Patents by Inventor James M. Donelan

James M. Donelan 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).

  • Methods and apparatus for harvesting biomechanical energy
    Patent number: 8299634
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: an energy converter for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and a controller connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions are determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Bionic Power Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Donelan, Joaquin A. Hoffer, Douglas Weber, Arthur D. Kuo, Qingguo Li
  • Methods and apparatus for harvesting biomechanical energy
    Patent number: 7659636
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions are determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Bionic Power Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Donelan, Arthur D. Kuo, Joaquin A. Hoffer, Qingguo Li, Douglas Weber
  • Method and apparatus for harvesting biomechanical energy
    Patent number: 7652386
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions are determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Bionic Power Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Donelan, Arthur D. Kuo, Joaquin A. Hoffer, Qingguo Li, Douglas Weber
  • Methods and apparatus for harvesting biomechanical energy
    Publication number: 20080278028
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions are determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: James M. Donelan, Arthur D. Kuo, Joaquin A. Hoffer, Qingguo Li, Douglas Weber
  • Method and apparatus for harvesting biomechanical energy
    Publication number: 20080277943
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions are determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: James M. Donelan, Arthur D. Kuo, Joaquin A. Hoffer, Qingguo Li, Douglas Weber