Patents Assigned to Sarcos.
  • Patent number: 5481184
    Abstract: A movement actuator includes an elongate filament made of a flexible material, and a strip of shape memory alloy disposed on the surface of one side of the filament. The shape memory alloy is responsive to actuation signals, heat or electrical signals, for changing its shape and when its shape changes, it causes the filament to move, i.e., bend, to accommodate the change in shape of the alloy. Also included is a signal supply device for selectively applying heat signals or electrical current to the strip of shape memory alloy to cause the alloy to change its shape and cause the filament to bend. Other patterns for the shape memory alloy could be disposed on the filament to cause other kinds of movements. For example, a helical pattern of the shape memory alloy about the filament would cause the filament to twist when the helical pattern were caused to shorten or lengthen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Sarcos Group
    Inventor: Stephen C. Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 5451774
    Abstract: A three-dimensional circuit structure includes a plurality of elongate cylindrical substrates positioned in parallel and in contact with one another. Electrical components are formed on the surfaces of the substrates, along with electrical conductors coupled to those components. The conductors are selectively positioned on each substrate so as to contact conductors on adjacent substrates to allow for the transfer of electrical signals between substrates. The conductor patterns on the substrates may be helical, circumferential, or longitudinal, in such a fashion that substrates may be added to or removed from the bundle so that the bundle will continue to operate as needed. The cylindrical nature of the substrates leaves gaps or channels between the substrates to which cooling fluid may be supplied for cooling the circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Sarcos Group
    Inventor: Stephen C. Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 5445187
    Abstract: A condensate trap assembly comprises a valve body 2 and a condensate trap 4 releaseably secured to the valve body 2. The valve body 2 has an inlet and an outlet and accommodates a valve element which is movable between three operative positions in which respectively:(i) the inlet is isolated from the condensate trap 4 and from the outlet,(ii) the inlet communicates directly with the outlet, by passing the condensate trap 4; and(iii) the inlet communicates with the outlet through the condensate trap 4.The valve element is housed for rotation within the valve body 2 so that the operative position of the valve is determined by the angular position of the valve element, which is controlled by an adjustment knob 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Spirax-Sarco Limited
    Inventor: Keith R. Farquhar
  • Patent number: 5426336
    Abstract: An eccentric-motion motor for driving a utilization mechanism includes a stator defining a closed surface pathway, an armature composed of a permanent magnet rollably disposed on the closed surface pathway, a series of electromagnetic elements disposed in the stator along the closed surface pathway, circuitry for successively energizing the electromagnetic elements to cause them to attract and/or repel the armature so that it rolls along the closed surface pathway, and a coupler mechanism for coupling the armature to the utilization mechanism so that as the armature is caused to roll, the utilization mechanism is powered by the operation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Sarcos, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Clark C. Davis
  • Patent number: 5419203
    Abstract: A target meter comprises a plug 12 which is movable relatively to an orifice plate 8 against a spring 20. The spring transfers the force on the plug 12 to an abutment 26, 42. The force applied to the support 26, 42 is detected by strain gauges 30, 44 and the signals from the strain gauges are processed to provide a measure of the flow rate or of the pressure drop across the orifice plate 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Spirax-Sarco Limited
    Inventor: Richard Q. Carmichael
  • Patent number: 5316213
    Abstract: A condensate trap (2) comprises a valve disposed within a casing comprising a peripheral wall (3) and end walls (6,7). Each end wall has an aperture (9,10) for the passage of fluid into and out of the casing, the end walls having mutually parallel flat end surfaces (14) for clamping between two flanges (5) in a fluid line (4). Connection means (11,12) external to the condensate trap (2) connect the flanges (5) allowing simple installation and removal of the trap (2) in existing fluid lines which include a flanged connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Spirax-Sarco Limited
    Inventor: Roy J. Gooderham
  • Patent number: 5273622
    Abstract: A method of fabricating semiconductor devices on a moveable fiber includes the steps of moving the fiber longitudinally along a predetermined pathway, applying a semiconductor material to at least a portion of the surface of the fiber at a first station along the pathway, applying a resist over the semiconductor material at a second station spaced from the first station in a direction of movement of the fiber, pre-baking the resist at a third station spaced from the second station, exposing a predetermined semiconductor device pattern in the resist at a fourth station spaced from the third station, developing the exposed resist at a fifth station along the pathway, etching or depositing the predetermined pattern on the material over which the exposed resist was located at a sixth station along the pathway, and removing the remaining resist from the semiconductor material at a seventh station along the pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Sarcos Group
    Inventor: Stephen C. Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 5270485
