Patents by Inventor Karl J. Lamb

Karl J. Lamb 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: 8527063
    Abstract: A system to induce hyperthermia in a selected portion of the body utilizes permanent magnets mounted on a variable speed motor. A conductive button is positioned at a location proximate the target tissue to be heated, such as a tumor. The magnetic rotor assembly is positioned at a selected distance from the conductive button and rotated at a desired frequency to produce a changing permanent magnetic field that induces an eddy current on the surface of the conductive button. A temperature sensor may be positioned near the conductive button as a feedback mechanism to a control circuit. At higher magnetic polarity frequencies, the conductive button may be implemented in the form of metallic nanoparticles. In this embodiment, the nanoparticles may include molecular elements that selectively bind with the target tissue and thereby accumulate at the target tissue prior to the introduction of the rotating magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Karl J. Lamb
  • Publication number: 20120010688
    Abstract: A system to induce hyperthermia in a selected portion of the body utilizes a variety of conductive conductive buttons positioned at a location proximate the target tissue to be heated, such as a tumor. The conductive button is exposed to a rotating permanent magnetic field that induces an eddy current on the surface of the conductive button. The conductive buttons can be implemented in a variety of different shapes and sizes. The conductive buttons can also be implemented from a variety of different metallic materials such as gold, silver, aluminum, copper or alloys. In one embodiment, the conductive buttons are partially coated with an insulating layer to direct the heat in a desired direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: Karl J. Lamb
  • Publication number: 20120010454
    Abstract: A system to induce hyperthermia in a selected portion of the body utilizes permanent magnets mounted on a variable speed motor. A conductive button is positioned at a location proximate the target tissue to be heated, such as a tumor. The magnetic rotor assembly is positioned at a selected distance from the conductive button and rotated at a desired frequency to produce a changing permanent magnetic field that induces an eddy current on the surface of the conductive button. A temperature sensor may be positioned near the conductive button as a feedback mechanism to a control circuit. At higher magnetic polarity frequencies, the conductive button may be implemented in the form of metallic nanoparticles. In this embodiment, the nanoparticles may include molecular elements that selectively bind with the target tissue and thereby accumulate at the target tissue prior to the introduction of the rotating magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: Karl J. Lamb
  • Patent number: 7204192
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for levitating and moving objects such as vehicles, doors and windows are shown and described herein. The embodiments incorporate a track with lower rails having lower permanent magnets and the object with upper rails having upper permanent magnets aligned with the lower rails and oriented to oppose the polarity of the lower permanent magnets. Ferrous backing plates may be incorporated behind the lower rails and/or the upper rails. Embodiments may also incorporated a third rail of an electroconductive material, and a driving disc positioned near the third rail. Permanent magnets in the driving disc may be rotated with the driving disc in the presence of the third rail to accelerate the upper rails with respects to the lower rails. The driving disc may be coupled one of the lower rails to maintain a desired alignment with the third rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Magna Force, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl J. Lamb, Michael T. Sparks, Scott D. Gossage
  • Patent number: 6899036
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for levitating and moving objects are shown and described herein. The embodiments incorporate a track with lower rails having permanent magnets abutted against each other and aligned such that the upper surface of each of the lower rails has a uniform polarity; and the object with upper rails having permanent magnets aligned with the lower rails and oriented to oppose the polarity of the lower permanent magnets. Ferrous backing plates behind the lower rails and/or the upper rails may be incorporated. Embodiments may also incorporate a third rail of an electroconductive material, and a driving disc positioned near the third rail. Permanent magnets in the driving disc may be rotated with the driving disc in the presence of the third rail to accelerate the upper rails with respects to the lower rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Magna Force, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl J. Lamb, Toby Merrill
  • Publication number: 20030205163
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for levitating and moving objects such as vehicles, doors and windows are shown and described herein. The embodiments incorporate a track with lower rails having lower permanent magnets and the object with upper rails having upper permanent magnets aligned with the lower rails and oriented to oppose the polarity of the lower permanent magnets. Ferrous backing plates may be incorporated behind the lower rails and/or the upper rails. Embodiments may also incorporate a third rail of an electroconductive material, and a driving disc positioned near the third rail. Permanent magnets in the driving disc may be rotated with the driving disc in the presence of the third rail to accelerate the upper rails with respects to the lower rails. The driving disc may be coupled one of the lower rails to maintain a desired alignment with the third rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: Magna Force, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl J. Lamb, Michael T. Sparks, Scott D. Gossage
