Patents by Inventor Bruce B. Gamble

Bruce B. Gamble 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: 10601299
    Abstract: A high temperature superconductor (HTS) rotating machine having a longitudinal axis and having a first rotational inertia. There is a cylindrical stator assembly disposed about the longitudinal axis and a cylindrical rotor assembly disposed within the stator assembly. The rotor assembly is configured to rotate within the stator assembly about the longitudinal axis. The rotor assembly includes at least one HTS winding assembly which, in operation, generates a magnetic flux linking the stator assembly. There is a cylindrical electromagnetic shield disposed about the at least one HTS winding assembly having a second rotational inertia. There is a cryogenic cooling system for cooling the at least one superconducting winding assembly of the rotor assembly. The second rotational inertia is at least eighty percent (80%) of the first rotational inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Inventor: Bruce B. Gamble
  • Publication number: 20190074757
    Abstract: A high temperature superconductor (HTS) rotating machine having a longitudinal axis and having a first rotational inertia. There is a cylindrical stator assembly disposed about the longitudinal axis and a cylindrical rotor assembly disposed within the stator assembly. The rotor assembly is configured to rotate within the stator assembly about the longitudinal axis. The rotor assembly includes at least one HTS winding assembly which, in operation, generates a magnetic flux linking the stator assembly. There is a cylindrical electromagnetic shield disposed about the at least one HTS winding assembly having a second rotational inertia. There is a cryogenic cooling system for cooling the at least one superconducting winding assembly of the rotor assembly. The second rotational inertia is at least eighty percent (80%) of the first rotational inertia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventor: Bruce B. Gamble
  • Patent number: 9012779
    Abstract: A cable includes a plurality of bundles of insulated electrical conductors, each bundle having a first conductor, a second conductor, and a third conductor in a layered configuration. The first conductor of each bundle is connected in parallel to the first conductor of the remaining bundles, the second conductor of each bundle is connected in parallel to the second conductor of the remaining bundles, and the third conductor of each bundle is connected in parallel to the third electrical conductor of the remaining bundles. In addition, within each bundle, the first, second and third electrical conductors are configured so that a magnetic field generated in response to currents flowing within the bundle is zero as seen at a plane oriented transverse to an electrical conduction direction of the cable and located between the ends of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Bruce B. Gamble, Glenn C. Driscoll, Timothy MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20130255991
    Abstract: A cable includes a plurality of bundles of insulated electrical conductors, each bundle having a first conductor, a second conductor, and a third conductor in a layered configuration. The first conductor of each bundle is connected in parallel to the first conductor of the remaining bundles, the second conductor of each bundle is connected in parallel to the second conductor of the remaining bundles, and the third conductor of each bundle is connected in parallel to the third electrical conductor of the remaining bundles. In addition, within each bundle, the first, second and third electrical conductors are configured so that a magnetic field generated in response to currents flowing within the bundle is zero as seen at a plane oriented transverse to an electrical conduction direction of the cable and located between the ends of the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Bruce B. Gamble, Glenn C. Driscoll, Timothy MacDonald
  • Patent number: 7786645
    Abstract: A stator for an electrical machine includes a back iron including a substantially cylindrical annular structure having an inner surface and an axis. A plurality of supports are fabricated of non-magnetic material, each support extending parallel to the axis of the annular structure along the inner surface of the annular structure, each support including a primary base and at least two primary support members. The primary bases substantially conform to the inner surface of the back iron with the primary support members extending radially inward from the primary base towards the axis of the annular structure. A stator winding is positioned between the at least two primary support members and between the primary base of the support and the axis of the annular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce B. Gamble, Gregory L. Snitchler, Darrell Morrison
  • Publication number: 20080061637
    Abstract: A stator for an electrical machine includes a back iron including a substantially cylindrical annular structure having an inner surface and an axis. A plurality of supports are fabricated of non-magnetic material, each support extending parallel to the axis of the annular structure along the inner surface of the annular structure, each support including a primary base and at least two primary support members. The primary bases substantially conform to the inner surface of the back iron with the primary support members extending radially inward from the primary base towards the axis of the annular structure. A stator winding is positioned between the at least two primary support members and between the primary base of the support and the axis of the annular structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce B. Gamble, Gregory L. Snitchler, Darrell Morrison
  • Patent number: 7119644
