Patents by Inventor Steven Barrett

Steven Barrett 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: 12486025
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to electroaerodynamic (EAD) thrusters for use in thrust generation. An EAD thruster may include one or more ion sources, one or more ion collectors, and one or more airfoils. In some embodiments, the one or more of the one or more ion sources and/or ion collectors may be integrated into a surface of the one or more airfoils. The EAD thruster arrangement may also include multiple EAD stages in some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2025
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Steven Barrett, Haofeng Xu, Arthur Brown, Nicolas Gomez Vega, Nicholas Perovich
  • Patent number: 12404844
    Abstract: Electroaerodynamic devices and their methods of operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, ions are formed by dielectric barrier discharge using a time-varying voltage differential applied between a first electrode and a second electrode. The ions are then accelerated in a downstream direction using a second voltage differential applied between a third electrode and the first and/or second electrodes, where the third electrode is located downstream from the first and second electrodes. The ions may then collide with naturally charged molecules and/or atoms within a fluid to accelerate the fluid in the downstream to create an ionic wind and an associated thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2025
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Steven Barrett, Haofeng Xu, Arthur Brown, Nicolas Gomez Vega
  • Publication number: 20240392762
    Abstract: Electroaerodynamic devices and their methods of operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, ions are formed by dielectric barrier discharge using a time-varying voltage differential applied between a first electrode and a second electrode. The ions are then accelerated in a downstream direction using a second voltage differential applied between a third electrode and the first and/or second electrodes, where the third electrode is located downstream from the first and second electrodes. The ions may then collide with naturally charged molecules and/or atoms within a fluid to accelerate the fluid in the downstream to create an ionic wind and an associated thrust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Steven Barrett, Haofeng Xu, Arthur Brown, Nicolas Gomez Vega
  • Publication number: 20230322368
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to electroaerodynamic (EAD) thrusters for use in thrust generation. An EAD thruster may include one or more ion sources, one or more ion collectors, and one or more airfoils. In some embodiments, the one or more of the one or more ion sources and/or ion collectors may be integrated into a surface of the one or more airfoils. The EAD thruster arrangement may also include multiple EAD stages in some embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Steven Barrett, Haofeng Xu, Arthur Brown, Nicolas Gomez Vega, Nicolas Perovich
  • Patent number: 11725638
    Abstract: Electroaerodynamic devices and their methods of operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, ions are formed by dielectric barrier discharge using a time varying voltage differential applied between a first electrode and a second electrode. The ions are then accelerated in a downstream direction using a second voltage differential applied between a third electrode and the first and/or second electrodes, where the third electrode is located down stream from the first and second electrodes. The ions may then collide with naturally charged molecules and/or atoms within a fluid to accelerate the fluid in the downstream to create an ionic wind and an associated thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Steven Barrett, Haofeng Xu, Yiou He
  • Publication number: 20200386213
    Abstract: Electroaerodynamic devices and their methods of operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, ions are formed by dielectric barrier discharge using a time varying voltage differential applied between a first electrode and a second electrode. The ions are then accelerated in a downstream direction using a second voltage differential applied between a third electrode and the first and/or second electrodes, where the third electrode is located down stream from the first and second electrodes. The ions may then collide with naturally charged molecules and/or atoms within a fluid to accelerate the fluid in the downstream to create an ionic wind and an associated thrust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Steven Barrett, Haofeng Xu, Yiou He
  • Publication number: 20060229641
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for guiding and inserting a tool into an object, such as tissue. In an exemplary embodiment, a guidance and insertion device is provided that can be remotely controlled to adjust an insertion trajectory of a tool, and to advance the tool into tissue to a desired penetration depth. The tool can be, for example, a biopsy device, a brachytherapy device, or a lumpectomy device. The device can be configured for use with an imaging apparatus, such as computed tomography (CT) images, to allow the device and tool to be operated while viewing the device positioned in relation to a target surgical site. The device can also be configured to be positioned directly on a patient, so as to passively compensate for respiratory chest motion, and it can include features to passively compensate for needle oscillation. In other exemplary embodiments, the device can be entirely disposable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Rajiv Gupta, Steven Barrett, Nevan Hanumara, Jo-Anne Shepard, Alexander Slocum, Conor Walsh
  • Publication number: 20050279917
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing image primitives, such as edge polarity, edge magnitude, edge orientation, and edge displacement, and derivatives thereof, for an object are described. The data are obtained substantially simultaneously and processed in parallel such that multiple objects can be distinguished from one another in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Steven Barrett, Michael Wilcox, Donald Thelen, David Cox
  • Patent number: 5943628
    Abstract: A radiotelephone proximity detector including a first proximity unit having a receiver and a second proximity unit having a transmitter, wherein the units can be coupled together and the coupling can be detected. One of the units is associated with a radiotelephone and the other with a user. When the units are coupled, they are responsive to the detection of their uncoupling, whereupon the transmitter of the second proximity unit transmits a proximity signal to the receiver of the first unit. The first proximity unit estimates the proximity of the radiotelephone and the user on the basis of the received proximity signal. Thus the two units operate together such that, when coupled, at least one of the units enters a standby mode, and when uncoupled, at least one of the units sends a proximity signal to the other unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Limited
    Inventors: Steven Barrett, Jouko Haavisto, Mika Isotalo