Patents by Inventor Hendrik van Brussel
Hendrik van Brussel 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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Patent number: 9027431Abstract: An apparatus having a member that revolves about a remote center of motion (RCM) and a base link coupled to a mounting fixture. A first and second link are pivotably coupled to the member at respective distances from the RCM and are translatable relative to the base link along a first direction, at a fixed ratio of displacement. The ratio of respective distances equals a fixed ratio of displacement. The apparatus has a translational motion generator for a first and second element along parallel opposing directions. The translational motion generator is disposed on the first link and enables motion parallel to the first direction. The base link is fixed in position, the first element is fixed to the base link and the second element is fixed to the second link, such that the first and second link may translate relative to the base link with fixed ratio of displacement.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2010Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Katholieke Universiteit LeuvenInventors: Hsiao-Wei Tang, Hendrik Van Brussel, Jan Peirs, Thierry Janssens
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Patent number: 8653719Abstract: A dynamic three-degree-of-freedom actuator/transducer element comprising at least three piezoceramic actuators and force sensors, as integrated stacks, which are preloaded in the housing by a low-stiffness tension bar, and are constrained, by means of a flexible shell, against shear force and torsion moment, whereby the element, when powered by external voltage source, is able to generate a dynamical axial force and displacement and dynamical bending and moment in the two principal tilt degrees of freedom around two orthogonal axes perpendicular to the principal displacement. When subjected to an axial force or a tilting moment, the transducer is able to generate charges that are proportional to the exerted force and moments.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, K.U.Leuven R&DInventors: Farid Al-Bender, El Said Mohamed Mohamed, Hendrik Van Brussel
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Publication number: 20120204550Abstract: A dynamic three-degree-of-freedom actuator/transducer element comprising at least three piezoceramic actuators and force sensors, as integrated stacks, which are preloaded in the housing by a low-stiffness tension bar, and are constrained, by means of a flexible shell, against shear force and torsion moment, whereby the element, when powered by external voltage source, this actuator/transducer is able to generate a dynamical axial force and displacement and dynamical bending and moment in the two principal tilt degrees of freedom around two orthogonal axes perpendicular to the principal displacement and when subjected to an axial force or a tilting moment, the transducer is able to generate charges that are proportional to the said exerted force and moments.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2010Publication date: August 16, 2012Inventors: Farid Al-Bender, El Said Mohamed Mohamed, Hendrik Van Brussel
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Publication number: 20120132018Abstract: Apparatus comprising a member (6) arranged to revolve about a remote centre of motion (O) and a base link (3) coupled to a mounting fixture (1). A first link (4) and a second link (5) are pivotably coupled to the member at respective distances (L1, L2) from the remote centre of motion (O) and are translatable relative to the base link (3) along a first direction and at a fixed ratio of displacement. The ratio of said respective distances equals said fixed ratio of displacement, enabling the member (6) to revolve about the remote centre of motion. The apparatus is characterised in that it comprises means (7) for generating translational motion of a first element (37) and of a second element (57) along parallel but opposite directions. The means for generating translational motion is provided on the first link (4) and is arranged to provide motion parallel to the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Inventors: Hsiao-Wei Tang, Hendrik Van Brussel, Jan Peirs, Thierry Janssens
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Patent number: 7728488Abstract: A piezoelectric motor has a stator module (1), comprising two pairs of piezoelectric actuators (1a, 1b) and (2a, 2b) inside this stator module. The stator module is fixed by a central fixing point (A). The piezoelectric actuators (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) are connected to the stator module via flexible or biasing elements (3), such as for instance hinges, for instance elastic hinges. The stator module (1) comprises a tuning mechanism (4), comprising at least one mass (4a, 4b) and at least one flexible or biasing element (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d), for instance leaf springs. The stator module (1) is contacted to a driven part (6), for instance a slider, at the contact point (A). The piezoelectric motor is designed such that contact point (B) is able to produce a closed trajectory, thereby inducing a relative motion of the driven part (6). The contact point (B) is moved by applying an electric field to actuators (1a and 1b) and/or by applying an electric field to actuators (2a and 2b).Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2007Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Katholieke Universiteit LeuvenInventors: Dominiek Reynaerts, Hendrik Van Brussel, Wim Van De Vijver
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Publication number: 20090267451Abstract: A piezoelectric motor has a stator module 1, comprising two pairs of piezoelectric actuators Ia, Ib and 2a, 2b inside this stator module. The stator module is fixed by a central fixing point (A). The piezoelectric actuators 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b are connected to the stator module via flexible or biasing elements 3, such as for instance hinges, for instance elastic hinges. The stator module 1 comprises a tuning mechanism 4, comprising at least one mass 4a, 4b and at least one flexible or biasing element 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, for instance leaf springs. The stator module 1 is contacted to a driven part 6, for instance a slider, at the contact point (A). The piezoelectric motor is designed such that contact point (B) is able to produce a closed trajectory, thereby inducing a relative motion of the driven part 6. The contact point (B) is moved by applying an electric field to actuators Ia and Ib and/or by applying an electric field to actuators 2a and 2b.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2007Publication date: October 29, 2009Inventors: Dominiek Reynaerts, Hendrik Van Brussel, Wim Van De Vijver
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Patent number: 7478481Abstract: Laser interferometers and high-quality linear encoders both are competitive linear measurement systems used in high-precision machines. Plane laser interferometry allows measuring to a target that moves perpendicular to the measurement direction and to set up the laser beam in line with the functional point. In this way, a stacking of measurement systems can be avoided and a measurement configuration complying with the Abbe principle can be configured. On the other hand, laser interferometry is known to be sensitive to environmental changes. High-quality linear scales are used as an alternative. A disadvantage of linear scales is that the target is only allowed to move along the measurement axis. For targets translating in more than one direction with a range over several millimeters, this leads to a simple stacking of several linear scales together with the supporting slides. This indirect way of measuring introduces errors and partially destroys the accuracy provided by modern linear scales.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: K.U. Leuven Research & DevelopmentInventors: Dominiek Reynaerts, Jun Qian, Dries Hemschoote, Hendrik Van Brussel
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Publication number: 20080040941Abstract: Laser interferometers and high-quality linear encoders both are competitive linear measurement systems used in high-precision machines. Plane laser interferometry allows measuring to a target that moves perpendicular to the measurement direction and to set up the laser beam in line with the functional point. In this way, a stacking of measurement systems can be avoided and a measurement configuration complying with the Abbe principle can be configured. On the other hand, laser interferometry is known to be sensitive to environmental changes. High-quality linear scales are used as an alternative. A disadvantage of linear scales is that the target is only allowed to move along the measurement axis. For targets translating in more than one direction with a range over several millimetres, this leads to a simple stacking of several linear scales together with the supporting slides. This indirect way of measuring introduces errors and partially destroys the accuracy provided by modern linear scales.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2005Publication date: February 21, 2008Inventors: Dominiek Reynaerts, Jun Qian, Dries Hemschoote, Hendrik Van Brussel
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Patent number: 4735159Abstract: An embroidery machine is presented which automatically executes the embroidery designs stored on a storage medium by electronic and mechanical means; and which records the movements of an embroidery specialist, who executes as a model, the embroidery design to be produced automatically by the machine.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1987Date of Patent: April 5, 1988Assignee: Titan-BarattoInventors: Hendrik van Brussel, Cornelius De Greef, Johnny Hannon