Patents by Inventor Christopher G. Bright
Christopher G. Bright has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9356502Abstract: A magnetic gear arrangement is provided having a magnetically active gear member that generates a first magnetic field, which is modulated by interpoles. The modulated magnetic field generates magnetic poles on a magnetically passive gear member, and these poles form a second magnetic field. The material of the passive gear member is sufficiently magnetically hard that the first and second magnetic fields interact to couple the motion of the active and passive gear members according to a given gear ratio.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventor: Christopher G. Bright
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Patent number: 9046270Abstract: The present invention relates to a flameholder (1) for holding a flame (84) comprising a flow of combusting fluid. The flameholder (1) comprises an inlet (32) and an outlet (34) which defines a flow path between them. A magnetic-field generator (10, 20) is arranged to generate a magnetic field (40) across the flow path such that in use the fluid flows in the flow path through the magnetic field (40). As the fluid flows through the magnetic field an electric current is induced in the fluid. This results in a force (86) being generated on the fluid which opposes the flow direction (82). This force acts to hold the flame in place. If the flow path is in the form of a closed loop, in a plane perpendicular to the flow direction (82), then the current (50) induced in the fluid can flow in a closed loop entirely within the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2011Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Simon A. Weeks, Christopher G. Bright
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Patent number: 9038361Abstract: The present invention relates to a combustion controller for controlling the combustion of a flow of combustible and/or combusting fluid. The combustion controller comprises an inlet and an outlet which defines a flow path between them. A magnetic-field generator is arranged to generate a magnetic field across the flow path such that in use the fluid flows in the flow path through the magnetic field. As the fluid flows through the magnetic field an electric current is induced in the fluid. This results in energy being supplied to the fluid. This energy can assist is reignition. If the magnetic field is an alternating magnetic field then this induces an alternating current in the fluid. The frequency of this current can be controlled such that certain chemical reactions are either promoted or inhibited.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2011Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: Simon A. Weeks, Christopher G. Bright
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Patent number: 8931269Abstract: An actuator is provided having a temperature activatable actuating member comprising an inductively couplable material. The actuator has an electrical heating element for electrically heating the actuating member. The heating element is configured to inductively couple with said material when an AC current is passed through the heating element such that an opposing electromotive force is induced in the heating element. A detector is provided for detecting activation of the actuating member by sensing a change in the AC impedance of the heating element.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2010Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: Christopher G. Bright, John E. Anthony
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Patent number: 8844259Abstract: The present invention relates to a flashback protector (1) for limiting the propagation of a flame towards a fuel supply. The flashback protector comprises a downstream side (34) and an upstream side (32) defining a flow path between them. A magnetic-field generator (10, 20) is arranged to generate a magnetic field (40) across the flow path such that when a flashback occurs fluid flows in the flow path towards the fuel supply through the magnetic field (40). This causes a flow of current (50) to be induced in the fluid. This results in a force being generated on the fluid away from the fuel supply, preventing the flashback from reaching the fuel supply and causing an explosion.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: Simon A. Weeks, Christopher G. Bright
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Patent number: 8833701Abstract: A method of reducing the amount of water in a region of air including: forming seed ice crystals; dispensing the seed ice crystals towards the region of air; allowing water in the region of air to freeze or deposit onto the seed ice crystals; and allowing the resulting ice crystals to move from the region of air so as to reduce the amount of water in the region of air. An ice crystal seeding assembly arranged to reduce the amount of water in a region of air, the seeding assembly includes an ice crystal seeder and dispensing means, the dispensing means being arranged to dispense seeded ice crystals towards the region of air so that water in the region of air freezes or deposits onto the seed ice crystals and that the resulting ice crystals move from the region of air.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventor: Christopher G Bright
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Patent number: 8838192Abstract: This invention is a high voltage superconductor switch comprising: a length of superconductor having a switching portion located within an air gap; a magnetic circuit including at least one flux guide having ferrite pole pieces defining an air gap in which a switching portion of a superconductor can reside in use and at least one primary magnetic flux source located within the circuit so as to provide a quenching magnetic field across the air gap via the ferrite pole pieces.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventor: Christopher G. Bright
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Patent number: 8810098Abstract: A magnetic gear arrangement is provided having a magnetically active gear member that generates a first magnetic field, which is modulated by interpoles. The modulated magnetic field generates magnetic poles on a magnetically passive gear member, and these poles form a second magnetic field. The material of the passive gear member is sufficiently magnetically hard that the first and second magnetic fields interact to couple the motion of the active and passive gear members according to a given gear ratio.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2009Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventor: Christopher G. Bright
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Publication number: 20140217838Abstract: A magnetic gear arrangement is provided having a magnetically active gear member that generates a first magnetic field, which is modulated by interpoles. The modulated magnetic field generates magnetic poles on a magnetically passive gear member, and these poles form a second magnetic field. The material of the passive gear member is sufficiently magnetically hard that the first and second magnetic fields interact to couple the motion of the active and passive gear members according to a given gear ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Christopher G. BRIGHT
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Patent number: 8718732Abstract: The invention relates to a superconductor switching arrangement, including: a superconductor having a plurality of first connection zones and at least one second connection zone, the first and second connection zones being connectable by at least one superconducting path in use, a quenching device which is operable to selectively quench portions of the superconductor so as to remove the superconducting path between at least two of the first connection zones and the at least one second connection zone.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: Christopher G Bright, Adam J McLoughlin
