Patents by Inventor Wendell H. Chun
Wendell H. Chun 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: 9567005Abstract: A method includes operating a wheeled vehicle including an articulated suspension system; and articulating the suspension system to skid steer the vehicle. A wheeled vehicle having an articulated suspension system includes a skid steering controller capable of articulating the suspension system to skid steer the vehicle. The skid steering controller may be implemented in software and may, but does not necessarily, include three stages for applying a differential torque, varying the traction of at least one wheel, and finely adjusting the wheel's suspension to approach a critical damped response of the vehicle turning rate with respect to its commanded rate, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Joseph H. Kaloust, Wendell H. Chun
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Patent number: 8839891Abstract: A method includes operating a wheeled vehicle including an articulated suspension system; and articulating the suspension system to skid steer the vehicle. A wheeled vehicle having an articulated suspension system includes a skid steering controller capable of articulating the suspension system to skid steer the vehicle. The skid steering controller may be implemented in software and may, but does not necessarily, include three stages for applying a differential torque, varying the traction of at least one wheel, and finely adjusting the wheel's suspension to approach a critical damped response of the vehicle turning rate with respect to its commanded rate, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2006Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Joseph H. Kaloust, Wendell H. Chun
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Patent number: 8672065Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis and a plurality of wheel assemblies articulated with the chassis, each of the plurality of wheel assemblies comprising a rotatable wheel spaced away from the chassis. A vehicle includes a chassis and an articulated suspension system mounted to the chassis. A method includes comprising articulating at least one of a plurality of wheel assemblies with a chassis, each of the wheel assemblies including a rotatable wheel spaced apart from the chassis. A vehicle includes a chassis and articulatable means for rolling the chassis along a path.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2006Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Michael S. Beck, Jon T. Stinchcomb, Wendell H. Chun, Donald W. Nimblett, James E. Tomlin, Kevin L. Conrad
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Patent number: 8550192Abstract: A ground vehicle and a method for articulating a payload module for mobility assist are disclosed. The ground vehicle comprises a chassis; and a payload module capable of articulating relative to the chassis to assist the mobility of the ground vehicle. The method comprises articulating a payload module relative to a chassis.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2008Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: David A. Clemens, John C. Dunne, Michael S. Beck, Wendell H. Chun, Jon T. Stinchcomb
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Patent number: 8215252Abstract: A system is disclosed for dynamically stabilizing a ship in high sea states. A six degree-of-freedom robotic arm is attached to the ship, and a thruster is located at the distal end of the manipulator. The manipulator is be used to orient the thruster to counteract wave forces that act against the ship's hull in real time. This active balancing technique can be used to keep the ship substantially erect in rough seas by making continual corrections to the ship's body attitude. The center of gravity and the center of buoyancy of the ship are utilized, along with a precisely oriented and controlled thrust at the end of the manipulator, to optimally control the ship's state against impending waves.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Wendell H. Chun
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Patent number: 7726426Abstract: A hub drive includes an in-hub motor and a shifting in-hub transmission coupled with the motor. A hub drive wheel assembly includes a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel. A vehicle includes a chassis, a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel for rotating the wheel with respect to the chassis. A method includes providing a shifting transmission and a motor coupled with the transmission in a hub of a wheel, providing electrical power to the motor, and rotating the motor with the electrical power. The method further includes rotating the transmission with the motor and rotating the wheel with the transmission.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2006Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Michael S. Beck, Jon T. Stinchcomb, Wendell H. Chun, David A. Clemens, John C. Dunne, Dean Banks
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Publication number: 20090033045Abstract: A ground vehicle and a method for articulating a payload module for mobility assist are disclosed. The ground vehicle comprises a chassis; and a payload module capable of articulating relative to the chassis to assist the mobility of the ground vehicle. The method comprises articulating a payload module relative to a chassis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Inventors: DAVID A. CLEMENS, John C. Dunne, Michael S. Beck, Wendell H. Chun, Jon T. Stinchcomb
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Publication number: 20090020351Abstract: An articulated vehicle suspension system shoulder joint is disclosed. A vehicle includes a plurality of wheel assemblies; a plurality of rotating shoulder joints, each wheel assembly being mounted to a respective one of the shoulder joints and rotatable in a plane by the respective shoulder joint; and a chassis to which the shoulder joints are mounted. The shoulder joint for use in a vehicle suspension system includes a housing to which a wheel assembly may be attached for in-plane rotation; a drive; and a transmission engaged with the housing and the drive to reduce the speed of the drive motor as it drives the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Inventors: Wendell H. Chun, Michael S. Beck, Jon T. Stinchcomb
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Patent number: 7464775Abstract: A ground vehicle and a method for articulating a payload module for mobility assist are disclosed. The ground vehicle comprises a chassis; and a payload module capable of articulating relative to the chassis to assist the mobility of the ground vehicle. The method comprises articulating a payload module relative to a chassis.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2003Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: David A. Clemens, John C. Dunne, Michael S. Beck, Wendell H. Chun, Jon T. Stinchcomb
