Patents by Inventor Edgar S. Thaxton

Edgar S. Thaxton 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).

  • Publication number: 20230078127
    Abstract: A retention structure can be created using two or more different materials (e.g., one magnetic material, and one non-magnetic material) as a composite structure. The retention structure can include a cylindrical hoop comprising one or more one or magnetic regions tangentially alternating with one or more non-magnetic regions configured to surround and retain a plurality of magnets to a rotor, wherein the one or more magnetic regions are aligned with each one of the plurality of magnets and the one or more non-magnetic regions are aligned with one or more spaces between the plurality of magnets on the rotor. The magnetic material allows flux from the permanent magnets to flow through to the stators and the non-magnetic sections reduce leakage of magnetic flux to adjoining permanent magnets through use of non-magnetic materials. The retention structure can be fabricated using a hot isostatic press process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: DRS Naval Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edgar S. Thaxton, Calvin H. Corey, III
  • Publication number: 20220109356
    Abstract: An electric machine may include a housing that encloses both a radial motor producing radial flux in a first direction, the radial flux influences a first magnetic unit to produce a first torque on a rotor arm attached to a shaft. The housing can also include an axial motor producing axial flux in a second direction to influence a second magnetic unit to produce a second torque on the rotor arm attached to the shaft, wherein the radial motor and the axial motor are positioned in the housing to reduce cross magnetic flux from either the radial motor or the axial motor. The primary radial motor can include either a permanent magnetic motor or an induction motor. The secondary radial motor can include one of a permanent magnet motor, an induction motor, or a transverse flux motor. The current and phase of primary and secondary motors can be independently controllable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Calvin H. Corey, III, Edgar S. Thaxton
  • Patent number: 9742249
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an electric machine stator includes inserting one or more electrical coils into a form and partially curing the one or more electrical coils. The method also includes populating the electric machine stator with the one or more electrical coils and curing the electric machine stator with one or more electrical coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: DRS Power Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edgar S. Thaxton, Gregory Cervenka, Raymond Jones, Eric Tripodi
  • Publication number: 20150229190
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an electric machine stator includes inserting one or more electrical coils into a form and partially curing the one or more electrical coils. The method also includes populating the electric machine stator with the one or more electrical coils and curing the electric machine stator with one or more electrical coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Edgar S. Thaxton, Gregory Cervenka, Raymond Jones, Eric Tripodi
  • Patent number: 9075593
    Abstract: An integrated power system suitable for simultaneously powering marine propulsion and service loads. The system includes: (a) at least one generator configured with at least first and second armature windings configured to output respective first and second alternating current power signals of different voltages, the at least two armature windings positioned within the same stator slots so that they magnetically couple; (b) at least first and second rectifier circuits coupled to said generator to convert said first and second alternating current power signals into first and second direct current power signals; (c) a first load to which said first direct current power signal is coupled and a second load to which said second direct current power signal is coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: DRS Power & Control Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene Castles, Edgar S. Thaxton
  • Patent number: 9009949
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an electric machine stator includes inserting one or more electrical coils into a form and partially curing the one or more electrical coils. The method also includes populating the electric machine stator with the one or more electrical coils and curing the electric machine stator with one or more electrical coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: DRS Power Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edgar S. Thaxton, Gregory Cervenka, Raymond Jones, Eric Tripodi
  • Publication number: 20150033048
    Abstract: An integrated power system suitable for simultaneously powering marine propulsion and service loads. The system includes: (a) at least one generator configured with at least first and second armature windings configured to output respective first and second alternating current power signals of different voltages, the at least two armature windings positioned within the same stator slots so that they magnetically couple; (b) at least first and second rectifier circuits coupled to said generator to convert said first and second alternating current power signals into first and second direct current power signals; (c) a first load to which said first direct current power signal is coupled and a second load to which said second direct current power signal is coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Gene Castles, Edgar S. Thaxton
