Patents by Inventor Stephen A Long
Stephen A Long 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).
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Publication number: 20230192309Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft includes a propeller assembly, a controller, and a pump system. The propeller assembly includes a propeller and a power system, the power system including an electric motor and a motor converter. The controller is connected to the power system and configured to switch the power system into a power-off arrangement in response to a temperature of the motor converter being greater than a threshold temperature. The pump system includes a pump and a coolant circuit that cools the motor converter. The pump is coupled to the propeller and to the motor such that rotation of either drives the pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2021Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: David Locascio, Michael Dougherty, Stephen Long, Peter Schenk
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Patent number: 11628949Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing flexible, scalable, and controllable electrical power to an aircraft. In some embodiments, a modular power unit comprises a container containing a power generation unit, a control system, a conditioning system, and an environmental control system. The power generation unit produces a generated power. The control system provides control signals to the power generation unit and controls at least one parameter of the generated power. The conditioning system receives and conditions the generated power and provides an output power to the power bus of the aircraft. The environmental control system provides a temperature regulating fluid to the power generation unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2019Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Long, Dwayne Bevis, Sean Guitar
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Patent number: 11542032Abstract: A hybrid interchangeable battery evaluation tool (HIBET) is provided. HIBET determines an amount of electrical energy and an amount of jet fuel necessary for a hybrid electric aircraft to complete a flight based on a range of the flight, a payload of the hybrid electric aircraft, an indication of a battery mass limitation of the hybrid electric aircraft, and an optimization of an energy split between the electrical energy and the jet fuel. HIBET causes an indication of the amount of electrical energy to be displayed in a graphical user interface and/or to be otherwise outputted.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Stephen Long, Dwayne Bevis, Sean Guitar, Michael J. Armstrong
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Patent number: 10920546Abstract: An exemplary method of the present disclosure includes causing, by a processing system proximate to the wellbore, injection of the lift gas into the wellbore at a first gas injection rate; obtaining, by the processing system, a first indication of a parameter associated with the wellbore, an arrival of a first fluid at a wellhead associated with the wellbore, or a composition of the first fluid; determining, by the processing system and based on the first indication, at least one of: a second gas injection rate of the intermittent gas lift system, a first period to inject the lift gas with the intermittent gas lift system, or a second period, subsequent to the first period, with no injection of the lift gas by the intermittent gas lift system; and operating, by the processing system, the intermittent gas lift system according to the determination.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2020Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Ross Moffett, Ashish David Rakhit, Stephen Long, Michael S. Juenke, Stephen E. Cannon
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Publication number: 20210009282Abstract: A hybrid interchangeable battery evaluation tool (HIBET) is provided. HIBET determines an amount of electrical energy and an amount of jet fuel necessary for a hybrid electric aircraft to complete a flight based on a range of the flight, a payload of the hybrid electric aircraft, an indication of a battery mass limitation of the hybrid electric aircraft, and an optimization of an energy split between the electrical energy and the jet fuel. HIBET causes an indication of the amount of electrical energy to be displayed in a graphical user interface and/or to be otherwise outputted.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2019Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventors: Stephen Long, Dwayne Bevis, Sean Guitar, Michael J. Armstrong
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Publication number: 20200277844Abstract: An exemplary method of the present disclosure includes causing, by a processing system proximate to the wellbore, injection of the lift gas into the wellbore at a first gas injection rate; obtaining, by the processing system, a first indication of a parameter associated with the wellbore, an arrival of a first fluid at a wellhead associated with the wellbore, or a composition of the first fluid; determining, by the processing system and based on the first indication, at least one of: a second gas injection rate of the intermittent gas lift system, a first period to inject the lift gas with the intermittent gas lift system, or a second period, subsequent to the first period, with no injection of the lift gas by the intermittent gas lift system; and operating, by the processing system, the intermittent gas lift system according to the determination.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Ross MOFFETT, Ashish DAVID RAKHIT, Stephen LONG, Michael S. JUENKE, Stephen E. CANNON
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Publication number: 20200262579Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing flexible, scalable, and controllable electrical power to an aircraft. In some embodiments, a modular power unit comprises a container containing a power generation unit, a control system, a conditioning system, and an environmental control system. The power generation unit produces a generated power. The control system provides control signals to the power generation unit and controls at least one parameter of the generated power. The conditioning system receives and conditions the generated power and provides an output power to the power bus of the aircraft. The environmental control system provides a temperature regulating fluid to the power generation unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2019Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventors: Stephen Long, Dwayne Bevis, Sean Guitar
