Patents by Inventor Lon McIlwraith
Lon McIlwraith 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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Patent number: 9746008Abstract: Examples of a pressure wave generator configured to generate high energy pressure waves in a medium are disclosed. The pressure wave generator can include a movable piston with a guide through which a piston control rod can move or slide. The pressure wave generator can include a transducer coupled to a medium. During an impact of the piston on the transducer, the control rod can slide in the guide, which can reduce stress on the rod. The pressure wave generator can include a damper to decelerate the control rod, independently of the piston. Impact of the piston on the transducer transfers a portion of the piston's kinetic energy into the medium thereby generating pressure waves in the medium. A piston driving system may be used to provide precise and controlled launching or movement of the piston. Examples of methods of operating the pressure wave generator are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2014Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: General Fusion Inc.Inventors: Lon McIlwraith, John Senger, Darcy Montgomery, Douglas H. Richardson, Peter Kostka, Kristin Bell, Ryan Zindler, Michel Georges Laberge
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Publication number: 20160150627Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are disclosed in which plasma can be compressed by impact of a projectile on a magnetized plasma in a liquid metal cavity. The projectile can melt in the liquid metal cavity, and liquid metal may be recycled to form new projectiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2016Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Stephen James Howard, Michel Georges Laberge, Lon McIlwraith, Douglas Harvey Richardson, James Gregson
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Patent number: 9271383Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are disclosed in which plasma can be compressed by impact of a projectile on a magnetized plasma in a liquid metal cavity. The projectile can melt in the liquid metal cavity, and liquid metal may be recycled to form new projectiles.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2014Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: General Fusion, Inc.Inventors: Stephen James Howard, Michel Georges Laberge, Lon McIlwraith, Douglas Harvey Richardson, James Gregson
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Publication number: 20150152899Abstract: Examples of a pressure wave generator configured to generate high energy pressure waves in a medium are disclosed. The pressure wave generator can include a movable piston with a guide through which a piston control rod can move or slide. The pressure wave generator can include a transducer coupled to a medium. During an impact of the piston on the transducer, the control rod can slide in the guide, which can reduce stress on the rod. The pressure wave generator can include a damper to decelerate the control rod, independently of the piston. Impact of the piston on the transducer transfers a portion of the piston's kinetic energy into the medium thereby generating pressure waves in the medium. A piston driving system may be used to provide precise and controlled launching or movement of the piston. Examples of methods of operating the pressure wave generator are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2014Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: Lon McIlwraith, John Senger, Darcy Montgomery, Douglas H. Richardson, Peter Kostka, Kristin Bell, Ryan Zindler, Michel Georges Laberge
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Publication number: 20150036777Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are disclosed in which plasma can be compressed by impact of a projectile on a magnetized plasma in a liquid metal cavity. The projectile can melt in the liquid metal cavity, and liquid metal may be recycled to form new projectiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Stephen James Howard, Michel Georges Laberge, Lon McIlwraith, Douglas Harvey Richardson, James Gregson
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Patent number: 8887618Abstract: Examples of a pressure wave generator configured to generate high energy pressure waves in a medium are disclosed. The pressure wave generator can include a movable piston with a guide through which a piston control rod can move or slide. The pressure wave generator can include a transducer coupled to a medium. During an impact of the piston on the transducer, the control rod can slide in the guide, which can reduce stress on the rod. The pressure wave generator can include a damper to decelerate the control rod, independently of the piston. Impact of the piston on the transducer transfers a portion of the piston's kinetic energy into the medium thereby generating pressure waves in the medium. A piston driving system may be used to provide precise and controlled launching or movement of the piston. Examples of methods of operating the pressure wave generator are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: General Fusion, Inc.Inventors: Lon McIlwraith, John Senger, Darcy Montgomery, Douglas H. Richardson, Peter Kostka, Kristin Bell, Ryan Zindler, Michel Georges Laberge
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Patent number: 8891719Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are disclosed in which plasma can be compressed by impact of a projectile on a magnetized plasma in a liquid metal cavity. The projectile can melt in the liquid metal cavity, and liquid metal may be recycled to form new projectiles.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2010Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: General Fusion, Inc.Inventors: Stephen James Howard, Michel Georges Laberge, Lon McIlwraith, Douglas Harvey Richardson, James Gregson
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Publication number: 20140165552Abstract: Examples of a pressure wave generator configured to generate high energy pressure waves in a medium are disclosed. The pressure wave generator can include a movable piston with a guide through which a piston control rod can move or slide. The pressure wave generator can include a transducer coupled to a medium. During an impact of the piston on the transducer, the control rod can slide in the guide, which can reduce stress on the rod. The pressure wave generator can include a damper to decelerate the control rod, independently of the piston. Impact of the piston on the transducer transfers a portion of the piston's kinetic energy into the medium thereby generating pressure waves in the medium. A piston driving system may be used to provide precise and controlled launching or movement of the piston. Examples of methods of operating the pressure wave generator are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Inventors: Lon McIlwraith, John Senger, Darcy Montgomery, Douglas H. Richardson, Peter Kostka, Kristin Bell, Ryan Zindler, Michel Georges Laberge
