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).

  • Patent number: 11744051
    Abstract: An apparatus to cool electronics in an autonomous vehicle, where the autonomous vehicle includes significant computing power to receive data from on-board sensor, cellular data and user interactions and to navigate an environment to a predetermined location. The cooling system includes a radiator, fan, pump and cold plate. The cold plate is formed from two plates with extended surfaces that are mated together so that the cavities around the extended surfaces form a flow passage. The electronics processing the data and navigating are mounted on the outside surface of the cold plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Christopher C. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 11738596
    Abstract: An autonomous delivery vehicle having one or more caster wheels that may be held off the ground for a portion of the time that the autonomous delivery vehicle travels. Each caster wheel is mounted in a pivot with a centering mechanism to hold the caster wheels in a design orientation. The caster wheel in the design orientation maximizes the view of forward-looking sensors on the autonomous delivery vehicle. The centering mechanism uses a compression spring that drives a follower and swashshaft to apply a rotation force on the caster wheels. The rotational force urges the casters frame and wheels to return to a design position. The rotational force increases with the rotational difference between the caster rotational position and the design position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Christopher C. Langenfeld
  • Publication number: 20230248544
    Abstract: 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. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a harness mount that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20230248543
    Abstract: A robotic assembly control system is disclosed. The robotic assembly control system includes an exoskeleton apparatus adapted to be worn by a user, at least one robotic assembly, the at least one robotic assembly controlled by the user by way of the exoskeleton, and at least one mobile platform, the at least one mobile platform controlled by the user and wherein the at least one robotic assembly is attached to the at least one mobile platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Dirk A. van der Merwe, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Stewart M. Coulter, Christopher M. Werner, Michael J. Slate, Ethan D. Stern
  • Patent number: 11705233
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump includes a plunger-cam follower, a tube receiver, a spring-biased plunger, a spring, a position sensor, and a processor. The plunger-cam follower engages the plunger cam to follow the plunger cam and to disengage from the plunger cam. The spring-biased plunger is coupled to the plunger-cam follower and the spring biases the spring-biased plunger toward the tube receiver. The position sensor determines a position of the spring-biased plunger when the plunger-cam follower is disengaged from the plunger came. The processor estimates fluid flow utilizing at least the position of the spring-biased plunger as indicated by the position sensor when the plunger-cam follower is disengaged from the plunger cam and the spring biases the spring-biased plunger against the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Michael S. Place, Larry B. Gray
  • Publication number: 20230213421
    Abstract: A system and method for applying force to at least one device at least one force actuator including a processor accessing at least one description of the at least one device, the processor creating command information based at least on the at least one description, and a controller accessing the command information, the controller creating at least one motion command based on the command information, the controller issuing the at least one motion command, the motion command enabling the testing of the at least one device by controlling the at least one force actuator based on the at least one motion command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher C. LANGENFELD, Dirk A. VAN DER MERWE, Grant A. PERET, John C. ANASTASIOU, Jonathan PARKER, Michael A. BAKER
  • Patent number: 11681293
    Abstract: Utility services related to executing services requiring trips of various lengths, and short-distance assistance to customers. Utility services can be delivered by semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles on various types of routes, and can be delivered economically. A network of utility vehicles provide the utility services, and can include a commonly-shared dispatch system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dirk A. van der Merwe, Dean Kamen, Derek G. Kane, Gregory J. Buitkus, Emily A. Carrigg, Raphael I. Zack, Daniel F. Pawlowski, Matthew B. Kinberger, Stewart M. Coulter, Christopher C. Langenfeld
  • Publication number: 20230169886
    Abstract: A modular electro-mechanical agent having a plurality of modules including mechanical and electrical components, that can be constructed to complete at least one pre-determined task and/or contribute in performing the at least one pre-determined task. The electro-mechanical agent can include extension modules and can be altered as per user preference to add, eliminate or modify any features of the agent for completing and/or participating in a plurality of pre-determined tasks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel Scott Karol, Jason Michael Overson, William Daniel Hunt, Jacob William Scarpaci, Andrew Stephen Coll, Gregory Needel, Yuuki Gil Crowley, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Prashant Bhat, Grant A. Peret
  • Publication number: 20230166031
    Abstract: A pump for pumping fluid includes a tube platen, a plunger, a bias member, inlet and outlet valves, an actuator mechanism, a position sensor, and a processor. The plunger is configured for actuation toward and away from the infusion-tube when the tube platen is disposed opposite to the plunger. The tube platen can hold an intravenous infusion tube. The bias member is configured to urge the plunger toward the tube platen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Jonathan Parker, Daniel F. Pawlowski, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Larry B. Gray, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael S. Place, Michael J. Slate
  • Patent number: 11654034
    Abstract: 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. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a harness mount that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 11628072
