Patents by Inventor Christopher B. CHURCHILL
Christopher B. CHURCHILL 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).
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Patent number: 11957307Abstract: Various apparatuses to attach a first medical device to a second medical device are described that allow the physician to grasp only a single device while the other device remains securely attached to the one being grasped. The apparatuses, once they are attached to the first medical device, are designed to be easily and quickly attached and detached to a second medical device, normally only requiring the use of one hand. Furthermore, the apparatuses oftentimes include a base that can easily couple and decouple from the portion that is attached to the second medical device so that if the need arises to separately use the second medical device, it can be decoupled from the first medical device without completely removing the apparatus from the second medical device.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2023Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: John B. Golden, John O. McWeeney, Christopher A. Benning, Robert Castoldi, John F. Howard, Brian Intoccia, Gary Kappel, William L. Churchill
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Patent number: 11841060Abstract: An isolation system and method are disclosed. The isolation system includes a beam that includes a first end and a second end. The isolation system may include at least one clamping block comprising first elastomeric material, and the first end may be coupled with the first elastomeric material by the at least one clamping block. An end condition of the buckling beam may be varied based on compression stiffening of the first elastomeric material.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2023Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: HRL LABORATORIES, LLCInventors: David W. Shahan, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Sloan P. Smith, Christopher P. Henry, Christopher B. Churchill, Andrew C. Keefe
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Patent number: 11624420Abstract: An isolation system and method are disclosed. The isolation system includes a beam that includes a first end and a second end. The isolation system may include at least one clamping block comprising first elastomeric material, and the first end may be coupled with the first elastomeric material by the at least one clamping block. An end condition of the buckling beam may be varied based on compression stiffening of the first elastomeric material.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2022Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Inventors: David W. Shahan, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Sloan P. Smith, Christopher P. Henry, Christopher B. Churchill, Andrew C. Keefe
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Patent number: 11473647Abstract: An isolation system and method are disclosed. The isolation system includes a beam that includes a first end and a second end. The isolation system may include at least one clamping block comprising first elastomeric material, and the first end may be coupled with the first elastomeric material by the at least one clamping block. An end condition of the buckling beam may be varied based on compression stiffening of the first elastomeric material.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: HRL LABORATORIES, LLCInventors: David W. Shahan, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Sloan P. Smith, Christopher B. Henry, Christopher B. Churchill, Andrew C. Keefe
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Patent number: 11460085Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a rotational spring is provided with adjustable stiffness and includes at least one beam arranged about an axis between an input tuning port and an output port, wherein the input tuning port is configured to change an effective bending length of at least one beam so as to change a shear stiffness with respect to the input tuning port and the output port.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Andrew C. Keefe, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Sloan P. Smith, Christopher B. Churchill
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Patent number: 11270827Abstract: A magnetic transmitter including at least one magnetoelastic element, a magnetic field source, and an actuator operably coupled to the magnetoelastic element. The magnetoelastic element is oriented parallel to the magnetic field source. The magnetic field source is configured to induce a magnetic flux in the magnetoelastic element, and the actuator is configured to induce harmonic vibration in the magnetoelastic element. The magnetoelastic element is oriented parallel to the magnetic field source. The harmonic vibration of the magnetoelastic element is configured to change a net magnetic dipole of the magnetic transmitter due to magnetostriction.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Geoffrey P. McKnight, Christopher B. Churchill, Walter S. Wall
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Patent number: 10527567Abstract: A method of testing a SMA element includes connecting the SMA element to a validation tool, and applying an electrical current to the SMA element over a test cycle. A resistance of the SMA element during the test cycle is measured, while the electrical current is being applied. The measured resistance of the SMA element during the test cycle is correlated to an estimated strain value of the SMA element during the test cycle. A temperature of the SMA element during the test cycle is estimated. A stress in the SMA element during the test cycle is estimated from a stress predicting grid, using the estimated strain value and the estimated temperature of the SMA element during the test cycle. The proper functionality of the SMA element may be determined based on the estimated stress in the SMA element.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2016Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Paul W. Alexander, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Guillermo A. Herrera, Christopher B. Churchill, Andrew C. Keefe, Xiujie Gao
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Patent number: 10495171Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a rotational spring is provided with adjustable stiffness and includes at least one beam arranged about an axis between an input tuning port and an output port, wherein the input tuning port is configured to change an effective bending length of at least one beam so as to change a shear stiffness with respect to the input tuning port and the output port.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Andrew C. Keefe, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Sloan P. Smith, Christopher B. Churchill
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Patent number: 10422397Abstract: A variable stiffness structure configured to isolate a mass from unwanted vibrations includes a negative stiffness element and an actuator operatively coupled to the negative stiffness element. The actuator is configured to be actuated to control a stiffness of the negative stiffness element. The variable stiffness structure may also include a positive stiffness element coupled to the negative stiffness element.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Geoffrey P. McKnight, Christopher B. Churchill, Christopher P. Henry
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Patent number: 10344822Abstract: A negative stiffness structure for vibration isolation, shock mitigation, and/or signal processing includes a flexible tensile member and a curved compressive member. A first end of the tensile member is attached to a first structure. A first end of the curved compressive member is coupled to a first structure and a second end of the curved compressive member is coupled to a second end of the flexible tensile member. A length of the tensile member is greater than a length of the compressive member. A tip of the negative stiffness structure is configured to exhibit a negative stiffness mechanical response to a load applied to the tip. The negative stiffness mechanical response acts in a direction orthogonal to the length of the tensile member.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Christopher B. Churchill, David W. Shahan, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Guillermo A. Herrera
