Patents by Inventor Matthew Sweetland
Matthew Sweetland 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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Publication number: 20050159028Abstract: A contact connector is provided that has at least one loading fiber and a plurality of conductors. Each conductor may have at least one contact point. Each conductor may contact a single loading fiber, and each loading fiber may be capable of delivering a contact force at each contact point. In one example, the connector may be a power connector having a power circuit and a return circuit. In another example, the connector may be a data connector having at least one signal path.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2004Publication date: July 21, 2005Applicant: Tribotek, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Sweetland, James Moran, Andrew Wallace
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Publication number: 20050130486Abstract: A multiple-contact woven connector including a weave arranged to provide a plurality of tensioned fibers and a conductor woven with the plurality of tensioned fibers so as to form a plurality of peaks and valleys along a length of the conductor. The conductor has a plurality of contact points positioned along the length of the conductor, such that when the conductor engages a conductor of a mating connector element, at least some of the plurality of contact points provide an electrical connection between the conductor of the multiple-contact woven connector and the conductor of the mating connector element. The tensioned fibers of the weave provide a predetermined contact force between the at least some of the plurality of contact points of the conductor of the multiple-contact woven connector and the conductor of the mating connector element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2005Publication date: June 16, 2005Applicant: Tribotek, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Sweetland, Nam Suh
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Publication number: 20050045461Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to electrical switches that utilize conductors that are woven onto loading fibers and a mating conductor that has a contact mating surface. Each conductor has at least one contact point. The loading fibers are capable of delivering a contact force at each contact point of the conductors. Electrical connections are established between the contact points of conductors and the contact mating surface of the mating conductor when the conductor-loading fiber weave is engaged with the mating conductor and the electrical connections are terminated when the conductor-loading fiber weave is disengaged from the mating conductor. In one embodiment, the portion of the contact mating surface of the mating conductor where arcing between the conductors and the mating conductor is expected to occur is plated with a conductive arc-tolerant material, such as silver, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2004Publication date: March 3, 2005Applicant: Tribotek, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Sweetland, James Moran, Nam Suh
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Publication number: 20050014421Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and devices that use a contact interface for establishing an electrical connection with an electrical component. In certain exemplary embodiments, the contact interface of a device includes at least one loading fiber and at least one conductor having at least one contact point. The conductor(s) is coupled to a loading fiber so that an electrical connection can be established between the contact point(s) of the conductor(s) and the electrical component when the device is engaged with the electrical component. In certain exemplary embodiments, a conductor is woven with, or wound around, a loading fiber. In some exemplary embodiments, the conductor is comprised of a shaped contact and a conductive lead. The present disclosure is also directed to methods and devices for testing the electrical integrity or functionality of an electrical component.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2003Publication date: January 20, 2005Inventor: Matthew Sweetland
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Publication number: 20040214454Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and methods of manufacturing woven, electrical connectors that have a first and second set of strands defining their weave, thereby forming a locally compliant connector capable of accommodating asperities. Strands of the first set, that provide the electrical contact points of the connector, are deformed to define passageways there through. Loading strands of the second set are then extended from a driving mechanism and through the passageways to form the weave of the connector. The strands of the first set are connected to a termination of the connector and the strands of the second set are loaded by being connected to an elastic element, thereby providing compliance to the weave.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2004Publication date: October 28, 2004Applicant: Tribotek, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Sweetland, James Morgan, Andrew Wallace
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Publication number: 20040171284Abstract: A multiple-contact woven connector including a weave arranged to provide a plurality of tensioned fibers and a conductor woven with the plurality of tensioned fibers so as to form a plurality of peaks and valleys along a length of the conductor. The conductor has a plurality of contact points positioned along the length of the conductor, such that when the conductor engages a conductor of a mating connector element, at least some of the plurality of contact points provide an electrical connection between the conductor of the multiple-contact woven connector and the conductor of the mating connector element. The tensioned fibers of the weave provide a predetermined contact force between the at least some of the plurality of contact points of the conductor of the multiple-contact woven connector and the conductor of the mating connector element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Applicant: Tribotek, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Sweetland, Nam P. Suh
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Publication number: 20040048500Abstract: A multiple-contact woven connector comprising at least one conductor woven onto a plurality of loading fibers. Each conductor has at least one contact point. The loading fibers are capable of delivering a contact force at the contact points of the conductors. The connector may further include mating conductors having a contact mating surfaces. Electrical connections can be established between the contact points of the conductors and the contact mating surfaces of the mating conductors. The contact mating surfaces may be curved. In exemplary embodiments, the contact mating surfaces are convex. The multiple-contact woven connectors of the present disclosure can be utilized as power connectors or, alternatively, as data connectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2003Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: Tribotek, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Sweetland, James Moran, Nam P. Suh
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Publication number: 20040009693Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to electrical cable connector assemblies that have a woven connector element and a cable subassembly. The woven connector element utilizes loading fibers and conductors. Each conductor has at least one contact point. The conductors are woven with the loading fibers so that when the loading fibers are placed in tension, a normal contact force is exerted at each of the contact points of the conductors. The conductors of the woven connector element extend into the cable subassembly. Thus, the conductors of the cable connector assembly are integral to both the woven connector element and the cable subassembly. In certain exemplary embodiments, a cable connector assembly further includes a mating conductor that has a contact mating surface, where electrical connections can be established between the contact points of the conductors and the contact mating surface of the mating conductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Applicant: Tribotek, Inc.Inventor: Matthew Sweetland
