Patents by Inventor Andrew C. Merkle

Andrew C. Merkle 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).

  • Patent number: 11378475
    Abstract: A system provided herein may be configured to evaluate helmet performance. The system may include an impact assembly that includes a stationary post operably coupled to one or more stationary load cells and a plurality of modular headforms. Each modular headform may include a first side and a second side configured to lock together around the impact assembly and receive a helmet. The modular headform may determine a position of the helmet relative to the one or more stationary load cells. Furthermore, the one or more stationary load cells may be configured to measure impact force at a position where one of the plurality of the modular headforms are operably coupled to the impact assembly. Additionally, each of the plurality of modular headforms correspond to a position in relation to the impact assembly to measure the impact force to the one or more load cells at a predefined number of impact locations on the helmet to evaluate the performance of the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Morgana M. Trexler, Vanessa D. Alphonse, Matthew G. Bevan, Catherine M. Carneal, Quang T. Luong, Mark A. Athey, Kathleen M. Perrino, Andrew C. Merkle, Jeffrey M. Paulson, Steven M. Storck
  • Publication number: 20210048359
    Abstract: A system provided herein may be configured to evaluate helmet performance. The system may include an impact assembly that includes a stationary post operably coupled to one or more stationary load cells and a plurality of modular headforms. Each modular headform may include a first side and a second side configured to lock together around the impact assembly and receive a helmet. The modular headform may determine a position of the helmet relative to the one or more stationary load cells. Furthermore, the one or more stationary load cells may be configured to measure impact force at a position where one of the plurality of the modular headforms are operably coupled to the impact assembly. Additionally, each of the plurality of modular headforms correspond to a position in relation to the impact assembly to measure the impact force to the one or more load cells at a predefined number of impact locations on the helmet to evaluate the performance of the helmet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Morgana M. Trexler, Vanessa D. Alphonse, Matthew G. Bevan, Catherine M. Carneal, Quang T. Luong, Mark A. Athey, Kathleen M. Perrino, Andrew C. Merkle, Jeffrey M. Paulson, Steven M. Storck
  • Patent number: 9808987
    Abstract: A surrogate multilayered material and manufacturing method thereof includes a first fiber reinforced layer, the first reinforced layer including a crosslinked polymer and fibers, and a second fiber reinforced layer, the second reinforced layer including the crosslinked polymer and the fibers. A foam layer is disposed between the first and second fiber reinforced layers. Opposite faces of the foam layer are in direct contact with the first fiber reinforced layer and the second fiber reinforced layer. The foam layer has a compressive strength of about 3.5 to about 4.5 MPa, when measured as per ASTM-D-1621-73, and a shear strength of 1.50 to about 2.15 MPa, when measured as per ASTM-C-273.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Andrew C. Merkle, Jack C. Roberts, Catherine M. Carneal, Jeffrey M. Paulson, Matthew S. Johannes, Liming M. Voo
  • Patent number: 9142146
    Abstract: A surrogate multilayered material includes a first fiber reinforced layer; the first reinforced layer including a crosslinked polymer and fibers; a second fiber reinforced layer; the second reinforced layer including the crosslinked polymer and the fibers; a foam layer; the foam layer disposed between the first fiber reinforced layer and the second fiber reinforced layer; where opposite faces of the foam layer are in direct contact with the first fiber reinforced layer and the second fiber reinforced layer; the foam layer having a compressive strength of about 3.5 to about 4.5 MPa, when measured as per ASTM-D-1621-73, and a shear strength of 1.50 to about 2.15 MPa, when measured as per ASTM-C-273.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Andrew C. Merkle, Jack C. Roberts, Catherine M. Carneal, Jeffrey M. Paulson, Matthew S. Johannes, Liming M. Voo
  • Patent number: 9011158
    Abstract: A human surrogate neck model includes a spinal neck region containing cervical vertebrae. A biosimulant intervertebral material is inserted between the cervical vertebrae. The spinal neck region is surrounded by a first silicone material mixed with a polymeric cross-linking inhibitor. One or more elastic tension bands are anchored to a top interface and a bottom interface of the neck model. A second silicone material mixed with a polymeric cross-linking inhibitor is applied to surround the spinal neck region and the first silicone material and to embed the tension bands. One or more of the elastic tension bands and/or a concentration ratio of the first silicone material or second silicone material to the polymeric cross-linking inhibitor can be adjusted for variable test conditions to closely simulate or mimic the static and dynamic characteristics of a human neck in various scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Andrew C. Merkle, Jack C. Roberts, Ian D. Wing, Liming M. Voo, Craig B. Leese, Howard A. Conner
  • Patent number: 8910505
