Friction Patents (Class 310/310)
  • Patent number: 11824468
    Abstract: Electrostatic frictional generator has a movable member in form of flow of substance particles. The generator is a hollow cylinder and with a flow of air with substance particles along the cylinder surface. Materials of the cylinder and the substance are selected to provide induction of opposite electric charges on cylinder surface and on the substance particles due to friction of the substance particle flow against the cylinder surface. An electrode and a current collector connected to a load are located along axis of the cylinder with a gap between them. Means for providing the flow of air with substance particles has reflecting screens located in upper and lower portions of the cylinder, configured to repel flows of air with substance particles, and an axial fan located under the upper reflecting screen, which takes in air and has blades of smaller diameter than inner diameter of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventors: Mikhail Aleksandrovich Meshchaninov, Dmitrii Yanovich Agasarov, Anton Viktorovich Sergeev
  • Patent number: 11784587
    Abstract: An electronic sensing apparatus and a method of producing the electronic sensing apparatus includes a triboelectric generator encapsulated between a bottom substrate and a top encapsulation layer, wherein the triboelectric generator is arranged to generate a triboelectric sensing signal in response to a deformation of the bottom substrate and/or the top encapsulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: City University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Xinge Yu, Jiahui He
  • Patent number: 11658586
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wearable water triboelectric generator, wherein the water triboelectric generator comprises a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are opposing to each other; and wherein the first surface comprises a modified hydrophobic surface comprising a coating of hydrophobic cellulose oleoyl ester nanoparticles. There is also provided a wearable dual mode water and contact triboelectric generator comprising said water triboelectric generator and a contact triboelectric generator, wherein the water triboelectric generator and the contact triboelectric generator are arranged such that the first substrate of the water triboelectric generator completely surrounds or encapsulates the contact triboelectric generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Nanyang Technological University
    Inventors: Jiaqing Xiong, Pooi See Lee, Meng-Fang Lin
  • Patent number: 11647340
    Abstract: A vibration transducer for sensing vibrations includes a first flexible triboelectric member, a second flexible triboelectric member, a plurality of attachment points, a first electrode and a second electrode. The first flexible triboelectric member includes a first triboelectric layer and a material being on a first position on a triboelectric series. A conductive layer is deposited on the second side thereof. The second flexible triboelectric member includes a second triboelectric layer and a material being on a second position on the triboelectric series that is different from the first position on the triboelectric series. The second triboelectric member is adjacent to the first flexible triboelectric member. When the first triboelectric member comes into and out of contact with the second triboelectric member as a result of the vibrations, a triboelectric potential difference having a variable intensity corresponding to the vibrations can be sensed between the first and second triboelectric members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Nivedita Arora, Gregory D. Abowd, Mohit Gupta, Diego Osorio, Seyedeh Fereshteh Shahmiri, Thad Eugene Starner, Yi-Cheng Wang, Zhengjun Wang, Zhong Lin Wang, Steven L Zhang, Peter McAughan, Qiuyue Xue, Dhruva Bansal, Ryan Bahr, Emmanouil Tentzeris
  • Patent number: 11598315
    Abstract: A triboelectric nanogeneration module, and a combined wind turbine and a method thereof. The triboelectric nanogeneration module includes a rotating disc, and moving friction plates and fixed friction plates that are oppositely arranged outside the radial direction of the rotating disc. A nano-friction material layer is arranged on the surface of each of the moving friction plates and the fixed friction plates. Driving devices are arranged on the rotating disc in the circumferential direction at intervals. The driving devices are used for extruding the moving friction plates to move to the positions at which the moving friction plates are in contact with the fixed friction plates. The moving friction plates are connected to reset devices used for separating the moving friction plates from the fixed friction plates. The moving friction plates perform straight reciprocating movement under the action of the driving devices and the reset devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Shanghai University
    Inventors: Yan Peng, Chuanfu Xin, Zhongjie Li, Jun Luo, Shaorong Xie, Huayan Pu
  • Patent number: 11274393
    Abstract: An electrically conductive textile containing graphene that undergoes a change in electrical resistance when deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: IMAGINE INTELLIGENT MATERIALS LTD
    Inventor: Phillip Aitchison
  • Patent number: 11144158
