Patents by Inventor Richard Heydt
Richard Heydt 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: 7394182Abstract: The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps, compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Richard Heydt, Jonathan R. Heim
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Patent number: 7362032Abstract: The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps, compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Scott E. Stanford, Qibing Pei, Richard Heydt, Joseph S. Eckerle, Jonathan R. Heim
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Publication number: 20070200467Abstract: Described herein are compliant electroactive polymer transducers for use in acoustic applications. A compliant electroactive polymer transducer includes a compliant electroactive polymer at least two electrodes. For sound production, circuitry in electrical communication with the transducer electrodes is configured to apply a driving signal that causes the electroactive polymer to deflect in the acoustic range.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2007Publication date: August 30, 2007Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Richard Heydt, Ronald Pelrine, Roy Kornbluh, Neville Bonwit, Joseph Eckerle
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Publication number: 20070164641Abstract: The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps, compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2006Publication date: July 19, 2007Inventors: Ronald Pelrine, Roy Kornbluh, Richard Heydt, Jonathan Heim
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Publication number: 20060158065Abstract: The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps, compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2006Publication date: July 20, 2006Applicant: SRI International A California CorporationInventors: Ronald Pelrine, Roy Kornbluh, Scott Stanford, Qibing Pei, Richard Heydt, Joseph Eckerle, Jonathan Heim
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Publication number: 20060133957Abstract: A device and method for use with a centrifuge for fragmenting solute or particulate material contained in a liquid sample are disclosed. The device includes a substrate adapted to be supported within a centrifuge tube, and providing a microchannel defining a plurality of shear regions. Material contained in a liquid sample applied to the device, with such supported in a centrifuge tube within a centrifuge, is fragmented by shearing as the sample is forced successively through the plurality of shear regions in the microchannel, when the selected centrifugal force applied to the tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2004Publication date: June 22, 2006Inventors: Merrill Knapp, Victor Aguero, Jose Joseph, Keith Laderoute, Richard Heydt, Rachel McCloskey
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Patent number: 7064472Abstract: The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps, compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Scott E. Stanford, Qibing Pei, Richard Heydt, Joseph S. Eckerle, Jonathan R. Heim
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Publication number: 20040008853Abstract: The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps, compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Applicant: SRI International, a California CorporationInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Scott E. Stanford, Qibing Pei, Richard Heydt, Joseph S. Eckerle, Jonathan R. Heim