Patents by Inventor Gregory L. Snitchler
Gregory L. Snitchler 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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Patent number: 9012779Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Bruce B. Gamble, Glenn C. Driscoll, Timothy MacDonald
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Patent number: 8791052Abstract: A rotating machine includes a stator and a rotor configured to rotate within the stator. Rotor windings are supported in the rotor and are formed of a laminated electrical conductor in a single-layer saddle coil configuration. The conductor includes a first support lamina, a second support lamina, an insert including a high temperature superconductor disposed between the first and second support lamina, and a filler material surrounding the insert that bonds the insert to each of the first and second support lamina. At the location between the first support lamina and second support lamina corresponding to the location of the insert, the width dimension of the filler material on each side of the insert is at least 10 percent of a width of the conductor. The conductor is configured to carry at least 600 Amperes per turn and have a C-axis tensile strength of at least 21 MPa.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Michael A. Tanner, Gregory L. Snitchler, William L. Carter, Eric R. Podtburg
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Publication number: 20130261000Abstract: A rotating machine includes a stator and a rotor configured to rotate within the stator. Rotor windings are supported in the rotor and are formed of a laminated electrical conductor in a single-layer saddle coil configuration. The conductor includes a first support lamina, a second support lamina, an insert including a high temperature superconductor disposed between the first and second support lamina, and a filler material surrounding the insert that bonds the insert to each of the first and second support lamina. At the location between the first support lamina and second support lamina corresponding to the location of the insert, the width dimension of the filler material on each side of the insert is at least 10 percent of a width of the conductor. The conductor is configured to carry at least 600 Amperes per turn and have a C-axis tensile strength of at least 21 MPa.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Michael A. Tanner, Gregory L. Snitchler, William L. Carter, Eric R. Podtburg
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Publication number: 20130255991Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Bruce B. Gamble, Glenn C. Driscoll, Timothy MacDonald
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Patent number: 8319390Abstract: A stator assembly for use in a superconducting generator operated at frequencies up to 10 Hz is disclosed. The stator assembly includes a ferromagnetic stator winding support having a plurality of teeth defining slots, the slots configured to receive and support stator windings. The stator winding support is formed so that the ratio of the sum of the widths of the slots to the sum of the widths of the teeth and slots is in the range of 0.65 to 0.90.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2011Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Timothy MacDonald
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Publication number: 20110248509Abstract: A stator assembly for use in a superconducting generator operated at frequencies up to 10 Hz is disclosed. The stator assembly includes a ferromagnetic stator winding support having a plurality of teeth defining slots, the slots configured to receive and support stator windings. The stator winding support is formed so that the ratio of the sum of the widths of the slots to the sum of the widths of the teeth and slots is in the range of 0.65 to 0.90.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2011Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Timothy MacDonald
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Publication number: 20100277136Abstract: A stator assembly for use in a superconducting generator operated at frequencies up to 10 Hz is disclosed. The stator assembly includes a ferromagnetic stator winding support having a plurality of teeth defining slots, the slots configured to receive and support stator windings. The stator winding support is formed so that the ratio of the sum of the widths of the slots to the sum of the widths of the teeth and slots is in the range of 0.65 to 0.90.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2009Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Timothy MacDonald
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Patent number: 7786645Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 7, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Bruce B. Gamble, Gregory L. Snitchler, Darrell Morrison
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Publication number: 20080061637Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2006Publication date: March 13, 2008Inventors: Bruce B. Gamble, Gregory L. Snitchler, Darrell Morrison
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Patent number: 7119644Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Raymond T. Howard, John P. Voccio, Peter M Winn, James F. Maguire, Bruce B. Gamble, Swarn S. Kalsi
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Patent number: 6906265Abstract: A cabled conductor comprises a plurality of transposed strands each comprising one or more preferably twisted filaments preferably surrounded or supported by a matrix material and comprising textured anisotropic superconducting compounds which have crystallographic grain alignment that is substantially unidirectional and independent of the rotational orientation of the strands and filaments in the cabled conductors. The cabled conductor is made by forming a plurality of suitable composite strands, forming a cabled intermediate from the strands by transposing them about the longitudinal axis of the conductor at a preselected strand lay pitch, and, texturing the strands in one or more steps including at least one step involving application of a texturing process with a primary component directed orthogonal to the widest longitudinal cross-section of the cabled intermediate, at least one such orthogonal texturing step occurring subsequent to said strand transposition step.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2001Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Jeffrey M. Seuntjens, William L. Barnes, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr.