    Abstract: Acoustic touch and/or force sensing system architectures and methods for acoustic touch and/or force sensing can be used to detect a position of an object touching a surface and an amount of force applied to the surface by the object. The position and/or an applied force can be determined using time-of-flight (TOF) techniques, for example. Acoustic touch sensing can utilize transducers (e.g., piezoelectric) to simultaneously transmit ultrasonic waves along a surface and through a thickness of a deformable material. The location of the object and the applied force can be determined based on the amount of time elapsing between the transmission of the waves and receipt of the reflected waves. In some examples, an acoustic touch sensing system can be insensitive to water contact on the device surface, and thus acoustic touch sensing can be used for touch sensing in devices that may become wet or fully submerged in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Marduke Yousefpor, Mohammad Yeke Yazdandoost, Aaron Scott Tucker, Marcus Yip, Ehsan Khajeh, Brian Michael King, Giovanni Gozzini
  • Patent number: 10873275
    Abstract: A triboelectric generator includes a ferroelectric material layer and a protective layer provided over the ferroelectric material layer including first and second electrodes that are spaced apart from each other, a polarized ferroelectric material layer provided over the first electrode and configured to generate electrical energy by contact with another material, and a protective layer provided over the ferroelectric layer to prevent diffusion of charges generated on the ferroelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Research & Business Foundation Sungkyunkwan University
    Inventors: Hyeonjin Shin, Sangwoo Kim, Seongsu Kim, Jihye Kim
  • Patent number: 10630207
    Abstract: A triboelectric generator includes a first triboelectric member, which includes a first conductive layer and an insulating triboelectric material layer disposed on the first conductive layer. The triboelectric material layer includes a first material having a first position on a triboelectric series. An elastic member, disposed against the triboelectric material layer of the triboelectric member and includes a second conductive material, has an elasticity that results in the elastic member being deformed when compressed and returning to an original non-deformed shape after being compressed. The second conductive material has a second position on the triboelectric series. A first load is coupled to the first conductive layer and with the second conductive material so that when a force compresses the elastic member charges will flow between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer through the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Zhong Lin Wang, Xiaonan Wen, Weiqing Yang
  • Patent number: 10424714
    Abstract: A piezoelectric dipole transmitter is provided that includes a piezoelectric element, an insulating support disposed at a midpoint of said piezoelectric element, or along the piezoelectric element, an external capacitance driver, and an external modulation capacitance disposed proximal to a first end of the piezoelectric element, where the driver capacitance is driven by a signal appropriate to excite a length-extensional acoustic mode of the piezoelectric element, where the piezoelectric element resonates at a piezoelectric element resonance frequency to radiate energy as an electric dipole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Mark A. Kemp, Matthew A. Franzi, Erik N. Jongewaard, Emilio A. Nanni, Andrew A. Haase
  • Patent number: 10333430
    Abstract: A generator for converting mechanical energy or hydropower or wind energy into electrical energy is disclosed. The generator includes a first member and a second member in contact with the first member to generate triboelectric charges. The second member rolls against the first member to generate a flow of electrons between two electrodes. Another embodiment of the generator includes two electrodes, and a member in contact with the two electrodes to generate triboelectric charges. The member rolls against the electrodes to generate a flow of electrons between the two electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Zhong Lin Wang, Long Lin, Yannan Xie, Zong-Hong Lin, Gang Cheng, Hengyu Guo, Jun Chen
  • Patent number: 10326384
    Abstract: There is provided a drive controller including a determination part that compares a target stop position of a movable body, which is driven by a piezoelectric actuator driven by a piezoelectric element expanded and contracted in response to an applied voltage, with a real position of the movable body acquired on the basis of a position sensor, and determines whether or not the target stop position matches with the real position, and a drive control part that turns off energization of the piezoelectric actuator when the target stop position matches with the real position while the movable body is being driven by the piezoelectric actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoya Takei
  • Patent number: 10211758
    Abstract: A friction electric generator and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The friction electric generator includes a first substrate and a second substrate disposed oppositely, a first electrode and a polymer insulating layer sequentially formed on a side of the first substrate facing the second substrate; a second electrode formed on a side of the second substrate facing the first substrate; wherein, the first electrode and the second electrode are each made of a flexible conductive substance, the first substrate and the second substrate are each made of a flexible insulating substance, and the polymer insulating layer and the second electrode is capable of generating electricity by friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fang He, Xiaolong He, Zhen Liu, Tian Yang, Yanbing Wu
  • Patent number: 9837934