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Publication number: 20110243292Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are disclosed in which plasma can be compressed by impact of a projectile on a magnetized plasma in a liquid metal cavity. The projectile can melt in the liquid metal cavity, and liquid metal may be recycled to form new projectiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: GENERAL FUSION, INC.Inventors: Stephen James HOWARD, Michel Georges LABERGE, Lon MCILWRAITH, Douglas Harvey RICHARDSON, James GREGSON
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Publication number: 20110026658Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are disclosed in which plasma can be compressed by impact of a projectile on a magnetized plasma in a liquid metal cavity. The projectile can melt in the liquid metal cavity, and liquid metal may be recycled to form new projectiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: General Fusion, Inc.Inventors: Stephen James Howard, Michel Georges Laberge, Lon McIlwraith, Douglas Harvey Richardson, James Gregson
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Patent number: 7207267Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the manipulation of a sleeve onto and off of a cylinder. A sleeve mounted on a handling shaft is equipped with a substantially airtight slideable end cap at its distal end. During mounting, axial alignment is provided when the handling shaft is engaged with the free end of the cylinder. A plurality of apertures on the cylinder's exterior surface conduct pressurized air, which expands the sleeve by exerting radial fluid pressure on its inside surface. A vacuum source actively evacuates the air from the sleeve's interior drawing the sleeve onto the cylinder. To remove the sleeve fluid pressure is reasserted exerting an axial force against the substantially airtight end cap. An auxiliary air supply is selectively activated to aid in sleeve removal.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2004Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Kodak Graphic Communications Canada CompanyInventors: Aldo Salvestro, Lon McIlwraith
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Publication number: 20050061177Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the manipulation of a sleeve onto and off of a cylinder. A sleeve mounted on a handling shaft is equipped with a substantially airtight slideable end cap at its distal end. During mounting, axial alignment is provided when the handling shaft is engaged with the free end of the cylinder. A plurality of apertures on the cylinder's exterior surface conduct pressurized air, which expands the sleeve by exerting radial fluid pressure on its inside surface. A vacuum source actively evacuates the air from the sleeve's interior drawing the sleeve onto the cylinder. To remove the sleeve fluid pressure is reasserted exerting an axial force against the substantially airtight end cap. An auxiliary air supply is selectively activated to aid in sleeve removal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2004Publication date: March 24, 2005Applicant: Creo Inc.Inventors: Aldo Salvestro, Lon McIlwraith
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Patent number: 6601888Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the quiet, contactless handling of objects using pickup devices of the Bernoulli type. The method is particularly suitable for the contactless handling of items much larger than an individual pickup, for example the handling of lithographic printing plates. According to the method of the present invention, a flow of fluid is established between the pickup face of the Bernoulli pickup and the surface of the object to be supported. The fluid is made to flow over a laminar flow surface at a velocity sufficient to produce a pressure differential between the flowing fluid and a surrounding fluid medium. Bernoulli lift is maximized by making the laminar flow surface as smooth and protrusionúfree as possible, and by ensuring that the location and extent of the laminar flow surface substantially coincides with the maximal lateral limits of the low-pressure zone between the pickup face and the opposing object surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2001Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Creo Inc.Inventors: Lon McIlwraith, Andrew Christie
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Patent number: 6550388Abstract: An apparatus for removing slip sheets from printing plates has two concentric cylinders that are mutually rotatable about a common axis. Suction exerted via two elongated slots separates a deformable sheet from a relatively rigid object to which it is adhered. The deformable sheet is drawn into a recess presented by the two aligned slots. The concentric cylinders are then rotated to grip the deformable sheet between opposing edges of the slots.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2000Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Creo Products Inc.Inventor: Lon McIlwraith
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Publication number: 20020130524Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the quiet, contactless handling of objects using pickup devices of the Bernoulli type. The method is particularly suitable for the contactless handling of items much larger than an individual pickup, for example, the handling of lithographic printing plates. According to the method of the present invention, a flow of fluid is established between the pickup face of the Bernoulli pickup and the surface of the object to be supported. The fluid is made to flow over a laminar flow surface at a velocity sufficient to produce a pressure differential between the flowing fluid and a surrounding fluid medium. Bernoulli lift is maximized by making the laminar flow surface as smooth and protrusion-free as possible, and by ensuring that the location and extent of the laminar flow surface substantially coincides with the maximal lateral limits of the zone of lowest pressure between the pickup face and an apposing object surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2001Publication date: September 19, 2002Inventors: Lon McIlwraith, Andrew Christie
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Publication number: 20020066385Abstract: In accordance with the present invention two concentric cylinders, that are mutually rotatable about their common axis, employ two evacuated slots to lift a thin deformable sheet away from either surface of a flat sheet to which it is adhering. The thin deformable sheet is then drawn into the joint evacuated orifice presented by the two aligned slots. These two concentric cylinders are then rotated such that the thin deformable sheet is gripped between opposing edges of the two slots. Having gained purchase of the thin deformable sheet, the method is completed by the removal of the thin deformable sheet over a distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2000Publication date: June 6, 2002Inventor: Lon McIlwraith