USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Delco Remy International, Inc.

Bluwav Systems Llc.

Other

Wavecrest Laboratories, Llc.

Chahee P Cho

William P Krol

Eun Shik Kim

Ralph A Bedingfield

Ralph H Johnston

Ronald A Martin

Chong O Lee

Boris A Maslov

Stanley J Olson

William A Lynch

Antonio M Amaral

James S Uhlman

Thong N Ly

Richard A McConnell

John Y Hung

James S Uhlman, Jr

A portable range extender can be used to supply electrical power to an electric vehicle operable by an electric traction motor. The portable range extender includes an engine, a dynamoelectric machine coupled to the engine by a shaft, an autonomous range extender controller for controlling operations of the range extender independently of a controller for the vehicle, and circuitry associated with the engine and machine. The range extender and its controlling circuitry are self contained within an enclosure. The enclosure is partitioned to form two sections, a first section housing the dynamoelectric machine and the second section housing the engine. Windows in the enclosure provide a path for air cooling of the range extender components. Air cooling is facilitated by a first set of cooling fins mounted on the rotor of the dynamoelectric machine at an end proximate an air inlet window, a second set of cooling fins mounted on the rotor of the dynamoelectric machine in the vicinity of an opening in the partition, and a third set of cooling fins mounted on the engine at the opposite side of the partition opening.

Autonomous portable range extender

An integrated capacitor and inductor device for separate use as a capacitor and inductor. The device has a four-terminal arrangement having separate capacitor and inductor terminals, which allows connection as two independent circuit elements within one physical package. The device includes a hollow vessel having an exposed integrated capacitor element, in which the exposed integrated capacitor element comprises at least a portion of the hollow vessel. The device also includes a coil winding at least partially within the hollow vessel, electrically communicating with the integrated capacitor element. The integrated capacitor and inductor device may be configured in a plurality of shapes, using different materials to maximize the effects of electric and magnetic fields.

Integrated capacitor and inductor

A portable range extender can be used to supply electrical power to an electric vehicle operable by an electric traction motor. The portable range extender includes an engine, a dynamoelectric machine coupled to the engine by a shaft, an autonomous range extender controller for controlling operations of the range extender independently of a controller for the vehicle, and circuitry associated with the engine and machine. To start operation, electrical energization is applied from the vehicle battery to the dynamoelectric machine for operation as a motor to drive the shaft. As the shaft accelerates, the rotational speed of the shaft and the temperature of the engine are sensed. When the speed and temperature obtain predetermined thresholds, fuel is supplied to the engine and ignition is activated. The engine then operates as a prime mover to drive the shaft in lieu of the machine. After a period of engine prime mover operation, the machine is activated for operation as a generator to provide an electrical current output for charging the battery or supplying energy to the traction motor. When range extender operation is to be stopped, fuel supply is cut off before ignition termination to avoid engine backfire.

Portable range extender with autonomous control of starting and stopping operations

Sensorless fuel level and oil change indicators are provided in a range extender for an electric vehicle. The range extender includes an engine, and an electric generating device driven by the engine to generate electric power supplied to the vehicle. The fuel level is calculated based on the generated power. The oil change indicator indicates that the oil should be changed when the number of engine rotor revolutions exceeds a threshold value. The electric generating device may be a dynamoelectric machine coupled to the engine by a shaft to operate as a motor for starting the engine. In response to prescribed engine conditions, the dynamoelectric machine is switched to operate as a generator driven by the engine to generate the electric energy.

Sensorless fuel level and oil change indicators

A portable range extender is provided for an electric vehicle having a vehicle controller, and an electric traction motor powered by a battery. The portable range extender has an engine, a dynamoelectric machine coupled to the engine by a shaft and electrically connectable to the vehicle, and a range extender controller for controlling operations of the range extender independently of the vehicle controller. The range extender controller monitors voltage of the battery to automatically activate the range extender when the battery voltage is less than a first threshold value and automatically deactivate the range extender when the battery voltage reaches a second threshold value. The dynamoelectric machine operates as a motor for starting the engine when the battery voltage is less than the first threshold value. In response to prescribed engine conditions, the range extender controller operates the dynamoelectric machine as a generator driven by the engine to generate electric power supplied to the vehicle.