    Abstract: A blast tube includes three portions and three diaphragms. The first portion has a first length and a first cross section. The second portion has a second length and a second cross section. The third portion has a third length and a third cross section. The first diaphragm is disposed between the second portion and the third portion and switches from a closed state to an open state at a first time. The second diaphragm switches from a closed state to an open state at a second time after the first time. The third diaphragm is disposed between the first portion and the second portion and switches from a closed state to an open state at a third time after the second time. The third portion is disposed between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: David M. VanWie, Ibolja Cernak, Andrew C. Merkle
  • Publication number: 20140302306
    Abstract: A surrogate multilayered material includes a first fiber reinforced layer; the first reinforced layer including a crosslinked polymer and fibers; a second fiber reinforced layer; the second reinforced layer including the crosslinked polymer and the fibers; a foam layer; the foam layer disposed between the first fiber reinforced layer and the second fiber reinforced layer; where opposite faces of the foam layer are in direct contact with the first fiber reinforced layer and the second fiber reinforced layer; the foam layer having a compressive strength of about 3.5 to about 4.5 MPa, when measured as per ASTM-D-1621-73, and a shear strength of 1.50 to about 2.15 MPa, when measured as per ASTM-C-273.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Andrew C. Merkle, Jack C. Roberts, Catherine M. Carneal, Jeffrey M. Paulson, Matthew S. Johannes, Liming M. Voo
  • Publication number: 20140220530
    Abstract: A human surrogate neck model includes a spinal neck region containing cervical vertebrae. A biosimulant intervertebral material is inserted between the cervical vertebrae. The spinal neck region is surrounded by a first silicone material mixed with a polymeric cross-linking inhibitor. One or more elastic tension bands are anchored to a top interface and a bottom interface of the neck model. A second silicone material mixed with a polymeric cross-linking inhibitor is applied to surround the spinal neck region and the first silicone material and to embed the tension bands. One or more of the elastic tension bands and/or a concentration ratio of the first silicone material or second silicone material to the polymeric cross-linking inhibitor can be adjusted for variable test conditions to closely simulate or mimic the static and dynamic characteristics of a human neck in various scenarios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Andrew C. Merkle, Jack C. Roberts, Ian D. Wing, Liming M. Voo, Craig B. Leese, Howard A. Conner
  • Patent number: 8725449
    Abstract: A human surrogate head model (HSHM) to measure brain/skull displacement due to a physical force, such as due to an explosive, ballistic, or automotive crash type of event. A HSHM may include a plurality of magnetic field generators positioned stationary relative to a HSHM skull, each to generate a magnetic field oriented with respect to a corresponding one of multiple directions. The HSHM may include one or more electromagnetic force (EMF)-based displacement sensors, each of which may include three inductive coils oriented orthogonally with respect to one another and co-aligned about a central point. A signal processor may be implemented to separate signals generated by each coil of each EMF-based displacement sensor into a plurality of component magnitudes, each attributable to a corresponding one of the magnetic fields. A computer-implemented model may be implemented to correlate between the component magnitudes and a corresponding position and orientation of the displacement sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Jack C. Roberts, Andrew C. Merkle, Bliss G. Carkhuff, Ian D. Wing, Craig B. Leese
  • Publication number: 20130247646
    Abstract: A blast tube includes three portions and three diaphragms. The first portion has a first length and a first cross section. The second portion has a second length and a second cross section. The third portion has a third length and a third cross section. The first diaphragm is disposed between the second portion and the third portion and switches from a closed state to an open state at a first time. The second diaphragm switches from a closed state to an open state at a second time after the first time. The third diaphragm is disposed between the first portion and the second portion and switches from a closed state to an open state at a third time after the second time. The third portion is disposed between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: David M. VanWie, Ibolja Cernak, Andrew C. Merkle
  • Publication number: 20120330599
    Abstract: A human surrogate head model (HSHM) to measure brain/skull displacement due to a physical force, such as due to an explosive, ballistic, or automotive crash type of event. A HSHM may include a plurality of magnetic field generators positioned stationary relative to a HSHM skull, each to generate a magnetic field oriented with respect to a corresponding one of multiple directions. The HSHM may include one or more electromagnetic force (EMF)-based displacement sensors, each of which may include three inductive coils oriented orthogonally with respect to one another and co-aligned about a central point. A signal processor may be implemented to separate signals generated by each coil of each EMF-based displacement sensor into a plurality of component magnitudes, each attributable to a corresponding one of the magnetic fields. A computer-implemented model may be implemented to correlate between the component magnitudes and a corresponding position and orientation of the displacement sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Jack C. Roberts, Andrew C. Merkle, Bliss G Carkhuff, Ian D. Wing, Craig B. Leese