Patents by Inventor William L. Carter
William L. Carter 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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Patent number: 8791052Abstract: A rotating machine includes a stator and a rotor configured to rotate within the stator. Rotor windings are supported in the rotor and are formed of a laminated electrical conductor in a single-layer saddle coil configuration. The conductor includes a first support lamina, a second support lamina, an insert including a high temperature superconductor disposed between the first and second support lamina, and a filler material surrounding the insert that bonds the insert to each of the first and second support lamina. At the location between the first support lamina and second support lamina corresponding to the location of the insert, the width dimension of the filler material on each side of the insert is at least 10 percent of a width of the conductor. The conductor is configured to carry at least 600 Amperes per turn and have a C-axis tensile strength of at least 21 MPa.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Michael A. Tanner, Gregory L. Snitchler, William L. Carter, Eric R. Podtburg
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Patent number: 8680015Abstract: A method includes locating a defect in a first segment of high temperature superconducting wire. A second segment of high temperature superconducting wire is then positioned onto the first segment of high temperature superconducting wire such that the second segment of high temperature superconducting wire overlaps the defect. A path is then created such that current flows through the second segment of high temperature superconducting wire. The first segment of high temperature superconducting wire and second segment of high temperature superconducting wire are then laminated together.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Henry C. Valcour, III, Peter D. Antaya, John Gannon, Eric R. Podtburg, Subramaniam Anandakugan, William L. Carter, Hong Cai, Michael A. Tanner, David Crotzer, Alexander Otto, Dana Krause
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Publication number: 20130261000Abstract: A rotating machine includes a stator and a rotor configured to rotate within the stator. Rotor windings are supported in the rotor and are formed of a laminated electrical conductor in a single-layer saddle coil configuration. The conductor includes a first support lamina, a second support lamina, an insert including a high temperature superconductor disposed between the first and second support lamina, and a filler material surrounding the insert that bonds the insert to each of the first and second support lamina. At the location between the first support lamina and second support lamina corresponding to the location of the insert, the width dimension of the filler material on each side of the insert is at least 10 percent of a width of the conductor. The conductor is configured to carry at least 600 Amperes per turn and have a C-axis tensile strength of at least 21 MPa.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Michael A. Tanner, Gregory L. Snitchler, William L. Carter, Eric R. Podtburg
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Publication number: 20120245035Abstract: A method includes locating a defect in a first segment of high temperature superconducting wire. A second segment of high temperature superconducting wire is then positioned onto the first segment of high temperature superconducting wire such that the second segment of high temperature superconducting wire overlaps the defect. A path is then created such that current flows through the second segment of high temperature superconducting wire. The first segment of high temperature superconducting wire and second segment of high temperature superconducting wire are then laminated together.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Eric R. Podtburg, Henry C. Valcour, III, Subramaniam Anandakugan, Peter D. Antaya, William L. Carter, John Gannon, Hong Cai, Michael A. Tanner, David Crotzer, Alexander Otto, Dana Krause
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Patent number: 6694600Abstract: A method is described to prepare a highly textured oxide superconductor article in a single deformation-sinter process. A precursor article including a plurality of filaments comprising a precursor oxide having a dominant amount of a tetragonal BSCCO 2212 phase and a constraining member substantially surrounding each of the filaments is provided. Each of the filaments extends along the length of the article. The oxide article is subjected to a heat treatment at an oxygen partial pressure and temperature selected to convert a tetragonal BSCCO 2212 oxide into an orthorhombic BSCCO 2212 oxide and, thereafter, roll worked in a high reduction draft in a range of about 40% to 95% in thickness so that the filaments have a constraining dimension is substantially equivalent to a longest dimension of the oxide superconductor grains. The rolled article is sintered to obtain a BSCCO 2223 oxide superconductor.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2001Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Qi Li, Eric R. Podtburg, Patrick John Walsh, William L. Carter, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., Martin W. Rupich, Elliott Thompson, Alexander Otto