    Abstract: A three-dimensional circuit structure includes a plurality of elongate cylindrical substrates positioned in parallel and in contact with one another. Electrical components are formed on the surfaces of the substrates, along with electrical conductors coupled to those components. The conductors are selectively positioned on each substrate so as to contact conductors on adjacent substrates to allow for the transfer of electrical signals between substrates. The conductor patterns on the substrates may be helical, circumferential, or longitudinal, in such a fashion that substrates may be added to or removed from the bundle so that the bundle will continue to operate as needed. The cylindrical nature of the substrates leaves gaps or channels between the substrates to which cooling fluid may be supplied for cooling the circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Sarcos Group
    Inventor: Stephen C. Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 5269882
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the nonplanar treatment of a volumetric workpiece or substrate utilizing exposure beam lithography are disclosed. The method includes supplying one or more layers of one or more semiconductor materials to surfaces of the substrate, applying a resist over the semiconductor layers, setting the resist, and then directing an exposure beam, such as an electron beam, toward the substrate. The substrate is then moved in at least two degrees freedom of movement, relative to the beam, with one degree of freedom of movement being the rotating of the substrate about an axis generally perpendicular to the beam. The other degree of freedom of movement could be moving the substrate linearly in a direction generally parallel to the axis. By such movement, the resist is exposed to the beam in a predetermined pattern. The exposed resist is then developed and a layer or layers under the exposed resist are etched. The remaining resist is then removed yielding the desired semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Sarcos Group
    Inventor: Stephen C. Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 5230361
    Abstract: A snap action toggle valve actuator assembly for use in a fluid holding tank. Movement of a float or other movable actuating element causes pivotal movement of pivot arm, which compresses a spring. When the float element reaches a predetermined level, the spring causes a downward movement in linkage attached to the rear of a valve actuating lever and an upward movement of a valve rod secured to the other end of the valve actuating lever and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Spirax Sarco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Carr, Daniel Douro
  • Patent number: 5167625
    Abstract: An implantable drug delivery system includes a housing having a plurality of compartments each of which includes an opening on one side thereof and a floor generally opposite the opening. Also included are a plurality of flexible drug containment sacks, each having a mouth circumscribing an opening in the sack, with the sack being disposed in a respective compartment with the mouth affixed to the opening of that compartment to seal the inside of the sack from the inside of the compartment and to enable holding a drug formulation in the sack. A plurality of covers are disposed over a respective compartment opening for preventing the release of drug formulation contained in the sacks in the compartment covered, until ruptured or removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Sarcos Group
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Barry K. Hanover, Eric M. Simon, Tomasz Petelenz, Michael G. Mladejovsky
  • Patent number: 5141493
    Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system is disclosed for administering substantially sterile dialysate to the peritoneal cavity of a patient. The system includes a dialyzer for passing a primary solution and a secondary solution therethrough to enabale removal of waste products from the primary solution to the secondary solution, and a primary circuit for selectively circulating a primary solution through the dialyzer. Connecting conduits or tubing is provided for selectively carrying primary solution from the primary circuit to the peritoneal cavity of the patient and for selectively withdrawing at least some of the solution from the peritoneal cavity back into the primary circuit. A pump is disposed in the primary circuit for causing primary solution to circulate in the primary circuit independently of transfer of primary solution between the primary circuit and the peritoneal cavity of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Sarcos Group
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Barry K. Hanover, Robert L. Stephen
  • Patent number: 5109701
    Abstract: A field-based movement sensor adapted for measuring strain along a certain axis in an object on which the sensor is attached. The sensor includes a substrate having a working surface and formed with a pair of fingers projecting from a first direction, and a third finger projecting from a direction oppposite the first direction, to a position between the pair of fingers. The pair of fingers and third finger extend generally perpendicular to the axis along which strain is to be measured, with the pair of fingers being moveable with respect to the third finger along the axis when the strain occurs. An electrically charged element for producing an electric field is disposed on the working surface of the third finger, and a pair of field-effect transistors (FETS) are each disposed on a working surface of a different one of the pair of fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Sarcos Group
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, John E. Wood
  • Patent number: 5106455