  • Patent number: 6577037
    Abstract: In a magnetic coupler, a pair of magnet rotors is slidably mounted on rods. Ferrous material on the conductor rotors attracts the permanent magnets in the magnet rotors. Under static or relative static conditions, the attractive force urges the magnet rotors toward the conductor rotors to create a minimum, operational air gap therebetween. When there is a significant relative rotational velocity between the magnet rotors and the conductor rotors, a repulsion force urges the rotors apart. During start-up, latch arms retain the magnet rotors apart from the conductor rotors by a larger, soft-start air gap. During operation, centrifugal force moves the latch arms out of their active position. If the rotational speed of the load shaft decreases rapidly during operation, the magnet rotors move apart from the conductor rotors by a still larger, fully disengaged air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: MagnaDrive Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Killen, Bruce D. Densmore, John L. Brockman, Karl J. Lamb, Toby Merrill
  • Patent number: 6510799
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for levitating and moving objects are shown and described herein. The embodiments incorporate a track with lower rails having permanent magnets abutted against each other and aligned such that the upper surface of each of the lower rails has a uniform polarity; and the object with upper rails having permanent magnets aligned with the lower rails and oriented to oppose the polarity of the lower permanent magnets. Ferrous backing plates behind the lower rails and/or the upper rails may be incorporated. Embodiments may also incorporate a third rail of an electroconductive material, and a driving disc positioned near the third rail. Permanent magnets in the driving disc may be rotated with the driving disc in the presence of the third rail to accelerate the upper rails with respects to the lower rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Magna Force, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl J. Lamb, Toby Merrill, Scott D. Gossage, Michael T. Sparks, Michael S. Barrett
  • Publication number: 20030015115
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for levitating and moving objects are shown and described herein. The embodiments incorporate a track with lower rails having permanent magnets abutted against each other and aligned such that the upper surface of each of the lower rails has a uniform polarity; and the object with upper rails having permanent magnets aligned with the lower rails and oriented to oppose the polarity of the lower permanent magnets. Ferrous backing plates behind the lower rails and/or the upper rails may be incorporated. Embodiments may also incorporate a third rail of an electroconductive material, and a driving disc positioned near the third rail. Permanent magnets in the driving disc may be rotated with the driving disc in the presence of the third rail to accelerate the upper rails with respects to the lower rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Karl J. Lamb, Toby Merrill
  • Publication number: 20030006661
    Abstract: In a magnetic coupler, a pair of magnet rotors is slidably mounted on rods. Ferrous material on the conductor rotors attracts the permanent magnets in the magnet rotors. Under static or relative static conditions, the attractive force urges the magnet rotors toward the conductor rotors to create a minimum, operational air gap therebetween. When there is a significant relative rotational velocity between the magnet rotors and the conductor rotors, a repulsion force urges the rotors apart. During start-up, latch arms retain the magnet rotors apart from the conductor rotors by a larger, soft-start air gap. During operation, centrifugal force moves the latch arms out of their active position. If the rotational speed of the load shaft decreases rapidly during operation, the magnet rotors move apart from the conductor rotors by a still larger, fully disengaged air gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: MagnaDrive Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Killen, Bruce D. Densmore, John L. Brockman, Karl J. Lamb, Toby Merrill
  • Publication number: 20030000415
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for levitating and moving objects are shown and described herein. The embodiments incorporate a track with lower rails having permanent magnets abutted against each other and aligned such that the upper surface of each of the lower rails has a uniform polarity; and the object with upper rails having permanent magnets aligned with the lower rails and oriented to oppose the polarity of the lower permanent magnets. Ferrous backing plates behind the lower rails and/or the upper rails may be incorporated. Embodiments may also incorporate a third rail of an electroconductive material, and a driving disc positioned near the third rail. Permanent magnets in the driving disc may be rotated with the driving disc in the presence of the third rail to accelerate the upper rails with respects to the lower rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Karl J. Lamb, Toby Merrill, Scott D. Gossage, Michael T. Sparks, Michael S. Barrett
  • Patent number: 6337527
