Patents by Inventor Dean L. Kamen
Dean L. Kamen 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: 8968244Abstract: A disposable cassette for mixing a drug in a vial includes a liquid inlet for connection to a liquid supply, a first vial spike, a second vial spike, a chamber and a valve mechanism. The chamber, the first and second vial spikes, and the liquid inlet are in fluid communication with each other. The valve mechanism may be actuated to control flow between the chamber, the vial receptacles and the liquid inlet.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Charles M. Grinnell, Marc A. Mandro, Dennis Gilbreath, Kevin Grant, Jason A. Demers, William T. Larkins, Robert Manning, Richard Lanigan
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Publication number: 20130178831Abstract: A disposable cassette for mixing a drug in a vial includes a liquid inlet for connection to a liquid supply, a first vial spike, a second vial spike, a chamber and a valve mechanism. The chamber, the first and second vial spikes, and the liquid inlet are in fluid communication with each other. The valve mechanism may be actuated to control flow between the chamber, the vial receptacles and the liquid inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Charles M. Grinnell, Marc A. Mandro, Dennis Gilbreath, Kevin Grant, Jason A. Demers, William T. Larkins, Robert Manning, Richard Lanigan
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Publication number: 20130092461Abstract: 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: December 3, 2012Publication date: April 18, 2013Inventors: Dean L. Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, J. Douglas Field, John David Heinzmann, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Christopher C. Langenfeld
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Publication number: 20110168467Abstract: A personal vehicle for transporting a user over a surface including an external combustion engine. The vehicle includes a generator for converting the mechanical energy produced by the external combustion engine to electrical energy and an energy storage device for storing power provided by the generator and for providing power to the external combustion engine and the assembly. The personal vehicle includes a controller for controlling a total power load placed on the external combustion engine providing short term regulation of external combustion engine parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2008Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael Norris, Jason Michael Sachs
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Patent number: 7789174Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 8, 2007Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, John David Heinzmann, Robert R. Ambrogi, Christopher C. Langenfeld, J. Douglas Field
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Publication number: 20100217497Abstract: A user input for controlling acceleration of a vehicle. The user input has a movable member capable of deflection by a user such that a degree of deflection corresponds to a specified velocity commanded by the user. The correspondence between the degree of deflection and the specified velocity may include a plurality of zones, each zone characterized by a distinct sensitivity that may be capable of customization for a specific user. The user input may also include a neutral position of the movable member, wherein a substantially sudden motion of the movable member to the neutral position causes a slewed slowing of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, John D. Heinzmann, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, David Herr, John B. Morrell
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Patent number: 7779939Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Burl Amsbury, J. Douglas Field, Christopher C. Langenfeld, John B. Morrell, Jonathan B. Pompa, Jon M. Stevens, Jeremy B. Lund
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Patent number: 7708094Abstract: A user input for controlling acceleration of a vehicle. The user input has a movable member capable of deflection by a user such that a degree of deflection corresponds to a specified velocity commanded by the user. The correspondence between the degree of deflection and the specified velocity may include a plurality of zones, each zone characterized by a distinct sensitivity that may be capable of customization for a specific user. The user input may also include a neutral position of the movable member, wherein a substantially sudden motion of the movable member to the neutral position causes a slewed slowing of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, John D. Heinzmann, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, David Herr, John B. Morrell
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Patent number: 7690447Abstract: A device for transporting a human subject over a surface. The device is a dynamically balancing vehicle having a control loop for providing balance. The device includes a platform defining a fore-aft plane. The platform supports a payload including the human subject. A ground contacting module is included which may include one or more wheels. A ground-contacting member is movably coupled to the platform. The platform and the ground-contacting module form an assembly having a center of gravity that is defined with respect to the ground-contacting member and which includes any loads on the device. The device further includes a support. The support may be a seat for supporting the subject and the support is coupled to the platform in such a manner as to permit variation of the position of the center of gravity in the fore-aft plane by translation and rotation of at least a portion of the support. In one embodiment, translation and rotation of the seat of the device are mechanically coupled together.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2007Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, Robert J. Duggan, J. Douglas Field, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, William Lambrechts, Matt McCambridge, Christopher Perry, Mark E. Tellam
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Patent number: 7546889Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 16, 2003Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Burl Amsbury, J. Douglas Field, Christopher C. Langenfeld, John B. Morrell, Jonathan B. Pompa, Jon M. Stevens, Jeremy B. Lund
