Patents by Inventor Iain Alexander Anderson
Iain Alexander Anderson 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).
-
Patent number: 11892487Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a sensing apparatus comprising a set of N capacitive sensors connected over a single physical channel provided by two terminals, the apparatus comprising: a sensing array having a first capacitive sensor and N?1 parallel capacitive sensors each connected in parallel with first capacitive sensor, each capacitive sensor having electrodes separated by a dielectric to provide a capacitance which is able to vary with deformation to provide sensing, the array having a set of N?1 resistances each being in series with a respective one of the N?1 parallel capacitive sensors; a solution module operable to determine the capacitance of each capacitive sensor by finding solutions for a vector function equating reactance measured at the two terminals to an analytical model for impedance and/or reactance of the circuit seen at the two terminals, wherein the analytical model comprises N capacitances, each connected in parallel with each other, and comprises N series resistances each conneType: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: SENSOR HOLDINGS LIMITEDInventors: Iain Alexander Anderson, Andreas Tairych
-
Publication number: 20230207227Abstract: A flexible switch has a deformable body and a plurality of electrodes, at least one of the electrodes being provided on the deformable body. The switch has a first state in which the electrodes are spaced apart and a second state in which the electrodes are in electrical contact, and the switch is configured to allow movement between the states when a force is applied to or removed from the deformable body.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2022Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventors: Iain Alexander ANDERSON, Markus HENKE
-
Patent number: 11551881Abstract: A flexible switch has a deformable body and a plurality of electrodes, at least one of the electrodes being provided on the deformable body. The switch has a first state in which the electrodes are spaced apart and a second state in which the electrodes are in electrical contact, and the switch is configured to allow movement between the states when a force is applied to or removed from the deformable body.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2020Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: AUCKLAND UNISERVICES LIMITEDInventors: Iain Alexander Anderson, Markus Henke
-
Publication number: 20210027955Abstract: A flexible switch has a deformable body and a plurality of electrodes, at least one of the electrodes being provided on the deformable body. The switch has a first state in which the electrodes are spaced apart and a second state in which the electrodes are in electrical contact, and the switch is configured to allow movement between the states when a force is applied to or removed from the deformable body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Iain Alexander ANDERSON, Markus HENKE
-
Patent number: 10804038Abstract: The invention provides an electric circuit device including a conductive element configured to provide an electrical input to an electrical component, the resistivity of the conductive element being variable based at least on the extent of deformation thereof, and a deformable body coupled directly or indirectly to, or integral with, the conductive element such that deformation of the body causes the conductive element to deform, thereby varying the resistance thereof and altering the input to the electrical component. Said devices may be used singularly or in combination as logic elements within electrical circuits, providing drive and/or control functionality. Particular embodiments provide improved electrostatic generators.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2011Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Auckland UniServices LimitedInventors: Benjamin Marc O'Brien, Iain Alexander Anderson, Thomas Gregory McKay, Emilio Patricio Calius
-
Publication number: 20200319236Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a sensing apparatus comprising a set of N capacitive sensors connected over a single physical channel provided by two terminals, the apparatus comprising: a sensing array having a first capacitive sensor and N?1 parallel capacitive sensors each connected in parallel with first capacitive sensor, each capacitive sensor having electrodes separated by a dielectric to provide a capacitance which is able to vary with deformation to provide sensing, the array having a set of N?1 resistances each being in series with a respective one of the N?1 parallel capacitive sensors; a solution module operable to determine the capacitance of each capacitive sensor by finding solutions for a vector function equating reactance measured at the two terminals to an analytical model for impedance and/or reactance of the circuit seen at the two terminals, wherein the analytical model comprises N capacitances, each connected in parallel with each other, and comprises N series resistances each conneType: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2018Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Iain Alexander Anderson, Andreas Tairych
-
Patent number: 10250166Abstract: The invention relates to transformers. More particularly, the invention relates to transformers using (preferably electrostatic and more preferably dielectric elastomer) transducers such as generators and actuators. The invention further provides a priming circuit therefor.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Auckland UniServices LimitedInventors: Iain Alexander Anderson, Thomas Gregory McKay, Benjamin Marc O'Brien, Emilio Patricio Calius
-
