Patents Assigned to Bionic Power Inc.
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Patent number: 10333298Abstract: Electrical energy produced by an energy harvester is stored on a temporary basis in an interim energy storage module before transferring it to a load. The current fed to the load is controlled so that a voltage limit of, for example, a capacitor in the interim storage module is not reached. By at least partially synchronizing the current consumed with the power produced, the capacity of the interim energy storage can be minimized, while still beneficially reducing fluctuations in the current. Current consumed may be determined by the use of a voltage to current look-up table, so that minimal communication overhead between the load and the power source is needed.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Bionic Power Inc.Inventors: Daniel Loren Hepler, Clive Edward Mullins, Mare Badenhorst
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Patent number: 10240640Abstract: A cone piece is tightened into a compatibly shaped hole in the end of a shaft. As the cone piece is tightened, it forces the shaft to expand outwards. As the shaft expands, it creates or increases pressure against a hub, wheel, crank or other mating piece that is positioned on the shaft, locking it into place.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2018Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Bionic Power Inc.Inventor: Charles David Halliburton
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Patent number: 10195099Abstract: Motion of a body segment is assisted when the body segment is moving in a positive power mode but not when it is moving in a negative power mode. When the motion of the body segment is cyclical, for example during walking, assistance to the body segment is switched on and off throughout the cycle to correspond to positive and negative power modes respectively. Energy used to assist the body segment may be harvested from prior motion of the body segment, either in prior cycles and/or when the body segment is moving in a negative power mode. The energy used may also be harvested from other body segments. Assisting motion of a body segment may be used to reduce the metabolic cost of locomotion, or to reduce exertion, when walking, jogging, running or sprinting.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Bionic Power Inc.Inventors: Daniel Loren Hepler, Clive Edward Mullins
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Patent number: 10145687Abstract: Raw dead reckoning data is obtained from an inertial measurement unit (IMU) worn by a user. Drift in the raw data is compensated for by detecting a gait of the user and phase of that gait, and constraining the position of the IMU to lie within corresponding bounds as the IMU moves. The bounds depend on the bodily geometry of the user and the detected gait phase. The raw orientation data of the IMU may be also corrected for drift in a similar way. Gait and gait phase may be detected by sensors in an energy harvester worn around the knee, for example. Drift in the IMU measurements can be compensated for without depending on a GPS signal or on the earth's magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Bionic Power Inc.Inventors: Daniel Loren Hepler, Clive Edward Mullins
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Patent number: 10075046Abstract: A mechanism has four connected links to mimic the motion of a knee joint. A lower link is oriented towards the vertical. A leverage ratio between flexion of the knee and relative angular displacement of certain links in the mechanism remains fairly steady over much of the range of motion of the mechanism. The mechanism may be used to drive an energy harvesting gearbox with steadier and more efficient energy harvesting at deep flexion, as well as with quieter operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2015Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: Bionic Power Inc.Inventor: John Scott Billings
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Patent number: 9945427Abstract: A cone piece is tightened into a compatibly shaped hole in the end of a shaft. As the cone piece is tightened, it forces the shaft to expand outwards. As the shaft expands, it creates or increases pressure against a hub, wheel, crank or other mating piece that is positioned on the shaft, locking it into place.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2017Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Bionic Power Inc.Inventor: Charles David Halliburton
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Patent number: 9222468Abstract: An apparatus harvests energy from motion of a human or animal body segment and provides the energy to an electrical load. The apparatus comprises a generator operatively coupled to the body segment such that particular movement of the body segment causes the generator to output a generator current and to oppose the particular movement of the body segment with a generator torque. An electrical load is coupled to receive the generator current. A control system is operatively connected between the generator and the electrical load and is configured to control the generator torque during the particular movement of the body segment. The apparatus corresponds to various methods for controlling generator torque while harvesting energy.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2014Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Bionic Power Inc.Inventors: Clive Edward Mullins, Daniel Loren Hepler
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Patent number: 9057361Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions are determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2013Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Bionic Power Inc.Inventors: James Maxwell Donelan, Arthur D. Kuo, Joaquin Andres Hoffer, Qingguo Li, Douglas Weber
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Publication number: 20140353970Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy from motion of a human or animal body segment and providing the energy to an electrical load is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a generator operatively coupled to the body segment such that particular movement of the body segment causes the generator to output a generator current and to oppose the particular movement of the body segment with a generator torque. An electrical load is coupled to receive the generator current. A control system is operatively connected between the generator and the electrical load and is configured to control the generator torque during the particular movement of the body segment. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: Bionic Power Inc.Inventors: Clive Edward Mullins, Daniel Loren Hepler
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Patent number: 8736087Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy from motion of a human or animal body segment and providing the energy to an electrical load is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a generator operatively coupled to the body segment such that particular movement of the body segment causes the generator to output a generator current and to oppose the particular movement of the body segment with a generator torque. An electrical load is coupled to receive the generator current. A control system is operatively connected between the generator and the electrical load and is configured to control the generator torque during the particular movement of the body segment. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Bionic Power Inc.Inventors: Clive Edward Mullins, Daniel Loren Hepler
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Patent number: 8487456Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions are determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2012Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Bionic Power Inc.Inventors: James Maxwell Donelan, Arthur D. Kuo, Joaquin Andres Hoffer, Qingguo Li, Douglas Weber
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Publication number: 20130038056Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions are determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: BIONIC POWER INC.Inventor: BIONIC POWER INC.
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Patent number: 8299634Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: an energy converter for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and a controller connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions are determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2006Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Bionic Power Inc.Inventors: James M. Donelan, Joaquin A. Hoffer, Douglas Weber, Arthur D. Kuo, Qingguo Li
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Patent number: 7659636Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions are determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Bionic Power Inc.Inventors: James M. Donelan, Arthur D. Kuo, Joaquin A. Hoffer, Qingguo Li, Douglas Weber
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Patent number: 7652386Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions are determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Bionic Power Inc.Inventors: James M. Donelan, Arthur D. Kuo, Joaquin A. Hoffer, Qingguo Li, Douglas Weber