Patents by Inventor Jonathan R. Heim
Jonathan R. 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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Publication number: 20090147340Abstract: The present invention provides optical systems, devices and methods which utilize one or more electroactive polymer actuators to provide shutter and/or aperture control.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2007Publication date: June 11, 2009Applicant: Artificial Muscle, Inc.Inventors: Michael Gabriel Lipton, Ilya Polyakov, Jonathan R. Heim
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Publication number: 20090147377Abstract: The present invention provides optical systems, devices and methods which utilize one or more electroactive polymer actuators to adjust an optical parameter of the optical device or system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2007Publication date: June 11, 2009Applicant: Artificial Muscle, Inc.Inventors: Ilya Polyakov, Jonathan R. Heim
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Patent number: 7537197Abstract: The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2007Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Jonathan R. Heim, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Joseph S. Eckerle, Marcus Rosenthal, Richard P. Heydt
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Patent number: 7521847Abstract: Transducers employing electroactive polymer films are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2007Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Artificial Muscle, Inc.Inventor: Jonathan R. Heim
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Patent number: 7492076Abstract: Electroactive polymer transducers are disclosed. They are biased in a manner that provides for increased force and/or stroke output, thereby offering improved work potential and power output capacity. The biasing may offer additional or alternate functional advantage in terms of matching transducer performance with a given application such as a normally-closed valve. The improved biasing (including increased output biasing) may utilize negative spring rate biasing and/or a combination of negative or zero-rate biasing with positive rate biasing to achieve the desired ends.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Artificial Muscle, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan R. Heim, Ilya Polyakov, Alireza Zarrabi, Otto Hui
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Publication number: 20090040361Abstract: The present invention provides optical systems, devices and methods which utilize one or more electroactive polymer actuators to stabilize the image produced by the device or system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2007Publication date: February 12, 2009Applicant: Artificial Muscle, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan R. HEIM, Ilya POLYAKOV, Alireza ZARRABI
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Publication number: 20090021823Abstract: The present invention provides optical systems, devices and methods which utilize one or more electroactive films to adjust an optical parameter of the optical device/system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: ARTIFICIAL MUSCLE, INC.Inventors: Jonathan R. HEIM, Alireza ZARRABI
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Publication number: 20090001855Abstract: Electroactive polymer transducers for sensory feedback applications are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2008Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: Artificial Muscle, Inc.Inventors: Michael G. Lipton, Ilya Polyakov, Alireza Zarrabi, Otto Hui, Silmon James Biggs, Thomas A. Kridl, Gordon Russell, Jonathan R. Heim, Roger Hitchcock
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Publication number: 20080245985Abstract: The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2007Publication date: October 9, 2008Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Jonathan R. Heim, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Joseph S. Eckerle, Marcus Rosenthal, Richard P. Heydt
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Publication number: 20080157631Abstract: Electroactive polymer transducers are disclosed. They are biased in a manner that provides for increased force and/or stroke output, thereby offering improved work potential and power output capacity. The biasing may offer additional or alternate functional advantage in terms of matching transducer performance with a given application such as a normally-closed valve. The improved biasing (including increased output biasing) may utilize negative spring rate biasing and/or a combination of negative or zero-rate biasing with positive rate biasing to achieve the desired ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Applicant: Artificial Muscle, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan R. HEIM, Ilya Polyakov, Alireza Zarrabi, Otto Hui
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Patent number: 7394182Abstract: The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps, compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Richard Heydt, Jonathan R. Heim
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Patent number: 7362032Abstract: The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps, compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Scott E. Stanford, Qibing Pei, Richard Heydt, Joseph S. Eckerle, Jonathan R. Heim
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Patent number: 7064472Abstract: The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps, compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Scott E. Stanford, Qibing Pei, Richard Heydt, Joseph S. Eckerle, Jonathan R. Heim
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Patent number: 6891317Abstract: The invention describes rolled electroactive polymer devices. The invention also describes employment of these devices in a wide array of applications and methods for their fabrication. A rolled electroactive polymer device converts between electrical and mechanical energy; and includes a rolled electroactive polymer and at least two electrodes to provide the mechanical/electrical energy conversion. Prestrain is typically applied to the polymer. In one embodiment, a rolled electroactive polymer device employs a mechanism, such as a spring, that provides a force to prestrain the polymer. Since prestrain improves mechanical/electrical energy conversion for many electroactive polymers, the mechanism thus improves performance of the rolled electroactive polymer device.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Qibing Pei, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Scott E. Stanford, Neville A. Bonwit, Jonathan R. Heim
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Publication number: 20040008853Abstract: The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps, compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Applicant: SRI International, a California CorporationInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Scott E. Stanford, Qibing Pei, Richard Heydt, Joseph S. Eckerle, Jonathan R. Heim
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Publication number: 20030214199Abstract: The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Applicant: SRI International, a California CorporationInventors: Jonathan R. Heim, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Joseph S. Eckerle, Marcus Rosenthal, Richard P. Heydt
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Patent number: 6543309Abstract: A clipless pedal system for bicycles is disclosed. A preferred structure includes a pedal platform and two cleat retainers. The cleat retainers have hooked ends and are held against opposite sides of the pedal platform. A resilient loop encircles the pedal platform, holding the cleat retainers against the pedal platform. The ends of the cleat retainers may pivot away from the pedal platform by elastic deformation of the loop, allowing insertion of a cleat attached to a cycling shoe.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Inventor: Jonathan R. Heim
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Publication number: 20030006669Abstract: The invention describes rolled electroactive polymer devices. The invention also describes employment of these devices in a wide array of applications and methods for their fabrication. A rolled electroactive polymer device converts between electrical and mechanical energy; and includes a rolled electroactive polymer and at least two electrodes to provide the mechanical/electrical energy conversion. Prestrain is typically applied to the polymer. In one embodiment, a rolled electroactive polymer device employs a mechanism, such as a spring, that provides a force to prestrain the polymer. Since prestrain improves mechanical/electrical energy conversion for many electroactive polymers, the mechanism thus improves performance of the rolled electroactive polymer device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2002Publication date: January 9, 2003Applicant: SRI InternationalInventors: Qibing Pei, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Scott E. Stanford, Neville A. Bonwit, Jonathan R. Heim
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Patent number: 6483222Abstract: A frictionless transport apparatus for transporting an object from a first to a second station is disclosed. The apparatus has a frame extending between the first and second stations and a carriage mounted for movement along said frame, in a levitated condition. A substantial portion of the weight of the carriage and load is supported by biasing magnets on the frame and carriage. The carriage and load are stabilized in a levitated condition by magnetic interactions between a diamagnetic plate on the carriage and a magnetic array extending along the frame. The carriage is moved in its levitated condition by a frictionless drive system, such as an electromagnetic, electrostatic, or pneumatic drive system. Also disclosed is a method of frictionless transport of an object between first and second stations.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Jonathan R. Heim
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Publication number: 20020090287Abstract: A frictionless transport apparatus for transporting an object from a first to a second station is disclosed. The apparatus has a frame extending between the first and second stations and a carriage mounted for movement along said frame, in a levitated condition. A substantial portion of the weight of the carriage and load is supported by biasing magnets on the frame and carriage. The carriage and load are stabilized in a levitated condition by magnetic interactions between a diamagnetic plate on the carriage and a magnetic array extending along the frame. The carriage is moved in its levitated condition by a frictionless drive system, such as an electromagnetic, electrostatic, or pneumatic drive system. Also disclosed is a method of frictionless transport of an object between first and second stations.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2002Publication date: July 11, 2002Applicant: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Jonathan R. Heim