Patents by Inventor Richard E. Harnois

Richard E. Harnois 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).

  • Methods for joining high temperature superconducting components in a superconducting cable with negligible critical current degradation and articles of manufacture in accordance therewith
    Publication number: 20030029629
    Abstract: A method for joining high temperature superconducting components for use in a superconducting cable while minimizing critical current degradation is provided. The articles formed have critical currents that are at least 80% of the critical current of the high temperature superconducting components. The invention further provides splicing geometries that facilitate helically or otherwise bundling wires into cables with minimal critical current degradation and without kinking or flexion of the joined components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Sergio Spreafico, Laura Gherardi, David M. Buzcek, John D. Scudiere, Richard E. Harnois
  • Encapsulated ceramic superconductors
    Patent number: 6444917
    Abstract: The invention features a superconducting conductor for use in a preselected fluid cryogen including a composite ceramic superconducting wire having an outer surface along its length; and a sealing structure hermetically surrounding the outer surface to prevent the cryogen from infiltrating into the wire and degrading its superconducting properties, even under pressurized conditions. The superconducting conductor can be used in superconducting cabling and coil applications. The sealing structure can be formed by laminating metallic tapes to the wire, encircling at least one metallic sheet around the outer surface of the wire, welding a plurality of metallic sheets to one another to encircle the outer surface of the wire, or forming a polymer coating completely covering the outer surface of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignees: American Superconductor Corporation, Pirelli Cavi e Sistemi S.p.A.
    Inventors: John D. Scudiere, David M. Buczek, Steven Fleshler, Derek Patrick Daly, Richard E. Harnois, Stephen R. Norman, Paola Caracino, Marco Nassi, Sergio Spreafico
  • Methods for joining high temperature superconducting components with negligible critical current degradation and articles of manufacture in accordance therewith
    Patent number: 6159905
    Abstract: A method for joining high temperature superconducting components while minimizing critical current degradation is provided. The articles formed have critical currents that are at least 80 % of the critical current of the high temperature superconducting components. The invention further provides splicing geometries that facilitate wrapping joined components around a mandrel, tube or the like with minimal critical current degradation and without kinking or flexion of the joined components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventors: David M. Buzcek, John D. Scudiere, Richard E. Harnois, Sergio Spreafico, Laura Gherardi