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).
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Patent number: 12316179Abstract: An axial flux electrical machine has a permanent magnet rotor fixedly mounted on a rotating shaft and at least one stator having a plurality of polyphase windings disposed along a common axis with the shaft. An insulation layer is fixed between the polyphase windings. In a first example, the mechanical angle and electrical angle of each of the two polyphase windings is aligned. In a second example, the mechanical and electrical angle of each of the two polyphase windings is offset. A controller and at least one sensor are incorporated with the axial flux electrical machine for fault detection in each of the polyphase windings. Upon detection of a fault in one of the polyphase windings, the controller is configured to disable that polyphase winding allowing the electrical machine to operate with the remaining polyphase winding.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2023Date of Patent: May 27, 2025Assignee: LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Clark, Michael R. Ricci, David B. Paden, Bradley E. Paden
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Publication number: 20240235353Abstract: An axial flux electrical machine has a permanent magnet rotor fixedly mounted on a rotating shaft and at least one stator having a plurality of polyphase windings disposed along a common axis with the shaft. An insulation layer is fixed between the polyphase windings. In a first example, the mechanical angle and electrical angle of each of the two polyphase windings is aligned. In a second example, the mechanical and electrical angle of each of the two polyphase windings is offset. A controller and at least one sensor are incorporated with the axial flux electrical machine for fault detection in each of the polyphase windings. Upon detection of a fault in one of the polyphase windings, the controller is configured to disable that polyphase winding allowing the electrical machine to operate with the remaining polyphase winding.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2023Publication date: July 11, 2024Inventors: Brian J. Clark, Michael R. Ricci, David B. Paden, Bradley E. Paden
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Patent number: 11955845Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 7, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Ricci, David B. Paden, Brian J. Clark, Claire Cappe, Zachary J. Marshall, Bradley E. Paden
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Patent number: 11750054Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 17, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Bradley E. Paden, Michael R. Ricci, David B Paden, Brian J. Clark, Zachary J. Marshall
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Patent number: 11738875Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 23, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Launch Point Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Ricci, David B. Paden, Vishaal Varahamurthy, Brian J. Clark, Bradley E. Paden
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Publication number: 20220185490Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2021Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Michael R. Ricci, David B. Paden, Vishaal Varahamurthy, Brian J. Clark, Bradley E. Paden
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Publication number: 20220115925Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Inventors: Michael R. Ricci, David B. Paden, Brian J. Clark, Claire Cappe, Zachary J. Marshall, Bradley E. Paden
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Publication number: 20210359564Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventors: Bradley E. Paden, Michael R. Ricci, David B. Paden, Brian J. Clark, Zachary J. Marshall
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Patent number: 10835652Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 9, 2016Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Worldheart CorporationInventors: Michael R. Ricci, James F. Antaki, Josiah E. Verkaik, David B. Paden, Shaun T. Snyder, Bradley E. Paden, Jingchun Wu
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Patent number: 9395012Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 1, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: LAUNCHPOINT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Brian A. Paden, Orlo James Fiske, Michael R. Ricci, Murat Okcuoglu, David B. Paden, Bradley E. Paden
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Publication number: 20160184499Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2016Publication date: June 30, 2016Applicants: Worldheart Corporation, Carnegie Mellon UniversityInventors: Michael R. Ricci, James F. Antaki, Josiah E. Verkaik, David B. Paden, Shaun T. Snyder, Bradley E. Paden, Jingchun WU
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Patent number: 9314557Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignees: Worldheart Corporation, Carnegie Mellon UniversityInventors: Michael R. Ricci, James F. Antaki, Josiah E. Verkaik, David B. Paden, Shaun T. Snyder, Bradley E. Paden, Jingchun Wu
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Publication number: 20150108381Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Brian A. PADEN, Orlo James FISKE, Michael R. RICCI, Murat OKCUOGLU, David B. PADEN, Bradley E. PADEN
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Publication number: 20110237863Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2009Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: WORLDHEART, INC.Inventors: Michael R. Ricci, James F. Antaki, Josiah E. Verkaik, David B. Paden, Shaun T. Snyder, Bradley E. Paden