Patents by Inventor James S. Smith
James S. Smith 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: 20140262499Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion of an electrical conductor. Each portion is electrically coupled to the other two portions. The first, second, and third portions are configured such that substantially no current induced in and/or supplied to the first portion is conducted to the third portion of the electrical conductor. The third portion of the electrical conductor is also thermally coupled to the first and second portions of the electrical conductor. The third portion of the electrical conductor is configured to transfer thermal energy from the first portion of the electrical conductor to an edge portion of the laminated composite assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Boulder Wind Power, Inc.Inventors: James S. Smith, James D. Duford, Stephane Eisen, James D. Jore, Brian Sullivan
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Methods and apparatus for optimizing structural layout of multi-circuit laminated composite assembly
Patent number: 8785784Abstract: A laminated composite assembly includes a layer having a first conductor with a first side and a second side. A first electric insulator is disposed between the first side of the first conductor and a second conductor such that a difference between a voltage associated with the first conductor and a voltage associated with the second conductor defines a voltage stress therebetween. The first electric insulator providing a first degree of electrical isolation based on the voltage stress. A second electric insulator is disposed between the second side of the first conductor and a third conductor such that a difference between the voltage associated with the first conductor and a voltage associated with the third conductor defines a second voltage stress therebetween. The second electric insulator providing a second degree of electrical isolation based on the second voltage stress.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Boulder Wind Power, Inc.Inventors: James D. Duford, James D. Jore, Lincoln M. Jore, James S. Smith -
Publication number: 20140152136Abstract: In some embodiments, an electromagnetic machine includes a rotor element configured for movement relative to a stator. The rotor element includes a magnetic support, a magnetic pole assembly, and a retainer. The magnetic support is formed, at least in part, from a ferromagnetic material and is configured to be coupled to the magnetic support. The retainer is coupled to both the magnetic support and the magnetic pole assembly. The retainer is further configured to be in a first state during a first time period and a second state during a second time period, after the first time period, such that during the second time period, the coupling of the magnetic pole assembly to the magnetic support is maintained.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: BOULDER WIND POWER, INC.Inventors: James David Duford, Marc Eichinger, Stephane Eisen, Michael A. Kvam, Derek Petch, David Samsel, James S. Smith, Brian J. Sullivan
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Patent number: 8736133Abstract: A first winding portion from a set of winding portions has a set of coils. Each coil of the first winding portion is associated with a different electrical phase from a set of electrical phases. Each coil of the first winding portion circumscribes a different area from a set of areas circumscribed by the set of coils of the first winding portion. A second winding portion has a set of coils associated with the set of electrical phases and a third winding portion has a set of coils associated with the set of electrical phases. The first winding portion at least partially overlaps the second winding portion and the third winding portion such that each area from the set of area is substantially circumscribed by a coil associated with each electrical phase from the set of electrical phases.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Boulder Wind Power, Inc.Inventors: James S. Smith, James D. Duford, James D. Jore, Lincoln M. Jore, Matthew B. Jore, Brian J. Sullivan
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Patent number: 8716913Abstract: In some embodiments, an electromagnetic machine includes a rotor element configured for movement relative to a stator. The rotor element includes a support member, a backing member, and a magnetic pole assembly. The support member includes a first coupling portion. The backing member is formed, at least in part, from a ferromagnetic material and the magnetic pole assembly is configured to be coupled to the backing member. The magnetic pole assembly and/or the backing member include a second coupling portion configured to removably couple the backing member and the magnetic pole assembly collectively to the first coupling portion of the support member.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Boulder Wind Power, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Kvam, Brian J. Sullivan, James David Duford, James D. Jore, Matthew B. Jore, David Samsel, James S. Smith
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Publication number: 20140042868Abstract: In some embodiments, an electromagnetic machine includes a rotor element configured for movement relative to a stator. The rotor element includes a support member, a backing member, and a magnetic pole assembly. The support member includes a first coupling portion. The backing member is formed, at least in part, from a ferromagnetic material and the magnetic pole assembly is configured to be coupled to the backing member. The magnetic pole assembly and/or the backing member include a second coupling portion configured to removably couple the backing member and the magnetic pole assembly collectively to the first coupling portion of the support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: BOULDER WIND POWER, INC.Inventors: Brian J. Sullivan, James David Duford, James D. Jore, Matthew B. Jore, Michael A. KVAM, David Samsel, James S. Smith
