent magnet rotor is rotated with the permanent magnet rotor. An armature coil is mounted in association with the permanent magnet rotor and the Randell (claw-tooth) rotor. A first bearing at one end of the casing supports one end of the hollow rotating member. A protruding retainer mounted on the other end of the casing carries a Randell field coil, and a second bearing is mounted on the retainer for supporting a hollow section of the hollow rotating member. The hollow rotating member is supported by the first bearing and a second bearing provided in the hollow section. The generator may be suitably applied to aerospace equipment, unmanned flying objects or to unmanned marine cruising objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Tamagawa Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuneo Sugiura
  • Patent number: 5138210
    Abstract: The assembly includes a plurality of diodes spaced circumferentially about the axis of rotation of the assembly, two spaced apart outer diode mounting members and a plurality of radially inner diode mounting elements. A spacer member is provided which locates the mounting elements in recesses therein. Selected mounting elements are interconnected by linking plates to form a sub-assembly which is received within a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Lucas Industries plc
    Inventors: Terence L. Crickmore, Michael E. Smith, Andrew D. King
  • Patent number: 5136195
    Abstract: An electric generator and a method of securing a connection between flexible electrical leads from a rectifier and a main field winding in a rotor of the generator wherein the leads are arranged so that they extend through a generally axially extending hole in the rotor with their free ends being connected in a parallel splice configuration which extends radially outward from the hole with the connected free ends being secured with respect to the rotor so as to remain in the radially outward extending position during rotation of the rotor. The rectifier is located at one end of the magnetic core and field winding of the main generator with the rectifier leads extending through a hole in the magnetic core and a field winding insulator to the opposite end of the magnetic core and field winding for connection with the field winding leads. Rotational forces will not pull the lead wire connections apart and the connections are readily accessible for repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Frank W. Allen, III, Michael R. Hernden, Mohammed F. Shahamat
  • Patent number: 5132584
    Abstract: A vibration damping system, for supporting a substantially vertically extending member having a bottom to be supported relative to a foundation, comprising a first and a plurality of second vibration damper members. The first damper member is mounted between the bottom of the member to be supported and the foundation and having a predetermined spring characteristic and a predetermined damping characteristic. The second vibration damper members are mounted between an upper portion of the member to be supported and the foundation and extending substantially horizontally to the foundation and at a predetermined angle relative to each other, the second vibration damper members having a predetermined spring characteristic and a predetermined damping characteristic. A vehicular a.c. generator and a dynamoelectric machine utilizing such the vibration damping system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Sasamoto, Hitoshi Okamoto