Patents by Inventor Brett A. KENNEDY

Brett A. KENNEDY 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: 11780580
    Abstract: A ballistically launched foldable multirotor vehicle has a central body frame. A battery is located in an upper vertical location of the vehicle and positions a center of mass of the vehicle to provide aerodynamic stability during a launch. Fins are attached to the central body frame such that aerodynamic forces on the fins shift an aerodynamic center (AC) of the vehicle downward below the center of mass of the vehicle. Three or more foldable arms are attached to the central body frame via a hinge and exist in two states—a closed state where the foldable arms are parallel to a central body axis, and an open state (after launch) where the foldable arms extend radially outward perpendicular to the central body axis. Rotors mounted to each foldable arm are controlled by a motor to enable flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jacob S. Izraelevitz, Brett A. Kennedy, Amanda R. Bouman, Daniel Pastor Moreno, Matthew James Lindsay Anderson, Paul M. Nadan, Joel W. Burdick
  • Publication number: 20220234622
    Abstract: Systems and methods for training AV models in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes an autonomous vehicle (AV), a vehicle, a processor, and a memory, where the memory contains an AV model capable of driving the vehicle without human input, where the AV model is trained on a plurality of edge case scenarios. In a still further additional embodiment, a method for training AV models, including obtaining a data structure storing a plurality of scenarios that an AV can encounter, and distance metrics indicating the distance between each scenario, generating a list of edge case scenarios within the plurality of scenarios, identifying hazard frames within the edge case scenarios, encoding the hazard frames into one or more records interpretable by an AV model, and training the AV model using the one or more records.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: dRISK, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Chess Stetson, Lorenzo Niccolini, Brett Kennedy, Sam O'Connor Russell, Nils Goldbeck, Hugh Blayney, Rav Babbra, Kiran Jesudasan
  • Publication number: 20210107645
    Abstract: A ballistically launched foldable multirotor vehicle has a central body frame. A battery is located in an upper vertical location of the vehicle and positions a center of mass of the vehicle to provide aerodynamic stability during a launch. Fins are attached to the central body frame such that aerodynamic forces on the fins shift an aerodynamic center (AC) of the vehicle downward below the center of mass of the vehicle. Three or more foldable arms are attached to the central body frame via a hinge and exist in two states—a closed state where the foldable arms are parallel to a central body axis, and an open state (after launch) where the foldable arms extend radially outward perpendicular to the central body axis. Rotors mounted to each foldable arm are controlled by a motor to enable flight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jacob S. Izraelevitz, Brett A. Kennedy, Amanda R. Bouman, Daniel Pastor Moreno, Matthew James Lindsay Anderson, Paul M. Nadan, Joel W. Burdick
  • Publication number: 20200311611
    Abstract: A machine learning model is trained by receiving an input data set comprising a plurality of data elements having base features and automatically generating a plurality of synthetic features. Synthetic features are derived by applying at least one mathematical function to at least one existing base or synthetic feature. A feature score is determined for each feature and is representative of a correlation with a target characteristic. A filtered subset is selected from base and synthetic features based on the feature score values. The selected features are provided to the machine learning tool and the input data set is provided to said machine learning tool to generate said model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventor: BRETT KENNEDY
  • Patent number: 9981389
    Abstract: Manipulators in accordance with various embodiments of the invention can be utilized to implement statically stable robots capable of both dexterous manipulation and versatile mobility. Manipulators in accordance with one embodiment of the invention include: an azimuth actuator; three elbow joints that each include two actuators that are offset to allow greater than 360 degree rotation of each joint; a first connecting structure that connects the azimuth actuator and a first of the three elbow joints; a second connecting structure that connects the first elbow joint and a second of the three elbow joints; a third connecting structure that connects the second elbow joint to a third of the three elbow joints; and an end-effector interface connected to the third of the three elbow joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Brett A. Kennedy, Matthew A. Frost, John M. Leichty, Michael J. Hagman, James W. Borders, Jamie S. Piacentine, Charles F. Bergh, Allen R. Sirota, Kalind C. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 9862090
    Abstract: Robotics platforms in accordance with various embodiments of the invention can be utilized to implement highly dexterous robots capable of whole body motion. Robotics platforms in accordance with one embodiment of the invention include: a memory containing a whole body motion application; a spine, where the spine has seven degrees of freedom and comprises a spine actuator and three spine elbow joints that each include two spine joint actuators; at least one limb, where the at least one limb comprises a limb actuator and three limb elbow joints that each include two limb joint actuators; a tracked base; a connecting structure that connects the at least one limb to the spine; a second connecting structure that connects the spine to the tracked base; wherein the processor is configured by the whole body motion application to move the at least one limb and the spine to perform whole body motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Brett A. Kennedy, Paul Hebert, Jeremy C. Ma, James W. Borders, Charles F. Bergh, Nicolas H. Hudson
