Patents by Inventor Daniel Vincent HARBURG
Daniel Vincent HARBURG 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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Patent number: 10179411Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to soft robotic gripper systems suited to grasping target objects in cluttered environments. Some embodiments provide extension rods, hinges, and/or rails that allow a soft robotic actuator to be extended towards or away from a robotic base and/or other actuators. Accordingly, a gripper including the actuator may be reconfigured into a size and/or shape that allows for improved access to the cluttered environment. Further embodiments relate to soft robotic gripper systems for supporting grasped objects during high acceleration movements using vacuum, gripper, and/or bellows devices. Still further embodiments relate to specialized grippers for manipulating food items.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2017Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Soft Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Aaron Lessing, Ryan Knopf, Kevin Alcedo, Daniel Vincent Harburg, Sarv Parteek Singh
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Patent number: 10179410Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide modular robotic systems that allow one or more operation parameters of a robotic actuator, or group of actuators, to be dynamically configured or reconfigured. The operation parameters may be, for example, the X, Y, and/or Z position of the actuator or group of actuators with respect to other actuators, the arrangement of the actuator(s) into an array or matrix, the rotation or pitch of an actuator, the distance between actuators, the grip strength or grip surface of an actuator, etc. Accordingly, the same robotic manipulator(s) may be used for multiple purposes in multiple different contexts, manipulators can be swapped out on-the-fly, and robotic systems may be dynamically reconfigured to perform new tasks.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2016Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Soft Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Aaron Lessing, Kevin Alcedo, Ryan Richard Knopf, Daniel Vincent Harburg
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Publication number: 20190009415Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to various improvements in soft robotic actuators, and more specifically the integration of stiff or rigid bodies into soft actuators to provide adjustable gripping behaviors. These actuators may be used as robotic end effectors to, for example, automate material handling processes. According to some embodiments, the actuators may be deployed in combination with a static or dynamic rigid structure, such as a rod. The rigid structure may extend beside or within the actuator. Multiple rigid structures may be deployed on the sides of an actuator, or multiple actuators may be deployed on the sides of a rigid structure. In further embodiments, an array or matrix of actuators may be integrated into a rigid structure, providing a low-profile gripper that can be maneuvered into tight spaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2018Publication date: January 10, 2019Inventors: Joshua Aaron LESSING, Ryan Richard KNOPF, Daniel Vincent HARBURG, Carl Everett VAUSE
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Patent number: 10173328Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to various improvements in soft robotic actuators, and techniques for manufacturing the improvements. For example, techniques for manufacturing a rigidizing layer for reinforcing a soft robotic actuator is provided. In another embodiment, a soft robotic actuator having integrated sensors is described. A flexible electroadhesive pad for achieving a conformal grip is also described. Still further, exemplary embodiments provide hydraulically-actuated soft robotic grippers, which allows for a reduction in the size of the actuation system and improved underwater operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: SOFT ROBOTICS, INC.Inventors: Joshua Aaron Lessing, Ryan Richard Knopf, Carl Everett Vause, Daniel Vincent Harburg
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Patent number: 10154592Abstract: The invention provides transient devices, including active and passive devices that electrically and/or physically transform upon application of at least one internal and/or external stimulus. Materials, modeling tools, manufacturing approaches, device designs and system level embodiments of transient electronics are provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2014Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of IllinoisInventors: John A. Rogers, Chi Hwan Lee, Lan Yin, Xian Huang, Cecilia Maria das Neves Barbosa Leal, Daniel Vincent Harburg
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Publication number: 20180319018Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to improvements in soft robotic systems that permit a soft robotic end effector to be a self-contained system, without reliance on a tether to deliver inflation fluid to the actuator(s) of the end effector. According to some embodiments, a robotic system may be provided including a soft actuator and a hub. The body of the hub may include an integrated pressure source configured to supply inflation fluid through the actuator interface to the soft actuator. The pressure source may be, for example, a compressor (such as a twin-head compressor) or a reaction chamber configured to vaporize a fuel to create a high-temperature pressurized gas and deliver the pressurized gas to the actuator One or more accumulators may receive inflation fluid (or a partial vacuum) from the compressor over time, and store the inflation fluid under pressure, thus allowing actuation over a relatively short time period.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Ryan KNOPF, Joshua LESSING, Daniel Vincent HARBURG, Grant SELLERS, Kevin ALCEDO
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Patent number: 10112310Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to improvements in robotic systems to reduce biological or chemical harborage points on the systems. For example, in exemplary embodiments, robotic actuators, hubs, or entire robotic systems may be configured to allow crevices along joints or near fasteners to be reduced or eliminated, hard corners to be replaced with rounded edges, certain components or harborage points to be eliminated, shapes to be reconfigured to be smoother or flat, and/or or surfaces to be reconfigurable for simpler cleaning.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: SOFT ROBOTICS, INC.Inventors: Joshua Aaron Lessing, Ryan Richard Knopf, Daniel Vincent Harburg, Kevin Alcedo, Grant Thomas Sellers, Mark Chiappetta
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Publication number: 20180304473Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to applications for soft robotic actuators in the manufacturing, packaging, and food preparation industries, among others. Methods and systems are disclosed for packaging target objects using soft robotic actuators, for moving and positioning target objects and/or receptacles, and/or for diverting or sorting objects. By using soft robotic actuators to perform the fixing, positioning, and/or diverting, objects of different sizes and configurations may be manipulated on the same processing line, without the need to reconfigure the line or install new hardware when a new object is received.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Joshua Aaron LESSING, Daniel Vincent HARBURG, Sarv Parteek SINGH, Mark CHIAPPETTA, Ryan KNOPF