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Publication number: 20040014605Abstract: A method is described to prepare a highly textured oxide superconductor article in a single deformation-sinter process. A precursor article including a plurality of filaments comprising a precursor oxide having a dominant amount of a tetragonal BSCCO 2212 phase and a constraining member substantially surrounding each of the filaments is provided. Each of the filaments extends along the length of the article. The oxide article is subjected to a heat treatment at an oxygen partial pressure and temperature selected to convert a tetragonal BSCCO 2212 oxide into an orthorhombic BSCCO 2212 oxide and, thereafter, roll worked in a high reduction draft in a range of about 40% to 95% in thickness so that the filaments have a constraining dimension is substantially equivalent to a longest dimension of the oxide superconductor grains. The rolled article is sintered to obtain a BSCCO 2223 oxide superconductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2001Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: Qi Li, Eric R. Podtburg, Patrick John Walsh, William L. Carter, Gilbert N. Riley, Martin W. Rupich, Elliott Thompson, Alexander Otto
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Patent number: 6620768Abstract: A novel process of the production and processing of high quality, high Tc (Bi,Pb)SCCO superconductors starts with fabrication of a precursor article including selected intermediate phases with desired chemical and structural properties. The precursor fabrication includes mixing raw powders with a desired ratio of Bi:Pb:Sr:Ca:Cu elements and reacting the mixture under different selected reaction conditions that form a precursor powder with a dominant (Bi, Pb)SCCO 2212 phase and without Ca—Pb—O phase, wherein the 2212 phase may be the orthorhombic 2212 phase. The precursor article is then subjected to optimized reaction and mechanical deformation processes that lead to a reaction induced texturing and deformation induced texturing, respectively. A heating process is used to convert the precursor powder to the 2223 phase and subsequent deformation and annealing processes may be used to form a substantially single phase, highly textured (Bi, Pb)SCCO 2223 superconductor with high Jc.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2001Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Martin W. Rupich, William L. Carter, Qi Li, Alexander Otto, Gilbert Riley, Jr.
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Patent number: 6613270Abstract: A novel process of the production and processing of high quality, high Tc BSCCO or (Bi,Pb)SCCO superconductors starts with fabrication of a forming a bundle including a plurality of billets, each billet containing at least one filament comprising a dominant amount of an tetragonal BSCCO phase with selected intermediate phases, and substantially surrounded by a constraining metal. The bundle is thermomechanically consolidated to form a multifilamentary precursor article by applying pressure and heat to the bundle under conditions cooperatively selected to cause interdiffusion of said constraining metal at the interfaces between said metal and said filaments and substantially complete elimination of voids in said bundle, and the consolidation step is completed before any high strain longitudinal deformation is performed on the bundle.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2000Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Qi Li, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., Lawrence J. Masur, Eric R. Podtburg, Ronald D. Parella, Martin W. Rupich, Donald R. Parker, William L. Carter, William J. Rosati, Mark D. Teplitsky
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Publication number: 20020193255Abstract: A reduced coefficient of friction, preferably created by ideal lubrication conditions, may advantageously be employed in the breakdown deformation of a precursor to a multifilamentary superconducting composite, particularly in combination with one or more high reduction breakdown drafts, to improve composite homogeneity and significantly increase the range of deformation conditions over which dimensional tolerances and Je may be optimized. Precursor composites made by this method exhibit reduced microhardness variability and fewer and less serious transverse filament defects than composites made by prior art methods. The method comprises the steps of: first, providing a precursor article comprising a metal matrix surrounding a plurality of filaments extending along the length of the article and comprising precursors to a desired superconducting ceramic; next, roll working the precursor article during a breakdown stage at a predetermined pressure and a coefficient of friction less than about 0.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventors: Qi Li, Theodore S. Greene, Gilbert N. Riley, William J. Michels, William L. Carter
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Publication number: 20020128155Abstract: A method for preparing a BSCCO-2223 oxide superconducting article includes annealing an oxide superconductor article comprised of BSCCO-2223 oxide superconductor at a temperature selected from the range of about 500° C.≦T≦787° C. and an annealing atmosphere having an oxygen pressure selected from within the region having a lower bound defied by the equation, PO2(lower)≧3.5×1010exp(−32,000/T+273) and an upper bound defined by the equation, PO2(upper)≦1.1×1012exp(−32,000/T+273). The article is annealed for a time sufficient to provide at least a 10% increase in critical current density as compared to the critical current density of the pre-anneal oxide superconductor article. An oxide superconductor having the formula Bi2−yPbySr2Ca2Cu3O10+x, where 0≦x≦1.5 and where 0≦y≦0.6 is obtained, the oxide superconductor characterized by a critical transition temperature of greater than 111.0 K, as determined by four point probe method.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2001Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Alexander Otto, Gilbert N. Riley, William L. Carter