Patent number: 10228396Abstract: The invention provides circuits, systems and methods for dielectric elastomer device (DED) self-sensing. The circuit comprises a first DED coupled or adapted for coupling to a first voltage source (for providing an actuating or priming signal, for example); a current sensor provided in series with the first DED; and an oscillating signal source coupled to the first DED and adapted to cause an oscillation in a voltage across the DED, wherein the oscillating signal source is decoupled from the first voltage source.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Auckland Uniservices LimitedInventors: Todd Alan Gisby, Thomas Gregory McKay, Ho Cheong Lo, Benjamin Marc O'Brien, Iain Alexander Anderson
-
Publication number: 20170199022Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor apparatus comprising a dielectric elastomer device, a power source, a sensor, and a processor. The dielectric elastomer device comprises a layer of dielectric material and a pair of conductive electrodes on opposing sides of the dielectric layer. The power source is coupled with the electrodes to apply a stimulus signal between the electrodes, the stimulus signal comprising two or more stimulus components of different frequencies. A sensor coupled with the electrodes obtains a sensing signal indicative of a frequency response of the dielectric elastomer device. The processor is coupled with the sensor to receive the sensing signal, and configured to detect an external coupling with the dielectric elastomer device based at least in part upon the frequency response of the dielectric elastomer device. Also provided is a method for sensing an external coupling.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2015Publication date: July 13, 2017Inventors: Iain Alexander Anderson, Daniel Xu
-
Patent number: 9697959Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanically-actuated switch comprising a deformable conductive element providing a conductive path between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the effective geometry of the conductive element changes suddenly upon deformation to cause a disproportionately large change in a resistance between the first and second terminals. The switch can be made from lightweight and soft materials, and is particularly suited for integration with dielectric elastomer devices. Also disclosed are various circuits and a method for controlling circuits including the switch.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2013Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Auckland UniServices LimitedInventors: Iain Alexander Anderson, Thomas Gregory McKay, Benjamin Marc O'Brien, Todd Alan Gibsy
-
Publication number: 20170019022Abstract: A self-powered converter and more particularly, though not exclusively, a step-down voltage converter requiring no external power supply, which is particularly suited to converting a high-voltage, low energy input from an intermittent DC power source to a low voltage DC output. There is provided an electrical converter for converting input power from an intermittent power source to a different voltage for a load, the converter comprising: a switched converter circuit coupled to an input for coupling to the power source and to an output for coupling to the load, the switched converter circuit arranged to convert power from the input to a different voltage and supply this to the output; a controller for controlling the switched converter circuit dependent on an input voltage at the input.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2015Publication date: January 19, 2017Inventors: Iain Alexander Anderson, Ho Cheong Lo
-
Publication number: 20170010130Abstract: The present invention relates to pliable capacitive structures such as dielectric elastomers and similar smart materials which can be used for sensing externally applied strains which can be inferred by the determining the capacitance of the structure/material. There is provided an apparatus comprising a pliable capacitive structure for use in detecting shape or strain changes, the pliable capacitive structure having a dielectric material positioned between two electrodes; means for applying a steady-state voltage across the two electrodes; and means for determining changes in capacitance of the pliable capacitive structure using said steady state voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2015Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Daniel Xu, Iain Alexander Anderson, Ho Cheong Lo, Thomas Gregory McKay
-
Patent number: 9170288Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining feedback parameters related to the state of a dielectric elastomer (DE). The method comprises introducing a small-scale oscillation to the voltage difference between electrodes of the DE, monitoring or repeatedly measuring several measurable electrical characteristics of the DE, deriving other relevant data from the measurements, deriving an equation for a plane of best fit through the relevant data when defined as orthogonal axes, and deriving the feedback parameters from coefficients of the plane equation. The method thus provides important feedback regarding the capacitance, leakage current and/or electrode resistance of the DE. Also disclosed are a computer program and a system adapted to perform the method.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2011Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Auckland UniServices LimitedInventors: Benjamin Marc O'Brien, Todd Alan Gisby, Iain Alexander Anderson
-
Publication number: 20150287552Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanically-actuated switch comprising a deformable conductive element providing a conductive path between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the effective geometry of the conductive element changes suddenly upon deformation to cause a disproportionately large change in a resistance between the first and second terminals. The switch can be made from lightweight and soft materials, and is particularly suited for integration with dielectric elastomer devices. Also disclosed are various circuits and a method for controlling circuits including the switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2013Publication date: October 8, 2015Inventors: Iain Alexander Anderson, Thomas Gregory McKay, Benjamin Marc O'Brien, Todd Alan Gibsy
