Non-dynamoelectric Patents (Class 310/300)
  • Patent number: 11938513
    Abstract: An ultrasonic-wave irradiation unit capable of reducing erosion and cleaning unevenness on a diaphragm and improving the joining strength of an ultrasonic transducer to the diaphragm includes a diaphragm, an ultrasonic transducer, a front-side resonating member, and a rear-side resonating member. A stud bolt protrudes from the non-radiation surface of the diaphragm. The transducer front plate of the ultrasonic transducer is joined to the non-radiation surface. The front-side resonating member is joined to the non-radiation surface and the bolt is inserted therethrough. The rear-side resonating member is provided at the tip of the bolt to fasten and secure the front-side resonating member. End-positioned resonators, mid-positioned resonators, and the ultrasonic transducer are arranged in a column. The rear-side resonating member of the end-positioned resonator is formed from a metal material with higher bending rigidity than the front-side resonating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobunaga Shibuya, Yoshihiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 11933262
    Abstract: A wave energy converter (WEC) system includes a float, a drivetrain, a reaction structure coupled to the drivetrain by at least one tendon, and a power dissipation system coupled to the drivetrain. The power dissipation system is configured to manage peak loads in the WEC system by dissipating peak energy spikes caused by relative movement of the reaction structure and the float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy R. Mundon, Joseph van 't Hoff
  • Patent number: 11931566
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable nerve stimulation device, which includes: a body part which is formed of a metal that ultrasonic waves can be transmitted, and includes a stimulation surface and a charging surface facing each other; a header part which is made of a non-metal and is located at one end of the body part; a cover which includes a stimulation electrode, a hinge part rotatably coupled to one side of the stimulation surface, and a coupling part detachably coupled to the other side of the stimulation surface, is positioned above the stimulation surface to interpose a nerve between the electrode and the stimulation surface; and power generation elements which are located inside the body part and are electrically connected to the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: ENERGY MINING Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Moon Park, Young Min Cho, Jang Mook Jeong
  • Patent number: 11911792
    Abstract: A capacitive transducer is provided. The capacitive transducer includes a plate including a protruding center mass and a substrate with a center depression configured to accept the center mass. The capacitive transducer also includes a first electrode coupled to a non-horizontal edge surface of the center mass and a second electrode coupled to a non-horizontal edge surface of the center depression. The capacitive transducer further includes a third electrode coupled to a horizontal edge surface of the center mass and a fourth electrode coupled to a horizontal edge surface of the center depression. The plate is coupled to the substrate at least along an outer perimeter area of the plate and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Rupak Bardhan Roy, Edouard Da Cruz, Frederic Lanteri, Omid Farhanieh, Jean-François Gelly, Flavien Daloz
  • Patent number: 11891298
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing MEMS devices, includes forming a first assembly, which comprises: a dielectric region; a redistribution region; and a plurality of unit portions. Each unit portion of the first assembly includes: a die arranged in the dielectric region; and a plurality of first and second connection elements, which extend to opposite faces of the redistribution region and are connected together by paths that extend in the redistribution region, the first connection elements being coupled to the die. The process further includes: forming a second assembly which comprises a plurality of respective unit portions, each of which includes a semiconductor portion and third connection elements; mechanically coupling the first and second assemblies so as to connect the third connection elements to corresponding second connection elements; and then removing at least part of the semiconductor portion of each unit portion of the second assembly, thus forming corresponding membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Fabio Quaglia, Marco Ferrera, Marco Del Sarto
  • Patent number: 11860184
    Abstract: A micromechanical structure including a substrate, a moveable seismic mass, a detection structure, and a main spring. The seismic mass is connected to the substrate using the main spring. A first direction and a second direction perpendicular thereto define a main extension plane of the substrate. The detection structure detects a deflection of the seismic mass and includes first electrodes mounted at the seismic mass and second electrodes mounted at the substrate. The first electrodes and second electrodes have a two-dimensional extension in the first and second directions. The micromechanical structure has a graduated stop structure including a first spring stop, a second spring stop, and a fixed stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Cristian Nagel, Johannes Classen, Lars Tebje, Rolf Scheben, Rudy Eid
