Patents by Inventor Benjamin Jenett
Benjamin Jenett 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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Publication number: 20230211528Abstract: A method for the design, manufacture, and assembly of modular lattice structures composed of cuboctahedron unit cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2022Publication date: July 6, 2023Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States Government as Represented by The Administrator of NASAInventors: Benjamin Jenett, Neil Gershenfeld, Kenneth Cheung, Christine Gregg
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Publication number: 20230121977Abstract: A cellular furniture construction system that includes: a set of voxels, that form a lattice providing the shape and structure of the furniture construction, wherein regions of the furniture construction comprise distinct three-dimensional lattice arrangements of different types of voxels, providing distinct stress/strain properties to the regions; wherein each voxel comprises: a voxel type, defined by the stress and strain property of the voxel, and a discrete cellular three-dimensional structure, enabled to connect with other voxels along any one of the voxel interface surfaces. The system functions as a lightweight, modular, furniture construction system, wherein the system leverages arrangements of different voxel types to construct a furniture structure with desired stress/strain properties to regions of the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventor: Benjamin Jenett
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Patent number: 11498250Abstract: A method for the design, manufacture, and assembly of modular lattice structures composed of cuboctahedron unit cells.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States Government as represented by The Administrator of NASAInventors: Benjamin Jenett, Neil Gershenfeld, Kenneth Cheung, Christine Gregg
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Publication number: 20220290570Abstract: A construction system for mechanical metamaterials based on discrete assembly of a finite set of modular, mass-produced parts. A modular construction scheme enables a range of mechanical metamaterial properties to be achieved, including rigid, compliant, auxetic and chiral, all of which are assembled with a consistent process across part types, thereby expanding the functionality and accessibility of this approach. The incremental nature of discrete assembly enables mechanical metamaterials to be produced efficiently and at low cost, beyond the scale of the 3D printer. Additionally, a lattice structure constructed of two or more rigid, compliant, auxetic and chiral part types enable the creation of heterogenous macroscopic metamaterial structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventor: Benjamin Jenett
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Publication number: 20210146581Abstract: A method for the design, manufacture, and assembly of modular lattice structures composed of cuboctahedron unit cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2020Publication date: May 20, 2021Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States Government as represented by The Administrator of NASAInventors: Benjamin Jenett, Neil Gershenfield, Kenneth Cheung, Christine Gregg
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Patent number: 11001319Abstract: A class of robots specifically adapted to climb periodic lattices. These “relative robots” are designed for a specific lattice structure and use the regularity of the structure to simplify path planning, align with minimal feedback, and reduce the number of degrees of freedom (DOF) required to locomote. These robots can perform vital inspection and repair tasks within the structure that larger truss construction robots cannot perform without modifying the structure. A particular embodiment is a robot designed to traverse a cubooctahedral (CubOct) cellular solids lattice using only two motions: climbing and turning.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States of America, as Represented by the Administrator of NASAInventors: Benjamin Jenett, Daniel Cellucci, Kenneth Cheung, Neil Gershenfeld
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Patent number: 10710698Abstract: A set of machines and related systems build structures by the additive assembly of discrete parts. These digital material assemblies constrain the constituent parts to a discrete set of possible positions and orientations. In doing so, the structures exhibit many of the properties inherent in digital communication such as error correction, fault tolerance and allow the assembly of precise structures with comparatively imprecise tools. Assembly of discrete cellular lattices by a Modular Isotropic Lattice Extruder System (MILES) is implemented by pulling strings of lattice elements through a forming die that enforces geometry constraints that lock the elements into a rigid structure that can then be pushed against and extruded out of the die as an assembled, loadbearing structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2016Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Matthew Eli Carney, Benjamin Jenett, Neil Gershenfeld
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Publication number: 20190118390Abstract: A class of robots specifically adapted to climb periodic lattices. These “relative robots” are designed for a specific lattice structure and use the regularity of the structure to simplify path planning, align with minimal feedback, and reduce the number of degrees of freedom (DOF) required to locomote. These robots can perform vital inspection and repair tasks within the structure that larger truss construction robots cannot perform without modifying the structure. A particular embodiment is a robot designed to traverse a cubooctahedral (CubOct) cellular solids lattice using only two motions: climbing and turning.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Benjamin Jenett, Daniel Cellucci, Kenneth Cheung
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Patent number: 10155313Abstract: An alternative to additive manufacturing is disclosed, introducing an end-to-end workflow in which discrete building blocks are reversibly joined to produce assemblies called digital materials. Described is the design of the bulk-material building blocks and the devices that are assembled from them. Detailed is the design and implementation of an automated assembler, which takes advantage of the digital material structure to avoid positioning errors within a large tolerance. To generate assembly sequences, a novel CAD/CAM workflow is described for designing, simulating, and assembling digital materials. The structures assembled using this process have been evaluated, showing that the joints perform well under varying conditions and that the assembled structures are functionally precise.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: William Kai Langford, Matthew Eli Carney, Benjamin Jenett, Neil Gershenfeld
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Patent number: 10145110Abstract: A set of machines and related systems build structures by the additive assembly of discrete parts. These digital material assemblies constrain the constituent parts to a discrete set of possible positions and orientations. In doing so, the structures exhibit many of the properties inherent in digital communication such as error correction, fault tolerance and allow the assembly of precise structures with comparatively imprecise tools. Assembly of discrete cellular lattices by a Modular Isotropic Lattice Extruder System (MILES) is implemented by pulling strings of lattice elements through a forming die that enforces geometry constraints that lock the elements into a rigid structure that can then be pushed against and extruded out of the die as an assembled, load bearing structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Inventors: Matthew Eli Carney, Benjamin Jenett, Neil Gershenfeld