-
Publication number: 20150123647Abstract: The invention provides circuits, systems and methods for dielectric elastomer device (DED) self-sensing. The circuit comprises a first DED coupled or adapted for coupling to a first voltage source (for providing an actuating or priming signal, for example); a current sensor provided in series with the first DED; and an oscillating signal source coupled to the first DED and adapted to cause an oscillation in a voltage across the DED, wherein the oscillating signal source is decoupled from the first voltage source.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Todd Alan Gisby, Thomas Gregory McKay, Ho Cheong Lo, Benjamin Marc O'Brien, Iain Alexander Anderson
-
Patent number: 8860336Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining the capacitance between electrodes of an artificial muscle or dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA). The method comprises measuring the voltage difference between the electrodes of the DEA, the first derivative of that voltage with respect to time, and the total instantaneous current through the DEA, then calculating the capacitance of the DEA as the difference between the total instantaneous current through the DEA and the product of the voltage between the electrodes and an error term, divided by the first derivative of the voltage between the electrodes with respect to time. The capacitance may then be used to derive estimates of the leakage current, charge upon the DEA, and/or the physical state of the DEA, thereby implementing self-sensing to allow closed-loop feedback control of DEA actuation.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2010Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Auckland UniServices LimitedInventors: Iain Alexander Anderson, Emilio Patricio Calius, Todd Alan Gisby, Benjamin Marc O'Brien, Shane Xie
-
Publication number: 20140247624Abstract: The invention provides a passive converter comprising an input for electrical coupling to an intermittent or variable power source, an output for electrical coupling to load, and a conversion circuit for converting from a first voltage level of the input to a second voltage level suitable for the output, wherein the conversion circuit includes a passive switching circuit adapted to passively couple the input to the output when the input exceeds a first threshold and decouple the input from the output when the input falls below a second threshold. In particular, the passive switching circuit preferably comprises a spark gap, thyristor and avalanche diode, breakover diode, discharge tube, or a thyristor operated as breakover diodes. Circuits and dielectric elastomer generator (DEG) systems including the passive converter are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2012Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: AUCKLAND UNISERVICES LIMITEDInventors: Iain Alexander Anderson, Todd Alan Gisby, Ho Cheong Lo, Thomas Gregory McKay, Benjamin Marc O'Brien
-
Patent number: 8638024Abstract: The invention provides an actuator for an electric motor and an electric motor including said actuator. The actuator includes one or more body formed from a dielectric elastomer, each body having at least one active region that is directly or indirectly coupled to a drive means. The active regions are arranged such that, in use, actuation thereof causes driven means to move with components in at least first and second directions, preferably within a plane of the body.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Auckland UniServices, LimitedInventors: Iain Alexander Anderson, Benjamin Marc O'Brien, Thomas Gregory McKay, Todd Alan Gisby, Emilio Patricio Calius, Scott Hayden Walbran, Thomas Swithun Hale
-
Publication number: 20130285577Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining feedback parameters related to the state of a dielectric elastomer (DE). The method comprises introducing a small-scale oscillation to the voltage difference between electrodes of the DE, monitoring or repeatedly measuring several measurable electrical characteristics of the DE, deriving other relevant data from the measurements, deriving an equation for a plane of best fit through the relevant data when defined as orthogonal axes, and deriving the feedback parameters from coefficients of the plane equation. The method thus provides important feedback regarding the capacitance, leakage current and/or electrode resistance of the DE. Also disclosed are a computer program and a system adapted to perform the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2011Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: AUCKLAND UNISERVICES LIMITEDInventors: Benjamin Marc O'Brien, Todd Alan Gisby, Iain Alexander Anderson
-
Publication number: 20130100575Abstract: The invention provides an electric circuit device including a conductive element configured to provide an electrical input to an electrical component, the resistivity of the conductive element being variable based at least on the extent of deformation thereof, and a deformable body coupled directly or indirectly to, or integral with, the conductive element such that deformation of the body causes the conductive element to deform, thereby varying the resistance thereof and altering the input to the electrical component. Said devices may be used singularly or in combination as logic elements within electrical circuits, providing drive and/or control functionality. Particular embodiments provide improved electrostatic generators.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: AUCKLAND UNISERVICES LIMITEDInventors: Benjamin Marc O'Brien, Iain Alexander Anderson, Thomas Gregory McKay, Emilio Patricio Calius