Patents by Inventor William T. Townsend

William T. Townsend 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).

  • Publication number: 20230404838
    Abstract: A system for facilitating delivery of physical therapy to a patient, the system comprising: a robot-assisted therapy device configured for engagement with a limb of the patient; a camera configured to obtain image data of the patient performing the physical therapy; and an AI-based movement detection system, wherein the AI-based movement detection system is configured to receive image data of the patient from the camera, analyze the image data of the patient and determine at least one from the group consisting of (i) identity of the patient, (ii) movement of the patient, and (iii) posture of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: William T. Townsend, Alexandros Lioulemes, Claude F. Valle, Craig G. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20220399842
    Abstract: A motor controller for controlling the operation of a three-phase permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, wherein the three-phase permanent magnet synchronous electric motor is characterized by three phases A, B, C, and further wherein the three-phase permanent magnet synchronous electric motor is driven by regulating three phase currents iA, iB and iC for the three phases A, B, C, respectively, the motor controller comprising: a three-phase power supply for supplying the three phase currents iA, iB and iC; a first sensor for sensing the phase current iA; a second sensor for sensing across the phase currents iB and iC; and a microcontroller for controlling the operation of the three-phase power supply so as to produce the three phase currents iA, iB and iC needed to operate the three-phase permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, wherein the microcontroller reads the outputs of the first sensor and the second sensor and adjusts operation of the three-phase power supply so as to produce phase currents
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Claude F. Valle, IV, Amy A. Blank, Brian Zenowich, Thomas Nadovich, Donald E. Drumm, Christopher Woodall, William T. Townsend
  • Patent number: 11290043
    Abstract: A motor controller for controlling the operation of a three-phase permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, wherein the three-phase permanent magnet synchronous electric motor is characterized by three phases A, B, C, and further wherein the three-phase permanent magnet synchronous electric motor is driven by regulating three phase currents iA, iB and iC for the three phases A, B, C, respectively, the motor controller comprising: a three-phase power supply for supplying the three phase currents iA, iB and iC a first sensor for sensing the phase current iA; a second sensor for sensing across the phase currents iB and iC; and a microcontroller for controlling the operation of the three-phase power supply so as to produce the three phase currents iA, iB and iC needed to operate the three-phase permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, wherein the microcontroller reads the outputs of the first sensor and the second sensor and adjusts operation of the three-phase power supply so as to produce phase currents
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Barrett Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Claude F. Valle, IV, Amy A. Blank, Brian Zenowich, Thomas Nadovich, Donald E. Drumm, Christopher Woodall, William T. Townsend
  • Patent number: 10925797
    Abstract: A robotic device for operation in association with an appendage of a user, wherein the appendage of the user has an endpoint, the robotic device including: a base; and a robotic arm attached to the base and having an endpoint, the robotic arm having at least two active degrees of freedom relative to the base and being configured so that when the base is appropriately positioned relative to a user, the reference frame of the robotic device is oriented generally similarly to the reference frame of the user and motions of the endpoint of the appendage of the user are mimicked by motions of the endpoint of the robotic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Barrett Technology, LLC
    Inventors: William T. Townsend, David Wilkinson, Alexander Jenko, Julian Leland, Arvind Ananthanarayanan, James Patton
  • Publication number: 20200298402
    Abstract: A robotic device for operation in association with an appendage of a user, wherein the appendage of the user has an endpoint, the robotic device comprising: a base; and a robotic arm attached to the base and having an end-point, the robotic arm having at least two active degrees of freedom relative to the base and being configured so that when the base is appropriately positioned relative to a user, the reference frame of the robotic device is oriented generally similarly to the reference frame of the user and motions of the endpoint of the appendage of the user are mimicked by motions of the endpoint of the robotic arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: William T. Townsend, David Wilkinson, Alexander Jenko, Julian Leland, Arvind Ananthanarayanan, James Patton, Claude Valle, Michael Morin, Donald Drumm, Amy Blank, Brian Zenowich, Michael Schiess
  • Publication number: 20200179212
    Abstract: A robotic device for operation in association with a body of a user, wherein the body of the user comprises a torso and a limb, the robotic device comprising: a base; an arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the arm being mounted to the base; an endpoint device having a first end and a second end, the first end of the endpoint device being mounted to the second end of the arm; and a grip configured to be gripped by a limb of a user, wherein the grip is mounted to the second end of the endpoint device, and further wherein the grip is adjustable relative to the endpoint device along a pitch axis, a yaw axis and a roll axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: David D. Wilkinson, Alvin Yen, Claude F. Valle, IV, Michael Schiess, William T. Townsend
  • Publication number: 20200153372
    Abstract: A motor controller for controlling the operation of a three-phase permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, wherein the three-phase permanent magnet synchronous electric motor is characterized by three phases A, B, C, and further wherein the three-phase permanent magnet synchronous electric motor is driven by regulating three phase currents iA, iB and iC for the three phases A, B, C, respectively, the motor controller comprising: a three-phase power supply for supplying the three phase currents iA, iB and IC a first sensor for sensing the phase current iA; a second sensor for sensing across the phase currents iB and iC; and a microcontroller for controlling the operation of the three-phase power supply so as to produce the three phase currents iA, iB and iC needed to operate the three-phase permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, wherein the microcontroller reads the outputs of the first sensor and the second sensor and adjusts operation of the three-phase power supply so as to produce phase currents
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Claude F. Valle, IV, Amy A. Blank, Brian Zenowich, Thomas Nadovich, Donald E. Drumm, Christopher Woodall, William T. Townsend
  • Publication number: 20190282425