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Patent number: 10689958Abstract: An exemplary method of the present disclosure includes causing, by a processing system proximate to the wellbore, injection of the lift gas into the wellbore at a first gas injection rate; obtaining, by the processing system, a first indication of a parameter associated with the wellbore, an arrival of a first fluid at a wellhead associated with the wellbore, or a composition of the first fluid; determining, by the processing system and based on the first indication, at least one of: a second gas injection rate of the intermittent gas lift system, a first period to inject the lift gas with the intermittent gas lift system, or a second period, subsequent to the first period, with no injection of the lift gas by the intermittent gas lift system; and operating, by the processing system, the intermittent gas lift system according to the determination.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Ross Moffett, Ashish Rakhit, Stephen Long, Michael S. Juenke, Stephen E. Cannon
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Publication number: 20180179869Abstract: An exemplary method of the present disclosure includes causing, by a processing system proximate to the wellbore, injection of the lift gas into the wellbore at a first gas injection rate; obtaining, by the processing system, a first indication of a parameter associated with the wellbore, an arrival of a first fluid at a wellhead associated with the wellbore, or a composition of the first fluid; determining, by the processing system and based on the first indication, at least one of: a second gas injection rate of the intermittent gas lift system, a first period to inject the lift gas with the intermittent gas lift system, or a second period, subsequent to the first period, with no injection of the lift gas by the intermittent gas lift system; and operating, by the processing system, the intermittent gas lift system according to the determination.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2016Publication date: June 28, 2018Inventors: Ross Moffett, Ashish RAKHIT, Stephen LONG, Michael S. JUENKE, Stephen E. CANNON
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Patent number: 9390619Abstract: An accessory for a device includes an actuator that is configured to be activated to operate a switch on the device when the accessory is physically engaged with the device. The switch is operable to cause the device to switch between on and off modes in which the device is configured to function. The off mode is a mode in which the device consumes less energy than when in the on mode. A controller is communicatively coupled with the actuator and is configured to activate the actuator to operate the switch when power is applied to the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Smiths Detection-Watford LimitedInventors: Steve Richardson, Stephen Long
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Patent number: 8653797Abstract: A synchronous electrical machine comprises a plurality of phases and detecting means arranged to detect an open-circuit fault in at least one of the phases of the synchronous electrical machine. Isolating means is arranged to isolate the at least one phase of the synchronous electrical machine with the fault. Phase shift means are arranged to produce a controlled phase shift between the voltage and the current within the remaining phases of the synchronous electrical machine so as to adjust the phase angle of the second harmonic powers produced by the remaining phases of the synchronous electrical machine such that the vector sum of the second harmonic power vectors of the remaining phases of the synchronous electrical machine is zero to eliminate torque ripple. The phase shift means is arranged to adjust the phase angle of all the remaining phases by the same predetermined angle to maximize the torque ripple-free power output of the synchronous electrical machine.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2009Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: John J. A. Cullen, David R. Trainer, Stephen A. Long, Angus G. L. Moodie
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Patent number: 8635027Abstract: A method of determining common three-dimensional structural features of protein surfaces is provided, as is use of representations of these common structures in molecular database searching and in designing focused molecular libraries. The method is particularly concerned with the analysis and representation of protein surfaces such as b-turns, loops and contact surfaces. In one form, the method identifies common locations and orientations of amino acid side-chains, simplified as C?-C? vectors. In another form, the method identifies common regions of surface charge represented by grid points in three-dimensional space. Further provided are common three dimensional structural features of proteins that can be used to search molecular databases for the purposes of identifying molecules that match these common three dimensional structural features.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2009Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: The University of QueenslandInventors: Mark Leslie Smythe, Tran Trung Tran, Darryn Bryant, Stephen Long, Peter Adams
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Patent number: 8570774Abstract: An electrical power system includes an alternating current (AC) power source configured to output an AC signal, a single phase pulse-width modulated (PWM) rectifier coupled to the AC power source and to an electrical load; a DC link capacitor coupled in parallel to the load and the PWM rectifier; and an active ripple energy storage circuit. The active ripple energy storage circuit has a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal, the active ripple energy storage circuit being coupled in parallel to the electrical load, the PWM rectifier and the DC link capacitor via the first terminal and the second terminal, the third terminal being coupled to the second terminal, the active ripple energy storage circuit being configured to selectively absorb and discharge at least part of the ripple energy.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2009Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Inventors: Ruxi Wang, Fred Wang, Rolando Burgos, Dushan Boroyevich, Kaushik Rajashekara, Stephen A. Long