  • Patent number: 11817798
    Abstract: This application relates to a frictional electricity generator increasing output transfer efficiency. In one aspect, the frictional electricity generator includes a housing and a power generation element which is arranged in the housing and in which a + position pole and a ? position pole are arranged according to the movement of a positive charge and a negative charge by friction. The + position pole and the ? position pole of the power generation element may be arranged at a distance of a predetermined angle on a plane so as to minimize energy loss due to mutual repulsion, and may be connected to each transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Korea Electronics Technology Institute
    Inventors: Hyun Moon Park, Byung Soo Kim, Tae Ho Hwang
  • Patent number: 11695351
    Abstract: Provided is a triboelectricity-based energy harvesting material including a first carbon composite layer, a second carbon composite layer, a first charge layer and a second charge layer applied onto the first carbon composite layer and the second carbon composite layer, respectively, and a spacer that is provided between the first charge layer and the second charge layer and maintains a predetermined interval between the first charge layer and the second charge layer, wherein the spacer is provided only in a partial region of the first charge layer and the second charge layer, and accordingly, the first charge layer and the second charge layer come into contact with each other according to deformation of the material in a region in which the spacer is not provided so as to generate triboelectricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Seong Su Kim, Hyunsoo Hong, Muhammad Salmam Sarfraz, Wonvin Kim
  • Patent number: 11609131
    Abstract: Described herein is a ruggedized microelectromechanical (“MEMS”) force sensor. The sensor employs piezoresistive or piezoelectric sensing elements for force sensing where the force is converted to strain and converted to electrical signal. In one aspect, both the piezoresistive and the piezoelectric sensing elements are formed on one substrate and later bonded to another substrate on which the integrated circuitry is formed. In another aspect, the piezoelectric sensing element is formed on one substrate and later bonded to another substrate on which both the piezoresistive sensing element and the integrated circuitry are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Bergemont, Julius Minglin Tsai
  • Patent number: 11467669
    Abstract: Disclosed devices may include a membrane, a first electrode supported by the membrane, a second electrode, a capacitance sensor configured to determine a capacitance measurement between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a controller configured to control an electrical potential applied between the electrode and the second electrode. The controller may be configured to modify the electrical potential based on the capacitance measurement. Example devices may include one or more flexible membranes that may, at least in part, define an enclosure that is at least partially filled with a dielectric fluid. Examples also include associated methods and systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tianshu Liu, Jonathan Robert Peterson, Kenneth Alexander Diest, Renate Eva Klementine Landig, Daniele Piazza, Yigit Menguc, Harsha Prahlad
  • Patent number: 11428551
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an acoustic telemetry system for use with an apparatus configured to rotate. The acoustic telemetry system includes one or more sensor nodes and at least one receiver node. In at least one embodiment, the telemetry system also includes at least one hub node positioned on the apparatus. Each sensor node is attached to or embedded in the apparatus. Each sensor node obtains data related to one or more operating conditions of the apparatus and the environment surrounding the apparatus. The one or more sensor nodes encode and transmit the data to the hub node or the receiver node using ultrasonic acoustic waves. In at least one embodiment, the hub node transmits the data to the receiver node. The receiver node decodes the data and monitors the one or more operating conditions of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Limin Song, Yibing Zhang, Mark M. Disko
  • Patent number: 11401159
    Abstract: A MEMS transducing apparatus includes a substrate, a conductive pad, a stacked structure of a transducing device, a first polymer layer, a second polymer layer and a third polymer layer. An upper cavity is formed through the substrate. The conductive pad is formed on a first surface of the substrate to cover a first opening of the upper cavity. The stacked structure of the transducing device is formed on the conductive pad. The first polymer layer is formed on the first surface of the substrate. A lower cavity is formed through the first polymer layer. The stacked structure of the transducing device is exposed within the lower cavity. The third polymer layer is formed on a second surface of the substrate to cover a second opening of the upper cavity. The second polymer layer is formed on the first polymer layer to cover a third opening of the lower cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: FORMOSA MATERIAL INDUSTRIAL CORP.
