Patents by Inventor Orlo James Fiske
Orlo James Fiske 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: 20170242225Abstract: A camera module (170) includes a miniature scanning mirror (120), lens elements (163a to 163d) corresponding to thin lateral lens slices, and a short, wide imaging sensor (165). As the scanning mirror (120) pivots to scan a scene, the imaging sensor (165) captures successive image segments. Multiple image segments are stitched together by software running on a digital processor to provide a complete image. The assembly of lens elements (163a to 163d) may include moveable elements to allow variable focus, variable magnification and image stabilization, and may utilize refraction, reflection, diffraction and/or planar optical elements. The camera module (170) may be less than 5 millimeters thick while allowing long focal length lenses and increased light collecting area. Other embodiments include a switchable scan mirror with two apertures and a dual-camera system that provides binocular images and video.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2017Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventor: Orlo James Fiske
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Patent number: 9395012Abstract: An electromagnetic valve apparatus with nonlinear springs for variable valve timing in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a valve, floating spring assembly, translational cam, and motor. The cam and spring serve to minimize lash and valve stem bending forces. During opening and closing of the valve, spring potential energy is converted into valve kinetic energy and then back into potential energy at the end of the motion. The potential energy is then available for the next opening/closing event. The motor initiates motion, replaces friction and vibration losses, and terminates motion. However, the motor supplies minimal energy as the valve opens and closes, and vice-versa, naturally due to combined effects of system inertia and the nonlinear spring. In addition to valve control, the apparatus may be applied to fuel injectors, or any reciprocating linear or rotary mechanism where electronic control is used.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: LAUNCHPOINT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Brian A. Paden, Orlo James Fiske, Michael R. Ricci, Murat Okcuoglu, David B. Paden, Bradley E. Paden
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Publication number: 20150108381Abstract: An electromagnetic valve apparatus with nonlinear springs for variable valve timing in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a valve, floating spring assembly, translational cam, and motor. The cam and spring serve to minimize lash and valve stem bending forces. During opening and closing of the valve, spring potential energy is converted into valve kinetic energy and then back into potential energy at the end of the motion. The potential energy is then available for the next opening/closing event. The motor initiates motion, replaces friction and vibration losses, and terminates motion. However, the motor supplies minimal energy as the valve opens and closes, and vice-versa, naturally due to combined effects of system inertia and the nonlinear spring. In addition to valve control, the apparatus may be applied to fuel injectors, or any reciprocating linear or rotary mechanism where electronic control is used.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Brian A. PADEN, Orlo James FISKE, Michael R. RICCI, Murat OKCUOGLU, David B. PADEN, Bradley E. PADEN
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Patent number: 7757609Abstract: A magnetically levitated transportation system employs permanent magnet rails along a guideway that interact with permanent magnets on a vehicle. The rails are optimized to reduce magnetic mass and cost of materials, while maximizing lift force. The vehicle is stabilized in the lateral and yaw directions with feedback controlled lateral control coils that interact with the permanent magnet rails on the guideway. A track switching structure employs permanent magnet rails that gradually widen along a segment of track and separate into two identical diverging rails. Feedback controlled lateral control coils in a moving vehicle stabilize that vehicle over one or the other pairs of diverging rails, as directed by a control computer, thereby causing the vehicle to continue along one path or the other, with no moving or active elements required in the track.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2007Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Launchpoint Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Orlo James Fiske, Chen Chen, Michael Ricci, Bradley Evan Paden
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Publication number: 20080303355Abstract: A variable reluctance electric motor employs motor coils installed adjacent to or integral with railroad rails and uses the steel wheels of railroad locomotives and cars as its moving elements. This “rail motor” electrically propels unmodified conventional railroad trains or individual railroad cars, without the use of diesel engines and with no mechanical connection to the vehicles, and is electronically controlled. Electric operation eliminates the production of air pollution by any locomotive traveling through rail motor-equipped zones, improves system capacity by providing boost power on ascending grades, and can be used to brake trains, recovering and storing the energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2008Publication date: December 11, 2008Inventors: Orlo James Fiske, Michael Richard Ricci
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Patent number: 7265470Abstract: Arrays of magnets configured to create linear or rotary magnetic springs with multiple equilibrium points. Some of the equilibrium points are stable, while others are unstable. No mechanical contact is required between moving and stationary elements of the magnetic springs, resulting in a virtually unlimited lifetime. The magnetic springs can be utilized in conjunction with low force electromagnetic actuators to implement multi-step linear or rotary actuators with high force, very short movement time between unstable equilibrium points, and with near-zero holding power required to maintain actuator position at any unstable equilibrium point. Specific applications that embody the present invention may include, but are not limited to, optical filters, linear valves, or any mechanism that would benefit from an efficient magnetic spring.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Launchpoint Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bradley Evan Paden, Chen Chen, Orlo James Fiske