  • Patent number: 8928292
    Abstract: An integrated power system suitable for simultaneously powering marine propulsion and service loads. The system includes: (a) at least one generator configured with at least first and second armature windings configured to output respective first and second alternating current power signals of different voltages, the at least two armature windings positioned within the same stator slots so that they magnetically couple; (b) at least first and second rectifier circuits coupled to said generator to convert said first and second alternating current power signals into first and second direct current power signals; and (c) a first load to which said first direct current power signal is coupled and a second load to which said second direct current power signal is coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: DRS Power & Control Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene Castles, Edgar S. Thaxton
  • Publication number: 20110185206
    Abstract: An integrated power system suitable for simultaneously powering marine propulsion and service loads. The system includes: (a) at least one generator configured with at least first and second armature windings configured to output respective first and second alternating current power signals of different voltages, the at least two armature windings positioned within the same stator slots so that they magnetically couple; (b) at least first and second rectifier circuits coupled to said generator to convert said first and second alternating current power signals into first and second direct current power signals; (c) a first load to which said first direct current power signal is coupled and a second load to which said second direct current power signal is coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: DRS Power & Control Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene Castles, Edgar S. Thaxton
  • Publication number: 20030164654
    Abstract: In the embodiments described in the specification, a permanent magnet synchronous machine has axially spaced stator and rotor segments and windings in the stator segments are supplied with AC signals to produce motor torque, integrated magnetic bearings and active control of the rotor position in six-degrees of freedom. The rotor segments may be axially offset inwardly or outwardly with respect to the rotor segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Edgar S. Thaxton, Carl J. Jensen
  • Patent number: 6340851
    Abstract: A modular transformer arrangement providing power to a multi-level power converter includes a plurality of three phase transformers having delta or extended delta connected primary windings and delta or extended delta or wye or zig zag wye connected secondary windings and the multi-level power converter has full bridge power modules inputs connected to isolated secondaries of the transformer modules and outputs connected in series and/or in parallel to provide increased voltage and/or current or multiple phases which can be phase shifted with respect to the input to the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Electric Boat Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Rinaldi, Edgar S. Thaxton, Gene Castles
  • Patent number: 6230791
    Abstract: In the embodiments described in the specification a metal heat transfer cold plate has two sets of parallel coolant passages extending between opposite end surfaces and non-metallic headers made of electrically insulating material are attached to the opposite ends of the metal plate. One of the headers provides an inlet to one set of coolant passages and an outlet from the other set of coolant passages and the other header provides fluid communication between the two sets of coolant passages. The headers are affixed to the cold plate by adhesive or by a snap-in connection having a sealing gasket between each header and the cold plate and the assembled cold plate and headers are insulatively supported by mounting feet attached to the electrically insulating headers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Electric Boat Corporation
    Inventors: Pieter Van Dine, Edgar S. Thaxton, James S. Smith, Jeffrey Linkinhoker
  • Patent number: 6188139
    Abstract: A marine power distribution arrangement includes a turbine-driven AC generator which supplies AC power at a frequency of 240 Hz through a switchgear unit to a transformer and a first power converter by which the power is converted to a variable frequency, variable voltage AC output for ship propulsion and to a second power converter by which the AC power is converted to a fixed voltage, fixed AC frequency or DC power to supply the ship service loads. A battery backup power supply may be switched in an emergency. In another embodiment four turbine-driven AC generators and two emergency power supplies are provided to drive two propulsion shafts as well as to supply the ship service loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Electric Boat Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar S. Thaxton, Robert M. Adair, Gene Castles, Peter M. Rinaldi
  • Patent number: 6175163
    Abstract: A marine power distribution arrangement utilizes generators driven at standard or higher than normal speeds and/or having a number of poles to produce electric power at a standard 50/60 Hz frequency or substantially higher than the standard 50/60 Hz frequency, such as 400 Hz. Each generator is a multi-phase, multi-circuit generator supplying isolated outputs on a plurality of lines to a propulsion power converter having isolated inputs to provide variable frequency, variable voltage power to a ship propulsion motor and to a service power converter to provide ship service power at a standard AC frequency or DC and at standard voltage for a service load. With this arrangement, power conversion transformers can, for the most part, be eliminated, thereby reducing the size and weight of the distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Electric Boat Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Rinaldi, Edgar S. Thaxton
