Patents by Inventor Charles Perry Butterfield, Jr.

Charles Perry Butterfield, Jr. 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).

  • AIR GAP CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20190245421
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first member that supports a magnetic flux carrying member and a second member that supports a magnetic flux generating member disposed for movement relative to the first member. An air gap control system is coupled to at least one of the first member or the second member and includes an air gap control device that is separate from a primary magnetic flux circuit formed between the first member and the second member. The air gap control device is configured to exert a force on one of the first and second members in response to movement of the other of the first and second members in a direction that reduces a distance between the first and second members to maintain a minimum distance between the first and second members and/or substantially center the one of the first and second members within the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Boulder Wind Power, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. SMITH, Matthew B. JORE, Michael A. KVAM, David SAMSEL, Charles Perry BUTTERFIELD, JR., Brian J. SULLIVAN, James David DUFORD
  • Air gap control systems and methods
    Patent number: 10193429
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first member that supports a magnetic flux carrying member and a second member that supports a magnetic flux generating member disposed for movement relative to the first member. An air gap control system is coupled to at least one of the first member or the second member and includes an air gap control device that is separate from a primary magnetic flux circuit formed between the first member and the second member. The air gap control device is configured to exert a force on one of the first and second members in response to movement of the other of the first and second members in a direction that reduces a distance between the first and second members to maintain a minimum distance between the first and second members and/or substantially center the one of the first and second members within the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Boulder Wind Power, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Smith, Matthew B. Jore, Michael A. Kvam, David Samsel, Charles Perry Butterfield, Jr., Brian J. Sullivan, James David Duford
  • AIR GAP CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20170040878
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first member that supports a magnetic flux carrying member and a second member that supports a magnetic flux generating member disposed for movement relative to the first member. An air gap control system is coupled to at least one of the first member or the second member and includes an air gap control device that is separate from a primary magnetic flux circuit formed between the first member and the second member. The air gap control device is configured to exert a force on one of the first and second members in response to movement of the other of the first and second members in a direction that reduces a distance between the first and second members to maintain a minimum distance between the first and second members and/or substantially center the one of the first and second members within the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: Boulder Wind Power, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. SMITH, Matthew B. JORE, Michael A. KVAM, David SAMSEL, Charles Perry BUTTERFIELD, JR., Brian J. SULLIVAN, James David DUFORD
  • Air gap control systems and methods
    Patent number: 8362731
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first member that supports a magnetic flux carrying member and a second member that supports a magnetic flux generating member disposed for movement relative to the first member. An air gap control system is coupled to at least one of the first member or the second member and includes an air gap control device that is separate from a primary magnetic flux circuit formed between the first member and the second member. The air gap control device is configured to exert a force on one of the first and second members in response to movement of the other of the first and second members in a direction that reduces a distance between the first and second members to maintain a minimum distance between the first and second members and/or substantially center the one of the first and second members within the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Boulder Wind Power, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Smith, Matthew B. Jore, Michael A. Kvam, David Samsel, Charles Perry Butterfield, Jr., Brian J. Sullivan, James David Duford
  • AIR GAP CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20120262095
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first member that supports a magnetic flux carrying member and a second member that supports a magnetic flux generating member disposed for movement relative to the first member. An air gap control system is coupled to at least one of the first member or the second member and includes an air gap control device that is separate from a primary magnetic flux circuit formed between the first member and the second member. The air gap control device is configured to exert a force on one of the first and second members in response to movement of the other of the first and second members in a direction that reduces a distance between the first and second members to maintain a minimum distance between the first and second members and/or substantially center the one of the first and second members within the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: James S. Smith, Matthew B. Jore, Michael A. Kvam, David Samsel, Charles Perry Butterfield, JR., Brian J. Sullivan