Patents by Inventor Steven L. Hunter

Steven L. Hunter 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: 11820649
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for detecting movement of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The system uses a drive voltage signal source for generating a low frequency drive voltage signal for driving the MEMS device. An excitation signal source may be used for generating an excitation signal which is also applied to the MEMS device. The excitation signal has a frequency which is above a physical response capability of the MEMS device, such that operation of the MEMS device is not significantly affected by the excitation signal. A sensing impedance is used to help generate a signal which is responsive to the capacitance of the MEMS device. The capacitance of the MEMS device changes in response to movement of the MEMS device. An output subsystem is provided which responds to changes sensed by the sensing impedance, and which produces an output voltage signal. A filter filters the output voltage signal to produce a filtered output voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Matthew Panas, Princess Corral, Steven L. Hunter, Phillip Harris Paul
  • Publication number: 20210206626
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for detecting movement of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The system uses a drive voltage signal source for generating a low frequency drive voltage signal for driving the MEMS device. An excitation signal source may be used for generating an excitation signal which is also applied to the MEMS device. The excitation signal has a frequency which is above a physical response capability of the MEMS device, such that operation of the MEMS device is not significantly affected by the excitation signal. A sensing impedance is used to help generate a signal which is responsive to the capacitance of the MEMS device. The capacitance of the MEMS device changes in response to movement of the MEMS device. An output subsystem is provided which responds to changes sensed by the sensing impedance, and which produces an output voltage signal. A filter filters the output voltage signal to produce a filtered output voltage signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Matthew PANAS, Princess CORRAL, Steven L. HUNTER, Phillip Harris PAUL
  • Patent number: 10696571
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a capacitive deionization system which makes use of a controller, a first capacitor acting as a first electrode, a second capacitor acting as a second electrode, and a first inductor for storing energy received from the first capacitor, and transferring the stored energy to the second capacitor. A first plurality of electronic switches are controlled by the controller to control communication between the first inductor and the first capacitor, and between the first inductor and the second capacitor. An additional energy transfer subsystem is included which has a second inductor for receiving energy from the first capacitor while the first inductor is transferring stored energy to the second capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Stadermann, Steven L. Hunter
  • Publication number: 20190352174
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting movement of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The system may include a drive voltage signal source for generating a drive voltage signal for driving the MEMS device. A modulation voltage signal source generates a modulation signal having a frequency above a physical response capability of the MEMS device. A capacitor voltage divider network may be included having a first capacitor, coupled in series with the modulation voltage signal source, and a capacitance of the MEMS device representing a second capacitor which changes in response to movement of the MEMS device. An output component may be coupled in parallel with the second capacitor and produces an output voltage signal. A filter removes the drive voltage signal from the output voltage signal. The output voltage signal is indicative of a position of the MEMS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Steven L. HUNTER, Robert M. Panas
  • Patent number: 10427958
    Abstract: An energy transfer system is disclosed which has a controller, a first capacitor acting as a first electrode, a second capacitor acting as a second electrode, a first inductor for storing energy received from the first capacitor, and transferring the stored energy to the second capacitor, and a first plurality of electronic switches. The first plurality of electronic switches may be controlled by the controller to control a transfer of energy from the first capacitor to the first inductor, and from the first inductor to the first capacitor. An additional energy transfer subsystem may be included which has a second inductor for receiving energy from the first capacitor while the first inductor is transferring the stored energy to the second capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Steven L. Hunter, Michael Stadermann
  • Publication number: 20180134588
    Abstract: An energy transfer system is disclosed which has a controller, a first capacitor acting as a first electrode, a second capacitor acting as a second electrode, a first inductor for storing energy received from the first capacitor, and transferring the stored energy to the second capacitor, and a first plurality of electronic switches. The first plurality of electronic switches may be controlled by the controller to control a transfer of energy from the first capacitor to the first inductor, and from the first inductor to the first capacitor. An additional energy transfer subsystem may be included which has a second inductor for receiving energy from the first capacitor while the first inductor is transferring the stored energy to the second capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Steven L. HUNTER, Michael STADERMANN
  • Publication number: 20180111854
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a capacitive deionization system which makes use of a controller, a first capacitor acting as a first electrode, a second capacitor acting as a second electrode, and a first inductor for storing energy received from the first capacitor, and transferring the stored energy to the second capacitor. A first plurality of electronic switches are controlled by the controller to control communication between the first inductor and the first capacitor, and between the first inductor and the second capacitor. An additional energy transfer subsystem is included which has a second inductor for receiving energy from the first capacitor while the first inductor is transferring stored energy to the second capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Michael STADERMANN, Steven L. HUNTER
  • Patent number: 6382025
    Abstract: A rate sensor for angular/rotational acceleration includes a housing defining a fluid cavity essentially completely filled with an electrolyte fluid. Within the housing, such as a toroid, ions in the fluid are swept during movement from an excitation electrode toward one of two output electrodes to provide a signal for directional rotation. One or more ground electrodes within the housing serve to neutralize ions, thus preventing any effect at the other output electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Steven L. Hunter
  • Patent number: 6370784
    Abstract: A tiltmeter device having a pair of orthogonally disposed tilt sensors that are levelable within an inner housing containing the sensors. An outer housing can be rotated to level at least one of the sensor pair while the inner housing can be rotated to level the other sensor of the pair. The sensors are typically rotated up to about plus or minus 100 degrees. The device is effective for measuring tilts in a wide range of angles of inclination of wells and can be employed to level a platform containing a third sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Steven L. Hunter, Carl O. Boro, Alvis Farris
  • Patent number: 6349477
    Abstract: An inclinometer utilizing synchronous demodulation for high resolution and electronic offset adjustment provides a wide dynamic range without any moving components. A device encompassing a tiltmeter and accompanying electronic circuitry provides quasi-leveled tilt sensors that detect highly resolved tilt change without signal saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Steven L. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4802484
    Abstract: Responses of a human subject may be by voice, hand or foot movement, or bodily secretions, as examples. A hiatus of such responses may be termed a lapse in the continuity of the response, including a hesitation pause in the voice, hesitation in the movement of writing, a movement of hand or foot on a monitored control of a motor vehicle or vehicle simulator, or pulsatile bodily secretions on a monitored control of an implantable insulin pump. In a voice response, the hesitation pause may be more than about one second in the voice of a subject during a dialogue or monologue. The hiatus rate of such responses is indicated by the present apparatus, as in the average hiatus duration for two or more hiatus rates. The dominant hiatus rate is also determined and indicated. A microprocessor is utilized in such determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Ernest H. Friedman
    Inventors: Ernest H. Friedman, Gary G. Sanders, Steven L. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4543957
    Abstract: Responses of a human subject may be by voice, hand or foot movement, or bodily secretions, as examples. A hiatus of such responses may be termed a lapse in the continuity of the response, including a hesitation pause in the voice, a movement of hand or foot on a monitored control of a motor vehicle or vehicle simulator, or pulsatile bodily secretions on a monitored control of an implantable insulin pump. In a voice response, the hesitation pause may be more than about one second in the voice of a subject during a dialogue or monologue. The hiatus rate of such responses is indicated by the present apparatus, as is the average hiatus duration for two or more hiatus rates. The dominant hiatus rate is also determined and indicated. A microprocessor is utilized in such determination. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Ernest H. Friedman
    Inventors: Ernest H. Friedman, Gary G. Sanders, Steven L. Hunter