Patents Assigned to Clean Energy Labs, LLC
  • Publication number: 20210058712
    Abstract: An improved loudspeaker that has a plurality of electrostatic transducers forming a card stack that is housed in a stack holder. The stack holder can support the loudspeaker perforated grill (or mesh), can secure the card stack to the speaker case, and can provide a watertight electrical connection to the sealed chamber of the loudspeaker (that contains the main circuit board for controlling the loudspeaker).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Michael KELLER, Justin Robert SMITH, David A. BADGER, William Neil EVERETT, Joseph F. PINKERTON, William Martin LACKOWSKI, Thomas James SMYRSON
  • Publication number: 20200400136
    Abstract: Pumping systems that have pumping system units utilizing venturi pumps. Such pumping systems can be used in speakers, to propel drones, and other applications. Actuation of the venturi pumps can be by piezoelectric actuators, magnetic actuators, electrostatic actuators, and other similar actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph F. Pinkerton
  • Patent number: 10791401
    Abstract: An improved loudspeaker that has a plurality of stacks of cards having electrostatic transducers, in which one stack of cards has a different width as another stack of cards in the plurality of stacks. At frequencies above 200 Hz, and at the same drive voltage and current, the stack of lesser width produced significantly greater microphone voltage as compared to the stack of greater width cards. By combining the plurality of stacks of cards with different widths, this provides for the elimination of conventional cone drivers, and provides for improved sound both above and below 200 Hz using only electrostatic transducers. It also assists in maintaining a null sound plane that is beneficial for voice recognition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Pinkerton, David A. Badger, William Neil Everett, William Martin Lackowski
  • Patent number: 10694009
    Abstract: A communications system and method of use thereof in which communication system includes a substrate and an array of pumps of mounted on the substrate. The array of pumps are operable for operating at a first frequency to produce sound waves at a second frequency. The first frequency is higher than the second frequency. IN some embodiments, the pumps in the array of pumps can include a first cavity having a first inlet and a first outlet, a first plurality of electrically conductive traces located within the first cavity, and a continuous sheet of electrically conductive material spaced apart from and in close proximity to the first plurality of electrically conductive traces. The first plurality of electrically conductive traces are operable for creating a first time-varying deflection in the electrically conductive material. The first time-varying deflection moves in the first cavity from the first inlet to the first outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Badger, Joseph F. Pinkerton, William Neil Everett, William Martin Lackowski
  • Patent number: 10670001
    Abstract: Nanomechanical, nanoelectromechanical, and other molecular-scale pump assemblies are described. In certain embodiments, the pump assembly includes a cavity. The cavity includes a plurality of nanofilaments, a surface proximate at least one of the nanofilaments, a fluid flow path, and an opening. Molecules of a fluid that flows from the opening through the cavity along the fluid flow path collide with the surface or one or more of the nanofilaments such that the molecules are accelerated along the fluid flow path. A molecular-scale pump assembly includes a plate defining a plurality of openings, and a plurality of cantilevered molecular-scale beams positioned over each opening. In certain embodiments, molecules of a fluid are accelerated through the opening by asymmetric oscillation and in other embodiments charges are guided along a conductive channel by asymmetric collisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph F. Pinkerton
  • Publication number: 20200088184
    Abstract: Electromagnet venturi pump/transducer systems and methods to make and use same. The membrane is made from a material that can be, for example, a steel membrane, having a ferrite disk that is pulled by the electromagnet to a set point and then the stiff membrane is oscillated about that set point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph F. Pinkerton
  • Publication number: 20200021919
    Abstract: An improved loudspeaker that has a plurality of stacks of cards having electrostatic transducers, in which one stack of cards has a different width as another stack of cards in the plurality of stacks. At frequencies above 200 Hz, and at the same drive voltage and current, the stack of lesser width produced significantly greater microphone voltage as compared to the stack of greater width cards. By combining the plurality of stacks of cards with different widths, this provides for the elimination of conventional cone drivers, and provides for improved sound both above and below 200 Hz using only electrostatic transducers. It also assists in maintaining a null sound plane that is beneficial for voice recognition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Pinkerton, David A. Badger, William Neil Everett, William Martin Lackowski
  • Publication number: 20200021907
    Abstract: A case-baffle-stand system utilized with a dipole speaker, in which the case-baffle-stand system has a cover that, when opened, is a baffle to enhance the sound waves emitting from the speaker system and is also a stand to stabilize the speaker in its proper standing orientation, and when closed, protects the speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph F. Pinkerton
  • Patent number: 10354102
    Abstract: Ultrasonic identification devices, and methods of making and use same. The present invention further relates to ultrasonic ID devices using membranes (such as membranes made of graphene or a polyester film).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: CLEAN ENERGY LABS, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph F. Pinkerton
