Patents by Inventor Joseph Eckerle
Joseph Eckerle 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: 11732768Abstract: A variety of brake and/or clutch mechanisms, and improvements thereof, are provided having improved braking power, reduced size and weight, and other benefits. The braking mechanisms include a wrap spring clutch that is operable to mechanically couple a rotating member to a brake rotor that is in consistent contact with a brake pad. Actuation of the wrap spring clutch allows the wrap spring to engage with the rotating member, coupling the rotating member to the brake rotor thus braking the rotating member. The combination of the wrap spring clutch with the brake rotor and pad provides an overall braking mechanism that exhibits the decreased power cost, weight, size, and engagement time of the wrap spring clutch while having a braking power that can be moderated by specifying the area, engagement force, coefficient of friction, or other properties of the brake rotor and pad.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Joseph Eckerle, Alexander Kernbaum, Marisa de Souza
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Publication number: 20210301895Abstract: A variety of brake and/or clutch mechanisms, and improvements thereof, are provided having improved braking power, reduced size and weight, and other benefits. The braking mechanisms include a wrap spring clutch that is operable to mechanically couple a rotating member to a brake rotor that is in consistent contact with a brake pad. Actuation of the wrap spring clutch allows the wrap spring to engage with the rotating member, coupling the rotating member to the brake rotor thus braking the rotating member. The combination of the wrap spring clutch with the brake rotor and pad provides an overall braking mechanism that exhibits the decreased power cost, weight, size, and engagement time of the wrap spring clutch while having a braking power that can be moderated by specifying the area, engagement force, coefficient of friction, or other properties of the brake rotor and pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventors: Joseph Eckerle, Alexander Kernbaum, Marisa de Souza
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Patent number: 10086147Abstract: Described herein is a smart dose monitoring device. The dose monitoring device may include electronics such as motion sensors, orientation sensors, and timers related to monitoring the time of and amount of dose administered during an injection event.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and CompanyInventors: Mircea Stefan Despa, Andrew Richards, Sundeep Kankanala, Jonathan Hofius, Thomas P. Low, Jose Luis Cordoba Matilla, Pablo Eduardo Garcia Kilroy, Karen Shakespear Koenig, Joseph Eckerle
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Publication number: 20160213856Abstract: Described herein is a smart dose monitoring device. The dose monitoring device may include electronics such as motion sensors, orientation sensors, and timers related to monitoring the time of and amount of dose administered during an injection event.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Mircea Stefan Despa, Andrew Richards, Sundeep Kankanala, Jonathan Hofius, Thomas P. Low, Jose Luis Cordoba Matilla, Pablo Eduardo Garcia Kilroy, Karen Shakespear Koenig, Joseph Eckerle
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Publication number: 20080089002Abstract: Described herein is electroadhesion technology that permits controllable adherence between two objects. Electroadhesion uses electrostatic forces of attraction produced by an electrostatic adhesion voltage, which is applied using electrodes in an electroadhesive device. The electrostatic adhesion voltage produces an electric field and electrostatic adherence forces. When the electroadhesive device and electrodes are positioned near a surface of an object such as a vertical wall, the electrostatic adherence forces hold the electroadhesive device in position relative to the surface and object. This can be used to increase traction or maintain the position of the electroadhesive device relative to a surface. Electric control of the electrostatic adhesion voltage permits the adhesion to be controllably and readily turned on and off.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2007Publication date: April 17, 2008Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Ronald Pelrine, Harsha Prahlad, Joseph Eckerle, Roy Kornbluh, Scott Stanford
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Publication number: 20080016860Abstract: Described herein are marine devices and methods that convert mechanical energy in one or more waves to mechanical energy that is better suited for conversion into electrical energy. The marine devices employ a mechanical energy conversion system that harnesses wave energy and converts it into limited motion that is suitable for input to an electrical energy generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2007Publication date: January 24, 2008Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Roy Kornbluh, Ronald Pelrine, Harsha Prahlad, Seiki Chiba, Joseph Eckerle, Bryan Chavez, Scott Stanford, Thomas Low
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Publication number: 20070222344Abstract: The present invention relates to animated devices that include one or more electroactive polymer transducers. When actuated by electrical energy, an electroactive polymer produces mechanical deflection in one or more directions. This deflection may be used to produce motion of a feature included in an animated device. Electroactive polymer transducers offer customizable shapes and deflections. Combining different ways to configure and constrain a polymer, different ways to arrange active areas on a single polymer, different animated device designs, and different polymer orientations, permits a broad range of animated devices that use an electroactive polymer transducer to produce motion. These animated devices find use in a wide range of animated device applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2007Publication date: September 27, 2007Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Roy Kornbluh, Ronald Pelrine, Qibing Pei, Joseph Eckerle
