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).

  • GRIPPERS BASED ON OPPOSING VAN DER WAALS ADHESIVE PADS
    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