Patents by Inventor Robert G. Andosca
Robert G. Andosca 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: 20230229284Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems and methods that enable a user of a computing device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, etc.) to interact with a wearable device worn by the user. In one embodiment, the computing device provides a touchscreen-based graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI displays a three-quarter view of a plurality of icons arranged in a ring, where each of the icons is associated with a respective health/fitness parameter (e.g., heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, etc.). The GUI enables the user to interact with the wearable device through the computing device, via swiping gestures, presses of icons, and press-and-holds of the icons.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2023Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: Nicholas J. BICEK, Christopher H. BICEK, Theodore B. ZIEMKOWSKI, Peeraya NILWONG, Robert G. ANDOSCA
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Publication number: 20230155523Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods, and structures that scavenge mechanical energy to provide electrical energy to a wearable, where the mechanical energy is scavenged by a bending-strain-based transducer that includes a non-resonant energy harvester. By employing a non-resonant energy harvester that operates in bending mode, more electrical energy can be generated that possible with prior-art energy harvesters. In some embodiments, the output of a bending-strain-based transducer element is used for both energy scavenging and as a sensor signal indicative of a user parameter, such as a step, respiration rate, heart rate, weight and the like. In some embodiments, a transducer element includes a plurality of piezoelectric layers that are electrically connected in parallel to increase the energy and/or power provided by the transducer element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2023Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Robert G. Andosca, Todd Richard Christenson, Marcus Taylor
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Publication number: 20220131482Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods, and structures that scavenge mechanical energy to provide electrical energy to a wearable, where the mechanical energy is scavenged by a bending-strain-based transducer that includes a non-resonant energy harvester. By employing a non-resonant energy harvester that operates in bending mode, more electrical energy can be generated that possible with prior-art energy harvesters. In some embodiments the bending-strain-based transducer also includes a sensor and/or a haptic device. Some transducers in accordance with the present disclosure comprise a piezoelectric layer comprising a low-K piezoelectric material, such as aluminum nitride, which enables generation of higher voltage and power/energy output and/or a thinner transducer. As a result, transducers in accordance with the present disclosure can be included in wearables for which large transducer thickness would be problematic, such as sole members (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Robert G. Andosca, Todd Richard Christenson, Marcus Taylor
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Publication number: 20220014120Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods, and structures that scavenge mechanical energy to provide electrical energy to a wearable, where the mechanical energy is scavenged by a bending-strain-based transducer that includes a non-resonant energy harvester. By employing a non-resonant energy harvester that operates in bending mode, more electrical energy can be generated that possible with prior-art energy harvesters. In some embodiments the bending-strain-based transducer also includes a sensor and/or a haptic device. Some transducers in accordance with the present disclosure comprise a piezoelectric layer comprising a low-K piezoelectric material, such as aluminum nitride, which enables generation of higher voltage and power/energy output and/or a thinner transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventors: Robert G. Andosca, Todd Richard Christenson, Marcus Taylor
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Patent number: 9728707Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material, the resonator beam extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam; a package surrounding at least a portion of the second end of the resonator beam; and a compliant stopper connected to the package, where the stopper is configured to stabilize motion of the cantilever to prevent breakage. Also disclosed is a system, a method of powering an electrically powered apparatus, and methods of producing an energy harvester device.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2014Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: MicroGen Systems, Inc.Inventors: Kathleen M. Vaeth, David Trauernicht, Robert G. Andosca
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Patent number: 9502635Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising an elongate resonator beam extending between first and second ends. A base is connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end extending from the base as a structural layer. The elongate resonator beam comprises either: (1) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a structural layer on a second oxide layer over a second piezoelectric stack layer on a third oxide layer or (2) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a second oxide layer on a structural layer over a third oxide layer on a second piezoelectric stack over a fourth oxide layer. Also disclosed is a system comprising an apparatus and the device, as well as methods of making and using the device.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: MicroGen Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Andosca, Kathleen M. Vaeth, Didier Lacroix
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Patent number: 9484522Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device, which includes an elongate, planar resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material and side walls extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; and a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam. The side walls are continuously curved within the plane of the resonator beam. Also disclosed are a system containing the device, and methods of using and making the device.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2013Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Microgen Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Andosca, Kathleen M. Vaeth
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Patent number: 9479089Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material, the resonator beam extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam; a package surrounding at least a portion of the second end of the resonator beam; and a stopper connected to the mass and/or the second end of the resonator beam, where the stopper is configured to prevent contact between the second end of the resonator beam and the package. Also disclosed is a system, a method of powering an electrically powered apparatus, and methods of producing an anergy harvester device.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Microgen Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Andosca, T. Gus McDonald, David Trauernicht, Kathleen M. Vaeth
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Patent number: 9362480Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam extending between first and second ends. A base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever. A mass is attached to the second end of the elongate resonator beam. The elongate resonator beam comprises either: (1) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a cantilever layer on a second oxide layer over a second piezoelectric stack layer on a third oxide layer or (2) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a second oxide layer on a cantilever layer over a third oxide layer on a second piezoelectric stack over a fourth oxide layer. Also disclosed is a system comprising an electrically powered apparatus and the energy harvester device, as well as methods of making and using the energy harvester.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: MicroGen Systems, Inc.Inventor: Robert G. Andosca
