Patents by Inventor Petras J. Swissler

Petras J. Swissler 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).

  • Method and system for joining robotic components
    Patent number: 11305421
    Abstract: A robot includes a power bus assembly configured to receive a voltage and a continuous dock. The robot also includes a microcontroller in communication with the power bus assembly and the continuous dock. The microcontroller is configured to determine that the continuous dock is in contact with a surface that results in a voltage differential between the continuous dock and the surface. The microcontroller is also configured to activate a motor to apply a force that presses the continuous dock against the surface. The voltage causes a current to flow from the continuous dock to the surface such that a portion of the continuous dock melts and forms a bond to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Petras J. Swissler, Michael S. Rubenstein
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR JOINING ROBOTIC COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20210252696
    Abstract: A robot includes a power bus assembly configured to receive a voltage and a continuous dock. The robot also includes a microcontroller in communication with the power bus assembly and the continuous dock. The microcontroller is configured to determine that the continuous dock is in contact with a surface that results in a voltage differential between the continuous dock and the surface. The microcontroller is also configured to activate a motor to apply a force that presses the continuous dock against the surface. The voltage causes a current to flow from the continuous dock to the surface such that a portion of the continuous dock melts and forms a bond to the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Petras J. Swissler, Michael S. Rubenstein