Patents by Inventor Steven L. Hunter
Steven L. Hunter 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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Patent number: 11820649Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for detecting movement of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The system uses a drive voltage signal source for generating a low frequency drive voltage signal for driving the MEMS device. An excitation signal source may be used for generating an excitation signal which is also applied to the MEMS device. The excitation signal has a frequency which is above a physical response capability of the MEMS device, such that operation of the MEMS device is not significantly affected by the excitation signal. A sensing impedance is used to help generate a signal which is responsive to the capacitance of the MEMS device. The capacitance of the MEMS device changes in response to movement of the MEMS device. An output subsystem is provided which responds to changes sensed by the sensing impedance, and which produces an output voltage signal. A filter filters the output voltage signal to produce a filtered output voltage signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Robert Matthew Panas, Princess Corral, Steven L. Hunter, Phillip Harris Paul
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Publication number: 20210206626Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for detecting movement of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The system uses a drive voltage signal source for generating a low frequency drive voltage signal for driving the MEMS device. An excitation signal source may be used for generating an excitation signal which is also applied to the MEMS device. The excitation signal has a frequency which is above a physical response capability of the MEMS device, such that operation of the MEMS device is not significantly affected by the excitation signal. A sensing impedance is used to help generate a signal which is responsive to the capacitance of the MEMS device. The capacitance of the MEMS device changes in response to movement of the MEMS device. An output subsystem is provided which responds to changes sensed by the sensing impedance, and which produces an output voltage signal. A filter filters the output voltage signal to produce a filtered output voltage signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Robert Matthew PANAS, Princess CORRAL, Steven L. HUNTER, Phillip Harris PAUL
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Patent number: 10696571Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a capacitive deionization system which makes use of a controller, a first capacitor acting as a first electrode, a second capacitor acting as a second electrode, and a first inductor for storing energy received from the first capacitor, and transferring the stored energy to the second capacitor. A first plurality of electronic switches are controlled by the controller to control communication between the first inductor and the first capacitor, and between the first inductor and the second capacitor. An additional energy transfer subsystem is included which has a second inductor for receiving energy from the first capacitor while the first inductor is transferring stored energy to the second capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2016Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Michael Stadermann, Steven L. Hunter
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Publication number: 20190352174Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting movement of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The system may include a drive voltage signal source for generating a drive voltage signal for driving the MEMS device. A modulation voltage signal source generates a modulation signal having a frequency above a physical response capability of the MEMS device. A capacitor voltage divider network may be included having a first capacitor, coupled in series with the modulation voltage signal source, and a capacitance of the MEMS device representing a second capacitor which changes in response to movement of the MEMS device. An output component may be coupled in parallel with the second capacitor and produces an output voltage signal. A filter removes the drive voltage signal from the output voltage signal. The output voltage signal is indicative of a position of the MEMS device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2018Publication date: November 21, 2019Inventors: Steven L. HUNTER, Robert M. Panas
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Patent number: 10427958Abstract: An energy transfer system is disclosed which has a controller, a first capacitor acting as a first electrode, a second capacitor acting as a second electrode, a first inductor for storing energy received from the first capacitor, and transferring the stored energy to the second capacitor, and a first plurality of electronic switches. The first plurality of electronic switches may be controlled by the controller to control a transfer of energy from the first capacitor to the first inductor, and from the first inductor to the first capacitor. An additional energy transfer subsystem may be included which has a second inductor for receiving energy from the first capacitor while the first inductor is transferring the stored energy to the second capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Steven L. Hunter, Michael Stadermann
