Patents by Inventor Kevin Jonathan Hickman

Kevin Jonathan Hickman 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).

  • Coil energization apparatus and method of energizing a superconductive coil
    Patent number: 8035379
    Abstract: A coil energizing apparatus has a superconducting energization power supply having an output port. The power supply is arranged to generate, when in use, a pulsed output current signal at the output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens PLC
    Inventor: Kevin Jonathan Hickman
  • Method for measuring liquid cryogen level using a level probe
    Patent number: 7966878
    Abstract: A method of measuring a level of liquid cryogen, comprising the steps of immersing a liquid cryogen level probe in a liquid cryogen, applying a propagation current to the heater (26) to induce quench in at least an adjacent part of the superconductive material (22); removing the propagation current from the heater; applying a measurement current to the superconductive material; and measuring (30) a voltage across the superconductive material thereby to determine the level of the liquid cryogen. In articular, the method comprises the steps of monitoring (40) the voltage across the superconductive material while the propagation current is being applied; and ceasing application of the propagation current in response to the detection of a voltage across the superconductive material which exceeds a certain threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Plc
    Inventors: Kevin Jonathan Hickman, Anthony John Salloway
  • COIL ENERGIZATION APPARATUS AND METHOD OF ENERGIZING A SUPERCONDUCTIVE COIL
    Publication number: 20090212891
    Abstract: A coil energizing apparatus has a superconducting energization power supply having an output port. The power supply is arranged to generate, when in use, a pulsed output current signal at the output port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Kevin Jonathan Hickman
  • Method for Measuring Liquid Cryogen Level Using a Level Probe
    Publication number: 20080156091
    Abstract: A method of measuring a level of liquid cryogen, comprising the steps of immersing a liquid cryogen level probe in a liquid cryogen, applying a propagation current to the heater (26) to induce quench in at least an adjacent part of the superconductive material (22); removing the propagation current from the heater; applying a measurement current to the superconductive material; and measuring (30) a voltage across the superconductive material thereby to determine the level of the liquid cryogen. In articular, the method comprises the steps of monitoring (40) the voltage across the superconductive material while the propagation current is being applied; and ceasing application of the propagation current in response to the detection of a voltage across the superconductive material which exceeds a certain threshold level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin Jonathan Hickman, Anthony John Salloway