Patents by Inventor James William Bray

James William Bray 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: 8134345
    Abstract: The disclosed technology is a cryogenic static exciter. The cryogenic static exciter is connected to a synchronous electric machine that has a field winding. The synchronous electric machine is cooled via a refrigerator or cryogen like liquid nitrogen. The static exciter is in communication with the field winding and is operating at ambient temperature. The static exciter receives cooling from a refrigerator or cryogen source, which may also service the synchronous machine, to selected areas of the static exciter and the cooling selectively reduces the operating temperature of the selected areas of the static exciter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James William Bray, Luis Jose Garces
  • Publication number: 20120049531
    Abstract: A direct current generating including an annular armature connectable to rotate with a rotating component of a wind turbine and a stationary annular field winding coaxial to the armature and separated by a gap from the armature. The field winding is configured to include superconducting coil magnets and a support structure connectable to an upper region of a tower of the wind turbine. The direct current generator further including a commutator assembly configured to transfer DC current generated by the rotating armature to a power conversion system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: James William Bray
  • Publication number: 20120024360
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device is provided. The device comprises a transparent conducting layer. A p-type semiconductor window layer is disposed over the n-type transparent conducting layer. An n-type semiconductor layer is disposed over the p-type semiconductor window layer. An n-type cadmium telluride absorber layer is disposed between the p-type semiconductor window layer and the n-type semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Faisal Razi Ahmad, Bastiaan Arie Korevaar, James William Bray, Wyatt Keith Metzger
  • Publication number: 20120025758
    Abstract: A contactless charging system is presented. The contactless charging system includes an electrical outlet coupled to a power source and comprising a primary coil. An inlet on a vehicle comprising a dielectric region is disposed within a cavity. A secondary coil is disposed within the cavity and coupled to a storage module. A field focusing element is disposed proximate the dielectric region and configured to focus a magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Adnan Kutubuddin Bohori, James William Bray, Kumar Vaibhav Srivastava, Somakumar Ramachandrapanicker, Jay Chakraborty, Suma Memana Narayana Bhat, Neelmegh. R
  • Publication number: 20110315496
    Abstract: A contactless power transfer system for a mobile asset is presented. The system includes a primary loop disposed adjacent to a location that is coupled to a power source. A secondary receiving coil is disposed on the mobile asset and coupled to a traction motor for receiving power from the primary loop. The power transfer system further includes a field-focusing element that can focus a magnetic field from the primary loop onto the secondary receiving coil, the field-focusing element having a non-linear current distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Adnan Kutubuddin Bohori, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Dwayne Worden, James William Bray, Somakumar Ramachandrapanicker, Arvind Kumar Tiwari, Suma Memana Narayana Bhat
  • Patent number: 8083069
    Abstract: The present application discloses a process for the high throughput separation of at least one distinct biological material from a sample using magnetic tags and a magnetic separation set up capable of processing at least about 106 units/second. A magnetic field gradient is used to deflect target material bearing a magnet tag from one laminar flow stream to another so that the magnetically tagged target material exits a separation chamber via a different outlet than the rest of the sample. The process is applicable to isolating several distinct biological materials by directing each via magnetic deflection to its own unique outlet. The application also discloses a system for performing the process and a kit that includes the system and the magnetic tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sunil Srinivasa Murthy, Aaron Joseph Dulgar-Tulloch, James William Bray, Shankar Chandrasekaran, Arvind Kumar Tiwari
  • Publication number: 20110234010
    Abstract: A contactless power transfer system is proposed. The system includes a first coil coupled to a power source and configured to produce a magnetic field. A second coil is configured to receive power from the first coil via the magnetic field. A field focusing element is disposed between the first coil and the second coil and configured as a self resonant coil having a standing wave current distribution. The field focusing element is further configured to focus the magnetic field onto the second coil and enhance the coupling between the first coil and the second coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Adnan Kutubuddin Bohori, James William Bray, Somakumar Ramachandrapanicker, Suma Memana Narayana Bhat
  • Publication number: 20110213571
    Abstract: A method for non-contact measurement of multiple shaft parameters is provided. The method includes magnetically encoding multiple sections of the shaft using pulsed currents. The method also includes sensing a magnetic field of the encoded sections of the shaft using multiple sensors arranged circumferentially about the shaft. Further, the method includes generating a spectrum of periodical variations based on sensed magnetic field of the encoded sections of the shaft during rotation and determining multiple parameters based on recurrences of patterns of the spectra.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christof Martin Sihler, Thomas Alois Zöls, James William Bray, Klaus Franz Otto Raum
  • Patent number: 7994664
    Abstract: A system for cooling a superconducting rotary machine includes a plurality of sealed siphon tubes disposed in balanced locations around a rotor adjacent to a superconducting coil. Each of the sealed siphon tubes includes a tubular body and a heat transfer medium disposed in the tubular body that undergoes a phase change during operation of the machine to extract heat from the superconducting coil. A siphon heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the siphon tubes for extracting heat from the siphon tubes during operation of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Adolf Ackermann, Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, Xianrui Huang, James William Bray
  • Patent number: 7969049
    Abstract: A high power density generator contains an armature structure having a plurality of conductors and at least one heat transfer tube thermally coupled to the conductors. The tube is hollow so as to allow a heat transfer fluid to pass through it. The tube is made of a material having a thermal conductivity ? of at least 20 W/mK, an electrical breakdown strength of at least 60 V/mil, and a mechanical strength adequate for handling, manufacturing and operation. In an embodiment of the invention, the tube is made of a ceramic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, Kirubaharan Sivasubramaniam, James Pelligrino Alexander, William Dwight Gerstler, James William Bray
  • Publication number: 20110153228
