Patents by Inventor Benjamin Simpson

Benjamin Simpson 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).

  • Publication number: 20210386452
    Abstract: A predictive needle insertion device including a needle having a proximal needle end and a distal needle end is disclosed. A probe is movably coupled to the needle such that the probe is capable of extending beyond the distal needle end. An actuator is operable to actuate the probe to apply a mechanical force to a tissue composition. A force sensor and position sensor are configured to determine a resistive force of the tissue composition and an insertion distance of the probe, respectively. A processor is communicatively coupled to the force sensor and the position sensor, and is configured to receive sensor data indicative of a mechanical response to the mechanical force and the insertion distance of the probe, and to implement a predictive model that, based on the sensor data, predicts a forward distance to a remote position of a remote tissue portion of the tissue composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Dick, Michael Burns, Leif Saager, Benjamin Simpson
  • Publication number: 20210382320
    Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide shape memory alloy (SMA) actuation apparatus for moving a moveable component relative to a static component or support structure and along a notional primary axis. The SMA actuation apparatus may comprise a biasing element to resist motion of the moveable component in particular directions relative to the primary axis, or may comprise an arrangement of SMA actuator wires that provides the biasing function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, Stephen Matthew Bunting, David Charles William Richards
  • Publication number: 20210365120
    Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide haptic button assemblies in which the haptic button has a low profile while still providing a satisfying tactile response or sensation to a user. Advantageously, the haptic button assemblies may have a profile that, for example, enables the assembly to be incorporated into the free space along an edge of a portable computing device. The haptic assemblies may, for example, be arranged to move the button perpendicularly with respect to the edge of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: David Kuan Wei Ooi, Peter Van Wyk, Joshua Carr, Thomas James Powell, Marc-Sebastian Scholz, Andreas Flouris, Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, Stephen Matthew Bunting, Dominic George Webber, James Howarth
  • Publication number: 20210348714
    Abstract: An actuation assembly comprising: a support structure; a movable element movable relative to the support structure, the movable element having a principal axis; and an actuator arrangement for driving movement of the movable element with respect to the support structure, wherein said movement includes rotational movement of the movable element about an axis which is perpendicular to said principal axis and does not pass through the centre of the movable element, and wherein said movement also includes translational movement of the movable element in a direction perpendicular to the principal axis. The actuation assembly may be used to perform optical image stabilisation or to improve the performance of a 3D sensing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel John Burbridge, Stephen Matthew Bunting, Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown
  • Publication number: 20210285428
    Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide techniques for delivering, when required, higher powers to SMA actuator wires by using a single controller/control circuit that implements pulse width modulation (PWM). Typically, when PWM is used to deliver power, the PWM frequency may be fixed, and power may be applied to each SMA actuator wire during each PWM cycle/period. The present techniques provide a method for delivering higher powers to SMA actuator wires (i.e. increasing the length of individual PWM pulses) without changing the duration of the PWM cycle/period. The present techniques also provide techniques for making accurate resistance measurements to determine position of a moveable component that is moved by the SMA actuator wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Avery, Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, Mark Easton
  • Publication number: 20210156367
    Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide mechanisms for electrically connecting shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires of an actuation device to a power or current source via at least one connection element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: James Howarth, Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, Stephen Matthew Bunting, Robert Langhorne, Martin MacBrien
  • Publication number: 20210003119
    Abstract: An SMA actuator (10) comprising SMA wires (31, 32) in which the wire arrangement is asymmetrical, allowing a greater range of motion from a rest position in a first direction than in a second direction, which may be opposite or orthogonal to the first direction. Where the directions are opposite, the angle between a principal axis and the wires providing motion in the first direction may be different from the angle between the principal axis and the wires providing motion in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, Daniel John Burbridge, Samuel Armstrong, Robert Langhome
  • Publication number: 20200362837
    Abstract: Broadly speaking, the present techniques provide specific arrangements of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires in SMA actuation apparatuses. In one arrangement, a single straight shape memory alloy actuator wire may be used, which may be inclined at an acute angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a plane normal to the movement direction. In another arrangement, two straight lengths of shape memory alloy actuator wire may be used, where the SMA wires may be inclined at an acute angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a plane normal to the movement direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen Matthew Bunting, Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, Marc-Sebastian Scholz, James Howarth
  • Publication number: 20200200154
    Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide an actuator that comprises segments of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wire that can be used to deliver a relatively large output stroke. In particular, two segments of SMA actuator wire may be mechanically coupled together around a corner of a static component of the actuator such that a displacement (e.g. contraction) of one segment causes a displacement (e.g. contraction) of the other segment. In this way, the displacement of each segment combines in an additive manner to generate a large output stroke that is able to move a moveable component of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: James Howarth, Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, Robin Eddington
  • Publication number: 20200166024
    Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide apparatuses and methods for controlling the position and/or orientation of a moveable component of an actuator, using at least two shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires and at least one sensor for sensing position/orientation of the moveable component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Dominic George Webber, James Howarth, Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, David Charles William Richards, Andreas Flouris
  • Patent number: 7954782
    Abstract: Picture Hanging Position Finder And Wall Marking Device has an elongated adjustable vertical support with a hanger at the top to accept and hold a wire or bracket for a framed picture or other hanging object, wherein the device may lean against a wall with the back of the vertical support held flush against the wall, and with the bottom of the vertical support elevated above any wall baseboard, and held in place by forward and laterally extending legs which reach down to a horizontal floor. As such, a picture can be suspended from the vertical support, and the device can be moved to any location against a wall, and the height can adjusted and locked in place, so that a user may view the picture from a distance as if it were hung on the wall in order to choose a desirable location for the picture. The device then has a means for marking the wall for the installation of a permanent hanger at the precise location from where the picture had been temporarily suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventors: Benjamin Simpson Harralson, Mary Stacey Harralson