Patents by Inventor Christopher Lavigna

Christopher Lavigna 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: 7563097
    Abstract: In a self-contained actively-controlled stabilization system within a hand-grip, all components are contained within the handgrip, and one generic handgrip can be attached to a variety of devices for a wide range of applications, thereby increasing portability, reducing weight and bulkiness, and decreasing complexity and application dependence. The handgrip includes a sensor, a controller and an actuator which preferably employs at least one shape memory alloy wire. The actuator drives a platform mechanism which may be configured such that the elevation and azimuth degrees of freedom are coupled or uncoupled. Direct, rotational and other platform mechanisms may be used with the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignees: Techno-Sciences, Inc., The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Christopher Lavigna, Diann Brei, Jonathan Luntz, Anupam Pathak
  • Publication number: 20060194173
    Abstract: In a self-contained actively-controlled stabilization system within a hand-grip, all components are contained within the handgrip, and one generic handgrip can be attached to a variety of devices for a wide range of applications, thereby increasing portability, reducing weight and bulkiness, and decreasing complexity and application dependence. The handgrip includes a sensor, a controller and an actuator which preferably employs at least one shape memory alloy wire. The actuator drives a platform mechanism which may be configured such that the elevation and azimuth degrees of freedom are coupled or uncoupled. Direct, rotational and other platform mechanisms may be used with the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Inventors: Christopher Lavigna, Diann Brei, Jonathan Luntz, Anupam Pathak
  • Patent number: 5631437
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device for precision aim control of a gun barrel muzzle of a turreted gun system for improved projectile accuracy of fired projectiles. Improved projectile accuracy is defined as minimizing the distance between a projectile's point of impact and the point of aim thereof. The invention includes an actuator assembly mounted to a flexible gun barrel that act in combination with elevation and azimuth actuators located in the gun's turret. The device also includes a muzzle sensory feedback subsystem for continuous sensing of the gun muzzle's i) displacement, ii) azimuth and iii) elevation angles as the gun is fired. The barrel mounted actuator assembly along with the muzzle sensory feedback subsystem significantly improves the muzzle's aim performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Techno-Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher LaVigna, Gilmer Blankenship, Harry Kwatny