Patents by Inventor Christopher C. Langenfeld
Christopher C. Langenfeld 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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Publication number: 20080288088Abstract: A prosthetic arm apparatus comprising a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Christopher C. Langenfeld, Christopher O. Evans, Stanley B. Smith, III, Alexander H. Muller, John M. Kerwin, Thomas S. Schnellinger, G. Michael Guay, Dirk A. Van der Merwe
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Patent number: 7325399Abstract: An improvement is provided to a pressurized close-cycle machine that has a cold-end pressure vessel and is of the type having a piston undergoing reciprocating linear motion within a cylinder containing a working fluid heated by conduction through a heater head by heat from an external thermal source. The improvement includes a heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid, where the heat exchanger is disposed within the cold-end pressure vessel. The heater head may be directly coupled to the cold-end pressure vessel by welding or other methods. A coolant tube is used to convey coolant through the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2003Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Jonathan Strimling, Clement D. Bouchard, Thomas Q. Gurski, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael Norris, Ryan Keith LaRocque
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Patent number: 7310945Abstract: A device and method for equalizing the pressure between work-space and crankcase in a pressurized engine, such as a Stirling engine. The device consists of a two-way valve connected between the work-space and the crankcase. The valve is connected to the work-space with a passageway including a constriction to provide an mean pressure for monitoring purposes. The valve connects the work-space and crankcase allowing the pressure to equalize when the mean pressure of the work-space exceeds the crankcase pressure by a predetermined amount.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2004Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Thomas Q. Gurski, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Stanley B. Smith, III
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Patent number: 7308787Abstract: An external combustion engine having an exhaust flow diverter for directing the flow of an exhaust gas. The external combustion engine has a heater head having a plurality of heater tubes through which a working fluid is heated by conduction. The exhaust flow diverter is a cylinder disposed around the outside of the plurality of heater tubes and includes a plurality of openings through which the flow of exhaust gas may pas. The exhaust flow diverter directs the exhaust gas past the plurality of heater tubes. The external combustion engine may also include a plurality of flow diverter fins coupled to the plurality of heater tubes to direct the flow of the exhaust gas. The heater tubes may be U-shaped or helical coiled shaped.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2005Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Ryan K. LaRocque, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael G. Norris, Stanley B. Smith, III, Jonathan M. Strimling
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Patent number: 7174976Abstract: A transporter for transporting a subject over a surface that may be irregular. The transporter includes a support platform for supporting a load, the loaded support platform defining fore-aft and lateral planes and characterized by a load distribution. A plurality of ground contacting elements are coupled to the support platform such that the transporter is statically stable with respect to tipping in the fore-aft plane. At least one of the plurality of ground contacting elements is driven by a motorized drive arrangement. A sensor module generates a signal indicative of the load distribution. Based at least on the load distribution, a controller commands the motorized drive arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Deka Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, J. Douglas Field, John David Heinzmann, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Christopher C. Langenfeld
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Patent number: 7131706Abstract: Improvements to personal vehicles including self-propelled and balancing personal vehicles. Ready detachability of a seat, footrest, seat back, control unit, wheels and caster assembly is provided using quick disconnect mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2004Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Deka Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Marc A. Nisbet, Stanley B. Smith, III, Thomas Alan Brindley
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Patent number: 7111460Abstract: A device and method for controlling the flow of a gaseous fuel from a fuel supply to a pressurized combustion chamber. A fuel pump is included in the gas train from supply to chamber. The fuel pump increases the pressure of the gas to allow efficient injection into the chamber. The pump is modulated to control the fuel flow. Both alternating current and pulse-width-modulated direct current signals may be used to control the flow. The pump may be a piston pump or a diaphragm pump. Feedback may be provided from sensors that determine operating parameters of the engine and such sensor signals may be used by the controller to maintain a parameter, such as temperature, at a specified value. An acoustic filter can be included in the gas train to significantly reduce gas flow pulsations generated by the pump. This filter improves the uniformity of the combustion process.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2003Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Eric Jensen, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Scott Newell, Michael Norris, Jeffrey D. Renk, Andrew Schnellinger
