Patents by Inventor George Lucas
George Lucas 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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Publication number: 20200011364Abstract: Provided is a wind turbine with a nacelle including a mounting structure to which at least one facing element is attached and/or with a hub including a mounting structure to which at least one facing element is attached, which at least one facing element is attached with several fixation devices, whereby each fixation device includes a bolt with a bolt head at one end, a threaded shaft extending through an opening in the facing element and the mounting structure and a tool mount for attaching a tool for holding the bolt, and a nut screwed on the threaded shaft, with the bolt head positioned at the outside of the nacelle or the hub and the tool mount and nut positioned at the inside of the nacelle or the hub.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2019Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Kenneth Svendsen, Thomas George Lucas, Henrik Rahn
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Publication number: 20190363613Abstract: The present invention provides techniques, schemes configurations and methods for removing or reducing heat in motors. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a cooling tower comprising a cooling tower structure and a motor supported by the cooling tower structure. The motor comprises a motor casing and a rotatable shaft. The cooling tower further comprises a cooling tower fan that comprises a fan hub, a plurality of fan blades attached to the rotatable shaft and a supplemental fan attached to the fan hub such that the supplemental fan is between the fan hub and the motor. Rotation of the cooling tower fan causes rotation of the supplemental fan which increases airflow around the casing of the motor so as to facilitate cooling of the motor. Other embodiments of configurations, schemes, method and techniques for thermally managing motors are described herein in detail.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: PATRICK M. ROLLINS, GEORGE LUCAS
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Patent number: 10411561Abstract: The present invention provides techniques, schemes configurations and methods for removing or reducing heat in motors. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a cooling tower comprising a cooling tower structure and a motor supported by the cooling tower structure. The motor comprises a motor casing and a rotatable shaft. The cooling tower further comprises a cooling tower fan that comprises a fan hub, a plurality of fan blades attached to the rotatable shaft and a supplemental fan attached to the fan hub such that the supplemental fan is between the fan hub and the motor. Rotation of the cooling tower fan causes rotation of the supplemental fan which increases airflow around the casing of the motor so as to facilitate cooling of the motor. Other embodiments of configurations, schemes, method and techniques for thermally managing motors are described herein in detail.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Prime Datum Development Company, LLCInventors: Patrick M. Rollins, George Lucas
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Publication number: 20190273419Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cooling tower that has a cooling tower structure having fill material supported by the cooling tower structure and configured to receive heated process fluid and a motor mounted to the cooling tower structure. The motor has a casing and a rotatable shaft and is sealed to prevent fluids, moisture, foreign particles and contaminants from entering the casing. A fan is connected to the rotatable shaft of the motor. Rotation of the rotatable shaft rotates the fan thereby inducing an upward moving mass flow of cool air through the fill material. A basin is attached to the cooling tower structure for collecting cooled fluid. A fluid distribution system distributes the cooled fluid in the basin.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2019Publication date: September 5, 2019Inventors: PATRICK M. ROLLINS, GEORGE LUCAS
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Patent number: 10320266Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cooling tower that has a cooling tower structure having fill material supported by the cooling tower structure and configured to receive heated process fluid and a motor mounted to the cooling tower structure. The motor has a casing and a rotatable shaft and is sealed to prevent fluids, moisture, foreign particles and contaminants from entering the casing. A fan is connected to the rotatable shaft of the motor. Rotation of the rotatable shaft rotates the fan thereby inducing an upward moving mass flow of cool air through the fill material. A basin is attached to the cooling tower structure for collecting cooled fluid. A fluid distribution system distributes the cooled fluid in the basin.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Prime Datum Development Company, LLCInventors: Patrick M. Rollins, George Lucas
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Publication number: 20190017759Abstract: A drive system for driving a fan in a wet cooling tower, wherein the fan has a fan hub and fan blades attached to the fan hub. The drive system has a high-torque, low speed permanent magnet motor having a motor casing, a stator and a rotatable shaft, wherein the rotatable shaft is configured for connection to the fan hub. The drive system includes a variable frequency drive device to generate electrical signals that effect rotation of the rotatable shaft of the motor in order to rotate the fan.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: PATRICK M. ROLLINS, GEORGE LUCAS