    Inventors: Chun-Lung Huang, Ying-Hsiang Chen, Fu-Hsuan Yang
  • Patent number: 11383971
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing MEMS devices, includes forming a first assembly, which comprises: a dielectric region; a redistribution region; and a plurality of unit portions. Each unit portion of the first assembly includes: a die arranged in the dielectric region; and a plurality of first and second connection elements, which extend to opposite faces of the redistribution region and are connected together by paths that extend in the redistribution region, the first connection elements being coupled to the die. The process further includes: forming a second assembly which comprises a plurality of respective unit portions, each of which includes a semiconductor portion and third connection elements; mechanically coupling the first and second assemblies so as to connect the third connection elements to corresponding second connection elements; and then removing at least part of the semiconductor portion of each unit portion of the second assembly, thus forming corresponding membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Fabio Quaglia, Marco Ferrera, Marco Del Sarto
  • Patent number: 11383269
    Abstract: A method of forming an ultrasonic transducer device includes forming a curved membrane over a transducer cavity. A center portion of the curved membrane is closer to a bottom surface of the transducer cavity than with respect to radially outwardly disposed portions of the curved membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: BFLY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gerard Schmid, Sharath Hosali, James Beach, Jaime Scott Zahorian, Sarp Satir
  • Patent number: 11387158
    Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a semiconductor element bonded to the substrate, and a sealing resin sealing at least a part of the substrate and the semiconductor element, in which the semiconductor element includes an active region through which a main current flows in an ON state of the semiconductor element, a terminal region surrounding the active region, an anchor film provided on an insulating film of the terminal region, and a protective film covering at least the terminal region including the anchor film, and the anchor film consists of a material different from the insulating film and has a plurality of openings provided discretely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yosuke Nakata
  • Patent number: 11342258
    Abstract: According to the disclosed embodiments, an on-die capacitor utilized in energy-harvest based circuits is provided. In the disclosed design, the harvester is coupled to the on-die capacitor, thus there is no need to provide power interfaces and semi-conductor devices external to the IC. The disclosed design of the on-die capacitor would reduce the overall size and cost of the IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Wiliot Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaron Elboim, Alon Yehezkely
  • Patent number: 11339805
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. Rowe, Shardul S. Panwar, Madison B. Emmett
  • Patent number: 11325867
    Abstract: Hybrid composite materials including carbon nanotube sheets and flexible ceramic materials, and methods of making the same are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method of forming a hybrid composite material is provided, the method including: placing a layer of a first flexible ceramic composite on a lay-up tooling surface; applying a sheet of a pre-preg carbon fiber reinforced polymer on the flexible ceramic composite; curing the flexible ceramic composite and the pre-preg carbon fiber reinforced polymer sheet together to form a hybrid composite material; and removing the hybrid composite material from the lay-up tooling surface, wherein the first flexible ceramic composite comprises an exterior surface of the hybrid composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignees: THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC., THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Chengying Xu, William C. Nickerson
  • Patent number: 11329598
    Abstract: A power generating device includes: a photoelectric conversion unit having a photoelectric conversion film; an electret layer for holding electric charges; an electret power generator configured of a light transmissive material; and an insulating layer which is covering a photoelectric conversion film and transmits light in all wavelength bands available for the photoelectric conversion film or some of the all wavelength bands. The electret layer is stacked on the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasutoshi Yashiki, Takayuki Morioka
  • Patent number: 11328701
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer including a membrane film and a perforated baseplate. The baseplate can have a conductive surface with a plurality of perforations formed through the baseplate. The membrane film can have a conductive surface and be positioned under tension proximate to the perforations formed through the baseplate. The tension of the membrane film can be controlled to provide a restoring force to counteract the moving mass of the membrane film, and the moving mass of air in the perforations of the baseplate. By selecting the diameter(s) of the perforations of the baseplate, the thickness of the baseplate, the thickness of the membrane film, the tension of the membrane film, and/or the bending stiffness of the membrane film, a wide bandpass frequency response of the ultrasonic transducer centered at an ultrasonic frequency of interest can be obtained and tailored to a desired application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: HOLOSONIC RESEARCH LABS