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Patent number: 7090040Abstract: A transporter for transporting a subject over a surface that may be irregular. The transporter includes a support platform for supporting a load, the loaded support platform defining fore-aft and lateral planes and characterized by a load distribution. A plurality of ground contacting elements are coupled to the support platform. At least one of the plurality of ground contacting elements is driven by a motorized drive arrangement. A sensor module generates a signal indicative of the load distribution of the loaded support platform. Based at least on the load distribution, a controller commands the motorized drive arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2003Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, J. Douglas Field, John D. Heinzmann, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Christopher C. Langenfeld
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Patent number: 7007470Abstract: An electromechanical compression release valve for compressors, engines with rotary or reciprocating mechanisms and external combustion engines, such as, a Stirling cycle engine, reduces the engine starting power by reducing the compression pressure in the cylinder head space area. The valve reduces the compression pressure by passing the working fluid from the cylinder head space to another compartment. The valve comprises a housing, a valve member, a valve-driving member, a valve position sensor, and a ratchet pawl. In the open position, and while starting the engine, the inlet of the rotatable valve member is aligned with the opening in a chamber connected to the engine work space, thus, the working fluid passes through the valve member into the crankcase. After the engine starts, the valve position sensor directs the valve-driving member to rotate the valve member to the closed position. When closed, the engine working fluid can now achieve the operating compression pressures.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2005Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Christopher C. Langenfeld, Scott W. Newell, Thomas S. Schnellinger
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Patent number: 6971235Abstract: An evaporative burner that includes an igniter assembly, a swirler, an evaporation chamber, and a reverse throat. The reverse throat has raised ends that protrude into the evaporation chamber. The reverse throat in combination with the evaporation chamber and the swirler, facilitate the recirculation of air in the evaporation chamber such that a flame is stabilized near the evaporation chamber walls. This flame gradually evaporates the fuel in the lining of the evaporation chamber. The fuel-air mixture results in a steady and uniformly distributed flame in the combustion chamber. This flame can heat uniformly the walls of the combustion chamber, and thus be applicable for high efficiency and low emissions applications. Furthermore, this burner can start and reach full burner power rapidly.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Christopher C. Langenfeld, Ryan Keith LaRocque, Angus A. MacEachern, Michael G. Norris
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Patent number: 6966182Abstract: A thermal cycle engine having a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy across the heater head from a heated external fluid to the working fluid. The heat exchanger has a set of heat transfer pins each having an axis directed away from the cylindrical wall of the expansion cylinder. The height and density of the heat transfer pins may vary with distance in the direction of the flow path, and the pin structure may be fabricated by stacking perforated rings in contact with a heater head. Ribs are provided interior to the heater head to enhance hoop strength and thermal transfer.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2004Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: New Power Conceps LLCInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Thomas Q. Gurski, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Ryan Keith LaRocque, Michael Norris, Kingston Owens, Jonathan Strimling
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Patent number: 6862883Abstract: A regenerator for a thermal cycle engine and methods for its manufacture. The regenerator has a random network of fibers formed to fill a specified volume and a material for cross-linking the fibers at points of close contact between fibers of the network. A method for manufacturing a regenerator has steps of providing a length of knitted metal tape and wrapping a plurality of layers of the tape in an annular spiral.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2003Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Kingston Owens, Jonathan Strimling
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Patent number: 6857260Abstract: An external combustion engine having an exhaust flow diverter for directing the flow of an exhaust gas. The external combustion engine has a heater head having a plurality of heater tubes through which a working fluid is heated by conduction. The exhaust flow diverter is a cylinder disposed around the outside of the plurality of heater tubes and includes a plurality of openings through which the flow of exhaust gas may pas. The exhaust flow diverter directs the exhaust gas past the plurality of heater tubes. The external combustion engine may also include a plurality of flow diverter fins coupled to the plurality of heater tubes to direct the flow of the exhaust gas. The heater tubes may be U-shaped or helical coiled shaped.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2003Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael Norris, Ryan Keith LaRocque, Stanley B. Smith III, Jonathan Strimling
