Patents by Inventor Andrew Nicholas Dames
Andrew Nicholas Dames 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).
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Patent number: 11784011Abstract: An electricity meter comprising an electrically-controlled electromechanical switch is disclosed. The electromechanical switch comprises a rotary actuator comprising a generally-cylindrical permanent magnet rotor having a central axis, a stator comprising a closed stator core and first and second opposite stator poles inwardly-projecting from the closed stator core towards the rotor and first and second coils wound around the first and second stator poles respectively. The electromechanical switch comprises a switch comprising at least one pair of first and second contacts wherein the first contact is movable. The electromechanical switch comprises mechanical linkage between the rotary actuator and the movable contact(s) configured such that rotation of the rotor from a first angular position to a second angular position causes the switch to be opened, and rotation from the second angular position to the first angular position causes the switch to be closed.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: SENTEC LTD.Inventors: Andrew Nicholas Dames, Michael Cantor, Lawrence Born, James Evett
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Publication number: 20230182095Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a flow generator (1) in a tank (20) configured for housing a liquid comprising solid matter, the flow generator (1) comprising an impeller and being located at a height (h-mixer) in the tank (20) and the tank (20) having a predetermined maximum filling height (h-max), wherein the flow generator (1) is configured to be operated at a variable operational speed (n) and the demand of operational speed (n-demand) is dependent on the present liquid level height (h-present) in the tank (20), wherein a max operational speed (n-max) of the flow generator (1) is the operational speed required when the liquid level in the tank (20) is equal to the maximum filling height (h-max), the present operational speed (n-present) being set equal to the demand of operational speed (n-demand) of the flow generator (1) that is determined using the formula: ( n - present ) = ( n - demand ) = ( n - max ) [ ( h - max ) / ( h - present ) ] ^ a at leaType: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2021Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: Xylem Europe GmbHInventors: Peter Loman, Ulf Carlsson, Andrew Nicholas Dames
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Publication number: 20220246367Abstract: An electricity meter comprising an electrically-controlled electromechanical switch is disclosed. The electromechanical switch comprises a rotary actuator comprising a generally-cylindrical permanent magnet rotor having a central axis, a stator comprising a closed stator core and first and second opposite stator poles inwardly-projecting from the closed stator core towards the rotor and first and second coils wound around the first and second stator poles respectively. The electromechanical switch comprises a switch comprising at least one pair of first and second contacts wherein the first contact is movable. The electromechanical switch comprises mechanical linkage between the rotary actuator and the movable contact(s) configured such that rotation of the rotor from a first angular position to a second angular position causes the switch to be opened, and rotation from the second angular position to the first angular position causes the switch to be closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2021Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: Andrew Nicholas DAMES, Michael CANTOR, Lawrence BORN, James EVETT
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Publication number: 20210402882Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle power coupling apparatus for a vehicle. The apparatus has a pickup coil arrangement for receiving an alternating magnetic field applied to the vehicle for generating power to operate the vehicle. The apparatus further has a shield for shielding a region including the pickup coil arrangement from an interior of the vehicle where a user of the vehicle may be present when the vehicle is in operation, and the shield includes at least one hole therein for providing access to one or more components of the vehicle for working on the one or more components. Additional aspects of the invention relate to receiving an alternating magnetic field and converting the alternating magnetic field into electrical power for recharging a vehicle and/or for providing motive power to the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Andrew Nicholas DAMES, Andrew HOWE, Timothy Sweyn NORRIS
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Patent number: 11054291Abstract: An electromagnetic flow sensor for an electromagnetic flow meter (201) is disclosed. The sensor comprises a body (204) or frame, a flow passage (252) through the body or frame, a part of a magnetic circuit (248, 295) supported by the body or frame for applying a magnetic field across the flow passage, and at least first and second electrodes (298) supported by the body or frame, the at least first and second electrodes arranged to sense a voltage in response to a conductive fluid flowing through the flow passage. At least a portion of the body supporting the magnetic circuit part and the at least first and second electrodes is configured to be insertable into a flow tube (206) through a single aperture in the flow tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2016Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: SENTEC LTDInventors: Andrew Nicholas Dames, Carl Martin Hayton
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Patent number: 10967740Abstract: This invention relates to a wireless vehicle recharging apparatus for an energy storage element of a vehicle. The apparatus has at least one drive unit arrangement coupled to at least one drive coil arrangement disposed for generating a magnetic field extending from the drive coil arrangement, and includes a corresponding vehicle-mounted pickup coil arrangement coupled to a power conditioning circuit arrangement for receiving the extending magnetic field. The drive unit arrangement is operable to excite the drive coil arrangement at a fundamental frequency and the drive coil arrangement is implemented to be substantially devoid of ferromagnetic components for providing a path for the extending magnetic field. Additional aspects of the invention relate to vehicle power coupling apparatus including pickup coil arrangements.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Inventors: Andrew Nicholas Dames, Andrew Howe, Timothy Sweyn Norris
