Patents by Inventor Andrew BERNHARD

Andrew BERNHARD 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).

  • Variable stiffness series elastic actuator
    Patent number: 11192266
    Abstract: A variable stiffness actuator comprises a flexure plate which comprises a first cantilevered beam that extends inwards from an outer periphery of the flexure plate. A housing and the flexure plate rotatable about a common joint axis. A first contactor is pivotably secured at a revolute joint to the housing. The first contactor rotates about the revolute joint at a first rotation axis. The first rotation axis offset on the housing from the joint axis. The first contactor engages the first cantilevered beam at a variable angle about the rotation axis to adjust a stiffness of a mechanical connection between the flexure plate and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Marquette University
    Inventors: Joseph M. Schimmels, Andrew Bernhard, Jacob Rice
  • Variable Stiffness Series Elastic Actuator
    Publication number: 20190126498
    Abstract: A variable stiffness actuator comprises a flexure plate which comprises a first cantilevered beam that extends inwards from an outer periphery of the flexure plate. A housing and the flexure plate rotatable about a common joint axis. A first contactor is pivotably secured at a revolute joint to the housing. The first contactor rotates about the revolute joint at a first rotation axis. The first rotation axis offset on the housing from the joint axis. The first contactor engages the first cantilevered beam at a variable angle about the rotation axis to adjust a stiffness of a mechanical connection between the flexure plate and the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: Marquette University
    Inventors: Joseph M. SCHIMMELS, Andrew BERNHARD, Jacob RICE