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Patent number: 6436876Abstract: A method for preparing a BSCCO-2223 oxide superconducting article includes annealing an oxide superconductor article comprised of BSCCO-2223 oxide superconductor at a temperature selected from the range of about 500° C.≦T≦787° C. and an annealing atmosphere having an oxygen pressure selected from within the region having a lower bound defined by the equation, PO2(lower)≧3.5×1010 exp(−32,000/T+273) and an upper bound defined by the equation, PO2(upper)≦1.1×1012 exp(−32,000/T+273). The article is annealed for a time sufficient to provide at least a 10% increase in critical current density as compared to the critical current density of the pre-anneal oxide superconductor article. An oxide superconductor having the formula Bi2−yPbySr2Ca2Cu3O10+x, where 0≦x≦1.5 and where 0≦y≦0.6 is obtained, the oxide superconductor characterized by a critical transition temperature of greater than 111.0 K, as determined by four point probe method.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2001Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Alexander Otto, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., William L. Carter
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Publication number: 20020111276Abstract: A novel process of the production and processing of high quality, high Tc (Bi,Pb)SCCO superconductors starts with fabrication of a precursor article including selected intermediate phases with desired chemical and structural properties. The precursor fabrication includes introducing the reacted mixture having a dominant amount of the tetragonal BSCCO phase into a metal sheath, and sealing the reacted mixture within said sheath, heating the mixture at a second selected processing temperature in an inert atmosphere with a second selected oxygen partial pressure for a second selected time period, the second processing temperature and the second oxygen partial pressure being cooperatively selected to form a dominant amount of an orthorhombic BSCCO phase in the reacted mixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2001Publication date: August 15, 2002Inventors: Qi Li, Eric R. Podtburg, Patrick John Walsh, William L. Carter, Gilbert N. Riley, Martin W. Rupich, Elliott Thompson, Alexander Otto
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Patent number: 6370762Abstract: A reduced coefficient of friction, preferably created by ideal lubrication conditions, may advantageously be employed in the breakdown deformation of a precursor to a multifilamentary superconducting composite, particularly in combination with one or more high reduction breakdown drafts, to improve composite homogeneity and significantly increase the range of deformation conditions over which dimensional tolerances and Je may be optimized. Precursor composites made by this method exhibit reduced microhardness variability and fewer and less serious transverse filament defects than composites made by prior art methods. The method comprises the steps of: first, providing a precursor article comprising a metal matrix surrounding a plurality of filaments extending along the length of the article and comprising precursors to a desired superconducting ceramic; next, roll working the precursor article during a breakdown stage at a predetermined pressure and a coefficient of friction less than about 0.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1996Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: American Superconductor Corp.Inventors: Qi Li, Theodore S. Greene, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., William J. Michels, William L. Carter
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Publication number: 20020016265Abstract: A novel process of the production and processing of high quality, high Tc (Bi,Pb)SCCO superconductors starts with fabrication of a precursor article including selected intermediate phases with desired chemical and structural properties. The precursor fabrication includes mixing raw powders with a desired ratio of Bi:Pb:Sr:Ca:Cu elements and reacting the mixture under different selected reaction conditions that form a precursor powder with a dominant (Bi, Pb)SCCO 2212 phase and without Ca—Pb—O phase, wherein the 2212 phase may be the orthorhombic 2212 phase. The precursor article is then subjected to optimized reaction and mechanical deformation processes that lead to a reaction induced texturing and deformation induced texturing, respectively. A heating process is used to convert the precursor powder to the 2223 phase and subsequent deformation and annealing processes may be used to form a substantially single phase, highly textured (Bi, Pb)SCCO 2223 superconductor with high Jc.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2001Publication date: February 7, 2002Inventors: Martin W. Rupich, William L. Carter, Qi Li, Alexander Otto, Gilbert Riley
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Patent number: 6331675Abstract: An aspected multifilamentary oxide article is provided having a plurality of aspected filaments including a metal oxide and extending continuously for the length of the article. A constraining member substantially surrounds each filament, wherein each of the filaments has an average transverse cross-sectional thickness less than about 35 &mgr;m and an average variation in cross-section along its length of less than about 10%. The article exhibits superior filament uniformity, hardness, and oxide density and texture.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 1997Date of Patent: December 18, 2001Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Qi Li, Eric R. Podtburg, Patrick John Walsh, William L. Carter, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., Martin W. Rupich, Elliott Thompson, Alexander Otto