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Patent number: 8487496Abstract: A retention system in which rotor pole pieces are retained within complementarily shaped channels in a rotor hub, permanent magnets are secured between the pole pieces and within clamp members, and wedge-shaped pieces are used to apply positive locking forces along the axial length of each clamp member and of adjacent pole pieces. A curable resin preferably in disposed within gaps between the permanent magnets and the clamp members.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2011Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: DRS Power Technology, Inc.Inventors: Costin Ifrim, Michael Pothier, James S. Smith, Art O'Leary
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Patent number: 8397369Abstract: Numerous arrangements for permanent magnets are disclosed that can focus the flux produced by the magnets. Depending on the particular application in which the disclosed designs and techniques are used, efficiency and reliability may be increased by minimizing flux leakage, increasing peak flux density, and shaping the flux fields to improve the effective coercivity of the flux focusing permanent magnet arrangement when loaded, and to achieve customized voltage and current waveforms. The disclosed magnet assemblies may be incorporated into a machine, such as a motor/generator, having windings and may be disposed for movement relative to the windings. The magnet assembly may be mounted on a support formed of one or more ferromagnetic materials, such as a back iron. The disclosed flux focusing magnet assemblies may be formed using a variety of manufacturing methods.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2012Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Boulder Wind Power, Inc.Inventors: James S. Smith, Robert Pillsbury, Brian Sullivan
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Patent number: 8400038Abstract: Numerous arrangements for permanent magnets are disclosed that can focus the flux produced by the magnets. Depending on the particular application in which the disclosed designs and techniques are used, efficiency and reliability may be increased by minimizing flux leakage, increasing peak flux density, and shaping the flux fields to improve the effective coercivity of the flux focusing permanent magnet arrangement when loaded, and to achieve customized voltage and current waveforms. The disclosed magnet assemblies may be incorporated into a machine, such as a motor/generator, having windings and may be disposed for movement relative to the windings. The magnet assembly may be mounted on a support formed of one or more ferromagnetic materials, such as a back iron The disclosed flux focusing magnet assemblies may be formed using a variety of manufacturing methods.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2012Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Boulder Wind Power, Inc.Inventors: James S. Smith, Robert Pillsbury, Brian Sullivan
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Patent number: 8362731Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first member that supports a magnetic flux carrying member and a second member that supports a magnetic flux generating member disposed for movement relative to the first member. An air gap control system is coupled to at least one of the first member or the second member and includes an air gap control device that is separate from a primary magnetic flux circuit formed between the first member and the second member. The air gap control device is configured to exert a force on one of the first and second members in response to movement of the other of the first and second members in a direction that reduces a distance between the first and second members to maintain a minimum distance between the first and second members and/or substantially center the one of the first and second members within the other.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2012Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Boulder Wind Power, Inc.Inventors: James S. Smith, Matthew B. Jore, Michael A. Kvam, David Samsel, Charles Perry Butterfield, Jr., Brian J. Sullivan, James David Duford
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Publication number: 20120262020Abstract: Numerous arrangements for permanent magnets are disclosed that can focus the flux produced by the magnets. Depending on the particular application in which the disclosed designs and techniques are used, efficiency and reliability may be increased by minimizing flux leakage, increasing peak flux density, and shaping the flux fields to improve the effective coercivity of the flux focusing permanent magnet arrangement when loaded, and to achieve customized voltage and current waveforms. The disclosed magnet assemblies may be incorporated into a machine, such as a motor/generator, having windings and may be disposed for movement relative to the windings. The magnet assembly may be mounted on a support formed of one or more ferromagnetic materials, such as a back iron The disclosed flux focusing magnet assemblies may be formed using a variety of manufacturing methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: BOULDER WIND POWER,INC.Inventors: James S. SMITH, Robert PILLSBURY, Brian SULLIVAN
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Publication number: 20120262019Abstract: Numerous arrangements for permanent magnets are disclosed that can focus the flux produced by the magnets. Depending on the particular application in which the disclosed designs and techniques are used, efficiency and reliability may be increased by minimizing flux leakage, increasing peak flux density, and shaping the flux fields to improve the effective coercivity of the flux focusing permanent magnet arrangement when loaded, and to achieve customized voltage and current waveforms. The disclosed magnet assemblies may be incorporated into a machine, such as a motor/generator, having windings and may be disposed for movement relative to the windings. The magnet assembly may be mounted on a support formed of one or more ferromagnetic materials, such as a back iron The disclosed flux focusing magnet assemblies may be formed using a variety of manufacturing methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: BOULDER WIND POWER,INC.Inventors: James S. SMITH, Robert PILLSBURY, Brian SULLIVAN
