Patents by Inventor Christopher Pruyn Townsend

Christopher Pruyn Townsend 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).

  • Publication number: 20110090888
    Abstract: A method of wirelessly communicating sensor data includes providing a wireless sensor module that includes a sensor and a transmitting circuit. The transmitting circuit is connected for wirelessly transmitting data derived from the sensor for receipt by a receiver connected to the internet for providing information derived from said sensor on the internet. The method also includes using said sensor and wirelessly transmitting data derived from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Steven Willard Arms, Christopher Pruyn Townsend, Michael John Hamel
  • Publication number: 20110093139
    Abstract: A system includes an unmanned vehicle and a separate device. The unmanned vehicle is for approaching the separate device. The unmanned vehicle includes an unmanned vehicle charging circuit. The separate device includes an energy storage device and a power receiving circuit. The unmanned vehicle charging circuit is for transmitting electromagnetic radiation from the unmanned vehicle to the separate device to the power receiving circuit for charging the energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Steven Willard Arms, Christopher Pruyn Townsend, Michael John Hamel
  • Patent number: 7860680
    Abstract: A mobile system powers, charges, and communicates with separate devices, such as sensors and actuators. The mobile system includes an unmanned vehicle for approaching and wirelessly electromagnetically powering the separate device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Willard Arms, Christopher Pruyn Townsend, Michael John Hamel
  • Publication number: 20030234730
    Abstract: A mobile system powers, charges, and communicates with separate devices, such as sensors and actuators. The mobile system includes an unmanned vehicle for approaching and wirelessly electromagnetically powering the separate device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Steven Willard Arms, Christopher Pruyn Townsend, Michail John Hamel
  • Patent number: 6529127
    Abstract: A multidrop network of multichannel, addressable sensing modules (ASM's), to be embedded within a composite structure, remotely powered, and interrogated by a personal computer through a non-contacting inductive link. Each ASM contains a microprocessor with non-volatile memory, multiplexer, programmable gain and filter instrumentation amplifier, and sigma delta analog to digital converter (all housed in two thin surface mount packages). An embedded mothernode includes circuitry for power and data reception (into the structure), and data transmission (back out of the structure). The external interrogation system communicates into the network of ASM's by modulating the AC waveform that delivers power to the embedded electronics. Once addressed, each ASM powers up its programmable (gain & filter) sensing channels (3 full differential or 5 pseudo differential) and data conversion elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Pruyn Townsend, Steven Willard Arms
  • Patent number: 6499368
    Abstract: The novel sensor assembly is comprised of a threaded housing with pressure relief tracks through the threads that terminate at a hole through the housing and a displacement sensor. In the preferred embodiment, we have included an integral connector, a super-elastic core carrier and a Differential Variable Reluctance Transducer. Other sensor types could be used to construct a pressure equalized displacement sensor as described herein, these may include: capacitive, resistive, Hall effect, eddy current, and differential variable transformer. The sensor is attached to a keyed connector and the entire assembly is potted into the housing. A temperature probe can also be potted with this assembly to allow for multiple tasks t1o be performed by this one housing. The housing is threaded on one end to allow for easy mounting. A hole is drilled through the housing just in back of the sensor and two tracks run perpendicular to and slightly deeper than the threads. The tracks connect to the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Willard Arms, Christopher Pruyn Townsend, Steven Ward Mundell
  • Publication number: 20020050925
    Abstract: A multidrop network of multichannel, addressable sensing modules (ASM's), to be embedded within a composite structure, remotely powered, and interrogated by a personal computer through a non-contacting inductive link. Each ASM contains a microprocessor with non-volatile memory, multiplexer, programmable gain and filter instrumentation amplifier, and sigma delta analog to digital converter (all housed in two thin surface mount packages). An embedded mothernode includes circuitry for power and data reception (into the structure), and data transmission (back out of the structure).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 1998
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: STEVEN WILLARD ARMS, CHRISTOPHER PRUYN TOWNSEND