Patents by Inventor Robert M. Sweet

Robert M. Sweet 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: 11741854
    Abstract: An organ model comprises a polymer body formed from one or more selectively deposited substructures of a printable polymer-based ink composition, wherein the one or more selectively deposited substructures form a printed geometrical structure that corresponds to at least a portion of an anatomical structure of an organ, wherein a formulation of the printable polymer-based ink is selected such that the printed geometrical body has one or more material properties that match or substantially match one or more corresponding tissue material properties of an organ tissue, and an electronic device integrated onto a surface or into a structure of the printed geometrical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Michael Cary McAlpine, Kaiyan Qiu, Ghazaleh Haghiashtiani, Robert M. Sweet
  • Patent number: 10553130
    Abstract: A system for assessing performance of a procedure comprises a tissue model or a tool comprising assessment indicators applied thereto, one or more image-capturing devices for capturing one or more assessment images of the assessment indicators while or after a user performs the medical procedure, and a processor configured to analyze the assessment indicators in the one or more assessment images and provide feedback to the user. A system can also comprise a tissue model, one or more image-capturing devices each configured to capture one or more images of the tissue model, and a processor configured to analyze the one or more images from the one or more image-capturing devices to determine a deformation of the tissue model and determine a force exerted on the tissue model based on the determined deformation of the tissue model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Lauren H. Poniatowski, Robert M. Sweet, Troy E. Reihsen, Vincent Rotty, David Hananel, Jack B. Stubbs, Astrini Sie, Michael Winek, Timothy M. Kowalewski
  • Publication number: 20190122584
    Abstract: An organ model comprises a polymer body formed from one or more selectively deposited substructures of a printable polymer-based ink composition, wherein the one or more selectively deposited substructures form a printed geometrical structure that corresponds to at least a portion of an anatomical structure of an organ, wherein a formulation of the printable polymer-based ink is selected such that the printed geometrical body has one or more material properties that match or substantially match one or more corresponding tissue material properties of an organ tissue, and an electronic device integrated onto a surface or into a structure of the printed geometrical structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Cary McAlpine, Kaiyan Qiu, Ghazaleh Haghiashtiani, Robert M. Sweet
  • Publication number: 20180075778
    Abstract: A method of making a tissue model comprises determining one or more material properties of a tissue, wherein the one or more material properties include at least one of mechanical properties, electroconductive properties, optical properties, thermoconductive properties, chemical properties, and anisotropic properties, creating an anatomical structure of the tissue, selecting an artificial tissue material having one or more material properties that substantially correspond to the one or more material properties of the tissue, and coupling the artificial tissue material to the anatomical structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Troy E. Reihsen, Robert M. Sweet, Daniel M. Burke
  • Patent number: 9805624
    Abstract: A method of making a tissue model comprises determining one or more material properties of a tissue, wherein the one or more material properties include at least one of mechanical properties, electroconductive properties, optical properties, thermoconductive properties, chemical properties, and anisotropic properties, creating an anatomical structure of the tissue, selecting an artificial tissue material having one or more material properties that substantially correspond to the one or more material properties of the tissue, and coupling the artificial tissue material to the anatomical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Troy E. Reihsen, Robert M. Sweet, Daniel M. Burke
  • Patent number: 9511853
    Abstract: A compact in-wheel vehicle motor and gearing system designed to meet high power and torque requirements for driving a vehicle on the ground independently of other power sources is provided. The motor and gearing system includes a motor assembly with an outside rotor element mounted for rotation about an inside stator element and a gear assembly with a plurality of gear stages mounted inside the stator and drivingly connected to the motor assembly. The motor assembly and gear assembly are mounted interiorly of the wheel and completely within a space defined by the internal dimensions of the wheel. This motor and gearing system can be effectively installed in an existing aircraft wheel without changes to other components to produce a drive wheel with the torque and power required to move the aircraft independently on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Borealis Technical Limited
    Inventors: Robert M. Sweet, Jonathan S. Edelson
  • Patent number: 9404834
    Abstract: A wheel testing system and method are provided that simulates realistically conditions likely to be encountered during operation of vehicle wheels, especially powered drive wheels and wheel-connected structures. The system may include an integral support frame designed to adjustably mount wheels or wheel-connected structures to be tested, a load motor drivingly connected to an inertial load, and an adjustable mounting sled configured to adjustably mount a test wheel or a wheel-connected structure with an hydraulic system actuatable to adjust the location of the test wheel relative to the inertial load to vary or fix the load on the test wheel desired. Speed of the test wheel can be varied or fixed by controlling the speed of the load motor. System measurement and data collection electronics measure a range of selected wheel parameters and gather data for transmission to a processor or non-transitory storage medium for processing and evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Borealis Technical Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Sidney Edelson, Scott Perkins, Robert M. Sweet, Isaiah W. Cox
  • Publication number: 20160140879
