Patents by Inventor Peter Van Wyk
Peter Van Wyk 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: 20240035455Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator assembly comprises a first part, including a surface, a second part which moves relative to the first part across the surface and a resilient biasing element that biases the second part into contact with the first part so as to generate frictional forces therebetween for retaining the second part on the surface. At least one shape memory alloy actuator wire is connected between the first part and the second part and arranged to, on contraction thereof, apply a force to the second part with a component parallel to the surface that drives movement of the second part relative to the first part across the surface. Thus, the second part is retained on the surface when no power is applied to the shape memory alloy wire, and movement is achieved when power is applied.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, Peter Van Wyk
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Publication number: 20230384862Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide haptic button assemblies in which the haptic button has a low profile while still providing a satisfying tactile response or sensation to a user. Advantageously, the haptic button assemblies may have a profile that, for example, enables the assembly to be incorporated into the free space along an edge of a portable computing device. The haptic assemblies may, for example, be arranged to move the button perpendicularly with respect to the edge of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: David Kuan Wei Ooi, Peter Van Wyk, Joshua Carr, Thomas James Powell, Marc-Sebastian Scholz, Andreas Flouris, Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, Stephen Matthew Bunting, Dominic George Webber, James Howarth
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Patent number: 11821410Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator assembly comprises a first part, including a surface, a second part which moves relative to the first part across the surface and a resilient biasing element that biases the second part into contact with the first part so as to generate frictional forces therebetween for retaining the second part on the surface. At least one shape memory alloy actuator wire is connected between the first part and the second part and arranged to, on contraction thereof, apply a force to the second part with a component parallel to the surface that drives movement of the second part relative to the first part across the surface. Thus, the second part is retained on the surface when no power is applied to the shape memory alloy wire, and movement is achieved when power is applied.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITEDInventors: Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, Peter Van Wyk
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Patent number: 11762468Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide haptic button assemblies in which the haptic button has a low profile while still providing a satisfying tactile response or sensation to a user. Advantageously, the haptic button assemblies may have a profile that, for example, enables the assembly to be incorporated into the free space along an edge of a portable computing device. The haptic assemblies may, for example, be arranged to move the button perpendicularly with respect to the edge of the device.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2019Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITEDInventors: David Kuan Wei Ooi, Peter Van Wyk, Joshua Carr, Thomas James Powell, Marc-Sebastian Scholz, Andreas Flouris, Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, Stephen Matthew Bunting, Dominic George Webber, James Howarth
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Publication number: 20230213836Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator (100) for a camera assembly, comprising:—a support structure supporting an electronic component, wherein the electronic component is susceptible to interference caused by magnetic flux;—a moveable part moveable relative to the support structure; one or more SMA components (12) connected between the moveable part and the support structure, wherein the one or more SMA components are configured to, on contraction, drive movement of the movable part;—a first electrical path and a second electrical path defined between, and/or including, each of the one or more SMA components (12) and respective electrical terminals (3a); and wherein the first and second electrical paths of each of the one or more SMA components are configured to, at least in part, extend adjacently to and in parallel with each other, and enabling the electrical current in the respective paths to flow in opposite directions, so as to minimise combined magnetic flux from the first and second electrical paths intoType: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2021Publication date: July 6, 2023Inventors: Robin Eddington, James Howarth, Konstantinos Pantelidis, Stephen Matthew Bunting, Daniel John Burbridge, Oliver Hart, Joshua Carr, Peter Van Wyk, Stephen Kindness
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Publication number: 20230204900Abstract: The actuator assembly comprises a first part (102), a second part (110) and a helical bearing arrangement. The helical bearing arrangement is arranged to guide helical movement of the second part with respect to the first part around a helical axis H such that rotation of the second part around the helical axis is converted into helical movement of the second part. The first and second parts comprise respective stops (152, 162) that are arranged such that the stops are spaced from each other throughout an operating range of said helical movement of the second part relative to the first part. The stops are configured to engage if the second part is moved relative to the first part in at least one direction other than the direction of said helical movement such that the engagement of the stops restricts relative movement of the first and second parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2021Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventors: Oliver Hart, Peter Van Wyk, Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, David Ooi, Joshua Carr