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Publication number: 20040183272Abstract: Improvements to personal vehicles including self-propelled and balancing personal vehicles. Ready detachability of a seat, footrest, seat back, control unit, wheels and caster assembly is provided using quick disconnect mechanisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Dean L. Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Marc A. Nisbet, Stanley B. Smith, Thomas Alan Brindley
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Publication number: 20040177611Abstract: An evaporative burner that includes an igniter assembly, a swirler, an evaporation chamber, and a reverse throat. The reverse throat has raised ends that protrude into the evaporation chamber. The reverse throat in combination with the evaporation chamber and the swirler, facilitate the recirculation of air in the evaporation chamber such that a flame is stabilized near the evaporation chamber walls. This flame gradually evaporates the fuel in the lining of the evaporation chamber. The fuel-air mixture results in a steady and uniformly distributed flame in the combustion chamber. This flame can heat uniformly the walls of the combustion chamber, and thus be applicable for high efficiency and low emissions applications. Furthermore, this burner can start and reach full burner power rapidly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2004Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventors: Christopher C. Langenfeld, Ryan Keith LaRocque, Angus A. MacEachern, Michael G. Norris
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Publication number: 20040154297Abstract: An improvement is provided to a pressurized close-cycle machine that has a cold-end pressure vessel and is of the type having a piston undergoing reciprocating linear motion within a cylinder containing a working fluid heated by conduction through a heater head by heat from an external thermal source. The improvement includes a heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid, where the heat exchanger is disposed within the cold-end pressure vessel. The heater head may be directly coupled to the cold-end pressure vessel by welding or other methods. A coolant tube is used to convey coolant through the heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2003Publication date: August 12, 2004Inventors: Jonathan Strimling, Clement D. Bouchard, Thomas Q. Gurski, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael Norris, Ryan Keith LaRocque
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Publication number: 20040144089Abstract: A thermal cycle engine having a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy across the heater head from a heated external fluid to the working fluid. The heat exchanger has a set of heat transfer pins each having an axis directed away from the cylindrical wall of the expansion cylinder. The height and density of the heat transfer pins may vary with distance in the direction of the flow path, and the pin structure may be fabricated by stacking perforated rings in contact with a heater head. Ribs are provided interior to the heater head to enhance hoop strength and thermal transfer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2004Publication date: July 29, 2004Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Thomas Q. Gurski, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Ryan Keith LaRocque, Michael Norris, Kingston Owens, Jonathan Strimling
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Publication number: 20040069543Abstract: A transporter for transporting a subject over a surface that may be irregular. The transporter includes a support platform for supporting a load, the loaded support platform defining fore-aft and lateral planes and characterized by a load distribution. A plurality of ground contacting elements are coupled to the support platform. At least one of the plurality of ground contacting elements is driven by a motorized drive arrangement. A sensor module generates a signal indicative of the load distribution of the loaded support platform. Based at least on the load distribution, a controller commands the motorized drive arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Dean L. Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, J. Douglas Field, John David Heinzmann, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Christopher C. Langenfeld
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Patent number: 6715845Abstract: Improvements to personal vehicles including self-propelled and balancing personal vehicles. Ready detachability of a seat, footrest, seat back, control unit, wheels and caster assembly is provided using quick disconnect mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2001Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: Deka Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Marc A. Nisbet, Stanley B. Smith, III, Thomas Alan Brindley
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Publication number: 20040055796Abstract: A transporter for transporting a subject over a surface that may be irregular. The transporter includes a support platform for supporting a load, the loaded support platform defining fore-aft and lateral planes and characterized by a load distribution. A plurality of ground contacting elements are coupled to the support platform such that the transporter is statically stable with respect to tipping in the fore-aft plane. At least one of the plurality of ground contacting elements is driven by a motorized drive arrangement. A sensor module generates a signal indicative of the load distribution. Based at least on the load distribution, a controller commands the motorized drive arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventors: Dean Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, J. Douglas Field, John David Heinzmann, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Christopher C. Langenfeld