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fibrous triboelectric generator. The fibrous triboelectric includes a first textile; a first electrode layer that is formed on a surface of the first textile; a friction layer that is formed on a surface of the first electrode layer and is able to be electrically charged by friction; and a second electrode layer that is able to undergo friction with the friction layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Research & Business Foundation Sungkyunkwan University
    Inventors: Sang-Woo Kim, Ju-Hyuck Lee, Wanchul Seung, Hanjun Ryu, Hong-Joon Yoon, Keun Young Lee
  • Patent number: 9394875
    Abstract: A generator for harvesting energy from water in motion includes a sheet of a hydrophobic material, having a first side and an opposite second side, that is triboelectrically more negative than water. A first electrode sheet is disposed on the second side of the sheet of a hydrophobic material. A second electrode sheet is disposed on the second side of the sheet of a hydrophobic material and is spaced apart from the first electrode sheet. Movement of the water across the first side induces an electrical potential imbalance between the first electrode sheet and the second electrode sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Zhong Lin Wang, Yanjie Su, Guang Zhu, Jun Chen
  • Patent number: 9178446
    Abstract: A generator includes a thin first contact charging layer and a thin second contact charging layer. The thin first contact charging layer includes a first material that has a first rating on a triboelectric series. The thin first contact charging layer has a first side with a first conductive electrode applied thereto and an opposite second side. The thin second contact charging layer includes a second material that has a second rating on a triboelectric series that is more negative than the first rating. The thin first contact charging layer has a first side with a first conductive electrode applied thereto and an opposite second side. The thin second contact charging layer is disposed adjacent to the first contact charging layer so that the second side of the second contact charging layer is in contact with the second side of the first contact charging layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Zhong L. Wang, Fengru Fan, Long Lin, Guang Zhu, Caofeng Pan, Yusheng Zhou
  • Patent number: 8973250
    Abstract: Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) structures, methods of manufacture and design structures are provided. The method of forming a MEMS structure includes forming a wiring layer on a substrate comprising actuator electrodes and a contact electrode. The method further includes forming a MEMS beam above the wiring layer. The method further includes forming at least one spring attached to at least one end of the MEMS beam. The method further includes forming an array of mini-bumps between the wiring layer and the MEMS beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher V. Jahnes, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Publication number: 20150061460
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, a textile-based energy generator includes first and second electrode substrates, each of the first and second electrode substrates including a textile structure and an energy generation layer between the first and second electrode substrates, the energy generation layer on at least one of the first and second electrode substrates, the energy generation layer configured to generate electrical energy by at least one of generating friction between different materials and contacting and separating the different materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Jihyun BAE, Jongjin PARK, Seongmin KIM, Byoungsun LEE
  • Patent number: 8971878
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a mobile communication device comprising a local common address database object accessible to at least one application; a communication subsystem for communicating with a network; and a database querying logic module. The database querying logic module, in conjunction with the at least one application, is operable to receive a query relating to an address record; determine that no record in a local common database disposed on the mobile communications device meets the conditions of the received query; query, via the network, a remote database for at least one remote matching record meeting the conditions of the received query; receive, via the network, the at least one remote matching record; and update the local common address database object to incorporate the at least one remote matching record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Arun Munje
  • Publication number: 20150035408
    Abstract: A device for recovering energy including a first assembly and a second assembly facing each other, the first assembly including a first conductive element and a first dielectric element carried by the first conductive element, and the second assembly including a second conductive element. The first dielectric element is arranged between the first conductive element and the second conductive element. The device further includes a mechanism ensuring that the first dielectric element comes into contact with the second conductive element. A material of the first dielectric element and the material of the second conductive element have different triboelectric affinities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Ghislain Despesse, Sebastien Boisseau, Dominique Vicard
  • Patent number: 8878056
    Abstract: A device and method for producing electricity by harnessing sunlight to produce an amplified voltage signal, the device including: (a) a sealed chamber, defined by a transparent housing; (b) an excitable medium, disposed within the chamber, in which, when the medium is exposed to solar light having wavelengths in a range of 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Techinion Research and Development Foundation Ltd.
