Patents by Inventor Michael John Lucas

Michael John Lucas 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: 9951761
    Abstract: A pressure pulse dampener for a compressor system is disclosed herein. The pulse dampener includes a housing having inlet passageway and an outlet passageway. A radially expanding annular passageway is formed downstream of the fluid inlet. A toroidal passageway is formed downstream of the annular passageway, the toroidal passageway being configured to direct fluid in a generally circumferential path around the central body. A connecting passageway is formed through the central body to provide fluid communication between the toroidal passageway and the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Michael John Lucas, Larry Rodney Stutts, James Richard Lindsey
  • Patent number: 9739290
    Abstract: A system is disclosed wherein a pressure pulse dampener is in fluid communication with a compressed fluid. The pulse dampener being operable for reducing pressure pulsations within the fluid. In some embodiments a check valve can be in fluid communication with the pulse dampener to prevent reverse flow of the compressed fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Michael John Lucas, James Li
  • Patent number: 9682336
    Abstract: An impact moisture separator for separating a liquid moisture from a compressed gas. The impact moisture separator includes a plurality of impact plates that are positioned within the inner region of the separator and may be downstream of at least one strut. The strut may be configured to disperse the flow of compressed gas. The impact plates each have a plurality of vanes that extend beyond a plate portion of the impact plates. The vanes are configured to provide a passage for the flow of compressed gases and are offset from the vanes of the adjacent, successive impact plate. Further, the impact plates and strut(s) are tilted toward the incoming flow of compressed gas so as to assist in influencing the downward flow of the compressed gas, and thereby facilitate the flow of separated liquid moisture toward a reservoir of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Michael John Lucas, Charles John Bergh, Willie Dwayne Valentine
  • Patent number: 9546660
    Abstract: In one form, a compressor system includes a compressor, and an annular ring disposed downstream of the compressor and structured to reduce pressure fluctuations in the pressurized air discharged by the compressor. The annular ring may include an internal passage for conducting the pressurized air. The annular ring may include at least one resonator in fluid communication with the internal passage. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Michael John Lucas, Amin W. Haghjoo
  • Publication number: 20150345497
    Abstract: In one form, a compressor system includes a compressor, and an annular ring disposed downstream of the compressor and structured to reduce pressure fluctuations in the pressurized air discharged by the compressor. The annular ring may include an internal passage for conducting the pressurized air. The annular ring may include at least one resonator in fluid communication with the internal passage. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Michael John Lucas, Amin W. Haghjoo
  • Publication number: 20150343355
    Abstract: An impact moisture separator for separating a liquid moisture from a compressed gas. The impact moisture separator includes a plurality of impact plates that are positioned within the inner region of the separator and may be downstream of at least one strut. The strut may be configured to disperse the flow of compressed gas. The impact plates each have a plurality of vanes that extend beyond a plate portion of the impact plates. The vanes are configured to provide a passage for the flow of compressed gases and are offset from the vanes of the adjacent, successive impact plate. Further, the impact plates and strut(s) are tilted toward the incoming flow of compressed gas so as to assist in influencing the downward flow of the compressed gas, and thereby facilitate the flow of separated liquid moisture toward a reservoir of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Michael John Lucas, Charles John Bergh, Willie Dwayne Valentine
  • Publication number: 20150198149
    Abstract: A pressure pulse dampener for a compressor system is disclosed herein. The pulse dampener includes a housing having inlet passageway and an outlet passageway. A radially expanding annular passageway is formed downstream of the fluid inlet. A toroidal passageway is formed downstream of the annular passageway, the toroidal passageway being configured to direct fluid in a generally circumferential path around the central body. A connecting passageway is formed through the central body to provide fluid communication between the toroidal passageway and the fluid outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Michael John Lucas, Larry Rodney Stutts, James Richard Lindsey
  • Publication number: 20150198179
    Abstract: A system is disclosed wherein a pressure pulse dampener is in fluid communication with a compressed fluid. The pulse dampener being operable for reducing pressure pulsations within the fluid. In some embodiments a check valve can be in fluid communication with the pulse dampener to prevent reverse flow of the compressed fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Michael John Lucas, James Li
  • Patent number: 9062679
    Abstract: A method of attenuating fluid dynamic pulsations that propagate through a flow of fluid at a convective velocity of the fluid, the pulsations having an organized vortical structure includes directing the flow to a pulsation dampener inlet having a first area and transitioning the organized vortical structure to a small-scale turbulent structure by squeezing the vorticies by passing the flow of fluid through a passage having a second area that is smaller than the first area, then rapidly expanding the flow of fluid by passing it into a chamber having a third area measured at an inlet of the chamber that is substantially larger than the second area. The method also includes discharging the flow of fluid from the chamber. The flow of fluid includes substantially attenuated fluid dynamic pulsations and acoustic pulsations that travel through the flow of fluid at the speed of sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Michael John Lucas, James David Gillon, Jason William Hunt
  • Publication number: 20090218164
    Abstract: A method of attenuating fluid dynamic pulsations that propagate through a flow of fluid at a convective velocity of the fluid, the pulsations having an organized vortical structure includes directing the flow to a pulsation dampener inlet having a first area and transitioning the organized vortical structure to a small-scale turbulent structure by squeezing the vorticies by passing the flow of fluid through a passage having a second area that is smaller than the first area, then rapidly expanding the flow of fluid by passing it into a chamber having a third area measured at an inlet of the chamber that is substantially larger than the second area. The method also includes discharging the flow of fluid from the chamber. The flow of fluid includes substantially attenuated fluid dynamic pulsations and acoustic pulsations that travel through the flow of fluid at the speed of sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: INGERSOLL-RAND COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael John Lucas, James David Gillon, Jason William Hunt
  • Patent number: 7549509
    Abstract: A pulsation dampener for receiving a fluid medium containing pressure pulsations. The pulsation dampener can include a body having an inner surface, an inlet, and an outlet, and a fluid path defined at least partially by the inner surface of the body. The fluid path can include a first chamber in fluid communication with the inlet and having a first cross-sectional area, a second chamber positioned adjacent the first chamber and having a second cross-sectional area different from the first cross-sectional area, and a third chamber in fluid communication with the outlet and positioned adjacent the second chamber opposite the first chamber and having a third cross-sectional area different from the second cross-sectional area. The fluid path can be configured such that the second cross-sectional area is greater than the first cross-sectional area and the third cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Michael John Lucas, James David Gillon, Jason William Hunt