Patents by Inventor Neil E. Houghton

Neil E. Houghton 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).

  • Publication number: 20220228652
    Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure are directed to devices that allow for adjusting of device parameters in a manner that does not involve power dissipation in an essential way. Thus, power demands when such devices are used in applications can be insignificant. This applies to both springs and inerters, which constitute basic lossless building blocks of mechanical device systems, and are analogues of inductors and capacitors in electrical circuits. Embodiments of this disclosure are also directed to a lossless adjustable 2-port transformer, and realization of mechanical translational and rotary transformers are set forth in the following. Embodiments of this disclosure allow for reduction of power demands in adjusting device parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicants: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, CAMBRIDGE ENTERPRISE LIMITED
    Inventors: Tryphon T. Georgiou, Malcolm Clive Smith, Faryar Jabbari, Neil E. Houghton
  • Patent number: 8881876
    Abstract: A device for use in the control of mechanical forces is provided. The device includes first and second terminals for connection to components in a system for controlling mechanical forces and independently moveable. The device further comprises a hydraulic device connected between the terminals and containing a liquid. The hydraulic device is configured to produce upon relative movement of the terminals, a liquid flow to generate an inertial force due to the mass of the liquid to control the mechanical forces at the terminals such that they are substantially proportional to the relative acceleration between the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignees: Cambridge Enterprise Limited, McLaren Racing Limited
    Inventors: Malcolm C. Smith, Neil E. Houghton, Peter J. G. Long, Anthony Richard Glover
  • Publication number: 20120199428
    Abstract: A device for use in the control of mechanical forces is provided. The device includes first and second terminals for connection to components in a system for controlling mechanical forces and independently moveable. The device further comprises a hydraulic device connected between the terminals and containing a liquid. The hydraulic device is configured to produce upon relative movement of the terminals, a liquid flow to generate an inertial force due to the mass of the liquid to control the mechanical forces at the terminals such that they are substantially proportional to the relative acceleration between the terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicants: McLaren Electronics Limited, Cambridge Enterprise Limited
    Inventors: Malcolm C. Smith, Neil E. Houghton, Peter J.G. Long, Anthony Richard Glover