Patents Assigned to Launchpoint Technologies, Inc.
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Patent number: 10574110Abstract: A lightweight and efficient electrical machine element including a method of manufacture providing a stator winding for an electric machine which has a large portion of its volume containing electrically conductive strands and a small portion of its volume containing of an encapsulant material. The stator winding includes winding of a first phase by shaping a portion of a bundle of conductive strands into an overlapping, multi-layer arrangement. Winding of successive phases occurs with further bundles of conductor strands around the preceding phases constructed into similar overlapping, multi-layer arrangements. The multiple phases are impregnated with the encapsulant material using dies to press the bundles into a desired form while expelling excess encapsulant prior to the curing of the encapsulant material. The encapsulated winding is removed from the dies after the encapsulant has cured. The encapsulant coating on the strands may be activated using either heat or solvent.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2016Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: LAUNCHPOINT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Geoffrey Alan Long, Bradley E. Paden, Michael Richard Ricci, David Brian Paden, Jonathan Gordon Sugar
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Patent number: 10468955Abstract: An axial flux brushless permanent magnet electrical machine having a stator and at least one rotor. The rotor includes a Halbach array of magnets with at least four magnets per magnetic cycle. The rotor magnets are contained within pockets in the rotor. The pockets are formed with magnet pocket walls being radial walls, active surface walls, and/or inactive surface walls where the walls retain the magnets within the pockets.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2018Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: LAUNCHPOINT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Michael Richard Ricci, Jonathan Gordon Sugar, Bradley Evan Paden, David Brian Paden
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Patent number: 10141822Abstract: An axial flux brushless permanent magnet electrical machine having a stator and at least one rotor. The rotor includes a Halbach array of magnets with at least four magnets per magnetic cycle. The rotor magnets are contained within pockets in the rotor. The pockets are formed with magnet pocket walls being radial walls, active surface walls, and/or inactive surface walls where the walls retain the magnets within the pockets.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: LAUNCHPOINT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Michael Richard Ricci, Jonathan Gordon Sugar, Bradley Evan Paden, David Brian Paden
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Patent number: 9395012Abstract: An electromagnetic valve apparatus with nonlinear springs for variable valve timing in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a valve, floating spring assembly, translational cam, and motor. The cam and spring serve to minimize lash and valve stem bending forces. During opening and closing of the valve, spring potential energy is converted into valve kinetic energy and then back into potential energy at the end of the motion. The potential energy is then available for the next opening/closing event. The motor initiates motion, replaces friction and vibration losses, and terminates motion. However, the motor supplies minimal energy as the valve opens and closes, and vice-versa, naturally due to combined effects of system inertia and the nonlinear spring. In addition to valve control, the apparatus may be applied to fuel injectors, or any reciprocating linear or rotary mechanism where electronic control is used.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: LAUNCHPOINT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Brian A. Paden, Orlo James Fiske, Michael R. Ricci, Murat Okcuoglu, David B. Paden, Bradley E. Paden
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Patent number: 8966899Abstract: A system includes at least one body, a link for suspending the body for movement with gravity from a first elevation position to a second elevation position, and an electrical energy generator coupled with the body through the link to drive the generator to generate electricity upon movement of the body with gravity from the first to the second elevation position. The at least one body has a mass of at least approximately 100 tonnes; the first and the second elevation positions define a distance therebetween of at least approximately 200 meters; and/or the system further includes an operator configured to operate the link to controllably move the at least one body against gravity from the second to the first elevation position to increase a gravitational potential energy of the at least one body, and to maintain the gravitational potential energy of the at least one body.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Launchpoint Technologies, Inc.Inventor: O. James Fiske
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Patent number: 8737558Abstract: A system includes at least one body, a link for suspending the body for movement with gravity from a first elevation position to a second elevation position, and an electrical energy generator coupled with the body through the link to drive the generator to generate electricity upon movement of the body with gravity from the first to the second elevation position. The at least one body has a mass of at least approximately 100 tonnes; the first and the second elevation positions define a distance therebetween of at least approximately 200 meters; and/or the system further includes an operator configured to operate the link to controllably move the at least one body against gravity from the second to the first elevation position to increase a gravitational potential energy of the at least one body, and to maintain the gravitational potential energy of the at least one body.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Launchpoint Technologies, Inc.Inventor: O. James Fiske
