Patents by Inventor Martin L. Hughes

Martin L. Hughes 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: 4836498
    Abstract: Liquid flow through a passage (9) in a body member (7) is controlled by a relatively movable poppet valve member (8). A frusto-conical first guide surface (11) on the poppet valve (8) merges smoothly with a second guide surface (12 and 13) which, in cross-section, has part-circulr portion (12) and an outlet end (13). Liquid passing through an aperture (10) between the body member (7) and the poppet valve member (8) flows along the first guide surface (11) and the second guide surface (12 and 13) and adopts a toroidal vortex flow pattern and this controls the collapse of those bubbles which form as a result of cavitation so as to diminish audible and inaudible vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Inventors: Roger A. Heron, Martin L. Hughes, Ian Hansford
  • Patent number: 4663966
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining the level of particulate contamination within the fluid of a hydraulic system. System fluid is introduced through a non-return valve into a space where it is contained by a piston. The structure of the piston includes relatively-movable parts defining a restricted orifice to which fluid, having passed through a drilling in the piston, may escape to drain. When the piston is moved so as to tend to reduce the trapped volume, fluid is expelled from the volume through the drilling and clearance until the clearance becomes blocked by contaminants. The degree of contamination may then be derived from the distance that the piston has moved. The separate parts of piston structure are then relatively-moved to clear the orifice and allow the rest of the trapped fluid to escape, after which the orifice is reset and another volume of fluid introduced to be tested. The piston may be driven by reaction with the system fluid, or alternatively by means independent of that fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: National Research Development Corporation
    Inventors: Martin J. Fisher, Roger A. Heron, Martin L. Hughes
  • Patent number: 4599893
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining the level of particulate contamination within the fluid of a hydraulic system. System fluid is introduced through a non-return valve into a space where it is contained by a piston. The structure of the piston includes relatively-movable parts defining a restricted orifice to which fluid, having passed through a drilling in the piston, may escape to drain. When the piston is moved so as to tend to reduce the trapped volume, fluid is expelled from the volume through the drilling and clearance until the clearance becomes blocked by contaminants. The degree of contamination may then be derived from the distance that the piston has moved. The separate parts of piston structure are then relatively-moved to clear the orifice and allow the rest of the trapped fluid to escape, after which the orifice is reset and another volume of fluid introduced to be tested. The piston may be driven by reaction with the system fluid, or alternatively by means independent of that fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Assignee: National Research Development Corporation
    Inventors: Martin J. Fisher, Roger A. Heron, Martin L. Hughes
  • Patent number: 4495799
    Abstract: A device for determining the level of particulate contamination in a hydraulic system. Between the inlet and outlet of the device the fluid passes through the narrow clearance between a piston and a surrounding bore. As the clearance becomes obstructed by contaminant, pressure rises in a chamber upstream of the piston. Rise of this pressure above a certain level is detected by a detector which both triggers a counter and operates a solenoid to withdraw the piston and release trapped contaminant, after which the piston returns and another cycle of contaminant build-up begins. The frequency of the release of the piston indicates the degree of contamination of the fluid. Instead of pressure build-up, parameters related to fluid flow may be used to trigger the counter and the release of contaminants from clearance, and means may be provided to meter individual, fixed-volume charges from the general body of fluid and discharge them through a clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: National Research Development Corporation
    Inventors: Martin J. Fisher, Roger A. Heron, Martin L. Hughes