Patents by Inventor David Knutti

David Knutti 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: 7165931
    Abstract: A molecular drag vacuum pump configured for pumping a gas stream from an inlet to an outlet, the pump including a high-speed spinning disk or rotor disposed within a housing. A passageway is formed inside the housing adjacent the disk, and gas comes in contact with surfaces of the spinning disk in successive stages, conformable wipers being disposed adjacent the spinning disk to direct the gas stream to the successive stages. The disk can be powered by an integrated motor, comprising permanent magnets associated with the disk and cooperating coils associated with the housing. The wipers can include parallel ridges on a contacting face to facilitate creation of a conformable fit with the rotor. Seal rings may be disposed against the disk between gas passageways to reduce leakage therebetween, and the pump may include regenerative pumping pockets to help prevent backflow. The housing may have a modular configuration to allow two or more pump modules to be connected and operate in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Sarcos Investments LC
    Inventors: Marc Olivier, Stephen C. Jacobsen, David Knutti
  • Publication number: 20050118014
    Abstract: A molecular drag vacuum pump configured for pumping a gas stream from an inlet to an outlet, the pump including a high-speed spinning disk or rotor disposed within a housing. A passageway is formed inside the housing adjacent the disk, and gas comes in contact with surfaces of the spinning disk in successive stages, conformable wipers being disposed adjacent the spinning disk to direct the gas stream to the successive stages. The disk can be powered by an integrated motor, comprising permanent magnets associated with the disk and cooperating coils associated with the housing. The wipers can include parallel ridges on a contacting face to facilitate creation of a conformable fit with the rotor. Seal rings may be disposed against the disk between gas passageways to reduce leakage therebetween, and the pump may include regenerative pumping pockets to help prevent backflow. The housing may have a modular configuration to allow two or more pump modules to be connected and operate in series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Inventors: Marc Olivier, Stephen Jacobsen, David Knutti
  • Patent number: 6866488
    Abstract: A molecular drag vacuum pump for pumping a gas from an inlet to an outlet includes a high-speed spinning disk disposed within a housing. Gas flows through passageways in the housing adjacent the disk, where it comes into contact with surfaces of the spinning disk. Conformable wipers direct the gas to successive stages adjacent the disk. The pump can be powered by an integrated motor, comprising permanent magnets in the disk and cooperating coils in the housing. The pump can include various features, such as ridges on the wipers, seal rings, and regenerative pumping pockets, to reduce leakage and prevent backflow. The housing can have a modular configuration to allow two or more pump modules to be connected and operate in series. Successive modules may be independently or commonly powered, and may counter-rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Sarcos LC
    Inventors: Marc Olivier, Stephen C. Jacobsen, David Knutti
  • Publication number: 20030082059
    Abstract: A molecular drag vacuum pump configured for pumping a gas stream from an inlet to an outlet, the pump including a high-speed spinning disk or rotor disposed within a housing. A passageway is formed inside the housing adjacent the disk, and gas comes in contact with surfaces of the spinning disk in successive stages, conformable wipers being disposed adjacent the spinning disk to direct the gas stream to the successive stages. The disk can be powered by an integrated motor, comprising permanent magnets associated with the disk and cooperating coils associated with the housing. The wipers can include parallel ridges on a contacting face to facilitate creation of a conformable fit with the rotor. Seal rings may be disposed against the disk between gas passageways to reduce leakage therebetween, and the pump may include regenerative pumping pockets to help prevent backflow. The housing may have a modular configuration to allow two or more pump modules to be connected and operate in series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Sarcos, LC
    Inventors: Marc Olivier, Stephen C. Jacobsen, David Knutti
  • Patent number: 4141359
    Abstract: An improved iontophoresis device for topical administration of ionic drugs or chemicals through epidermal tissue for anesthetizing or sterilizing local tissue or for applying various medicaments without mechanical penetration. An ionic form of drug is conducted through the epidermal tissue by means of direct current generated from a battery powered current source. Pulse-width modulated DC current is regulated by feedback circuitry which varies the pulse duration and adjusts and stabilizes the average current at a desired level. A high voltage capability together with feedback control enables maintenance of a constant current through the highly resistive epidermal tissue. To prevent excessive voltage buildup and the accompanying dangers of shock and burns, a comparator circuit monitors current flow and voltage across the electrodes and automatically triggers an SCR shutdown circuit when impedance readings are outside predetermined limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1979
    Assignee: University of Utah
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Robert L. Stephen, R. Todd Johnson, Richard Luntz, David Knutti