Patents by Inventor Jon Heim
Jon Heim 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: 8183739Abstract: Devices employing electroactive polymer actuators are disclosed. The devices include pumps, valves, cameras (where electroactive polymer actuators control either one or both of zoom and focus), vibrators (for inclusion in cell phones, game console controls, etc.) and audio speakers. These devices advantageously incorporate the actuator configurations described. The devices generally incorporate a diaphragm-type actuation having a central section of material that is less flexible than adjacent material.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AGInventor: Jon Heim
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Patent number: 7595580Abstract: Devices employing electroactive polymer actuators are disclosed. The devices include pumps, valves, cameras (where electroactive polymer actuators control either one or both of zoom and focus), vibrators (for inclusion in cell phones, game console controls, etc.) and audio speakers. These devices advantageously incorporate the actuator configurations descried. The devices generally incorporate a diaphragm-type actuation having a central section of material that is less flexible than adjacent material.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2005Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: Artificial Muscle, Inc.Inventor: Jon Heim
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Publication number: 20090174293Abstract: Electroactive polymer constructions that convert electrical energy to mechanical energy and vice versa are disclosed. The subject transducers (actuators, generators, sensors or combinations thereof) share the requirement of a frame or fixture element used in preloading elastomeric film electrodes and dielectric polymer in a desired configuration. The structures are either integrally biased in a push-pull arrangement or preloaded/biased by another element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2009Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: ARTIFICIAL MUSCLE, INC.Inventor: Jon HEIM
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Patent number: 7521840Abstract: Electroactive polymer constructions that convert electrical energy to mechanical energy and vice versa are disclosed. The subject transducers (actuators, generators, sensors or combinations thereof) share the requirement of a frame or fixture element used in preloading elastomeric film electrodes and dielectric polymer in a desired configuration. The structures are either integrally biased in a push-pull arrangement or preloaded/biased by another element.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2005Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Artificial Muscle, Inc.Inventor: Jon Heim
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Patent number: 7456549Abstract: The present invention relates to mechanical-electrical power conversion systems. The systems comprise one or more electroactive polymers that convert between electrical and mechanical energy. When a voltage is applied to electrodes contacting an electroactive polymer, the polymer deflects. This deflection may be converted into rotation of a power shaft included in a motor. Repeated deflection of the polymer may then produce continuous rotation of the power shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2006Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Jon Heim, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Joseph Stephen Eckerle
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Publication number: 20080116764Abstract: Devices employing electroactive polymer actuators are disclosed. The devices include pumps, valves, cameras (where electroactive polymer actuators control either one or both of zoom and focus), vibrators (for inclusion in cell phones, game console controls, etc.) and audio speakers. These devices advantageously incorporate the actuator configurations described. The devices generally incorporate a diaphragm-type actuation having a central section of material that is less flexible than adjacent material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: May 22, 2008Applicant: Artificial Muscle, Inc.Inventor: Jon HEIM
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Patent number: 7240655Abstract: Combustion devices described herein comprise a compliant combustion chamber wall or segment. The compliant segment deforms during combustion in the combustion chamber. Some devices may include a compliant wall configured to stretch responsive to pressure generated by combustion of a fuel in the combustion chamber. A coupling portion translates deformation of the compliant segment or wall into mechanical output. One or more ports are configured to inlet an oxygen source and fuel into the combustion chamber and to outlet exhaust gases from the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Scott E. Stanford, Harsha Prahlad, Seajin Oh, Jon Heim
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Patent number: 7237524Abstract: Combustion devices described herein comprise a compliant combustion chamber wall or segment. The compliant segment deforms during combustion in the combustion chamber. Some devices may include a compliant wall configured to stretch responsive to pressure generated by combustion of a fuel in the combustion chamber. A coupling portion translates deformation of the compliant segment or wall into mechanical output. One or more ports are configured to inlet an oxygen source and fuel into the combustion chamber and to outlet exhaust gases from the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Scott E. Stanford, Harsha Prahlad, Seajin Oh, Jon Heim
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Patent number: 7166953Abstract: The present invention relates to mechanical-electrical power conversion systems. The systems comprise one or more electroactive polymers that convert between electrical and mechanical energy. When a voltage is applied to electrodes contacting an electroactive polymer, the polymer deflects. This deflection may be converted into rotation of a power shaft included in a motor. Repeated deflection of the polymer may then produce continuous rotation of the power shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Inventors: Jon Heim, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Joseph Stephen Eckerle
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Publication number: 20060208609Abstract: Devices employing electroactive polymer actuators are disclosed. The devices include pumps, valves, cameras (where electroactive polymer actuators control either one or both of zoom and focus), vibrators (for inclusion in cell phones, game console controls, etc.) and audio speakers. These devices advantageously incorporate the actuator configurations descried. The devices generally incorporate a diaphragm-type actuation having a central section of material that is less flexible than adjacent material.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2005Publication date: September 21, 2006Inventor: Jon Heim
