Patents by Inventor Theodore Conrad

Theodore Conrad 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).

  • Cryocooler magnetic displacer spring
    Patent number: 12571566
    Abstract: A cryocooler is disclosed. The cryocooler may include a magnetic spring, a regenerator/displacer, a working fluid, and a cold finger configured to contain the working fluid in a closed system, and to contain the regenerator/displacer that is configured to travel linearly within the cold finger. The magnetic spring may provide a force to cause the regenerator/displacer to return to a center position during thermal cycle operation of the cryocooler. Additional systems and related methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: Teledyne FLIR Commercial Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Conrad, Martin Grabau
  • Cryocooler health monitoring systems and methods
    Patent number: 11959694
    Abstract: Cryocooler health monitoring systems and methods are provided. In one example, a method includes determining, for each setpoint temperature of a plurality of setpoint temperatures, a respective power applied to a cryocooler to set a cold tip of the cryocooler to the setpoint temperature. The method further includes determining a first load line associated with the cold tip based on the plurality of setpoint temperatures and the respective powers applied to the cryocooler. The method further includes determining a health metric associated with the cold tip based on the first load line and a reference load line associated with the cryocooler. Related devices and systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Teledyne FLIR Commercial Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Conrad, Samuel S. Chapple, Roberto Olivo, Jeff Haller
  • CRYOCOOLER HEALTH MONITORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20230296310
    Abstract: Cryocooler health monitoring systems and methods are provided. In one example, a method includes determining, for each setpoint temperature of a plurality of setpoint temperatures, a respective power applied to a cryocooler to set a cold tip of the cryocooler to the setpoint temperature. The method further includes determining a first load line associated with the cold tip based on the plurality of setpoint temperatures and the respective powers applied to the cryocooler. The method further includes determining a health metric associated with the cold tip based on the first load line and a reference load line associated with the cryocooler. Related devices and systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Theodore Conrad, Samuel S. Chapple, Roberto Olivo, Jeff Haller
  • CRYOCOOLER MAGNETIC DISPLACER SPRING
    Publication number: 20230288103
    Abstract: A cryocooler is disclosed. The cryocooler may include a magnetic spring, a regenerator/displacer, a working fluid, and a cold finger configured to contain the working fluid in a closed system, and to contain the regenerator/displacer that is configured to travel linearly within the cold finger. The magnetic spring may provide a force to cause the regenerator/displacer to return to a center position during thermal cycle operation of the cryocooler. Additional systems and related methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Theodore Conrad, Martin Grabau