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Patent number: 10046820Abstract: A robotic platform for traversing and manipulating a modular 3D lattice structure is described. The robot is designed specifically for its tasks within a structured environment, and is simplified in terms of its numbers of degrees of freedom (DOF). This allows for simpler controls and a reduction of mass and cost. Designing the robot relative to the environment in which it operates results in a specific type of robot called a “relative robot”. Depending on the task and environment, there can be a number of relative robots. This invention describes a bipedal robot which can locomote across a periodic lattice structure made of building block parts. The robot is able to handle, manipulate, and transport these blocks when there is more than one robot. Based on a general inchworm design, the robot has added functionality while retaining minimal complexity, and can perform numerous maneuvers for increased speed, reach, and placement.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2017Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Massachusetts Institute for TechnologyInventors: Benjamin Jenett, Kenneth Cheung, Neil Gershenfeld
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Publication number: 20180009110Abstract: An alternative to additive manufacturing is disclosed, introducing an end-to-end workflow in which discrete building blocks are reversibly joined to produce assemblies called digital materials. Described is the design of the bulk-material building blocks and the devices that are assembled from them. Detailed is the design and implementation of an automated assembler, which takes advantage of the digital material structure to avoid positioning errors within a large tolerance. To generate assembly sequences, a novel CAD/CAM workflow is described for designing, simulating, and assembling digital materials. The structures assembled using this process have been evaluated, showing that the joints perform well under varying conditions and that the assembled structures are functionally precise.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2016Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: William Langford, Matthew Eli Carney, Benjamin Jenett, Neil Gershenfeld
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Publication number: 20170368679Abstract: A robotic platform for traversing and manipulating a modular 3D lattice structure is described. The robot is designed specifically for its tasks within a structured environment, and is simplified in terms of its numbers of degrees of freedom (DOF). This allows for simpler controls and a reduction of mass and cost. Designing the robot relative to the environment in which it operates results in a specific type of robot called a “relative robot”. Depending on the task and environment, there can be a number of relative robots. This invention describes a bipedal robot which can locomote across a periodic lattice structure made of building block parts. The robot is able to handle, manipulate, and transport these blocks when there is more than one robot. Based on a general inchworm design, the robot has added functionality while retaining minimal complexity, and can perform numerous maneuvers for increased speed, reach, and placement.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2017Publication date: December 28, 2017Inventors: Benjamin Jenett, Kenneth Cheung, Neil Gershenfeld
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Patent number: 9809977Abstract: A set of machines and related systems build structures by the additive assembly of discrete parts. These digital material assemblies constrain the constituent parts to a discrete set of possible positions and orientations. In doing so, the structures exhibit many of the properties inherent in digital communication such as error correction, fault tolerance and allow the assembly of precise structures with comparatively imprecise tools. Assembly of discrete cellular lattices by a Modular Isotropic Lattice Extruder System (MILES) is implemented by pulling strings of lattice elements through a forming die that enforces geometry constraints that lock the elements into a rigid structure that can then be pushed against and extruded out of the die as an assembled, loadbearing structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Matthew Eli Carney, Benjamin Jenett, Neil Gershenfeld
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Publication number: 20170314267Abstract: A set of machines and related systems build structures by the additive assembly of discrete parts. These digital material assemblies constrain the constituent parts to a discrete set of possible positions and orientations. In doing so, the structures exhibit many of the properties inherent in digital communication such as error correction, fault tolerance and allow the assembly of precise structures with comparatively imprecise tools. Assembly of discrete cellular lattices by a Modular Isotropic Lattice Extruder System (MILES) is implemented by pulling strings of lattice elements through a forming die that enforces geometry constraints that lock the elements into a rigid structure that can then be pushed against and extruded out of the die as an assembled, load bearing structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Matthew Carney, Benjamin Jenett, Neil Gershenfeld
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Publication number: 20170145694Abstract: A set of machines and related systems build structures by the additive assembly of discrete parts. These digital material assemblies constrain the constituent parts to a discrete set of possible positions and orientations. In doing so, the structures exhibit many of the properties inherent in digital communication such as error correction, fault tolerance and allow the assembly of precise structures with comparatively imprecise tools. Assembly of discrete cellular lattices by a Modular Isotropic Lattice Extruder System (MILES) is implemented by pulling strings of lattice elements through a forming die that enforces geometry constraints that lock the elements into a rigid structure that can then be pushed against and extruded out of the die as an assembled, loadbearing structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2016Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Matthew Eli Carney, Benjamin Jenett, Neil Gershenfeld
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Publication number: 20170043883Abstract: A set of machines and related systems build structures by the additive assembly of discrete parts. These digital material assemblies constrain the constituent parts to a discrete set of possible positions and orientations. In doing so, the structures exhibit many of the properties inherent in digital communication such as error correction, fault tolerance and allow the assembly of precise structures with comparatively imprecise tools. Assembly of discrete cellular lattices by a Modular Isotropic Lattice Extruder System (MILES) is implemented by pulling strings of lattice elements through a forming die that enforces geometry constraints that lock the elements into a rigid structure that can then be pushed against and extruded out of the die as an assembled, loadbearing structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2016Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Matthew Eli Carney, Benjamin Jenett, Neil Greshenfeld