Patents by Inventor William Lukens

William Lukens 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: 10848864
    Abstract: A liquid-resistant module can be formed as a laminated construct having a housing, a cap, and a port membrane to inhibit liquid from passing across the membrane. The housing defines an internal duct extending from an inlet port to an outlet region. The cap defines an acoustic port and extends across the outlet region of the housing. The port membrane is attached to the cap and extends across the acoustic passage. The port membrane inhibits passage of liquid water through the membrane at differential pressures across the membrane less than a threshold pressure differential, and yet is gas permeable. The module can provide a liquid-resistant seal with an enclosure of an electronic device, and an enclosed microphone transducer or an enclosed loudspeaker transducer can be attached to the cap such that a port opening to or from the transducer is aligned with the acoustic port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse A. Lippert, Nikolas T. Vitt, Shannon X. Yang, William Lukens, Trevor J. Ness
  • Publication number: 20200084539
    Abstract: A liquid-resistant module can be formed as a laminated construct having a housing, a cap, and a port membrane to inhibit liquid from passing across the membrane. The housing defines an internal duct extending from an inlet port to an outlet region. The cap defines an acoustic port and extends across the outlet region of the housing. The port membrane is attached to the cap and extends across the acoustic passage. The port membrane inhibits passage of liquid water through the membrane at differential pressures across the membrane less than a threshold pressure differential, and yet is gas permeable. The module can provide a liquid-resistant seal with an enclosure of an electronic device, and an enclosed microphone transducer or an enclosed loudspeaker transducer can be attached to the cap such that a port opening to or from the transducer is aligned with the acoustic port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Jesse A. Lippert, Nikoles T. Vitt, Shannon X. Yang, William Lukens, Trevor J. Nees
  • Publication number: 20060254488
    Abstract: A personal watercraft is disclosed comprising a pair of longitudinally connected pontoons suitable for supporting a user on the surface of a body of water. A slip-joint comprising a pair of concentric cylinders, one attached to each pontoon, provides desired lateral fixation between the pontoons while allowing relative longitudinal movement. Floating outriggers are provided to enhance the stability of the watercraft, and a set of hand rails helps the user balance on and operate the device. Paddle elements can be provided on the bottom surface of each pontoon to allow the user to operate the watercraft by using a striding motion similar to that used when cross-country skiing. The watercraft may have a rudder to help steer the craft, and it may also have a removable seat. A sail option is also provided. The pieces of the watercraft are removably connected to allow quick and easy assembly and disassembly, for transport to and from the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventor: William Lukens