Electrical generator or motor structure – Dynamoelectric – Rotary
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-22
2001-10-16
Ponomarenko, Nicholas (Department: 2834)
Electrical generator or motor structure
Dynamoelectric
Rotary
C123S1950AC, C248S674000, C248S205100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304016
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an alternator mounting bracket and more particularly to an alternator mounting bracket which operatively mounts or positions an alternator upon a vehicle engine and which concomitantly and substantially reduces the amount of noise which is emitted from the alternator during the idling of the engine .
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An alternator is used within a vehicle to selectively provide electrical current to various components and/or assemblies which are contained within the vehicle. Particularly, the alternator is typically mounted upon the vehicle engine assembly (e.g., the intake manifold portion of the engine) by the use of a mounting bracket and emits a time-varying magnetic field which allows the desired electrical current to be produced.
The emitted magnetic field creates a time-varying force within and/or upon the alternator. The structure of the alternator and/or its mounting brackets respond to this force by vibrating in various modes (e.g., a lateral vibration mode or a mode in which the vibration is substantially parallel to an axis which longitudinally extends along the mounting bracket), which causes the alternator assembly to produce a relatively unpleasant and undesirable noise which is similar to a “whine” and which is typically and undesirably communicated into the vehicle passenger compartment, thereby annoying and/or alarming the vehicle occupants.
The amplitude of the lateral vibration varies in accordance with the operating speed of the alternator. Importantly, the lateral vibration amplitude typically attains a relatively large and significant value at an alternator operating speed which corresponds to about 1550 revolutions per minute and which typically occurs as the engine enters or occupies an idle state. Since the vehicle is substantially stationary during such an engine idle state, thereby reducing and/or eliminating the need for the driver to be focused upon the task of driving or maneuvering the vehicle and reducing the noise which is generated by the engine, tires, and airflow, the undesired “whine” is readily noticed or perceived by the driver and/or passengers of the vehicle.
There is therefore a need for a new and improved alternator mounting bracket which substantially reduces the amplitude or amount of such undesired noise as the engine enters an idle state.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a first object of the present invention to provide an alternator mounting bracket which overcomes some or all of the previously delineated drawbacks of prior alternator mounting brackets.
It is a second object of the present invention to provide an alternator mounting bracket which allows an alternator to be selectively and operatively mounted upon a vehicle engine.
It is a third object of the present invention to provide an alternator mounting bracket which allows an alternator to be selectively and operatively mounted upon a vehicle engine, and which substantially reduces the amount of noise which is produced by the alternator during an engine idling state.
It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide an alternator mounting bracket which allows an alternator to be selectively and operatively mounted upon a vehicle engine, and which causes the noise which is produced by the alternator during the idling of the engine to be substantially imperceptible to a human ear.
According to a first aspect of the present invention an alternator mounting bracket is provided. The alternator mounting bracket includes a relatively planar first portion which is selectively mounted upon a portion of an engine and a substantially thin protruding portion which is selectively adapted to be attached to an alternator, thereby mounting the alternator upon the engine.
According to a second aspect of the present invention a method is provided for reducing the noise which is produced by an alternator of the type which is selectively mounted upon an engine by a bracket. The method includes the step of selectively thinning a portion of the bracket.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and by reference to the following drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4253634 (1981-03-01), Daniels
patent: 4849665 (1989-07-01), Kitamura et al.
patent: 5065713 (1991-11-01), Seats
patent: 5203293 (1993-04-01), Shintani et al.
patent: 5210453 (1993-05-01), Nelson
patent: 5686773 (1997-11-01), Sakakibara et al.
Frederick Dean Mark
Runkle Robert Keith
Swales Shawn Harold
Ford Global Tech. Inc.
Ford Global Tech., Inc.
Jones Judson H.
Ponomarenko Nicholas
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