Patents by Inventor Huichan Zhao

Huichan Zhao 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).

  • Waveguides for use in sensors or displays
    Patent number: 11788869
    Abstract: Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in scissors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Robert Shepherd, Huichan Zhao, Rukang Huang, Hedan Bai, Shuo Li
  • WAVEGUIDES FOR USE IN SENSORS OR DISPLAYS
    Publication number: 20230003558
    Abstract: Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in scissors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Shepherd, Huichan Zhao, Rukang Huang, Hedan Bai, Shuo Li
  • Waveguides for use in sensors or displays
    Patent number: 11473942
    Abstract: Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in sensors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Robert Shepherd, Huichan Zhao, Rukang Huang, Hedan Bai, Shuo Li
  • STRETCHABLE OPTICAL FIBERS FOR STRAIN-SENSITIVE TEXTILES
    Publication number: 20210055171
    Abstract: Optical fibers, optical waveguides, optical sensors, and combinations thereof are disclosed. Strains in excess of 100% are permitted while subcentimeter changes in fiber length are detectable. Light intensity changes with changes in fiber or waveguide strain, and the changes are correlatable with other variables. Production of such devices according to some embodiments entails coating of a core with cladding. Core material may be polyurethane whilst cladding material may be silicone, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Cindy HARNETT, Huichan ZHAO, Robert SHEPHERD
  • Method for making a soft actuator device
    Patent number: 10882195
    Abstract: By rotationally casting soft robots, no bonding of different material layers is required. Soft robots including one or more integrated enclosed compartments are constructed from fibers that are embedded directly into the mold prior to adding elastomeric precursors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Robert Shepherd, Huichan Zhao, Ahmed Elsamadisi
  • Soft actuator and methods of fabrication
    Patent number: 10767024
    Abstract: Soft actuators are fabricated from materials that enable the actuators to be constructed with an open-celled architecture such as an interconnected network of pore elements. The movement of a soft actuator is controlled by manipulating the open-celled architecture, for example inflating/deflating select portions of the open-celled architecture using a substance such as compressed fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Robert F. Shepherd, Benjamin C. MacMurray, Huichan Zhao
  • WAVEGUIDES FOR USE IN SENSORS OR DISPLAYS
    Publication number: 20190056248
    Abstract: Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in sensors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: Cornell University
    Inventors: Robert SHEPHERD, Huichan ZHAO, Rukang HUANG, Hedan BAI, Shuo LI
  • SOFT ACTUATOR AND METHODS OF FABRICATION
    Publication number: 20170029592
    Abstract: Soft actuators are fabricated from materials that enable the actuators to be constructed with an open-celled architecture such as an interconnected network of pore elements. The movement of a soft actuator is controlled by manipulating the open-celled architecture, for example inflating/deflating select portions of the open-celled architecture using a substance such as compressed fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Robert F. Shepherd, Benjamin C. MacMurray, Huichan Zhao
  • SOFT ROBOT DEVICE AND RELATED FABRICATION METHODS
    Publication number: 20160250758
    Abstract: By rotationally casting soft robots, no bonding of different material layers is required. Soft robots including one or more integrated enclosed compartments are constructed from fibers that are embedded directly into the mold prior to adding elastomeric precursors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Shepherd, Huichan Zhao, Ahmed Elsamadisi