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Patent number: 10627273Abstract: A method for an ultrasonic time-of-flight flow meter (1) includes driving an ultrasonic transducer (2, 3) using a first waveform (V1(t)) for a first duration (?t1), the first waveform (V1(t)) configured to cause oscillation (21) of the ultrasonic transducer (2, 3). The method also includes driving the ultrasonic transducer (2, 3) using a second waveform (V2(t)) for a second duration (?t2). There is a discontinuity between the first waveform (V1(t)) and the second waveform (V2(t)). The second waveform (V2(t)) and the second duration (?t2) are configured to maintain a voltage (VT(t)) across the ultrasonic transducer (2, 3) within a predetermined range (VH, VL).Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Sentec Ltd.Inventors: Wenpeng Deng, Jan Bennett, David Healy, Andrew Nicholas Dames, James William Evett
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Publication number: 20190371539Abstract: An electricity meter comprising an electrically-controlled electromechanical switch is disclosed. The electromechanical switch comprises a rotary actuator comprising a generally-cylindrical permanent magnet rotor having a central axis, a stator comprising a closed stator core and first and second opposite stator poles inwardly-projecting from the closed stator core towards the rotor and first and second coils wound around the first and second stator poles respectively. The electromechanical switch comprises a switch comprising at least one pair of first and second contacts wherein the first contact is movable. The electromechanical switch comprises mechanical linkage between the rotary actuator and the movable contact(s) configured such that rotation of the rotor from a first angular position to a second angular position causes the switch to be opened, and rotation from the second angular position to the first angular position causes the switch to be closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Andrew Nicholas DAMES, Michael Cantor, Lawrence Born, James Evett
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Publication number: 20190063970Abstract: A method for an ultrasonic time-of-flight flow meter (1) includes driving an ultrasonic transducer (2, 3) using a first waveform (V1(t)) for a first duration (?t1), the first waveform (V1(t)) configured to cause oscillation (21) of the ultrasonic transducer (2, 3). The method also includes driving the ultrasonic transducer (2, 3) using a second waveform (V2(t)) for a second duration (?t2). There is a discontinuity between the first waveform (V1(t)) and the second waveform (V2(t)). The second waveform (V2(t)) and the second duration (?t2) are configured to maintain a voltage (VT(t)) across the ultrasonic transducer (2, 3) within a predetermined range (VH, VL).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Wenpeng Deng, Jan Bennett, David Healy, Andrew Nicholas Dames, James William Evett
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Publication number: 20180216978Abstract: An electromagnetic flow sensor for an electromagnetic flow meter (201) is disclosed. The sensor comprises a body (204) or frame, a flow passage (252) through the body or frame, a part of a magnetic circuit (248, 295) supported by the body or frame for applying a magnetic field across the flow passage, and at least first and second electrodes (298) supported by the body or frame, the at least first and second electrodes arranged to sense a voltage in response to a conductive fluid flowing through the flow passage. At least a portion of the body supporting the magnetic circuit part and the at least first and second electrodes is configured to be insertable into a flow tube (206) through a single aperture in the flow tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2016Publication date: August 2, 2018Inventors: Andrew Nicholas DAMES, Carl Martin HAYTON
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Publication number: 20180201139Abstract: This invention relates to a wireless vehicle recharging apparatus for an energy storage element of a vehicle. The apparatus has at least one drive unit arrangement coupled to at least one drive coil arrangement disposed for generating a magnetic field extending from the drive coil arrangement, and includes a corresponding vehicle-mounted pickup coil arrangement coupled to a power conditioning circuit arrangement for receiving the extending magnetic field. The drive unit arrangement is operable to excite the drive coil arrangement at a fundamental frequency and the drive coil arrangement is implemented to be substantially devoid of ferromagnetic components for providing a path for the extending magnetic field. Additional aspects of the invention relate to vehicle power coupling apparatus including pickup coil arrangements.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: Andrew Nicholas DAMES, Andrew HOWE, Timothy Sweyn NORRIS
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Patent number: 9862277Abstract: An inductive power transfer system (10) for roadways includes at least one drive unit arrangement (50) coupled to at least one drive coil arrangement (40) disposed along a roadway (20) for generating a magnetic field extending upwardly from the roadway (20), and at least one vehicle (30) including a corresponding pickup coil arrangement (60) coupled to a power conditioning circuit arrangement (80, 200) for receiving the extending magnetic field for providing power to operate the at least one vehicle (30). The at least one drive unit arrangement (50) is operable to excite, for example at resonance, the at least one drive coil arrangement (40) at a fundamental frequency (f0) of at least 30 kHz, preferably at least 50 kHz, more preferably at least 100 kHz, and most preferably at least 140 kHz. The at least one drive coil arrangement (40) is implemented to be substantially devoid of ferromagnetic components for providing a path for the extending magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Inventors: Andrew Nicholas Dames, Andrew Howe, Timothy Sweyn Norris
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Patent number: 9684016Abstract: A current sensor comprises a first component comprising plural coils. Each coil comprises one or more turns printed on at least one planar surface of a respective substrate, and the planes of the coils are parallel to one another and are perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first component. A second component comprises soft magnetic material and has first and second planar faces that are at opposite ends of the first component and are arranged perpendicularly to and are intersected by the longitudinal axis of the first component.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2012Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Sentec Ltd.Inventors: Andrew Nicholas Dames, Matthew Emmanuel Storkey, Hilary Meanwell, Edward Colby
