Patents by Inventor Jeffrey S. Vipperman
Jeffrey S. Vipperman 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: 20220346908Abstract: Disclosed adjustable retaining arm systems can include a multi-segmented, articulable arm that holds one or more interchangeable tools and can be made relaxed to set a desired position and made rigid to fix the desired position by adjusting tension in a cable running through the arm. The arm can quickly attach and detach from a support structure. The support structure include a cable tensioning system, sensors, control system, power system, etc. A user input device, such as a foot pedal or button on the arm, can be used by a surgeon to change the arm between relaxed and rigid states. The arm and attachable tools can be detachable, disposable and/or sterilizable, while other system components can remain mounted in a fixed location as the arm is removed and replaced. The arm can hold multiple tools in any desired orientation around subject work location.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Applicants: University of Pittsburgh-Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, UPMCInventors: Jeffrey S. Vipperman, Christopher Michael Dumm, Garth Abraham Elias, Tyler Michael Ferris, Mark Scaife, Peter David Allen
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Patent number: 11382716Abstract: Disclosed adjustable retaining arm systems can include a multi-segmented, articulable arm that holds one or more interchangeable tools and can be made relaxed to set a desired position and made rigid to fix the desired position by adjusting tension in a cable running through the arm. The arm can quickly attach and detach from a support structure. The support structure include a cable tensioning system, sensors, control system, power system, etc. A user input device, such as a foot pedal or button on the arm, can be used by a surgeon to change the arm between relaxed and rigid states. The arm and attachable tools can be detachable, disposable and/or sterilizable, while other system components can remain mounted in a fixed location as the arm is removed and replaced. The arm can hold multiple tools in any desired orientation around subject work location.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2018Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignees: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, UPMCInventors: Jeffrey S. Vipperman, Christopher Michael Dumm, Garth Abraham Elias, Tyler Michael Ferris, Mark Scaife, Peter David Allen
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Publication number: 20210128269Abstract: Disclosed adjustable retaining arm systems can include a multi-segmented, articulable arm that holds one or more interchangeable tools and can be made relaxed to set a desired position and made rigid to fix the desired position by adjusting tension in a cable running through the arm. The arm can quickly attach and detach from a support structure. The support structure include a cable tensioning system, sensors, control system, power system, etc. A user input device, such as a foot pedal or button on the arm, can be used by a surgeon to change the arm between relaxed and rigid states. The arm and attachable tools can be detachable, disposable and/or sterilizable, while other system components can remain mounted in a fixed location as the arm is removed and replaced. The arm can hold multiple tools in any desired orientation around subject work location.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2018Publication date: May 6, 2021Applicants: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, UPMCInventors: Jeffrey S. Vipperman, Christopher Michael Dumm, Garth Abraham Elias, Tyler Michael Ferris, Mark Scaife, Peter David Allen
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Patent number: 7159841Abstract: This invention is directed to a fuel cell operable with a quantity of fuel and a quantity of an oxidizer to produce electrical power, the fuel cell including a fuel cell body including a labyrinth system structured to permit the fuel and the oxidizer to flow therethrough; at least a first catalyst in fluid communication with the labyrinth; and at least a first microvalve operably disposed within at least a portion of the labyrinth. The microvalve utilizes a deflectable member operable upon the application of a voltage from a voltage source.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2003Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Randall Gemmen, Jimmy Thornton, Jeffrey S. Vipperman, William W. Clark
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Publication number: 20040137300Abstract: This paper presents the fabrication and preliminary testing of a novel piezoelectric microvalve. Fabrication has three steps, which are the actuator fabrication, valve body fabrication and assembly of the microvalve. Fabricating an actuator involves cutting piezoelectric and brass beams, gluing the brass and piezoceramic beams into a trimorph sandwich structure, and curing them under pressure at elevated temperatures. Actuators are then wired either by using conductive epoxy or soldering. Valve body parts are constructed from single crystal silicon substrates using deep reactive ion etching (DRIE). DRIE is a subtractive process, whereby a mask is created on the surface of the stock, which will shield the parts that are not to be machined. Refinements in the actuator manufacturing process are made to increase the quality and decrease the fabrication time. Using a photonic probe, tip deflections of the actuators have been tested at various temperature and voltage levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventors: Randall Gemmen, Jimmy Thornton, Jeffrey S. Vipperman, William W. Clark
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Patent number: 5578761Abstract: An adaptive algorithm implemented in digital or analog form is used in conjunction with a voltage controlled amplifier to compensate for the feedthrough capacitance of piezoelectric sensoriactuator. The mechanical response of the piezoelectric sensoriactuator is resolved from the electrical response by adaptively altering the gain imposed on the electrical circuit used for compensation. For wideband, stochastic input disturbances, the feedthrough capacitance of the sensoriactuator can be identified on-line, providing a means of implementing direct-rate-feedback control in analog hardware. The device is capable of on-line system health monitoring since a quasi-stable dynamic capacitance is indicative of sustained health of the piezoelectric element.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1995Date of Patent: November 26, 1996Assignee: Duke UniversityInventors: Robert L. Clark, Jr., Jeffrey S. Vipperman, Daniel G. Cole