Patents by Inventor Harsha Prahlad
Harsha Prahlad 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: 20120313854Abstract: The present invention relates to an adaptable input/output device. One embodiment of a hardware device for facilitating an interaction between a computing system and a user, the hardware device includes an adaptable surface for supporting the interaction, where the adaptable surface is dynamically deformable under a control of the computing system, and one or more sensors, in communication with the computing system, for detecting a physical presence that is not in direct contact with the adaptable surface. The computing system is configured to cause a deformation of the adaptable surface in response to the physical presence.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Inventors: RUKMAN SENANAYAKE, GRIT DENKER, PATRICK D. LINCOLN, ROY D. KORNBLUH, SIERRA J. LINCOLN, RICHARD P. HEYDT, HARSHA PRAHLAD, DANIEL McCONNELL AUKES, KARL D. van DYK, GEOFFREY A. MANGUS, JOSEPH S. ECKERLE
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Publication number: 20120313857Abstract: The present invention relates to an adaptable input/output device. One embodiment of a hardware device for facilitating an interaction between a computing system and a user includes: an interaction surface for supporting the interaction, a single actuator capable of driving a first region of the interaction surface, and a first selective clamping mechanism capable of restricting movement of one or more second regions of the interaction surface that partly intersect the first region, wherein a displacement of one or more desired portions of the interaction surface is dynamically controllable.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Inventors: Rukman Senanayake, Grit Denker, Patrick D. Lincoln, Roy D. Kornbluh, Sierra J. Lincoln, Richard P. Heydt, Harsha Prahlad, Daniel McConnell Aukes, Karl D. van Dyk, Geoffrey A. Mangus, Joseph S. Eckerle
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Publication number: 20120144950Abstract: A selectively rigidizable and actively steerable device is described. In one aspect, an articulatable device is described that includes a flexible inner tube having a first lumen, a flexible outer tube that receives the inner tube, and a multiplicity of overlapping, rigidizable scale-like strips. Each scale-like strip is coupled with the inner tube and positioned between the inner and outer tubes. Of particular note, the overlapping strips are actuatable between a non-rigidized state in which overlapping strips are slideable relative to one another and a rigidized state in which overlapping strips are not slideable relative to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2012Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Pablo GARCIA, Thomas LOW, Bryan CHAVEZ, Harsha PRAHLAD
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Publication number: 20120120544Abstract: Described herein is electroadhesion technology that permits controllable adherence between two objects. Electroadhesion uses electrostatic forces of attraction produced by an electrostatic adhesion voltage, which is applied using electrodes in an electroadhesive device. The electrostatic adhesion voltage produces an electric field and electrostatic adherence forces. When the electroadhesive device and electrodes are positioned near a surface of an object such as a vertical wall, the electrostatic adherence forces hold the electroadhesive device in position relative to the surface and object. This can be used to increase traction or maintain the position of the electroadhesive device relative to a surface. Electric control of the electrostatic adhesion voltage permits the adhesion to be controllably and readily turned on and off.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2012Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. PELRINE, Harsha Prahlad, Joseph S. Eckerle, Roy D. Kornbluh, Scott E. Stanford
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Patent number: 8125758Abstract: Described herein is electroadhesion technology that permits controllable adherence between two objects. Electroadhesion uses electrostatic forces of attraction produced by an electrostatic adhesion voltage, which is applied using electrodes in an electroadhesive device. The electrostatic adhesion voltage produces an electric field and electrostatic adherence forces. When the electroadhesive device and electrodes are positioned near a surface of an object such as a vertical wall, the electrostatic adherence forces hold the electroadhesive device in position relative to the surface and object. This can be used to increase traction or maintain the position of the electroadhesive device relative to a surface. Electric control of the electrostatic adhesion voltage permits the adhesion to be controllably and readily turned on and off.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Harsha Prahlad, Joseph S. Eckerle, Roy D. Kornbluh, Scott E. Stanford
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Patent number: 8125755Abstract: A selectively rigidizable and actively steerable device is described. In one aspect, an articulatable device is described that includes a flexible inner tube having a first lumen, a flexible outer tube that receives the inner tube, and a multiplicity of overlapping, rigidizable scale-like strips. Each scale-like strip is coupled with the inner tube and positioned between the inner and outer tubes. Of particular note, the overlapping strips are actuatable between a non-rigidized state in which overlapping strips are slideable relative to one another and a rigidized state in which overlapping strips are not slideable relative to one another.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Pablo Garcia, Thomas Low, Bryan Chavez, Harsha Prahlad