    Abstract: A robotic assembly control system is disclosed. The robotic assembly control system includes an exoskeleton apparatus adapted to be worn by a user, at least one robotic assembly, the at least one robotic assembly controlled by the user by way of the exoskeleton, and at least one mobile platform, the at least one mobile platform controlled by the user and wherein the at least one robotic assembly is attached to the at least one mobile platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dirk A. van der Merwe, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Stewart M. Coulter, Christopher M. Werner, Michael J. Slate, Ethan D. Stern
  • Publication number: 20230016896
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating free space including applying a machine learning model to camera images of a navigation area, where the navigation area is broken into cells, synchronizing point cloud data from the navigation area with the processed camera images, and associating probabilities that the cell is occupied and object classifications of objects that could occupy the cells with cells in the navigation area based on sensor data, sensor noise, and the machine learning model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Raajitha GUMMADI, Christopher C. LANGENFELD, Michael J. SLATE, Christopher J. PRINCIPE
  • Publication number: 20230001956
    Abstract: A deployment mechanism and a delivery container enabling unattended delivery of cargo by a vehicle navigating autonomously on both vehicle lanes and pedestrian ways. A trailer for an autonomous vehicle for hauling additional cargo and power supplies. A method for delivering and picking up goods using delivery trucks, autonomous vehicles, and trailers. The deployment mechanism can include a crane, a robot arm, a forklift, straps, and sails. The delivery container can include visible, partly visible, or hidden security features and grasping features, and can be foldable and stackable. The trailer can include a 4-bar linkage, the 4-bar linkage enabling consistent pitch between the trailer cargo and a cargo hold of the towing vehicle. The trailer wheels are decoupled from the 4-bar linkage, connected by swing arms and possible shock absorbers. The trailer can buffer fore/aft movement of the trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher C. LANGENFELD, Justin M. WHITNEY, Spencer TRAFTON, Seth SCHAFFER, Michael J. SLATE, Dirk A. VAN DER MERWE, Sooshin CHOI, Dean KAMEN, Karla BEAGLE, Eliza AGOSTA, John C. LANGENFELD
  • Publication number: 20230003174
    Abstract: A Stirling cycle machine with a liquid fuel/gaseous fuel burner. The burner may include a preheater to capture the thermal energy of the exhaust. The burner directs the preheated air to each burner head, where it enters a prechamber. Each burner head includes a fuel nozzle that directs liquid or gaseous fuel into the prechamber. The prechamber is fluidically connected to a combustion chamber via a prechamber nozzle that has a smaller opening than the prechamber. The burner head ignites the fuel air mixture in the prechamber with an ignitor located above or within the prechamber. The flame is initially lit as a diffusion flame in the prechamber. The flame is pushed out of the prechamber into the combustion chamber by an increased air flow rate. The liquid fuel from the nozzle now evaporates in the prechamber and forms a prevaporized flame in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Prashant Bhat, Stanley B. Smith, III
  • Patent number: 11543336
    Abstract: A system and method for applying force to at least one device at least one force actuator including a processor accessing at least one description of the at least one device, the processor creating command information based at least on the at least one description, and a controller accessing the command information, the controller creating at least one motion command based on the command information, the controller issuing the at least one motion command, the motion command enabling the testing of the at least one device by controlling the at least one force actuator based on the at least one motion command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher C. Langenfeld, Dirk A. Van der Merwe, Grant A. Peret, John C. Anastasiou, Jonathan Parker, Michael A. Baker
  • Patent number: 11521517
    Abstract: A modular electro-mechanical agent having a plurality of modules including mechanical and electrical components, that can be constructed to complete at least one pre-determined task and/or contribute in performing the at least one pre-determined task. The electro-mechanical agent can include extension modules and can be altered as per user preference to add, eliminate or modify any features of the agent for completing and/or participating in a plurality of pre-determined tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Daniel Scott Karol, Jason Michael Overson, William Daniel Hunt, Jacob William Scarpaci, Andrew Stephen Coll, Gregory Needel, Yuuki Gil Crowley, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Prashant Bhat, Grant A. Peret
  • Patent number: 11511038
    Abstract: A pump for pumping fluid includes a tube platen, a plunger, a bias member, inlet and outlet valves, an actuator mechanism, a position sensor, and a processor. The plunger is configured for actuation toward and away from the infusion-tube when the tube platen is disposed opposite to the plunger. The tube platen can hold an intravenous infusion tube. The bias member is configured to urge the plunger toward the tube platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Jonathan Parker, Daniel F. Pawlowski, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Larry B. Gray, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael S. Place, Michael J. Slate
  • Publication number: 20220367027
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump, and related method, are disclosed that includes a cam shaft, a plunger-cam follower, a tube receiver, a spring, a plunger, a door, and a plunger lift lever. The cam shaft includes a plunger cam. The plunger-cam follower engages with the plunger cam of the cam shaft. The spring provides a bias and the plunger is biased toward the tube receiver by the spring. The plunger is coupled to the plunger-cam follower where expansion of the plunger cam along a radial angle intersecting the plunger-cam follower as the cam shaft rotates actuates the plunger away from the tube receiver. The door lever can be actuated between a first position and a second position. The plunger lift lever is coupled to the door lever to actuate the plunger away from the tube receiver when the door lever is actuated to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Michael S. Place, Larry B. Gray
  • Patent number: D996485
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Sooshin Choi, Thomas A. Doyon, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Prashant Bhat, Michael J. Slate, Justin M. Whitney, Daniel B. Finnegan, Spencer Trafton
  • Patent number: D997222
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas A. Doyon, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Prashant Bhat, Michael J. Slate, Justin M. Whitney, Daniel B. Finnegan, Sooshin Choi, Spencer Trafton