    Abstract: Apparatus for non-planar treatment of a workpiece utilizing exposure beam lithography includes a vacuum chamber, an exposure beam generator such as an electron beam generator disposed in the chamber for directing a beam towards a work location, a chuck disposed in the chamber for holding and positioning the workpiece at the work location, a rotary motorized stage disposed in the chamber and responsive to first control signals for selectively rotating the chuck, and thus the workpiece, to thereby expose different areas of the workpiece to the beam, and a linear motorized stage disposed in the chamber on which the rotary stage is mounted, said linear motor being responsive to second control signals for selectively moving the rotary stage and thus the chuck and workpiece in a linear direction which is generally parallel with the axis of rotation of the rotary stage. The workpiece is thus exposed over additional areas by operation of the linear stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Sarcos Group
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, David L. Wells, Clark Davis, John E. Wood
  • Patent number: 5072361
    Abstract: A teleoperation system includes a master station having a manually operable master link coupled to a master actuator which provides force resistance to operation and movement of the master link, and a slave station having a slave link moveable by a slave actuator in response to command signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Sarcos Group
    Inventors: Clark C. Davis, Edwin K. Iversen, Stephen C. Jacobsen, Klaus B. Biggers
  • Patent number: 5067512
    Abstract: A servovalve apparatus for use in fluid systems which comprises an elongate flexible valve element having a fixed end and a free, movable end, and a conductive coil which surrounds at least a portion of the valve element adjacent its fixed end. An armature is secured to the valve element so as to be adjacent the conductive coil. Two permanent magnets, are provided adjacent the armature on opposite sides thereof, the magnets being positioned such that one magnet presents a north magnetic pole facing the armature and the other magnet presents a south magnetic pole facing the armature. A receiving plate is provided adjacent the free end of the valve element, the receiving plate having one or more channels formed therein for receiving fluid, and a bore for delivering fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Sarcos Group
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Edwin K. Iversen, David F. Knutti, Clark C. Davis
  • Patent number: 5020000
    Abstract: This invention relates to the measurement of the dryness of steam supplied to steam-powered processes, and in particular to a method of making such measurements, and to methods of using the measured dryness fraction to obtain further information about the process plant and the steam supply.In particular, the invention is applicable when fluid is supplied via a steam separator to a process, and it relies upon storing values for the efficiency of the separator at a plurality of input steam and condensate mass flow rates and a plurality of input fluid temperatures or pressures. Methods disclosed herein use one of these values, together with measured output steam and condensate mass flow rates, to calculate the dryness of the steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Spirax-Sarco Limited
    Inventor: Richard Q. Carmichael
  • Patent number: 5016481
    Abstract: A field-based movement sensor adapted for measuring strain along a certain axis in an object on which the sensor is attached. The sensor includes a substrate having a working surface and formed with a pair of fingers projecting from a first direction, and a third finger projecting from a direction opposite the first direction, to a position between the pair of fingers. The pair of fingers and third finger extend generally perpendicular to the axis along which strain is to be measured, with the pair of fingers being moveable with respect to the third finger along the axis when the strain occurs. An electrically charged element for producing an electric field is disposed on the working surface of the third finger, and a pair of field-effect transistors (FETS) are each disposed on a working surface of a different one of the pair of fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Sarcos Group
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, John E. Wood
  • Patent number: 5012836
    Abstract: A servovalve apparatus for use in fluid systems which comprises an elongate flexible valve element having a fixed end and a free, moveable end, and a conductive coil which surrounds at least a portion of the valve element adjacent its fixed end. An armature is secured to the valve element so as to be adjacent the conductive coil. Two permanent magnets, are provided adjacent the armature on opposite sides thereof, the magnets being positioned such that one magnet presents a north magnetic pole facing the armature and the other magnet presents a south magnetic pole facing the armature. A receiving plate is provided adjacent the free end of the valve element, the receiving plate having one or more channels formed therein for receiving fluid, and a bore for delivering fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Sarcos Group
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Edwin K. Iversen, David F. Knutti, Clark C. Davis
  • Patent number: 5005600
    Abstract: A servovalve apparatus for use in fluid systems which comprises a flexible fluid conduit and a conductive coil which surrounds at least a portion of the conduit adjacent its upstream end. An armature is secured to the flexible conduit so as to be adjacent the conductive coil. Two permanent magnets, preferably formed of a rare earth metal material, are provided adjacent the armature on opposite sides thereof, the magnets being positioned such that one magnet presents a north magnetic pole facing the armature and the other magnet presents a south magnetic pole facing the armature. A receiving plate is provided adjacent the downstream end of the flexible conduit, the receiving plate having one or more channels formed therein for receiving fluid from the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Sarcos Group
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Edwin K. Iversen, David F. Knutti