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Publication number: 20120262095Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first member that supports a magnetic flux carrying member and a second member that supports a magnetic flux generating member disposed for movement relative to the first member. An air gap control system is coupled to at least one of the first member or the second member and includes an air gap control device that is separate from a primary magnetic flux circuit formed between the first member and the second member. The air gap control device is configured to exert a force on one of the first and second members in response to movement of the other of the first and second members in a direction that reduces a distance between the first and second members to maintain a minimum distance between the first and second members and/or substantially center the one of the first and second members within the other.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Inventors: James S. Smith, Matthew B. Jore, Michael A. Kvam, David Samsel, Charles Perry Butterfield, JR., Brian J. Sullivan
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Publication number: 20120217831Abstract: Systems and methods for improved generators are described. One embodiment includes an assembly for an axial flux generator, the assembly comprising an arc-shaped rotor section that includes a rotor support configured to rotate around an axis of a generator, and an at least one rotor element for power generation that is connected to the rotor support; an arc-shaped stator section comprising a stator support and an at least one stator element for power generation connected to the stator support; wherein the rotor section and the stator section are configured to provide an axial air gap between the at least one rotor element and the at least one stator element, and wherein the at least one rotor element and the at least one stator element are positioned to be at substantially the same radial distance from the axis of the generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2011Publication date: August 30, 2012Inventors: Matthew B. Jore, Lincoln Jore, Michael A. Kvam, James D. Jore, David Samsel, James David Duford, James S. Smith
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Publication number: 20110227441Abstract: A retention system in which rotor pole pieces are retained within complementarily shaped channels in a rotor hub, permanent magnets are secured between the pole pieces and within clamp members, and wedge-shaped pieces are used to apply positive locking forces along the axial length of each clamp member and of adjacent pole pieces. A curable resin preferably in disposed within gaps between the permanent magnets and the clamp members.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Inventors: Costin Ifrim, Michael Pothier, James S. Smith, Art O'Leary
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Patent number: 7911104Abstract: A retention system in which rotor pole pieces are retained within complementarily shaped channels in a rotor hub, permanent magnets are secured between the pole pieces and within clamp members, and wedge-shaped pieces are used to apply positive locking forces along the axial length of each clamp member and of adjacent pole pieces. A curable resin preferably in disposed within gaps between the permanent magnets and the clamp members.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2009Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: DRS Power Technology, Inc.Inventors: Costin Ifrim, Michael R. Pothier, James S. Smith, Art O'Leary
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Publication number: 20100231085Abstract: A retention system in which rotor pole pieces are retained within complementarily shaped channels in a rotor hub, permanent magnets are secured between the pole pieces and within clamp members, and wedge-shaped pieces are used to apply positive locking forces along the axial length of each clamp member and of adjacent pole pieces. A curable resin preferably in disposed within gaps between the permanent magnets and the clamp members.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: DRS POWER TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Costin Ifrim, Michael Pothier, James S. Smith, Art O'Leary
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Patent number: 7205695Abstract: An electromagnetic machine is provided. The machine includes a stator extending along a longitudinal axis and having an inner surface defining a rotor receipt cavity. The rotor extends along and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis within the rotor receipt cavity. A plurality of ring assemblies are supported on the rotor and a plurality of magnets are circumferentially spaced about the rotor and extend through the ring assembly. Each magnet is generally parallel to the axis of the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2004Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: DRS Power & Control Technologies, Inc.Inventor: James S Smith
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Publication number: 20040245884Abstract: An electromagnetic machine is provided. The machine includes a stator extending along a longitudinal axis and having an inner surface defining a rotor receipt cavity. The rotor extends along and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis within the rotor receipt cavity. A plurality of ring assemblies are supported on the rotor and a plurality of magnets are circumferentially spaced about the rotor and extend through the ring assembly. Each magnet is generally parallel to the axis of the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventor: James S. Smith
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Patent number: 6823564Abstract: A two-part clip construction includes a U-shaped clip made from a plastic material with the legs of the clip spaced so as to fit over and then be deformed through a through passage in a leg locking member. The construction is especially designed to permit utilization of polymerics for forming the clips.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2003Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.Inventors: Gregory P. Gorman, James S. Smith