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Patent number: 6828507Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 14, 2000Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: 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.
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Patent number: 6765151Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 24, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: 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.
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Patent number: 6762673Abstract: An elongated current limiting composite material comprising one or more high-temperature superconductor filaments and a second electrically conductive member, which may include a sheath of high bulk resistivity surrounding the filament. The current limiter exhibits dissipation in the range of 0.05-0.5 V/cm at currents of 3-10 times the operating current, thereby minimizing fault currents and improving recovery capability.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2000Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignees: American Superconductor Corp., ABB Transmission & Distribution Technologies, Ltd.Inventors: Alexander Otto, Ralph P. Mason, Craig J. Christopherson, Peter R. Roberts, Steven Fleshler, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., Swarn S. Kalsi, Gregory L. Snitchler, Robert C. Diehl, Dietrich Bonmann, Martin Lakner, Willi Paul, Harry Zueger
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Patent number: 6700274Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 19, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Bruce B. Gamble, Raymond T. Howard, John Mirageas, John P. Voccio, Dariusz Antoni Bushko, Peter M. Winn, Gregory L. Snitchler, Ronald A. Malzone
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Patent number: 6693504Abstract: The invention features an internally supported superconducting coil assembly. The invention includes several superconducting windings and at least one internal coil support member that forms a laminate stack alternating between an internal support member and a superconducting winding.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2000Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Raymond T. Howard, John P. Voccio
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Patent number: 6664672Abstract: A method of maintaining a desired level of sub-transient reactance in a superconducting machine includes specifying a desired level of sub-transient reactance. A stator assembly is produced that includes at least one stator coil assembly having a first predefined length. A rotor assembly is produced that is configured to rotate within the stator assembly. An asynchronous field filtering shield, having a second predefined length that is less than the first predefined length, is positioned between the stator assembly and the rotor assembly. The desired level of sub-transient reactance is achieved by adjusting either the first predefined length or the second predefined length.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2001Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Swarn S. Kalsi, Gregory L. Snitchler
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Publication number: 20030222533Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2001Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventors: Bruce B. Gamble, Raymond T. Howard, John Mirageas, John P. Voccio, Dariusz Antoni Bushko, Peter M. Winn, Gregory L. Snitchler, Ronald A. Malzone
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Patent number: 6657533Abstract: A superconducting conductor and its method of manufacture includes an electrical conductor having a thermal conductor attached to and along a length of superconductor member and separated from the superconductor member by an electrically-insulative material. The member may include a length of superconductor composite having superconducting material and a non-superconducting, electrically conductive matrix material. The electrical conductor is configured to control the manner in which the superconductor transitions from its superconducting state to its non-superconducting (i.e., normal) state due to, for example, a fault current condition. The electrically-insulative material has a thickness for allowing heat from the superconductor to be conveyed to the thermal conductor. The superconducting conductor may be used in conjunction with a superconducting current-limiting device.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1998Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignees: American Semiconductor Corporation, ABB Transmission & Distribution Technologies, Ltd.Inventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Dietrich Bonmann, Martin Lakner, Willi Paul
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Publication number: 20030164749Abstract: A superconducting conductor and its method of manufacture includes an electrical conductor having a thermal conductor attached to and along a length of superconductor member and separated from the superconductor member by an electrically-insulative material. The member may include a length of superconductor composite having superconducting material and a non-superconducting, electrically conductive matrix material. The electrical conductor is configured to control the manner in which the superconductor transitions from its superconducting state to its non-superconducting (i.e., normal) state due to, for example, a fault current condition. The electrically-insulative material has a thickness for allowing heat from the superconductor to be conveyed to the thermal conductor. The superconducting conductor may be used in conjunction with a superconducting current-limiting device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 1998Publication date: September 4, 2003Inventors: GREGORY L. SNITCHLER, DIETRICH BONMANN, MARTIN LAKNER, WILLI PAUL