Patents by Inventor Michael WEHNER
Michael WEHNER 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: 20250109008Abstract: The present invention relates to a dispensing valve for dispensing a fluid, having a housing (13), a main channel (14) which extends therein for the fluid, a main valve which is arranged in the main channel (14) for controlling a fluid throughflow through the dispensing valve, a control device (15) for activating the main valve (20), a component receiving member (16, 16?) which is connected to the housing (13) and which is provided with an inner thread and having an attachment (17, 17?) which is provided with an outer thread, wherein between the inner thread and the outer thread, a thread connection is produced and wherein an axial position of the attachment (17, 17?) can be adjusted by the inner thread being rotated relative to the outer thread.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2023Publication date: April 3, 2025Inventors: Stefan KUNTER, Michael WEHNER, Torben SCHÖRCK, Wolfgang ARTMEIER
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Patent number: 12264062Abstract: The present invention relates to a dispensing valve for dispensing a fluid, having a housing (13), a main channel (14) which extends therein for the fluid, a main valve which is arranged in the main channel (14) for controlling a fluid throughflow through the dispensing valve, a control device (15) for activating the main valve (20), a component receiving member (16, 16?) which is connected to the housing (13) and which is provided with an inner thread and having an attachment (17, 17?) which is provided with an outer thread, wherein between the inner thread and the outer thread, a thread connection is produced and wherein an axial position of the attachment (17, 17?) can be adjusted by the inner thread being rotated relative to the outer thread.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2023Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: ELAFLEX HIBY GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Stefan Kunter, Michael Wehner, Torben Schörck, Wolfgang Artmeier
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Publication number: 20240225940Abstract: In at least one aspect, there is provided a system for generating force about one or more joints including a soft exosuit having a plurality of anchor elements and at least one connection element disposed between the plurality of anchor elements. The system also includes at least one sensor to determine a force the at least one connection element or at least one of the plurality of anchor elements and to output signals relating to the force, at least one actuator configured to change a tension in the soft exosuit and at least one controller configured to receive the signals output from the at least one sensor and actuate the at least one actuator responsive to the received signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2022Publication date: July 11, 2024Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Alan Thomas Asbeck, Ye Ding, Robert Joseph Dyer, Ignacio Galiana Bujanda, Arnar Freyr Larusson, Brendan Thomas Quinlivan, Kai Schmidt, Diana Wagner, Conor J. Walsh, Michael Wehner
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Patent number: 11845407Abstract: A cart cleaning machine has a foundation, a dock, a movable gantry, and a bellow assembly. The foundation has a cart path spanning the length of the foundation between a first end and a second end. Two side channels are also provided. A dock is stationarily mounted to the foundation. The dock has the shape of an inverted U to allow carts to pass through. The dock has a controller, a water inlet, an electrical hookup, a chemical station, and line management devices. The movable gantry is movable with respect to the foundation. It has a drive mechanism with sprockets that interact with bands spanning between the foundation ends. The gantry has spray nozzles and blow off openings. The bellow assembly is between the dock and the gantry. Water and electric lines pass through the bellow assembly and span between the dock and movable gantry.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Alliance Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: David Nicholas van Zon, John Michael Wehner, Jason Daniel Krug, Kenneth John Manninen
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Patent number: 11725749Abstract: A passive microfluidic valve includes a first manifold portion having a first chamber; a first inlet fluidly coupled to the first chamber; and a second inlet. The valve also includes a second manifold portion in fluid communication with the first chamber via a channel. The second manifold portion includes a second chamber fluidly coupled to the first chamber and the second inlet. The valve further includes a flexible membrane disposed between the first manifold portion and the second manifold portion and separating the first chamber and the second chamber, the flexible membrane configured to modulate a flow rate of a media flowing between the first inlet and the second inlet in either direction in response to pressure of the media flow.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: Michael Wehner, Keng-Yu Lin, Natalie King
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Publication number: 20230158685Abstract: A method and system for sensing using a soft robotic system. The method and system uses displacement and/or deformation of elastomeric components, fibers, or liquids in the soil robotic system to change a visual state which is recordable in images by a digital camera. The displacement or deformation, or force applied to the soft robotic system is measured by analyzing the images using machine vision.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2022Publication date: May 25, 2023Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Keng-Yu Lin, Arturo Gamboa-Gonzalez, Michael Wehner
