Patents by Inventor Mircea D. Driga

Mircea D. Driga 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: 4935708
    Abstract: A machine is disclosed having the ability to generate high energy pulses of electrical power with a high degree of flexibility in the shape of the pulse. Different mechanism provide non-uniform or non-symmetrical magnetic flux density distributions through which an armature winding is rotated. The electromotive force induced in the armature winding has a waveform which may be customized by use of the different mechanisms or by a combination of the techniques. Additionally, a non-symmetrical armature winding or a compensation winding may be used to tailor the output pulse to achieve the desired characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas Systems
    Inventors: William F. Weldon, Mircea D. Driga, Siddharth B. Pratap
  • Patent number: 4870888
    Abstract: Hypervelocity magnetic induction accelerators are disclosed which create a traveling magnetic wave behind a projectile without the use of sliding contacts or multiple triggered switches. Inductive and resistive parameters are established as a function of position along a stator coil to obtain the magnetic wave in response to the pulsed DC power source. The ratio of the resistance to the inductance is a decreasing function of position from the breech to the muzzle. In a preferred embodiment the stator coil has a multiplicity of stages, and the DC pulse is delayed by inductances to progressively excite the stages, and the current from the pulse is fed through resistances to provide voltages for diverting the current to the next stages. In an alternative embodiment the magnectic field from the stator coil progressively diffuses through a tapered conductive or ferromagnetic sleeve disposed in the stator coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Board of Regents, University of Texas System
    Inventors: William F. Weldon, Mircea D. Driga
  • Patent number: 4841217
    Abstract: A single phase, multipole alternator with inertial and/or electromagnetic energy storage is disclosed. More specifically, the present invention involves a high energy pulsed alternator which is capable of generating a variety of pulse signals by ready modification of the angle between the magnetic axes of the excitation field coil and the compensating coil or conducting shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: The University of Texas System
    Inventors: William F. Weldon, Siddharth B. Pratap, Mircea D. Driga
  • Patent number: 4200831
    Abstract: This invention relates to an electromechanical energy converter with inertial energy storage. The device, a single phase, two or multi-pole alternator with stationary field coils, and a rotating armature is provided. The rotor itself may be of laminated steel for slower pulses or for faster pulses should be nonmagnetic and electrically nonconductive in order to allow rapid penetration of the field as the armature coil rotates. The armature coil comprises a plurality of power generating conductors mounted on the rotor. The alternator may also include a stationary or counterrotating compensating coil to increase the output voltage thereof and to reduce the internal impedance of the alternator at the moment of peak outout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: William F. Weldon, Mircea D. Driga, Herbert H. Woodson