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Patent number: 10093023Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to various improvements in soft robotic actuators, and more specifically the integration of stiff or rigid bodies into soft actuators to provide adjustable gripping behaviors. These actuators may be used as robotic end effectors to, for example, automate material handling processes. According to some embodiments, the actuators may be deployed in combination with a static or dynamic rigid structure, such as a rod. The rigid structure may extend beside or within the actuator. Multiple rigid structures may be deployed on the sides of an actuator, or multiple actuators may be deployed on the sides of a rigid structure. In further embodiments, an array or matrix of actuators may be integrated into a rigid structure, providing a low-profile gripper that can be maneuvered into tight spaces.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2016Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: SOFT ROBOTICS, INC.Inventors: Joshua Aaron Lessing, Ryan Richard Knopf, Daniel Vincent Harburg, Carl Everett Vause
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Patent number: 10046462Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to improvements in soft robotic systems that permit a soft robotic end effector to be a self-contained system, without reliance on a tether to deliver inflation fluid to the actuator(s) of the end effector. According to some embodiments, a robotic system may be provided including a soft actuator and a hub. The body of the hub may include an integrated pressure source configured to supply inflation fluid through the actuator interface to the soft actuator. The pressure source may be, for example, a compressor (such as a twin-head compressor) or a reaction chamber configured to vaporize a fuel to create a high-temperature pressurized gas and deliver the pressurized gas to the actuator One or more accumulators may receive inflation fluid (or a partial vacuum) from the compressor over time, and store the inflation fluid under pressure, thus allowing actuation over a relatively short time period.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2016Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: SOFT ROBOTICS, INC.Inventors: Ryan Knopf, Joshua Lessing, Daniel Vincent Harburg, Grant Sellers, Kevin Alcedo
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Publication number: 20170291806Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to applications for soft robotic actuators in the manufacturing, packaging, and food preparation industries, among others. Methods and systems are disclosed for fixing target objects and/or receptacles using soft robotic actuators, for positioning target objects and/or receptacles, and/or for diverting or sorting objects. By using soft robotic actuators to perform the fixing, positioning, and/or diverting, objects of different sizes and configurations may be manipulated on the same processing line, without the need to reconfigure the line or install new hardware when a new object is received.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2017Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: Joshua Lessing, Daniel Vincent Harburg, Sarv Parteek Singh, Jeffrey Curhan
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Publication number: 20170036355Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to various improvements in soft robotic actuators, and more specifically the integration of stiff or rigid bodies into soft actuators to provide adjustable gripping behaviors. These actuators may be used as robotic end effectors to, for example, automate material handling processes. According to some embodiments, the actuators may be deployed in combination with a static or dynamic rigid structure, such as a rod. The rigid structure may extend beside or within the actuator. Multiple rigid structures may be deployed on the sides of an actuator, or multiple actuators may be deployed on the sides of a rigid structure. In further embodiments, an array or matrix of actuators may be integrated into a rigid structure, providing a low-profile gripper that can be maneuvered into tight spaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: Joshua Aaron Lessing, Ryan Richard Knopf, Daniel Vincent Harburg, Carl Everett Vause
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Publication number: 20170020402Abstract: Provided herein are implantable and bioresorbable sensors that are specifically designed to be implanted, function for an operational lifetime, and at some point after the operational lifetime to be resorbed by the body in such a manner so as to avoid having to remove any part of the sensor. This avoids a second impact on the patient otherwise associated with sensor removal. The sensors have a substrate and an electronic device supported by the substrate. A barrier layer isolates the electronic device from surrounding environment, including a biofluid, during use. Each of the substrate, electronic device, and barrier layer have a bioresorption rate during use to provide controlled bioresorption such reliable measure of one or more parameters occur over and an operational lifetime, and after a bioresorption lifetime greater than the operational lifetime, no detectable portion of the implantable and bioresorbable sensor remains at an implantation site.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: John A. ROGERS, Rory KJ MURPHY, Seung Kyun KANG, Seung Min LEE, Daniel Vincent HARBURG, Wilson Z. RAY
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Publication number: 20160375590Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to improvements in robotic systems to reduce biological or chemical harborage points on the systems. For example, in exemplary embodiments, robotic actuators, hubs, or entire robotic systems may be configured to allow crevices along joints or near fasteners to be reduced or eliminated, hard corners to be replaced with rounded edges, certain components or harborage points to be eliminated, shapes to be reconfigured to be smoother or flat, and/or or surfaces to be reconfigurable for simpler cleaning.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Joshua Aaron Lessing, Ryan Richard Knopf, Daniel Vincent Harburg, Kevin Alcedo, Grant Thomas Sellers, Mark Chiappetta
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Publication number: 20140323968Abstract: The invention provides transient devices, including active and passive devices that electrically and/or physically transform upon application of at least one internal and/or external stimulus. Materials, modeling tools, manufacturing approaches, device designs and system level embodiments of transient electronics are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the University of IllinoisInventors: John A. ROGERS, Chi Hwan LEE, Lan YIN, Xian HUANG, Cecilia Maria das Neves Barbosa LEAL, Daniel Vincent HARBURG