Patents by Inventor Stuart Inkpen
Stuart Inkpen 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: 11772801Abstract: An electric field sensor includes an insulating substrate, a plurality of electrodes, an insulator, a plurality vias, and a ground ring. The electrodes are disposed on the substrate. The insulator is disposed over the electrodes. The vias are coupled to the electrodes and extend through the substrate at a right angle to the electrodes. The ground ring is disposed around the electrodes and the vias and is configured to attenuate a sensitivity of the sensor to electric fields outwards of the ground ring.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Instrumar LimitedInventors: Stuart Inkpen, Chris Nolan, Bill Conway, Dana Linfield, David Bonnell, Joshua Swamidas, Ruth Abraham
-
Patent number: 11735778Abstract: In some examples, a high-energy-density battery pack device includes a circuit board and at least two casing structures mounted on the circuit board. In some examples, the high-energy-density battery pack device also includes at least two cells electrically connected in series or in parallel through the circuit board. In some examples, each cell of the at least two cells is positioned in a casing structure of the at least two casing structures. In some examples, the respective casing structure surrounds the respective cell with an opening on one end of the cell.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2017Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignees: Honeywell Limited, AeroELT, LLCInventors: Stuart Inkpen, Joshua Swamidas, Bill Conway, Dana Linfield, Ruth Abraham, Carl Weisser, Vic Weglarz
-
Publication number: 20210188450Abstract: An electric field sensor includes an insulating substrate, a plurality of electrodes, an insulator, a plurality vias, and a ground ring. The electrodes are disposed on the substrate. The insulator is disposed over the electrodes. The vias are coupled to the electrodes and extend through the substrate at a right angle to the electrodes. The ground ring is disposed around the electrodes and the vias and is configured to attenuate a sensitivity of the sensor to electric fields outwards of the ground ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2021Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Stuart Inkpen, Chris Nolan, Bill Conway, Dana Linfield, David Bonnell, Joshua Swamidas, Ruth Abraham
-
Patent number: 10940952Abstract: A method of monitoring for the in-flight accretion of matter involves an electric field sensor applying a time-varying electric field to an engine surface of an aircraft while the aircraft is in flight. The electric field sensor is thermally-coupled and thermally-matched to the engine surface. A sensor monitor receives, in substantially real-time from the electric field sensor, at least one measurement set that includes a measurement of a phase and a magnitude of a current detected by the electric field sensor and resulting from the time-varying electric field. The sensor monitor generates an assessment, in substantially real-time, of an instantaneous accumulation of matter on the engine surface from the at least one measurement set. The sensor monitor activates an alarm upon the assessment indicating an accumulation of matter on the engine surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2016Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Inventors: Stuart Inkpen, Chris Nolan, Bill Conway, Dana Linfield, David Bonnell, Joshua Swamidas, Ruth Abraham
-
Patent number: 10732065Abstract: A pipeline breach monitor includes an electric field sensor and a signal processing unit in communication with the electric field sensor. The electric field sensor includes an upper substrate, and a plurality of electrodes embedded in the upper substrate. The electrodes are substantially parallel to each other in the upper substrate and comprise at least one sense electrode and a plurality of elongate sensor electrodes disposed around the at least one sense electrode. The signal processing unit is configured to (i) apply a voltage signal to the sensor electrodes, (ii) receive at least one measurement set comprising a measurement of a phase and a magnitude of a current generated in the at least one sense electrode and the sensor electrodes, and (iii) generate an assessment of accumulation of a substance proximate the electric field sensor from the at least one measurement set and at least one predetermined substance accumulation profile.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2016Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Instrumar LimitedInventors: Stuart Inkpen, Chris Nolan, Bill Conway, Dana Linfield, David Bonnell, Joshua Swamidas
-
Publication number: 20180348079Abstract: A pipeline breach monitor includes an electric field sensor and a signal processing unit in communication with the electric field sensor. The electric field sensor includes an upper substrate, and a plurality of electrodes embedded in the upper substrate. The electrodes are substantially parallel to each other in the upper substrate and comprise at least one sense electrode and a plurality of elongate sensor electrodes disposed around the at least one sense electrode. The signal processing unit is configured to (i) apply a voltage signal to the sensor electrodes, (ii) receive at least one measurement set comprising a measurement of a phase and a magnitude of a current generated in the at least one sense electrode and the sensor electrodes, and (iii) generate an assessment of accumulation of a substance proximate the electric field sensor from the at least one measurement set and at least one predetermined substance accumulation profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2016Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Stuart INKPEN, Chris NOLAN, Bill CONWAY, Dana LINFIELD, David BONNELL, Joshua SWAMIDAS
-
