Patents by Inventor Joseph S. Eckerle
Joseph S. 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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Publication number: 20080143324Abstract: Described is a piston rod position-sensing system having a cylinder and piston rod arranged in the cylinder for movement with respect thereto. A magnetically hard layer is formed on the piston rod to provide a recording medium. The magnetically hard layer is made of a cobalt-phosphorous (Co—P)-based alloy. A magnetic pattern is recorded in the magnetically hard layer. A magnetic field sensor located in the cylinder senses the recorded magnetic pattern while the piston rod is moving with respect to the cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2007Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Thomas P. Low, C. Bruce Clark, Ronald E. Pelrine, Joseph S. Eckerle, Chris Smith, Giovanni Zangari
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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: 7320457Abstract: 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: March 5, 2003Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Jonathon R. Heim, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Joseph S. Eckerle, Marcus Rosenthal, Richard P. Heydt
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Patent number: 7307418Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 24, 2006Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Thomas P. Low, C. Bruce Clark, Ronald E. Pelrine, Joseph S. Eckerle, Chris Smith
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Publication number: 20070257490Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that use an electroactive polymer transducer to convert mechanical energy, originally contained in one or more waves, to electrical energy. Marine devices described herein may employ a mechanical energy conversion system that transfers mechanical energy in a wave into mechanical energy suitable for input to the electroactive polymer transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2007Publication date: November 8, 2007Inventors: Roy D. Kornbluh, Ronald E. Pelrine, Harsha Prahlad, Seiki Chiba, Joseph S. Eckerle, Bryan Chavez, Scott E. Stanford, Thomas Low
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Publication number: 20070257491Abstract: 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: March 9, 2007Publication date: November 8, 2007Inventors: Roy D. Kornbluh, Ronald E. Pelrine, Harsha Prahlad, Seiki Chiba, Joseph S. Eckerle, Bryan Chavez, Scott E. Stanford, Thomas Low
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Patent number: 7211937Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 24, 2006Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Roy D. Kornbluh, Ronald E. Pelrine, Qibing Pei, Joseph S. Eckerle
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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: 7062055Abstract: A sonic actuator including a multi-layer membrane having a non-metallic elastomeric dielectric polymer layer with a first surface and a second surface, a first compliant electrode layer contacting the first surface of the polymer layer, and a second compliant electrode layer contacting the second surface of the polymer layer. The actuator further includes a support structure in contact with the sonic actuator film. Preferably, the non-metallic dielectric polymer is selected from the group consisting essentially of silicone, fluorosilicone, fluoroelastomer, natural rubber, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, isoprene, and ethylene propylene diene. Also preferably, the compliant electrode layer is made from the group consisting essentially of graphite, carbon, and conductive polymers. The support structure can take the form of grid having a number of circular apertures.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Joseph S. Eckerle
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Patent number: 7034527Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 25, 2005Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Thomas P. Low, C. Bruce Clark, Ronald E. Pelrine, Joseph S. Eckerle, Chris Smith
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Systems and methods of recording piston rod position information in a magnetic layer on a piston rod
Patent number: 6989669Abstract: Described are a system and method 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: GrantFiled: May 6, 2004Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Thomas P. Low, C. Bruce Clark, Ronald E. Pelrine, Joseph S. Eckerle, Chris Smith -
Systems and methods of recording piston rod position information in a magnetic layer on a piston rod
Publication number: 20040222788Abstract: Described are a system and method 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: May 6, 2004Publication date: November 11, 2004Applicant: SRI InternationalInventors: Thomas P. Low, C. Bruce Clark, Ronald E. Pelrine, Joseph S. Eckerle, Chris Smith -
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: 6586859Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 4, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Roy D. Kornbluh, Ronald E. Pelrine, Paul K. Gallagher, Joseph S. Eckerle, Donald E. Czyzyk, Subramanian Venkat Shastri, Qibing Pei
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Publication number: 20020122561Abstract: A sonic actuator including a multi-layer membrane having a non-metallic elastomeric dielectric polymer layer with a first surface and a second surface, a first compliant electrode layer contacting the first surface of the polymer layer, and a second compliant electrode layer contacting the second surface of the polymer layer. The actuator further includes a support structure in contact with the sonic actuator film. Preferably, the non-metallic dielectric polymer is selected from the group consisting essentially of silicone, fluorosilicone, fluoroelastomer, natural rubber, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, isoprene, and ethylene propylene diene. Also preferably, the compliant electrode layer is made from the group consisting essentially of graphite, carbon, and conductive polymers. The support structure can take the form of grid having a number of circular apertures.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2001Publication date: September 5, 2002Inventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Joseph S. Eckerle
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Patent number: 6343129Abstract: A sonic actuator including a multi-layer membrane having an elastomeric dielectric polymer layer with a first surface and a second surface, a first compliant electrode layer contacting the first surface of the polymer layer, and a second compliant electrode layer contacting the second surface of the polymer layer. The actuator further includes a support structure in contact with the sonic actuator film. Preferably, the dielectric polymer is selected from the group consisting essentially of silicone, polyurethane fluorosilicone, fluoroelastomer, natural rubber, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, isoprene, and ethylene propylene diene. Also preferably, the compliant electrode layer is made from the group consisting essentially of graphite, carbon, and conductive polymers. The support structure can take the form of grid having a number of circular apertures.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1999Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Joseph S. Eckerle
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Publication number: 20010036790Abstract: 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 4, 2001Publication date: November 1, 2001Applicant: SRI InternationalInventors: Roy D. Kornbluh, Ronald E. Pelrine, Paul Gallagher, Joseph S. Eckerle, Donald E. Czyzyk, Subramanian Venkat Shastri, Qibing Pei
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Patent number: 5925972Abstract: A sensor device adapted to detect at least one of a particle and a bubble in a fluid, includes a fluid nozzle defining a center of fluid flow; and a plurality of sensor elements for converting an impact of one of a particle and a bubble into an electrical signal, wherein a first sensor element is arranged closer to the center of fluid flow than a second sensor element. The sensor device includes a number of diaphragm sensor elements each having a sufficiently small mass for responding to a collision with the particle, and an apparatus for converting a vibration of the diaphragm portion into an electrical signal so as to detect the vibration. The multiple elements are arranged in the fluid flow stream such that different size particles will preferentially strike different elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1996Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventors: Eric J. Shrader, Hugh F. Frohbach, Joseph S. Eckerle, Ronald E. Pelrine, John P. Marlow, Yukihisa Takeuchi, Kazuyoshi Shibata
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Patent number: 5837887Abstract: A sensor element for detecting misfire in an internal combustion engine includes: a detecting unit including a piezoelectric film consisting essentially of a ceramic material, a first electrode coated onto at least a portion of the outer surface of the piezoelectric film, and a second electrode coated onto at least a portion of the inner surface of the piezoelectric film; a vibrating portion consisting essentially of a second ceramic material, the detecting unit being placed on the vibrating portion so that the second electrode is coated onto at least a portion of the vibrating portion; and a fixing portion for fixing the vibrating portion so that the vibrating portion may vibrate. In the misfire sensor, the piezoelectric film converts the sound of a combustion explosion into an electric signal. The misfire sensor is excellent in precise misfire detection and durability at low cost.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1996Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventors: Kazuyoshi Shibata, Yukihisa Takeuchi, Eric J. Shrader, Joseph S. Eckerle