Patents by Inventor John Swaffield

John Swaffield 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: 9613751
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a coil support member in which a thermosetting or thermoplastic material is introduced into a mold cavity and hardened, wherein one or more components are positioned within the mold cavity during the manufacturing process before the thermosetting or thermoplastic material is introduced, the components are then embedded in the thermosetting or thermoplastic material and form an integral part of the coil support member, and one or more functional filler materials are added to the thermosetting or thermoplastic material to improve the thermal matching between the integral components and the thermosetting or thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: David John Swaffield, Martin Richard Ingles
  • Patent number: 9366277
    Abstract: A mechanical assembly such as a torque transfer strut for a rotating superconducting machine. The torque transfer strut includes a composite tube having a first end received in a clamping fitting, which may include an end housing or lug, a clamping wedge screwed onto a threaded end housing, and an annular clamping member applying a radial clamping force to the first end of the composite tube at ambient temperature. When cooled, shrinkage of the end housing in the axial direction causes the annular clamping member to maintain or increase radial clamping force, causing the clamping wedge to apply increasing radial force to an inner member deflecting outwardly a plurality of axial fingers. The first end of the composite tube remains clamped between the inner member and an outer member, together defining an annular channel receiving the first end of the composite tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Martin Richard Ingles, Joseph Eugene, David John Swaffield
  • Publication number: 20140287927
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a coil support member in which a thermosetting or thermoplastic material is introduced into a mould cavity and hardened, wherein one or more components are positioned within the mould cavity during the manufacturing process before the thermosetting or thermoplastic material is introduced, the components are then embedded in the thermosetting or thermoplastic material and form an integral part of the coil support member, and one or more functional filler materials are added to the thermosetting or thermoplastic material to improve the thermal matching between the integral components and the thermosetting or thermoplastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: GE Energy Power Conversion Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: David John Swaffield, Martin Richard Ingles
  • Publication number: 20140093302
    Abstract: A mechanical assembly such as a torque transfer strut for a rotating superconducting machine. The torque transfer strut includes a composite tube having a first end received in a clamping fitting, which may include an end housing or lug, a clamping wedge screwed onto a threaded end housing, and an annular clamping member applying a radial clamping force to the first end of the composite tube at ambient temperature. When cooled, shrinkage of the end housing in the axial direction causes the annular clamping member to maintain or increase radial clamping force, causing the clamping wedge to apply increasing radial force to an inner member deflecting outwardly a plurality of axial fingers. The first end of the composite tube remains clamped between the inner member and an outer member, together defining an annular channel receiving the first end of the composite tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: GE Energy Power Conversion Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin Richard Ingles, Joseph Eugene, David John Swaffield
  • Patent number: 8336368
    Abstract: The method includes the following steps—introducing a low amplitude air pressure transient into the drainage and vent system of a building in order to propagate a pressure wave from a fitting (6) into a stack (1) and the network of the drainage system;—recording the passage of the transient by use of an air pressure transducer (7) located near the fitting (6) or introduction area of the transient;—establishing a pressure versus time signature recorded by the pressure transducer (7) and sending those signals to a central data acquisition system;—the pressure transient is propagated throughout the network at an acoustic velocity and is reflected by each and every pipe termination of the network so as to establish a characteristic reflection coefficient for each pipe termination; —the characteristic reflection coefficient is compared with testing results performed initially in a perfect network with no dry trap defects or leakages and in case a different signature is of the pressure trace is recorded, the point
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Heriot Watt University
    Inventors: John Swaffield, David Campbell, Lynne Jack, Michael Gormley
  • Publication number: 20100000298
    Abstract: The method includes the following steps—introducing a low amplitude air pressure transient into the drainage and vent system of a building in order to propagate a pressure wave from a fitting (6) into a stack (1) and the network of the drainage system; —recording the passage of the transient by use of an air pressure transducer (7) located near the fitting (6) or introduction area of the transient; —establishing a pressure versus time signature recorded by the pressure transducer (7) and sending those signals to a central data acquisition system; —the pressure transient is propagated throughout the network at an acoustic velocity and is reflected by each and every pipe termination of the network so as to establish a characteristic reflection coefficient for each pipe termination; —the characteristic reflection coefficient is compared with testing results performed initially in a perfect network with no dry trap defects or leakages and in case a different signature is of the pressure trace is recorded, the poi
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: HERIOT WATT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: John Swaffield, David Campbell, Lynne Jack, Michael Gormley
  • Publication number: 20060201088
    Abstract: A drainage and ventilation system for a building is provided which includes two or more stacks which communicate fluid therein. The stacks are connected to a sewer for discharging liquid thereto, with at least one of the stacks having a discharge source for delivering liquid to a wet stack portion of that stack. A trap is positioned between the wet stack portion and the discharge source for inhibiting the passage of gas therethrough. The stacks are interconnected at an upper end thereof by a connecting member such as a connecting pipe or manifold, whereby air may be communicated between the stacks. An air admittance valve and a positive air pressure attenuation device are located above the connecting member, whereby air may be introduced into the stacks to compensate for entrained air moving with the liquid into the sewer, and air may be accumulated during increased pressure events, both helping to preserve trap seal integrity without releasing foul air into the surrounding environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: John Swaffield, David Campbell
  • Patent number: 7025092
    Abstract: The positive air pressure attenuation device (1) for use in drainage systems in buildings includes a housing (3), connected to the system, to which a flexible reservoir (10) is secured, the flexible reservoir (10) being operable on a positive air pressure transient within the drainage system, wherein both the housing (3) and the flexible reservoir (10) are contained within an external casing (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Studor S.A.
    Inventors: John Swaffield, David Campbell
  • Publication number: 20040261870
    Abstract: The pressure relief device (1) for use in drainage systems in buildings comprises a housing (3), connected to the system, to which a flexible reservoir (10) is secured, the flexible reservoir (10) being operable on a positive air pressure transient within drainage system, wherein both the housing (3) and the flexible reservoir (10) are contained within an external casing (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: John Swaffield, David Campbell