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Patent number: 6873235Abstract: One or more permanent magnets, or one or more permanent magnet arrays are used to produce shear force levitation. A primary application of shear force levitators is a levitated ring energy storage device. Such a levitated ring energy storage device includes a round support structure having a first magnetic levitator or levitator array encircling its outer periphery, and a ring encircling the support structure and having a second magnetic levitator or levitator array encircling its inner periphery, such that the first and second magnetic levitators (or levitator arrays) interact to produce a vertical force that levitates the ring.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2003Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Magtube, Inc.Inventors: Orlo James Fiske, Chen Chen, Michael Richard Ricci, Bradley Evan Paden
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Patent number: 6684794Abstract: A magnetically levitated transportation system employs permanent magnet rails along a guideway that interact with permanent magnets on a vehicle. The rails are optimized to reduce magnetic mass, while maximizing lift force. In one example, the arrays are composed of arrays of magnets having rotating magnetizations, such as Halbach arrays. In another example, the arrays are cup-shaped to provide stronger magnetic field forces in the central portion of the array, relative to the lateral portion of the array. The vehicle may be stabilized in the lateral and yaw directions with feedback controlled lateral control coils that interact with the permanent magnet rails on the guideway. Vertical, pitch and roll motions may be controlled or damped with eddy-current damper coils or plates or with active feedback control to control the coils.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Magtube, Inc.Inventors: Orlo James Fiske, Chen Chen, Michael Richard Ricci, Bradley Evan Paden
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Publication number: 20030217668Abstract: A magnetically levitated transportation system employs permanent magnet rails along a guideway that interact with permanent magnets on a vehicle. The rails are optimized to reduce magnetic mass, while maximizing lift force. In one example, the arrays are composed of arrays of magnets having rotating magnetizations, such as Halbach arrays. In another example, the arrays are cup-shaped to provide stronger magnetic field forces in the central portion of the array, relative to the lateral portion of the array. The vehicle may be stabilized in the lateral and yaw directions with feedback controlled lateral control coils that interact with the permanent magnet rails on the guideway. Vertical, pitch and roll motions may be controlled or damped with eddy-current damper coils or plates or with active feedback control to control the coils.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2002Publication date: November 27, 2003Applicant: MAGTUBE, INC.Inventors: Orlo James Fiske, Chen Chen, Michael Richard Ricci, Bradley Evan Paden
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Publication number: 20030192449Abstract: One or more permanent magnets, or one or more permanent magnet arrays are used to produce shear force levitation. A primary application of shear force levitators is a levitated ring energy storage device. Such a levitated ring energy storage device includes a round support structure having a first magnetic levitator or levitator array encircling its outer periphery, and a ring encircling the support structure and having a second magnetic levitator or levitator array encircling its inner periphery, such that the first and second magnetic levitators (or levitator arrays) interact to produce a vertical force that levitates the ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Applicant: MAGTUBE, INC.Inventors: Orlo James Fiske, Chen Chen, Michael Richard Ricci, Bradley Evan Paden
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Patent number: 6374746Abstract: A ground-based capsule pipeline with greatly improved speed, energy efficiency, and cost for transportation of freight and/or people. Passive magnetic levitation is used to suspend inert, rugged capsules within an air-evacuated pipeline, where they are propelled by a linear motor. Permanent magnet pole arrays incorporated in the capsules interact with inductively-enhanced conductive loops on the interior of the pipeline to produce a low “take-off” speed, high lift, and a high lift-drag ratio.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Inventor: Orlo James Fiske
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Patent number: 6078468Abstract: A disk drive system and method employs sheet lift effect to suspend a data storage disk during high speed rotation. The system includes a data storage disk composed, at least partially, of an electrically conductive, nonmagnetic material and having at least one disk surface through which data communication may occur. The disk is rotated within an air-evacuated housing adjacent at least one magnet member. The interaction of the magnet member and the conductive, nonmagnetic material on the disk provides a sheet lift force suitable to suspend the disk during high speed rotation, such that the disk makes no physical contact with the housing or any structure fixed relative the housing. A read/write head assembly may also be provided with at least one magnet member which interacts with the conductive, nonmagnetic material on the disk to support the head assembly in a spaced relation to the disk surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1997Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Inventor: Orlo James Fiske
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Patent number: 6078471Abstract: A data storage and retrieval system reads and/or writes data onto a data storage disk defining a recording surface having a radial dimension and at least one data track directed generally transverse to the radial dimension. The system includes a housing having an interior for receiving the one data storage disk. The disk is rotated upon being received in the housing interior. A head array having a plurality of read and/or write heads is arranged in a longitudinal dimension, for communicating with the recording surface of the data storage disk. A head array support arm is disposed within the housing interior, for supporting the head array adjacent the recording surface of the storage disk, with the longitudinal dimension of the arrangement of heads extending in a cross-track direction of the disk recording surface and spanning more than one half of the radial dimension of the recording surface. An actuator is coupled to selectively move the head array support arm and head array in a cross-track direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1998Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Inventor: Orlo James Fiske