    Inventor: Levi Schachter
  • Patent number: 8860283
    Abstract: The device comprises a first actuating bump made from electrically conducting material with a first contact surface. A second actuating bump made from electrically conducting material is facing the first actuating bump. An electrostatic actuating circuit moves the actuating bumps with respect to one another between a first position and another position. The actuating circuit comprises a device for applying a higher potential on the second actuating bump than on the first actuating bump. A film of electrically insulating material performs electric insulation between the first and second bumps. The electrically insulating material film comprises an interface with a positive ion source and is permeable to said positive ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventor: Antoine Nowodzinski
  • Patent number: 8841816
    Abstract: On an upper surface of a fixed substrate, a plurality of strap-shaped base electrodes are arranged in parallel to each other. On each of the base electrodes, an electret is formed. The electret has a width wider than the width of each base electrode, and the electret covers an exposed surface of the base electrode. A movable substrate is disposed in parallel to and facing the surface of the fixed substrate where the electrets and others are formed. The movable substrate is movable relatively to the fixed substrate. On a facing surface of the movable substrate, strip-shaped counter electrodes are each formed so as to face each base electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuakira Masaki, Kenji Sakurai, Yuji Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140246951
    Abstract: A generator includes a disc shaped first unit, a disc shaped second unit and an axle. The first unit includes a substrate layer, a double complementary electrode layer and an electrification material layer. The electrode layer includes a first electrode member and a second electrode member. The first electrode member includes evenly spaced apart first electrode legs extending inwardly. The second electrode member is complementary in shape to the first electrode member. The legs of the first electrode member and the second electrode member are interleaved with each other and define a continuous gap therebetween. The electrification material includes a first material that is in a first position on the triboelectric series. The second unit defines elongated openings and corresponding elongated leg portions, and includes a second material that is at a second position on a triboelectric series, different than the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhong Lin Wang, Guang Zhu, Long Lin, Sihong Wang, Jun Chen
  • Publication number: 20140246950
    Abstract: A generator includes a first member, a second member and a sliding mechanism. The first member includes a first electrode and a first dielectric layer affixed to the first electrode. The first dielectric layer includes a first material that has a first rating on a triboelectric series. The second member includes a second material that has a second rating on the triboelectric series that is different from the first rating. The second member includes a second electrode. The second member is disposed adjacent to the first dielectric layer so that the first dielectric layer is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The sliding mechanism is configured to cause relative lateral movement between the first member and the second member, thereby generating an electric potential imbalance between the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhong Lin Wang, Guang Zhu, Sihong Wang, Long Lin
  • Patent number: 8810049
    Abstract: An energy collection system may collect and use the energy generated by an electric field. Collection fibers are suspended from a support wire system supported by poles. The support wire system is electrically connected to a load by a connecting wire. The collection fibers may be made of any conducting material, but carbon and graphite are preferred. Diodes may be used to restrict the backflow or loss of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Ion Power Group, LLC
    Inventor: Clint McCowen
  • Patent number: 8774871
    Abstract: Provided is a vibration apparatus, method and computer-readable medium generating vibrations and ultrasonic waves. The vibration apparatus, method and computer-readable medium may generate the vibrations or the ultrasonic waves in accordance with a first control signal and a second control signal each having a frequency band different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Korea University of Technology and Education Industry-University Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Jae Joon Han, Won-Chul Bang, Sang-Youn Kim, Tae Heon Yang
  • Patent number: 8774126
    Abstract: Time-aligned handover for a mobile device is described herein. The time-aligned handover is achieved by determining a time difference between serving and target cells and determining a target propagation delay based on the time difference. In some cases, the target propagation delay may further be determined based on a serving propagation delay between the serving cell and the mobile device. A target transmission time is calculated based on the target propagation delay. The mobile device uses the target transmission time to time align transmissions to the target cell during handover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventor: Muhammad Ali Kazmi
  • Patent number: 8729770