    Abstract: A method includes supplying current to at least one photovoltaic device via a current source and detecting emitted photon radiations from the at least one photovoltaic device via a radiation detector. The method also includes outputting a signal corresponding to the detected emitted photon radiations from the radiation detector to a processor device, and processing the signal corresponding to the detected emitted photon radiations via the processor device to generate one or more two-dimensional photon images. The method further includes analyzing the one or more two-dimensional photon images to determine at least one defect in the at least one photovoltaic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Faisal Razi Ahmad, Oleg Sulima, Kaustubh Ravindra Nagarkar, Ri-an Zhao, James William Bray
  • Patent number: 7928616
    Abstract: A system for generating power comprising, a superconducting generator including, an armature assembly comprising, a body portion, a tooth portion having a front surface and a rear surface, a slot partially defined by the body portion and the tooth portion, an armature bar engaging the slot, and a cooling cavity partially defined by the tooth portion, communicative with the front surface and the rear surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kiruba Haran Sivasubramaniam, James William Bray, Patrick Lee Jansen, Evangelos Trifon Laskaris
  • Publication number: 20110031826
    Abstract: A permanent magnet machine is disclosed. The permanent magnet machine includes a stator, and a rotor comprising a rotor core and disposed outside and concentric with the stator, wherein the rotor core comprises a contiguous volume disposed around a plurality of permanent magnets, wherein the contiguous volume simultaneously supports a magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnets and provides mechanical support and containment for the permanent magnets, during operation of the permanent magnet machine. A rotor for a permanent magnet electric machine is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James William Bray, Manoj Ramprasad Shah, Jeremy Daniel VanDam
  • Publication number: 20110024331
    Abstract: The present application discloses a process for the high throughput separation of at least one distinct biological material from a sample using magnetic tags and a magnetic separation set up capable of processing at least about 106 units/second. A magnetic field gradient is used to deflect target material bearing a magnet tag from one laminar flow stream to another so that the magnetically tagged target material exits a separation chamber via a different outlet than the rest of the sample. The process is applicable to isolating several distinct biological materials by directing each via magnetic deflection to its own unique outlet. The application also discloses a system for performing the process and a kit that includes the system and the magnetic tags.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sunil Srinivasa Murthy, Aaron Joseph Dulgar-Tulloch, James William Bray, Shankar Chandrasekaran, Arvind Kumar Tiwari
  • Publication number: 20100199488
    Abstract: An electrical machine includes a stator and a rotor. The stator has a central opening that is configured to receive the rotor. The rotor includes a generally cylindrical first section comprising a first material mounted on an axially extending shaft within the central opening. The rotor further includes a second section having a second material of a predetermined thickness that is plated integrally over at least a portion of the first section. The second material has a higher electrical conductivity relative to the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James William Bray, Kiruba Sivasubramaniam, Manoj Ramprasad Shah
  • Patent number: 7732966
    Abstract: A portable power system has a turbine engine generating mechanical energy. A homopolar electrical machine receives this energy. The homopolar electrical machine has a single stationary superconducting field coil configured to create a magnetic field. A homopolar rotor is configured to rotate within the magnetic field such that a rotating magnetic field is created in a stationary winding by interaction of the rotating permeance wave produced by the homopolar rotor and the magnetic field produced by the single stationary field coil. The homopolar electrical machine is configured as a generator and produces electrical power for the portable power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kirubaharan Sivasubramaniam, Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, James William Bray, James Michael Fogarty
  • Patent number: 7724483
    Abstract: A system for protecting superconducting generator field coils including a controller configured to monitor for a quenching of a superconducting field coil of a generator and control a dissipation of a current flow in the superconducting field coil in an event of the quenching, and an armature coil of the generator configured to cause the dissipation of the current flow in the superconducting field coil responsive to the controller in the event of the quenching of the superconducting field coil. A method for protecting superconducting generator field coils including monitoring for a quenching of a superconducting field coil of a generator, and dissipating a current flow in the superconducting field coil via an armature coil of the generator in response to a detection of the quenching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James William Bray, Patrick Lee Jansen, Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, Kiruba Sivasubramaniam
  • Patent number: 7723894
    Abstract: An electrical machine includes a stator and a rotor. The stator has a central opening that is configured to receive the rotor. The rotor includes a generally cylindrical first section comprising a first material mounted on an axially extending shaft within the central opening. The rotor further includes a second section having a second material of a predetermined thickness that is plated integrally over at least a portion of the first section. The second material has a higher electrical conductivity relative to the first material. In certain embodiments, the electrical machine may include a stator support structure having a clamping member comprising a first material and configured to rigidly position the stator around the rotor. The stator support structure further includes an electrically conductive layer comprising a second material plated integrally over the clamping structure, wherein the second material has a higher electrical conductivity relative to the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James William Bray, Kiruba Sivasubramaniam, Manoj Ramprasad Shah
  • Publication number: 20100001596
    Abstract: A system for cooling a superconducting rotary machine includes a plurality of sealed siphon tubes disposed in balanced locations around a rotor adjacent to a superconducting coil. Each of the sealed siphon tubes includes a tubular body and a heat transfer medium disposed in the tubular body that undergoes a phase change during operation of the machine to extract heat from the superconducting coil. A siphon heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the siphon tubes for extracting heat from the siphon tubes during operation of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Adolf Ackermann, Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, Xianrui Huang, James William Bray
  • Publication number: 20090284086
    Abstract: A system for generating power comprising, a superconducting generator including, an armature assembly comprising, a body portion, a tooth portion having a front surface and a rear surface, a slot partially defined by the body portion and the tooth portion, an armature bar engaging the slot, and a cooling cavity partially defined by the tooth portion, communicative with the front surface and the rear surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kiruba Haran Sivasubramaniam, James William Bray, Patrick Lee Jansen, Evangelos Trifon Laskaris