Patents by Inventor Thomas K. Rigney, II

Thomas K. Rigney, II 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).

  • Superconducting composite for magnetic bearings
    Patent number: 5457086
    Abstract: A composite includes granules of Type II superconducting material and granules of rare-earth permanent magnets that are distributed in a binder. The composite is a two-phase structure that combines the properties of the superconductor and magnets with the flexibility and toughness of a polymeric material. A bearing made from this composite has the load capacity and stiffness of a permanent magnet bearing with added stability from a Type II superconducting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Allied-Signal, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas K. Rigney, II
  • Superconducting composite magnetic bearings
    Patent number: 5270601
    Abstract: A composite includes granules of Type II superconducting material and granules of rare-earth permanent magnets that are distributed in a binder. The composite is a two-phase structure that combines the properties of the superconductor and magnets with the flexibility and toughness of a polymeric material. A bearing made from this composite has the load capacity and stiffness of a permanent magnet bearing with added stability from a Type II superconducting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Allied-Signal, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas K. Rigney, II
  • Stacked magnet superconducting bearing
    Patent number: 5220232
    Abstract: In a superconducting bearing, flux density and flux density gradient are increased between a magnetic source and a member of superconducting material. A plurality of magnets are magnetized end-to-end and stacked side-by-side in alternating polarity. Non-magnetic shims are disposed between the magnets. Flux lines flow between the ends of adjacent magnets and communicate with the member. Resulting is higher bearing load capacity and stiffness. When the member is made from a Type II superconducting material, the bearing provides support in both the radial and axial directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Allied Signal Aerospace
    Inventors: Thomas K. Rigney, II, Marshall P. Saville
  • Cylindrical composite superconductor bearing
    Patent number: 5130588
    Abstract: A cylindrical superconductor bearing is made of Type II ceramic superconductor, dispersed in an acrylic thermoplastic carrier in a ratio between 1:1 and 3:1 by volume. The cylindrical superconductor bearing is particularly useful as a magnetic journal bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Armstrong, John R. Esopa, Thomas K. Rigney, II, Marshall P. Saville
  • Composite superconductor disc bearing
    Patent number: 5126611
    Abstract: A Type II ceramic superconductor is dispersed in an acrylic thermoplastic carrier in a ratio between 1:1 and 3:1. Resulting is a readily formable, thermosetting superconductor composite. The superconductor composite is particularly useful as a magnetic bearing or for fabricating devices to contain magnetic flux, because of its "flux pinning" effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Armstrong, John R. Esopa, Thomas K. Rigney, II, Marshall P. Saville