    Abstract: A permanent magnet coupler has a conductor rotor assembly mounted on one shaft and a magnet rotor assembly mounted on a coaxial shaft. The magnet rotor assembly provides two magnet rotors spaced by the adjustable air gaps from two conductor elements provided by the conductor rotor assembly. The air gap adjustment includes adjustable stops, such, for example, as swing arms having an adjustable effective length. These stops operate in conjunction with swing arms causing the magnet rotors to move axially in unison in opposite directions. The air gaps are set so that the coupler will automatically release when subjected to an overloaded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Magna Force, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl J. Lamb
  • Publication number: 20010009340
    Abstract: A permanent magnet coupler has a conductor rotor assembly mounted on one shaft and a magnet rotor assembly mounted on a coaxial shaft. The magnet rotor assembly provides two magnet rotors spaced by the adjustable air gaps from two conductor elements provided by the conductor rotor assembly. The air gap adjustment includes adjustable stops, such, for example, as swing arms having an adjustable effective length. These stops operate in conjunction with swing arms causing the magnet rotors to move axially in unison in opposite directions. The air gaps are set so that the coupler will automatically release when subjected to an overloaded condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Karl J. Lamb
  • Patent number: 6242832
    Abstract: A permanent magnet coupler has a conductor rotor assembly mounted on one shaft and a magnet rotor assembly mounted on a coaxial shaft. The magnet rotor assembly provides two magnet rotors spaced by the adjustable air gaps from two conductor elements provided by the conductor rotor assembly. The air gap adjustment includes adjustable stops, such, for example, as swing arms having an adjustable effective length. These stops operate in conjunction with swing arms causing the magnet rotors to move axially in unison in opposite directions. The air gaps are set so that the coupler will automatically release when subjected to an overloaded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Magna Force, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl J. Lamb
  • Patent number: 6072258
    Abstract: A cage carrying two axially adjustable conductors is mounted on one shaft and a rotor is mounted on a second coaxial shaft to occupy a position between the conductors. Permanent magnets on the rotor have poles spaced by air gaps from the conductors. The air gaps are adjusted by sliding the conductors toward and away from one another along slide members on the cage by use of adjustment units engaging the conductor rotors. Alternatively, the conductors can be mounted on the rotor, and the magnets can be adjustably mounted on the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Magna Force, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl J. Lamb
  • Patent number: 6043578
    Abstract: An adjustable coupler has a group of magnet rotors with permanent magnets separated by air gaps from non-ferrous conductor elements presented by a group of conductor rotors. The air gaps are adjusted by axial movement of one of the groups relative to the other to vary the slip of the coupler and control the load speed under varying load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Magna Force, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl J. Lamb
  • Patent number: 6005317
    Abstract: An adjustable coupler has a group of magnet rotors with permanent magnets separated by air gaps from non-ferrous conductor elements presented by a group of conductor rotors. The air gaps are adjusted by axial movement of one of the groups relative to the other to vary the slip of the coupler and control the load speed under varying load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Magna Force, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl J. Lamb
  • Patent number: 5909073
    Abstract: A magnetic coupling device has an electroconductive rotor presenting a band of electroconductive material and has a magnet rotor with permanent magnets which may be slide-mounted to move radially outward responsive to centrifugal force in opposition to a spring bias. When the magnet rotor is stationary the magnets are radially inward of the orbit of the electroconductive band, and when the magnets have moved outwardly when the magnet rotor is rotating, the magnets are spaced by an air gap from the electroconductive band so that eddy currents are induced in the band resulting in coupling of the rotors. In the alternative the magnets may be always at least partly opposite the electroconductive band. The electroconductive rotor preferably has two electroconductive bands positioned on opposite sides of the magnet rotor. One or both of the rotors may have sheaves mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Magna Force, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl J. Lamb
  • Patent number: 5903075
    Abstract: The soft start of a permanent magnet coupler of the type in which magnetic flux from permanent magnets on a rotary magnet rotor bridges an air gap between the magnets and an electroconductive element on a rotary conductor rotor to magnetically couple said rotors together responsive to relative rotary motion between said rotors, is adjusted by changing the amount of flux which bridges the air gap. This is accomplished by attracting some of the flux to magnetic material selectively positioned on said magnet rotor adjacent one or more of said magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Magna Force, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl J. Lamb
  • Patent number: 5880548
    Abstract: An adjustable coupler has a group of magnet rotors separated by air gaps from a group of conductor rotors. The air gaps are adjusted by axial movement of one of the groups relative to the other to vary the slip of the coupler and achieve a constant load speed at various load torques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Magna Force, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl J. Lamb