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Publication number: 20180373280Abstract: The present invention is directed to a direct-drive fan system and a variable process control system for efficiently managing the operation of fans in a cooling system such as a wet-cooling tower or air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE), HVAC systems, mechanical towers or chiller systems. The present invention is based on the integration of key features and characteristics such as tower thermal performance, fan speed and airflow, motor torque, fan pitch, fan speed, fan aerodynamic properties, and pump flow. The variable process control system processes feedback signals from multiple locations in order control a high torque, variable speed, permanent magnet motor to drive the fan. Such feedback signals represent certain operating conditions including motor temperature, basin temperature, vibrations, and pump flow rates. Other data processed by the variable process control system in order to control the motor include turbine back pressure set-point, condenser temperature set-point and plant part-load setting.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Patrick Rollins, George Lucas, Joseph Costello
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Patent number: 10041749Abstract: A drive system for driving a fan in a wet cooling tower, wherein the fan has a fan hub and fan blades attached to the fan hub. The drive system has a high-torque, low speed permanent magnet motor having a motor casing, a stator and a rotatable shaft, wherein the rotatable shaft is configured for connection to the fan hub. The drive system includes a variable frequency drive device to generate electrical signals that effect rotation of the rotatable shaft of the motor in order to rotate the fan.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2016Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: PRIME DATUM, INC.Inventors: Patrick M. Rollins, George Lucas
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Patent number: 10031535Abstract: The present invention is directed to a direct-drive fan system and a variable process control system for efficiently managing the operation of fans in a cooling system such as a wet-cooling tower or air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE), HVAC systems, mechanical towers or chiller systems. The present invention is based on the integration of key features and characteristics such as tower thermal performance, fan speed and airflow, motor torque, fan pitch, fan speed, fan aerodynamic properties, and pump flow. The variable process control system processes feedback signals from multiple locations in order control a high torque, variable speed, permanent magnet motor to drive the fan. Such feedback signals represent certain operating conditions including motor temperature, basin temperature, vibrations, and pump flow rates. Other data processed by the variable process control system in order to control the motor include turbine back pressure set-point, condenser temperature set-point and plant part-load setting.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2012Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: PRIME DATUM, INC.Inventors: Patrick Rollins, George Lucas, Joseph Costello
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Publication number: 20180131255Abstract: A motor has a housing which comprises a cavity and a socket accessible from outside the housing. The socket has an interior surface. The motor includes a LRU sensor system which comprises an LRU sensor having electrical conductors and internal sensor wiring that is electrically connected to the electrical conductors and electrical conductors on the interior surface of the socket, wherein when the LRU sensor is positioned in the socket, the electrical conductors on the LRU sensor contact the electrical conductors on the interior surface of the socket.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2016Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventors: Patrick M. Rollins, George Lucas
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Publication number: 20180058463Abstract: The present invention is directed to a load bearing direct-drive system for driving a fan in a cooling system such as a wet-cooling tower, air-cooled heat exchanger, HVAC system, hybrid cooling tower, mechanical tower or chiller system. The present invention includes a variable process control system that is based on the integration of key features and characteristics such as tower thermal performance, fan speed and airflow, motor torque, fan pitch, fan speed, fan aerodynamic properties, and pump flow. The variable process control system processes feedback signals from multiple locations in order to control a high torque, low variable speed, load bearing motor to drive the fan.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2012Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Patrick M. ROLLINS, George LUCAS, Joseph COSTELLO
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Patent number: 9823022Abstract: An air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE) for cooling process fluids used in an industrial process. In one embodiment, the ACHE is configured as a forced-draft ACHE. A support structure supports the forced draft ACHE above grade. A tube bundle is supported by the structure and is configured to receive process fluids used in an industrial process. A plenum is connected to the support structure, positioned beneath the tube bundle and configured to direct air-flow through the tube bundle. A fan is supported by the support structure and positioned beneath the plenum. Rotation of the fan produces an air-flow that is directed through the tube bundle by the plenum. A fan drive system is supported by the support structure, positioned beneath the fan and comprises a permanent magnet motor comprising a motor casing, a stator and a rotatable shaft, the rotatable shaft being connected to the fan.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Prime Datum, Inc.Inventors: Patrick M. Rollins, George Lucas
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Publication number: 20170205161Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cooling tower comprising a cooling tower structure comprising fill material supported by the cooling tower structure and configured to receive heated process fluid and a motor mounted to the cooling tower structure. The motor comprises a casing and a rotatable shaft and is sealed to prevent fluids, moisture, foreign particles and contaminants from entering the casing. A fan is connected to the rotatable shaft of the motor. Rotation of the rotatable shaft rotates the fan thereby inducing an upward moving mass flow of cool air through the fill material. A basin is attached to the cooling tower structure for collecting cooled fluid. A fluid distribution system distributes the cooled fluid in the basin.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2015Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: PATRICK M. ROLLINS, GEORGE LUCAS
