Patents by Inventor John Y. Fu

John Y. Fu 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: 8288922
    Abstract: An example flexoelectric-piezoelectric apparatus provides an electrical response to an applied force, and/or an actuation in response to an applied electric field, that originates from the flexoelectric properties of a component. For example, shaped forms within the apparatus may be configured to yield a stress gradient on application of the force, and the stress gradient induces the flexoelectric signal. A flexoelectric-piezoelectric apparatus can be substituted for a conventional piezoelectric apparatus, but does not require the use of a piezoelectric material. Instead, the response of the apparatus is due to the generation of stress gradients and/or field gradients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: L. Eric Cross, Wenyi Zhu, Nan Li, John Y. Fu, Baojin Chu
  • Publication number: 20110006641
    Abstract: An example flexoelectric-piezoelectric apparatus provides an electrical response to an applied force, and/or an actuation in response to an applied electric field, that originates from the flexoelectric properties of a component. For example, shaped forms within the apparatus may be configured to yield a stress gradient on application of the force, and the stress gradient induces the flexoelectric signal. A flexoelectric-piezoelectric apparatus can be substituted for a conventional piezoelectric apparatus, but does not require the use of a piezoelectric material. Instead, the response of the apparatus is due to the generation of stress gradients and/or field gradients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: L. Eric Cross, Wenyi Zhu, Nan Li, John Y. Fu, Baojin Chu
  • Patent number: 7791248
    Abstract: An example flexoelectric piezoelectric composite has a piezoelectric response, which may be a direct piezoelectric effect, a converse piezoelectric effect, both effects, or only one effect. The flexoelectric composite comprises a first material, which may be substantially isotropic, the first material being present in a shaped form. The shaped form gives a piezoelectric response due to a flexoelectric effect in the first material. The shaped form may have ?m symmetry, or a polar variant of this form such as 4 mm symmetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: L. Eric Cross, Wenyi Zhu, Nan Li, John Y. Fu
  • Publication number: 20090064476
    Abstract: An example flexoelectric piezoelectric material has a piezoelectric response, which may be a direct piezoelectric effect, a converse piezoelectric effect, both effects, or only one effect. A flexoelectric piezoelectric material comprises shaped elements of a material, which may be a substantially isotropic and centrosymmetric material. The shaped elements, such as cones, pyramids, wedges, or other tapered elements, may provide an electrical response in response to stress or strain gradients due to a flexoelectric effect in the material, and may provide a mechanical response in response to electric field gradients. Examples of the present invention include improved methods of fabricating devices comprising such shaped elements, and multi-layer devices having improved properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: L. Eric Cross, Wenyi Zhu, Nan Li, John Y. Fu, Nadine B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20080001504
    Abstract: An example flexoelectric piezoelectric composite has a piezoelectric response, which may be a direct piezoelectric effect, a converse piezoelectric effect, both effects, or only one effect. The flexoelectric composite comprises a first material, which may be substantially isotropic, the first material being present in a shaped form. The shaped form gives a piezoelectric response due to a flexoelectric effect in the first material. The shaped form may have ?m symmetry, or a polar variant of this form such as 4 mm symmetry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: L. E. Cross, Wenyi Zhu, Nan Li, John Y. Fu
  • Patent number: 5524611
    Abstract: Here discloses a swimming mask with a mobile cover which is able to close the air valve when the water comes in and open the air valve when water fades away, allowing only air to be exchanged. Within the plastic protective cover, there is an open valve serves only for the drainage of water that comes into the plastic tube from the upper part of the cover, not allowing any water to come into the tube from the base or the cover. This permits a continuous supply of fresh air. As a visual enhancer, the objective of this invention is to help the beginners to be familiarized with water and gain interest in swimming. As for the swimmers, the objective is to reduce the fatigue caused by the duration and the distance of swimming and by the head-neck coordination for the ventilation process. Young toddlers and kids, with the aid of the swimming mask, are able to learn to swim at a faster rate. This mask promotes efficiency, prevents juvenile swimming accidents, and most of all, reduces the fear of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventor: John Y. Fu