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Publication number: 20230032266Abstract: An actuation apparatus comprising: a support structure; a movable element; a helical bearing arrangement supporting the movable element on the support structure and arranged to guide helical movement of the movable element with respect to the support structure along a helical path around a helical axis; an actuating mechanism configured to drive rotation of the movable element around the helical axis which the helical bearing arrangement converts into said helical movement; and a loading arrangement configured to exert a biasing force on the movable element in a direction that is at least substantially normal to the helical path over an operating range of the helical movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2020Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Stephen Matthew Bunting, Oliver Hart, David Ooi, Peter Van Wyk, Joshua Carr
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Publication number: 20220397104Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator assembly comprises a first part, including a surface, a second part which moves relative to the first part across the surface and a resilient biasing element that biases the second part into contact with the first part so as to generate frictional forces therebetween for retaining the second part on the surface. At least one shape memory alloy actuator wire is connected between the first part and the second part and arranged to, on contraction thereof, apply a force to the second part with a component parallel to the surface that drives movement of the second part relative to the first part across the surface. Thus, the second part is retained on the surface when no power is applied to the shape memory alloy wire, and movement is achieved when power is applied.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2022Publication date: December 15, 2022Inventors: Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, Peter VAn Wyk
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Patent number: 11448199Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator assembly comprises a first part, including a surface, a second part which moves relative to the first part across the surface and a resilient biasing element that biases the second part into contact with the first part so as to generate frictional forces therebetween for retaining the second part on the surface. At least one shape memory alloy actuator wire is connected between the first part and the second part and arranged to, on contraction thereof, apply a force to the second part with a component parallel to the surface that drives movement of the second part relative to the first part across the surface. Thus, the second part is retained on the surface when no power is applied to the shape memory alloy wire, and movement is achieved when power is applied.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Cambridge Mechatronics LimitedInventors: Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, Peter Van Wyk
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Publication number: 20220018338Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator assembly comprises a first part, including a surface, a second part which moves relative to the first part across the surface and a resilient biasing element that biases the second part into contact with the first part so as to generate frictional forces therebetween for retaining the second part on the surface. At least one shape memory alloy actuator wire is connected between the first part and the second part and arranged to, on contraction thereof, apply a force to the second part with a component parallel to the surface that drives movement of the second part relative to the first part across the surface. Thus, the second part is retained on the surface when no power is applied to the shape memory alloy wire, and movement is achieved when power is applied.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2019Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, Peter Van Wyk
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Publication number: 20210405754Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide haptic button assemblies with a shape memory alloy actuator (SMA) in which the haptic button has a low profile while still providing a satisfying tactile response or sensation to a user. Advantageously, the haptic button assemblies may have a profile that, for example, enables the assembly to be incorporated into the free space along an edge of a portable computing device. The haptic assemblies may for example, be arranged to move the button perpendicularly with respect to the edge of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2019Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Peter Van Wyk, Andreas Flouris, Joshua Carr, Marc-Sebastian Scholz
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Publication number: 20210365120Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide haptic button assemblies in which the haptic button has a low profile while still providing a satisfying tactile response or sensation to a user. Advantageously, the haptic button assemblies may have a profile that, for example, enables the assembly to be incorporated into the free space along an edge of a portable computing device. The haptic assemblies may, for example, be arranged to move the button perpendicularly with respect to the edge of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2019Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: David Kuan Wei Ooi, Peter Van Wyk, Joshua Carr, Thomas James Powell, Marc-Sebastian Scholz, Andreas Flouris, Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, Stephen Matthew Bunting, Dominic George Webber, James Howarth