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Publication number: 20180134588Abstract: An energy transfer system is disclosed which has a controller, a first capacitor acting as a first electrode, a second capacitor acting as a second electrode, a first inductor for storing energy received from the first capacitor, and transferring the stored energy to the second capacitor, and a first plurality of electronic switches. The first plurality of electronic switches may be controlled by the controller to control a transfer of energy from the first capacitor to the first inductor, and from the first inductor to the first capacitor. An additional energy transfer subsystem may be included which has a second inductor for receiving energy from the first capacitor while the first inductor is transferring the stored energy to the second capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2016Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventors: Steven L. HUNTER, Michael STADERMANN
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Publication number: 20180111854Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a capacitive deionization system which makes use of a controller, a first capacitor acting as a first electrode, a second capacitor acting as a second electrode, and a first inductor for storing energy received from the first capacitor, and transferring the stored energy to the second capacitor. A first plurality of electronic switches are controlled by the controller to control communication between the first inductor and the first capacitor, and between the first inductor and the second capacitor. An additional energy transfer subsystem is included which has a second inductor for receiving energy from the first capacitor while the first inductor is transferring stored energy to the second capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2016Publication date: April 26, 2018Inventors: Michael STADERMANN, Steven L. HUNTER
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Patent number: 6382025Abstract: A rate sensor for angular/rotational acceleration includes a housing defining a fluid cavity essentially completely filled with an electrolyte fluid. Within the housing, such as a toroid, ions in the fluid are swept during movement from an excitation electrode toward one of two output electrodes to provide a signal for directional rotation. One or more ground electrodes within the housing serve to neutralize ions, thus preventing any effect at the other output electrode.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1999Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventor: Steven L. Hunter
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Patent number: 6370784Abstract: A tiltmeter device having a pair of orthogonally disposed tilt sensors that are levelable within an inner housing containing the sensors. An outer housing can be rotated to level at least one of the sensor pair while the inner housing can be rotated to level the other sensor of the pair. The sensors are typically rotated up to about plus or minus 100 degrees. The device is effective for measuring tilts in a wide range of angles of inclination of wells and can be employed to level a platform containing a third sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1999Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Steven L. Hunter, Carl O. Boro, Alvis Farris
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Patent number: 6349477Abstract: An inclinometer utilizing synchronous demodulation for high resolution and electronic offset adjustment provides a wide dynamic range without any moving components. A device encompassing a tiltmeter and accompanying electronic circuitry provides quasi-leveled tilt sensors that detect highly resolved tilt change without signal saturation.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1999Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventor: Steven L. Hunter
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Patent number: 4802484Abstract: Responses of a human subject may be by voice, hand or foot movement, or bodily secretions, as examples. A hiatus of such responses may be termed a lapse in the continuity of the response, including a hesitation pause in the voice, hesitation in the movement of writing, a movement of hand or foot on a monitored control of a motor vehicle or vehicle simulator, or pulsatile bodily secretions on a monitored control of an implantable insulin pump. In a voice response, the hesitation pause may be more than about one second in the voice of a subject during a dialogue or monologue. The hiatus rate of such responses is indicated by the present apparatus, as in the average hiatus duration for two or more hiatus rates. The dominant hiatus rate is also determined and indicated. A microprocessor is utilized in such determination.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1987Date of Patent: February 7, 1989Assignee: Ernest H. FriedmanInventors: Ernest H. Friedman, Gary G. Sanders, Steven L. Hunter
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Patent number: 4543957Abstract: Responses of a human subject may be by voice, hand or foot movement, or bodily secretions, as examples. A hiatus of such responses may be termed a lapse in the continuity of the response, including a hesitation pause in the voice, a movement of hand or foot on a monitored control of a motor vehicle or vehicle simulator, or pulsatile bodily secretions on a monitored control of an implantable insulin pump. In a voice response, the hesitation pause may be more than about one second in the voice of a subject during a dialogue or monologue. The hiatus rate of such responses is indicated by the present apparatus, as is the average hiatus duration for two or more hiatus rates. The dominant hiatus rate is also determined and indicated. A microprocessor is utilized in such determination. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1983Date of Patent: October 1, 1985Assignee: Ernest H. FriedmanInventors: Ernest H. Friedman, Gary G. Sanders, Steven L. Hunter