Patents by Inventor Shardul S. Panwar
Shardul S. Panwar 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: 11949349Abstract: An artificial muscle assembly includes initiating actuators and an artificial muscle. The artificial muscle includes a housing including an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region. The electrode pair includes a first electrode and a second electrode fixed to respective first and second surfaces of the housing. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a central opening defining the expandable fluid region. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs a dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region. Each initiating actuator is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state applies a force against the electrode region of the artificial muscle.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Michael P. Rowe, Shardul S. Panwar, Maduran Palaniswamy
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Publication number: 20240060480Abstract: An actuator that includes a shell, a ring structure within the shell, a shape-memory material wire fixed at opposite points of the ring structure to extend in a first direction across a width of the ring structure, and a cooling fluid provided within the shell and in fluid communication with the shape-memory material wire. When the shape-memory material wire is heated, the shape-memory material wire contracts in the first direction to reduce the width of the ring structure and increases a height of the ring structure extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shardul S. Panwar, Michael P. Rowe, Maduran Palaniswamy, Ryohei Tsuruta
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Patent number: 11885428Abstract: A valve includes a substrate, a shape-memory wire, a conductive polymer, and a current source. The substrate defines an opening therethrough and includes at least one flap selectively extendable across the opening. The shape-memory wire is coupled to the at least one flap. The conductive polymer is coupled to the at least one flap. The current source is coupled to the shape-memory wire and the conductive polymer, such that electrical current from the current source selectively energizes the shape-memory wire and the conductive polymer thereby moving the at least one flap between a closed position and an open position.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Shardul S. Panwar, Deborah Bumgardner, Ryohei Tsuruta
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Patent number: 11841008Abstract: An actuator that includes a shell, a ring structure within the shell, a shape-memory material wire fixed at opposite points of the ring structure to extend in a first direction across a width of the ring structure, and a cooling fluid provided within the shell and in fluid communication with the shape-memory material wire. When the shape-memory material wire is heated, the shape-memory material wire contracts in the first direction to reduce the width of the ring structure and increases a height of the ring structure extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2023Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shardul S. Panwar, Michael P. Rowe, Maduran Palaniswamy, Ryohei Tsuruta
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Publication number: 20230374977Abstract: An actuator that includes a shell, a ring structure within the shell, a shape-memory material wire fixed at opposite points of the ring structure to extend in a first direction across a width of the ring structure, and a cooling fluid provided within the shell and in fluid communication with the shape-memory material wire. When the shape-memory material wire is heated, the shape-memory material wire contracts in the first direction to reduce the width of the ring structure and increases a height of the ring structure extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shardul S. Panwar, Michael P. Rowe, Maduran Palaniswamy, Ryohei Tsuruta
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Patent number: 11773878Abstract: An artificial muscle includes a housing including an electrode region, an expandable fluid region, a first film layer, and a second film layer. The first film layer and the second film layer each include an inner protective layer having a first elasticity, an outer protective layer having a second elasticity, and a reinforcing layer provided between the inner protective layer and the outer protective layer, the reinforcing layer having a third elasticity greater than the first elasticity of the inner protective layer and the second elasticity of the outer protective layer. The artificial muscle further includes an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing and between the first film layer and the second film layer, and a dielectric fluid housed within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Rowe, Maduran Palaniswamy, Shardul S. Panwar
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Publication number: 20230291332Abstract: An artificial muscle assembly includes initiating actuators and an artificial muscle. The artificial muscle includes a housing including an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region. The electrode pair includes a first electrode and a second electrode fixed to respective first and second surfaces of the housing. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a central opening defining the expandable fluid region. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs a dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region. Each initiating actuator is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state applies a force against the electrode region of the artificial muscle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2022Publication date: September 14, 2023Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Rowe, Shardul S. Panwar, Maduran Palaniswamy
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Patent number: 11724384Abstract: An artificial muscle including a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, the housing defining an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, a strain sensor integrated into at least one of the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion of the housing, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the electrode pair is configured to actuate between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region to deform the strain sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Rowe, Shardul S. Panwar
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Patent number: 11680559Abstract: A hybrid actuation device including an artificial muscle is disclosed. The artificial muscle includes a housing including a first reinforcing thread extending across an expandable fluid region of the housing, an electrode pair positioned in an electrode region of the housing, and a dielectric fluid housed within the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode positioned adjacent a first surface of the housing and a second electrode positioned adjacent a second surface of the housing. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region. The first reinforcing thread restricts expansion of the expandable fluid region when the electrode pair is in the actuated state.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2022Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Rowe, Shardul S. Panwar, Maduran Palaniswamy
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Publication number: 20230182288Abstract: An artificial muscle including a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, the housing defining an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, a strain sensor integrated into at least one of the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion of the housing, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the electrode pair is configured to actuate between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region to deform the strain sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2021Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Rowe, Shardul S. Panwar
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Patent number: 11677336Abstract: A variable stiffening device that include a first electrode structure and a second electrode structure. The first electrode structure includes an electrode extension that extends into a cavity defined between an electrode of the first electrode structure and an opposing electrode of the second electrode structure. The first and second electrode structures may be arranged in a load-bearing state by applying a voltage thereto to electrostatically attract the electrode to the opposing electrode to press the electrode extension within the cavity. Friction between the electrode extension and engaging surfaces defining the cavity prevent the electrode extension from slipping within the cavity, thereby maintaining a structural relationship among the components of the first and second electrode structures in response to an application of a load to the variable stiffening device.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2022Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Rowe, Shardul S. Panwar