    Abstract: A superconducting coil assembly is of the type mounted to a rotor assembly of an electric rotating machine and, in operation, is maintained at cryogenic temperatures while the portion of the rotor assembly is maintained above cryogenic temperatures. The superconducting coil assembly includes at least one superconducting winding wound about a longitudinal axis of the coil assembly and having an inner radial surface defining a bore extending through the coil assembly. The coil assembly also includes at least one support member extending across the bore and mechanically coupled to the portion of the rotor assembly and to opposing portions of the inner radial surface of the at least one superconducting winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Raymond T. Howard, John P. Voccio, Peter M Winn, James F. Maguire, Bruce B. Gamble, Swarn S. Kalsi
  • Patent number: 6888286
    Abstract: A stator support system for supporting a stator coil assembly includes an inner support tube having an outer surface; spaced windings supported on the inner support tube with spaces between adjacent windings defining gaps; support members, each disposed within one of the gaps and having a first and second edge configured to mechanically engage the outer surface of the inner support tube; and a cross support positioned over the spaced winding and extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stator coil assembly. The cross support having a first edge configured to mechanically engage the second edge of the support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond T. Howard, Bruce B. Gamble, Peter M. Winn, William T. Sand, Swarn S. Kalsi
  • Patent number: 6879081
    Abstract: A stator support system for supporting a stator coil assembly includes a inner support tube having an outer surface; spaced windings supported on the inner support tube with spaces between adjacent windings defining gaps; support members, each disposed within one of the gaps and having a first and second edge configured to mechanically engage the outer surface of the inner support tube; and a cross support positioned over the spaced winding and extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stator coil assembly. The cross support having a first edge configured to mechanically engage the second edge of the support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond T. Howard, Bruce B. Gamble, Peter M. Winn, William T. Sand, Swarn S. Kalsi
  • Patent number: 6828507
    Abstract: This invention relates to a practical superconducting conductor based upon biaxially textured high temperature superconducting coatings. In particular, methods for producing flexible and bend strain-resistant articles and articles produced in accordance therewith are described which provide improved current sharing, lower hysteretic losses under alternating current conditions, enhanced electrical and thermal stability and improved mechanical properties between otherwise isolated films in a coated high temperature superconducting (HTS) wire. Multilayered materials including operational material which is sensitive to bend strain can be constructed, in which the bend strain in the region in which such operational material is located is minimized. The invention also provides a means for splicing coated tape segments and for termination of coated tape stack ups or conductor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Leslie G. Fritzemeier, Cornelis Leo Hans Thieme, Steven Fleshler, John D. Scudiere, Gregory L. Snitchler, Bruce B. Gamble, Robert E. Schwall, Dingan Yu, Alexander Otto, Elliott D. Thompson, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6812601
    Abstract: A system for cooling a superconductor device includes a cryocooler located in a stationary reference frame and a closed circulation system external to the cryocooler. The closed circulation system interfaces the stationary reference frame with a rotating reference frame in which the superconductor device is located. A method of cooling a superconductor device includes locating a cryocooler in a stationary reference frame, and transferring heat from a superconductor device located in a rotating reference frame to the cryocooler through a closed circulation system external to the cryocooler. The closed circulation system interfaces the stationary reference frame with the rotating reference frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce B. Gamble, Ahmed Sidi-Yekhlef, Robert E. Schwall, David I. Driscoll, Boris A. Shoykhet
  • Patent number: 6765151
    Abstract: This invention relates to a practical superconducting conductor based upon biaxially textured high temperature superconducting coatings. In particular, methods for producing flexible and bend strain-resistant articles and articles produced in accordance therewith are described which provide improved current sharing, lower hysteretic losses under alternating current conditions, enhanced electrical and thermal stability and improved mechanical properties between otherwise isolated films in a coated high temperature superconducting (HTS) wire. Multilayered materials including operational material which is sensitive to bend strain can be constructed, in which the bend strain in the region in which such operational material is located is minimized. The invention also provides a means for splicing coated tape segments and for termination of coated tape stack ups or conductor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Leslie G. Fritzemeier, Cornelis Leo Hans Thieme, Steven Fleshler, John D. Scudiere, Gregory L. Snitchler, Bruce B. Gamble, Robert E. Schwall, Dingan Yu, Alexander Otto, Elliott D. Thompson, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6700274
