Patents by Inventor Paul D Hopewell

Paul D Hopewell 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: 8723360
    Abstract: A distributed electrical generation system includes a plurality of turbines, generators, diode bridges, transformers and high voltage diodes. The system further includes a HVDC-cable and a high voltage inverter bridge. Each turbine drives a respective one of a plurality of electrical generators producing an alternating current. Each electrical generator is electrically connected to an associated diode bridge and each diode bridge rectifies the alternating current to a direct current. Each diode bridge is electrically connected to an associated transformer and each transformer steps up the direct current to a high voltage direct current. Each transformer is electrically connected in parallel to a high voltage direct current cable by associated high voltage diodes. The high voltage direct current cable is electrically connected to the high voltage inverter bridge. The high voltage inverter bridge converts the direct current to alternating current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Paul D. Hopewell
  • Publication number: 20120148424
    Abstract: A rim driven electrical machine for interaction with a flow of water, comprising: a rotor mounted within a housing, the rotor including at least one circumferential conductor and a central passageway, the central passageway for receiving at least one blade arrangement for rotational interaction with a fluid within the central passageway, and; a stator supported by the housing and arranged circumferentially around the rotor, the stator including windings for providing a travelling electromagnetic wave for interaction with the at least one circumferential electrical conductor of the rotor, wherein the stator extends only partially around the circumference of the rotor so as to have a first end and a second end separated by an arcuate angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Paul D. HOPEWELL, Alexander C. SMITH, Paul TUOHY
  • Patent number: 8008822
    Abstract: In some circumstances such as with regard to contra-rotating turbo prop arrangements in aircraft it is desirable to vary the pitch of the blades and/or provide de-icing facilities. Advantageously, these blade pitch and de-icing facilities could be provided through electrical actuators. Unfortunately, provision of electrical power to such rotating components traditionally requires utilization of slip rings which are subject to wear. By providing a self-contained electrical generator including a first hub and second hub with respective generator parts it is possible to utilize the contra-rotating nature in order to create relative motion and therefore electrical power generation in coils opposed by permanent magnets. Slide contacts for electrical connection are avoided whilst electrical power can be generated within the rotating reference frame defined by the hubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Paul D Hopewell, Alan S Kinson
  • Publication number: 20110198847
    Abstract: A distributed electrical generation system includes a plurality of turbines, generators, diode bridges, transformers and high voltage diodes. The system further includes a HVDC-cable and a high voltage inverter bridge. Each turbine drives a respective one of a plurality of electrical generators producing an alternating current. Each electrical generator is electrically connected to an associated diode bridge and each diode bridge rectifies the alternating current to a direct current. Each diode bridge is electrically connected to an associated transformer and each transformer steps up the direct current to a high voltage direct current. Each transformer is electrically connected in parallel to a high voltage direct current cable by associated high voltage diodes. The high voltage direct current cable is electrically connected to the high voltage inverter bridge. The high voltage inverter bridge converts the direct current to alternating current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Paul D. Hopewell
  • Publication number: 20090289516
    Abstract: In some circumstances such as with regard to contra-rotating turbo prop arrangements in aircraft it is desirable to vary the pitch of the blades and/or provide de-icing facilities. Advantageously, these blade pitch and de-icing facilities could be provided through electrical actuators. Unfortunately, provision of electrical power to such rotating components traditionally requires utilisation of slip rings which are subject to wear. By providing a self-contained electrical generator comprising a first hub and second hub with respective generator parts it is possible to utilise the contra-rotating nature in order to create relative motion and therefore electrical power generation in coils opposed by permanent magnets. Slide contacts for electrical connection are avoided whilst electrical power can be generated within the rotating reference frame defined by the hubs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Paul D. Hopewell, Alan S. Kinson