Patents by Inventor John Bugel
John Bugel 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).
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Patent number: 7564171Abstract: An apparatus and process for preloading an electrically stimulated smart material actuator product to obtain maximum work from the actuator. When a smart material actuator is optimally preloaded certain desirable characteristics become apparent, such as work, operational frequency, hysteresis, repeatability, and overall accuracy. When used in conjunction with a mechanically leveraged actuator structure the smart material actuator can be used to its greatest potential. Since the mechanically leveraged actuator can be based on the maximum work provided by the smart material actuator, certain attributes such as the force, and displacement of total system can be adjusted without loss to system efficiency. Preloading methods and a determination of the optimal preload force are disclosed. Each smart material actuator type has a unique work curve. In the design of an actuator assembly, the process of optimizing uses the unique work curve to optimize the design for the requirements of the particular application.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2005Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Parker-Hannifin CorporationInventors: Jeff Moler, John Bugel, Keith A Thornhill, Mark P Oudshoorn
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Patent number: 7368856Abstract: An apparatus and process for pre-loading an electrically stimulated smart material actuator product to obtain maximum work from the actuator. When a smart material actuator is optimally pre-loaded certain desirable characteristics become apparent, such as work, operational frequency, hysteresis, repeatability, and overall accuracy. When used in conjunction with a mechanically leveraged actuator structure the smart material actuator can be used to its greatest potential. Since the mechanically leveraged actuator can be based on the maximum work provided by the smart material actuator, certain attributes such as the force, and displacement of total system can be adjusted without loss to system efficiency. Pre-loading methods and a determination of the optimal pre-load force are disclosed. Each smart material actuator type has a unique work curve. In the design of an actuator assembly, the process of optimizing uses the unique work curve to optimize the design for the requirements of the particular application.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2004Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Parker-Hannifin CorporationInventors: Jeff Moler, John Bugel, Keith A. Thornhill, Mark P. Oudshoorn
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Patent number: 7353743Abstract: A position control system is used for controlling a fluid operated cylinder having at least one fluid chamber defined by a piston located within a housing for movement between first and second end limits of travel. The system includes at least two electrically actuated proportional flow control valves connected to each port of the cylinder for selectively and proportionally controlling fluid flow into and out of the at least one chamber. At least one pressure sensor is provided for measuring fluid pressure with respect to each chamber. At least one discreet position sensor is located adjacent a midpoint of the cylinder for sensing a discreet centered position of the piston. A controller includes a program and is operably connected for controlling actuation of the at least two valves in response to pressure measured by the at least one pressure sensor and location measured by the at least one position sensor.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2004Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Viking Technologies, L.C.Inventors: John Bugel, Jeff Moler, Mark P. Oudshoorn
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Patent number: 7132781Abstract: An apparatus having a smart material actuator, a support structure and at least one temperature compensating material insert, either externally mounted to the support structure, integrally formed with the support structure, or any combination thereof. The apparatus includes a mechanically leveraged electrically stimulated smart material. The support structure and actuator are susceptible to the effects of differences in thermal coefficients of expansion of the materials used in the construction. The smart material typically displaces less than 0.001 inches and is leveraged up to fifty times to obtain useful movement. The temperature effect on the smart material is therefore leveraged and amplified producing undesirable motion in the apparatus with ambient and/or operating temperature changes. A method for dimensioning and placement of a compensating insert with respect to the support structure provides an accurate and cost effective compensating insert.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2003Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Viking Technologies, L.C.Inventors: Jeff Moler, John A. Bugel, Mark Oudshoorn
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Patent number: 7040349Abstract: An apparatus controls flow of a fluid from at least one inlet port to at least one outlet port. A support has a rigid, non-flexible portion, at least one pivotable relatively rigid, non-flexible, folded-back arm portion extending from the rigid portion, at least one surface connected to folded-back arm portion for movement relative to the support, and a rigid, non-flexible force transfer member operably positioned for driving the pivotable folded-back arm portion with a loss of motion of less than 40%. An electrically operated actuator operably engages between the rigid portion and the force transfer member to pivot the folded-back arm portion in response to an electrical activation of the actuator. A manifold includes a fluid passage communicating with at least one valve seat and operably engageable with respect to at least one corresponding valve body for movement between a closed position and an opened position.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2004Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Viking Technologies, L.C.Inventors: Jeff Moler, Mark Woozley, John Bugel
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Publication number: 20060017349Abstract: An apparatus can have a smart material actuator, a support structure and at least one temperature compensating material insert, either externally mounted to the support structure, integrally formed with the support structure, or any combination thereof. The structure of the apparatus can be formed of various materials with different Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE). The apparatus can include a mechanically leveraged electrically stimulated smart material. The support structure and actuator can be susceptible to the effects of differences in thermal coefficients of expansion of the materials used in the construction. A method for dimensioning and placement of a compensating insert with respect to the support structure provides an accurate and cost effective compensating insert. Furthermore, a method of compensating for differences in the rate of thermal expansion in one or more elements of an actuator is included with the present invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2005Publication date: January 26, 2006Inventors: Jeff Moler, John Bugel, Mark Oudshoorn