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Patent number: 11464700Abstract: In at least one aspect, there is provided a system for generating force about one or more joints including a soft exosuit having a plurality of anchor elements and at least one connection element disposed between the plurality of anchor elements. The system also includes at least one sensor to determine a force the at least one connection element or at least one of the plurality of anchor elements and to output signals relating to the force, at least one actuator configured to change a tension in the soft exosuit and at least one controller configured to receive the signals output from the at least one sensor and actuate the at least one actuator responsive to the received signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2016Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Alan Thomas Asbeck, Ye Ding, Robert Joseph Dyer, Ignacio Galiana Bujanda, Arnar Freyr Larusson, Brendan Thomas Quinlivan, Kai Schmidt, Diana Wagner, Conor J. Walsh, Michael Wehner
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Publication number: 20220136618Abstract: A passive microfluidic valve includes a first manifold portion having a first chamber; a first inlet fluidly coupled to the first chamber; and a second inlet. The valve also includes a second manifold portion in fluid communication with the first chamber via a channel. The second manifold portion includes a second chamber fluidly coupled to the first chamber and the second inlet. The valve further includes a flexible membrane disposed between the first manifold portion and the second manifold portion and separating the first chamber and the second chamber, the flexible membrane configured to modulate a flow rate of a media flowing between the first inlet and the second inlet in either direction in response to pressure of the media flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2021Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Michael Wehner, Keng-Yu Lin, Natalie King
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Patent number: 11014804Abstract: Systems and methods for fabricating 3D soft microstructures. The system comprises injecting a pressurized, curable liquid into certain structural layers induces folding and allows the 2D structures to reconfigure into a 3D form In addition to the injection of a curable liquid that permanently reconfigures the structure of the system, in an embodiment this method also allows for the injection of other liquids into certain actuator layers that enable motion in certain portions of the system Furthermore, the system allows for handling of colored fluids that are passed to visualization layers. The method of creating such a system depends on taking advantage of laser machining of the individual layers to influence the behavior of how different portions bend and move.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Nicholas W. Bartlett, Tommaso Ranzani, Sheila Russo, Conor J. Walsh, Michael Wehner, Robert J. Wood
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Publication number: 20200079643Abstract: Systems and methods for fabricating 3D soft microstructures. The system comprises injecting a pressurized, curable liquid into certain structural layers induces folding and allows the 2D structures to reconfigure into a 3D form In addition to the injection of a curable liquid that permanently reconfigures the structure of the system, in an embodiment this method also allows for the injection of other liquids into certain actuator layers that enable motion in certain portions of the system Furthermore, the system allows for handling of colored fluids that are passed to visualization layers. The method of creating such a system depends on taking advantage of laser machining of the individual layers to influence the behavior of how different portions bend and move.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2018Publication date: March 12, 2020Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Nicholas W. Bartlett, Tommaso Ranzani, Sheila Russo, Conor J. Walsh, Michael Wehner, Robert J. Wood
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Patent number: 10427293Abstract: In at least one aspect, there is provided a system for generating force about one or more joints including a soft exosuit having a plurality of anchor elements and at least one connection element disposed between the plurality of anchor elements. The system also includes at least one sensor to determine a force the at least one connection element or at least one of the plurality of anchor elements and to output signals relating to the force, at least one actuator configured to change a tension in the soft exosuit and at least one controller configured to receive the signals output from the at least one sensor and actuate the at least one actuator responsive to the received signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Prisident and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Alan Thomas Asbeck, Ignacio Galiana Bujanda, Ye Ding, Robert Joseph Dyer, Arnar Freyr Larusson, Brendan Thomas Quinlivan, Kai Schmidt, Diana Wagner, Conor J. Walsh, Michael Wehner
