Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Rolfer

Thomas J. Rolfer 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: 10205082
    Abstract: A bendable apparatus is provided. The flexible material has a first-surface spanned by a first direction and a second direction. The bendable apparatus also includes a first-constraining surface one of: formed in the first-surface of the flexible material; or attached to the first-surface of the flexible material; and a piezo-electric element including a first-edge surface and a second-edge surface opposing the first-edge surface. The piezo-electric element is fixedly attached on the first-surface of the flexible material, so that: the first-edge surface and the second-edge surface are at least approximately perpendicular to the first-surface of the flexible material, and the first-constraining surface is adjacent to the first-edge surface of the piezo-electric element. When a voltage is applied to the piezo-electric element, the piezo-electric element expands in length, the first-edge surface of the piezo-electric element applies a force on the first-constraining surface, and the flexible material bends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Rolfer, Patrick Andrew Dorin, Owen D. Grossman
  • Publication number: 20170309809
    Abstract: A bendable apparatus is provided. The flexible material has a first-surface spanned by a first direction and a second direction. The bendable apparatus also includes a first-constraining surface one of: formed in the first-surface of the flexible material; or attached to the first-surface of the flexible material; and a piezo-electric element including a first-edge surface and a second-edge surface opposing the first-edge surface. The piezo-electric element is fixedly attached on the first-surface of the flexible material, so that: the first-edge surface and the second-edge surface are at least approximately perpendicular to the first-surface of the flexible material, and the first-constraining surface is adjacent to the first-edge surface of the piezo-electric element. When a voltage is applied to the piezo-electric element, the piezo-electric element expands in length, the first-edge surface of the piezo-electric element applies a force on the first-constraining surface, and the flexible material bends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas J. Rolfer, Patrick Andrew Dorin, Owen D. Grossman
  • Patent number: 9648745
    Abstract: Systems and method for mounting the printed wiring assembly to the header assembly of a pressure sensor are provided. In at least one embodiment, the pressure sensor comprises: a header assembly; a printed wiring assembly having a pressure sensor mounted thereon; and, at least one substantially cylindrical member that mechanically couples the printed wiring assembly to the header assembly. The substantially cylindrical member has a substantially hollow core, a substantially circular first end attached to the header assembly, a substantially circular second end opposite the substantially circular first end, and at least one side extending from the substantially circular first end to the substantially circular second end of the cylindrical member. Furthermore, the substantially circular second end or the at least one side or both are attached to the printed wiring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory C. Brown, Thomas J. Rolfer, Peter J. Dukich
  • Publication number: 20160120035
    Abstract: Systems and method for mounting the printed wiring assembly to the header assembly of a pressure sensor are provided. In at least one embodiment, the pressure sensor comprises: a header assembly; a printed wiring assembly having a pressure sensor mounted thereon; and, at least one substantially cylindrical member that mechanically couples the printed wiring assembly to the header assembly. The substantially cylindrical member has a substantially hollow core, a substantially circular first end attached to the header assembly, a substantially circular second end opposite the substantially circular first end, and at least one side extending from the substantially circular first end to the substantially circular second end of the cylindrical member. Furthermore, the substantially circular second end or the at least one side or both are attached to the printed wiring assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Gregory C. Brown, Thomas J. Rolfer, Peter J. Dukich
  • Patent number: 5579110
    Abstract: An elongated inertial measurement unit having a plurality of gyros, none of which is aligned with the cardinal longitudinal axis of the elongated housing. At least one gyro has its input sensing axis aligned at an angle between 35 and 55 degrees, preferably at 45 degrees, relative to the cardinal longitudinal axis. This results in effective dithering by each of the enclosed gyros. All of the gyros are situated such that the centers of their masses or configurations are aligned with or approximately located in a row along the longitudinal axis of the elongated housing. The housing may be of various cross-sectional shapes, but the preferred shape of such housing is a right circular cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Alan B. Touchberry, Thomas J. Rolfer