Patents by Inventor Steven W. Arms

Steven W. Arms 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: 7786867
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a reader and a remotely powered and remotely interrogated sensor transponder. The sensor transponder includes a reader and a remotely powered and remotely interrogated sensor transponder. The sensor transponder includes a sensor and a radiation receiving device. Data from the sensor is conditioned to provide sensor data ratiometric with magnitude of excitation voltage provided by the radiation receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Hamel, Steven W. Arms, Christopher P. Townsend
  • Publication number: 20100194240
    Abstract: An energy harvesting system includes a composite structure that includes a base spring and a first piezoelectric element. The first piezoelectric element is mounted on the base spring. The base spring has a base spring thickness, a base spring length, and a base spring width. The base spring is for vibrating around an axis parallel to the base spring width. The base spring thickness varies from position to position along a direction parallel to the base spring length. The base spring thickness varies to provide the first piezoelectric element with constant strain when the base spring vibrates around the axis parallel to the base spring width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: David L. Churchill, Steven W. Arms
  • Patent number: 7764958
    Abstract: A network of wireless sensor nodes for wireless transmission to a base station is provided. The sensor nodes can provide real time streaming of data over separate frequency links that can all be received by the base station. The base station includes a receiver for receiving at multiple frequencies, error detection or correction, and analog outputs so sensor data can be provided to standard analysis systems that require analog signals as would be provided by wired sensors. The base station also provides an output indicating the presence of transmission error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P Townsend, Jacob H. Galbreath, Justin R. Bessette, Steven W. Arms
  • Publication number: 20100164711
    Abstract: A system comprises a sensing node that includes a sensor, a processor, an energy harvesting circuit, a time keeper, a first energy storage device, and a second energy storage device. The energy harvesting circuit is connected for recharging the first energy storage device. The processor is connected for receiving all its power derived from the energy harvesting circuit. The second energy storage device is connected for powering the time keeper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Steven W. Arms, Chris Pruyn Townsend, David Lawrence Churchill, Michael John Hamel
  • Publication number: 20100165593
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a hermetically sealed housing formed of conductive material. The hermetically sealed housing contains a circuit that includes a power supply and a power using element. The power supply has a power receiving element within the hermetically sealed housing for receiving electromagnetic radiation having a frequency low enough to penetrate through the conductive material. The power supply is connected to provide electrical energy derived from the electromagnetic radiation for powering the power using element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher P. Townsend, Steven W. Arms
  • Patent number: 7747415
    Abstract: A system includes a structure and a circuit. The circuit is mounted to the structure. The circuit includes a sensor, a non-volatile memory, and a voltage sensitive switch. The memory and the voltage sensitive switch are connected for recording an event sensed by said sensor. The recording only uses power derived from the sensor. One embodiment of the circuit includes a processor connected for receiving a signal derived from the sensor. In this embodiment the non-volatile memory is connected to the processor for receiving and storing data derived from the signal. In one embodiment a first energy storage device is connected to receive energy from the sensor. The voltage sensitive switch is connected for releasing energy from the first energy storage device when energy stored in the first energy storage device exceeds a threshold. The processor and the non-volatile memory are connected for receiving power from the released energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Churchill, Frederic P. Martin, Michael J. Hamel, Christopher P. Townsend, Steven W. Arms
  • Publication number: 20100141096
    Abstract: An energy harvesting system includes a composite structure that has a first spring, a piezoelectric structure, and a proof mass. The piezoelectric structure and the proof mass are mounted on the first spring. The composite structure has a natural frequency of vibration. The natural frequency of vibration of the composite structure is automatically adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: David L. Churchill, Steven W. Arms
  • Patent number: 7719416
    Abstract: A method of maintaining a structure includes providing a structure having a component subject to failure. A sensor, a memory and an energy harvesting device are mounted on the structure. The sensor is used and data derived from the sensor logged in the memory, wherein the memory is powered solely with energy derived from the energy harvesting device. The component is replaced if information in the memory shows that the component was subject to damaging usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Arms, Chris Pruyn Townsend, David Lawrence Churchill, Michael John Hamel
  • Patent number: 7698830
    Abstract: A system for measuring a living subject having a spine comprises a flexible strip, a first sensor, a processor, and a data storage device. The flexible strip, the first sensor, the processor, and the data storage device are located along the spine of the living subject. The first sensor, the processor and the data storage device are connected for collecting data related to bending of the flexible strip for determining a curvature of the spine of the living subject. The data from the first sensor is processed in the processor and stored in the storage device. One embodiment includes a transmitter for transmitting the data. Other embodiments include feedback and provide information about time duration in a posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Townsend, Steven W. Arms
  • Patent number: 7696621
    Abstract: An electronic packaging system includes an electronic device. The electronic packaging system also includes a flexible material located adjacent a plurality of sides of the electronic device. The electronic device is located in a cavity in the flexible material. The flexible material has a first height and a first width. The electronic device has a second height. The first height is greater than the second height and the first width is greater than the first height so the flexible material protects the electronic device from loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Arms, Michael J. Hamel
  • Patent number: 7692365
