Patents by Inventor Richard Freeman Post

Richard Freeman Post 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: 8917086
    Abstract: A position sensor suitable for use in linear synchronous motor (LSM) drive systems employing Halbach arrays to create their magnetic fields is described. The system has several advantages over previously employed ones, especially in its simplicity and its freedom from being affected by weather conditions, accumulated dirt, or electrical interference from the LSM system itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Freeman Post
  • Patent number: 8264121
    Abstract: Electrostatic generators/motors designs are provided that include a stator fixedly connected to a first central support centered about a central axis. The stator elements are attached to the first central support. Similarly, a second stator is connected to a central support centered about the central axis, and the second stator has stator elements attached to the second central support. A rotor is located between the first stator and the second stator and includes an outer support, where the rotor is rotatably centered about the central axis, the rotor having elements in contact with the outer support, each rotor element having an extending rotor portion that extends radially from the outer support toward the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Freeman Post
  • Publication number: 20120019235
    Abstract: A position sensor suitable for use in linear synchronous motor (LSM) drive systems employing Halbach arrays to create their magnetic fields is described. The system has several advantages over previously employed ones, especially in its simplicity and its freedom from being affected by weather conditions, accumulated dirt, or electrical interference from the LSM system itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Freeman Post
  • Publication number: 20110031844
    Abstract: Electrostatic generators/motors designs are provided that include a stator fixedly connected to a first central support centered about a central axis. The stator elements are attached to the first central support. Similarly, a second stator is connected to a central support centered about the central axis, and the second stator has stator elements attached to the second central support. A rotor is located between the first stator and the second stator and includes an outer support, where the rotor is rotatably centered about the central axis, the rotor having elements in contact with the outer support, each rotor element having an extending rotor portion that extends radially from the outer support toward the axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Richard Freeman Post
  • Publication number: 20100176674
    Abstract: A first movable element includes a first Halbach array permanent magnet array. A second movable element placed in operable proximity to said first Halbach array includes a second Halbach array permanent magnet array. The first Halbach array is configured to transmit torque upon movement to the second movable element by magnetic force, wherein the torque is transferred with no physical contact occurring between the first movable element and the second movable element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Freeman Post
  • Patent number: 7096794
    Abstract: A simple permanent-magnet-excited maglev geometry provides levitation forces and is stable against vertical displacements from equilibrium but is unstable against horizontal displacements. An Inductrack system is then used in conjunction with this system to effect stabilization against horizontal displacements and to provide centering forces to overcome centrifugal forces when the vehicle is traversing curved sections of a track or when any other transient horizontal force is present. In some proposed embodiments, the Inductrack track elements are also employed as the stator of a linear induction-motor drive and braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Richard Freeman Post
  • Patent number: 6664880
    Abstract: A magnet configuration comprising a pair of Halbach arrays magnetically and structurally connected together are positioned with respect to each other so that a first component of their fields substantially cancels at a first plane between them, and a second component of their fields substantially adds at this first plane. A track of windings is located between the pair of Halbach arrays and a propulsion mechanism is provided for moving the pair of Halbach arrays along the track. When the pair of Halbach arrays move along the track and the track is not located at the first plane, a current is induced in the windings and a restoring force is exerted on the pair of Halbach arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Richard Freeman Post
  • Patent number: 6633217
    Abstract: A magnet configuration comprising a pair of Halbach arrays magnetically and structurally connected together are positioned with respect to each other so that a first component of their fields substantially cancels at a first plane between them, and a second component of their fields substantially adds at this first plane. A track of windings is located between the pair of Halbach arrays and a propulsion mechanism is provided for moving the pair of Halbach arrays along the track. When the pair of Halbach arrays move along the track and the track is not located at the first plane, a current is induced in the windings and a restoring force is exerted on the pair of Halbach arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Richard Freeman Post
  • Patent number: 6629503
    Abstract: A simple permanent-magnet-excited maglev geometry provides levitation forces and is stable against vertical displacements from equilibrium but is unstable against horizontal displacements. An Inductrack system is then used in conjunction with this system to effect stabilization against horizontal displacements and to provide centering forces to overcome centrifugal forces when the vehicle is traversing curved sections of a track or when any other transient horizontal force is present. In some proposed embodiments, the Inductrack track elements are also employed as the stator of a linear induction-motor drive and braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Richard Freeman Post
  • Publication number: 20030005851
    Abstract: A simple permanent-magnet-excited maglev geometry provides levitation forces and is stable against vertical displacements from equilibrium but is unstable against horizontal displacements. An Inductrack system is then used in conjunction with this system to effect stabilization against horizontal displacements and to provide centering forces to overcome centrifugal forces when the vehicle is traversing curved sections of a track or when any other transient horizontal force is present In some proposed embodiments, the Inductrack track elements are also employed as the stator of a linear induction-motor drive and braking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Richard Freeman Post
  • Publication number: 20030005849
    Abstract: A magnet configuration comprising a pair of Halbach arrays magnetically and structurally connected together are positioned with respect to each other so that a first component of their fields substantially cancels at a first plane between them, and a second component of their fields substantially adds at this first plane. A track of windings is located between the pair of Halbach arrays and a propulsion mechanism is provided for moving the pair of Halbach arrays along the track. When the pair of Halbach arrays move along the track and the track is not located at the first plane, a current is induced in the windings and a restoring force is exerted on the pair of Halbach arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Richard Freeman Post
  • Publication number: 20030006871
    Abstract: A magnet configuration comprising a pair of Halbach arrays magnetically and structurally connected together are positioned with respect to each other so that a first component of their fields substantially cancels at a first plane between them, and a second component of their fields substantially adds at this first plane. A track of windings is located between the pair of Halbach arrays and a propulsion mechanism is provided for moving the pair of Halbach arrays along the track. When the pair of Halbach arrays move along the track and the track is not located at the first plane, a current is induced in the windings and a restoring force is exerted on the pair of Halbach arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Richard Freeman Post