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Publication number: 20060208610Abstract: Electroactive polymer constructions that convert electrical energy to mechanical energy and vice versa are disclosed. The subject transducers (actuators, generators, sensors or combinations thereof) share the requirement of a frame or fixture element used in preloading elastomeric film electrodes and dielectric polymer in a desired configuration. The structures are either integrally biased in a push-pull arrangement or preloaded/biased by another element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2005Publication date: September 21, 2006Inventor: Jon Heim
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Patent number: 7059983Abstract: Chain guides for the front sprockets of bicycles are disclosed. More particularly, the chain guides are adapted or configured for bicycles that have multiple (usually 2 or 3) sprockets/chain rings mounted to the crank assembly. The setup is provided to freely allow shifting between the gears. All of the chain guide variations presented are provided with an outer flange attached to a roller section so that these portions roll together with the chain they restrain. Additional optional features include aspects to do with roller positioning, bracket mounting, roller configuration and supplemental chain restrain means (including a stop/post member and inner roller flange.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2003Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Inventor: Jon Heim
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Publication number: 20060119225Abstract: The present invention relates to mechanical-electrical power conversion systems. The systems comprise one or more electroactive polymers that convert between electrical and mechanical energy. When a voltage is applied to electrodes contacting an electroactive polymer, the polymer deflects. This deflection may be converted into rotation of a power shaft included in a motor. Repeated deflection of the polymer may then produce continuous rotation of the power shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2006Publication date: June 8, 2006Applicant: SRI International, A California CorporationInventors: Jon Heim, Ronald Pelrine, Roy Kornbluh, Joseph Eckerle
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Publication number: 20060065228Abstract: Combustion devices described herein comprise a compliant combustion chamber wall or segment. The compliant segment deforms during combustion in the combustion chamber. Some devices may include a compliant wall configured to stretch responsive to pressure generated by combustion of a fuel in the combustion chamber. A coupling portion translates deformation of the compliant segment or wall into mechanical output. One or more ports are configured to inlet an oxygen source and fuel into the combustion chamber and to outlet exhaust gases from the combustion chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2005Publication date: March 30, 2006Applicant: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald Pelrine, Scott Stanford, Harsha Prahlad, Seajin Oh, Jon Heim
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Publication number: 20060000214Abstract: Combustion devices described herein comprise a compliant combustion chamber wall or segment. The compliant segment deforms during combustion in the combustion chamber. Some devices may include a compliant wall configured to stretch responsive to pressure generated by combustion of a fuel in the combustion chamber. A coupling portion translates deformation of the compliant segment or wall into mechanical output. One or more ports are configured to inlet an oxygen source and fuel into the combustion chamber and to outlet exhaust gases from the combustion chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2005Publication date: January 5, 2006Applicant: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald Pelrine, Scott Stanford, Harsha Prahlad, Seajin Oh, Jon Heim
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Patent number: 6806621Abstract: The present invention relates to mechanical-electrical power conversion systems. The systems comprise one or more electroactive polymers that convert between electrical and mechanical energy. When a voltage is applied to electrodes contacting an electroactive polymer, the polymer deflects. This deflection may be converted into rotation of a power shaft included in a motor. Repeated deflection of the polymer may then produce continuous rotation of the power shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Jon Heim, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Joseph Stephen Eckerle
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Publication number: 20040009835Abstract: Chain guides for the front sprockets of bicycles are disclosed. More particularly, the chain guides are adapted or configured for bicycles that have multiple (usually 2 or 3) sprockets/chain rings mounted to the crank assembly. The setup is provided to freely allow shifting between the gears. All of the chain guide variations presented are provided with an outer flange attached to a roller section so that these portions roll together with the chain they restrain. Additional optional features include aspects to do with roller positioning, bracket mounting, roller configuration and supplemental chain restrain means (including a stop/post member and inner roller flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Inventor: Jon Heim
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Publication number: 20020185937Abstract: The present invention relates to mechanical-electrical power conversion systems. The systems comprise one or more electroactive polymers that convert between electrical and mechanical energy. When a voltage is applied to electrodes contacting an electroactive polymer, the polymer deflects. This deflection may be converted into rotation of a power shaft included in a motor. Repeated deflection of the polymer may then produce continuous rotation of the power shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2002Publication date: December 12, 2002Applicant: SRI InternationalInventors: Jon Heim, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Joseph Stephen Eckerle
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Publication number: 20020175598Abstract: The present invention relates to mechanical-electrical power conversion systems. The systems comprise one or more electroactive polymers that convert between electrical and mechanical energy. When a voltage is applied to electrodes contacting an electroactive polymer, the polymer deflects. This deflection may be converted into rotation of a power shaft included in a motor. Repeated deflection of the polymer may then produce continuous rotation of the power shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: SRI InternationalInventors: Jon Heim, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Joseph Stephen Eckerle