Patents by Inventor Stephen Laird
Stephen Laird 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: 20230118844Abstract: A hydraulic apparatus including an electronically commutated machine having a plurality of working chambers which are controlled on each cycle of working chamber volume to carry out active or inactive cycles of working chamber volume allows only a plurality of defined fractions of cycles to be active cycles to avoid generating frequencies of active cycles which cause low frequency resonances. The demand signal may be quantised into fractions m/n where n is an integer below a threshold selected to avoid repeating patterns of active cycles of more than a cut-off length.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2021Publication date: April 20, 2023Applicant: ARTEMIS INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Niall James CALDWELL, Daniil DUMNOV, Matthew GREEN, Stephen LAIRD, Jill MACPHERSON
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Patent number: 11002267Abstract: A valve unit for a fluid working machine comprise a valve having a valve member (and optionally a valve seat), a valve actuator coupled to the valve member, and an electronic actuator controller which is integral to the valve unit and configured to actively control the valve actuator to thereby control the valve member.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2017Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: ARTEMIS INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: William Rampen, Niall Caldwell, Stephen Laird, Michael Fielding, Peter McCurry, Mark Brett
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Patent number: 10584691Abstract: A fluid working machine of the type comprising working chambers of cyclically varying volume and low and high pressure valves to regulate the flow of working fluid into and out of the working chamber, from low and high pressure manifolds, in which the valves are electronically controlled on each cycle of working chamber volume, by way of valve actuation signals, to determine the net displacement of working chambers. Additional valve actuator signals are generated in response to determination that a valve or working chamber has been inactive to adapt the valve to operate more reliably when subsequently actuated, but without significantly altering the net displacement of working chambers.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2016Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: ARTEMIS INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Fergus McIntyre, Stephen Laird
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Publication number: 20180209524Abstract: A series hydrostatic transmission for a vehicle having a wheel where the transmission comprises a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor each having a pumping mode and motoring mode. The pump and motor each have cylinders of cyclically varying working volume in which hydraulic fluid displacement through each cylinder is regulated and in phased relationship to cycles of cylinder working volume with reference to a phase signal. The transmission has a first mode in which the pump and motor are fluidly connected to each other, a second mode in which energy from hydraulic fluid pressurised by the motor in the pumping mode is transferred to an energy store, and a third mode in which energy from the energy store drives the motor, and wherein the motor comprises a valve assembly disposed between a high pressure line and a working chamber of the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2018Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Henry DODSON, Stephen LAIRD, Gordon VOLLER
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Publication number: 20180045196Abstract: A valve unit for a fluid working machine comprise a valve having a valve member (and optionally a valve seat), a valve actuator coupled to the valve member, and an electronic actuator controller which is integral to the valve unit and configured to actively control the valve actuator to thereby control the valve member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2017Publication date: February 15, 2018Inventors: William Rampen, Niall Caldwell, Stephen Laird, Michael Fielding, Peter McCurry, Mark Brett
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Patent number: 9739382Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid distribution valve (1, 25, 29, 37, 43), comprising at least a first fluid port (2), a second fluid port (3) and a third fluid port (4). These ports are connecting to a fluid distribution chamber (5). The second fluid port (3) can be selectively connected to the first fluid port (2) and/or the third fluid port (4) through said distribution chamber (5). The second fluid port (3) is arranged between the first fluid port (2) and the third fluid port (4).Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2009Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignees: Danfoss Power Solutions Aps, Artemis Intelligent Power Ltd.Inventors: Stephen Laird, Onno Kuttler, Luke Wadsley
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Patent number: 9732748Abstract: A valve unit for regulating the flow of working fluid between a working chamber of a fluid working machine and both a first working fluid line and second working fluid line, the valve unit comprising: a first valve comprising a first valve member and one or more cooperating first valve seats, a second valve comprising a second valve member and one or more cooperating second valve seats, an actuator coupled to both the first and second valve members through which a force may be applied to urge the first valve member open or closed and to urge the second valve member open or closed, a coupling between the actuator and the first valve member, wherein the coupling between the actuator and the first valve member comprises a connector which extends at least partially through the second valve member.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2014Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: ARTEMIS INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Uwe Stein, Jens Eilers, Jack Lavender, Stephen Laird