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Patent number: 6311386Abstract: A novel process of the production and processing of high quality, high Tc (Bi,Pb)SCCO superconductors starts with fabrication of a precursor article including selected intermediate phases with desired chemical and structural properties. The precursor fabrication includes introducing the reacted mixture having a dominant amount of the tetragonal BSCCO phase into a metal sheath, and sealing the reacted mixture within said sheath, heating the mixture at a second selected processing temperature in an inert atmosphere with a second selected oxygen partial pressure for a second selected time period, the second processing temperature and the second oxygen partial pressure being cooperatively selected to form a dominant amount of an orthorhombic BSCCO phase in the reacted mixture.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1999Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Qi Li, Eric R. Podtburg, Patrick John Walsh, William L. Carter, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., Martin W. Rupich, Elliott Thompson, Alexander Otto
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Patent number: 6295716Abstract: A multicomponent powder useful in the formation of BSCCO-2223 is provided comprised of orthorhombic BSCCO-2212 and alkaline earth cuprate, without formation of undesirable secondary phases such as alkaline earth bismuthates and alkaline earth plumbates. A method for the production of the multicomponent powder includes providing a mixture of raw materials comprising constituent metallic elements in a ratio corresponding to a superconducting BSCCO-2223 material and heating the mixture under conditions which form a dominant amount of the orthorhombic BSCCO phase and the alkaline earth cuprate phase while preventing formation of an undesirable secondary phase selected from the group of alkaline earth plumbates and alkaline earth bismuthates. A subsequent heating step converts the multicomponent powder into the BSCCO-2223 and subsequent deformation and annealing processes may be used to form a substantially single phase, highly textured (Bi,Pb)SCCO-2223 superconductor article.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1994Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Martin W. Rupich, William L. Carter, Qi Li, Alexander Otto, Gilbert Riley, Jr.
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Patent number: 6284712Abstract: A method for preparing a BSCCO-2223 oxide superconducting article includes annealing an oxide superconductor article comprised of BSCCO-2223 oxide superconductor at a temperature selected from the range of about 500° C.≦T≦787° C. and an annealing atmosphere having an oxygen pressure selected from within the region having a lower bound defined by the equation, PO2(lower)≧3.5×1010exp(−32,000/T+273) and an upper bound defined by the equation, PO2(upper)≦1.1×1012exp(−32,000/T+273). The article is annealed for a time sufficient to provide at least a 10% increase in critical current density as compared to the critical current density of the pre-anneal oxide superconductor article. An oxide superconductor having the formula Bi2−yPbySr2Ca2Cu3O10+x, where 0≦x≦1.5 and where 0≦y≦0.6 is obtained, the oxide superconductor characterized by a critical transition temperature of greater than 111.0 K, as determined by four point probe method.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1999Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Inventors: Alexander Otto, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., William L. Carter
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Patent number: 6247224Abstract: A method is described to prepare a highly textured oxide superconductor article in a single deformation-sinter process. A precursor article including a plurality of filaments comprising a precursor oxide having a dominant amount of a tetragonal BSCCO 2212 phase and a constraining member substantially surrounding each of the filaments is provided. Each of the filaments extends along the length of the article. The oxide article is subjected to a heat treatment at an oxygen partial pressure and temperature selected to convert a tetragonal BSCCO 2212 oxide into an orthorhombic BSCCO 2212 oxide and, thereafter, roll worked in a high reduction draft in a range of about 40% to 95% in thickness so that the filaments have a constraining dimension is substantially equivalent to a longest dimension of the oxide superconductor grains. The rolled article is sintered to obtain a BSCCO 2223 oxide superconductor.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Qi Li, Eric R. Podtburg, Patrick John Walsh, William L. Carter, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., Martin W. Rupich, Elliott Thompson, Alexander Otto
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Patent number: 6205645Abstract: The combination of one or more high reduction drafts with controlled, low back tensions increases the range of deformation conditions over which dimensional tolerances and Je may be optimized. The method comprises the steps of: first, providing a precursor article comprising a metal matrix surrounding a plurality of filaments extending along the length of the article and comprising precursors to a desired superconducting ceramic; next, roll working the precursor article during a breakdown stage at a back tension less than the elastic to plastic transition threshold of the composite during at least one high reduction roll working draft, and, then, sintering the rolled article to obtain the desired superconducting ceramic. In a preferred embodiment, the rolling step further comprises rolling the article at a front tension less than the elastic to plastic transition threshold of the rolled, unsintered article.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1996Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Qi Li, Craig J. Christopherson, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., William L. Carter, William J. Michels, Eric R. Podtburg, Lawrence J. Masur