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Publication number: 20150349667Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester system. The energy harvester system includes an energy harvester device, a housing comprising internal walls surrounding at least a portion of the energy harvester device, and a flexible supporting structure supporting the energy harvester device within the housing. Movement of the housing causes the internal walls of the housing, or structures connected to the internal walls, to contact the energy harvester device, whereby the flexible supporting structure and the energy harvester device move such that the energy harvester device contacts the internal walls or structures connected to the internal walls at least one additional time (or multiple times), thereby producing energy. Also disclosed is a system comprising an electrically powered apparatus and the energy harvester system of the present invention electrically coupled to the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Robert G. Andosca, John Andosca, Junru Wu
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Publication number: 20150256144Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising an elongate resonator beam extending between first and second ends. A base is connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end extending from the base as a structural layer. The elongate resonator beam comprises either: (1) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a structural layer on a second oxide layer over a second piezoelectric stack layer on a third oxide layer or (2) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a second oxide layer on a structural layer over a third oxide layer on a second piezoelectric stack over a fourth oxide layer. Also disclosed is a system comprising an apparatus and the device, as well as methods of making and using the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: September 10, 2015Applicant: MicroGen Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Andosca, Kathleen M. Vaeth, Didier Lacroix
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Publication number: 20150221855Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material, the resonator beam extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam; a package surrounding at least a portion of the second end of the resonator beam; and a compliant stopper connected to the package, where the stopper is configured to stabilize motion of the cantilever to prevent breakage. Also disclosed is a system, a method of powering an electrically powered apparatus, and methods of producing an energy harvester device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2014Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicant: MicroGen Systems, Inc.Inventors: Kathleen M. VAETH, David TRAUERNICHT, Robert G. ANDOSCA
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Publication number: 20150188458Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material, the resonator beam extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam; a package surrounding at least a portion of the second end of the resonator beam; and a stopper connected to the mass and/or the second end of the resonator beam, where the stopper is configured to prevent contact between the second end of the resonator beam and the package. Also disclosed is a system, a method of powering an electrically powered apparatus, and methods of producing an anergy harvester device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2013Publication date: July 2, 2015Applicant: MicroGen Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Andosca, T. Gus McDonald, David Trauernicht, Kathleen M. Vaeth
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Publication number: 20150188030Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device, which includes an elongate, planar resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material and side walls extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; and a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam. The side walls are continuously curved within the plane of the resonator beam. Also disclosed are a system containing the device, and methods of using and making the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2013Publication date: July 2, 2015Applicant: MicroGen Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Andosca, Kathleen M. Vaeth
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Publication number: 20140265726Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam extending between first and second ends. A base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever. A mass is attached to the second end of the elongate resonator beam. The elongate resonator beam comprises either: (1) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a cantilever layer on a second oxide layer over a second piezoelectric stack layer on a third oxide layer or (2) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a second oxide layer on a cantilever layer over a third oxide layer on a second piezoelectric stack over a fourth oxide layer. Also disclosed is a system comprising an electrically powered apparatus and the energy harvester device, as well as methods of making and using the energy harvester.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: MicroGen Systems, Inc.Inventor: Robert G. Andosca
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Patent number: 8080920Abstract: Vibrational energy harvesting (VEH) structures that include resonant beams each having a fundamental resonance frequency and a parametric mode frequency and including at least one piezoelectric layer for generating electrical charge in response to each of fundamental-resonance excitation and parametric-mode excitation of that beam. Circuitry is provided for harvesting the electrical charge from the resonant beam. In some embodiments, the parametric mode frequency of the beam is tuned to be close to its fundamental resonance frequency so as to increase the effective bandwidth of a VEH structure. The effective bandwidth of a VEH structure can be further increased by tuning ones of multiple parametric-mode-enabled resonant beams to slightly different fundamental resonance frequencies and parametric mode frequencies.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2008Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: The University of Vermont and State Agricultural CollegeInventors: Robert G. Andosca, Junru Wu
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Publication number: 20100072759Abstract: Vibrational energy harvesting (VEH) structures that include resonant beams each having a fundamental resonance frequency and a parametric mode frequency and including at least one piezoelectric layer for generating electrical charge in response to each of fundamental-resonance excitation and parametric-mode excitation of that beam. Circuitry is provided for harvesting the electrical charge from the resonant beam. In some embodiments, the parametric mode frequency of the beam is tuned to be close to its fundamental resonance frequency so as to increase the effective bandwidth of a VEH structure. The effective bandwidth of a VEH structure can be further increased by tuning ones of multiple parametric-mode-enabled resonant beams to slightly different fundamental resonance frequencies and parametric mode frequencies.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2008Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: The University of Vermont and State Agricultural CollegeInventors: Robert G. Andosca, Junru Wu