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Patent number: 9494620Abstract: A flexible current sensor arrangement comprises a plurality of discrete current sensing elements distributed along an elongate flexible carrier. An elongate flexible member for a current sensor arrangement comprises a plurality of carrying portions linked to one another by hinge portions, each carrying portion being configured for receiving a discrete current sensing element. A method of manufacturing a flexible current sensor arrangement comprises providing an elongate flexible carrier, and distributing a plurality of discrete sensing elements along the elongate flexible carrier.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Sentec LtdInventors: Andrew Nicholas Dames, Mathew Price, Robert Davidson
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Patent number: 9470766Abstract: A magnetic sensor for discriminating between high and low coercivity magnets is disclosed. The sensor comprises a first magnetic field operable to orient high and low coercivity magnets in a first magnetic orientation. The sensor also comprises a second magnetic field, lower in strength than the first magnetic field, and operable to orient only the low coercivity magnets in a second magnetic orientation opposite to the first magnetic orientation. The sensor further comprises a sensor for ascertaining the magnetic orientation of each of the magnets and thereby identifying if a magnet is a high coercivity magnet or a low coercivity magnet.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2015Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: NCR CORPORATIONInventors: Gary Ross, Adam Camilletti, Andrew Nicholas Dames, Edward G. Colby
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Publication number: 20150246614Abstract: An inductive power transfer system (10) for roadways includes at least one drive unit arrangement (50) coupled to at least one drive coil arrangement (40) disposed along a roadway (20) for generating a magnetic field extending upwardly from the roadway (20), and at least one vehicle (30) including a corresponding pickup coil arrangement (60) coupled to a power conditioning circuit arrangement (80, 200) for receiving the extending magnetic field for providing power to operate the at least one vehicle (30). The at least one drive unit arrangement (50) is operable to excite, for example at resonance, the at least one drive coil arrangement (40) at a fundamental frequency (f0) of at least 30 kHz, preferably at least 50 kHz, more preferably at least 100 kHz, and most preferably at least 140 kHz. The at least one drive coil arrangement (40) is implemented to be substantially devoid of ferromagnetic components for providing a path for the extending magnetic field.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2012Publication date: September 3, 2015Inventors: Andrew Nicholas Dames, Andrew Howe, Timothy Sweyn Norris
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Publication number: 20150212167Abstract: A magnetic sensor for discriminating between high and low coercivity magnets is disclosed. The sensor comprises a first magnetic field operable to orient high and low coercivity magnets in a first magnetic orientation. The sensor also comprises a second magnetic field, lower in strength than the first magnetic field, and operable to orient only the low coercivity magnets in a second magnetic orientation opposite to the first magnetic orientation. The sensor further comprises a sensor for ascertaining the magnetic orientation of each of the magnets and thereby identifying if a magnet is a high coercivity magnet or a low coercivity magnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Gary Ross, Adam Camilletti, Andrew Nicholas Dames, Edward G. Colby
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Patent number: 9000759Abstract: A magnetic sensor for discriminating between high and low coercivity magnets is disclosed. The sensor comprises a first magnetic field operable to orient high and low coercivity magnets in a first magnetic orientation. The sensor also comprises a second magnetic field, lower in strength than the first magnetic field, and operable to orient only the low coercivity magnets in a second magnetic orientation opposite to the first magnetic orientation. The sensor further comprises a sensor for ascertaining the magnetic orientation of each of the magnets and thereby identifying if a magnet is a high coercivity magnet or a low coercivity magnet.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Gary Ross, Adam Camilletti, Andrew Nicholas Dames, Edward G Colby
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Publication number: 20140333284Abstract: A flexible current sensor arrangement comprises a plurality of discrete current sensing elements distributed along an elongate flexible carrier. An elongate flexible member for a current sensor arrangement comprises a plurality of carrying portions linked to one another by hinge portions, each carrying portion being configured for receiving a discrete current sensing element. A method of manufacturing a flexible current sensor arrangement comprises providing an elongate flexible carrier, and distributing a plurality of discrete sensing elements along the elongate flexible carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2012Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: Sentec LtdInventors: Andrew Nicholas Dames, Mathew Price, Robert Davidson
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Publication number: 20140125321Abstract: A current sensor comprises a first component comprising plural coils. Each coil comprises one or more turns printed on at least one planar surface of a respective substrate, and the planes of the coils are parallel to one another and are perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first component. A second component comprises soft magnetic material and has first and second planar faces that are at opposite ends of the first component and are arranged perpendicularly to and are intersected by the longitudinal axis of the first component.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Sentec Ltd.Inventors: Andrew Nicholas Dames, Matthew Emmanuel Storkey, Hilary Meanwell, Edward Colby