    Abstract: An anatomical simulation model comprises a first artificial bodily structure that simulates a corresponding first anatomical structure of a living body, one or more second artificial bodily structures that simulate a corresponding second anatomical structure of the living body, and one or more connectors to connect the first artificial bodily structure to the one or more second artificial bodily structures so that the first artificial bodily structure will move substantially in an anatomically accurate manner relative to the one or more second artificial bodily structures when an outside force is applied to the first artificial bodily structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: David Hananel, Jack B. Stubbs, Troy E. Reihsen, Jason Speich, Crist J. Ballas, Daniel M. Burke, Robert M. Sweet
  • Patent number: 9216819
    Abstract: A wheel design is provided for an aircraft landing gear wheel that is configured to maximize the space available within a landing gear wheel well to support a motor driver assembly that drives the aircraft wheel when the aircraft is on the ground. The wheel includes inboard and outboard support walls that are spaced apart a selected distance along the wheel axle so that the motor driver assembly components are substantially completely contained within the wheel space defined by the support walls. The preferred motor driver assembly includes an electric motor and a gear and clutch assembly operatively connected to the wheel to drive the wheel and move the aircraft on the ground. The wheel and motor driver assembly described herein may be retrofitted in an existing aircraft wheel without changing existing landing gear components, including tires, piston, and axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Borealis Technical Limited
    Inventors: Neal Gilleran, Robert M. Sweet, Jonathan Sidney Edelson, Rodney T. Cox, Isaiah Watas Cox
  • Patent number: 9085358
    Abstract: An integral motor and wheel assembly for aircraft landing gear is provided that includes an electric motor packaged within at least one gear wheel and configured to fit completely within the space provided in an existing aircraft for the landing gear components. The motor is positioned within the wheel to minimize the spin-up weight and to maximize the space within a given volume allocated for the motor. Installation of this motor and gear wheel assembly in an existing aircraft landing gear is designed to permit the continued use of existing landing gear components, including tires, axles, and pistons, so that the assembly can be easily retrofitted into existing aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Borealis Technical Limited
    Inventors: Neal Gilleran, Robert M. Sweet, Jonathan Sidney Edelson, Rodney T. Cox, Isaiah Watas Cox
  • Publication number: 20150086955
    Abstract: A system for assessing performance of a procedure comprises a tissue model or a tool comprising assessment indicators applied thereto, one or more image-capturing devices for capturing one or more assessment images of the assessment indicators while or after a user performs the medical procedure, and a processor configured to analyze the assessment indicators in the one or more assessment images and provide feedback to the user. A system can also comprise a tissue model, one or more image-capturing devices each configured to capture one or more images of the tissue model, and a processor configured to analyze the one or more images from the one or more image-capturing devices to determine a deformation of the tissue model and determine a force exerted on the tissue model based on the determined deformation of the tissue model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Lauren H. PONIATOWSKI, Robert M. SWEET, Troy E. REIHSEN, Vincent ROTTY, David HANANEL, Jack B. STUBBS, Astrini SIE, Michael WINEK, Timothy M. KOWALEWSKI
  • Publication number: 20150040679
    Abstract: A wheel testing system and method are provided that simulates realistically conditions likely to be encountered during operation of vehicle wheels, especially powered drive wheels and wheel-connected structures. The system may include an integral support frame designed to adjustably mount wheels or wheel-connected structures to be tested, a load motor drivingly connected to an inertial load, and an adjustable mounting sled configured to adjustably mount a test wheel or a wheel-connected structure with an hydraulic system actuatable to adjust the location of the test wheel relative to the inertial load to vary or fix the load on the test wheel desired. Speed of the test wheel can be varied or fixed by controlling the speed of the load motor. System measurement and data collection electronics measure a range of selected wheel parameters and gather data for transmission to a processor or non-transitory storage medium for processing and evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Jonathan Sidney Edelson, Scott Perkins, Robert M. Sweet, Isaiah W. Cox
  • Patent number: 8714481
    Abstract: A wheel design is provided for an aircraft landing gear wheel that is configured to maximize the space available within a landing gear wheel well to support a geared motor assembly that drives the aircraft wheel when the aircraft is on the ground. The wheel includes inboard and outboard support walls that are spaced apart a selected distance along the wheel axle so that the geared motor assembly components are substantially completely contained within the wheel space defined by the support walls. The preferred motor driver assembly includes an electric motor and a gear and clutch assembly operatively connected to the wheel to drive the wheel and move the aircraft on the ground. The wheel and motor driver assembly described herein may be retrofitted in an existing aircraft wheel without changing existing landing gear components, including tires, piston, and axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Borealis Technical Limited
    Inventors: Robert M. Sweet, Neal Gilleran, Jonathan Sidney Edelson, Isaiah Watas Cox, Rodney T. Cox
  • Publication number: 20130085736
    Abstract: A method of making a tissue model comprises determining one or more material properties of a tissue, wherein the one or more material properties include at least one of mechanical properties, electroconductive properties, optical properties, thermoconductive properties, chemical properties, and anisotropic properties, creating an anatomical structure of the tissue, selecting an artificial tissue material having one or more material properties that substantially correspond to the one or more material properties of the tissue, and coupling the artificial tissue material to the anatomical structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Troy E. Reihsen, Robert M. Sweet, Daniel M. Burke