    Inventors: Frank Joseph Pompei, Xiang Yan
  • Patent number: 11316094
    Abstract: The present invention relates to: a paste composition including ceramic particles surface-functionalized with an amine group and a maleic anhydride-grafted elastomer; and a preparation method therefor and, to: a paste composition enabling ceramic particles to have a high content and be highly dispersed, thereby enabling the composition to have a high generation capacity when a device is manufactured; and a preparation method therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: KOREA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Su Yeon Lee, Young Min Choi, Sun Ho Jeong, Beyong Hwan Ryu, Eun Jung Lee
  • Patent number: 11286964
    Abstract: Provided is a soft actuator. The soft actuator includes a first bistable polymer layer, a second bistable polymer layer on the first bistable polymer layer, a first flexible electrode layer on an upper surface of the second bistable polymer layer, a second flexible electrode layer between the first bistable polymer layer and the second bistable polymer layer, a first light absorption heating layer disposed on the first flexible electrode layer and configured to increase a temperature when light is absorbed, and a first voltage supply unit, wherein the first voltage supply unit is electrically connected to the first flexible electrode layer and the second flexible electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Seongcheol Mun, Sungryul Yun, Jeong Muk Lim, Inwook Hwang
  • Patent number: 11260424
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) with a contoured electrode. In certain embodiments, the CMUT has a contoured electrode. The electrode may be non-planar to correspond to a deflected shape of the outer plate. A change in distance between the electrode and the plate after deflection may be greater than a minimum threshold across the width of the CMUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Bo Ma, Jose Joseph, Kamyar Firouzi, Butrus T. Khuri-Yakub
  • Patent number: 11189779
    Abstract: The invention provides an electroactive polymer actuator comprising a capacitance compensation means adapted to at least partially offset any changes in the capacitance across the member induced by its deformation. In this way, the electronic control of the device is rendered much simpler, since a varying capacitance across the actuator member does not have to be accounted for when driving the actuator to perform a particular deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Achim Hilgers, Mark Thomas Johnson
  • Patent number: 11179732
    Abstract: An electrodischarge apparatus has a nozzle that includes a discharge chamber that has an inlet for receiving a liquid and an outlet. The apparatus has a first electrode extending into the discharge chamber that is electrically connected to one or more high-voltage capacitors. A second electrode is proximate to the first electrode to define a gap between the first and second electrodes. A switch causes the one or more capacitors to discharge across the gap between the electrodes to create a plasma bubble which expands to form a shockwave that escapes from the nozzle ahead of the plasma bubble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: VLN Advanced Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Mohan Vijay
  • Patent number: 11133755
    Abstract: A triboelectric nanogenerator according to the present invention includes an electrode layer, a storage layer disposed to be in contact with a top of the electrode layer, a contact layer disposed to be in contact with a top of the storage layer, and a counterpart layer disposed above the contact layer in a spaced manner to face the contact layer and brought into contact with the contact layer by an external force, wherein the storage layer is formed by an electrochemical reaction of the electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT
    Inventors: Insang Song, Woonbong Hwang, Dongsung Kim, Jeongwon Lee, Dowan Kim
  • Patent number: 11114953
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a charge pump-based artificial lightning generator comprises the steps of: forming a second electrode on a prepared substrate; forming a negatively charged body having a sponge structure under the second electrode; removing spherical polymer particles from the negatively charged body using a toluene solution; allowing metal particles to penetrate into the negatively charged body; forming a positively charged body in a location which is at a predetermined distance below the negatively charged body in order to generate charges; nano-structuring the surface of the positively charged body; coating the nano-structured surface of the positively charged body with second metal particles; forming a ground layer for charge separation while maintaining a constant distance in the downward direction from one side of the positively charged body; and forming a first electrode for charge accumulation in a location which is at a predetermined distance below the positively charged body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., UNIST (ULSAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)