Publication number: 20180155037Abstract: A method of monitoring for the in-flight accretion of matter involves an electric field sensor applying a time-varying electric field to an engine surface of an aircraft while the aircraft is in flight. The electric field sensor is thermally-coupled and thermally-matched to the engine surface. A sensor monitor receives, in substantially real-time from the electric field sensor, at least one measurement set that includes a measurement of a phase and a magnitude of a current detected by the electric field sensor and resulting from the time-varying electric field. The sensor monitor generates an assessment, in substantially real-time, of an instantaneous accumulation of matter on the engine surface from the at least one measurement set. The sensor monitor activates an alarm upon the assessment indicating an accumulation of matter on the engine surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2016Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Stuart Inkpen, Chris NOLAN, Bill CONWAY, Dana LINFIELD, David BONNELL, Joshua SWAMIDAS, Ruth ABRAHAM
-
Publication number: 20180083241Abstract: In some examples, a high-energy-density battery pack device includes a circuit board and at least two casing structures mounted on the circuit board. In some examples, the high-energy-density battery pack device also includes at least two cells electrically connected in series or in parallel through the circuit board. In some examples, each cell of the at least two cells is positioned in a casing structure of the at least two casing structures. In some examples, the respective casing structure surrounds the respective cell with an opening on one end of the cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Stuart Inkpen, Joshua Swamidas, Bill Conway, Dana Linfield, Ruth Abraham, Carl Weisser, Vic Weglarz
-
Patent number: 9527595Abstract: A method of monitoring the accumulation of matter on an external surface of an aircraft involves applying varying electric fields to the aircraft surface, and a sensor monitor receiving a time-series of measurements of a temperature of the aircraft surface and a phase and a magnitude of a current induced in an electric field sensor unit from the varying electric fields. The electric field sensor unit is mounted proximate the aircraft surface. The time-series of the measurements varies in accordance with the instantaneous accumulation of matter on the aircraft surface. The sensor monitor generates an assessment of the accumulation of matter on the aircraft surface from a correlation of the time-series of the measurements with at least one predetermined matter accumulation profile. Each predetermined matter accumulation profile comprises a corresponding time-series of current phase, current magnitude and temperature measurements.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2013Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Instrumar LimitedInventors: Stuart Inkpen, Chris Nolan, Bill Conway, Dana Linfield, David Bonnell, Joshua Swamidas, Ruth Abraham
-
Publication number: 20150042316Abstract: A method of monitoring the accumulation of matter on an external surface of an aircraft involves applying varying electric fields to the aircraft surface, and a sensor monitor receiving a time-series of measurements of a temperature of the aircraft surface and a phase and a magnitude of a current induced in an electric field sensor unit from the varying electric fields. The electric field sensor unit is mounted proximate the aircraft surface. The time-series of the measurements varies in accordance with the instantaneous accumulation of matter on the aircraft surface. The sensor monitor generates an assessment of the accumulation of matter on the aircraft surface from a correlation of the time-series of the measurements with at least one predetermined matter accumulation profile. Each predetermined matter accumulation profile comprises a corresponding time-series of current phase, current magnitude and temperature measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Stuart Inkpen, Chris Nolan, Bill Conway, Dana Linfield, David Bonnell, Joshua Swamidas, Ruth Abraham
-
Patent number: 8669757Abstract: An electric field sensor comprises an insulating substrate, a plurality of non-contacting electrodes disposed on the substrate, and a plurality of conductors coupled to the electrodes, and extending transversely through the substrate. The electrodes comprise a first electrode portion, and a second electrode portion interlaced with the first electrode portion. The conductors comprise a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion. The first portion of the conductors are coupled to the first electrode portion. The second portion of the conductors are coupled to the second electrode portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2011Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Instrumar LimitedInventors: Stuart Inkpen, Chris Nolan, Darryl Pike, Heather Rowe, John Hall, Dana Linfield, Joshua Swamidas, Chris Dawson, Gerard Galway, Shawn Walsh, Ruth Abraham
-
Publication number: 20110267029Abstract: An electric field sensor comprises an insulating substrate, a plurality of non-contacting electrodes disposed on the substrate, and a plurality of conductors coupled to the electrodes, and extending transversely through the substrate. The electrodes comprise a first electrode portion, and a second electrode portion interlaced with the first electrode portion. The conductors comprise a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion. The first portion of the conductors are coupled to the first electrode portion. The second portion of the conductors are coupled to the second electrode portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: Instrumar LimitedInventors: Stuart Inkpen, Chris Nolan, Darryl Pike, Heather Rowe, John Hall, Dana Linfield, Joshua Swamidas, Chris Dawson, Gerard Galway, Shawn Walsh, Ruth Abraham
-
