General Atomics, Inc.

Robert Kratz

Hugo H Van Den Bergh

Philip Lynn Jeter

Husam Gurol

Robert W Baldi

Joel Lawton Drake

Some embodiments provide interrupter systems comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode; a piston movably located at a first position and electrically coupled with the first and second electrodes establishing a closed state, the piston comprises an electrical conductor that couples with the first and second electrodes providing a conductive path; an electromagnetic launcher configured to, when activated, induce a magnetic field pulse causing the piston to move away from the electrical coupling with the first and second electrodes establishing an open circuit between the first and second electrodes; and a piston control system comprising a piston arresting system configured to control a deceleration of the piston following the movement of the piston induced by the electromagnetic launcher such that the piston is not in electrical contact with at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode when in the open state.

Pulsed interrupter and method of operation

A system for generating an electrical current in a circuit includes a rotor, a stator and a motor for rotating the rotor about a rotation axis. A plurality of permanent magnets are mounted on the rotor and radially distanced from the rotation axis. With this structure, the permanent magnets rotate with the rotor to establish a time-varying magnetic field. A winding is attached to the stator, connected to the circuit and immersed in the time-varying magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets. In one implementation, a switch is provided to reconfigure the circuit between a first, open-circuit configuration in which little or no current flows through the circuit, and a second closed-circuit configuration in which a current is generated at the winding for flow through the circuit.

Rotary disk energy storage and pulse power supply

The present embodiments provide methods and apparatuses for use in controlling and directing magnetically levitated vehicles. In some embodiments, a method propels or passes a vehicle along a guideway, magnetically levitates the vehicle as it travels along the guideway, and induces a magnetic drag on the vehicle as it travels along a portion of the guideway. The magnetic drag can be induced by passing the magnet proximate a plate of conductive material. The plate can be positioned on a first side of the vehicle to induce the magnetic drag resulting in a force on the vehicle in a direction toward the first side. The method can further induce the magnetic drag to guide the vehicle along a curve of the guideway, where the plate is positioned on an inward side of the curve such that the force directs the vehicle into the curve.

Method and apparatus for use in guiding magnetically levitated vehicles

A system for levitating and propelling a vehicle along a stationary guideway includes a linear synchronous motor (LSM) having a component mounted on the vehicle and a component mounted on the guideway. The LSM components interact to generate electromagnetic forces that act to levitate the vehicle and electromagnetic forces that act to propel the vehicle along the guideway. The gap between LSM components is maintained by an electrodynamic system (EDS) having a component mounted on the vehicle and a component mounted on the guideway. The EDS components cooperate to create an electromagnetic force that acts with the levitation forces created by the LSM to maintain the LSM gap within a predetermined range. Maintenance of the LSM gap stabilizes the LSM and allows the LSM to operate efficiently within a pre-selected range of vehicle speeds.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Robert Kratz