Patents by Inventor Conrad Hoffman

Conrad Hoffman 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).

  • Automated drive frequency control for resonant actuator systems and methods thereof
    Patent number: 8698374
    Abstract: An actuator system includes an actuator device comprising at least one piezoelectric member, a driving system, and an actuator controller. The driving system drives the at least one piezoelectric member at a driving frequency. The actuator controller monitors at least one parameter of the actuator device and the direct driving system to determine an operational mechanical resonant frequency of the actuator device based on the at least one parameter. The actuator controller adjusts the driving frequency based at least in part on the determined operational mechanical resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: New Scale Technologies
    Inventors: Qin Xu, Tom Guidarelli, Robert Culhane, Conrad Hoffman
  • AUTOMATED DRIVE FREQUENCY CONTROL FOR RESONANT ACTUATOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS THEREOF
    Publication number: 20100289381
    Abstract: An actuator system includes an actuator device comprising at least one piezoelectric member, a driving system, and an actuator controller. The driving system drives the at least one piezoelectric member at a driving frequency. The actuator controller monitors at least one parameter of the actuator device and the direct driving system to determine an operational mechanical resonant frequency of the actuator device based on the at least one parameter. The actuator controller adjusts the driving frequency based at least in part on the determined operational mechanical resonant frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: NEW SCALE TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Qin Xu, Tom Guidarelli, Robert Culhane, Conrad Hoffman
  • Mechanism comprised of ultrasonic lead screw motor
    Patent number: 7309943
    Abstract: An optical assembly that contains an optical device movably attached to a apparatus for driving a threaded shaft assembly. The apparatus contains of a threaded shaft with an axis of rotation and, engaged therewith, a threaded nut. The assembly contains a device for subjecting the threaded nut to ultrasonic vibrations and thereby causing said the shaft to simultaneously rotate and translate in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: New Scale Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Henderson, James Guelzow, Conrad Hoffman, Robert Culhane
  • Mechanism comprised of ultrasonic lead screw motor
    Publication number: 20060049720
    Abstract: An optical assembly that contains an optical device movably attached to a apparatus for driving a threaded shaft assembly. The apparatus contains of a threaded shaft with an axis of rotation and, engaged therewith, a threaded nut. The assembly contains a device for subjecting the threaded nut to ultrasonic vibrations and thereby causing said the shaft to simultaneously rotate and translate in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventors: David Henderson, James Guelzow, Conrad Hoffman, Robert Culhane