Patents by Inventor Christopher R. Hirschi

Christopher R. Hirschi 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).

  • Conformable track assembly for a robotic crawler
    Patent number: 8205695
    Abstract: A suspension system for a lightweight robotic crawler is disclosed. The suspension system provides for mounting of a flexible endless track thereon. The suspension system includes a forward guide and a rearward guide around which the endless track can be looped. A deflector positioned between the forward guide and the rearward guide downwardly deflects a ground-engaging portion of the endless track to form a peaked area. The peaked area can support the lightweight robotic vehicle allowing alteration of a distribution of load over the ground-engaging portion of the endless track with respect to a supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Brian J. Maclean, Ralph W. Pensel, Christopher R. Hirschi
  • Conformable track assembly for a robotic crawler
    Patent number: 8002365
    Abstract: A suspension system for a lightweight robotic crawler is disclosed. The suspension system provides for mounting of a flexible endless track thereon. The suspension system includes a forward guide and a rearward guide around which the endless track can be looped. A deflector positioned between the forward guide and the rearward guide downwardly deflects a ground-engaging portion of the endless track to form a peaked area. The peaked area can support the lightweight robotic vehicle allowing alteration of a distribution of load over the ground-engaging portion of the endless track with respect to a supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Brian J. Maclean, Ralph W. Pensel, Christopher R. Hirschi
  • Conformable Track Assembly For A Robotic Crawler
    Publication number: 20100201185
    Abstract: A suspension system for a lightweight robotic crawler is disclosed. The suspension system provides for mounting of a flexible endless track thereon. The suspension system includes a forward guide and a rearward guide around which the endless track can be looped. A deflector positioned between the forward guide and the rearward guide downwardly deflects a ground-engaging portion of the endless track to form a peaked area. The peaked area can support the lightweight robotic vehicle allowing alteration of a distribution of load over the ground-engaging portion of the endless track with respect to a supporting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Brian J. Maclean, Ralph W. Pensel, Christopher R. Hirschi
  • VARIABLE PRIMITIVE MAPPING FOR A ROBOTIC CRAWLER
    Publication number: 20080281468
    Abstract: Varying modes of movement of a robotic crawler are provided by using a variable mapping from high-level (operator input) primitives into low-level primitives. The mapping is a function of environmental data sensed by the robotic crawler enabling the movement mode to be adapted to the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: RAYTHEON SARCOS, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Marc Olivier, Ralph W. Pensel, Christopher R. Hirschi