Patents by Inventor Brian Coyne

Brian Coyne 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).

  • Patent number: 11874143
    Abstract: An exemplary encoder assembly includes a substrate, a first encoder, and a second encoder. The substrate has two or more position sensors, each position sensor being configured for detecting a rotary position of a shaft or other rotating element of a machine. The first encoder includes at least one first position sensor of the two or more position sensors. The at least one first position sensor is disposed on the substrate for off-axis alignment with the shaft or other rotating element of the machine. The second encoder includes a second position sensor of the two or more position sensors, the second position sensor being disposed on the substrate for on-axis or off-axis alignment with the shaft or other rotating element of the machine. Each position sensor is configured to detect different or common signal types, and a signal type of the second position sensor excludes optical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Brian Coyne, Yuki Katoh
  • Patent number: 11788581
    Abstract: A bearing unit is provided with a strain element for torque detection. The strain element is provided with a first annular part attached to a rotation-side member, a second annular part attached to a load-side member, and a plurality of ribs serving as strained parts linking the first annular part and the second annular part together. One of an inner race and an outer race is integrally formed on the first annular part of the strain element. Deformation, which occurs in the ribs of the strain element due to torque exerted on the rotation-side member from the load-side member, is detected by a strain gauge, etc., and converted to torque. The strain element for torque detection can be incorporated into a motor, a reducer, or another rotary propulsion unit without the need for a dedicated installation space and without the need for fastening fittings, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Yuki Kato, Douglas Olson, Brian Coyne
  • Publication number: 20220381549
    Abstract: An exemplary encoder assembly includes a substrate, a first encoder, and a second encoder. The substrate has two or more position sensors, each position sensor being configured for detecting a rotary position of a shaft or other rotating element of a machine. The first encoder includes at least one first position sensor of the two or more position sensors. The at least one first position sensor is disposed on the substrate for off-axis alignment with the shaft or other rotating element of the machine. The second encoder includes a second position sensor of the two or more position sensors, the second position sensor being disposed on the substrate for on-axis or off-axis alignment with the shaft or other rotating element of the machine. Each position sensor is configured to detect different or common signal types, and a signal type of the second position sensor excludes optical signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Brian COYNE, Yuki KATOH
  • Publication number: 20220316528
    Abstract: A bearing unit is provided with a strain element for torque detection. The strain element is provided with a first annular part attached to a rotation-side member, a second annular part attached to a load-side member, and a plurality of ribs serving as strained parts linking the first annular part and the second annular part together. One of an inner race and an outer race is integrally formed on the first annular part of the strain element. Deformation, which occurs in the ribs of the strain element due to torque exerted on the rotation-side member from the load-side member, is detected by a strain gauge, etc., and converted to torque. The strain element for torque detection can be incorporated into a motor, a reducer, or another rotary propulsion unit without the need for a dedicated installation space and without the need for fastening fittings, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Yuki KATO, Douglas OLSON, Brian COYNE
  • Patent number: 11359938
    Abstract: An exemplary encoder assembly includes a substrate, a first encoder, and a second encoder. The substrate has two or more position sensors, each position sensor being configured for detecting a rotary position of a shaft or other rotating element of a machine. The first encoder includes at least one first position sensor of the two or more position sensors. The at least one first position sensor is disposed on the substrate for off-axis alignment with the shaft or other rotating element of the machine. The second encoder includes a second position sensor of the two or more position sensors, the second position sensor being disposed on the substrate for on-axis or off-axis alignment with the shaft or other rotating element of the machine. Each position sensor is configured to detect different or common signal types, and a signal type of the second position sensor excludes optical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Brian Coyne, Yuki Katoh
  • Publication number: 20210310834
    Abstract: An exemplary encoder assembly includes a substrate, a first encoder, and a second encoder. The substrate has two or more position sensors, each position sensor being configured for detecting a rotary position of a shaft or other rotating element of a machine. The first encoder includes at least one first position sensor of the two or more position sensors. The at least one first position sensor is disposed on the substrate for off-axis alignment with the shaft or other rotating element of the machine. The second encoder includes a second position sensor of the two or more position sensors, the second position sensor being disposed on the substrate for on-axis or off-axis alignment with the shaft or other rotating element of the machine. Each position sensor is configured to detect different or common signal types, and a signal type of the second position sensor excludes optical signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Brian COYNE, Yuki KATOH
  • Publication number: 20090216588
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a user enters information regarding a business entity for classification of the business entity. Thereafter, a user views a series of questions and when those questions are pre-populated with answers a user can keep the pre-populated answer or replace the pre-populated answer with a different answer. The data submitted by the user can be transmitted towards a server (for subsequent updating of the populated answers in the server) and/or analyzed using the populated answers to determine a return on investment of equipment prior to purchasing equipment; and/or for an analysis of the business entity's current equipment. Embodiments of the invention also include other methods, computer-readable mediums, apparatuses, and systems that contain features similar to the features in the above described method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Brian Coyne, Trajan Bayly, Scott E. Wiley
  • Patent number: D681397
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Brian Coyne