Satcon Technology Corporation

Sturman Industries, Inc.

Bruce G Johnson

Richard L Hockney

David B Eisenhaure

Ralph C Fenn

James R Downer

Timothy J Hawkey

Michael Jonathan Gerver

Oded Eddie Sturman

Dariusz Antoni Bushko

Kevin M Avakian

Richard Torti

Steve E Massey

Monique Gaffney

Kathy M Misovec

A hydraulic valve control system that includes a plurality of digitally actuated magnetically-latchable four-way valves that directly or indirectly control the position of a hydraulic actuator. The digitally actuated magnetically-latchable four-way valves are controlled by a controller that can control the valves in accordance with a servo routine. The servo routine may include the computation of a plurality of cost functions and the selection of an action that corresponds to the lowest cost.

Magnetically-latchable fluid control valve system

A narrow band controller for suppressing disturbances from a source responsive to an input signal representative of the frequency spectrum of a disturbance from the source and providing an output signal having a similar frequency spectrum as the frequency spectrum of the input signal based on the input signal including delay logic for delaying, for a period of time, the received input signal for assuring the output signal has a phase different than the phase of said input signal.

Narrow band controller

A magnetostrictive active member configured to withstanding significant bending moments and having a prestress mechanism that is adjustable for maintaining optimal performance of an integral magnetostrictive element. The magnetostrictive active member includes a magnetostrictive actuator and parallel flexures incorporated in a housing to create a load path for bending moments to be carried by the housing, through the parallel flexures, as opposed to being carried by the magnetostrictive actuator. A plurality of ball-joints are integrated with the flexures and magnetostrictive actuator, receiving compressire forces and ensuring that no moments are applied to the magnetostrictive actuator. A prestress or preload mechanism is incorporated which provides a compressire preload to the magnetostrictive actuator internal to the housing. The preload mechanism includes an adjustable nut than is externally accessible to adjust the preload and facilitate optimal performance of the magnetostrictive actuator. Sensors integral to the active member housing include a load cell which measures both the internally generated preload and the external axial load, as well as the force produced by the actuator. A plurality of non-contact capacitive displacement sensors are contained in the housing and used in generating a displacement output signal. An integral flux sensor accurately measures the magnetic field applied to the magnetostrictive actuator. Modular end fittings are implemented to facilitate use of the same fittings as passive members that may be used in a mechanical structure, so that an active member can be easily installed in a location that may have contained a passive member.

Magnetostrictive active strut

A magnetoelastic magnetometer having a magnetoelastic member for placement in a magnetic field, An effect on the stiffness of the magnetoelastic member caused by the magnetic field is measured, and magnitude of the field is determined in response.

Magnetoelastic magnetometer

An integrated electrostatically-controlled micromechanical gyroscope with a rotor encompassed within a rotor cavity and electrostatically spun within the cavity. The gyroscope includes a plurality of axial electrostatic rotor actuators above and below the rotor for controlling the axial and tilt position of the rotor within the cavity, and a plurality of radial electrostatic actuators spaced circumferentially around the rotor for controlling the radial and tilt position of the rotor within the cavity. The position of the rotor within the cavity is then resolved to determine the external forces acting on the rotor.

Electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope

A system and method for damping narrow band axial vibrations of a rotating device in which a reaction mass is coupled to the rotating device and a reaction mass actuator is employed to move the reaction mass axially along the rotating device. An effect of vibrations on the rotating device is then measured, and in response the reaction mass is moved axially to damp the effect of vibrations and so the vibrations.

System and method for damping narrow band axial vibrations of a rotating

A magnetic rotor suspension system including a magnetic rotor having a spin axis, and a generally spherical housing spaced from the rotor. The system includes means attached to the housing for applying magnetic fields to the rotor to fix its lateral and axial position relative to the housing and to adjust the angular orientation of the spin axis of the rotor relative to the housing.

Magnetic bearing and suspension system

A magnetic bearing system for enabling translational motion includes a carriage and a shaft for movably supporting the carriage; a first magnetic bearing fixed to one of the carriage and shaft and slidably received in a first channel of the other of the carriage and shaft. The first channel is generally 'U' shaped with two side walls and a back wall. The magnetic bearing includes a pair of spaced magnetic pole pieces, each pole piece having a pair of electromagnetic coils mounted on poles on opposite ends of the pole piece proximate the side walls, and a third electromagnetic coil mounted on a pole of the pole piece proximate the backwall; a motion sensor for sensing translational motion along two axes and rotationally about three axes of the carriage and shaft relative to each other; and a correction circuit responsive to the sensor for generating a correction signal to drive the coils to compensate for any misalignment sensed between the carriage and the shaft.

Growing community of inventors

Monument, CO, United States of America

Bruce G Johnson