    Inventors: Jeong Min Baik, Jin Sung Chun, Byeong Uk Ye
  • Patent number: 11095820
    Abstract: A micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator configured to provide multi-axis movement, the micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator including: a first portion, a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are displaceable with respect to each other, and a locking assembly configured to releasably couple the first portion and the second portion to attenuate displacement between the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: MEMS Drive, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaolei Liu, Matthew Ng, Guiqin Wang
  • Patent number: 11018602
    Abstract: A power generating element is provided. The power generating element includes a pair of electrodes, an intermediate layer being insulating, and a substrate being flexible. The intermediate layer is disposed between the electrodes. The substrate is configured to support the electrodes and the intermediate layer. When the substrate undergoes a deformation, the intermediate layer is separated from or pressed against one of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mizuki Otagiri, Tsuneaki Kondoh, Tomoaki Sugawara, Yuko Arizumi, Junichiro Natori, Mayuka Araumi, Takahiro Imai, Hideyuki Miyazawa, Makito Nakashima, Megumi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 11012003
    Abstract: A variable speed drive for an electrostatic motor provides feedback control according to rotor position and/or rotor rotational rate deduced from back currents (back-MMF). Extraction of the back currents is performed by a modeling of the stator and the development of isolated stator voltages from plate voltage measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Daniel Colin Ludois, Aditya N. Ghule, Peter Killeen
  • Patent number: 10978966
    Abstract: A vibration wave actuator has a vibration member including an elastic member and an electro-mechanical energy transducer, and a contact member in contact with the vibration member, and the contact member and the vibration member move relative to each other. The vibration wave actuator includes a detected portion configured to move, together with the contact member, relative to the vibration member, and a detection unit configured to move, together with the vibration member, relative to the contact member to detect displacement information or position information for the detected portion. The vibration member has two projections provided side by side in a direction intersecting with the direction of the relative movement. The contact member contacts the two projections. The detection unit and the detected portion are located between the contact member and the vibration member when viewed from the direction of the relative movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuki Shinzato
  • Patent number: 10961119
    Abstract: A MEMS device comprising a substrate comprising a die and a plurality of side-walls disposed upon the MEMS die, a proof-mass coupled to the substrate, the proof-mass is configured to be displaced within a first plane that is parallel to the die, wherein the proof-mass is configured to contact at least a sidewall, wherein the proof-mass is configured to adhere to the side-wall as a result of stiction forces, a driving circuit configured to provide a driving voltage in response to a driving signal indicating that the proof-mass is adhered to the side-wall, and an actuator coupled to the driving circuit disposed upon the side-wall, wherein the actuator is configured to receive a driving voltage and to provide an actuator force to the proof mass within the first plane in a direction away from the side-wall in response to the driving voltage, wherein the actuator force exceeds the stiction forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: mCube, Inc.
    Inventors: Shih-Wei Lee, Wen-Chih Chen
  • Patent number: 10938324
    Abstract: Provided is an electrostatic energy harvester Including a lower electrode; a ferroelectric material layer which is disposed on the lower electrode and formed of a poled ferroelectric material; a friction-charged body which is adapted to be repeatedly contacted with and separated from the ferroelectric material layer and has an electric susceptibility different from an electric susceptibility of the ferroelectric material layer; and an upper electrode provided on the friction-charged body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.. LTD.
    Inventors: Sangwoo Kim, Keun Young Lee, Seongsu Kim, Juhyuck Lee
  • Patent number: 10931210
    Abstract: Techniques for energy production are disclosed. A kinetic fabric for use in a kinetically-activated energy production system is implemented. The kinetic fabric comprises a three-dimensional, layer-based flexible matrix that regains shape after deformation. The fabric further comprises a kinetically activated energy source layer supported between layers of the flexible matrix. The fabric further includes a flexible electrical connection that provides an electrical path between the energy source layer and a terminal on the flexible matrix. The kinetic fabric is deformed with mechanical agitation, and energy is harvested from the energy source layer through the terminal on the flexible matrix. Various embodiments are disclosed including flags, moving vehicles, and shade structures, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Glen Raven, Inc.
