Methods and results of manufacturing commutators

• US 6,236,136 B1
• Filed: 02/26/1999
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Energy Conversion Systems Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Morganite, Incorporated
• Inventors: Hockaday, Shepard L., Reece, John David Jr., Farthing, Alvin Leon, Hall, Tony Earl
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Nestor
• Assistant Examiner(s): MULLINS, BURTON S
• Application Number:
  US09/259,518
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 310/235, 310/236, 310/237, 310/238, 310/233, 295/96, 295/97, 295/98, 264/272.19, 264/272.2
• US Class Current: 310/233
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 39/06 other than with external cylindrical contact surface, e.g. flat commutators
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/06 Manufacture of commutators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49011 Commutator or slip ring assembly

Abstract

Addressed herein are commutators and methods of manufacturing them. The methods permit the carbonaceous material and core of a commutator to be molded simultaneously, rather than in a two-step process, and can eliminate one of two curing procedures used in connection with other manufacturing techniques. The necessity of machining the inner surface of the commutator shell to remove undesired excess phenolic or other material additionally is avoided by use of the techniques detailed herein. Commutators formed according to these methods may have increased useful lives and provide better performance than others presently available.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a commutator comprising:

a. providing a shell;

b. positioning an electrically-conductive material at least partially within the shell; and

c. thereafter simultaneously molding each of an electrically-insulating core and the electrically-conductive material together at least partially within the shell.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising curing the core and electrically-conductive material together.

3. A method according to claim 1 further comprising forming a radially-inwardly extending anchor from the shell.

4. A method according to claim 3 in which positioning the electrically-conductive material at least partially within the shell comprises positioning a pre-form in contact with the shell and penetrating the pre-form with the anchor.

5. A method according to claim 4 in which molding the core and the pre-form comprises embedding at least part of the anchor in the core.

6. A method according to claim 5 in which molding the core and the pre-form further comprises chemically bonding the core and pre-form.

7. A method according to claim 6 in which molding the core and the pre-form further comprises mechanically interlocking the core and pre-form.

8. A method according to claim 1 in which the shell has an inner surface and molding the core and the electrically-conductive material together comprises causing the electrically-conductive material to change shape.

9. A method according to claim 1 further comprising

shearing the shell so as to expose more completely the electrically-conductive material.

10. A method according to claim 1 further comprising removing a portion of the shell so as to expose more completely the electrically-conductive material.

11. A method of manufacturing a commutator comprising:

a. forming a generally-cylindrical shell having an inner surface and a plurality of anchors extending radially inwardly therefrom, each anchor having a free end;

b. positioning at least partially within the shell an annular electrically-conductive, carbonaceous pre-form having an inner face and an outer face, the inner face being penetrated by the free end of each of the plurality of anchors;

c. thereafter molding an electrically-insulating core onto the pre-form so as to embed within the core portions of the plurality of anchors other than their free ends, such molding;

i. chemically bonding the core and preform;

ii. mechanically interlocking the core and pre-form; and

iii. causing the diameter of the pre-form to increase;

d. curing the core and pre-form together; and

e. slotting the pre-form to create a plurality of commutator segments, the outer face of the slotted pre-form being adapted to contact at least one electrical brush as the commutator rotates in use.

12. A method of manufacturing a flat-type commutator comprising:

a. providing a shell having an approximate height A₁;

b. retaining an electrically-insulating core at least partially within the shell to an approximate depth A₂; and

c. retaining wholly within the shell an electrically-conductive material having an approximate height A₃ and a face adapted for contacting an electrical brush in use so that height A₁ is greater than the sum of depth A₂ and height A₃.

13. A method according to claim 12 further comprising reducing the height of the shell to approximately the sum of depth A₂ and height A₃.

14. A method of making commutators comprising:

a. placing an electrically-conductive pre-form adjacent an electrically-conductive shell;

b. simultaneously molding each of an electrically non-conductive material and the electrically-conductive pre-form together with the electrically-conductive shell to form an assembly of electrically non-conductive material, electrically-conductive pre-form, and electrically-conductive shell; and

c. curing the electrically non-conductive material.

15. A method according to claim 14 in which the step of molding the electrically non-conductive material is done under pressure and urges the electrically-conductive pre-form and electrically-conductive shell together.

16. A method according to claim 15 in which the preform is deformable and deforms during molding to match the contours of part of the electrically-conductive shell.

17. A commutator comprising:

a. a shell;

b. an electrically-conductive material positioned at least partially within the shell and having an inner face and an outer face, the outer face adapted to contact an electrical brush in use; and

c. an insulating core simultaneously molded together with the electrically-conductive material so as to be chemically bonded to the inner face.

18. A method of manufacturing a switching device comprising:

a. providing a metallic member;

b. positioning an electrically-conductive material in contact with the metallic member; and

c. thereafter simultaneously molding each of an electrically-insulating core and the electrically-conductive material together.

19. A method according to claim 18 in which the metallic member has an inner surface and molding the core and the electrically-conductive material together comprises causing the electrically-conductive material to change shape.

20. A method according to claim 19 in which molding the core and the electrically-conductive material together comprises chemically bonding the core and electrically-conductive material.

21. A method according to claim 18 in which molding the core and the electrically-conductive material together comprises chemically bonding the core and, electrically-conductive material.