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Patent number: 8111500Abstract: Described herein is electroadhesion technology that permits controllable adherence between two objects. Electroadhesion uses electrostatic forces of attraction produced by an electrostatic adhesion voltage, which is applied using electrodes in an electroadhesive device. The electrostatic adhesion voltage produces an electric field and electrostatic adherence forces. When the electroadhesive device and electrodes are positioned near a surface of an object such as a vertical wall, the electrostatic adherence forces hold the electroadhesive device in position relative to the surface and object. This can be used to increase traction or maintain the position of the electroadhesive device relative to a surface. Electric control of the electrostatic adhesion voltage permits the adhesion to be controllably and readily turned on and off.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2010Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Harsha Prahlad, Roy D. Kornbluh, Patrick D. Lincoln, Scott Stanford
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Publication number: 20110315477Abstract: A method of stabilizing a ladder is provided by attaching one or more electroadhesive devices to an attachment point on the ladder and contacting the device to a surface such as a wall or the floor. The electrostatic force achieved by applying a voltage difference in the device provides decreased ladder slip angles or increased shear forces required to create ladder slippage thereby improving ladder stability.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2010Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicants: SRI InternationalInventors: Harsha Prahlad, Ronald E. Pelrine, Peter Simeonov, Hongwei Hsiao
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Publication number: 20110193362Abstract: An electroadhesive gripping device or system includes a plurality of electroadhesive gripping surfaces, each having electrode(s) and each configured to be placed against respective surface regions of a foreign object, such that one or more electroadhesive forces can be provided between the electroadhesive gripping surfaces and the foreign object. Such electroadhesive forces operating to hold the foreign object against the electroadhesive gripping surfaces while the foreign object is held or moved by the electroadhesive gripping system. The electroadhesive gripping surfaces can be arranged onto a plurality of continuous fingers, and various gripping surfaces on each finger can be coupled together and manipulated with respect to each other by an actuating component, such as a cable actuator. A variable voltage can be delivered to the electrodes to control the amount of electroadhesive force generated, such that only a portion of a foreign object is held or moved.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2010Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Harsha PRAHLAD, Ronald E. PELRINE, Pablo E. GARCIA, Richard MAHONEY, Joseph S. ECKERLE
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Patent number: 7977923Abstract: Described herein is a generator with an electroactive polymer transducer. The transducer has a capacitance that varies with deflection of a polymer included in the transducer. The generator also includes a generator circuit, coupled to the electroactive polymer transducer, that includes a capacitor. The generator circuit is configured such that the capacitor collects electrical energy from the electroactive polymer transducer in response to a change in capacitance of the polymer.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2008Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Joseph S. Eckerle, Harsha Prahlad
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Publication number: 20110110010Abstract: Described herein is electroadhesion technology that permits controllable adherence between two objects. Electroadhesion uses electrostatic forces of attraction produced by an electrostatic adhesion voltage, which is applied using electrodes in an electroadhesive device. The electrostatic adhesion voltage produces an electric field and electrostatic adherence forces. When the electroadhesive device and electrodes are positioned near a surface of an object such as a vertical wall, the electrostatic adherence forces hold the electroadhesive device in position relative to the surface and object. This can be used to increase traction or maintain the position of the electroadhesive device relative to a surface. Electric control of the electrostatic adhesion voltage permits the adhesion to be controllably and readily turned on and off.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Harsha Prahlad, Roy D. Kornbluh, Patrick D. Lincoln, Scott Stanford
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Patent number: 7895985Abstract: Combustion devices described herein comprise a compliant combustion chamber wall or segment. The compliant segment deforms during combustion in the combustion chamber. Some devices may include a compliant wall configured to stretch responsive to pressure generated by combustion of a fuel in the combustion chamber. A coupling portion translates deformation of the compliant segment or wall into mechanical output. One or more ports are configured to inlet an oxygen source and fuel into the combustion chamber and to outlet exhaust gases from the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Scott E. Stanford, Harsha Prahlad, Seajin Oh, Jonathan Heim, Roy D. Kornbluh
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Patent number: 7872850Abstract: Described herein is electroadhesion technology that permits controllable adherence between two objects. Electroadhesion uses electrostatic forces of attraction produced by an electrostatic adhesion voltage, which is applied using electrodes in an electroadhesive device. The electrostatic adhesion voltage produces an electric field and electrostatic adherence forces. When the electroadhesive device and electrodes are positioned near a surface of an object such as a vertical wall, the electrostatic adherence forces hold the electroadhesive device in position relative to the surface and object. This can be used to increase traction or maintain the position of the electroadhesive device relative to a surface. Electric control of the electrostatic adhesion voltage permits the adhesion to be controllably and readily turned on and off.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2009Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Harsha Prahlad, Roy D. Kornbluh, Patrick D. Lincoln, Scott Stanford
