Patents by Inventor Christopher Langenfeld
Christopher 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: 20100033315Abstract: An audio alarm for a transporter having an electric motor. The alarm has a signal generator for generating a signal within the audible frequency range and a modulator for modulating a current that is applied to the electric motor in accordance with the signal generated by the signal generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2009Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventors: Dean Kamen, Burl Amsbury, Richard W. Arling, J. Douglas Field, Jeffrey Finkelstein, John David Heinzmann, Christopher Langenfeld, Philip LeMay, John B. Morrell, Jason M. Sachs
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Patent number: 7592900Abstract: An audio alarm for a transporter having an electric motor. The alarm has a signal generator for generating a signal within the audible frequency range and a modulator for modulating a current that is applied to the electric motor in accordance with the signal generated by the signal generator.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2006Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean Kamen, Burl Amsbury, Richard W. Arling, J. Douglas Field, Jeffrey Finkelstein, John David Heinzmann, Christopher Langenfeld, Philip LeMay, John B. Morrell, Jason M. Sachs
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Publication number: 20080105480Abstract: 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: October 29, 2007Publication date: May 8, 2008Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean Kamen, Robert Ambrogi, J. Field, John Heinzmann, Richard Heinzmann, Christopher Langenfeld
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Publication number: 20080099265Abstract: A method for conducting the motion of a transporter under riderless conditions. The transporter has two laterally disposed primary wheels. In accordance with the method, an input is received via a user input disposed on the transporter and a control signal corresponding to the input received is generated. Then a torque is applied to the laterally disposed wheels so as propel the transporter on the basis of at least the control signal. The control signal may correspond to either a commanded torque or to a commanded transporter velocity. The torque may include coadded terms where the terms are, respectively, proportional to the control signal, to a counteracting artificial friction proportional to the common velocity of the wheels, and a term proportional to the differential rotation of the wheels to facilitate turning of the transporter.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2007Publication date: May 1, 2008Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean Kamen, Burl Amsbury, J. Field, Christopher Langenfeld, John Morrell, Jonathan Pompa, Jon Stevens, Jeremy Lund
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Publication number: 20080092512Abstract: 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 pass. 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 coupled shaped.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2007Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Ryan LaRocque, Christopher Langenfeld, Michael Norris, Stanley Smith, Jonathan Strimling
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Publication number: 20080092536Abstract: 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: December 19, 2007Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Jonathan Strimling, Clement Bouchard, Thomas Gurski, Christopher Langenfeld, Michael Norris, Ryan LaRocque
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Publication number: 20070252683Abstract: An audio alarm for a transporter having an electric motor. The alarm has a signal generator for generating a signal within the audible frequency range and a modulator for modulating a current that is applied to the electric motor in accordance with the signal generated by the signal generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2006Publication date: November 1, 2007Applicant: DEKA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTInventors: Dean Kamen, Burl Amsbury, Richard Arling, J. Field, Jeffrey Finkelstein, John Heinzmann, Christopher Langenfeld, Philip LeMay, John Morrell, Jason Sachs
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Publication number: 20070145697Abstract: 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 local distribution. Based at least on the load distribution, a controller commands the motorized drive arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2007Publication date: June 28, 2007Applicant: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventors: Dean Kamen, Robert Ambrogi, J. Field, John Heinzmann, Richard Heinzmann, Christopher Langenfeld
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Publication number: 20070051543Abstract: 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: November 6, 2006Publication date: March 8, 2007Applicant: DEKA Research and DevelopmentInventors: Dean Kamen, Robert Ambrogi, Richard Heinzmann, Christopher Langenfeld, Marc Nisbet, Stanley Smith, Thomas Brindley
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Publication number: 20070028612Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2006Publication date: February 8, 2007Applicant: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Eric Jensen, Christopher Langenfeld, Scott Newell, Michael Norris, Jeffrey Renk, Andrew Schnellinger
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Publication number: 20060249313Abstract: 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: June 20, 2006Publication date: November 9, 2006Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean Kamen, Robert Ambrogi, J. Field, John Heinzmann, Richard Heinzmann, Christopher Langenfeld
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Publication number: 20050236215Abstract: 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: June 3, 2005Publication date: October 27, 2005Inventors: Dean Kamen, Robert Ambrogi, J. Field, John Heinzmann, Richard Heinzmann, Christopher Langenfeld
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Publication number: 20050188674Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2005Publication date: September 1, 2005Applicant: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Christopher Langenfeld, Scott Newell, Thomas Schnellinger
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Publication number: 20050183419Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2005Publication date: August 25, 2005Applicant: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Ryan LaRocque, Christopher Langenfeld, Michael Norris, Stanley Smith, Jonathan Strimling
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Publication number: 20050175468Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2004Publication date: August 11, 2005Applicant: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Thomas Gurski, Christopher Langenfeld, Stanley Smith
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Publication number: 20050008272Abstract: An improvement to a sealed bearing allowing the pressure between the interior and exterior of a sealed bearing in a pressurized vessel, such as a Stirling engine, to equalize quickly. The device includes a small pressure relief hole in the bearing seal. The relief hole allows the pressure to equalize as the engine is pressurized, avoiding damage to the seal. The hole is sized so that the viscosity of the lubricant prevents leakage through the hole. Alternatively, the device may include lip seals that deform to allow the pressure to equalize.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2003Publication date: January 13, 2005Inventors: Prashant Bhat, Christopher Langenfeld, Jonathan Strimling