IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,202,639
Granted Patent B2
US 7,202,639 · App. 11/114,665 · Granted Apr 10, 2007

Apparatus for determining wear in the frictional components of an alternator

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,202,639
App. No.
11/114,665
Granted
Apr 10, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus for determining wear in the frictional components of an alternator. Such an apparatus may comprise circuitry configured to count voltage peaks generated by the automotive alternator; circuitry configured to compare the counted voltage peaks against a predetermined standard; and circuitry configured to generate a warning indication when the counted voltage peaks exceeds the predetermined standard. Such an apparatus may comprise comprises circuitry configured to measure a voltage drop across the alternator brushes; circuitry configured to compare the voltage drop against a predetermined voltage drop criterion; and circuitry configured to generate a warning indication if the voltage drop exceeds the predetermined voltage drop criterion.

Claims (19)

1. An apparatus for use in conjunction with an automotive alternator, the alternator comprising electrically conductive alternator brushes, the apparatus comprising:

circuitry configured to count voltage peaks generated by said automotive alternator;

circuitry configured to compare said counted voltage peaks against a predetermined standard;

circuitry configured to generate a warning indication when said counted voltage peaks exceeds said predetermined standard;

circuitry configured to measure a voltage drop across said alternator brushes;

circuitry configured to compare said voltage drop against a predetermined voltage drop criterion; and

circuitry configured to generate a warning indication if said voltage drop exceeds said predetermined voltage drop criterion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a memory, said memory electrically connected to said circuitry configured to compare said counted voltage peaks against said predetermined standard, said predetermined standard being stored in said memory.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said circuitry configured to count voltage peaks generated by said automotive alternator comprises a microprocessor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said circuitry configured to compare said counted voltage peaks against a predetermined standard count comprises a microprocessor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said warning indication comprises a visible signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said warning indication comprises an audible signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a memory, said memory electrically connected to said circuitry configured to compare said voltage drop against said predetermined voltage drop criterion, said predetermined voltage drop criterion being stored in said memory.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said circuitry configured to measure a voltage drop across said alternator brushes comprises a microprocessor.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said circuitry configured to compare said voltage drop against a predetermined voltage drop criterion comprises a microprocessor.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said warning indication comprises a visible signal.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said warning indication comprises an audible signal.

Assignments (22)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 14, 2017
From: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
To: BORGWARNER INC.
Reel/Frame 043539/0619 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 025525/0186 Recorded Nov 12, 2015
From: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, L.L.C.
To: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.; REMY POWER PRODUCTS, L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 037108/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 025521/0387 Recorded Nov 12, 2015
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 037101/0125 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (REVOLVER) Recorded Jan 4, 2011
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
To: REMY INTERNATIONAL, INC.; WESTERN REMAN INDUSTRIAL, INC.; M & M. KNOPF AUTO PARTS, L.L.C.; POWER INVESTMENTS, INC.; PUBLITECH, INC.; REMAN HOLDINGS, L.L.C.; REMY INC.; REMY ALTERNATORS, INC.; REMY INDIA HOLDINGS, INC.; REMY KOREA HOLDINGS, L.L.C.; REMY REMAN, L.L.C.; REMY SALES, INC.; WESTERN REMAN INDUSTRIAL, L.L.C.; REMY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; UNIT PARTS COMPANY; WORLD WIDE AUTOMOTIVE, L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 025578/0009 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (FIRST LIEN) Recorded Jan 4, 2011
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
To: REMY INTERNATIONAL, INC.; WESTERN REMAN INDUSTRIAL, INC.; M & M. KNOPF AUTO PARTS, L.L.C.; POWER INVESTMENTS, INC.; PUBLITECH, INC.; REMAN HOLDINGS, L.L.C.; REMY INC.; REMY ALTERNATORS, INC.; REMY INDIA HOLDINGS, INC.; REMY KOREA HOLDINGS, L.L.C.; REMY REMAN, L.L.C.; REMY SALES, INC.; WESTERN REMAN INDUSTRIAL, L.L.C.; REMY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; UNIT PARTS COMPANY; WORLD WIDE AUTOMOTIVE, L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 025577/0885 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (THIRD LIEN) Recorded Jan 4, 2011
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
To: REMY INTERNATIONAL, INC.; WESTERN REMAN INDUSTRIAL, INC.; M & M. KNOPF AUTO PARTS, L.L.C.; POWER INVESTMENTS, INC.; PUBLITECH, INC.; REMAN HOLDINGS, L.L.C.; REMY INC.; REMY ALTERNATORS, INC.; REMY INDIA HOLDINGS, INC.; REMY KOREA HOLDINGS, L.L.C.; REMY REMAN, L.L.C.; REMY SALES, INC.; REMY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; UNIT PARTS COMPANY; WORLD WIDE AUTOMOTIVE, L.L.C.; REMY TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 025577/0001 →
RELEASE OF SUBSIDIARY SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (SECOND LIEN) Recorded Jan 3, 2011
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
To: REMY TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 025575/0597 →
RELEASE OF SUBSIDIARY SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (REVOLVER) Recorded Jan 3, 2011
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
To: REMY TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 025575/0410 →
RELEASE OF SUBSIDIARY SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (FIRST LIEN) Recorded Jan 3, 2011
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
To: REMY TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 025575/0494 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 23, 2010
From: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.; REMY POWER PRODUCTS, LLC
To: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 025525/0186 →
GRANT OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2010
From: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 025521/0387 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 2, 2010
From: REMY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 025436/0988 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 11, 2008
From: DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY
To: REMY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 020353/0212 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 21, 2007
From: REMY INTERNATIONAL, INC.; WESTERN REMAN INDUSTRIAL, INC.; M. & M. KNOPF AUTO PARTS, L.L.C.; POWER INVESTMENTS, INC.; PUBLITECH, INC.; REMAN HOLDINGS, L.L.C.; REMY, INC.; REMY ALTERNATORS, INC.; REMY INDIA HOLDINGS, INC.; REMY KOREA HOLDINGS, L.L.C.; REMY SALES, INC.; REMY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; REMY REMAN, L.L.C.; UNIT PARTS COMPANY; WORLD WIDE AUTOMOTIVE, L.L.C.; REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 020540/0381 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT (SECOND LIEN) Recorded Dec 17, 2007
From: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 020270/0951 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT (FIRST LIEN) Recorded Dec 14, 2007
From: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 020261/0583 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 13, 2007
From: REMY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 020261/0563 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT (REVOLVER) Recorded Dec 13, 2007
From: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 020261/0460 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2007
From: WACHOVIA CAPITAL FINANCE CORPORATION (CENTRAL) (FORMERLY KNOW AS CONGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION (CENTRAL))
To: REMY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 020196/0553 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT (FIRST LIEN) Recorded Oct 31, 2007
From: REMY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 020056/0141 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT (REVOLVER) Recorded Oct 30, 2007
From: REMY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 020064/0206 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 26, 2005
From: LAWAHMEH, AHMED
To: REMY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 016510/0960 →