Patents Assigned to Microgen Systems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9728707
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material, the resonator beam extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam; a package surrounding at least a portion of the second end of the resonator beam; and a compliant stopper connected to the package, where the stopper is configured to stabilize motion of the cantilever to prevent breakage. Also disclosed is a system, a method of powering an electrically powered apparatus, and methods of producing an energy harvester device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: MicroGen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathleen M. Vaeth, David Trauernicht, Robert G. Andosca
  • Patent number: 9502635
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising an elongate resonator beam extending between first and second ends. A base is connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end extending from the base as a structural layer. The elongate resonator beam comprises either: (1) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a structural layer on a second oxide layer over a second piezoelectric stack layer on a third oxide layer or (2) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a second oxide layer on a structural layer over a third oxide layer on a second piezoelectric stack over a fourth oxide layer. Also disclosed is a system comprising an apparatus and the device, as well as methods of making and using the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: MicroGen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Andosca, Kathleen M. Vaeth, Didier Lacroix
  • Patent number: 9484522
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device, which includes an elongate, planar resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material and side walls extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; and a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam. The side walls are continuously curved within the plane of the resonator beam. Also disclosed are a system containing the device, and methods of using and making the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Microgen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Andosca, Kathleen M. Vaeth
  • Patent number: 9479089
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material, the resonator beam extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam; a package surrounding at least a portion of the second end of the resonator beam; and a stopper connected to the mass and/or the second end of the resonator beam, where the stopper is configured to prevent contact between the second end of the resonator beam and the package. Also disclosed is a system, a method of powering an electrically powered apparatus, and methods of producing an anergy harvester device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Microgen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Andosca, T. Gus McDonald, David Trauernicht, Kathleen M. Vaeth
  • Patent number: 9419546
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising a plurality of elongate resonator beams. The resonator beams include a piezoelectric material extending between first and second ends. One or more bases are connected to the first end of each of the resonator beams, with the second end of the resonator beams being freely extending from the one or more bases as a cantilever. A mass is attached to each of the second ends of the resonator beams. Each of the resonator beams is tuned to a resonant frequency offset relative to each of the other resonator beams by 0.1/W to 0.9/W, wherein W is a temporal width between a first impulse and a second impulse which excite motion of the resonator beams. Also disclosed is a system comprising an apparatus and the energy harvester device, as well as methods of using and designing the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: MicroGen Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David Trauernicht
  • Patent number: 9362480
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam extending between first and second ends. A base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever. A mass is attached to the second end of the elongate resonator beam. The elongate resonator beam comprises either: (1) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a cantilever layer on a second oxide layer over a second piezoelectric stack layer on a third oxide layer or (2) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a second oxide layer on a cantilever layer over a third oxide layer on a second piezoelectric stack over a fourth oxide layer. Also disclosed is a system comprising an electrically powered apparatus and the energy harvester device, as well as methods of making and using the energy harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: MicroGen Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Andosca
  • Publication number: 20150311826
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising a plurality of elongate resonator beams. The resonator beams include a piezoelectric material extending between first and second ends. One or more bases are connected to the first end of each of the resonator beams, with the second end of the resonator beams being freely extending from the one or more bases as a cantilever. A mass is attached to each of the second ends of the resonator beams. Each of the resonator beams is tuned to a resonant frequency offset relative to each of the other resonator beams by 0.1/W to 0.9/W, wherein W is a temporal width between a first impulse and a second impulse which excite motion of the resonator beams. Also disclosed is a system comprising an apparatus and the energy harvester device, as well as methods of using and designing the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: MicroGen Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David Trauernicht
  • Publication number: 20150256144
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising an elongate resonator beam extending between first and second ends. A base is connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end extending from the base as a structural layer. The elongate resonator beam comprises either: (1) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a structural layer on a second oxide layer over a second piezoelectric stack layer on a third oxide layer or (2) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a second oxide layer on a structural layer over a third oxide layer on a second piezoelectric stack over a fourth oxide layer. Also disclosed is a system comprising an apparatus and the device, as well as methods of making and using the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: MicroGen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Andosca, Kathleen M. Vaeth, Didier Lacroix
  • Publication number: 20150221855
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material, the resonator beam extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam; a package surrounding at least a portion of the second end of the resonator beam; and a compliant stopper connected to the package, where the stopper is configured to stabilize motion of the cantilever to prevent breakage. Also disclosed is a system, a method of powering an electrically powered apparatus, and methods of producing an energy harvester device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: MicroGen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathleen M. VAETH, David TRAUERNICHT, Robert G. ANDOSCA
  • Publication number: 20150188458
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material, the resonator beam extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam; a package surrounding at least a portion of the second end of the resonator beam; and a stopper connected to the mass and/or the second end of the resonator beam, where the stopper is configured to prevent contact between the second end of the resonator beam and the package. Also disclosed is a system, a method of powering an electrically powered apparatus, and methods of producing an anergy harvester device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: MicroGen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Andosca, T. Gus McDonald, David Trauernicht, Kathleen M. Vaeth
  • Publication number: 20150188030
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device, which includes an elongate, planar resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material and side walls extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; and a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam. The side walls are continuously curved within the plane of the resonator beam. Also disclosed are a system containing the device, and methods of using and making the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: MicroGen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Andosca, Kathleen M. Vaeth
  • Publication number: 20140265726
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam extending between first and second ends. A base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever. A mass is attached to the second end of the elongate resonator beam. The elongate resonator beam comprises either: (1) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a cantilever layer on a second oxide layer over a second piezoelectric stack layer on a third oxide layer or (2) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a second oxide layer on a cantilever layer over a third oxide layer on a second piezoelectric stack over a fourth oxide layer. Also disclosed is a system comprising an electrically powered apparatus and the energy harvester device, as well as methods of making and using the energy harvester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: MicroGen Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Andosca
  • Patent number: 6878755
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for processing a sample for chemical and/or biological analysis, and detecting one or more target substances. A first system of microfabricated components includes at least a reservoir and a channel, and a second system of detection components including at least a lens. The lens is focused on a sensing platform of the first system. The sensing platform is coupled to the reservoir by the channel. Various types of detection systems can be utilized with the present invention including fluorescence detection systems with a laser that is positioned to illuminate a sample in the sensing platform. The microfabricated components include one or more pumps, valves, mixers, and filters. A thermoelectric cooler can be positioned to control the temperature of at least one of the microfabricated components. A variety of component configurations can be implemented, and a variety of different processes can be performed, depending on the configuration of components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Microgen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Angad Singh, Shahzi S. Iqbal