IP Library Granted Patent US 7,362,017
Granted Patent B2
US 7,362,017 · App. 11/156,827 · Granted Apr 22, 2008

Motor with integrated drive unit and shared cooling fan

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,362,017
App. No.
11/156,827
Granted
Apr 22, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

An integrated motor and drive assembly includes a motor, a fan, and a drive unit. The motor is responsive to at least one drive signal. The fan is axially aligned with the motor and operable to generate a cooling flow. The drive unit is axially aligned with the fan and operable to generate the drive signal. The cooling flow traverses the motor and the drive unit.

Claims (13)

1. An assembly, comprising:

a motor responsive to at least one drive signal;

a fan axially aligned with the motor and operable to generate a cooling flow, at least a portion of the cooling flow traversing the motor;

a fan shroud mounted to the motor and defining a fan cavity enclosing at least a portion of the fan and defining at least one opening communicating with the fan cavity;

a drive unit disposed within the cooling flow and operable to generate the drive signal;

a drive enclosure mounted to the fan shroud and defining a drive cavity enclosing at least a portion of the drive unit and at least one vent communicating with the drive cavity.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cooling flow comprises an intake component entering the drive enclosure through the vent, the drive unit being disposed in the intake component of the cooling flow.

3. The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the cooling flow further comprises a an exhaust component generated as the intake component passes through the fan, the motor being disposed in the exhaust component of the cooling flow.

4. The assembly of claim 3 , further comprising a mounting bracket mounting the drive enclosure to the fan shroud, wherein the drive unit is mounted to the mounting bracket.

5. The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the mounting bracket includes a body member and at least one tab extending from the body member, the drive unit being mounted to the body member, and the drive enclosure being mounted to the tab.

6. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the motor includes a shaft, and the fan is mounted to the shaft.

7. The assembly of claim 6 , wherein the drive unit is axially aligned with the shaft.

8. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the drive unit includes at least one of a display and a control, and the drive enclosure defines a window communicating with the drive cavity to expose at least a portion of the drive unit proximate the one of the at least one of the display and the control.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 18, 2007
From: RELIANCE ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: BNP PARIBAS
Reel/Frame 019312/0529 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2006
From: PIPER, JASON A.; DUDAS, MICHAEL J.; SUDHOFF, DOUGLAS H.
To: RELIANCE ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 017515/0799 →