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Patent number: 7469760Abstract: A personal vehicle for transporting a user over a surface including an external combustion engine. The vehicle includes a generator for converting the mechanical energy produced by the external combustion engine to electrical energy and an energy storage device for storing power provided by the generator and for providing power to the external combustion engine and the assembly. The personal vehicle includes a controller for controlling a total power load placed on the external combustion engine providing short term regulation of external combustion engine parameters.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2003Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael Norris, Jason Michael Sachs
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Publication number: 20080319627Abstract: A user input for controlling acceleration of a vehicle. The user input has a movable member capable of deflection by a user such that a degree of deflection corresponds to a specified velocity commanded by the user. The correspondence between the degree of deflection and the specified velocity may include a plurality of zones, each zone characterized by a distinct sensitivity that may be capable of customization for a specific user. The user input may also include a neutral position of the movable member, wherein a substantially sudden motion of the movable member to the neutral position causes a slewed slowing of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, John D. Heinzmann, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, David Herr, John B. Morrell
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Publication number: 20080284130Abstract: A transporter for transporting a first person and one or more riders over a surface. The transporter includes a first support platform for supporting the first person, the first support platform having left and right sides and defining a fore-aft vertical plane and a lateral plane. At least one ground-contacting element is coupled to the first support platform such that the first support platform is capable of tilting in the fore-aft plane about a tilt axis. The at least one ground-contacting element is driven by a motorized drive arrangement so as to cause locomotion of the transporter. A controller commands the motorized drive arrangement. The controller is configured so that at least one of fore and aft sustained motion of the transporter is based at least on fore-aft tilting of the first support platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, J. Douglas Field, John David Heinzmann
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Patent number: 7370713Abstract: A class of transportation vehicles for carrying an individual over ground having a surface that may be irregular. This embodiment has a motorized drive, mounted to the ground-contacting module that causes operation of the vehicle in an operating position that is unstable with respect to tipping when the motorized drive arrangement is not powered.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1999Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventor: Dean L. Kamen
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Patent number: 7357202Abstract: A user input for controlling acceleration of a vehicle. The user input has a movable member capable of deflection by a user such that a degree of deflection corresponds to a specified velocity commanded by the user. The correspondence between the degree of deflection and the specified velocity may include a plurality of zones, each zone characterized by a distinct sensitivity that may be capable of customization for a specific user. The user input may also include a neutral position of the movable member, wherein a substantially sudden motion of the movable member to the neutral position causes a slewed slowing of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2004Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, John David Heinzmann, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, David Herr, John B. Morrell
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Patent number: 7210544Abstract: A transporter for transporting a load over a surface. The transporter includes a support platform for supporting the load. The support platform is characterized by a fore-aft axis, a lateral axis, and an orientation with respect to the surface, the orientation referred to as an attitude. At least one ground-contacting element is flexibly coupled to the support platform in such a manner that the attitude of the support platform is capable of variation. One or more ground-contacting elements are driven by a motorized drive arrangement. A sensor module generates a signal characterizing the attitude of the support platform. Based on the attitude, a controller commands the motorized drive arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2003Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, Richard Kurt Heinzmann
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Patent number: 7174976Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Deka Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, J. Douglas Field, John David Heinzmann, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Christopher C. Langenfeld
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Patent number: 7131706Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 5, 2004Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Deka Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Marc A. Nisbet, Stanley B. Smith, III, Thomas Alan Brindley
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Patent number: 7090040Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 11, 2003Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, J. Douglas Field, John D. Heinzmann, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Christopher C. Langenfeld
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Patent number: 7023330Abstract: A vehicle capable of an extraordinary mode of motorized motion programmed to draw the attention of an operator. When one or more sensors sense a condition requiring attention of the operator, a periodic acceleration is superposed upon the motion of the ground-contacting members. The extraordinary mode of locomotion may include a mode where the vehicle alternates between braking and speeding up and braking over each period of the modulation.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2003Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, J. Douglas Field, Burl Amsbury