  • Patent number: 6150731
    Abstract: A marine power distribution arrangement utilizes generators driven at standard or higher than normal speeds and/or having a number of poles to produce electric power at a standard 50/60 Hz frequency or substantially higher than the standard 50/60 Hz frequency, such as 400 Hz. Each generator is a multi-phase, multi-circuit generator supplying isolated outputs on a plurality of lines to a propulsion power converter having isolated inputs to provide variable frequency, variable voltage power to a ship propulsion motor and to a service power converter to provide ship service power at a standard AC frequency or DC and at standard voltage for a service load. With this arrangement, power conversion transformers can, for the most part, be eliminated, thereby reducing the size and weight of the distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Electric Boat Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Rinaldi, Edgar S. Thaxton
  • Patent number: 6142090
    Abstract: In the embodiments described in the specification, a power converter unit contains a series of enclosures mounted on a platform which is supported from a ship's hull structure by isolation mounts. Each enclosure includes power conversion modules and is supplied with power cables, cooling liquid pipes and control lines from a panel forming a back wall of the enclosure. The power converter modules are supported in the enclosure for displacement out of the enclosure for inspection and testing and flexible power cables, cooling liquid pipes and control lines are provided to facilitate testing and inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Electric Boat Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Jakuba, Edgar S. Thaxton
  • Patent number: 6118932
    Abstract: A high voltage, single-stage variable speed motor power supply utilizes direct AC-to-AC converters that do not have any intermediate DC link, along with a multi-level, multi-phase, multi-circuit variable speed motor drive and a motor in which a stator is wound with a number of multi-phase circuits. Each multi-phase circuit includes semiconductor switches arranged in drive switch pairs which are operated to produce an effective DC supply with the switches being controlled so that the most positive line-to-line source voltage is utilized for the inversion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Electric Boat Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Maurio, Gregory A. Duba, Edgar S. Thaxton
  • Patent number: 6101109
    Abstract: In the particular embodiments described, an unlimited voltage static power converter includes an array of multi-level phase drivers consisting of a plurality of H-bridge power modules connected in series. The midpoint node of the series-connected power semiconductors is connected to corresponding midpoint nodes in adjacent H-bridges to achieve a desired high output voltage using available power switch ratings. A three-dimensional multi-level, multi-phase, multi-circuit array of H-bridges permits the use of the static power converter for high power applications, while providing a high degree of power quality. The power semiconductor switches are operated in accordance with a two-dimensional interleaved pulse width modulation algorithm which produces a waveform with a switching frequency that can be more than an order of magnitude higher than the switching frequency of a single power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventors: Greg A. Duba, Edgar S. Thaxton, John Walter
  • Patent number: 6075684
    Abstract: In the direct current circuit interruption arrangements disclosed in the specification, a solid state circuit interrupter interrupts the connection in a circuit path between a power source and a load. The stored energy in the circuit is dissipated in a resistive commutation circuit by using controllable power semiconductors such as Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors to increase resistance between the terminals of the circuit interruption arrangement. An in-line power semiconductor switch acts as the circuit disconnecting device and is shunted by a resistive commutation circuit consisting of a plurality of solid state commutation switches and resistors in various configurations which act to dissipate the energy. In one embodiment the solid state switches in the commutation circuit are connected to a common circuit interrupter terminal and to a resistor through a series of taps on the resistor and the resistor is connected to the other circuit interrupter terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Electric Boat Corporation
    Inventors: Greg A. Duba, Edgar S. Thaxton, John Walter
  • Patent number: 6066902
    Abstract: In the embodiments disclosed in the specification, a thermoelectric generator is provided in a layer between a heat transfer plate and a plurality of power electronic switches and the voltage generated by the thermoelectric generator is used to control switching of the switches. When the voltage generated by the thermoelectric generator is insufficient to control the switches, power source is taken from the power to be controlled by the switches and stepped down for use in controlling the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Electric Boat Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Maurio, Edgar S. Thaxton