    Abstract: One aspect of the present patent application is an energy harvesting device comprising a composite structure including a base spring and a piezoelectric structure. The base spring has a base spring surface having elevated portions separated by a recessed portion. The piezoelectric structure substantially crosses the recessed portion. In one aspect the piezoelectric structure includes a piezoelectric element that is bonded to the elevated portions. In another aspect, the base spring has a base spring stiffness. The piezoelectric element has a piezoelectric element stiffness. The base spring stiffness is less than the piezoelectric element stiffness. In another aspect, the composite structure has a natural frequency of vibration, and this natural frequency of vibration of the composite structure is automatically adjustable. In another aspect, the piezoelectric elements are stacked. In another aspect, the piezoelectric structure is located in the recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Churchill, Steven W. Arms
  • Patent number: 7672781
    Abstract: A system includes a moveable body and a first device for mounting on the movable body. The first device includes an orientation sensor, an inertial position sensor, a first processor, a frequency agile RF transceiver, and a memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Churchill, Michael John Hamel, Chris Prvyn Townsend, Steven W. Arms
  • Publication number: 20100049075
    Abstract: An apparatus consistent with the present invention comprises a sensor for receiving a signal representing eye tremor and a processor for monitoring eye tremor while receiving the signal. A method consistent with the present invention includes receiving a signal representing eye tremor, comparing the received signal representing eye tremor to at least one reference value, and classifying a patient's brain stem function using the comparison of the received signal representing eye tremor to at least one reference value. An embodiment consistent with the present invention includes an ocular micro tremor (OMT) sensor and associated signal processing hardware and software for clinical analyses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Ciaran Bolger, Steven W. Arms, Christopher P. Townsend, Kurt R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7668667
    Abstract: An electronic system for testing a material includes at least one module for mechanically mounting on the material. The module includes a signal generator for generating a signal generator signal. The module also includes a stimulus signal delivering device (SSDD) and an SSDD circuit for providing a device signal derived from said signal generator signal to the material. The module also includes a sensor and a sensor circuit for receiving an interaction signal derived from interaction of the device signal with the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc.
    Inventors: John Chamberlain Robb, Steven W. Arms, Christopher P. Townsend, David L. Churchill, Michael J. Hamel
  • Patent number: 7646135
    Abstract: A module includes a first piezoelectric element and first electronic device. The first piezoelectric provides physical support for said first electronic device. One embodiment includes a first insulating layer. The first insulating layer is mounted on the first piezoelectric element. The first electronic device is mounted on the first insulating layer for providing an electronic support function to the first piezoelectric element. In one embodiment the first electronic device includes a rectifier. One embodiment includes multiple contacts to the piezoelectric element each with its own rectifier. Another embodiment includes a stack of piezoelectric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Churchill, Steven W. Arms, James Marc Leas
  • Publication number: 20090322557
    Abstract: An electronic system for testing a material includes at least one module for mechanically mounting on the material. The module includes a signal generator for generating a signal generator signal. The module also includes a stimulus signal delivering device (SSDD) and an SSDD circuit for providing a device signal derived from said signal generator signal to the material. The module also includes a sensor and a sensor circuit for receiving an interaction signal derived from interaction of the device signal with the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: John Chamberlain Robb, Steven W. Arms, Christopher P. Townsend, David L. Churchill, Michael J. Hamel
  • Publication number: 20090210173
    Abstract: A device includes a removable load element. The removable load element includes a pin portion and a housing portion. The pin portion extends from the housing portion. The pin portion includes a sensor. The housing portion includes an electronic circuit connected to the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Steven W. Arms, Christopher P. Townsend, David L. Churchill
  • Publication number: 20090112523
    Abstract: A data collection apparatus includes a network of sensing units for sensing a parameter. Each sensing unit of the network of sensing units includes a sensor, a first data storage device, a first receiving device, and a first transmitting device. The first data storage device is for storing data from the sensor. The first transmitting device is for transmitting data derived from the sensor. The apparatus also includes a single control unit. The single control unit includes a second receiving device, a second transmitting device, and a second data storage device. The second receiving device is for receiving data transmitted from the network of sensing units. The second data storage device is for storing the data received from the network of sensing units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher P. Townsend, Steven W. Arms
  • Publication number: 20090059206
    Abstract: A system includes a measuring tool, a fixture, and a rotatable target. The measuring tool includes a light source, an imaging device, and an electronic circuit. The fixture allows the rotatable target to rotate about an axis. The rotatable target includes a surface having microscopic asperities. The imaging device is mounted to provide a sequence of images derived from said microscopic asperities. The electronic circuit is connected to the imaging device for measuring rotation of the rotatable target from the sequence of images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: David L. Churchill, Steven W. Arms
  • Patent number: 7478108
    Abstract: A data collection apparatus includes a sensing unit for attaching to a structure or live subject for sensing a parameter of the structure or live subject. The sensing unit includes a sensor, a data storage device, and a transmitting device. The data storage device is for storing data from the sensor. The apparatus also includes a control unit that is separable from the sensing unit. The control unit includes a data receiving device and a second data storage device different from said first storage device. The data receiving device is to receive data transmitted from the data sensing unit. The second data storage device is for storing the data received from the sensing unit. The apparatus also includes a triggering device for modifying the storing of data being stored to the first data storage device or for initiating transmission of data from the sensing unit to the control unit. The triggering device is controlled by a real time change in information about the structure or live subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Micro Strain, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Townsend, Steven W Arms