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Publication number: 20170022986Abstract: A fluid working machine of the type comprising working chambers of cyclically varying volume and low and high pressure valves to regulate the flow of working fluid into and out of the working chamber, from low and high pressure manifolds, in which the valves are electronically controlled on each cycle of working chamber volume, by way of valve actuation signals, to determine the net displacement of working chambers. Additional valve actuator signals are generated in response to determination that a valve or working chamber has been inactive to adapt the valve to operate more reliably when subsequently actuated, but without significantly altering the net displacement of working chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Fergus McIntyre, Stephen Laird
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Publication number: 20160356160Abstract: The invention provides a fluid working machine comprising: a crankshaft (2) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (3); adjacent first and second groups (5, 6, 8, 10) of valve cylinder devices (13) spaced from each other about the axis of rotation (3), one or each of the first and second groups (5, 6, 8, 10) of valve cylinder devices having first, second and third valve cylinder devices (13) arranged about and extending outwards with respect to the crankshaft (2), the first and third valve cylinder devices being axially offset from each other, the second valve cylinder device being axially offset from the first and third valve cylinder devices and the second valve cylinder device being offset from the first and third valve cylinder devices about the axis of rotation, wherein the second valve cylinder device has an axial extent which overlaps with the axial extent of one, or the axial extents of both, of the first and third valve cylinder devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2014Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Alexis DOLE, Uwe Bernhard Pascal STEIN, Michael Stephen LAIRD
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Publication number: 20160003239Abstract: A valve unit for regulating the flow of working fluid between a working chamber of a fluid working machine and both a first working fluid line and second working fluid line, the valve unit comprising: a first valve comprising a first valve member and one or more cooperating first valve seats, a second valve comprising a second valve member and one or more cooperating second valve seats, an actuator coupled to both the first and second valve members through which a force may be applied to urge the first valve member open or closed and to urge the second valve member open or closed, a coupling between the actuator and the first valve member, wherein the coupling between the actuator and the first valve member comprises a connector which extends at least partially through the second valve member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2014Publication date: January 7, 2016Applicant: Artemis Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Uwe STEIN, Jens EILERS, Jack LAVENDER, Stephen LAIRD
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Publication number: 20140070534Abstract: A power generating apparatus of renewable energy type includes a rotating shaft rotated by the renewable energy received via a blade, a hydraulic pump driven by the rotating shaft to generate pressurized oil, hydraulic motors driven by the pressurized oil, and synchronous generators connected to a grid without an intervening frequency-conversion circuit and respectively coupled to the hydraulic motors. The displacements of the hydraulic motors are adjusted independently by a motor control unit. A synchronizer supplies a command value of the displacement of each hydraulic motor to the motor control unit so that before the synchronous generators are connected to the grid, a frequency and a phase of a terminal voltage of each synchronous generator are synchronized with the grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Fumio Hamano, Shigeru Hokazono, Ken Nakayama, Kazuhisa Tsutsumi, Francesco Baldini, Nialll Caldwell, Daniil umnov, Daniel Abrahams, Stephen Laird
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Publication number: 20130307493Abstract: It is intended to provide a power generating apparatus of renewable energy type which obtains desired torque rapidly in response to changes of the renewable energy as well as a method of operation such an apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2011Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Hidekazu Ichinose, Kazuhisa Tsutsumi, Masayuki Shimizu, Niall Caldwell, Daniil Dumnov, William Rampen, Stephen Laird, Venkata Pappala
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Publication number: 20130249214Abstract: In view of the problems above, it is an object of the present invention is to provide a power generating apparatus of renewable energy type which can achieve a desired output of the hydraulic motor and a stable power generation regardless of changes of the renewable energy as well as a method of operation such an apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2011Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Hidekazu Ichinose, Kazuhisa Tsutsumi, Masayuki Shimizu, Niall Caldwell, Daniil Dumnov, William Rampen, Stephen Laird, Venkata Pappala