    Abstract: A MEMS system comprises a first rotational actuator having a first drive mechanism configured to drive rotation of a first rotator about a first axis, a second rotational actuator having a second drive mechanism configured to drive rotation of a second rotator about a second axis, first and second flexible linkages, a first drive beam coupled to the first rotator and to the first flexible linkage, a second drive beam coupled to the second rotator and to the second flexible linkage, and one or more device mounts coupled to the first and second flexible linkages. The one or more device mounts are configured to provide distributed points of attachment of a device. The rotation of the first and second rotators causes the device mount to rotate or piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Adriatic Research Institute
    Inventor: Veljko Milanovic
  • Patent number: 8723391
    Abstract: A tuning fork vibrator includes a package having an internal space having a rectangle column shape; a tuning fork vibration piece including a base, two vibration arms extending in parallel form the base and a first arm and a second arm extending obliquely from the base so as to interpose the two vibration arms, the tuning fork vibration piece having a length from the base to a tip in an extended direction of the two vibration arms which is longer than each side of the bottom surface of the internal space, wherein the tuning fork vibration piece is placed in the internal space with the extended direction set along a diagonal direction of the internal space, and a tip part of the first arm and a tip part of the second arm of the tuning fork vibration piece are fixed to the bottom surface of the internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hajime Kubota, Masayuki Itoh, Masakazu Kishi
  • Patent number: 8716916
    Abstract: A vibration power generator including a first substrate; first electrodes disposed over one surface of the first substrate; a second substrate spaced from the first substrate and opposed to the one surface of the first substrate; and second electrodes disposed over one surface of the second substrate so as to be opposed to the first electrodes, wherein one of the first and second electrodes includes a film holding a charge; one of the first and second substrates is a vibratory substrate; and an overlapped area between the first and second electrodes becomes minimum and then maximum, or becomes maximum and minimum, and an electrostatic capacity Cp formed between the first and second electrodes when the overlapped area becomes maximum changes, and the change of Cp comprises an increase of Cp, while the vibratory substrate is displaced from the vibration center to the vibration end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakatsuka, Hiroki Takeuchi, Keiji Onishi
  • Patent number: 8653717
    Abstract: A vibration power generator includes a first substrate, a first electrode disposed on a lower surface of the first substrate and including a film retaining electric charges, a second substrate opposing the lower surface of the first substrate, a second electrode disposed on an upper surface of the second substrate, a third electrode disposed on the upper surface of the first substrate and including a film retaining the electric charges, a third substrate opposing the upper surface of the first substrate, and a fourth electrode disposed on a lower surface of the third substrate and opposing the third electrode. The film of the first electrode has a polarity different from a polarity of the film of the third electrode, and the vibration power generator includes a restoring force generation member giving a restoring force when an external force is not exerted to the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakatsuka, Keiji Onishi
  • Publication number: 20140028151
    Abstract: A generator includes a sliding member, a first power generation element and a second power generation element. The sliding member is made of a biomass-containing material. The first power generation element is configured to slide with respect to the sliding member. The second power generation element is configured to generate electrical power by variation of its relative position with respect to the first power generation element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yuko Morita, Masakazu Yajima, Hideo Niikura, Yohei Fukuma
  • Patent number: 8536760
    Abstract: A ball-electric power generator is provided, in which triboelectric power can be generated by friction when balls made of one of triboelectric series having different shapes of spheres, sheets, rods, wires and the like move and hit layers or substrates made of one of the triboelectric series in a chamber defined by the layers or substrates and a spacer connecting the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: K-Technology USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Ki Il Kim, Sang Woo Kim, Young Kim, Keunyoung Lee, Seongsu Kim
  • Patent number: 8531082
    Abstract: An actuator and a method for using the same are provided. The actuator includes a flexible element and a photoelectric layer. The flexible element includes an elastic layer or a piezoelectric layer. The photoelectric layer is disposed on a side of the flexible element. An electrical characteristic of the photoelectric layer is determined according to an irradiation condition of the photoelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignees: Industrial Technology Research Institute, Yen Tjing Ling Industrial Research Institute, National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Chih-Kung Lee, Chin-Kai Chang, Kuan-Ting Chen, Hui-Lung Kuo, Wen-Jong Wu
  • Patent number: 8519596
    Abstract: A graphene triboelectric charging device and a method of generating electricity by the same are provided. The device can include an electric power generating unit including a triboelectric layer, a polyester layer disposed to face the triboelectric layer, and a graphene layer interposed between the triboelectric layer and the polyester layer, a holder accommodating the electric power generating unit and having an uneven surface configured to receive a portion of the electric power generating unit when it is deformed by external force, and a friction unit disposed to face the electric power generating unit and configured to deform the electric power generating unit, wherein the friction unit is disposed to face the uneven surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: K-Technology USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Ki il Kim, Sang Woo Kim, Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8508907