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Patent number: 10260586Abstract: A variable stiffness structure includes a first negative stiffness element configured to buckle in a first direction, a second negative stiffness element configured to buckle in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and an actuator operatively coupled to ends of the first and second negative stiffness elements to control a stiffness of the variable stiffness structure. The first negative stiffness element and the second negative stiffness element are mode-3 buckling beams.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Christopher B. Churchill, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Christopher P. Henry, David W. Shahan
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Patent number: 10233991Abstract: An adjustable negative stiffness mechanism is disclosed. The adjustable negative stiffness mechanism includes a central shaft, an outer annular member extending around the central shaft, at least two negative stiffness elements extending between the central shaft and the annular member, and an actuator coupled to the negative stiffness elements. Each of the negative stiffness elements has an inner end coupled to the central shaft and an outer end engaging the annular member. The actuator is configured to compress and expand the negative stiffness elements to adjust a negative stiffness mechanical response exhibited by the negative stiffness elements.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Christopher B. Churchill, Casey J. Sennott, Sloan P. Smith, David W. Shahan, Geoffrey P. McKnight
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Publication number: 20180195570Abstract: A variable stiffness structure includes a first negative stiffness element configured to buckle in a first direction, a second negative stiffness element configured to buckle in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and an actuator operatively coupled to ends of the first and second negative stiffness elements to control a stiffness of the variable stiffness structure. The first negative stiffness element and the second negative stiffness element are mode-3 buckling beams.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2017Publication date: July 12, 2018Inventors: Christopher B. Churchill, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Christopher P. Henry, David W. Shahan
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Publication number: 20180195571Abstract: An adjustable negative stiffness mechanism is disclosed. The adjustable negative stiffness mechanism includes a central shaft, an outer annular member extending around the central shaft, at least two negative stiffness elements extending between the central shaft and the annular member, and an actuator coupled to the negative stiffness elements. Each of the negative stiffness elements has an inner end coupled to the central shaft and an outer end engaging the annular member. The actuator is configured to compress and expand the negative stiffness elements to adjust a negative stiffness mechanical response exhibited by the negative stiffness elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2017Publication date: July 12, 2018Inventors: Christopher B. Churchill, Casey J. Sennott, Sloan P. Smith, David W. Shahan, Geoffrey P. McKnight
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Publication number: 20180142999Abstract: A method of testing a SMA element includes connecting the SMA element to a validation tool, and applying an electrical current to the SMA element over a test cycle. A resistance of the SMA element during the test cycle is measured, while the electrical current is being applied. The measured resistance of the SMA element during the test cycle is correlated to an estimated strain value of the SMA element during the test cycle. A temperature of the SMA element during the test cycle is estimated. A stress in the SMA element during the test cycle is estimated from a stress predicting grid, using the estimated strain value and the estimated temperature of the SMA element during the test cycle. The proper functionality of the SMA element may be determined based on the estimated stress in the SMA element.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Paul W. Alexander, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Guillermo A. Herrera, Christopher B. Churchill, Andrew C. Keefe, Xiujie Gao
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Publication number: 20180080521Abstract: A negative stiffness structure for vibration isolation, shock mitigation, and/or signal processing includes a flexible tensile member and a curved compressive member. A first end of the tensile member is attached to a first structure. A first end of the curved compressive member is coupled to a first structure and a second end of the curved compressive member is coupled to a second end of the flexible tensile member. A length of the tensile member is greater than a length of the compressive member. A tip of the negative stiffness structure is configured to exhibit a negative stiffness mechanical response to a load applied to the tip. The negative stiffness mechanical response acts in a direction orthogonal to the length of the tensile member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Christopher B. Churchill, David W. Shahan, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Guillermo A. Herrera
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Patent number: 9920793Abstract: A variable stiffness structure configured to support a variable load, the variable stiffness structure including a shaft coupled to the variable load, a negative stiffness element, a clutch coupled to the negative stiffness element and configured to disengage and to engage the shaft, in response to a change in the variable load, while the structure supports the variable load.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Christopher B. Churchill, Guillermo A. Herrera, Jacob J. Mikulsky, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Andrew C. Keefe
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Patent number: 9897161Abstract: A negative stiffness structure for vibration isolation, shock mitigation, and/or signal processing includes a flexible tensile member and a curved compressive member. A first end of the tensile member is attached to a first structure. A first end of the curved compressive member is coupled to a first structure and a second end of the curved compressive member is coupled to a second end of the flexible tensile member. A length of the tensile member is greater than a length of the compressive member. A tip of the negative stiffness structure is configured to exhibit a negative stiffness mechanical response to a load applied to the tip. The negative stiffness mechanical response acts in a direction orthogonal to the length of the tensile member.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Christopher B. Churchill, David W. Shahan, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Guillermo A. Herrera
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Patent number: 9859834Abstract: A slack compensator includes a stator fixedly attachable to a base and a shuttle. The shuttle is selectably movable from a first position on the stator to a second position on the stator. The shuttle is selectably releasably attached to the stator in the first position. The shuttle is to be permanently captured upon reaching the second position. The slack compensator is attachable to an SMA wire for removing slack that develops in the SMA wire during a plurality of break-in cycles.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Xiujie Gao, Christopher B. Churchill, Guillermo A. Herrera, Andrew C. Keefe, Paul W. Alexander
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Patent number: 9822835Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a rotational spring is provided with adjustable stiffness and includes at least one beam arranged about an axis between an input tuning port and an output port, wherein the input tuning port is configured to change an effective bending length of at least one beam so as to change a shear stiffness with respect to the input tuning port and the output port.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Andrew C. Keefe, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Sloan P. Smith, Christopher B. Churchill