Patent number: 7983785Abstract: A computer-based fibre production monitoring system includes at least one sensor, and a computer server in communication with the sensors. Each sensor is configured to provide data packets each being associated with a respective threadline and providing a measurement of at least one physical characteristic of a fibre as it is drawn past the sensor on the threadline and wound onto a bobbin. The computer server is configured to provide an analysis of the physical characteristics on a per-threadline basis and/or per-bobbin basis from the measurements. The sensor is configured as an electric field sensor, and includes an insulating substrate, non-contacting electrodes disposed on the substrate, and vias extending transversely through the substrate. The electrodes are interlaced with one another. One portion of the vias is coupled to one portion of the electrodes, and another portion of the vias is coupled to another portion of the electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Instrumar LimitedInventors: Stuart Inkpen, Chris Nolan, Darryl Pike, Heather Rowe, John Hall, Dana Linfield, Joshua Swamidas, Chris Dawson, Gerard Galway, Shawn Walsh, Ruth Abraham
-
Publication number: 20060064196Abstract: A computer-based fibre production monitoring system includes at least one sensor, and a computer server in communication with the sensors. Each sensor is configured to provide data packets each being associated with a respective threadline and providing a measurement of at least one physical characteristic of a fibre as it is drawn past the sensor on the threadline and wound onto a bobbin. The computer server is configured to provide an analysis of the physical characteristics on a per-threadline basis and/or per-bobbin basis from the measurements. The sensor is configured as an electric field sensor, and includes an insulating substrate, non-contacting electrodes disposed on the substrate, and vias extending transversely through the substrate. The electrodes are interlaced with one another. One portion of the vias is coupled to one portion of the electrodes, and another portion of the vias is coupled to another portion of the electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2004Publication date: March 23, 2006Inventors: Stuart Inkpen, Chris Nolan, Darryl Pike, Heather Rowe, John Hall, Dana Linfield, Joshua Swamidas, Chris Dawson, Gerard Galway, Shawn Walsh, Ruth Abraham
-
Patent number: 5621332Abstract: An apparatus for identifying and measuring in real time substances overlying a surface comprises a plurality of electrodes, a temperature sensor, an electrode control system connected to the plurality of electrodes for defining an electric field, an amplitude and phase measurement system connected to the plurality of electrodes and to the electrode control system for measuring a plurality of currents responsive to the electric field and converting the currents to a measurement set and computer for storing a map comprising a partition of a vector space of predetermined characteristics of substances into regions of profiles corresponding to the substances which could be overlying the surface. The computer correlates the measurement set with the map thereby identifying and quantifying the substances overlying the surface and generates an output signal corresponding to the identity and quantity of substances overlying the surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1995Date of Patent: April 15, 1997Inventors: Stuart Inkpen, John Hall, Chris Nolan, Chris Marshall
-
Patent number: 5394340Abstract: An apparatus for identifying and measuring in real time substances overlying a surface comprises a plurality of electrodes, a temperature sensor, an electrode control system connected to the plurality of electrodes for defining an electric field, an amplitude and phase measurement system connected to the plurality of electrodes and to the electrode control system for measuring a plurality of currents responsive to the electric field and converting the currents to a measurement set and computer for storing a map comprising a partition of a vector space of predetermined characteristics of substances into regions of profiles corresponding to the substances which could be overlying the surface. The computer correlates the measurement set with the map thereby identifying and quantifying the substances overlying the surface and generates an output signal corresponding to the identity and quantity of substances overlying the surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1992Date of Patent: February 28, 1995Assignee: Instrumar LimitedInventors: Stuart Inkpen, John Hall, Chris Marshall, Chris Brobeck, Chris Nolan
-
Patent number: 4911947Abstract: Multicolored tone paint compositions containing flat metallic particles are produced by subjecting an electrically conductive substrate coated with the paint composition, while wet, to ion current. The field caused by the corona current vertically orients the metallic particles in that portion of the paint subjected to the current while the metallic particles in the unexposed paint remain in horizontal orientation.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1986Date of Patent: March 27, 1990Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: James R. Melcher, Stuart Inkpen
-
Patent number: 4818627Abstract: Multicolored tone paint compositions containing flat metallic particles are produced by subjecting an electrically conductive substrate coated with the paint composition, while wet, to ion current. The field caused by the corona current vertically orients the metallic particles in that portion of the paint subjected to the current while the metallic particles in the unexposed paint remain in horizontal orientation.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1986Date of Patent: April 4, 1989Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: James R. Melcher, Stuart Inkpen