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Publication number: 20170207682Abstract: The present invention provides techniques, schemes configurations and methods for removing or reducing heat in motors. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a cooling tower comprising a cooling tower structure and a motor supported by the cooling tower structure. The motor comprises a motor casing and a rotatable shaft. The cooling tower further comprises a cooling tower fan that comprises a fan hub, a plurality of fan blades attached to the rotatable shaft and a supplemental fan attached to the fan hub such that the supplemental fan is between the fan hub and the motor. Rotation of the cooling tower fan causes rotation of the supplemental fan which increases airflow around the casing of the motor so as to facilitate cooling of the motor. Other embodiments of configurations, schemes, method and techniques for thermally managing motors are described herein in detail.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2015Publication date: July 20, 2017Applicant: Prime Datum, Inc.Inventors: PATRICK M. ROLLINS, GEORGE LUCAS
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Publication number: 20170201141Abstract: An electric machine has a housing which has an interior space and an interior wall extending about the interior space, and a stator assembly disposed within the interior space and attached to the interior wall. The electric machine includes a rotor within the interior space and located radially inward from the stator. The rotor and stator define a gap there between and cooperate to produce flux. The rotor comprises a hollow cylindrical member having an interior region, an interior wall extending about the interior region and an exterior surface. The rotor includes magnets attached to the exterior surface and a rotor shaft support structure disposed within the interior region of the hollow cylindrical member and attached to the interior wall of the hollow cylindrical member. A rotor shaft is attached to the rotor shaft support structure. The electric machine further comprises bearings to locate and support the rotor shaft relative to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2015Publication date: July 13, 2017Inventors: PATRICK M. ROLLINS, GEORGE LUCAS
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Publication number: 20160363377Abstract: An air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE) for cooling process fluids used in an industrial process. In one embodiment, the ACHE is configured as a forced- draft ACHE. A support structure supports the forced draft ACHE above grade. A tube bundle is supported by the structure and is configured to receive process fluids used in an industrial process. A plenum is connected to the support structure, positioned beneath the tube bundle and configured to direct air-flow through the tube bundle. A fan is supported by the support structure and positioned beneath the plenum. Rotation of the fan produces an air-flow that is directed through the tube bundle by the plenum. A fan drive system is supported by the support structure, positioned beneath the fan and comprises a permanent magnet motor comprising a motor casing, a stator and a rotatable shaft, the rotatable shaft being connected to the fan.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: PATRICK M. ROLLINS, GEORGE LUCAS
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Patent number: 9508176Abstract: A 3D animation environment that includes an animation object is generated. A movement speed is assigned to object the 3D animation environment. An animation path containing at least first and second waypoints is generated. An animation sequence is generated by identifying a first section of the animation path connected to the first waypoint. A first animation of the animation object is generated in which the animation object moves along the first section of the path at the movement speed. A spatial gap in the animation path is identified between the first and second waypoints. A second animation of the animation object is generated in which the animation object moves, by keyframe animation, from the first waypoint to the second waypoint. A third animation of the animation object is generated in which the animation object moves along at least a second portion of the path at the movement speed.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.Inventors: George Lucas, Domenico Porcino, Adam Schnitzer, Louise Rasmussen, Kent Oberheu
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Publication number: 20160334176Abstract: A drive system for driving a fan in a wet cooling tower, wherein the fan has a fan hub and fan blades attached to the fan hub. The drive system has a high-torque, low speed permanent magnet motor having a motor casing, a stator and a rotatable shaft, wherein the rotatable shaft is configured for connection to the fan hub. The drive system includes a variable frequency drive device to generate electrical signals that effect rotation of the rotatable shaft of the motor in order to rotate the fan.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventors: PATRICK M. ROLLINS, GEORGE LUCAS
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Publication number: 20160267566Abstract: Disclosed herein are certain embodiments of systems and methods for inventory management of digital gift cards purchased from a variety of merchants, stored on a server database and resold indirectly to customers. A server would obtain an economic order quantity of gift cards from assorted merchants to generate a digital inventory. These codes may remain entirely private between the server and the merchant from which they were bought. The server would additionally sell merchant credits to customers using a web application. The digital inventory would be used to fulfill sales of merchant credit to customers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Mark Levitt, James McMillian, Michael Paul Brewer, Vinodan K. Lingham, George Lucas Bowen, Krisan Ramesh Nichani
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Patent number: D817463Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2014Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Inventors: Kent Charles Curley, Timothy George Lucas