Patents by Inventor Michael B. Ward
Michael B. Ward 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: 11926411Abstract: A leg mechanism includes an articulated leg system, a passive device and a cable. The articulated leg system has a leg portion. The passive device is coupled to the articulated leg system and is configured to apply a first force to a portion thereof. The cable is coupled to the articulated leg system and is configured to apply a second force, in opposition to the first force, to a portion thereof. When the cable is drawn away from the articulated leg system, the second force moves the leg portion in a first direction. When tension is released from the cable, the passive device exerts the first force so as to move the leg portion a second direction that is opposite the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Georgia Tech Research CorporationInventors: Claudio V. Di Leo, Mark F. Costello, Benjamin Leon, Julian Jose Rimoli, Michael B. Ward
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Publication number: 20220411048Abstract: A leg mechanism includes an articulated leg system, a passive device and a cable. The articulated leg system has a leg portion. The passive device is coupled to the articulated leg system and is configured to apply a first force to a portion thereof. The cable is coupled to the articulated leg system and is configured to apply a second force, in opposition to the first force, to a portion thereof. When the cable is drawn away from the articulated leg system, the second force moves the leg portion in a first direction. When tension is released from the cable, the passive device exerts the first force so as to move the leg portion a second direction that is opposite the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Claudio V. Di Leo, Mark F. Costello, Benjamin Leon, Julian Jose Rimoli, Michael B. Ward
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Patent number: 11459094Abstract: A leg mechanism includes an articulated leg system (100), a passive device (130) and a cable (134). The articulated leg system (100) has a leg portion (128). The passive device (130) is coupled to the articulated leg system and is configured to apply a first force to a portion thereof. The cable (134) is coupled to the articulated leg system (100) and is configured to apply a second force, in opposition to the first force, to a portion thereof. When the cable (134) is drawn away from the articulated leg system (100), the second force moves the leg portion (128) in a first direction. When tension is released from the cable (134), the passive device (130) exerts the first force so as to move the leg portion (128) a second direction that is opposite the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Georgia Tech Research CorporationInventors: Claudio V. Di Leo, Mark F. Costello, Benjamin Leon, Julian Jose Rimoli, Michael B. Ward
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Publication number: 20200298964Abstract: A leg mechanism includes an articulated leg system (100), a passive device (130) and a cable (134). The articulated leg system (100) has a leg portion (128). The passive device (130) is coupled to the articulated leg system and is configured to apply a first force to a portion thereof. The cable (134) is coupled to the articulated leg system (100) and is configured to apply a second force, in opposition to the first force, to a portion thereof. When the cable (134) is drawn away from the articulated leg system (100), the second force moves the leg portion (128) in a first direction. When tension is released from the cable (134), the passive device (130) exerts the first force so as to move the leg portion (128) a second direction that is opposite the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2018Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Claudio V. Di Leo, Mark F. Costello, Benjamin Leon, Julian Jose Rimoli, Michael B. Ward
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Patent number: 5598738Abstract: A bolt-loaded compact tension test specimen load apparatus includes: a) a body having first and second opposing longitudinal ends, the first end comprising an externally threaded portion sized to be threadedly received within the test specimen threaded opening; b) a longitudinal loading rod having first and second opposing longitudinal ends, the loading rod being slidably received in a longitudinal direction within the body internally through the externally threaded portion and slidably extending longitudinally outward of the body first longitudinal end; c) a force sensitive transducer slidably received within the body and positioned to engage relative to the loading rod second longitudinal end; and d) a loading bolt threadedly received relative to the body, the loading bolt having a bearing end surface and being positioned to bear against the transducer to forcibly sandwich the transducer between the loading bolt and loading rod.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1995Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: Lockheed Idaho Technologies CompanyInventors: Brent J. Buescher, Jr., W. Randolph Lloyd, Michael B. Ward, Jonathan S. Epstein
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Patent number: 5349442Abstract: An interferometer in which a coherent beam of light is generated within a remote case and transmitted to a hand held unit tethered to said remote case, said hand held unit having optical elements for directing a pair of mutually coherent collimated laser beams at a diffraction grating. Data from the secondary or diffracted beams are then transmitted to a separate video and data acquisition system for recording and analysis for load induced deformation or for identification purposes. Means are also provided for shifting the phase of one incident beam relative to the other incident beam and being controlled from within said remote case.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1993Date of Patent: September 20, 1994Assignee: EG&G Idaho, Inc.Inventors: Vance A. Deason, Michael B. Ward
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Patent number: 5279166Abstract: An self-aligning biaxial loading apparatus for use in testing the strength of specimens while maintaining a constant specimen centroid during the loading operation. The self-aligning biaxial loading apparatus consists of a load frame and two load assemblies for imparting two independent perpendicular forces upon a test specimen. The constant test specimen centroid is maintained by providing elements for linear motion of the load frame relative to a fixed crosshead, and by alignment and linear motion elements of one load assembly relative to the load frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1992Date of Patent: January 18, 1994Assignee: EG&G Idaho, Inc.Inventors: Michael B. Ward, Jonathan S. Epstein, W. Randolph Lloyd
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Patent number: 5016951Abstract: A compact and portable diffraction grating maker comprised of a laser beam, optical and fiber optics devices coupling the beam to one or more evanescent beam splitters, and collimating lenses or mirrors directing the split beam at an appropriate photosensitive material. The collimating optics, the output ends of the fiber optic coupler and the photosensitive plate holder are all mounted on an articulated framework so that the angle of intersection of the beams can be altered at will without disturbing the spatial filter, collimation or beam quality, and assuring that the beams will always intersect at the position of the plate.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1989Date of Patent: May 21, 1991Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Vance A. Deason, Michael B. Ward
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Patent number: 5003600Abstract: A finely detailed defraction grating is applied to an object as an identifier or tag which is unambiguous, difficult to duplicate, or remove and transfer to another item, and can be read and compared with prior readings with relative ease. The exact pattern of the defraction grating is mapped by diffraction moire techniques and recorded for comparison with future readings of the same grating.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1989Date of Patent: March 26, 1991Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of EnergyInventors: Vance A. Deason, Michael B. Ward
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Patent number: 4850693Abstract: A compact and portable moire interferometer used to determine surface deformations of an object. The improved interferometer is comprised of a laser beam, optical and fiber optics devices coupling the beam to one or more evanescent wave splitters, and collimating lenses directing the split beam at one or more specimen gratings. Observation means including film and video cameras may be used to view and record the resultant fringe patterns.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1988Date of Patent: July 25, 1989Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Vance A. Deason, Michael B. Ward