    Abstract: A device collects electrostatic charge from the atmosphere and stores the electrostatic charge for further use. The device includes a primary array including a plurality of electrically-conducting collectors, a plurality of electrically-conducting inductors, a charge regulator, and a charge storage device. A secondary array can be added to improve the efficiency of the primary array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: eFluxor LLC
    Inventor: Robert Mayer
  • Patent number: 8461743
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of driving an electrostatic actuator includes a first electrode provided on a substrate, a second electrode arranged above the first electrode to be movable in a vertical direction, and an insulating film provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, includes boosting a power supply voltage to generate a driving voltage of the electrostatic actuator, and applying the driving voltage to each of the first electrode and the second electrode when setting the electrostatic actuator in an up state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tamio Ikehashi
  • Patent number: 8243683
    Abstract: A method and network element to control use of a transition indication message by a user equipment, the method including an inhibit transition indication in a configuration message; and sending the configuration message with the inhibit transition indication to the user equipment. Also, a method and user equipment for sending a transition indication, the method setting a timer according to an inhibit transition indication received from a network element; detecting that a data transfer is complete; and sending the transition indication upon detecting that the timer is not running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Gordon Peter Young, Takashi Suzuki, Claude Jean-Frederic Arzelier, Muhammad Khaledul Islam, Jeffrey William Wirtanen
  • Publication number: 20120194142
    Abstract: Power generation efficiency is improved with a simple configuration. A braking device is provided with a brake rotor which rotates on a central axis, and friction portions which are in frictional contact with the brake rotor. A coil is wound around the outer peripheral portion of the brake rotor. A friction portion has the north pole of a magnet, and a friction portion has the south pole of a magnet. The braking device generates electricity by using an electromagnetic induction phenomenon and an electrostatic phenomenon that are caused by the interaction between the outer peripheral portion and the friction portion, for example, at the time of braking. As a result, the configuration can be simplified and the amount of power generation is not likely to be limited by a motor capability because there is very little need to use the motor as a generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Abe, Hiroshi Isono, Yoshitomo Denou
  • Patent number: 8102097
    Abstract: An electrostatic acting device in which leakage of charge from an electret film is suppressed. The electrostatic acting device comprises a movable electrode section (20) having a movable electrode (22), a fixed electrode section (10) having an electret film (12) opposed to the movable section (20) at a predetermined distance and capable of storing charge and a conductive layer (14) formed on a predetermined region on the upper surface of the electret film (12), and an insulating film (13) interposed between the electret film (12) and the conductive layer (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohko Naruse, Yoshinori Shishida, Naoteru Matsubara, Yoshiki Murayama
  • Patent number: 8089194
    Abstract: An electrostatic acting device in which leakage of charge from an electret film is suppressed. The electrostatic acting device comprises a movable electrode section (20) having a movable electrode (22) and a fixed electrode section (10) having an electret film (12) opposed to the movable electrode section (20) at a predetermined distance and capable of storing charge and a conductive layer (13) formed on a predetermined region on the upper surface of the electret film (12). The conductive layer (13) is formed on the surface of a region of the electret film (12), and the region is projected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohko Naruse, Yoshinori Shishida, Naoteru Matsubara, Yoshiki Murayama
  • Patent number: 8040221
    Abstract: A mobile radio frequency identification (RFID) system is described that includes a wheeled cart, a RFID reader mounted to the wheeled cart, a computer mounted to the wheeled cart and communicatively coupled to the RFID reader, and a directional antenna capable of being communicatively coupled to the RFID reader and movably mounted to the wheeled cart. The system also includes at least one omni-directional antenna mounted to the wheeled cart and capable of being communicatively coupled to the RFID reader. The computer is configured to process data received from the RFID tags and further configured to allow a user to selectively couple one or both of the at least one omni-directional antenna and the directional antenna to the RFID reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald L. Murray, Gary D. Koval, Karl L. Johnson, Gaylen Kenneth Cardwell
  • Patent number: 7986073
    Abstract: The present invention combines electrostatic comb with parallel plate actuation in a novel design to create a robust low voltage MEMS Micromirror. Other unique advantages of the invention include the ability to close the comb fingers for additional reliability and protection during mirror snapping with over voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: AG Microsystems Inc.
