Patents by Inventor Alan Lampe Browne
Alan Lampe Browne has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7225905Abstract: A magnetorheological damper device is provided having an increased shear interface area per unit volume of device, which enhances the stroking force of the damper.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2003Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Chandra Sekhar Namuduri, Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
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Patent number: 7200902Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a material or have configurations that provide a shape changing capability and/or change in flexural modulus property to the hook elements. In this manner, the shape and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction in the shear and/or pull-off forces.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2002Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
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Patent number: 7140081Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a material or have configurations that provide a shape changing capability and/or change in flexural modulus property to the hook elements. In this manner, the shape and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction in the shear and/or pull forces.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
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Patent number: 7051849Abstract: A magnetorheological damper device is provided having an increased shear interface area per unit volume of the device, which enhances the stroking force of the damper. The damper generally includes a cylindrically shaped housing; a magnetorheological fluid disposed in the cylindrically shaped housing; a piston assembly disposed within the cylindrically shaped housing in sliding engagement with the cylindrically shaped housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the piston assembly comprises a plurality of cylindrically shaped fluid passageways extending from the first chamber to the second chamber, and an electromagnet; and a power supply in electrical communication with the electromagnet.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Chandra Sekhar Namuduri
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Patent number: 7013536Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. A selected one of the hook elements or the loop material is formed from a thermally and/or electrically conductive material. The other one is formed of a material adapted to melt, flow or volatize at a defined temperature. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. Introducing an activation signal to the thermally and/or electrically conductive hook elements or loop material, causes the opposing material to melt, flow, soften, or volatize upon contact therewith.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Mark A. Golden, John C. Ulicny, Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, William Barvosa-Carter, Thomas B. Stanford, Leslie A. Momoda
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Patent number: 7013538Abstract: A releasable fastening system for retaining two surfaces at each other or disengaging the two surfaces from each other comprises a first electrode disposed at a first surface, a second electrode disposed at a second surface, and a polymer film disposed between the first and second electrode, and an electrolyte disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode, the polymer film, and the second electrode. A volume of the polymer film is controllably variable to cause the retention of the first surface at the second surface. A method of releasably fastening adjacently-positioned surfaces comprises disposing a first electrode at a first surface, disposing a second electrode at a second surface, and increasing the volume of an electrolyte disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode to cause the retention of the first surface at the second surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Alan Lampe Browne, William Barvosa-Carter, Nancy L. Johnson, Leslie A. Momoda, Thomas B. Stanford
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Patent number: 6983832Abstract: A tunable and reusable impact energy absorbing system and process includes a control structure comprising a sleeve having an outer surface fixedly attached to a chassis, a seal at each end of the sleeve, a magnetorheological fluid disposed between the seals, and a coil in proximity to the magnetorheological fluid, wherein the seal and the magnetorheological fluid are in sliding engagement with a support member, wherein the impact surface is fixedly attached to a support member. Varying the current to the coil alters the magnetic field upon the magnetorheological fluid, which can be used to tune the yield stress of the sliding engagement.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2003Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Chandra Sekhar Namuduri, Alan Lampe Browne, John C. Ulicny
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Patent number: 6973701Abstract: A releasable fastening system comprises a knob portion comprising a knob element, a cavity portion comprising a cavity configured to receive the knob element, and an ionic polymer metal composite actuator disposed at the knob element. The ionic polymer metal composite actuator is operable to mechanically interlock the knob element with the cavity. A method of operating a releasable fastening system comprises contacting a knob portion with a cavity portion to form a releasable engagement, wherein the knob portion comprises a knob element disposed on a first support, and wherein the cavity portion comprises a cavity disposed at a second support; maintaining constant shear forces and constant pull-off forces between the knob portion and the cavity portion; and activating an ionic polymer metal composite actuator at the knob portion to facilitate the interlocking of the knob portion and the cavity portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2003Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Leslie A. Momoda, Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, William Barvosa-Carter, Thomas B. Stanford
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Patent number: 6944920Abstract: A releasable fastening system comprises a loop portion comprising a loop material, a hook portion comprising a plurality of hook elements, and an actuation device disposed in electrical communication with the loop portion and the hook portion. The actuation device is operable to provide electrostatic charges to the loop material and the hook elements.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Chandra Sekhar Namuduri
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Patent number: 6920675Abstract: Processes for providing rapid release of a hook and loop type releasable fastener system comprise preconditioning the releasable fastener system to effect rapid release. In this manner, minimal energy and time is required for disengagement of the releasable fastener system.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2003Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Bob Ross Powell, Jr., William Barvosa-Carter, Leslie A. Momoda, Thomas B. Stanford
