Patents by Inventor Lee Mansfield

Lee Mansfield 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).

  • Publication number: 20150161921
    Abstract: A display unit comprises a display stand—preferably of cardboard—having at least one marking (t/g) comprised of a material that fluoresces when irradiated with ultra-violet light, and an electrically operated source of ultra-violet light for irradiating said marking (t/g). The marking (t/g) may be on a surface of an open-fronted compartment of the unit and the ultra-violet light source may be partially shielded from extraneous light by a frontal lip of compartment. The unit may further comprise a box-like construction with a face having cut-outs defining stylised lettering. Behind the face is a fluorescent material visible through the cut-outs and at least one source of ultra-violet light, operation of which gives the appearance of the stylised letters being at the front of, and illuminated by, a lit chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Penman, Lee Mansfield
  • Patent number: 8482302
    Abstract: A device is provided for measuring the clearance between a member and a surface over and relative to which the member moves. The device has a first reference element, and a second reference element which faces the first reference element, and is movable to alter the distance to the first reference element. The device further has a fastening system for fastening the device to the member so that, during the relative motion, the first reference element is held in a fixed position relative to the member and the second reference element slides over the surface. The device further has an urging arrangement which urges the second reference element into contact with the surface so that, as the second reference element slides over the surface and the clearance between the member and the surface varies, the second reference element moves relative to the first reference element. The device further has a sensor which measures the distance between the first and second reference elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Martin S. Suckling, Lee Mansfield, Peter D. Webb
  • Patent number: 8002517
    Abstract: Sensors (32, 52, 72) for determining a gap between a conductive member (34, 54, 74) such as a blade in a gas turbine engine and a seal segment (31, 51) are known to use capacitive variants in order to create an electrical signal indicative of the gap width. Thermal disparities can create problems with regard to sensor aging and accuracy. By creating a sensor incorporating a metal rod (33, 53, 74) typically integrally formed or associated with the seal segment (31, 51) and coupled through inductive coupling loops (35, 36; 55, 56; 75) it is possible to create a tuned circuit with a Q value which is more stable and therefore acceptable with regard to producing more accurate results at elevated temperatures with less problems with regard to thermal disparities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Anthony G. Razzell, Lee Mansfield, Leo V. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20090289620
    Abstract: A device is provided for measuring the clearance between a member and a surface over and relative to which the member moves. The device has a first reference element, and a second reference element which faces the first reference element, and is movable to alter the distance to the first reference element. The device further has a fastening system for fastening the device to the member so that, during the relative motion, the first reference element is held in a fixed position relative to the member and the second reference element slides over the surface. The device further has an urging arrangement which urges the second reference element into contact with the surface so that, as the second reference element slides over the surface and the clearance between the member and the surface varies, the second reference element moves relative to the first reference element. The device further has a sensor which measures the distance between the first and second reference elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Martin S. Suckling, Lee Mansfield, Peter D. Webb
  • Publication number: 20080247863
    Abstract: Sensors (32, 52, 72) for determining a gap between a conductive member (34, 54, 74) such as a blade in a gas turbine engine and a seal segment (31, 51) are known to use capacitive variants in order to create an electrical signal indicative of the gap width. Thermal disparities can create problems with regard to sensor ageing and accuracy. By creating a sensor incorporating a metal rod (33, 53, 74) typically integrally formed or associated with the seal segment (31, 51) and coupled through inductive coupling loops (35, 36; 55, 56; 75) it is possible to create a tuned circuit with a Q value which is more stable and therefore acceptable with regard to producing more accurate results at elevated temperatures with less problems with regard to thermal disparities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Anthony G. Razzell, Lee Mansfield, Leo V. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20050081442
    Abstract: An ornamental figure construction kit of parts comprising a plurality of elongated structures having a plurality of article stop restraints, at least one locking structure, and at least one lock engagement and a plurality of construction article stops mountable adjacent the article stop restraints on the elongated structures. In one version, plastic rods with a plurality of spherical enlargements at intervals along the rod are terminated in a plate having an aperture for passing other rods through it. Plastic discs, when mounted on the rods, can be used to position construction articles such as clay pots or aid in locking two rods together. Typically, the ornamental figures are use in lawns or gardens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventor: Lee Mansfield
  • Patent number: 6054866
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring distance includes a capacitance probe positioned adjacent a rotating member and within the housing of the rotating member such that the distance between the probe and rotating member can be measured. The rotating member and probe co-operate with each other so as to define a capacitor. An oscillator comprising a transmission line is electrically connected to the probe, the resonat frequency value of which is a function of the capacitance of the capacitor. The change in distance between the rotating member and the probe can therefore be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Lee Mansfield
  • Patent number: 4855735
    Abstract: A single link digital telemetry system transmits data in serial form from a sending station. The data clock signal is recovered at a receiving station for data synchronization purposes. To achieve recovery of the data clock signal the incoming data is synchronized with a high frequency clock of n times the original data clock frequency; the fast clock is utilized to drive a data latch so that on each positive incoming data edge the latch produces a synchronized data pulse for feeding to a recirculating shift register n bits long, which is also driven by the fast clock. The original data pulse can be recovered merely by tapping off from a chosen location on the register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Peter D. Webb, Peter Russhard, Lee Mansfield