    Inventor: Asif A. Godil
  • Patent number: 7863799
    Abstract: The present invention combines electrostatic comb with parallel plate actuation in a novel design to create a robust low voltage MEMS Micromirror. Other unique advantages of the invention include the ability to close the comb fingers for additional reliability and protection during mirror snapping with over voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: AG Microsystems Inc.
    Inventor: Asif Aziz Godil
  • Patent number: 7775433
    Abstract: An optical deflection apparatus including a light source; an optical deflector including first and second oscillators and first and second torsion springs, the first torsion spring connecting the first and second oscillators, the second torsion spring being connected to the second oscillator, and the first and second torsion springs sharing a common torsion axis; and a driver that applies a driving force to the optical deflector; and a driving controller that supplies a driving signal to the driver. The driving controller sets a reference frequency on the basis of a resonant frequency of the optical deflector, calculates a target time at which one of the first and second oscillators makes a predetermined deflection angle on the basis of the reference frequency, and supplies such a driving signal that the one of the first and second oscillators passes through a point corresponding to the predetermined deflection angle at the target time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirotake Ando
  • Patent number: 7652407
    Abstract: A driving device includes an electro-mechanical transducer having first and second end portions opposite to each other in an expansion/contraction direction, a static member coupled to the first end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, a vibration friction portion coupled to the second end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, and a rod-shaped moving portion frictionally coupled to the vibration friction portion, whereby moving the moving portion in the expansion/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical transducer. An outer sheath is for covering the driving device. An attitude retaining arrangement retains an attitude of the driving device with respect to the outer sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiko Nishiyama, Tsukasa Yamada
  • Patent number: 7586241
    Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer having one end portion of a first piezoelectric element and one end portion of a second piezoelectric element fixed to a frame such that the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element are supported by the frame in an opening of the frame in the cantilever manner. A flexible thin film is bonded to the frame and the first and second piezoelectric elements so that it covers at least a gap between each of the piezoelectric elements and the frame. The other end portions of the piezoelectric elements are free end portions, and face each other with a gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Kuroda, Yoshihiro Sonoda
  • Publication number: 20090140603
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a static charge generating assembly. The static charge generating assembly is comprised of: (a) a support structure built from a plurality of friction fit building elements; (b) positive and negative static charge generating wheels; (c) a belt wrapped around the static charge generating wheels; (d) a power source electrically coupled to a driving means for rotating at least one of the static charge generating wheels and the belt at a preselected rotational speed; and (e) positive and negative electrodes secured to the support structure adjacent to the belt. Each of the electrodes is mounted on at least one of the friction fit building elements positioned adjacent to a static charge generating wheel operable to collect static charge. Separate positive and negative static charge collectors are used for storing the negative and positive static charges from the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventor: Dean Aslam
  • Patent number: RE42449
    Abstract: A piezo-electric tag in the form of a card has a first dipole antenna, a first rectification circuit, a piezo-electric transformer, a second rectification circuit, and a transponder circuit. In operation, the antenna receives incoming radiation and generates a corresponding signal which propagates to the first circuit which demodulates and filters it to generate a signal which is applied to the transformer to excite it. The transformer increases the voltage amplitude of the signal by generating a relatively higher voltage amplitude signal which is used in the tag to generate a signal for supplying power to the transponder. The transformer provides voltage magnitude enhancement to generate potentials suitable for operating active electronic circuits incorporated into the tag. The tag can be personnel wearable and even adapted for permanent inclusion into biological systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Mineral Lassen LLC
    Inventor: Ian James Forster