Patents by Inventor Alan James Caughley

Alan James Caughley 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: 9366244
    Abstract: A drive system for driving a diaphragm pressure wave generator comprising opposed first and second diaphragms (11,13) that are each coupled at or toward opposite ends of a reciprocally moveable drive piston (19). The drive system comprises an operable actuator (27) that generates a reciprocating motion output having a low force and long stroke. The drive system also comprises a hydraulic amplifier that is operatively coupled between the actuator and the drive piston, the hydraulic amplifier being arranged to convert the reciprocating motion output from the actuator into an amplified output having a higher force and shorter stroke, and apply the amplified output to the drive piston (19) to cause the drive piston and opposed diaphragms (11,13) to reciprocate and generate waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Callaghan Innovation
    Inventor: Alan James Caughley
  • Patent number: 8171742
    Abstract: A pressure wave generator (40) for driving one or more cryogenic refrigerator systems. The pressure wave generator (40) comprises a housing with one or more inlet/outlet ports (57,58) through which generated pressure waves of gas may pass through to drive a cryogenic refrigerator system or systems connected to the inlet/outlet ports (57,58). The pressure waves are generated by at least on pair of opposed diaphragms (41,42) located in the housing that are moveable in a reciprocating motion within the housing to create pressure waves in gas spaces (55,56) associated with each diaphragm (41,42). The gas spaces (55,56) each having associated inlet/outlet ports (57,58) through which the pressure waves may pass. An operable drive system is also provided to move the pair of diaphragms (41,42) in a reciprocating motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Research Limited
    Inventors: Alan James Caughley, David Haywood
  • Publication number: 20120076677
    Abstract: A drive system for driving a diaphragm pressure wave generator comprising opposed first and second diaphragms (11,13) that are each coupled at or toward opposite ends of a reciprocally moveable drive piston (19). The drive system comprises an operable actuator (27) that generates a reciprocating motion output having a low force and long stroke. The drive system also comprises a hydraulic amplifier that is operatively coupled between the actuator and the drive piston, the hydraulic amplifier being arranged to convert the reciprocating motion output from the actuator into an amplified output having a higher force and shorter stroke, and apply the amplified output to the drive piston (19) to cause the drive piston and opposed diaphragms (11,13) to reciprocate and generate waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Alan James Caughley
  • Publication number: 20080253910
    Abstract: A pressure wave generator (40) for driving one or more cryogenic refrigerator systems. The pressure wave generator (40) comprises a housing with one or more inlet/outlet ports (57,58) through which generated pressure waves of gas may pass through to drive a cryogenic refrigerator system or systems connected to the inlet/outlet ports (57,58). The pressure waves are generated by at least on pair of opposed diaphragms (41,42) located in the housing that are moveable in a reciprocating motion within the housing to create pressure waves in gas spaces (55,56) associated with each diaphragm (41,42). The gas spaces (55,56) each having associated inlet/outlet ports (57,58) through which the pressure waves may pass. An operable drive system is also provided to move the pair of diaphragms (41,42) in a reciprocating motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Alan James Caughley, David Haywood