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Publication number: 20130221676Abstract: A wind turbine generator (100), or other energy extraction device, has a hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulic pump (129) driven by a rotating shaft (125) and a hydraulic motor (131) driving an electricity generator (157), or other load. A high pressure manifold (133) extending between the pump and motor is in communication with an accumulator (145, 147, 149). A controller receives a control signal and regulates the displacement of working fluid by the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor relative to each other. Thus, power input through the rotating shaft and output to the load can be decoupled for at least a period of time and the energy output of energy extraction device can be varied, for example to smooth the total power output to an electricity grid (101), without compromising power input. A group of energy extraction devices can be controlled in concert to maximise power input while providing smooth power output.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2011Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Niall Caldwell, Daniil Dumnov, Michael Fielding, Stephen Laird, Uwe Stein, Jamie Taylor
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Publication number: 20130205763Abstract: A hydraulic machine in which the volume of working fluid displaced by each cylinder is selectable on each cycle of working chamber volume by active control of one or more electronic valves has a controller configured to select specified groups of cylinders to repetitively carry out active cycles until a change in selection is made. The groups are selected to reduce torque ripple and/or bearing side load. The cam profile may be varied to further reduce torque ripple.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2012Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Niall Caldwell, Daniil Dumnov, Stephen Laird
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Patent number: 8450868Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a wind turbine generator or a tidal current generator which is equipped with a hydraulic transmission and achieves a superior power generation efficiency, and a operation method thereof. The wind turbine generator 1 comprises a hydraulic pump 12 of a variable displacement type which is rotated by the main shaft 8, a hydraulic motor 14 of a variable displacement type which is connected to the generator 20, and a high pressure oil line 16 and a low pressure oil line 18 which are arranged between the hydraulic pump 12 and the hydraulic motor 14. The pump controller 32 obtains a target torque of the hydraulic pump 12 at which a power coefficient becomes maximum, and then sets a displacement Dp of the hydraulic pump 12 based on the target torque and the pressure in the high pressure oil line 16.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhisa Tsutsumi, Masayuki Shimizu, Niall Caldwell, Daniil Dumnov, Stephen Laird, Venkata Pappala
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Publication number: 20130067900Abstract: A power generating apparatus includes a rotating shaft, a hydraulic pump driven by the rotating shaft, a hydraulic motor driven by pressurized oil supplied from the hydraulic pump, and a generator coupled to the hydraulic motor. Each of the hydraulic pump and motor includes working chambers each defined by a cylinder and a piston, a high pressure manifold and a low pressure manifold. Each of the high and low pressure manifolds includes branch channels connected to the working chambers and a merging channel connected to a high or low pressure oil line. The branch channels are equipped with high or low pressures valves, joined together and merged into the merging channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2011Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Kazuhisa Tsutsumi, Masayuki Shimizu, Atsushi Maekawa, Toshihide Noguchi, Yasuhiro Korematsu, Niall Caldwell, Daniil Dumnov, Stephen Salter, Uwe Stein, William Rampen, Robert Fox, Alasdair Robertson, Stephen Laird, Hauke Karstens, Venkata Pappala
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Publication number: 20130009612Abstract: A wind turbine generator, or other energy extraction device, has a hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulic pump driven by a rotating shaft and a hydraulic motor driving an electricity generator. When the electricity generator is switched off, it executes one or more pumping cycles to pressurise the high pressure manifold and therefore recover angular kinetic energy from the electricity generator rotor which can later be used to reaccelerate the electricity generator rotor to the correct operating speed for an electricity grid. Overall energy efficiency is increased and the minimum operating high pressure manifold pressure may be reduced as a result.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2011Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Niall Caldwell, Daniil Dumnov, Michael Fielding, Stephen Laird, Uwe Stein, Jamie Taylor
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Publication number: 20120104752Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a wind turbine generator or a tidal current generator which is equipped with a hydraulic transmission and achieves a superior power generation efficiency, and a operation method thereof. The wind turbine generator 1 comprises a hydraulic pump 12 of a variable displacement type which is rotated by the main shaft 8, a hydraulic motor 14 of a variable displacement type which is connected to the generator 20, and a high pressure oil line 16 and a low pressure oil line 18 which are arranged between the hydraulic pump 12 and the hydraulic motor 14. The pump controller 32 obtains a target torque of the hydraulic pump 12 at which a power coefficient becomes maximum, and then sets a displacement Dp of the hydraulic pump 12 based on the target torque and the pressure in the high pressure oil line 16.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Kazuhisa Tsutsumi, Masayuki Shimizu, Niall Caldwell, Daniil Dumnov, Stephen Laird, Venkata Pappala
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Patent number: D728628Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2014Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Danfoss Power Solutions ApSInventors: Luke Wadesly, Alexis Dole, Uwe Stein, Stephen Laird