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Patent number: 8154260Abstract: Within generator systems maintenance of stability in terms of voltage is desirable. Generally, several generators will be arranged in parallel within the generator system with one generator voltage controlled to provide dynamic responsiveness to load switching. With regard to some loads which are generally of an active nature, the capacity of a first generator, which is voltage controlled, may be insufficient to adequately avoid transient voltage instability. By providing an actuator signal from a load to act as a pre-emptive or forward feed to an electrical current controlled generator, that second electrical current generator can be arranged to provide additional or reduced electrical current to avoid system voltage instability.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2009Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: Lihua Hu, David R Trainer, Stephen A Long
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Patent number: 8125196Abstract: Utilisation of a number of electrical machines such as generators all driven by a common prime mover, such as a gas turbine engine, are known. However, faults in one phase of one particular electrical machine may cause torque vibration and therefore stressing to mechanical linkages between the electrical machine and the prime mover. By determining torque vibration and then utilising a second electrical machine to introduce an anti-phase torque vibration a substantially balanced and steady torque loading to the mechanical linkages can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2009Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: David R Trainer, Thomas C J Feehally, Stephen A Long
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Patent number: 8111496Abstract: An earthing arrangement for a DC electrical system (10), the electrical system (10) comprises a plurality of earthing points (24A, 24B, 24C) and each earthing point (24A, 24B, 24C) is directly and permanently connected to earth (26) by a high impedance connection (28A, 28B, 28C). Each earthing point (24A, 24B, 24C) is selectively connectable to earth (26) in electrical parallel with the high impedance connection (28A, 28B, 28C) by a solid connection (30A, 30B, 30C) and a switch (32A, 32B, 32C). In first mode of operation the switch (32A) between the earthing point (24A) and the earth (26) of only one of the plurality of earthing points (24A, 24B, 24C) is closed.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: Stephen A Long, David R Trainer, Lihua Hu, Huw L Edwards
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Publication number: 20110080000Abstract: A synchronous electrical machine comprises a plurality of phases and detecting means arranged to detect an open-circuit fault in at least one of the phases of the synchronous electrical machine. Isolating means is arranged to isolate the at least one phase of the synchronous electrical machine with the fault. Phase shift means are arranged to produce a controlled phase shift between the voltage and the current within the remaining phases of the synchronous electrical machine so as to adjust the phase angle of the second harmonic powers produced by the remaining phases of the synchronous electrical machine such that the vector sum of the second harmonic power vectors of the remaining phases of the synchronous electrical machine is zero to eliminate torque ripple. The phase shift means is arranged to adjust the phase angle of all the remaining phases by the same predetermined angle to maximise the torque ripple-free power output of the synchronous electrical machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2009Publication date: April 7, 2011Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: John J. A. Cullen, David R. Trainer, Stephen A. Long, Angus G. L. Moodie
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Patent number: 7847431Abstract: Electrical power generation systems typically comprise an electrical power distribution arrangement in which a number of electrical power generators are coupled in parallel. In such circumstances in order to avoid conflict generally a first electrical power generator is controlled with a voltage controller while second electrical power generators have electrical current controllers. As loads are switched into and out of the electrical distribution system in normal operation the first electrical power generator and its voltage controller can accommodate voltage dynamics and therefore maintain a desired voltage. However, in order to accommodate heavier loads switching, the dynamic operation of the electrical current controller is achieved through utilizing operational voltage margins from a desired voltage as control signals to the electrical current controller.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2009Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: Lihua Hu, David R Trainer, Stephen A Long
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Publication number: 20100095669Abstract: The invention relates to a method of actuating by means of a wax actuator and to a wax actuator. The wax actuator (10, 100, 200) includes a wax expansion generator comprising a housing (12) defining a chamber (18) which is partially filled with wax (20.1) and partially filled with hydraulic fluid, the wax (20.1) and the hydraulic fluid being separated by at least one sealing interface (20.2, 202), and heating means (22) for heating the wax (20.1) to cause it to melt and expand. The wax actuator (10, 100, 200) further includes a hydraulic transmission device comprising a hydraulic line (38) in communication with the hydraulic fluid within the chamber (18) and a connector (40) at a downstream end of the hydraulic line (38) for use in connecting the hydraulic line (38) to a working object.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2008Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: CSIRInventors: Philip Wayne Loveday, Craig Stephen Long
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Patent number: D759901Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Inventor: Stephen Long