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Publication number: 20070200467Abstract: Described herein are compliant electroactive polymer transducers for use in acoustic applications. A compliant electroactive polymer transducer includes a compliant electroactive polymer at least two electrodes. For sound production, circuitry in electrical communication with the transducer electrodes is configured to apply a driving signal that causes the electroactive polymer to deflect in the acoustic range.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2007Publication date: August 30, 2007Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Richard Heydt, Ronald Pelrine, Roy Kornbluh, Neville Bonwit, Joseph Eckerle
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Publication number: 20060290241Abstract: The present invention relates to animated devices that include one or more electroactive polymer transducers. When actuated by electrical energy, an electroactive polymer produces mechanical deflection in one or more directions. This deflection may be used to produce motion of a feature included in an animated device. Electroactive polymer transducers offer customizable shapes and deflections. Combining different ways to configure and constrain a polymer, different ways to arrange active areas on a single polymer, different animated device designs, and different polymer orientations, permits a broad range of animated devices that use an electroactive polymer transducer to produce motion. These animated devices find use in a wide range of animated device applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2006Publication date: December 28, 2006Applicant: SRI InternationalInventors: Roy Kornbluh, Ronald Pelrine, Qibing Pei, Joseph Eckerle
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Publication number: 20060238066Abstract: The present invention relates to transducers, their use and fabrication. The transducers convert between mechanical and electrical energy. Some transducers of the present invention include a pre-strained polymer. The pre-strain improves the conversion between electrical and mechanical energy. The present invention also relates to devices including an electroactive polymer to convert between electrical and mechanical energy. The present invention further relates to compliant electrodes that conform to the shape of a polymer included in a transducer. The present invention provides methods for fabricating electromechanical devices including one or more electroactive polymers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2006Publication date: October 26, 2006Applicant: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald Pelrine, Roy Kornbluh, Pablo Garcia, Joseph Eckerle
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Publication number: 20060192552Abstract: Described are system for recording piston rod position information in a magnetic layer on the piston rod. A piston rod has a magnetically hard layer formed thereon to provide a recording medium. A magnetic pattern is recorded in the magnetically hard layer. A magnetic field sensor disposed adjacent to the piston rod senses the recorded magnetic pattern while the piston rod is moving and generates signals in response to the magnetic pattern that are used to determine a position of the piston rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2006Publication date: August 31, 2006Applicant: SRI InternationalInventors: Thomas Low, C. Clark, Ronald Pelrine, Joseph Eckerle, Chris Smith
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Publication number: 20060158065Abstract: 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 14, 2006Publication date: July 20, 2006Applicant: SRI International A California CorporationInventors: Ronald Pelrine, Roy Kornbluh, Scott Stanford, Qibing Pei, Richard Heydt, Joseph Eckerle, Jonathan 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: 20060038556Abstract: Described are systems of recording piston rod position information in a magnetic layer on the piston rod. A piston rod moving with respect to a cylinder has a magnetically hard layer formed thereon to provide a recording medium. A magnetic pattern is recorded in the magnetically hard layer. A magnetic field sensor senses the recorded magnetic pattern while the piston rod is moving with respect to the cylinder and generates signals in response to the magnetic pattern that are used to determine an instantaneous position of the piston rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2005Publication date: February 23, 2006Applicant: SRI InternationalInventors: Thomas Low, C. Clark, Ronald Pelrine, Joseph Eckerle, Chris Smith
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Patent number: 4222675Abstract: A low profile keyboard operating system in which a generally orthogonal matrix of mechanically movable row and column matrix members is disposed over the keyboard to be operated with the intersections of the matrix members adjacent to the keys, the arrangement being such that actuation of only one member at an intersection will not operate a key while operation of both members at an intersection actuates a key.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1978Date of Patent: September 16, 1980Assignee: Savin CorporationInventors: Richard W. Brown, Lloyd E. Alterton, Joseph Eckerle, Brian J. Grossi, William A. Stephens