Patents by Inventor Elliot Wright Hawkes

Elliot Wright Hawkes 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).

  • Grippers based on opposing van der Waals adhesive pads
    Patent number: 9517610
    Abstract: Novel gripping structures based on van der Waals adhesive forces are disclosed. Pads covered with fibers can be activated in pairs by opposite forces, thereby enabling control of the adhesive force in an ON or OFF state. Pads can be used in groups, each comprising a group of opposite pads. The adhesive structures enable anchoring forces that can resist adverse forces from different directions. The adhesive structures can be used to enable the operation of robots on surfaces of space vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Aaron Parness, Brett A. Kennedy, Matthew C Heverly, Mark R. Cutkosky, Elliot Wright Hawkes