Patents by Inventor Michael R. Ricci

Michael R. Ricci 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: 11955845
    Abstract: An axial flux motor incorporates a rotor having a plurality of pockets receiving magnet assemblies. A retention device is engaged from an inactive surface of at least one magnet assembly to one or more structural elements surrounding an associate one of the plurality of pockets in the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Ricci, David B. Paden, Brian J. Clark, Claire Cappe, Zachary J. Marshall, Bradley E. Paden
  • Patent number: 11750054
    Abstract: A modulated litz wire wherein the braid of a litz wire is varied along its length such that bulkier sections are located at the end-turns of a motor, while more compact parallel stranded sections are located in stator slots or magnetic gaps. Variations may include parallel stranded sections replaced with a longitudinal twist for improved handling or improved current sharing in strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley E. Paden, Michael R. Ricci, David B Paden, Brian J. Clark, Zachary J. Marshall
  • Patent number: 11738875
    Abstract: Lightweight, energy-dense, high-efficiency, hybrid power systems for electric aircraft including a prime mover internal combustion engine or gas turbine coupled to a self-cooling polyphase axial-flux dual-Halbach-array motor/alternator where the number of phases Nphase is greater than or equal to three. The motor/alternator is connected to a regenerative power converter drive also having Nphase phases, which, in turn, is connected to a DC power bus, a battery, a battery management system, and a system controller. In some embodiments, the motor/alternator and regenerative power converter drive have a neutral connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Launch Point Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Ricci, David B. Paden, Vishaal Varahamurthy, Brian J. Clark, Bradley E. Paden
  • Publication number: 20220185490
    Abstract: Lightweight, energy-dense, high-efficiency, hybrid power systems for electric aircraft including a prime mover internal combustion engine or gas turbine coupled to a self-cooling polyphase axial-flux dual-Halbach-array motor/alternator where the number of phases Nphase is greater than or equal to three. The motor/alternator is connected to a regenerative power converter drive also having Nphase phases, which, in turn, is connected to a DC power bus, a battery, a battery management system, and a system controller. In some embodiments, the motor/alternator and regenerative power converter drive have a neutral connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Michael R. Ricci, David B. Paden, Vishaal Varahamurthy, Brian J. Clark, Bradley E. Paden
  • Publication number: 20220115925
    Abstract: An axial flux motor incorporates a rotor having a plurality of pockets receiving magnet assemblies. A retention device is engaged from an inactive surface of at least one magnet assembly to one or more structural elements surrounding an associate one of the plurality of pockets in the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Michael R. Ricci, David B. Paden, Brian J. Clark, Claire Cappe, Zachary J. Marshall, Bradley E. Paden
  • Publication number: 20210359564
    Abstract: A modulated litz wire wherein the braid of a litz wire is varied along its length such that bulkier sections are located at the end-turns of a motor, while more compact parallel stranded sections are located in stator slots or magnetic gaps. Variations may include parallel stranded sections replaced with a longitudinal twist for improved handling or improved current sharing in strands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Bradley E. Paden, Michael R. Ricci, David B. Paden, Brian J. Clark, Zachary J. Marshall
  • Patent number: 10835652
    Abstract: A magnetically-levitated blood pump with an optimization method that enables miniaturization and supercritical operation. The blood pump includes an optimized annular blood gap that increases blood flow and also provides a reduction in bearing stiffness among the permanent magnet bearings. Sensors are configured and placed optimally to provide space savings for the motor and magnet sections of the blood pump. Rotor mass is increased by providing permanent magnet placement deep within the rotor enabled by a draw rod configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Worldheart Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Ricci, James F. Antaki, Josiah E. Verkaik, David B. Paden, Shaun T. Snyder, Bradley E. Paden, Jingchun Wu
  • Patent number: 9395012
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve apparatus with nonlinear springs for variable valve timing in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a valve, floating spring assembly, translational cam, and motor. The cam and spring serve to minimize lash and valve stem bending forces. During opening and closing of the valve, spring potential energy is converted into valve kinetic energy and then back into potential energy at the end of the motion. The potential energy is then available for the next opening/closing event. The motor initiates motion, replaces friction and vibration losses, and terminates motion. However, the motor supplies minimal energy as the valve opens and closes, and vice-versa, naturally due to combined effects of system inertia and the nonlinear spring. In addition to valve control, the apparatus may be applied to fuel injectors, or any reciprocating linear or rotary mechanism where electronic control is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: LAUNCHPOINT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian A. Paden, Orlo James Fiske, Michael R. Ricci, Murat Okcuoglu, David B. Paden, Bradley E. Paden
  • Publication number: 20160184499
    Abstract: A magnetically-levitated blood pump with an optimization method that enables miniaturization and supercritical operation. The blood pump includes an optimized annular blood gap that increases blood flow and also provides a reduction in bearing stiffness among the permanent magnet bearings. Sensors are configured and placed optimally to provide space savings for the motor and magnet sections of the blood pump. Rotor mass is increased by providing permanent magnet placement deep within the rotor enabled by a draw rod configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicants: Worldheart Corporation, Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Michael R. Ricci, James F. Antaki, Josiah E. Verkaik, David B. Paden, Shaun T. Snyder, Bradley E. Paden, Jingchun WU
  • Patent number: 9314557
    Abstract: A magnetically-levitated blood pump with an optimization method that enables miniaturization and supercritical operation. The blood pump includes an optimized annular blood gap that increases blood flow and also provides a reduction in bearing stiffness among the permanent magnet bearings. Sensors are configured and placed optimally to provide space savings for the motor and magnet sections of the blood pump. Rotor mass is increased by providing permanent magnet placement deep within the rotor enabled by a draw rod configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignees: Worldheart Corporation, Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Michael R. Ricci, James F. Antaki, Josiah E. Verkaik, David B. Paden, Shaun T. Snyder, Bradley E. Paden, Jingchun Wu
  • Publication number: 20150108381
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve apparatus with nonlinear springs for variable valve timing in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a valve, floating spring assembly, translational cam, and motor. The cam and spring serve to minimize lash and valve stem bending forces. During opening and closing of the valve, spring potential energy is converted into valve kinetic energy and then back into potential energy at the end of the motion. The potential energy is then available for the next opening/closing event. The motor initiates motion, replaces friction and vibration losses, and terminates motion. However, the motor supplies minimal energy as the valve opens and closes, and vice-versa, naturally due to combined effects of system inertia and the nonlinear spring. In addition to valve control, the apparatus may be applied to fuel injectors, or any reciprocating linear or rotary mechanism where electronic control is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Brian A. PADEN, Orlo James FISKE, Michael R. RICCI, Murat OKCUOGLU, David B. PADEN, Bradley E. PADEN
  • Publication number: 20110237863
    Abstract: A magnetically-levitated blood pump with an optimization method that enables miniaturization and supercritical operation. The blood pump includes an optimized annular blood gap that increases blood flow and also provides a reduction in bearing stiffness among the permanent magnet bearings. Sensors are configured and placed optimally to provide space savings for the motor and magnet sections of the blood pump. Rotor mass is increased by providing permanent magnet placement deep within the rotor enabled by a draw rod configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: WORLDHEART, INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Ricci, James F. Antaki, Josiah E. Verkaik, David B. Paden, Shaun T. Snyder, Bradley E. Paden