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Publication number: 20160220438Abstract: In at least one aspect, there is provided a system for generating force about one or more joints including a soft exosuit having a plurality of anchor elements and at least one connection element disposed between the plurality of anchor elements. The system also includes at least one sensor to determine a force the at least one connection element or at least one of the plurality of anchor elements and to output signals relating to the force, at least one actuator configured to change a tension in the soft exosuit and at least one controller configured to receive the signals output from the at least one sensor and actuate the at least one actuator responsive to the received signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2016Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Conor Walsh, Alan Thomas Asbeck, Ignacio Galiana Bujanda, Ye Ding, Robert Joseph Dyer, Arnar Freyr Larusson, Brandan Thomas Quinlivan, Kai Schmidt, Diana Wagner, Michael Wehner
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Patent number: 9351900Abstract: In at least one aspect, there is provided a system for generating force about one or more joints including a soft exosuit having a plurality of anchor elements and at least one connection element disposed between the plurality of anchor elements. The system also includes at least one sensor to determine a force the at least one connection element or at least one of the plurality of anchor elements and to output signals relating to the force, at least one actuator configured to change a tension in the soft exosuit and at least one controller configured to receive the signals output from the at least one sensor and actuate the at least one actuator responsive to the received signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Conor Walsh, Alan Thomas Asbeck, Ignacio Galiana Bujanda, Ye Ding, Robert Joseph Dyer, Arnar Freyr Larusson, Brendan Thomas Quinlivan, Kai Schmidt, Diana Wagner, Michael Wehner
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Publication number: 20150321339Abstract: In at least one aspect, there is provided a system for generating force about one or more joints including a soft exosuit having a plurality of anchor elements and at least one connection element disposed between the plurality of anchor elements. The system also includes at least one sensor to determine a force the at least one connection element or at least one of the plurality of anchor elements and to output signals relating to the force, at least one actuator configured to change a tension in the soft exosuit and at least one controller configured to receive the signals output from the at least one sensor and actuate the at least one actuator responsive to the received signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Alan Thomas Asbeck, Ignacio Galiana Bujanda, Ye Ding, Robert Joseph Dyer, Arnar Freyr Larusson, Brendan Thomas Quinlivan, Kai Schmidt, Diana Wagner, Conor Walsh, Michael Wehner
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Publication number: 20150173993Abstract: In at least one aspect, there is provided a system for generating force about one or more joints including a soft exosuit having a plurality of anchor elements and at least one connection element disposed between the plurality of anchor elements. The system also includes at least one sensor to determine a force the at least one connection element or at least one of the plurality of anchor elements and to output signals relating to the force, at least one actuator configured to change a tension in the soft exosuit and at least one controller configured to receive the signals output from the at least one sensor and actuate the at least one actuator responsive to the received signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2013Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: Conor Walsh, Alan Thomas Asbeck, Ignacio Galiana Bujanda, Ye Ding, Robert Joseph Dyer, Arnar Freyr Larusson, Brendan Thomas Quinlivan, Kai Schmidt, Diana Wagner, Michael Wehner
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Patent number: 8863791Abstract: A fuel hose nozzle for filling a tank having a filler the tank with liquefied petroleum gas has a tubular valve housing extending along an axis and having an outer end, a tubular valve guide axially shiftable in the valve housing between a front position and a rear position and forming an outlet port adjacent the outer end, and a valve in the housing movable between an open position permitting fluid flow into the valve guide toward the outlet end and a closed position preventing such flow. A valve piston in the valve guide and axially fixed in the valve housing is engaged in the front position of the valve guide with the port to block flow through same. A fitting sleeve surrounding and axially shiftable on the valve housing has at the outer end an end fitting complementary to the tank filler neck.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Elaflex Hiby Tanktechnik GmbH & Co.Inventors: Achim Aehle, Stefan Kunter, Heinz-Ulrich Meyer, Michael Wehner
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Publication number: 20110186176Abstract: A fuel hose nozzle for filling a tank having a filler the tank with liquefied petroleum gas has a tubular valve housing extending along an axis and having an outer end, a tubular valve guide axially shiftable in the valve housing between a front position and a rear position and forming an outlet port adjacent the outer end, and a valve in the housing movable between an open position permitting fluid flow into the valve guide toward the outlet end and a closed position preventing such flow. A valve piston in the valve guide and axially fixed in the valve housing is engaged in the front position of the valve guide with the port to block flow through same. A fitting sleeve surrounding and axially shiftable on the valve housing has at the outer end an end fitting complementary to the tank filler neck.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2011Publication date: August 4, 2011Inventors: Achim AEHLE, Stefan KUNTER, Heinz-Ulrich MEYER, Michael WEHNER