  • Patent number: 9687722
    Abstract: The invention is a mouthpiece that is connected to a tube connected to a bladder or liquid reservoir. The mouthpiece is constructed to remain comfortably in a user's mouth during sporting events or other activities, allowing the user to easily and effectively hydrate without distraction, and allowing the user to have both hands available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Brett Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9517610
    Abstract: Novel gripping structures based on van der Waals adhesive forces are disclosed. Pads covered with fibers can be activated in pairs by opposite forces, thereby enabling control of the adhesive force in an ON or OFF state. Pads can be used in groups, each comprising a group of opposite pads. The adhesive structures enable anchoring forces that can resist adverse forces from different directions. The adhesive structures can be used to enable the operation of robots on surfaces of space vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Aaron Parness, Brett A. Kennedy, Matthew C Heverly, Mark R. Cutkosky, Elliot Wright Hawkes
  • Publication number: 20160263465
    Abstract: The invention is a mouthpiece that is connected to a tube connected to a bladder or liquid reservoir. The mouthpiece is constructed to remain comfortably in a user's mouth during sporting events or other activities, allowing the user to easily and effectively hydrate without distraction, and allowing the user to have both hands available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventor: Brett Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9408925
    Abstract: A hyperpolarized MR imaging medium and a method of 13C-MR detection using a hyperpolarized MR imaging medium for the determination of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. The contrast media comprises hyperpolarized [13C, 2H] lactate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin Brindle, Mikko Kettunen, Brett Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20160184462
    Abstract: A hyperpolarized MR imaging medium and a method of 13C-MR detection using a hyperpolarized MR imaging medium for the determination of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. The contrast media comprises hyperpolarised [13C, 2H] lactate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin Brindle, Mikko Kettunen, Brett Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20160023352
    Abstract: Robotics platforms in accordance with various embodiments of the invention can be utilized to implement highly dexterous robots capable of whole body motion. Robotics platforms in accordance with one embodiment of the invention include: a memory containing a whole body motion application; a spine, where the spine has seven degrees of freedom and comprises a spine actuator and three spine elbow joints that each include two spine joint actuators; at least one limb, where the at least one limb comprises a limb actuator and three limb elbow joints that each include two limb joint actuators; a tracked base; a connecting structure that connects the at least one limb to the spine; a second connecting structure that connects the spine to the tracked base; wherein the processor is configured by the whole body motion application to move the at least one limb and the spine to perform whole body motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Brett A. Kennedy, Paul Hebert, Jeremy C. Ma, James W. Borders, Charles F. Bergh, Nicolas H. Hudson
  • Publication number: 20160008988
    Abstract: Manipulators in accordance with various embodiments of the invention can be utilized to implement statically stable robots capable of both dexterous manipulation and versatile mobility. Manipulators in accordance with one embodiment of the invention include: an azimuth actuator; three elbow joints that each include two actuators that are offset to allow greater than 360 degree rotation of each joint; a first connecting structure that connects the azimuth actuator and a first of the three elbow joints; a second connecting structure that connects the first elbow joint and a second of the three elbow joints; a third connecting structure that connects the second elbow joint to a third of the three elbow joints; and an end-effector interface connected to the third of the three elbow joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Brett A. Kennedy, Matthew A. Frost, John M. Leichty, Michael J. Hagman, James W. Borders, Jamie S. Piacentine, Charles F. Bergh, Allen R. Sirota, Kalind C. Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20140227473
    Abstract: Novel gripping structures based on van der Waals adhesive forces are disclosed. Pads covered with fibers can be activated in pairs by opposite forces, thereby enabling control of the adhesive force in an ON or OFF state. Pads can be used in groups, each comprising a group of opposite pads. The adhesive structures enable anchoring forces that can resist adverse forces from different directions. The adhesive structures can be used to enable the operation of robots on surfaces of space vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Aaron PARNESS, Brett A. KENNEDY, Matthew C. HEVERLY