Patents by Inventor Keith Aubin
Keith Aubin 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: 8330323Abstract: A source signal is converted into a time-variant temperature field with transduction into mechanical motion. In one embodiment, the conversion of a source signal into the time-variant temperature field is provided by utilizing a micro-fabricated fast response, bolometer-type radio frequency power meter. A resonant-type micromechanical thermal actuator may be utilized for temperature read-out and demodulation.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2011Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignees: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc., Naval Research LaboratoryInventors: Maxim Zalalutdinov, Robert B. Reichenbach, Keith Aubin, Brian H. Houston, Jeevak M. Parpia, Harold G. Craighead
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Publication number: 20120058741Abstract: A source signal is converted into a time-variant temperature field with transduction into mechanical motion. In one embodiment, the conversion of a source signal into the time-variant temperature field is provided by utilizing a micro-fabricated fast response, bolometer-type radio frequency power meter. A resonant-type micromechanical thermal actuator may be utilized for temperature read-out and demodulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Maxim Zalalutdinov, Robert B. Reichenbach, Keith Aubin, Brian H. Houston, Jeevak M. Parpia, Harold G. Craighead
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Patent number: 8072117Abstract: A source signal is converted into a time-variant temperature field with transduction into mechanical motion. In one embodiment, the conversion of a source signal into the time-variant temperature field is provided by utilizing a micro-fabricated fast response, bolometer-type radio frequency power meter. A resonant-type micromechanical thermal actuator may be utilized for temperature read-out and demodulation.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2006Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignees: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc., Naval Research LaboratoryInventors: Maxim Zalalutdinov, Robert B. Reichenbach, Keith Aubin, Brian H. Houston, Jeevak M. Parpia, Harold G. Craighead
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Patent number: 8049580Abstract: An array of micromechanical oscillators have different resonant frequencies based on their geometries. In one embodiment, a micromechanical oscillator has a resonant frequency defined by an effective spring constant that is modified by application of heat. In one embodiment, the oscillator is disc of material supported by a pillar of much smaller diameter than the disc. The periphery of the disc is heated to modify the resonant frequency (or equivalently the spring constant or stiffness) of the disc. Continuous control of the output phase and frequency may be achieved when the oscillator becomes synchronized with an imposed sinusoidal force of close frequency. The oscillator frequency can be detuned to produce an easily controlled phase differential between the injected signal and the oscillator feedback. A phased array radar may be produced using independent phase controllable oscillators.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Robert B. Reichenbach, Keith Aubin, Maxim Zalalutdinov, Jeevak M. Parpia, Harold G. Craighead
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Publication number: 20110043405Abstract: An array of micromechanical oscillators have different resonant frequencies based on their geometries. In one embodiment, a micromechanical oscillator has a resonant frequency defined by an effective spring constant that is modified by application of heat. In one embodiment, the oscillator is disc of material supported by a pillar of much smaller diameter than the disc. The periphery of the disc is heated to modify the resonant frequency (or equivalently the spring constant or stiffness) of the disc. Continuous control of the output phase and frequency may be achieved when the oscillator becomes synchronized with an imposed sinusoidal force of close frequency. The oscillator frequency can be detuned to produce an easily controlled phase differential between the injected signal and the oscillator feedback. A phased array radar may be produced using independent phase controllable oscillators.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2010Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Robert B. Reichenbach, Keith Aubin, Maxim Zalalutdinov, Jeevak M. Parpia, Harold G. Craighead
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Patent number: 7843283Abstract: An array of micromechanical oscillators have different resonant frequencies based on their geometries. In one embodiment, a micromechanical oscillator has a resonant frequency defined by an effective spring constant that is modified by application of heat. In one embodiment, the oscillator is disc of material supported by a pillar of much smaller diameter than the disc. The periphery of the disc is heated to modify the resonant frequency (or equivalently the spring constant or stiffness) of the disc. Continuous control of the output phase and frequency may be achieved when the oscillator becomes synchronized with an imposed sinusoidal force of close frequency. The oscillator frequency can be detuned to produce an easily controlled phase differential between the injected signal and the oscillator feedback. A phased array radar may be produced using independent phase controllable oscillators.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Robert B. Reichenbach, Keith Aubin, Maxim Zalalutdinov, Jeevak M. Parpia, Harold G. Craighead
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Patent number: 7812502Abstract: A micromechanical resonator is formed on a substrate. The resonator has a partial spherical shell clamped on an outside portion of the shell to the substrate. In other embodiments, a flat disc or other shape may be used. Movement is induced in a selected portion of the disc, inducing easily detectible out-of-plane motion. A laser is used in one embodiment to heat the selected portion of the disc and induce the motion. The motion may be detected by capacitive or interferometric techniques.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2006Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignees: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc., Navel Research LaboratoryInventors: Maxim Zalalutdinov, Robert B. Reichenbach, Keith Aubin, Brian H. Houston, Jeevak M. Parpia, Harold G. Craighead