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Publication number: 20130002066Abstract: A lightweight and efficient electrical machine element including a method of manufacture providing a stator winding for an electric machine which has a large portion of its volume containing electrically conductive strands and a small portion of its volume containing of an encapsulant material. The stator winding includes winding of a first phase (90) by shaping a portion of a bundle of conductive strands into an overlapping, multi-layer arrangement. Winding of successive phases (91, 92) occurs with further bundles of conductor strands around the preceding phases constructed into similar overlapping, multi-layer arrangements. The multiple p (90, 91, 92) are impregnated with the encapsulant material using dies (60, 80) to press the bundles into a desired form while expelling excess encapsulant prior to the curing of the encapsulant material. The encapsulated winding is removed from the dies after the encapsulant has cured. The encapsulant coating on the strands may be activated using either heat or solvent.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2011Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: LAUNCHPOINT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Geoffrey A. Long
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Publication number: 20120135842Abstract: A strength training apparatus adapted for conducting translatory motion against a counteracting resistance. The apparatus includes strength training devices wherein a carriage and corresponding guide means are provided for translating mass under the effect of gravity along a rectilinear or curvilinear path. Certain embodiments are configured for utilizing a selectable weight stack, loaded free weights or the user's body weight as a primary resistance that is independent of velocity. The apparatus enhances the results of strength training and exercise equipment for providing velocity-dependent resistance in addition to “static” resistance provided by the apparatus at constant velocity. The apparatus includes velocity-dependent resistance provided by eddy current resistance caused by the interaction of an electrically conductive structure encountering relative motion with a magnetic field.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: LAUNCHPOINT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Josiah Edelen Verkaik
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Patent number: 8166760Abstract: A system includes at least one body, a link for suspending the body for movement with gravity from a first elevation position to a second elevation position, and an electrical energy generator coupled with the body through the link to drive the generator to generate electricity upon movement of the body with gravity from the first to the second elevation position. The at least one body has a mass of at least approximately 100 tonnes; the first and the second elevation positions define a distance therebetween of at least approximately 200 meters; and/or the system further includes an operator configured to operate the link to controllably move the at least one body against gravity from the second to the first elevation position to increase a gravitational potential energy of the at least one body, and to maintain the gravitational potential energy of the at least one body.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Launchpoint Technologies, Inc.Inventor: O. James Fiske
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Patent number: 7757609Abstract: A magnetically levitated transportation system employs permanent magnet rails along a guideway that interact with permanent magnets on a vehicle. The rails are optimized to reduce magnetic mass and cost of materials, while maximizing lift force. The vehicle is stabilized in the lateral and yaw directions with feedback controlled lateral control coils that interact with the permanent magnet rails on the guideway. A track switching structure employs permanent magnet rails that gradually widen along a segment of track and separate into two identical diverging rails. Feedback controlled lateral control coils in a moving vehicle stabilize that vehicle over one or the other pairs of diverging rails, as directed by a control computer, thereby causing the vehicle to continue along one path or the other, with no moving or active elements required in the track.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2007Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Launchpoint Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Orlo James Fiske, Chen Chen, Michael Ricci, Bradley Evan Paden
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Publication number: 20090099442Abstract: A telemetry method and apparatus using pressure sensing elements remotely located from associated pick-up, and processing units for the sensing and monitoring of pressure within an environment. This includes remote pressure sensing apparatus incorporating a magnetically-driven resonator being hermetically-sealed within an encapsulating shell or diaphragm and associated new method of sensing pressure. The resonant structure of the magnetically-driven resonator is suitable for measuring quantities convertible to changes in mechanical stress or mass. The resonant structure can be integrated into pressure sensors, adsorbed mass sensors, strain sensors, and the like. The apparatus and method provide information by utilizing, or listening for, the residence frequency of the oscillating resonator. The resonant structure listening frequencies of greatest interest are those at the mechanical structure's fundamental or harmonic resonant frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2007Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: LAUNCHPOINT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Bradley E. Paden, Brian Norling, Josiah E. Verkaik
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Patent number: 7265470Abstract: Arrays of magnets configured to create linear or rotary magnetic springs with multiple equilibrium points. Some of the equilibrium points are stable, while others are unstable. No mechanical contact is required between moving and stationary elements of the magnetic springs, resulting in a virtually unlimited lifetime. The magnetic springs can be utilized in conjunction with low force electromagnetic actuators to implement multi-step linear or rotary actuators with high force, very short movement time between unstable equilibrium points, and with near-zero holding power required to maintain actuator position at any unstable equilibrium point. Specific applications that embody the present invention may include, but are not limited to, optical filters, linear valves, or any mechanism that would benefit from an efficient magnetic spring.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Launchpoint Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bradley Evan Paden, Chen Chen, Orlo James Fiske