Patents by Inventor Robert H. Todd

Robert H. Todd 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).

  • Patent number: 8852521
    Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to methods and systems for producing solutions containing ultrafine metal particles. The method for producing ultrafine metal particles in an aqueous medium includes providing a reaction chamber having a transition metal anode and a transition metal cathode disposed therein. The reaction chamber can also contain an aqueous medium. An anode and cathode are associated at a distance with respect to one another such that when activated by a power source, a discharge arc occurs between the anode and cathode within the aqueous medium. Activation of a power source causes the discharge arc to occur between the anode and the cathode, thereby generating ultrafine metal particles suspended within the aqueous medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Robert H. Todd, Christopher J. Lewis, Jonathan George
  • Publication number: 20130172139
    Abstract: By using a mechanical planetary differential as a multiple input, single output device, the speed of the single output can be controlled by the speed of one of the inputs while the other input may run at a constant speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Robert H. Todd, Dax Wells, Benjamin Groen, John Wyall, Austin Randall, Michael Sanders
  • Publication number: 20100206734
    Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to methods and systems for producing solutions containing ultrafine metal particles. The method for producing ultrafine metal particles in an aqueous medium includes providing a reaction chamber having a transition metal anode and a transition metal cathode disposed therein. The reaction chamber can also contain an aqueous medium. An anode and cathode are associated at a distance with respect to one another such that when activated by a power source, a discharge arc occurs between the anode and cathode within the aqueous medium. Activation of a power source causes the discharge arc to occur between the anode and the cathode, thereby generating ultrafine metal particles suspended within the aqueous medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Robert H. Todd, Christopher J. Lewis, Jonathan George
  • Publication number: 20100064831
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, assemblies, and components that relate to power transfer. In particular, the disclosed systems includes a transmission that offers variable speeds and changes between different gear ratios while maintaining constant engagement. Constant engagement may be maintained by tooth-to-tooth contact to be scalable for a variety of applications. An example system includes a phase shifting mechanism. The phase shifting mechanism may include an eccentric gear that provides an oscillating output. The oscillating output creates an overall gear ratio change that slides between gear ratios, thereby allowing changes to occur in small, and possibly infinitely small increments. According to one example, an eccentric gear has a changing base radius and includes a tooth with a hybrid profile that has a base the width of an initial profile, and a width at a top of the tooth that is that of a final profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Gary D. Lee, William M. Decker, Brandon Levi Haupt, Isaac Reo Jones, Robert H. Todd, Carl D. Sorensen, Kenneth W. Chase
  • Patent number: 7338398
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission or clutch device (10) includes at least one pulley (18) rotatable on a pivot (28) and having a pair of adjustable sheaves (30, 34) including a movable sheave (30) movable along the pivot. An ortho-planar compliant mechanism (14) is capable of elastic deformation and operatively coupled to the movable sheave to bias the movable sheave towards or away from the other sheave. The ortho-planar compliant mechanism includes a substantially flat configuration and is deflectable therefrom as the movable sheave moves. The ortho-planar compliant mechanism can include a center platform (38) disposed on the pivot and a plurality of arms (42) extending from the platform to distal ends (46) coupled to the movable sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Michael J. Whiting, Larry L. Howell, Robert H. Todd, Spencer P. Magleby, Mark C. Anderson, Nathan O. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 6834968
    Abstract: A teleprompter configured to project an image to a viewer at a viewer location comprises a single-beam teleprompter projector, configured to project an image to a focal plane, and a directional screen, disposed at the focal plane. The directional screen is configured to direct the image to a focal point at the viewer location, and diffuse the image within a limited viewing region surrounding the focal point, such that the apparent brightness of the image to the viewer at the viewer location is increased, and the visibility of the image to persons other than the viewer is reduced. Because the device concentrates the light at the viewer, it can be made much larger than conventional video monitors typically used in speech-prompter settings, while still maintaining very high brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Justin Peatross, Michael Ware, Robert H. Todd
  • Patent number: 6757975
    Abstract: A compliant mechanism and method of manufacturing the same includes a plurality of layers formed from stamping a plurality of layers from a layer of thinner material and stacking the layers together. Compliant mechanisms can include clutches, switches, derailleurs, brakes and other mechanisms. The compliant mechanism includes rigid and flexible sections of integral construction. The rigid and flexible sections provide an integral device capable of achieving motion by elastic deformation. The flexible section is deflectable, and stores energy in the form of strain energy when deflected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Robert H. Todd, Larry L. Howell, Spencer P. Magleby, Aaron L. Herring
  • Publication number: 20020075461
    Abstract: A teleprompter configured to project an image to a viewer at a viewer location comprises a single-beam teleprompter projector, configured to project an image to a focal plane, and a directional screen, disposed at the focal plane. The directional screen is configured to direct the image to a focal point at the viewer location, and diffuse the image within a limited viewing region surrounding the focal point, such that the apparent brightness of the image to the viewer at the viewer location is increased, and the visibility of the image to persons other than the viewer is reduced. Because the device concentrates the light at the viewer, it can be made much larger than conventional video monitors typically used in speech-prompter settings, while still maintaining very high brightness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Justin Peatross, Michael Ware, Robert H. Todd