Patents by Inventor Andrew Benjamin David Brown
Andrew Benjamin David Brown 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: 11767829Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide methods for driving shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires in a more power-efficient manner.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITEDInventors: Andrew Benjamin David Brown, Daniel Burbridge
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Patent number: 11625100Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide apparatus and methods for providing haptic feedback, and in particular to user-operated buttons for electrical and electronic products that provide haptic feedback to the user when operated.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2018Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITEDInventors: Andrew Benjamin David Brown, James Howarth, Thomas James Powell, Eugene Yu Jen Ho, Jonathan Morgan
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Publication number: 20220412326Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide methods for driving shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires in a more power-efficient manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Andrew Benjamin David Brown, Daniel Burbridge
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Patent number: 11460011Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide methods for driving shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires in a more power-efficient manner.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITEDInventors: Andrew Benjamin David Brown, Daniel Burbridge
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Patent number: 11286916Abstract: An SMA actuator arrangement is assembled using a strut element shaped to comprise a sacrificial strut body and crimp tabs held apart by the sacrificial strut body. A SMA wire is laid across the crimp tabs which are folded and pressed to form crimps holding the SMA wire. The crimps are then attached to static and moving parts, after which the sacrificial strut body is removed. The method allows the crimping to be performed without hindrance from the static and moving parts, the sacrificial strut body holding the relative locations of the crimps prior to attachment.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Cambridge Mechatronics LimitedInventors: Stephen Matthew Bunting, James Howarth, Andrew Benjamin David Brown
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Publication number: 20220035176Abstract: A camera assembly comprises a support structure and an image sensor mounted on a carrier that is suspended on the support structure by at least one plain bearing that allows movement of the carrier and the image sensor relative to the support structure in any direction laterally to the light-sensitive region of the image sensor. An actuator arrangement comprising plural shape memory alloy wires is arranged to move the carrier and the image sensor relative to the support structure for providing optical image stabilisation of the image captured by the image sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventor: Andrew Benjamin David Brown
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Publication number: 20210372380Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide methods for driving shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires in a more power-efficient manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2019Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: Andrew Benjamin David Brown, Daniel Burbridge
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Patent number: 11187916Abstract: A camera assembly comprises a support structure and an image sensor mounted on a carrier that is suspended on the support structure by at least one plain bearing that allows movement of the carrier and the image sensor relative to the support structure in any direction laterally to the light-sensitive region of the image sensor. An actuator arrangement comprising plural shape memory alloy wires is arranged to move the carrier and the image sensor relative to the support structure for providing optical image stabilisation of the image captured by the image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2016Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITEDInventor: Andrew Benjamin David Brown
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Patent number: 10866382Abstract: A miniature camera having an image sensor; an actuator which includes conductive components capable of conducting a pulse width modulation drive signal for driving the actuator; and a screening component located between the conductive components of the actuator and the image sensor, the screening component being electrically isolated from the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2017Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Cambridge Mechatronics LimitedInventors: James Howarth, Andrew Benjamin David Brown, Igor Gotlibovych, Robin Eddington, Ian Edward Charles Rogers, Nicholas Henry Reddall
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Patent number: 10834301Abstract: A miniature camera (1) comprising at least one SMA actuator wire (11) arranged to effect focus, zoom or optical image stabilization. The SMA actuator wire (11) is coated with an electrically insulating layer (40) of thickness in the range from 0.3 ?m to 10 ?m. The layer (40) provides electrical insulation whilst permitting cooling that provides a rapid response time of the SMA actuator wire (11).Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2014Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignees: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED, HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATEDInventors: Andrew Benjamin David Brown, Peter Francis Ladwig, Richard Rodger Jenneke, Timothy Alan McDaniel, Paul Valentine Pesavento, Todd Austin Peter, Bryan John Scheele
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Patent number: 10781800Abstract: An SMA actuation assembly comprising SMA actuator wires connected in tension between a support structure and a movable element is controlled to drive movement of the movable element with respect to the support structure by supplying drive signals to the SMA actuator wire. Target signals representing desired positions of the movable element are set, varying within a predetermined spatial envelope. Measures of resistance of the SMA actuator wires are derived and the power of the drive signals is controlled under closed loop control on the basis of the target signals and feedback signals obtained from the measures of resistance. Electrical characteristics of the SMA actuator wires are monitored and used to detect when a motion limit of the movement is reached. In response thereto, the spatial envelope is adjusted to restrict the movement to be within the detected motion limit.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2017Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITEDInventors: Andrew Benjamin David Brown, Daniel John Burbridge, John Grayley, Igor Gotlibovych, Thomas Matthew Gregory
