Patents by Inventor Alfred D. Johnson
Alfred D. Johnson 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: 11934090Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Some embodiments include suspension arrangements.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Brad V. Johnson, Nicholas D. Smyth, Rummel R. Adriano, Shashank Sharma, Steven Webster
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Patent number: 8685183Abstract: Metal ingots for forming single-crystal shape-memory alloys (SMAs) may be fabricated with high reliability and control by alloying thin layers of material together. In this method, a reactive layer (e.g., aluminum) is provided in thin flat layers between layers of other materials (e.g., copper and layers of nickel). When the stacked layers are vacuum heated in a crucible to the melting temperature of the reactive layer, it becomes reactive and chemically bonds to the other layers, and may form eutectics that, as the temperature is further increased, melt homogeneously and congruently at temperatures below the melting temperatures of copper and nickel. Oxidation and evaporation are greatly reduced compared to other methods of alloying, and loss of material from turbulence is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Ormco CorporationInventors: Alfred D. Johnson, Walter A. Bachmann
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Patent number: 5245738Abstract: A non-explosive separation device for releasably holding together components of equipment or apparatus which are to be separated under controlled conditions. The separation device and method of operation includes a retaining element having a strain concentrated portion which completely cleaves when strained at a predetermined magnitude. Strain is applied to the retaining element by an actuating element which is comprised of a solid state phase change material having a shape memory. The actuating element is deformed to an armed shape at a temperature below the phase-change transition temperature. The device is activated by heating the actuating element through its transition temperature so that it recovers toward its memory shape. The retaining element is strained beyond its ultimate strength so that it cleaves at the strain concentrated portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1991Date of Patent: September 21, 1993Assignee: TiNi Alloy CompanyInventor: Alfred D. Johnson
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Patent number: 5165897Abstract: A tactile stimulator array system and method of operational incorporating a plurality of tactile elements having touch-stimulating portions which are positioned through corresponding openings formed in a touch plate. The tactile elements are moved by actuator wires which are formed of a shape-memory alloy material. Electrical control signals from a programmed computer system heat individual wires through the materials phase change transition temperature so that the wires contract to their memory shapes and raise the elements. The touch-stimulating portions then extend above the touch plate where they can be sensed by the user.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1990Date of Patent: November 24, 1992Assignee: TiNi Alloy CompanyInventor: Alfred D. Johnson
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Patent number: 5119555Abstract: A non-explosive separation device for releasably holding together components of equipment or apparatus which are to be separated under controlled conditions. The separation device and method of operation includes a retaining element having a strain concentrated portion which completely cleaves when strained at a predetermined magnitude. Strain is applied to the retaining element by an actuating element which is comprised of a solid state phase change material having a shape memory. The actuating element is deformed to an armed shape at a temperature below the phase-change transition temperature. The device is activated by heating the actuating element through its transition temperature so that it recovers toward its memory shape. The retaining element is strained beyond its ultimate strength so that it cleaves at the strain concentrated portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1990Date of Patent: June 9, 1992Assignee: TiNi Alloy CompanyInventor: Alfred D. Johnson
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Patent number: 5061914Abstract: A method of producing an integral piece of thermo-sensitive material, which is responsive to a shift in temperature from below to above a phase transformation temperature range to alter the material's condition to a shape-memory condition and move from one position to another. The method is characterized by depositing a thin film of shape-memory material, such as Nickel titanium (Ni-Ti) onto a substrate by vacuum deposition process such that the alloy exhibits an amorphous non-crystalline structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1989Date of Patent: October 29, 1991Assignee: Tini Alloy CompanyInventors: John D. Busch, Alfred D. Johnson
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Patent number: 4965545Abstract: A rotary actuator which provides a differential pulley pair having a shape memory alloy wire. The shape memory alloy wire is thermally cycled through its phase change transition temperature and contracts. Tension forces applied by the ends of the wires to opposite sides of the pulley pair result in a net torque which causes relative rotation between the pulley pair and a reference base. The large mechanical advantage of the differential pulley converts a large force working through a small distance into a relatively large angular rotation.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1989Date of Patent: October 23, 1990Assignee: TiNi Alloy CompanyInventor: Alfred D. Johnson
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Patent number: 4490976Abstract: A two-way shape memory alloy, a method of training a shape memory alloy, and a heat engine employing the two-way shape memory alloy to do external work during both heating and cooling phases. The alloy is heated under a first training stress to a temperature which is above the upper operating temperature of the alloy, then cooled to a cold temperature below the zero-force transition temperature of the alloy, then deformed while applying a second training stress which is greater in magnitude than the stress at which the alloy is to be operated, then heated back to the hot temperature, changing from the second training stress back to the first training stress.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1983Date of Patent: January 1, 1985Inventor: Alfred D. Johnson
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Patent number: 4435229Abstract: A two-way shape memory alloy, a method of training a shape memory alloy, and a heat engine employing the two-way shape memory alloy to do external work during both heating and cooling phases. The alloy is heated under a first training stress to a temperature which is above the upper operating temperature of the alloy, then cooled to a cold temperature below the zero-force transition temperature of the alloy, then deformed while applying a second training stress which is greater in magnitude than the stress at which the alloy is to be operated, then heated back to the hot temperature, changing from the second training stress back to the first training stress.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1981Date of Patent: March 6, 1984Inventor: Alfred D. Johnson
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Patent number: 4281513Abstract: A heat engine employing a memory alloy and a force field such as gravity for converting heat energy into mechanical work. Field effect elements are mounted on the distal ends of flexible spokes which in turn are mounted about a hub to form a rotating wheel. The memory alloy is in the form of a helix disposed about the circumference of the wheel and interconnecting the ends of adjacent spoke pairs. Heat is transferred to segments of the memory alloy on one side of the wheel so that the segments deform toward their memory shape and deflect the associated spokes toward each other. Heat is transferred away from the memory alloy segments on the opposite side so that the segments deform toward their trained shape and permit the spokes to flex apart. The concentration of field effect elements onthe first side of the wheel is greater than the concentration on the other side so that the resultant force created by a remote field acts as a torque for rotating the wheel.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1979Date of Patent: August 4, 1981Inventors: Alfred D. Johnson, Paul F. Kirkpatrick
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Patent number: 4064412Abstract: A base for a cathode ray tube includes at least one tube pin isolating means associated therewith to provide arc prevention between adjacent tube pins which can have up to a 12 KV potential difference therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1976Date of Patent: December 20, 1977Assignee: GTE Sylvania IncorporatedInventor: Alfred D. Johnson