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Patent number: 7261176Abstract: An articulated vehicle suspension system shoulder joint is disclosed. A vehicle includes a plurality of wheel assemblies; a plurality of rotating shoulder joints, each wheel assembly being mounted to a respective one of the shoulder joints and rotatable in a plane by the respective shoulder joint; and a chassis to which the shoulder joints are mounted. The shoulder joint for use in a vehicle suspension system includes a housing to which a wheel assembly may be attached for in-plane rotation; a drive; and a transmission engaged with the housing and the drive to reduce the speed of the drive motor as it drives the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2003Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Wendell H. Chun, Michael S. Beck, Jon T. Stinchcomb, David A. Clemens, John C. Dunne, Eric N. Anderfaas
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Patent number: 7150340Abstract: A hub drive includes an in-hub motor and a shifting in-hub transmission coupled with the motor. A hub drive wheel assembly includes a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel. A vehicle includes a chassis, a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel for rotating the wheel with respect to the chassis. A method includes providing a shifting transmission and a motor coupled with the transmission in a hub of a wheel, providing electrical power to the motor, and rotating the motor with the electrical power. The method further includes rotating the transmission with the motor and rotating the wheel with the transmission.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2003Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Michael S. Beck, Jon T. Stinchcomb, Wendell H. Chun, David A. Clemens, John C. Dunne, Dean Banks
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Patent number: 7149611Abstract: A virtual sensor mast for a ground vehicle and a method for operating a ground vehicle using a virtual sensor mast are disclosed. The virtual sensor mast includes an unmanned airborne vehicle capable of lifting itself from the ground vehicle upon deployment therefrom; a sensor suite mounted to the unmanned airborne vehicle; and a tether between the unmanned airborne vehicle and the ground vehicle over which the sensor suite is capable of communicating sensed data upon deployment. The method includes elevating a tethered unmanned airborne vehicle from the ground vehicle to a predetermined height; sensing environmental conditions surrounding the ground vehicle; and terminating the deployment.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2003Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Michael S. Beck, Wendell H. Chun, Jon T. Stinchcomb
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Publication number: 20040163869Abstract: An articulated vehicle suspension system shoulder joint is disclosed. A vehicle includes a plurality of wheel assemblies; a plurality of rotating shoulder joints, each wheel assembly being mounted to a respective one of the shoulder joints and rotatable in a plane by the respective shoulder joint; and a chassis to which the shoulder joints are mounted. The shoulder joint for use in a vehicle suspension system includes a housing to which a wheel assembly may be attached for in-plane rotation; a drive; and a transmission engaged with the housing and the drive to reduce the speed of the drive motor as it drives the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Inventors: Wendell H. Chun, Michael S. Beck, Jon T. Stinchcomb
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Publication number: 20040164505Abstract: A ground vehicle and a method for articulating a payload module for mobility assist are disclosed. The ground vehicle comprises a chassis; and a payload module capable of articulating relative to the chassis to assist the mobility of the ground vehicle. The method comprises articulating a payload module relative to a chassis.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: David A. Clemens, John C. Dunne, Michael S. Beck, Wendell H. Chun, Jon T. Stinchcomb
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Publication number: 20040163863Abstract: A hub drive includes an in-hub motor and a shifting in-hub transmission coupled with the motor. A hub drive wheel assembly includes a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel. A vehicle includes a chassis, a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel for rotating the wheel with respect to the chassis. A method includes providing a shifting transmission and a motor coupled with the transmission in a hub of a wheel, providing electrical power to the motor, and rotating the motor with the electrical power. The method further includes rotating the transmission with the motor and rotating the wheel with the transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Inventors: Michael S. Beck, Jon T. Stinchcomb, Wendell H. Chun, David A. Clemens, John C. Dunne, Dean Banks
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Publication number: 20040167682Abstract: A virtual sensor mast for a ground vehicle and a method for operating a ground vehicle using a virtual sensor mast are disclosed. The virtual sensor mast includes an unmanned airborne vehicle capable of lifting itself from the ground vehicle upon deployment therefrom; a sensor suite mounted to the unmanned airborne vehicle; and a tether between the unmanned airborne vehicle and the ground vehicle over which the sensor suite is capable of communicating sensed data upon deployment. The method includes elevating a tethered unmanned airborne vehicle from the ground vehicle to a predetermined height; sensing environmental conditions surrounding the ground vehicle; and terminating the deployment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Michael S. Beck, Wendell H. Chun, Jon T. Stinchcomb
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Patent number: 5125759Abstract: A robotic wrist employs a plurality of elastomeric containers holding an electro-rheological fluid. An electromagnetic field can be selectively applied across the electro-rheological fluid within these elastomeric containers to selectively control the viscosity of the electro-rheological fluid and thereby control the stiffness of the elastomeric containers. Two sets of elastomeric containers can be used to control both the axial and radial stiffnesses of the wrist. In the preferred embodiment, the elastomeric containers have a hollow spherical shape. An electromagnetic field is created within the containers by applying a voltage between a conductive film on the interior surface of the sphere and second electrode extending through the sphere into the electro-rheological fluid.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1991Date of Patent: June 30, 1992Inventor: Wendell H. Chun