Patents by Inventor Douglas H. Richardson

Douglas H. Richardson 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: 10984917
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are described in which plasma pressures above the breaking point of solid material can be achieved by injecting a plasma into a funnel of liquid metal in which the plasma is compressed and/or heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: General Fusion Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Georges Laberge, Douglas H. Richardson
  • Patent number: 10115486
    Abstract: Examples of a modular compression chamber for use in a compression system are disclosed. The modular compression chamber comprises a plurality of individual modules and a plurality of fasteners to attach the plurality of modules in an interlocking fashion to form the chamber. The modules have a pre-determined geometry and size to form a compression chamber with a desired geometry and size. The plurality of fasteners keeps each of the individual modules in compression with neighboring modules so that the formed chamber maintains its integrity during operation. The modules can comprise a plurality of pressure wave generators to generate a pressure wave within the chamber. In one embodiment, the pressure wave generators have a pre-determined geometry and size and are configured to interlock with the neighboring generators forming the individual modules. The fasteners are configured to maintain intimate contact between side walls of the adjacent pressure wave generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: General Fusion Inc.
    Inventors: Lon William McIlwraith, Michel Georges Laberge, Douglas H. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20180190390
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are described in which plasma pressures above the breaking point of solid material can be achieved by injecting a plasma into a funnel of liquid metal in which the plasma is compressed and/or heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Michel Georges Laberge, Douglas H. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20180053570
    Abstract: Examples of a modular compression chamber for use in a compression system are disclosed. The modular compression chamber comprises a plurality of individual modules and a plurality of fasteners to attach the plurality of modules in an interlocking fashion to form the chamber. The modules have a pre-determined geometry and size to form a compression chamber with a desired geometry and size. The plurality of fasteners keeps each of the individual modules in compression with neighboring modules so that the formed chamber maintains its integrity during operation. The modules can comprise a plurality of pressure wave generators to generate a pressure wave within the chamber. In one embodiment, the pressure wave generators have a pre-determined geometry and size and are configured to interlock with the neighboring generators forming the individual modules. The fasteners are configured to maintain intimate contact between side walls of the adjacent pressure wave generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Lon William McIlwraith, Michel Georges Laberge, Douglas H. Richardson
  • Patent number: 9875816
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are described in which plasma pressures above the breaking point of solid material can be achieved by injecting a plasma into a funnel of liquid metal in which the plasma is compressed and/or heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: General Fusion Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Georges Laberge, Douglas H. Richardson
  • Patent number: 9746008
    Abstract: Examples of a pressure wave generator configured to generate high energy pressure waves in a medium are disclosed. The pressure wave generator can include a movable piston with a guide through which a piston control rod can move or slide. The pressure wave generator can include a transducer coupled to a medium. During an impact of the piston on the transducer, the control rod can slide in the guide, which can reduce stress on the rod. The pressure wave generator can include a damper to decelerate the control rod, independently of the piston. Impact of the piston on the transducer transfers a portion of the piston's kinetic energy into the medium thereby generating pressure waves in the medium. A piston driving system may be used to provide precise and controlled launching or movement of the piston. Examples of methods of operating the pressure wave generator are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: General Fusion Inc.
    Inventors: Lon McIlwraith, John Senger, Darcy Montgomery, Douglas H. Richardson, Peter Kostka, Kristin Bell, Ryan Zindler, Michel Georges Laberge
  • Publication number: 20160314855
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are described in which plasma pressures above the breaking point of solid material can be achieved by injecting a plasma into a funnel of liquid metal in which the plasma is compressed and/or heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Michel Georges Laberge, Douglas H. Richardson
  • Patent number: 9424955
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are described in which plasma pressures above the breaking point of solid material can be achieved by injecting a plasma into a funnel of liquid metal in which the plasma is compressed and/or heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: General Fusion Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Georges Laberge, Douglas H. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20150152899
    Abstract: Examples of a pressure wave generator configured to generate high energy pressure waves in a medium are disclosed. The pressure wave generator can include a movable piston with a guide through which a piston control rod can move or slide. The pressure wave generator can include a transducer coupled to a medium. During an impact of the piston on the transducer, the control rod can slide in the guide, which can reduce stress on the rod. The pressure wave generator can include a damper to decelerate the control rod, independently of the piston. Impact of the piston on the transducer transfers a portion of the piston's kinetic energy into the medium thereby generating pressure waves in the medium. A piston driving system may be used to provide precise and controlled launching or movement of the piston. Examples of methods of operating the pressure wave generator are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Lon McIlwraith, John Senger, Darcy Montgomery, Douglas H. Richardson, Peter Kostka, Kristin Bell, Ryan Zindler, Michel Georges Laberge
  • Patent number: 8887618
    Abstract: Examples of a pressure wave generator configured to generate high energy pressure waves in a medium are disclosed. The pressure wave generator can include a movable piston with a guide through which a piston control rod can move or slide. The pressure wave generator can include a transducer coupled to a medium. During an impact of the piston on the transducer, the control rod can slide in the guide, which can reduce stress on the rod. The pressure wave generator can include a damper to decelerate the control rod, independently of the piston. Impact of the piston on the transducer transfers a portion of the piston's kinetic energy into the medium thereby generating pressure waves in the medium. A piston driving system may be used to provide precise and controlled launching or movement of the piston. Examples of methods of operating the pressure wave generator are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Fusion, Inc.
    Inventors: Lon McIlwraith, John Senger, Darcy Montgomery, Douglas H. Richardson, Peter Kostka, Kristin Bell, Ryan Zindler, Michel Georges Laberge
  • Publication number: 20140247913
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are described in which plasma pressures above the breaking point of solid material can be achieved by injecting a plasma into a funnel of liquid metal in which the plasma is compressed and/or heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Michel Georges Laberge, Douglas H. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20140165552
    Abstract: Examples of a pressure wave generator configured to generate high energy pressure waves in a medium are disclosed. The pressure wave generator can include a movable piston with a guide through which a piston control rod can move or slide. The pressure wave generator can include a transducer coupled to a medium. During an impact of the piston on the transducer, the control rod can slide in the guide, which can reduce stress on the rod. The pressure wave generator can include a damper to decelerate the control rod, independently of the piston. Impact of the piston on the transducer transfers a portion of the piston's kinetic energy into the medium thereby generating pressure waves in the medium. A piston driving system may be used to provide precise and controlled launching or movement of the piston. Examples of methods of operating the pressure wave generator are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Lon McIlwraith, John Senger, Darcy Montgomery, Douglas H. Richardson, Peter Kostka, Kristin Bell, Ryan Zindler, Michel Georges Laberge
  • Patent number: 8537958
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are described in which plasma pressures above the breaking point of solid material can be achieved by injecting a plasma into a funnel of liquid metal in which the plasma is compressed and/or heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: General Fusion, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Georges Laberge, Douglas H. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20110026657
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are described in which plasma pressures above the breaking point of solid material can be achieved by injecting a plasma into a funnel of liquid metal in which the plasma is compressed and/or heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Michel Georges Laberge, Douglas H. Richardson