  • Publication number: 20130062466
    Abstract: A compact in-wheel vehicle motor and gearing system designed to meet high power and torque requirements for driving a vehicle on the ground independently of other power sources is provided. The motor and gearing system includes a motor assembly with an outside rotor element mounted for rotation about an inside stator element and a gear assembly with a plurality of gear stages mounted inside the stator and drivingly connected to the motor assembly. The motor assembly and gear assembly are mounted interiorly of the wheel and completely within a space defined by the internal dimensions of the wheel. This motor and gearing system can be effectively installed in an existing aircraft wheel without changes to other components to produce a drive wheel with the torque and power required to move the aircraft independently on the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: BOREALIS TECHNICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert M. Sweet, Jonathan S. Edelson
  • Publication number: 20120001018
    Abstract: An integral motor and wheel assembly for aircraft landing gear is provided that includes an electric motor packaged within at least one gear wheel and configured to fit completely within the space provided in an existing aircraft for the landing gear components. The motor is positioned within the wheel to minimize the spin-up weight and to maximize the space within a given volume allocated for the motor. Installation of this motor and gear wheel assembly in an existing aircraft landing gear is designed to permit the continued use of existing landing gear components, including tires, axles, and pistons, so that the assembly can be easily retrofitted into existing aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: BOREALIS TECHNICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Neal Gilleran, Robert M. Sweet, Jonathan Sidney Edelson, Rodney T. Cox, Isaiah Watas Cox
  • Publication number: 20110297786
    Abstract: A wheel design is provided for an aircraft landing gear wheel that is configured to maximize the space available within a landing gear wheel well to support a geared motor assembly that drives the aircraft wheel when the aircraft is on the ground. The wheel includes inboard and outboard support walls that are spaced apart a selected distance along the wheel axle so that the geared motor assembly components are substantially completely contained within the wheel space defined by the support walls. The preferred motor driver assembly includes an electric motor and a gear and clutch assembly operatively connected to the wheel to drive the wheel and move the aircraft on the ground. The wheel and motor driver assembly described herein may be retrofitted in an existing aircraft wheel without changing existing landing gear components, including tires, piston, and axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: BOREALIS TECHNICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert M. Sweet, Neal Gilleran, Jonathan Sidney Edelson, Isaiah Watas Cox, Rodney T. Cox
  • Publication number: 20110284685
    Abstract: A wheel design is provided for an aircraft landing gear wheel that is configured to maximize the space available within a landing gear wheel well to support a motor driver assembly that drives the aircraft wheel when the aircraft is on the ground. The wheel includes inboard and outboard support walls that are spaced apart a selected distance along the wheel axle so that the motor driver assembly components are substantially completely contained within the wheel space defined by the support walls. The preferred motor driver assembly includes an electric motor and a gear and clutch assembly operatively connected to the wheel to drive the wheel and move the aircraft on the ground. The wheel and motor driver assembly described herein may be retrofitted in an existing aircraft wheel without changing existing landing gear components, including tires, piston, and axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: BOREALIS TECHNICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Neal Gilleran, Robert M. Sweet, Jonathan Sidney Edelson, Rodney T. Cox, Isaiah Watas Cox
  • Patent number: 4484643
    Abstract: A gas-liquid-solids separation system for use with a drilling device includes a surge tank for holding drilling efflux comprising gas, liquid and solids, and adapted for mounting on a drilling device in a position for having a drill shaft extending therethrough. A stuffing box attached to a back side of the surge tank means and configured for enabling passage of the drill shaft therethrough prevents the drilling efflux from escaping the surge tank. A flange attached to the front side of the surge tank and aligned with the stuffing box for allowing passage of the drill shaft therethrough provides a seal between the surge tank and a borehole casing to enable the drilling efflux to flow into the surge tank means. An agitator disposed within the surge tank maintains suspension of the solids within the liquid, and a gas cyclone in fluid communication with the surge tank withdraws gas from the surge tank and separates any entrained liquid therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Assignee: Methane Drainage Ventures
    Inventors: Anil Mahyera, Carel J. H. Brest Van Kempen, Robert M. Sweet, Amber C. Davidson
  • Patent number: 4480842
    Abstract: A self-aligning stuffing box for use with a drilling device having a rotatable drill shaft includes a packing gland having an opening therethrough sized for passage of the rotatable drill shaft and includes packing rings for forming a seal between the packing gland and the drill shaft. A generally spherical exterior surface on the packing gland is supported by an interior spherical surface of a socket in a ball-and-socket like manner to enable the packing gland, packing rings and the rotatable drill shaft to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the rotatable drill shaft together. A frame slidably supports the socket and enables the socket, packing gland and packing ring means and rotatable drill shaft to be laterally displaced, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drill shaft, as a single unit, in order to prevent damage to the packing rings by vibrational movement of the drill shaft during drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Inventors: Anil Mahyera, Robert M. Sweet, Carel J. H. Brest Van Kempen