Patents by Inventor Neil R. McCanney

Neil R. McCanney 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).

  • Patent number: 7803489
    Abstract: The apparatus contains a means to create superheated steam at a temperature of preferably 800° C. The superheated steam is delivered to a catalytic decomposition converter that contains ceramic membranes that function to decompose water H2O into its constituent elements of diatomic hydrogen and oxygen. In one embodiment, a cascade of catalytic cells, one set for hydrogen and one set for oxygen are arranged in a unique “Cascade and Recirculate” configuration that greatly improves the throughput of the catalytic process. Only enough hydrogen is produced and delivered to the fuel cell according to the real time demand. There is no hydrogen storage on board. An electrically heated boiler initializes the process, and thereafter the heat from the exothermic reaction of a high-temperature fuel cell, and a small hydrocarbon burner sustains the operational superheated steam temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Hydrogen Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil R. McCanney
  • Publication number: 20080241614
    Abstract: The apparatus contains a means to create superheated steam at a temperature of preferably 800° C. The superheated steam is delivered to a catalytic decomposition converter that contains ceramic membranes that function to decompose water H2O into its constituent elements of diatomic hydrogen and oxygen. In one embodiment, a cascade of catalytic cells, one set for hydrogen and one set for oxygen are arranged in a unique “Cascade and Recirculate” configuration that greatly improves the throughput of the catalytic process. Only enough hydrogen is produced and delivered to the fuel cell according to the real time demand. There is no hydrogen storage on board. An electrically heated boiler initializes the process, and thereafter the heat from the exothermic reaction of a high-temperature fuel cell, and a small hydrocarbon burner sustains the operational superheated steam temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: ADVANCED HYDROGEN POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Neil R. McCanney
  • Patent number: 5420481
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling the luminous output of a fluorescent lamp over a wide dimming range. The luminous output is controlled by controlling the lamp current, while the lamp is immersed in a lateral electrostatic field. The lamp and external electrostatic ionization electrodes are driven by a true analog voltage-to-current converter that has a dynamic range inherently wider than conventional PWM circuits. A modified, transformer coupled, push-pull converter with an analog-current-driven primary circuit is used in one embodiment of the apparatus. The lamp driver must be capable of providing a high compliance voltage consistent with the I-V profile of the lamp. A subordinate primary winding on the transformer may be used to reduce magnetization current and to supply sufficient energy for supporting the lateral electrostatic field that is generated by the ionization electrodes which may be printed on a PWB mounted behind the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Smiths Industries
    Inventor: Neil R. McCanney
  • Patent number: 4719393
    Abstract: A deflection amplifier for a CRT display device which generates a sweep ramp by means of a low distortion complimentary push-pull amplifier. The amplifier generates a compliance voltage which is fed back to an initial push-pull differential amplifier input stage and which is also used to generate a current through a deflection yoke coil. A sense resistor in series with the deflection yoke coil operates with a differential amplifier to direct a negative feedback signal to the input for the complimentary push-pull amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Inventor: Neil R. McCanney
  • Patent number: 4241235
    Abstract: Human voice sounds are modified to produce the effect of a different person speaking. A signal representative of the original voice sounds is separated into a plurality of voice signal components each having a different frequency band. The frequency of at least one voice signal component is shifted and the voice signal components are recombined to produce a modified voice signal representative of the modified but intelligible voice sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1980
    Assignee: Reflectone, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil R. McCanney