  • Patent number: 10250997
    Abstract: An improved compact electroacoustic transducer and loudspeaker system. The electroacoustic transducer (or array of electroacoustic transducers) can generate the desired sound by the use of pressurized airflow. The electroacoustic transducer can have vented stators and can have a strong-weak ultra-thin loudspeaker transducer pair design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Pinkerton, William N. Everett, William M. Lackowski
  • Patent number: 10194244
    Abstract: Pump systems having electrically conductive membranes are described. In embodiments of the invention, the electrically conductive membranes can be utilized as speakers to produce ultrasonic and audible sounds. The electrically conductive membranes are made from materials such as graphene, graphene oxide, and polymer films having a thin conductive coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph F. Pinkerton
  • Publication number: 20190020956
    Abstract: Electrostatic venturi membrane-based pump/transducer systems and methods to make and use same. The motion of the membranes in the system is perpendicular to the net airflow produced by the electrostatic venturi membrane-based pump/transducer. The electrostatic venturi membrane-based pump/transducer systems can be arranged in cards, the cards can be stacked in arrays and operated at different electrical phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph F. Pinkerton
  • Publication number: 20180115835
    Abstract: An improved compact electroacoustic transducer and loudspeaker system. The electroacoustic transducer (or array of electroacoustic transducers) can generate the desired sound by the use of pressurized airflow. The electroacoustic transducer can have vented stators and can have a strong-weak ultra-thin loudspeaker transducer pair design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Applicant: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Pinkerton, William N. Everett, William M. Lackowski
  • Patent number: 9924275
    Abstract: An improved loudspeaker having pump cards that include an array of electrically conductive membrane transducers (such as polyester-metal membrane pumps). The array of electrically conductive membrane transducers combine to generate the desired sound by the use of pressurized airflow. The array of electrically conductive membranes has a total membrane area that is at least five times larger than the face area of the loudspeaker. In some embodiments, the loudspeaker includes a dynamic DC bus controller that maintains the DC bus level slightly above the inverter output (audio signal).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Pinkerton, David A. Badger, William Neil Everett, William Martin Lackowski
  • Patent number: 9831803
    Abstract: Nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS) devices that utilize thin electrically conductive membranes, which can be, for example, graphene membranes. The membrane-based NEMS devices can be used as sensors, electrical relays, adjustable angle mirror devices, variable impedance devices, and devices performing other functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F Pinkerton, David A Badger, William Neil Everett, William Martin Lackowski
  • Patent number: 9831804
    Abstract: Nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS) devices that utilize thin electrically conductive membranes, which can be, for example, graphene membranes. The membrane-based NEMS devices can be used as sensors, electrical relays, adjustable angle mirror devices, variable impedance devices, and devices performing other functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F Pinkerton, David A Badger, William Neil Everett, William Martin Lackowski
  • Patent number: 9826313
    Abstract: An improved compact electroacoustic transducer and loudspeaker system. The electroacoustic transducer (or array of electroacoustic transducers) can generate the desired sound by the use of pressurized airflow. The electroacoustic transducer uses a shared stator with an array of vent support fingers and metal frame instead of two stators per electroacoustic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Pinkerton, William Neil Everett, William Martin Lackowski, David A. Badger
  • Publication number: 20170208155
    Abstract: A communications system and method of use thereof in which communication system includes a substrate and an array of pumps of mounted on the substrate. The array of pumps are operable for operating at a first frequency to produce sound waves at a second frequency. The first frequency is higher than the second frequency. IN some embodiments, the pumps in the array of pumps can include a first cavity having a first inlet and a first outlet, a first plurality of electrically conductive traces located within the first cavity, and a continuous sheet of electrically conductive material spaced apart from and in close proximity to the first plurality of electrically conductive traces. The first plurality of electrically conductive traces are operable for creating a first time-varying deflection in the electrically conductive material. The first time-varying deflection moves in the first cavity from the first inlet to the first outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Badger, Joseph F. Pinkerton, William Neil Everett, William Martin Lackowski
  • Patent number: 9638182
    Abstract: The present invention relates to pump systems having graphene or other atomically thin electrically conductive materials supported by trough-shaped cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph F. Pinkerton
  • Patent number: D883952
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Clean Energy Labs, LLC
    Inventors: David Lucas, Joseph F. Pinkerton, William Martin Lackowski, David A. Badger