Patents by Inventor Sridhar Kota

Sridhar Kota 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: 6045096
    Abstract: A variable camber airfoil has a leading portion and a trailing portion that is pivotally coupled to the trailing portion. A flexible skin substantially encloses the leading portion and the trailing portion and generally defines an airfoil profile. The skin is fixedly coupled to the trailing portion and is slidably coupled to the leading portion. Upon movement of the tail portion, the skin changes position with respect to the leading portion, and the internal structure of the wing changes the profile of the wing. The internal support structure of the wing supports a pivot bar that extends from the leading portion to the trailing portion. The pivot bar is pivotally connected to the support structure. One end of the pivot bar is coupled to the trailing portion, and the other end of the pivot bar is coupled to a movement linkage. The operator controls are ultimately coupled to the pivot bar. A plurality of support arms are coupled between the skin and the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventors: Aaron Rinn, Somphone Khamly, David Hornick, Matthew Obrigkeit, Sridhar Kota
  • Patent number: 5971328
    Abstract: Compliant mechanisms are arranged to enable airfoil and other structures to adapt their shapes to different flight conditions and thereby achieve optimum lift:drag ratios in plural flight conditions. The compliant mechanisms can be formed integrally whereby a compliant frame thereof, or the skin of the airfoil, undergo elastic or other deformation to produce the desired displacements in direct response to applied forces. In an airfoil context, shape changes can be effected by the leading and trailing edges of the entire airfoil system. In addition, the driver arrangements of the compliant mechanisms can be controlled individually to effect a desired surface contour throughout the length of the wing, illustratively a twist therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Sridhar Kota
  • Patent number: 5943750
    Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a machine tool assembly is easily reconfigurable to perform single or multiple machining processes on a workpiece so that this machine has exactly the functionality required to perform a given set of machining tasks. The invention allows rapid changes in the machine structure and rapid conversion of the machine by relocating its basic building blocks. The assembly secures a raw workpiece to a table and includes support units that carry at least one single-axis spindle unit. The spindle units are easily attached to one of the support units and are easily movable thereon to perform machining processes from various positions and orientations relative the workpiece. A cutting tool, or other machining tool, is secured to each spindle, which is computer controlled to rotate the tool and stroke it linearly along its axis of rotation. The support units are reconfigurable and can be easily relocated to different positions and orientations about the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Yoram Koren, Sridhar Kota
  • Patent number: 5435790
    Abstract: A plural output differential drive system provides plural outputs that are differentially related to each other. Three or more output shafts are driven from a single input shaft, each output shaft being differentially linked with the other output shafts. The entire differential drive arrangement is contained within a single housing. The output shafts of the plural output differential will transfer power in applications wherein equal distribution of torque is required at three or more outputs. The input shaft may be arranged to be coaxial with the output shafts, or may be at any other angle, including orthogonal thereto. Typical applications include powering three or more live axles on vehicles, providing rotary power for developing equal torques for simultaneously tightening multiple bolts, and generating equal forces on the gripper fingers of robotic hands. In addition, the outputs can be applied to leveling devices where three or more legs must apply equal pressures on a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Aeromover Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Sridhar Kota, Srinivas R. Bidare
  • Patent number: 5423726
    Abstract: A plural output differential drive system provides plural outputs that are differentially related to each other. Four or more output shafts are driven from a single input shaft, each output shaft being differentially linked with the other output shafts. The entire differential drive arrangement may be expanded to any number of outputs, and is contained within a single housing. The output shafts of the plural output differential will transfer power in applications wherein a predetermined distribution of torque is required at four or more outputs, irrespective of their speeds. All the outputs are coupled as a series of all epicyclic differentiating mechanisms, or a series of epicyclic and bevel differentiating mechanisms. N outputs are achieved by introducing multiple epicyclic gear mechanisms. The input shaft may be arranged to be coaxial with the output shafts, or may be at any other angle, including orthogonal thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Aeromover Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Sridhar Kota, Srinivas R. Bidare
  • Patent number: 5107719
    Abstract: A closed loop multi-link robotic apparatus is actuated to produce two-dimensional motion with respect to a base member. The base member is coupled to an actuator which, in a practical embodiment of the invention, moves the base member along a part which is rectilinearly orthogonal with the respect to the two-dimensional motion. A correlator, which may be an electronic system, controls the actuator to produce a predetermined composite three-dimensional motion which can be adapted to performed industrial automation tasks. Adjustability of the system is achieved by providing a mechanism for adjusting the length of one or more of the links. Additionally, other elements may be varied, such as an angular relationship between various ones of the rigid links or the angular relationship between an end-effector coupler and the multi-link system. In some embodiments, the changes in link length may be correlated to the position of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: The University of Michigan
    Inventor: Sridhar Kota