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Publication number: 20050231077Abstract: An apparatus and process for preloading an electrically stimulated smart material actuator product to obtain maximum work from the actuator. When a smart material actuator is optimally preloaded certain desirable characteristics become apparent, such as work, operational frequency, hysteresis, repeatability, and overall accuracy. When used in conjunction with a mechanically leveraged actuator structure the smart material actuator can be used to its greatest potential. Since the mechanically leveraged actuator can be based on the maximum work provided by the smart material actuator, certain attributes such as the force, and displacement of total system can be adjusted without loss to system efficiency. Preloading methods and a determination of the optimal preload force are disclosed. Each smart material actuator type has a unique work curve. In the design of an actuator assembly, the process of optimizing uses the unique work curve to optimize the design for the requirements of the particular application.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2005Publication date: October 20, 2005Inventors: Jeff Moler, John Bugel, Keith Thornhill, Mark Oudshoorn
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Publication number: 20050016606Abstract: An apparatus controls flow of a fluid from at least one inlet port to at least one outlet port. A support has a rigid, non-flexible portion, at least one pivotable relatively rigid, non-flexible, folded-back arm portion extending from the rigid portion, at least one surface connected to folded-back arm portion for movement relative to the support, and a rigid, non-flexible force transfer member operably positioned for driving the pivotable folded-back arm portion with a loss of motion of less than 40%. An electrically operated actuator operably engages between the rigid portion and the force transfer member to pivot the folded-back arm portion in response to an electrical activation of the actuator. A manifold includes a fluid passage communicating with at least one valve seat and operably engageable with respect to at least one corresponding valve body for movement between a closed position and an opened position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2004Publication date: January 27, 2005Inventors: Jeff Moler, Mark Woozley, John Bugel
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Publication number: 20040263025Abstract: An apparatus and process for pre-loading an electrically stimulated smart material actuator product to obtain maximum work from the actuator. When a smart material actuator is optimally pre-loaded certain desirable characteristics become apparent, such as work, operational frequency, hysteresis, repeatability, and overall accuracy. When used in conjunction with a mechanically leveraged actuator structure the smart material actuator can be used to its greatest potential. Since the mechanically leveraged actuator can be based on the maximum work provided by the smart material actuator, certain attributes such as the force, and displacement of total system can be adjusted without loss to system efficiency. Pre-loading methods and a determination of the optimal pre-load force are disclosed. Each smart material actuator type has a unique work curve. In the design of an actuator assembly, the process of optimizing uses the unique work curve to optimize the design for the requirements of the particular application.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: Jeff Moler, John Bugel, Keith A. Thornhill, Mark P. Oudshoorn
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Publication number: 20040261608Abstract: A position control system is used for controlling a fluid operated cylinder having at least one fluid chamber defined by a piston located within a housing for movement between first and second end limits of travel. The system includes at least two electrically actuated proportional flow control valves connected to each port of the cylinder for selectively and proportionally controlling fluid flow into and out of the at least one chamber. At least one pressure sensor is provided for measuring fluid pressure with respect to each chamber. At least one discreet position sensor is located adjacent a midpoint of the cylinder for sensing a discreet centered position of the piston. A controller includes a program and is operably connected for controlling actuation of the at least two valves in response to pressure measured by the at least one pressure sensor and location measured by the at least one position sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: John Bugel, Jeff Moler, Mark P. Oudshoorn
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Publication number: 20040035106Abstract: An apparatus having a smart material actuator, a support structure and at least one temperature compensating material insert, either externally mounted to the support structure, integrally formed with the support structure, or any combination thereof. The apparatus includes a mechanically leveraged electrically stimulated smart material. The support structure and actuator are susceptible to the effects of differences in thermal coefficients of expansion of the materials used in the construction. The smart material typically displaces less than 0.001 inches and is leveraged up to fifty times to obtain useful movement. The temperature effect on the smart material is therefore leveraged and amplified producing undesirable motion in the apparatus with ambient and/or operating temperature changes. A method for dimensioning and placement of a compensating insert with respect to the support structure provides an accurate and cost effective compensating insert.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Jeff Moler, John A. Bugel, Mark Oudshoorn
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Patent number: D512085Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2003Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Viking Technologies, L.C.Inventors: Jeff Moler, Aaron Dickey, John A. Bugel
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Patent number: D483335Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Viking Technologies, L.C.Inventors: John A. Bugel, Jeff Moler
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Patent number: D493135Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Viking Technologies, L.C.Inventors: Jeff Moler, John A. Bugel
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Patent number: D493417Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Viking Technologies, L.C.Inventors: Jeff Moler, John A. Bugel
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Patent number: D496330Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Viking Technologies, L.C.Inventors: Jeff Moler, John A. Bugel