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Patent number: 8600464Abstract: This invention relates to a superconducting fault current limiter, including: an input segment of an input transformer core and an output segment of an output transformer, each segment having a first end and a second end; a length of superconductor which forms a winding around the input segment and a winding around output segment, wherein the windings are connected in series to form a closed loop; a cryostat in which the superconductor is housed; wherein each end of the input and output segments are exposed to the exterior of the cryostat.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: Huw L. Edwards, Christopher G. Bright, Stephen M. Husband
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Patent number: 8546988Abstract: A magnetic gear arrangement having a first gear member for generating a first magnetic field and a second gear member for generating a second magnetic field. An interpole member is provided between the first and second gear members for coupling the two magnetic fields and controlling the gear ratio between the two gear members. The interpole member includes a unitary body of magnetizable material and associated control wiring, and is arranged such that when current is passed through the wiring, space regions of the unitary body are magnetized by an electrically-induced magnetic field. Discrete interpoles, the number and spacing of which define the gear ratio, are then formed in the unitary body between adjacent magnetized regions.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2009Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: Christopher G. Bright, Huw L. Edwards
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Publication number: 20130206912Abstract: A method of reducing the amount of water in a region of air including: forming seed ice crystals; dispensing the seed ice crystals towards the region of air; allowing water in the region of air to freeze or deposit onto the seed ice crystals; and allowing the resulting ice crystals to move from the region of air so as to reduce the amount of water in the region of air. An ice crystal seeding assembly arranged to reduce the amount of water in a region of air, the seeding assembly includes an ice crystal seeder and dispensing means, the dispensing means being arranged to dispense seeded ice crystals towards the region of air so that water in the region of air freezes or deposits onto the seed ice crystals and that the resulting ice crystals move from the region of air.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2012Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Christopher G. BRIGHT
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Publication number: 20130090243Abstract: This invention relates to a superconducting fault current limiter, including: an input segment of an input transformer core and an output segment of an output transformer, each segment having a first end and a second end; a length of superconductor which forms a winding around the input segment and a winding around output segment, wherein the windings are connected in series to form a closed loop; a cryostat in which the superconductor is housed; wherein each end of the input and output segments are exposed to the exterior of the cryostat.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: Huw L. EDWARDS, Christopher G. BRIGHT, Stephen M. HUSBAND
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Patent number: 8358035Abstract: An electrical generator arrangement comprising a distribution network having a first generator and a second generator, the first generator arranged to provide electrical power to a transmitter source, the second generator coupled to the distribution network by a switch to enable isolation of the second generator, the switch associated with an electrical characteristic comparator to compare the phase and/or frequency of the voltage provided by the second generator with the incidental modulation of a transmitter signal from the transmitter due to variations in the phase and/or frequency of the voltage provided by the first generator to the transmitter, the comparator arranged to operate the switch to isolate or connect the second generator to the distribution network dependent upon a variation in the change of the phase and/or frequency of the voltage provided by the second generator and the incidental modulation of the transmitted signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2008Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Rolls-Royce, PLCInventor: Christopher G Bright
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Patent number: 8330306Abstract: A magneto-plasma-dynamic (MPD) generator, comprising: a conveying duct shaped for conveying a high velocity, conductive fluid; a magnetic field generator arranged to generate a magnetic field across the conveying duct, substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the fluid, such that the fluid passes through the magnetic field (2) when conveyed by the duct; electrodes provided in the conveying duct to conduct a current induced in the fluid as it is conveyed by the conveying duct through the magnetic field; and an electrode supplying mechanism configured to supply a conductive liquid for replenishing the electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventor: Christopher G. Bright
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Patent number: 8249755Abstract: Protection arrangements and methods of operating protection arrangements are important in order to maintain operability with regard to electrical power distribution networks. Such networks generally comprise grids or meshes of electrical distribution pathways from generators and electrical loads. Faults may occur within the network and circuit breakers or other protection elements are utilised to isolate such faults. A number of regimes for protection are known but problems can arise with regard to ensuring an appropriate pan of the distribution network is isolated.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventor: Christopher G. Bright
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Patent number: 8217537Abstract: A magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) generator has a conveying duct shaped for conveying a high velocity, conductive fluid; a magnetic field generator arranged to generate a magnetic field across the conveying duct, substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the fluid, such that the fluid passes through the magnetic field when conveyed by the duct; electrodes arranged to conduct a current induced in the fluid as it is conveyed by the conveying duct through the magnetic field; and a fluid break-down circuit arranged to electrically break-down the fluid by developing an additional voltage across the electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Rolls-Royce, PLCInventor: Christopher G Bright
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Publication number: 20120067042Abstract: An actuator is provided having a temperature activatable actuating member comprising an inductively couplable material. The actuator has an electrical heating element for electrically heating the actuating member. The heating element is configured to inductively couple with said material when an AC current is passed through the heating element such that an opposing electromotive force is induced in the heating element. A detector is provided for detecting activation of the actuating member by sensing a change in the AC impedance of the heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: Christopher G. Bright, John E. Anthony
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Publication number: 20120023890Abstract: The present invention relates to a flashback protector (1) for limiting the propagation of a flame towards a fuel supply. The flashback protector comprises a downstream side (34) and an upstream side (32) defining a flow path between them. A magnetic-field generator (10, 20) is arranged to generate a magnetic field (40) across the flow path such that when a flashback occurs fluid flows in the flow path towards the fuel supply through the magnetic field (40). This causes a flow of current (50) to be induced in the fluid. This results in a force being generated on the fluid away from the fuel supply, preventing the flashback from reaching the fuel supply and causing an explosion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: Simon A. WEEKS, Christopher G. BRIGHT