Patents by Inventor Erika Giancarlo

Erika Giancarlo 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).

  • Variable stiffness devices and methods of use
    Patent number: 10952888
    Abstract: Variable stiffness devices and methods of their use are provided. In some embodiments, a variable stiffness device comprises an inner member defining a compartment for receiving an actuating fluid; an outer member disposed around the inner member; and a granular medium disposed between the inner member and the outer member; wherein the inner member is being moveable in a radial direction from a relaxed state to an expanded state by introducing the actuating fluid into the compartment of the inner member to compress the granular medium against the outer member to increase the stiffness of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Marko Popovic, Saivimal Sridar, Corey Majeika, Nicholas Deisadze, Erika Giancarlo
  • VARIABLE STIFFNESS DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE
    Publication number: 20180296382
    Abstract: Variable stiffness devices and methods of their use are provided. In some embodiments, a variable stiffness device comprises an inner member defining a compartment for receiving an actuating fluid; an outer member disposed around the inner member; and a granular medium disposed between the inner member and the outer member; wherein the inner member is being moveable in a radial direction from a relaxed state to an expanded state by introducing the actuating fluid into the compartment of the inner member to compress the granular medium against the outer member to increase the stiffness of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Marko Popovic, Saivimal Sridar, Corey Majeika, Nicholas Deisadze, Erika Giancarlo
  • Variable stiffness devices and methods of use
    Patent number: 10028855
    Abstract: Variable stiffness devices and methods of their use are provided. In some embodiments, a variable stiffness device comprises an inner member defining a compartment for receiving an actuating fluid; an outer member disposed around the inner member; and a granular medium disposed between the inner member and the outer member; wherein the inner member is being moveable in a radial direction from a relaxed state to an expanded state by introducing the actuating fluid into the compartment of the inner member to compress the granular medium against the outer member to increase the stiffness of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Marko Popovic, Saivimal Sridar, Corey Majeika, Nicholas Deisadze, Erika Giancarlo
  • Variable Stiffness Devices and Methods of Use
    Publication number: 20160331572
    Abstract: Variable stiffness devices and methods of their use are provided. In some embodiments, a variable stiffness device comprises an inner member defining a compartment for receiving an actuating fluid; an outer member disposed around the inner member; and a granular medium disposed between the inner member and the outer member; wherein the inner member is being moveable in a radial direction from a relaxed state to an expanded state by introducing the actuating fluid into the compartment of the inner member to compress the granular medium against the outer member to increase the stiffness of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Marko Popovic, Saivimal Sridar, Corey Majeika, Nicholas Deisadze, Erika Giancarlo