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Patent number: 6910714Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly includes a covering; and a shape memory material in operative communication with the covering, wherein the shape memory material has a first shape attached to an underside of the covering and is operative to change to a second shape in response to an activation signal. The second shape of the shape memory material can cause the covering to expand or expand and detach from a surrounding surface medium. The energy absorbing assembly is used to absorb kinetic energy of an object impacting the assembly. Methods of operating the assembly are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2003Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
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Patent number: 6877795Abstract: A mechanical, active crash pulse management structure for providing modification of crash pulse, wherein the structure has a dormant (initial) state volume, but then in the event of a crash, timely expands into a much larger deployed volume for providing management of an expectant crash energy. The preferred crash energy management structure is a before expansion honeycomb celled material brick, wherein expansion of the honeycomb brick is in a plane transverse to the cellular axis of the cells thereof, and crash crush is intended to be parallel to the cellular axis. In the event of a crash, either an active or passive activation mechanism is provided for causing expansion of honeycomb celled material.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2004Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
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Patent number: 6879897Abstract: A method for achieving a constant average deceleration of a vehicle is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes comparing an effective load mass of the vehicle to a baseline load mass. If the effective load mass differs from the baseline load mass by at least a designated percentage, then upon detection of a vehicle impact, energy absorbing structures within the vehicle are adjusted so as to alter crush forces of the vehicle, thereby resulting in a desired average deceleration of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2002Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Nancy L. Johnson, Alan Lampe Browne
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Publication number: 20040195815Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly includes a covering; and a shape memory material in operative communication with the covering, wherein the shape memory material has a first shape attached to an underside of the covering and is operative to change to a second shape in response to an activation signal. The second shape of the shape memory material can cause the covering to expand or expand and detach from a surrounding surface medium. The energy absorbing assembly is used to absorb kinetic energy of an object impacting the assembly. Methods of operating the assembly are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2003Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
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Publication number: 20040169398Abstract: A mechanical, active crash pulse management structure for providing modification of crash pulse, wherein the structure has a dormant (initial) state volume, but then in the event of a crash, timely expands into a much larger deployed volume for providing management of an expectant crash energy. The preferred crash energy management structure is a before expansion honeycomb celled material brick, wherein expansion of the honeycomb brick is in a plane transverse to the cellular axis of the cells thereof, and crash crush is intended to be parallel to the cellular axis. In the event of a crash, either an active or passive activation mechanism is provided for causing expansion of honeycomb celled material.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
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Publication number: 20040074060Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a material or have configurations that provide a shape changing capability and/or change in flexural modulus property to the hook elements. In this manner, the shape and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction in the shear and/or pull-off forces.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2002Publication date: April 22, 2004Inventors: Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
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Publication number: 20040074068Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a material or have configurations that provide a shape changing capability and/or change in flexural modulus property to the hook elements. In this manner, the shape and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction in the shear and/or pull forces.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Inventors: Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
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Publication number: 20040074067Abstract: A releasable fastening system comprises a loop portion comprising a loop material, a hook portion comprising a plurality of hook elements, and an actuation device disposed in electrical communication with the loop portion and the hook portion. The actuation device is operable to provide electrostatic charges to the loop material and the hook elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Inventors: Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Chandra Sekhar Namuduri
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Publication number: 20040074070Abstract: A releasable fastening system comprises a knob portion comprising a knob element, a cavity portion comprising a cavity configured to receive the knob element, and an ionic polymer metal composite actuator disposed at the knob element. The ionic polymer metal composite actuator is operable to mechanically interlock the knob element with the cavity. A method of operating a releasable fastening system comprises contacting a knob portion with a cavity portion to form a releasable engagement, wherein the knob portion comprises a knob element disposed on a first support, and wherein the cavity portion comprises a cavity disposed at a second support; maintaining constant shear forces and constant pull-off forces between the knob portion and the cavity portion; and activating an ionic polymer metal composite actuator at the knob portion to facilitate the interlocking of the knob portion and the cavity portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Inventors: Leslie A. Momoda, Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, William Barvosa-Carter, Thomas B. Stanford
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Publication number: 20040074071Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. A selected one of the hook elements or the loop material is formed from a thermally and/or electrically conductive material. The other one is formed of a material adapted to melt, flow or volatize at a defined temperature. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. Introducing an activation signal to the thermally and/or electrically conductive hook elements or loop material, causes the opposing material to melt, flow, soften, or volatize upon contact therewith.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Inventors: Mark A. Golden, John C. Ulicny, Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, William Barvosa-Carter, Thomas B. Stanford, Leslie A. Momoda