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Publication number: 20040005793Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to multiple-contact woven power connectors that have at least a first set of loading fibers and at least a first set of conductors. When woven onto a set of loading fibers, the conductors define a space. The loading fibers are capable of delivering contact forces at the contact points of the conductors. The conductors can comprise a power circuit or a return circuit. The power connectors may also include tensioning springs that are capable of generating tensile loads within the loading fibers. The power connectors may further include mating conductors that can be coupled to the power/return circuits. When disposed within the first and second spaces, respectively, electrical connections between the conductors and the mating conductors can be established.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Applicant: Tribotek, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Sweetland, James Moran
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Publication number: 20030174919Abstract: A bearing adapted to support and allow controlled relative movement with an opposed bearing surface. The bearing is constructed to have a long life by incorporating a surface that addresses many causes of friction and wear. The bearing includes a plurality of support members extending from a base. Together, the plurality of support members can support a load applied to the base through an opposed bearing surface. Additionally, the plurality of support members allow sliding modes of motion between the opposed bearings. These support members can move independently to accommodate irregularities located between the support member and the opposed bearing, such that plowing is reduced and wear to the bearings is minimized. The support members may also be configured to allow certain non-sliding modes of motion between opposed bearing surfaces while resisting other non-sliding modes of motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2002Publication date: September 18, 2003Applicant: Tribotek, Inc.Inventors: Nam P. Suh, Matthew Sweetland
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Publication number: 20030174918Abstract: A bearing adapted to support and allow controlled relative movement with an opposed bearing surface. The bearing is constructed to have a long life by incorporating a surface that addresses many causes of friction and wear. The bearing includes a plurality of support members extending from a base. Together, the plurality of support members can support a load applied to the base through an opposed bearing surface. Additionally, the plurality of support members allow sliding modes of motion between the opposed bearings. These support members can move independently to accommodate irregularities located between the support member and the opposed bearing, such that plowing is reduced and wear to the bearings is minimized. The support members may also be configured to allow certain non-sliding modes of motion between opposed bearing surfaces while resisting other non-sliding modes of motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2002Publication date: September 18, 2003Applicant: Tribotek, Inc.Inventors: Nam P. Suh, Matthew Sweetland
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Publication number: 20030134525Abstract: A multiple-contact woven connector including a weave arranged to provide a plurality of tensioned fibers and a conductor woven with the plurality of tensioned fibers so as to form a plurality of peaks and valleys along a length of the conductor. The conductor has a plurality of contact points positioned along the length of the conductor, such that when the conductor engages a conductor of a mating connector element, at least some of the plurality of contact points provide an electrical connection between the conductor of the multiple-contact woven connector and the conductor of the mating connector element. The tensioned fibers of the weave provide a predetermined contact force between the at least some of the plurality of contact points of the conductor of the multiple-contact woven connector and the conductor of the mating connector element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2002Publication date: July 17, 2003Inventors: Matthew Sweetland, Nam P. Suh
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Patent number: 6550322Abstract: A hydraulic strain sensor for use with a downhole tool includes a housing having two chambers with a pressure differential between the two chambers. A mandrel is disposed in the housing. The mandrel is adapted to be coupled to the tool such that the weight of the tool is supported by the pressure differential between the two chambers. A pressure-responsive sensor in communication with the one of the chambers is provided to sense pressure changes in the chamber as the tool is accelerated or decelerated and to generate signals representative of the pressure changes.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2002Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Matthew Sweetland, Merlin D. Hansen
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Patent number: 6536519Abstract: A downhole tool that is connectable to a line to be run downhole with the tool includes a housing, a sensor and a mechanism that is located inside the housing. The mechanism is coupled to the sensor to, in response to the detection of the feature by the sensor, generate a tension signal in the line without physically contacting a downhole structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2000Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.Inventors: Vladimir Vaynshteyn, Matthew Sweetland, Christian C. Spring
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Publication number: 20030007706Abstract: A bearing adapted to support and allow controlled relative movement with an opposed bearing surface. The bearing is constructed to have a long life by incorporating a locally compliant surface that addresses many causes of friction and wear. The bearing includes a plurality of support members extending from a base. Together, the plurality of support members can support a load applied perpendicular to the base through an opposed bearing. Additionally, the plurality of support members allow sliding contact between the opposed bearings. These support members can move independently to accommodate irregularities located between the support member and the opposed bearing, such that plowing is reduced and wear to the bearings is minimized. Also, the support members maintain the distance between the opposed bearing when any foreign particle or asperity causes one or more of the support members to flex independently on a localized basis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2002Publication date: January 9, 2003Inventors: Nam P. Suh, Matthew Sweetland, Donald D. Bowers
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Publication number: 20020121134Abstract: A hydraulic strain sensor for use with a downhole tool includes a housing having two chambers with a pressure differential between the two chambers. A mandrel is disposed in the housing. The mandrel is adapted to be coupled to the tool such that the weight of the tool is supported by the pressure differential between the two chambers. A pressure-responsive sensor in communication with the one of the chambers is provided to sense pressure changes in the chamber as the tool is accelerated or decelerated and to generate signals representative of the pressure changes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2002Publication date: September 5, 2002Inventors: Matthew Sweetland, Merlin D. Hansen
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Patent number: 6389890Abstract: A hydraulic strain sensor for use with a downhole tool includes a housing having two chambers with a pressure differential between the two chambers. A mandrel is disposed in the housing. The mandrel is adapted to be coupled to the tool such that the weight of the tool is supported by the pressure differential between the two chambers. A pressure-responsive sensor in communication with the one of the chambers is provided to sense pressure changes in the chamber as the tool is accelerated or decelerated and to generate signals representative of the pressure changes.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2000Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Matthew Sweetland, Merlin D. Hansen