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Patent number: 11601075Abstract: A layered actuation structure includes a first platform pair and a second platform pair. Each of the first platform pair and the second platform pair include an actuation platform and a mounting platform, forming an actuation cavity of each of the first platform pair and the second platform pair. One or more connecting ledges of each platform pair couple at least one of the actuation platform and the mounting platform of each platform pair to at least one of an actuation arm and a support arm, respectively. A collective stiffness of the one or more connecting ledges of the first platform pair is different than a collective stiffness of the one or more connecting ledges of the second platform pair. The layered actuation structure also includes one or more artificial muscles disposed in the actuation cavity of the first platform pair and the second platform pair.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Rowe, Shardul S. Panwar, Maduran Palaniswamy
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Patent number: 11592010Abstract: An actuator that includes a shell, a ring structure within the shell, a shape-memory material wire fixed at opposite points of the ring structure to extend in a first direction across a width of the ring structure, and a cooling fluid provided within the shell and in fluid communication with the shape-memory material wire. When the shape-memory material wire is heated, the shape-memory material wire contracts in the first direction to reduce the width of the ring structure and increases a height of the ring structure extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2022Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shardul S. Panwar, Michael P. Rowe, Maduran Palaniswamy, Ryohei Tsuruta
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Patent number: 11542925Abstract: A hybrid actuation device that includes a first plate coupled to a second plate, a shape memory alloy wire coupled to the first plate, and an artificial muscle positioned between the first plate and the second plate. The artificial muscle includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a first electrode and a second electrode each disposed in the electrode region of the housing and a dielectric fluid disposed within the housing. The expandable fluid region of the housing is positioned apart from a perimeter of the first plate and the second plate.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Michael P. Rowe, Ryohei Tsuruta, Shardul S. Panwar, Maduran Palaniswamy, Max P. Herzog, Paul A. Gilmore
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Publication number: 20220373095Abstract: A valve includes a substrate, a shape-memory wire, a conductive polymer, and a current source. The substrate defines an opening therethrough and includes at least one flap selectively extendable across the opening. The shape-memory wire is coupled to the at least one flap. The conductive polymer is coupled to the at least one flap. The current source is coupled to the shape-memory wire and the conductive polymer, such that electrical current from the current source selectively energizes the shape-memory wire and the conductive polymer thereby moving the at least one flap between a closed position and an open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2021Publication date: November 24, 2022Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Shardul S. Panwar, Deborah Bumgardner, Ryohei Tsuruta
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Publication number: 20220321033Abstract: A layered actuation structure includes a first platform pair and a second platform pair. Each of the first platform pair and the second platform pair include an actuation platform and a mounting platform, forming an actuation cavity of each of the first platform pair and the second platform pair. One or more connecting ledges of each platform pair couple at least one of the actuation platform and the mounting platform of each platform pair to at least one of an actuation arm and a support arm, respectively. A collective stiffness of the one or more connecting ledges of the first platform pair is different than a collective stiffness of the one or more connecting ledges of the second platform pair. The layered actuation structure also includes one or more artificial muscles disposed in the actuation cavity of the first platform pair and the second platform pair.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Rowe, Shardul S. Panwar, Maduran Palaniswamy
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Patent number: 11421664Abstract: An artificial muscle drive unit includes a base and an artificial muscle disposed on the base. The artificial muscle includes an expandable reservoir and a fluid. The fluid is movable within said expandable reservoir to switch the artificial muscle between a non-actuated state in which a dimension of the artificial muscle in a movement direction is a minimum value, and an actuated state, in which the dimension of the artificial muscle is a maximum value. The artificial muscle drive unit also includes a load-bearing support disposed on the base, the load-bearing support comprising a dimension in the movement direction that is greater than or equal to the minimum value.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Michael P. Rowe, Shardul S. Panwar, Maduran Palaniswamy
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Publication number: 20220243743Abstract: An artificial muscle that includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region, the electrode pair having a first electrode fixed to a first surface of the housing and a second electrode fixed to a second surface of the housing. The first and second electrodes each have two or more tab portions and two or more bridge portions. Each of the two or more bridge portions interconnects adjacent tab portions and at least one of the first and second electrodes includes a central opening positioned between the two or more tab portions and encircling the expandable fluid region. A dielectric fluid is housed within the housing and the electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated to actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Rowe, Shardul S. Panwar, Madison B. Emmett
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Patent number: 11339805Abstract: An artificial muscle that includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region, the electrode pair having a first electrode fixed to a first surface of the housing and a second electrode fixed to a second surface of the housing. The first and second electrodes each have two or more tab portions and two or more bridge portions. Each of the two or more bridge portions interconnects adjacent tab portions and at least one of the first and second electrodes includes a central opening positioned between the two or more tab portions and encircling the expandable fluid region. A dielectric fluid is housed within the housing and the electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated to actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Michael P. Rowe, Shardul S. Panwar, Madison B. Emmett
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Publication number: 20220140752Abstract: A variable stiffening device that include a first electrode structure and a second electrode structure. The first electrode structure includes an electrode extension that extends into a cavity defined between an electrode of the first electrode structure and an opposing electrode of the second electrode structure. The first and second electrode structures may be arranged in a load-bearing state by applying a voltage thereto to electrostatically attract the electrode to the opposing electrode to press the electrode extension within the cavity. Friction between the electrode extension and engaging surfaces defining the cavity prevent the electrode extension from slipping within the cavity, thereby maintaining a structural relationship among the components of the first and second electrode structures in response to an application of a load to the variable stiffening device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2022Publication date: May 5, 2022Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Rowe, Shardul S. Panwar