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Publication number: 20080245135Abstract: A device includes a microfluidic channel and a nanoelectromechanical mass detector encapsulated within the microfluidic channel. Multiple microfluidic channels may be included with multiple nano electromechanical mass detectors encapsulated within each microfluidic channel. A method of detecting masses includes delivering a sample via the microfluidic channel to the nano electromechanical mass detectors and creating a pressure within the microfluidic channel that significantly reduces viscous damping effects on the mass detector. The detector may be actuated and response measured.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2007Publication date: October 9, 2008Inventors: Keith Aubin, Bojan (Rob) Ilic, Seung-Min Park, Harold G. Craighead
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Patent number: 7358822Abstract: The temperature of a remote portion of device having a microelectromechanical oscillator is modulated to create oscillation of the oscillators. In one embodiment, a localized heat source is placed on a device layer of a multilayered stack, consisting of device, sacrificial and substrate layers. The localized heat source may be a laser beam in one embodiment. The oscillator is supported by the device layer and may be formed in the device layer in various embodiments. The oscillator may be spaced apart from the localized heat source.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2006Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Keith Aubin, Bojan (Rob) Ilic, Maxim Zalalutdinov, Robert B. Reichenbach, Jeevak M. Parpia, Harold G. Craighead
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Publication number: 20070200648Abstract: An array of micromechanical oscillators have different resonant frequencies based on their geometries. In one embodiment, a micromechanical oscillator has a resonant frequency defined by an effective spring constant that is modified by application of heat. In one embodiment, the oscillator is disc of material supported by a pillar of much smaller diameter than the disc. The periphery of the disc is heated to modify the resonant frequency (or equivalently the spring constant or stiffness) of the disc. Continuous control of the output phase and frequency may be achieved when the oscillator becomes synchronized with an imposed sinusoidal force of close frequency. The oscillator frequency can be detuned to produce an easily controlled phase differential between the injected signal and the oscillator feedback. A phased array radar may be produced using independent phase controllable oscillators.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2006Publication date: August 30, 2007Inventors: Robert Reichenbach, Keith Aubin, Maxim Zalalutdinov, Jeevak Parpia, Harold Craighead
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Publication number: 20070109656Abstract: A method of increasing a quality factor for a micromechanical resonator uses a laser beam to anneal the micromechanical resonator. In one embodiment, the micromechanical oscillator is formed by fabricating a mushroom shaped silicon oscillator supported by a substrate via a pillar. The laser beam is focused on a periphery of the mushroom shaped silicon oscillator to modify the surface of the mushroom shaped silicon oscillator. In a further embodiment, the mushroom shaped oscillator is a silicon disk formed on a sacrificial layer. Portions of the sacrificial layer are removed to free the periphery of the disk and leave a supporting pillar at the center of the disk. In further embodiments, different type resonators may be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2006Publication date: May 17, 2007Inventors: Keith Aubin, Maxim Zalalutdinov, Lidija Sekaric, Brian Houston, Alan Zehnder, Jeevak Parpia, Harold Craighead
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Publication number: 20060239635Abstract: A micromechanical resonator is formed on a substrate. The resonator has a partial spherical shell clamped on an outside portion of the shell to the substrate. In other embodiments, a flat disc or other shape may be used. Movement is induced in a selected portion of the disc, inducing easily detectible out-of-plane motion. A laser is used in one embodiment to heat the selected portion of the disc and induce the motion. The motion may be detected by capacitive or interferometric techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2006Publication date: October 26, 2006Inventors: Maxim Zalalutdinov, Robert Reichenbach, Keith Aubin, Brian Houston, Jeevak Parpia, Harold Craighead
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Publication number: 20060238239Abstract: A source signal is converted into a time-variant temperature field with transduction into mechanical motion. In one embodiment, the conversion of a source signal into the time-variant temperature field is provided by utilizing a micro-fabricated fast response, bolometer-type radio frequency power meter. A resonant-type micromechanical thermal actuator may be utilized for temperature read-out and demodulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2006Publication date: October 26, 2006Inventors: Maxim Zalalutdinov, Robert Reichenbach, Keith Aubin, Brian Houston, Jeevak Parpia, Harold Craighead
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Publication number: 20060210102Abstract: Position tracking of a receiving device within a gas or fluidic environment (for example a human body), is performed by measuring acoustic wave propagation parameters to provide real time, high precision telemetry. Multiple synchronized acoustic sources at different known locations transmit signals that are received by a receiver on the device to be located. The coordinates of the receiver can be determined by measuring a difference in the amplitude (coarse positioning) or phase (precise positioning) of the acoustic waves coming from different sources using triangulation calculations.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2006Publication date: September 21, 2006Inventors: Maxim Zalalutdinov, Keith Aubin, Robert Reichenbach, Jeevak Parpia, Harold Craighead
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Publication number: 20060176122Abstract: The temperature of a remote portion of device having a microelectromechanical oscillator is modulated to create oscillation of the oscillators. In one embodiment, a localized heat source is placed on a device layer of a multilayered stack, consisting of device, sacrificial and substrate layers. The localized heat source may be a laser beam in one embodiment. The oscillator is supported by the device layer and may be formed in the device layer in various embodiments. The oscillator may be spaced apart from the localized heat source.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2006Publication date: August 10, 2006Inventors: Keith Aubin, Bojan Ilic, Maxim Zalalutdinov, Robert Reichenbach, Jeevak Parpia, Harold Craighead