Patents by Inventor Michael C. Swarden

Michael C. Swarden 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: 6338560
    Abstract: A self-cleaning, rotating mirror includes a compressor assembly mounted to a cylinder of a rotating mirror. As the cylinder and mirror rotate, the compressor assembly also rotates causing a continuous flow of clean air to be passed over the surface of the mirror, thereby preventing particles, such as dust, from depositing on the mirror surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Tufts University
    Inventors: Behrouz Abedian, Michael C. Swarden
  • Patent number: 5488823
    Abstract: A method and system for increasing the pressure of gaseous fuel delivered to a fuel system of a gas turbine engine. A portion of pressurized gas or compressed air is discharged from a high-pressure section of the gas turbine engine and is communicated to a plurality of radial inflow turbines or axial flow turbines. Energy is transferred from each turbine to a plurality of compressors driven by the turbines. Gaseous fuel is supplied to an inlet of one of the compressors. The compressed gaseous fuel is then cooled downstream of the compressors. The aftercooled and compressed gaseous fuel is delivered to the fuel system of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Henry B. Faulkner, James B. Kesseli, Michael C. Swarden, Willem Jansen
  • Patent number: 5353597
    Abstract: An inlet air cooling system for natural gas compression. The system provides both inlet air refrigeration for the internal combustion engine and additional natural gas compression. Also provided is a leakage control system for any natural gas or hydrocarbon leakage from the combined cycle system. The leakage is collected and introduced into a low pressure portion of the engine air intake system where it is burned along with the normal engine fuel. An alternate embodiment uses the compressed natural gas to drive an expansion turbine which provides additional power to the inlet air turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Northern Research & Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Henry B. Faulkner, Michael C. Swarden
  • Patent number: 5329757
    Abstract: A method and system for increasing the pressure of gaseous fuel delivered to a fuel system of a gas turbine engine. A portion of pressurized gas or compressed air is discharged from a high-pressure section of the gas turbine engine and is communicated to a plurality of radial inflow turbines or axial flow turbines. Energy is transferred from each turbine to a plurality of compressors driven by the turbines. Gaseous fuel is supplied to an inlet of one of the compressors. The compressed gaseous fuel is then cooled downstream of the compressors. The aftercooled and compressed gaseous fuel is delivered to the fuel system of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Henry B. Faulkner, James B. Kesseli, Michael C. Swarden, Willem Jansen
  • Patent number: 5259196
    Abstract: An inlet air cooling system for natural gas compression. The system provides both inlet air refrigeration for the internal combustion engine and additional natural gas compression. Also provided is a leakage control system for any natural gas or hydrocarbon leakage from the combined cycle system. The leakage is collected and introduced into a low pressure portion of the engine air intake system where it is burned along with the normal engine fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Northern Research & Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: Henry B. Faulkner, Michael C. Swarden
  • Patent number: 5189844
    Abstract: A compressed air driven hand-held tool including a body adapted to be grasped by the hand, an air inlet adapted to be connected to an air supply hose, an air motor driving an output shaft carrying a work implement, and a throttle valve controlling the supply of air to the motor. A spring acts on a valve piston to urge the throttle valve to a closed position. The piston is acted on by air pressure to allow the throttle valve to open. A control chamber in the tool body receives air pressure from the air supply through a restricting orifice at a controlled rate, has an air outlet adapted to closed by the hand of the operator when grasping the tool body and is connected to the air pressure side of the valve piston. When uncovered, the air outlet exhausts the air in the control chamber at a rate to maintain the pressure in the control chamber at an atmospheric level. When covered by the operator's hand, the air pressure in the control chamber rises and acts on the valve piston to open the throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Northern Research & Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: Michael C. Swarden, Walter L. Brassert
  • Patent number: 4986479
    Abstract: A fluid jet shredder apparatus includes a conveyor for conveying a stream of material to be shredded. The conveyor has openings formed therein. A shredding station in position adjacent the conveyor and includes a fluid jet cutting nozzle directing a high pressure jet of fluid onto the stream of material. As a result, portions of the material are separated from the stream of material. The separated portions of material pass through the openings in the conveyor. A subsequent shredding station can be positioned downstream of the initial shredding station for directing a second and higher pressure jet of fluid onto the stream of material. The subsequent shredding station can therefore shred material which the initial, relatively lower pressure fluid jet failed to shred from the stream. Sequential shredding stations of incrementally increased pressure can progressively shred material of increased hardness from the stream. The fluid jets can selectively include an abrasive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Swarden, Henry B. Faulkner, Walter L. Brassert, James E. Stoudt
  • Patent number: 4212585
    Abstract: An improvement for extending the stable operating range of a centrifugal compressor comprises a circumferentially extending series of slots adjacent the leading edges of a series of compressor vanes such that there is relative motion between the series of slots and the vanes as the compressor impeller is driven in rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1980
    Assignee: Northern Research and Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Swarden, Shankar S. Magge, Willem Jansen, Anthony F. Carter