    Inventors: Cameron Andrews Arnett, Harold W Hill, Jr., Elizabeth Paige Mullis Enochs, Nan-Wei Gong
  • Patent number: 10879817
    Abstract: A paper-based triboelectric nanogenerator and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The paper-based triboelectric nanogenerator of the present disclosure includes a sandwich structure including a first paper, conductive papers formed on the first paper and each including an electrode composed of a mesh-type conductive nanomaterial, and a second paper formed on the conductive papers; and a polymer film formed in a selective area on the second paper, wherein the number of the conductive papers formed on the first paper is two; the two conductive papers are formed so as to be spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction; and the polymer film formed in the selective area is formed only in the upper area of one of the two conductive papers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Hanyang University
    Inventors: Tae Whan Kim, Chaoxing Wu, Jae Hyeon Park
  • Patent number: 10873276
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for harvesting ambient energy involve repeated circuit reconfiguration. An apparatus includes a primary charge storage device, a first secondary charge storage device, a second secondary charge storage device, and switching circuitry. The switching circuitry is configured to cyclically alter connection of the first and second secondary charge storage devices between a series state and a parallel state. First and second moveable electrically conductive elements may include electrically conductive liquid droplets of materials such as water or mercury. At least one of the primary storage device, the first secondary charge storage device, or the second secondary charge storage device includes a capacitance that varies in response to receipt of ambient energy. Concurrently altering relative capacitance and circuit configuration results in exponential growth of harvested energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
    Inventors: Tianwei Ma, Jian Yu, Enze Ma
  • Patent number: 10868344
    Abstract: A capacitor is configured to be in thermal contact with an electrical load. A controller is configured to charge and discharge the capacitor to change a temperature of the capacitor. The controller is configured to selectively discharge the capacitor at a discharge current at which entropic cooling of the capacitor is greater than Joule heating of the capacitor to provide cooling for the electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alvaro Masias, James Matthew Marcicki
  • Patent number: 10848079
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for harvesting ambient energy involve an electrically conductive charge-carrying movable electrode. An apparatus includes an electrically conductive charge-carrying electrode, a first dielectric interface region, a second dielectric interface region, and at least one reference electrode. The first and second dielectric interface regions differ in surface charge density. In certain aspects, the movable electrode moves proximate and relative to the first and second dielectric interface regions in response to receipt of ambient energy, thereby providing first and second capacitances. The first capacitance differs from the second capacitance, and/or the first surface charge density differs from the second surface charge density. Movement of the movable electrode in combination with the differing capacitances and/or charge densities results in energy accumulation, thereby enabling ambient energy to be harvested efficiently and effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
    Inventors: Tianwei Ma, Jian Yu, Enze Ma
  • Patent number: 10770990
    Abstract: A triboelectric generator includes a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from each other, a first charging part on the first electrode, a second charging part on the second electrode, and a grounding unit. The first charging part and the second charging part may be configured to contact each other through a sliding motion. The grounding unit may be configured to intermittently connect a charge reservoir to the second charging part. The grounding unit may be configured to vary the electric potential of the second charging part so as to amplify current flowing between electrodes of the triboelectric generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., UNIST (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology)
    Inventors: Kyungeun Byun, Jaeyoung Kim, Minsu Seol, Hyeonjin Shin, Jeongmin Baik, Woojung Yang, Byeonguk Ye, Jaewon Lee, Jinpyo Lee, Kyeongnam Kim
  • Patent number: 10770637
    Abstract: An energy harvest is disclosed. The disclosed energy harvest includes: a first charging member including a plurality of first protruding parts; and a second charging member including a plurality of second protruding parts arranged between the first protruding parts and including a material different from that of the first protruding parts. When at least one of the first and second charging members moves, side surfaces of the first protruding parts and side surfaces of the second protruding parts come into contact with each other, or gaps between the side surfaces of the first protruding parts and the side surfaces of the second protruding parts are changed. The energy harvest generates electrical energy from the contact or the gap change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young-jun Park, Jin-hyoung Park, Yun-kwon Park, Ho-seong Seo, Sang-wook Kwon
  • Patent number: 10752497
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip structure. The integrated chip structure has a plurality of interconnect layers disposed within a dielectric structure over a substrate. A passivation layer is over the dielectric structure. A sensing electrode and a bonding electrode have bottom surfaces directly contacting the passivation layer. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) substrate is vertically separated from the sensing electrode. The bonding electrode is electrically connected to the MEMs substrate and to one or more of the plurality of interconnect layers. An electrode extension via is configured to electrically connect the sensing electrode to one or more of the plurality of interconnect layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Liu, Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng, Jung-Huei Peng
  • Patent number: 10746612
