The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 03, 2002
Filed:
Aug. 09, 2000
Daniel E. Bartman, Hinsdale, NY (US);
Prestolite Electric, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Abstract
An alternator adapted for use with a motor vehicle includes rotor assembly and a stator assembly, which may be like the rotor and state assemblies of brush-type alternators, and also a contact assembly that includes two relatively low-friction, electrically conductive, ball bearing assemblies that are adapted to conduct the DC exciting current for the alternator and that are electrically isolated from each other. Each ball bearing assemblies include inner and outer races that are electrically connected to each other by a plurality of bearing balls and by electrically conductive grease which is packed about the balls. The inner race of each ball bearing is rotatably secured to the rotary shaft of the rotor assembly and is connected to electrical leads which, in turn, are connected with the rotor assembly. The outer race of each ball bearing is fixed relative to the rotary shaft and is connected with a storage battery.