External voltage change device

• US 7,898,131 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2008
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
• Original Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
• Inventors: Studebaker, Dennis, Bush, Dennis, Leung, Ngan-Fai, Staigl, Frank E. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Dang D
• Application Number:
  US12/168,674
• Publication Number:
  US 20100001598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 310/71, 310/184, 310/198
• US Class Current: 310/71
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/33 Drive circuits, e.g. power electronics H02K11/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/225 Terminal boxes or connection arrangements specially adapted for submersible motors H02K5/132

Abstract

A motor including a stator, a first connector portion, a selector, and a second connector portion. The stator has a first winding arrangement configured for a first voltage and a second winding arrangement configured for a second voltage different from the first voltage. The first connector portion is selectively connectable to each of the first winding arrangement and the second winding arrangement. The selector is movable between a first position in which the first connector portion is connected to the first winding arrangement, and a second position in which the first connector portion is connected to the second winding arrangement. The second connector portion is electrically connected to a power supply and selectively engageable with the first connector portion to provide power to one of the first winding arrangement and the second winding arrangement.

Claims

1. A motor comprising:

a stator having a first winding arrangement configured for a first voltage and a second winding arrangement configured for a second voltage different from the first voltage;

a first connector portion selectively connectable to each of the first winding arrangement and the second winding arrangement;

a selector movable between a first position in which the first connector portion is connected to the first winding arrangement, and a second position in which the first connector portion is connected to the second winding arrangement; and

a second connector portion electrically connected to a power supply and selectively engageable with the first connector portion to provide power to one of the first winding arrangement and the second winding arrangement, wherein the first connector portion and the second connector portion enclose a space, and wherein the selector is positioned within the space.

2. The motor of claim 1, wherein the first connector portion includes male contacts.

3. The motor of claim 2, wherein the selector is positioned between the male contacts.

4. The motor of claim 1, wherein the second connector portion includes female contacts.

5. The motor of claim 4, wherein the female contacts are removable.

6. The motor of claim 1, wherein the second connector portion includes a cover.

7. The motor of claim 1, wherein the second connector portion is movable between a disconnected position where the second connector portion is physically and electrically disconnected from the first connector portion, and a connected position where the second connector portion is physically and electrically connected to the first connector portion.

8. The motor of claim 1, wherein the first connector portion includes a shroud that covers a portion of the second connector portion.

9. A motor comprising:

a motor housing;

a stator positioned within the housing and having a first winding arrangement configured for a first voltage and a second winding arrangement configured for a second voltage different from the first voltage;

a first connector portion positioned externally of the motor housing, selectively connectable to each of the first winding arrangement and the second winding arrangement, and including a first electrical assembly;

a second connector portion positioned externally of the motor housing and including a second electrical assembly that is electrically connected to a power supply and selectively electrically connected to the first electrical assembly, the second connector portion selectively engageable with the first connector portion to provide power to one of the first winding arrangement and the second winding arrangement, the second connector portion cooperating with the first connector portion to enclose a space in which at least a portion of the first electrical assembly and the second electrical assembly are disposed; and

a selector positioned within the space and coupled to the first connector portion, the selector movable between a first position in which the first connector portion is connected to the first winding arrangement, and a second position in which the first connector portion is connected to the second winding arrangement.

10. The motor of claim 9, wherein the first electrical assembly includes male contacts.

11. The motor of claim 10, wherein the selector is positioned between the male contacts.

12. The motor of claim 9, wherein the first winding arrangement and the second winding arrangement define a first phase, and wherein a third winding arrangement and a fourth winding arrangement define a second phase.

13. The motor of claim 9, wherein the second connector portion includes a cover.

14. The motor of claim 13, wherein the second connector portion includes a housing and the cover is secured to the housing to inhibit access to the second electrical assembly.

15. The motor of claim 9, wherein the second electrical assembly includes female contacts.

16. The motor of claim 15, wherein the female contacts are removable.

17. The motor of claim 9, wherein the second connector portion is movable between a disconnected position where the second connector portion is physically and electrically disconnected from the first connector portion, and a connected position where the second connector portion is physically and electrically connected to the first connector portion.

18. The motor of claim 9, wherein the first connector portion includes a shroud that covers a portion of the second connector portion.