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Publication number: 20200263673Abstract: An SMA actuator arrangement is assembled using a strut element shaped to comprise a sacrificial strut body and crimp tabs held apart by the sacrificial strut body. A SMA wire is laid across the crimp tabs which are folded and pressed to form crimps holding the SMA wire. The crimps are then attached to static and moving parts, after which the sacrificial strut body is removed. The method allows the crimping to be performed without hindrance from the static and moving parts, the sacrificial strut body holding the relative locations of the crimps prior to attachment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Inventors: Stephen Matthew Bunting, James Howarth, Andrew Benjamin David Brown
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Patent number: 10698294Abstract: Resistance feedback control of drive signals for plural SMA actuator wires in an SMA actuation arrangement is performed. Target resistance values are set representing a desired position of a movable element with respect to the support structure. Measures of resistance of each SMA actuator wire are detected. Errors are derived from the target resistance values and the detected measures of resistance, the errors being adjusted by offsets. The powers of the drive signals supplied to SMA actuator wires are controlled. in accordance with the adjusted errors. The offsets have values selected to adjust the actual position of the movable element to match the desired positions represented by the target resistance values.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2016Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Cambridge Mechatronics LimitedInventor: Andrew Benjamin David Brown
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Patent number: 10648459Abstract: An SMA actuator arrangement is assembled using a strut element shaped to comprise a sacrificial strut body and crimp tabs held apart by the sacrificial strut body. A SMA wire is laid across the crimp tabs which are folded and pressed to form crimps holding the SMA wire. The crimps are then attached to static and moving parts, after which the sacrificial strut body is removed. The method allows the crimping to be performed without hindrance from the static and moving parts, the sacrificial strut body holding the relative locations of the crimps prior to attachment.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITEDInventors: Stephen Matthew Bunting, James Howarth, Andrew Benjamin David Brown
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Publication number: 20200117274Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide apparatus and methods for providing haptic feedback, and in particular to user-operated buttons for electrical and electronic products that provide haptic feedback to the user when operated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2018Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Andrew Benjamin David Brown, James Howarth, Thomas James Powell, Eugene Yu Jen Ho, Jonathan Morgan
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Publication number: 20190250366Abstract: A miniature camera having an image sensor; an actuator which includes conductive components capable of conducting a pulse width modulation drive signal for driving the actuator; and a screening component located between the conductive components of the actuator and the image sensor, the screening component being electrically isolated from the actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2017Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: James Howarth, Andrew Benjamin David Brown, Igor Gotlibovych, Robin Eddington, Ian Edward Charles Rogers, Nicholas Henry Reddall
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Publication number: 20190120214Abstract: An SMA actuation assembly comprising SMA actuator wires connected in tension between a support structure and a movable element is controlled to drive movement of the movable element with respect to the support structure by supplying drive signals to the SMA actuator wire. Target signals representing desired positions of the movable element are set, varying within a predetermined spatial envelope. Measures of resistance of the SMA actuator wires are derived and the power of the drive signals is controlled under closed loop control on the basis of the target signals and feedback signals obtained from the measures of resistance. Electrical characteristics of the SMA actuator wires are monitored and used to detect when a motion limit of the movement is reached. In response thereto, the spatial envelope is adjusted to restrict the movement to be within the detected motion limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2017Publication date: April 25, 2019Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITEDInventors: Andrew Benjamin David BROWN, Daniel John BURBRIDGE, John GRAYLEY, Igor GOTLIBOVYCH, Thomas Matthew GREGORY
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Publication number: 20180348593Abstract: Resistance feedback control of drive signals for plural SMA actuator wires in an SMA actuation arrangement is performed. Target resistance values are set representing a desired position of a movable element with respect to the support structure. Measures of resistance of each SMA actuator wire are detected. Errors are derived from the target resistance values and the detected measures of resistance, the errors being adjusted by offsets. The powers of the drive signals supplied to SMA actuator wires are controlled. in accordance with the adjusted errors. The offsets have values selected to adjust the actual position of the movable element to match the desired positions represented by the target resistance values.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2016Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventor: Andrew Benjamin David Brown
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Publication number: 20180321503Abstract: A camera assembly comprises a support structure and an image sensor mounted on a carrier that is suspended on the support structure by at least one plain bearing that allows movement of the carrier and the image sensor relative to the support structure in any direction laterally to the light-sensitive region of the image sensor. An actuator arrangement comprising plural shape memory alloy wires is arranged to move the carrier and the image sensor relative to the support structure for providing optical image stabilisation of the image captured by the image sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2016Publication date: November 8, 2018Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITEDInventor: Andrew Benjamin David BROWN
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Publication number: 20180149142Abstract: An SMA actuator arrangement is assembled using a strut element shaped to comprise a sacrificial strut body and crimp tabs held apart by the sacrificial strut body. A SMA wire is laid across the crimp tabs which are folded and pressed to form crimps holding the SMA wire. The crimps are then attached to static and moving parts, after which the sacrificial strut body is removed. The method allows the crimping to be performed without hindrance from the static and moving parts, the sacrificial strut body holding the relative locations of the crimps prior to attachment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2016Publication date: May 31, 2018Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITEDInventors: Stephen Matthew BUNTING, James HOWARTH, Andrew Benjamin David BROWN