    Abstract: A printed stretchable strain sensor is provided. The printed stretchable strain sensor has a stretchable substrate and a composite ink coupled to a surface of the stretchable substrate to form a strain-sensitive conductive structure. The composite ink includes both a nanowire and a metal flake. The capability of the fabricated strain sensor, printed in two design configurations: straight line and wavy line, was investigated by studying its electro-mechanical response towards varying elongations of 1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of Western Michigan University
    Inventors: Massood Atashbar, Mohammed Mudher Mohammed Ali, Binu Baby Narakathu, Ali Eshkeiti
  • Patent number: 10734922
    Abstract: A power generating element 1 according to an embodiment includes a displacement member 10, a displacement member 20, and a fixed member 30. The displacement member 10 and the displacement member 20 are connected via an elastic deformation body 41. The displacement member 10 is connected to an attachment section 51 via an elastic deformation body 42. The displacement member 10 and/or the displacement member 20 includes a first power generation surface. The fixed member 30 includes a second power generation surface opposed to the first power generation surface. An electret material layer is provided on one surface of the first power generation surface and the second power generation surface. A counter electrode layer is provided on the other surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: TRI-FORCE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Okada, Miho Okada
  • Patent number: 10720655
    Abstract: A system includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells and designed to receive a fluid and to heat the fluid. The system also includes an actuator to increase or decrease a fluid temperature of the fluid and an ECU. The ECU can determine a temperature control signal corresponding to a desired temperature of the fluid and perform a feedforward control of the actuator to increase or decrease the fluid temperature towards the desired temperature. The ECU can also determine a temperature difference between the fluid temperature and the desired temperature, and can determine a sensitivity that corresponds a change in a parameter value or the actuator position to a change in the fluid temperature. The ECU can also apply the sensitivity to the temperature difference to determine an error signal, and control the actuator based on the error signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Jared Farnsworth, Daniel Folick, Naoki Tomi, Shigeki Hasegawa, Kentaro Fukuda
  • Patent number: 10700262
    Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator includes a piezoelectric thin film including a functional conductor, a fixing layer provided on a principal surface of the piezoelectric thin film to define a void that overlaps a functional portion region, and a support substrate on a principal surface of the fixing layer. A sacrificial layer is provided on a principal surface of a piezoelectric substrate and the fixing layer is provided on the principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate to cover the sacrificial layer. The support substrate is attached to a surface of the fixing layer and the piezoelectric thin film is peeled from the piezoelectric substrate. The functional conductor is provided on the piezoelectric thin film, a through hole is provided in the piezoelectric thin film to straddle a boundary between the fixing layer and the sacrificial layer, and the sacrificial layer is removed by wet etching using the through hole to form the void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yutaka Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 10641252
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an actuator based on carbon nanotubes and actuating system using the same. The actuator includes: a carbon nanotube layer and a vanadium dioxide layer stacked with each other. Because the drastic, reversible phase transition of VO2, the actuator has giant deformation amplitude and fast response. An actuating system using the actuator is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: He Ma, Yang Wei, Kai Liu, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 10587307
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating a signal over a hydraulic line in a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a system can include a hydraulic line. The hydraulic line can include at least one communication medium for propagating a communication signal. The system can also include at least one signal communication device configured to receive the communication signal communicated over the hydraulic line. The system can also include at least one vehicle component in communication with the at least one signal communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Pavlo Bobrek, Eric Rankin Gardner
  • Patent number: 10583462
    Abstract: A method of producing an electromechanical transducer includes forming an insulating film on a first electrode, forming a sacrificial layer on the insulating film, forming a first membrane on the sacrificial layer, forming a second electrode on the first membrane, forming an etching-hole in the first membrane and removing the sacrificial layer through the etching-hole, and forming a second membrane on the second electrode, and sealing the etching-hole. Forming the second membrane and sealing the etching-hole are performed in one operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Torashima, Takahiro Akiyama, Toshio Tomiyoshi
  • Patent number: 10575735
    Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus according to the present invention includes: an acoustic wave detecting element which detects an acoustic wave propagating from an object and which outputs an acoustic signal; a reference element which receives an input of electrical noise corresponding to electrical noise input to the acoustic wave detecting element and which outputs a reference signal; a noise reducer which reduces a component derived from the electrical noise by subtracting the reference signal from the acoustic signal; and a processor which generates image data representing characteristic information of the object using the acoustic signal in which the component derived from the electrical noise has been reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Suwa
  • Patent number: 10558057
    Abstract: In one example, a camera is provided that includes: a plurality of MEMS electrostatic comb actuators, each actuator operable to exert a force on at least one lens; and an optical image stabilization (OIS) algorithm module operable to command the plurality of actuators to actuate the at least one lens responsive to motion of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation MEMS
    Inventors: Xiaolei Liu, Roman C. Gutierrez, Pat K Leang, Jose A. Mendez, Corneliu Zaharia, Alexandru F. Drimbarean, Petronel Gheorghe Bigioi