Patents by Inventor Richard P. Heydt
Richard P. 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: 9563274Abstract: The present invention relates to an adaptable input/output device. One embodiment of a hardware device for facilitating an interaction between a computing system and a user includes: an interaction surface for supporting the interaction, a single actuator capable of driving a first region of the interaction surface, and a first selective clamping mechanism capable of restricting movement of one or more second regions of the interaction surface that partly intersect the first region, wherein a displacement of one or more desired portions of the interaction surface is dynamically controllable.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Rukman Senanayake, Grit Denker, Patrick D. Lincoln, Roy D. Kornbluh, Sierra J. Lincoln, Richard P. Heydt, Harsha Prahlad, Daniel McConnell Aukes, Karl D. van Dyk, Geoffrey A. Mangus, Joseph S. Eckerle
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Publication number: 20120313857Abstract: The present invention relates to an adaptable input/output device. One embodiment of a hardware device for facilitating an interaction between a computing system and a user includes: an interaction surface for supporting the interaction, a single actuator capable of driving a first region of the interaction surface, and a first selective clamping mechanism capable of restricting movement of one or more second regions of the interaction surface that partly intersect the first region, wherein a displacement of one or more desired portions of the interaction surface is dynamically controllable.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Inventors: Rukman Senanayake, Grit Denker, Patrick D. Lincoln, Roy D. Kornbluh, Sierra J. Lincoln, Richard P. Heydt, Harsha Prahlad, Daniel McConnell Aukes, Karl D. van Dyk, Geoffrey A. Mangus, Joseph S. Eckerle
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Publication number: 20120313854Abstract: The present invention relates to an adaptable input/output device. One embodiment of a hardware device for facilitating an interaction between a computing system and a user, the hardware device includes an adaptable surface for supporting the interaction, where the adaptable surface is dynamically deformable under a control of the computing system, and one or more sensors, in communication with the computing system, for detecting a physical presence that is not in direct contact with the adaptable surface. The computing system is configured to cause a deformation of the adaptable surface in response to the physical presence.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Inventors: RUKMAN SENANAYAKE, GRIT DENKER, PATRICK D. LINCOLN, ROY D. KORNBLUH, SIERRA J. LINCOLN, RICHARD P. HEYDT, HARSHA PRAHLAD, DANIEL McCONNELL AUKES, KARL D. van DYK, GEOFFREY A. MANGUS, JOSEPH S. ECKERLE
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Patent number: 7971850Abstract: The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. 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 change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Jonathan R. Heim, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Joseph S. Eckerle, Marcus Rosenthal, Richard P. Heydt
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Patent number: 7898159Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 22, 2009Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Richard P. Heydt, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Neville A. Bonwit, Joseph S. Eckerle
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Publication number: 20100176322Abstract: The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. 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 change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2010Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Jonathan R. HEIM, Ronald E. PELRINE, Roy David KORNBLUH, Joseph S. ECKERLE, Marcus ROSENTHAL, Richard P. HEYDT
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Patent number: 7703742Abstract: The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. 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 change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Jonathan R. Heim, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Joseph S. Eckerle, Marcus A. Rosenthal, Richard P. Heydt
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Publication number: 20100013356Abstract: 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: September 22, 2009Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Richard P. HEYDT, Ronald E. PELRINE, Roy D. KORNBLUH, Neville A. BONWIT, Joseph S. ECKERLE
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Patent number: 7608989Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 20, 2007Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Richard P. Heydt, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Neville A. Bonwit, Joseph S. Eckerle
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Publication number: 20090200501Abstract: The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. 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 change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2009Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Jonathan R. Heim, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Joseph S. Eckerle, Marcus Rosenthal, Richard P. Heydt
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Patent number: 7537197Abstract: The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. 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 change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2007Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Jonathan R. Heim, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Joseph S. Eckerle, Marcus Rosenthal, Richard P. Heydt
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Publication number: 20080245985Abstract: The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. 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 change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2007Publication date: October 9, 2008Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Jonathan R. Heim, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Joseph S. Eckerle, Marcus Rosenthal, Richard P. Heydt
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Patent number: 7320457Abstract: The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. 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 change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2003Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Jonathon R. Heim, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Joseph S. Eckerle, Marcus Rosenthal, Richard P. Heydt
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Patent number: 6734436Abstract: The invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods that employ electromagnetic radiation to move a droplet of fluid on a fluid-transporting surface of a substrate. Typically, radiation of a particular wavelength is directed through a substantially transparent material, and the radiation imparts an optical trapping force to move the droplet. In addition, a means for reducing evaporative loss from the droplet may be provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Gregory W. Faris, John S. Bashkin, William H. Wright, Richard P. Heydt, David MacQueen
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Publication number: 20030214199Abstract: The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. 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 change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Applicant: SRI International, a California CorporationInventors: Jonathan R. Heim, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Joseph S. Eckerle, Marcus Rosenthal, Richard P. Heydt
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Publication number: 20030047688Abstract: The invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods that employ electromagnetic radiation to move a droplet of fluid on a fluid-transporting surface of a substrate. Typically, radiation of a particular wavelength is directed through a substantially transparent material, and the radiation imparts an optical trapping force to move the droplet. In addition, a means for reducing evaporative loss from the droplet may be provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2002Publication date: March 13, 2003Inventors: Gregory W. Faris, John S. Bashkin, William H. Wright, Richard P. Heydt, David MacQueen