Brian L Houghton

US Patent:

7571646, Aug 11, 2009

Filed:

Mar 10, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/373055

Inventors:

Brian L. Houghton - Littleton CO, US

International Classification:

G01F 23/00

US Classification:

73304C, 73304 R

Abstract:

A pair of wires are coated in a conductive plastic sheath, and then imbedded in the inside of a plastic tube. The tube can be dropped down an oil well casing below the fluid level. A DC power source is applied across the wires, and current flows across the inside of the tube between the wires. The resistance drops between the wires in proportion to the fluid level inside the tube. Ohm's law allows a calculation of fluid level along the tube.

US Patent:

20130038273, Feb 14, 2013

Filed:

Apr 27, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/458710

Inventors:

Brian Houghton - Littleton CO, US

Assignee:

EETREX, INCORPORATED - Boulder CO

International Classification:

H02J 7/00

US Classification:

320107

Abstract:

Aspects of the present disclosure involve a charging system that provides a consistent specified charge power to a battery. Aspects of the disclosure also involve a bi-directional inverter charger system using boost and buck topologies substantially similar to buck and boost topologies for the charging system.

US Patent:

20130057200, Mar 7, 2013

Filed:

Jun 22, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/530806

Inventors:

Dennis L. Potts - Boulder CO, US
Brian Houghton - Littleton CO, US

Assignee:

Eetrex, Incorporated - Boulder CO

International Classification:

H02J 7/10

US Classification:

320107

Abstract:

A bidirectional inverter-charger includes a first stage receiving or delivering energy from a line or to a load. The first stage including at least one inductor coupled with a split phase bridge. A link storage is connected between rails of a first bus and between the first stage and a second stage. The second stage includes a DC-to-DC converter connectable to a battery. The DC-to-DC converter includes a transformer providing galvanic isolation between a second bridge, connected between the rails of the first bus, and a third bridge connected between the rails of a second bus. In operation, the first stage provides power factor correction and a voltage boost while charging the battery and inverting when providing power to the line or the load. The second stage provides a controllable charge current to the battery and a voltage boost of a voltage of the battery to the link storage.

US Patent:

56191120, Apr 8, 1997

Filed:

Feb 9, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/386275

Inventors:

Ramin Younessi - Tigard OR
Brian Houghton - Fort Collins CO

Assignee:

Woodward Governor Company - Fort Collins CO

International Classification:

H02P 706

US Classification:

318689

Abstract:

A limited angle torque motor and control circuit are adapted to convert an electrical demand signal of varying magnitude into a motor shaft position relating to the magnitude of the demand signal. More particularly, a bidirectional motor is provided having two stator coils wound in phase opposition, so that the torques produced by the currents in the opposedly wound coils are summed such that the coil having the greater current controls the direction of rotor rotation. A position sensor provides feedback of the present shaft position; the magnitude of the feedback signal being indicative of motor shaft position. Finally, an electronic control circuit which is responsive to both the demand signal and the shaft position signal is provided and has two outputs for simultaneously driving the current in each respective stator coil. A summing means is included in the control circuit for combining the shaft position signal and demand signal so as to produce an error signal. The error signal, in turn, is input to a modulator that creates a differential between the two control circuit outputs to drive the two stator coil currents, thereby causing the motor shaft to rotate toward the desired shaft position.