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Publication number: 20100271746Abstract: Described herein is electroadhesion technology that permits controllable adherence between two objects. Electroadhesion uses electrostatic forces of attraction produced by an electrostatic adhesion voltage, which is applied using electrodes in an electroadhesive device. The electrostatic adhesion voltage produces an electric field and electrostatic adherence forces. When the electroadhesive device and electrodes are positioned near a surface of an object such as a vertical wall, the electrostatic adherence forces hold the electroadhesive device in position relative to the surface and object. This can be used to increase traction or maintain the position of the electroadhesive device relative to a surface. Electric control of the electrostatic adhesion voltage permits the adhesion to be controllably and readily turned on and off.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Harsha Prahlad, Joseph S. Eckerle, Roy D. Kornbluh, Scott Stanford
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Patent number: 7804227Abstract: Described herein are several solutions that increase transducer lifetime by reducing or preventing tear propagation in a compliant electroactive polymer. One solution couples a compliant tear resistant treatment to a transducer proximate to an edge portion of the electroactive polymer. Another solution uses a tear resistant layer that couples to and covers a large surface area of the transducer. Another suitable tear resistant solution provides added material outside an active area; the added material reduces stress or strain variations in polymer material outside the active area when the electroactive polymer transducer is deflected or pre-strained.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2008Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Harsha Prahlad, Sunity K. Sharma, Bryan Chavez, Donald E. Czyzyk, Annjoe Wong-Foy, Scott E. Stanford
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Patent number: 7787646Abstract: The present invention provides electroactive polymer transducers that produce out-of-plane deflections. The transducers form a set of surface features based on deflection of an electroactive polymer. The set of surface features may include elevated polymer surface features and/or depressed electrode surface features. Actuation of an active area may produce the polymer deflection that creates one or more surface features. A passive layer may operably connect to a polymer. The passive layer may comprise a thicker and softer material to amplify polymer thickness changes and increase surface feature visibility.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Harsha Prahlad
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Patent number: 7773363Abstract: Described herein is electroadhesion technology that permits controllable adherence between two objects. Electroadhesion uses electrostatic forces of attraction produced by an electrostatic adhesion voltage, which is applied using electrodes in an electroadhesive device. The electrostatic adhesion voltage produces an electric field and electrostatic adherence forces. When the electroadhesive device and electrodes are positioned near a surface of an object such as a vertical wall, the electrostatic adherence forces hold the electroadhesive device in position relative to the surface and object. This can be used to increase traction or maintain the position of the electroadhesive device relative to a surface. Electric control of the electrostatic adhesion voltage permits the adhesion to be controllably and readily turned on and off.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Harsha Prahlad, Joseph S. Eckerle, Roy D. Kornbluh, Scott Stanford
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Publication number: 20100059298Abstract: Described herein is electroadhesion technology that permits controllable adherence between two objects. Electroadhesion uses electrostatic forces of attraction produced by an electrostatic adhesion voltage, which is applied using electrodes in an electroadhesive device. The electrostatic adhesion voltage produces an electric field and electrostatic adherence forces. When the electroadhesive device and electrodes are positioned near a surface of an object such as a vertical wall, the electrostatic adherence forces hold the electroadhesive device in position relative to the surface and object. This can be used to increase traction or maintain the position of the electroadhesive device relative to a surface. Electric control of the electrostatic adhesion voltage permits the adhesion to be controllably and readily turned on and off.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2009Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Harsha Prahlad, Roy D. Kornbluh, Patrick D. Lincoln, Scott Stanford
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Publication number: 20100027187Abstract: Described herein is electroadhesion technology that permits controllable adherence between two objects. Electroadhesion uses electrostatic forces of attraction produced by an electrostatic adhesion voltage, which is applied using electrodes in an electroadhesive device. The electrostatic adhesion voltage produces an electric field and electrostatic adherence forces. When the electroadhesive device and electrodes are positioned near a surface of an object such as a vertical wall, the electrostatic adherence forces hold the electroadhesive device in position relative to the surface and object. This can be used to increase traction or maintain the position of the electroadhesive device relative to a surface. Electric control of the electrostatic adhesion voltage permits the adhesion to be controllably and readily turned on and off.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2007Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Ronald E. PELRINE, Harsha PRAHLAD, Joseph S. ECKERLE, Roy D. KORNBLUH, Scott STANFORD
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Patent number: 7649276Abstract: Described herein are marine devices and methods that convert mechanical energy in one or more waves to mechanical energy that is better suited for conversion into electrical energy. The marine devices employ a mechanical energy conversion system that harnesses wave energy and converts it into limited motion that is suitable for input to an electrical energy generator.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Roy D. Kornbluh, Ronald E. Pelrine, Harsha Prahlad, Seiki Chiba, Joseph S. Eckerle, Bryan Chavez, Scott E. Stanford, Thomas Low