Patents by Inventor Heath F. Hofmann

Heath F. Hofmann 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).

  • Sensorless control of a harmonically driven electrodynamic machine for a thermoacoustic device or variable load
    Patent number: 6883333
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of sensorless control of a linear reciprocating electrodynamic machine used for driving a thermoacoustic device, and/or a similar frequency dependent load. Sensorless control is accomplished by estimating the state of predetermined performance parameters at the linear machine through the use of a system model. Thereafter, the method comprises providing a control means operative to obtain the estimated performance parameters and cause manipulation of at least one input parameter to the linear machine such that desired performance parameters are obtained in view of the estimated performance parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Tony L. Shearer, Robert W. M. Smith, Heath F. Hofmann
  • Sensorless control of a harmonically driven electrodynamic machine for a thermoacoustic device or variable load
    Publication number: 20040095028
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of sensorless control of a linear reciprocating electrodynamic machine used for driving a thermoacoustic device, and/or a similar frequency dependent load. Sensorless control is accomplished by estimating the state of predetermined performance parameters at the linear machine through the use of a system model. Thereafter, the method comprises providing a control means operative to obtain the estimated performance parameters and cause manipulation of at least one input parameter to the linear machine such that desired performance parameters are obtained in view of the estimated performance parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Tony L. Shearer, Robert W.M. Smith, Heath F. Hofmann