    Abstract: A rotor assembly includes at least one superconducting winding assembly positioned within a cryogenic region of the rotor assembly, and a cantilevered member, mechanically coupled between the at least one superconducting winding assembly and the shaft. The cantilevered member extends between the non-cryogenic region and cryogenic region of the rotor assembly. The at least one superconducting winding assembly, in operation, generates a magnetic flux linking the stator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce B. Gamble, Raymond T. Howard, John Mirageas, John P. Voccio, Dariusz Antoni Bushko, Peter M. Winn, Gregory L. Snitchler, Ronald A. Malzone
  • Publication number: 20030222533
    Abstract: A rotor assembly includes at least one superconducting winding assembly positioned within a cryogenic region of the rotor assembly, and a cantilevered member, mechanically coupled between the at least one superconducting winding assembly and the shaft. The cantilevered member extends between the non-cryogenic region and cryogenic region of the rotor assembly. The at least one superconducting winding assembly, in operation, generates a magnetic flux linking the stator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce B. Gamble, Raymond T. Howard, John Mirageas, John P. Voccio, Dariusz Antoni Bushko, Peter M. Winn, Gregory L. Snitchler, Ronald A. Malzone
  • Patent number: 6597082
    Abstract: A superconducting machine of the type having a stator assembly and a rotor assembly that rotates within the stator assembly and is spaced from the stator assembly by a gap is disclosed. This arrangement can be used, for example, to produce a superconducting motor or generator. In one aspect of the invention, the superconducting rotating machine includes at least one HTS superconducting winding assembly which, in operation, generates a magnetic flux linking the stator assembly and rotor assembly, a refrigeration system for cooling the at least one superconducting winding of the rotor assembly and the superconducting rotating machine has a torque density of approximately 75 Nm/Kg or more at 500 RPM or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond T. Howard, Swarn S. Kalsi, Gregory L. Snitchler, Bruce B. Gamble, William T. Sand, Peter M. Winn, John P. Voccio
  • Publication number: 20030107275
    Abstract: A system for cooling a superconductor device includes a cryocooler located in a stationary reference frame and a closed circulation system external to the cryocooler. The closed circulation system interfaces the stationary reference frame with a rotating reference frame in which the superconductor device is located. A method of cooling a superconductor device includes locating a cryocooler in a stationary reference frame, and transferring heat from a superconductor device located in a rotating reference frame to the cryocooler through a closed circulation system external to the cryocooler. The closed circulation system interfaces the stationary reference frame with the rotating reference frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicants: American Superconductor Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Reliance Electric Industrial Company
    Inventors: Bruce B. Gamble, Ahmed Sidi-Yekhlef, Robert E. Schwall, David I. Driscoll, Boris A. Shoykhet
  • Patent number: 6509819
    Abstract: Superconducting coils and methods of manufacture include a superconductor tape wound concentrically about and disposed along an axis of the coil to define an opening having a dimension which gradually decreases, in the direction along the axis, from a first end to a second end of the coil. Each turn of the superconductor tape has a broad surface maintained substantially parallel to the axis of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Bruce B. Gamble, John P. Voccio
  • Publication number: 20030011452
    Abstract: A superconducting coil assembly is of the type mounted to a rotor assembly of an electric rotating machine and, in operation, is maintained at cryogenic temperatures while the portion of the rotor assembly is maintained above cryogenic temperatures. The superconducting coil assembly includes at least one superconducting winding wound about a longitudinal axis of the coil assembly and having an inner radial surface defining a bore extending through the coil assembly. The coil assembly also includes at least one support member extending across the bore and mechanically coupled to the portion of the rotor assembly and to opposing portions of the inner radial surface of the at least one superconducting winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Raymond T. Howard, John P. Voccio, Peter M. Winn, James F. Maguire, Bruce B. Gamble, Swarn S. Kalsi
  • Patent number: 6489701
    Abstract: A superconducting rotating machine has a relatively compact construction while still providing a relatively high output power, thus the superconducting rotating machine has an increased power density characteristic. The superconducting rotating machine includes a stator assembly, a rotor assembly configured to rotate within the stator assembly and having at least one HTS superconducting winding assembly which, in operation, generates a magnetic flux linking the rotor assembly to the stator assembly, and a refrigeration system for cooling the at least one superconducting winding. The superconducting rotating has a gap shear characteristic greater than 10 psi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce B. Gamble, Gregory L. Snitchler, Dariusz Antoni Bushko, Swarn S. Kalsi, Peter M. Winn, William T. Sand
  • Publication number: 20020149453
    Abstract: Superconducting coils and methods of manufacture include a superconductor tape wound concentrically about and disposed along an axis of the coil to define an opening having a dimension which gradually decreases, in the direction along the axis, from a first end to a second end of the coil. Each turn of the superconductor tape has a broad surface maintained substantially parallel to the axis of the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: GREGORY L. SNITCHLER, BRUCE B. GAMBLE, JOHN P. VOCCIO