Portable range extender operable in automatic and manual modes

A powdered magnetic material stator core with embedded stator windings and a method for its manufacture. Embedding the windings within a radially compacted powdered magnetic material stator core enables equivalent or better electromagnetic performance in a significantly reduced size. Radial compaction of the powdered magnetic material minimizes the distortion of the stator windings during compaction.

Electromagnetic device with embedded windings and method for its manufacture

A sensor for facilitating the measurement of temperature and magnetic field is described. The sensor comprises an optical cable having a distal end encompassed in a sheath of giant magnetoresistive material. Temperature changes alter the spectrum emissivity of the giant magnetoresistive material. Magnetic field changes alter the spectrum changes that occur from distorting the optical fiber that occur when the giant magnetoresistive material distorts the optical fiber.

Electric motor control using temperature and magnetic field strength variation of its stator liminations

Sensor for measuring magnetic field strength and temperature for an electric motor

A self-propelled wheel for wheeled vehicles includes an axle, a stator drum ixed to the axle, and a wheel hub and rim rotatably mounted on the axle. Permanent magnets are fixed on the wheel and oppose an outer lateral face of the stator drum and an outer peripheral edge of the stator drum. Excitation of the stator drum causes the permanent magnets, and thereby the wheel, to rotate on the axle.

Self-propelled wheel for wheeled vehicles

There is provided an endless tubular body forming an enclosed chamber then, and granules of permanent magnet material disposed in the chamber. The body is deformable by the granules when the granules are subjected to a magnetic force. With respect to the aspect of the invention wherein seal assembly technology is the center of interest, there are provided a first member of magnetically permeable material and a second member spaced from the first member to define a passageway therebetween, and the above described sealing ring is disposed in the passageway between the first and second members and in engagement therewith. With respect to the aspect of the of the invention wherein the technology of making a seal assembly is the center of interest, there is provided a method for making the above-described seal assembly.

Sealing ring with deformable tubular sheath filled with permanent

A squirrel cage type electric motor rotor assembly includes first and sec end plates of circular configuration, rigid tubes extending from the first plate to the second plate, the tubes being closed at either end thereof to define enclosed chambers therein, and granules of magnetic material disposed in the chambers, the granules being packed therein with a density leaving them readily movable to align with magnetic fields.

Squirrel cage type electric motor rotor assembly

A marine propulsion system for underwater vehicles includes motor inner sor assemblies disposed in hull portions of the vehicle, fixed blades extending outwardly from an after one of the hull portions, a shroud fixed to outer ends of the fixed blades and encircling the hull portions, and a motor outer stator assembly disposed in the shroud. A rotor hub is disposed in an annular recess formed by the hull portions, the hub having permanent magnets therein adjacent the motor inner stator assemblies, and has rotor blades mounted thereon and extending outwardly therefrom and being at least in part of a permanent magnet material, outer ends of the rotor blades being adjacent the motor outer stator assembly. Activation of the stator assemblies by a polyphase A.C. power source induces movement in the permanent magnets and rotor blades to cause the rotor hub and blades to rotate. The rotation of the rotor blades serves to provide propulsive thrust to the vehicle.

Marine propulsion system for underwater vehicles

A fin assembly for effecting guidance of a vehicle through a fluid medium cludes an electromagnet fixed in a portion of the vehicle, and a rigid shaft fixed to a hull portion of the vehicle and extending outwardly therefrom and in alignment with the electromagnet. A fin is rotatably mounted on the shaft and is, at least in part, a permanent magnet. A switch assembly is provided in the vehicle for effecting in a first portion of the electromagnet an attractive force between the electromagnet and the permanent magnet, and in a second portion of the electromagnet a repelling force therebetween, to cause the fin to rotate on the shaft in a selected direction to effect the guidance of the vehicle.

Fin assembly for a vehicle

A combination motor and pump assembly comprising a housing, a shaft rotaty mounted in the housing, and an impeller fixed to the shaft in the housing, said impeller comprising alternately magnetically polarized portions. The assembly further comprises stator means fixed in the housing adjacent the impeller, the stator means comprising an array of pole pieces and windings associated therewith for receiving electrical alternating current. Fluid inlet means and outlet means are provided in the housing in communication with the impeller. The impeller reacts to current received by the stator means as a motor rotor and rotates in response to excitation of the pole pieces by the current. The rotation of the rotor serves to move fluid in the housing from the inlet to the outlet means.

Growing community of inventors

Portsmouth, RI, United States of America

Chahee P Cho