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:
Aug. 22, 2006
Filed:
May. 19, 2004
Michael I. Kellogg, Newhall, CA (US);
M. Robert Mock, Moorpark, CA (US);
Michael I. Kellogg, Newhall, CA (US);
M. Robert Mock, Moorpark, CA (US);
HR Textron, Inc., Santa Clarita, CA (US);
Abstract
A brushless DC motor apparatus includes a housing and a stator assembly coupled to the housing. The apparatus further includes a magnetic rotor assembly rotatably coupled to the housing. The magnetic rotor assembly is configured to rotate within the housing in response to electric currents through windings of the stator assembly. The apparatus further includes position sensors which are configured to provide position signals identifying angular position of the magnetic rotor assembly relative to the stator assembly. Each position sensor includes (i) a Hall-effect sensor disposed distally from the windings, and (ii) magnetic circuit members having first end portions adjacent the windings and proximate rotor magnets and second end portions adjacent the Hall-effect sensor. Use of such magnetic circuit members enables the Hall-effect sensors to reside a greater distance from the windings vis-à-vis conventional brushless DC motors which position sensors adjacent to stator coils within motor casings.