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).

  • Patent number: 9012779
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Bruce B. Gamble, Glenn C. Driscoll, Timothy MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8791052
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Tanner, Gregory L. Snitchler, William L. Carter, Eric R. Podtburg
  • Publication number: 20130261000
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Tanner, Gregory L. Snitchler, William L. Carter, Eric R. Podtburg
  • Publication number: 20130255991
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Bruce B. Gamble, Glenn C. Driscoll, Timothy MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8319390
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Timothy MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20110248509
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Timothy MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20100277136
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Timothy MacDonald
  • Patent number: 7786645
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce B. Gamble, Gregory L. Snitchler, Darrell Morrison
  • Publication number: 20080061637
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce B. Gamble, Gregory L. Snitchler, Darrell Morrison
  • Patent number: 7119644
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Raymond T. Howard, John P. Voccio, Peter M Winn, James F. Maguire, Bruce B. Gamble, Swarn S. Kalsi
  • Patent number: 6906265
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Jeffrey M. Seuntjens, William L. Barnes, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6828507
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: 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.
  • Patent number: 6765151
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: 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.
  • Patent number: 6762673
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignees: 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
  • Patent number: 6700274
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce B. Gamble, Raymond T. Howard, John Mirageas, John P. Voccio, Dariusz Antoni Bushko, Peter M. Winn, Gregory L. Snitchler, Ronald A. Malzone
  • Patent number: 6693504
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Raymond T. Howard, John P. Voccio
  • Patent number: 6664672
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Swarn S. Kalsi, Gregory L. Snitchler
  • Publication number: 20030222533
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce B. Gamble, Raymond T. Howard, John Mirageas, John P. Voccio, Dariusz Antoni Bushko, Peter M. Winn, Gregory L. Snitchler, Ronald A. Malzone
  • Patent number: 6657533
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignees: American Semiconductor Corporation, ABB Transmission & Distribution Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Dietrich Bonmann, Martin Lakner, Willi Paul
  • Publication number: 20030164749
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: GREGORY L. SNITCHLER, DIETRICH BONMANN, MARTIN LAKNER, WILLI PAUL