    Abstract: A robotic device for operation in association with an appendage of a user, wherein the appendage of the user has an endpoint, the robotic device comprising: a base; and a robotic arm attached to the base and having an endpoint, the robotic arm having at least two active degrees of freedom relative to the base and being configured so that when the base is appropriately positioned relative to a user, the reference frame of the robotic device is oriented generally similarly to the reference frame of the user and motions of the endpoint of the appendage of the user are mimicked by motions of the endpoint of the robotic arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: William T. Townsend, David Wilkinson, Alexander Jenko, Julian Leland, Arvind Ananthanarayanan, James Patton
  • Patent number: 10130546
    Abstract: A robotic device for operation in association with an appendage of a user, wherein the appendage of the user has an endpoint, the robotic device including: a base; and a robotic arm attached to the base and having an endpoint, the robotic arm having at least two active degrees of freedom relative to the base and being configured so that when the base is appropriately positioned relative to a user, the reference frame of the robotic device is oriented generally similarly to the reference frame of the user and motions of the endpoint of the appendage of the user are mimicked by motions of the endpoint of the robotic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Barrett Technology, LLC
    Inventors: William T. Townsend, David Wilkinson, Alexander Jenko, Julian Leland, Arvind Ananthanarayanan, James Patton
  • Publication number: 20160367428
    Abstract: A robotic device for operation in association with an appendage of a user, wherein the appendage of the user has an endpoint, the robotic device including: a base; and a robotic arm attached to the base and having an endpoint, the robotic arm having at least two active degrees of freedom relative to the base and being configured so that when the base is appropriately positioned relative to a user, the reference frame of the robotic device is oriented generally similarly to the reference frame of the user and motions of the endpoint of the appendage of the user are mimicked by motions of the endpoint of the robotic arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: William T. Townsend, David Wilkinson, Alexander Jenko, Julian Leland, Arvind Ananthanarayanan, James Patton
  • Patent number: 9020644
    Abstract: An end effector controller that is gripped by an operator in one hand, including a pistol-grip housing configured to fit in the palm of an operator's hand when gripped and having mounted thereon a plurality of switching mechanisms with pivoting, dual-acting switch triggers each configured for independent actuation by multiple fingers of the hand when said controller is gripped, and a method for controlling a robotic end effector remotely using the operator hand-gripped controller, the method including switching between preset operating modes of the end effector using a single, control input element, easily actuated by a finger in the operator's gripping hand; and providing continuous fine adjustment between preset modes using a second, control input element also easily actuated by a finger on the operator's gripping hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Barrett Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Greeley, Daniel Fourie, Bryce Lee, Yevgeniy Kozlenko, David Wilkinson, William T. Townsend
  • Publication number: 20150050111
    Abstract: A mobile manipulation system comprising: a base; at least one mobility component mounted to said base for rendering said base mobile; a platform; at least one robotic manipulator arm mounted to said platform; and an elevator mechanism movably supporting said platform on said base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: William T. Townsend
  • Patent number: 8858374
    Abstract: A mechanism for pretensioning a cable, or like tension element, of a tension-element drive selectively engages the motor drives of the cable for pretensioning. The mechanism uses a sleeve on which a portion of the cable is wound, with another portion of the cable wound in an opposed direction on a drive shaft on the motor. A clutch connects the sleeve to the motor output shaft. An initiator mechanism selectively stops rotation of the sleeve and the cable portion wound on the sleeve while allowing the motor torque to act on the other end of the cable wound on the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Barrett Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Townsend
  • Publication number: 20120041595
    Abstract: A pistol-grip controller for the control of a robotic or virtual hand has multiple dual-action switching mechanisms positioned to simulate intuitively the motion of grasping and releasing an object. An externally-projecting switch trigger of each switching mechanism is hook-shaped to facilitate the operator donning and doffing the controller. These switches move in response to gripping and releasing movements of the associated fingers so as to close or open peripherals (fingers) of the end effector hand. A rocker switch allows an operator to toggle conveniently between commonly used modes of a virtual or robot hand, or the like. The mode toggling is complemented by a control to adjust between the commonly used modes of operation. To make the manipulation of the end effector more intuitive, the controller remaps the switching mechanisms to different functionalities on the end effector based on the mode of operation. The transition between switch to end effector mappings is hysteretic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel Greeley, Daniel Fourie, Bryce Lee, Yevgeniy Kozlenko, David Wilkinson, William T. Townsend
  • Publication number: 20120041599
    Abstract: This invention enables the affordability of an elaborate, high-performance teleoperator master controller while encouraging continual operator training by supporting a teleoperator system in which one centralized master controller controls multiple field slaves sequentially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: William T. Townsend, David Wilkinson, Brian Zenowich
  • Patent number: 8052857
    Abstract: A robotic device has a base and at least one finger having at least two links that are connected in series on rotary joints with at least two degrees of freedom. A brushless motor and an associated controller are located at each joint to produce a rotational movement of a link. Wires for electrical power and communication serially connect the controllers in a distributed control network. A network operating controller coordinates the operation of the network, including power distribution. At least one, but more typically two to five, wires interconnect all the controllers through one or more joints. Motor sensors and external world sensors monitor operating parameters of the robotic hand. The electrical signal output of the sensors can be input anywhere on the distributed control network. V-grooves on the robotic hand locate objects precisely and assist in gripping. The hand is sealed, immersible and has electrical connections through the rotary joints for anodizing in a single dunk without masking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Barrett Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Townsend
  • Patent number: 7893644
    Abstract: Featured is a controller for a motor that is ultra-compact, with a power density of at least about 20 watts per cubic cm (W/cm3). The controller utilizes a common ground for power circuitry, which energizes the windings of the motor, and the signal circuitry, which controls this energization responsive to signals from one or more sensors. Also, the ground is held at a stable potential without galvanic isolation. The circuits, their components and connectors are sized and located to minimize their inductance and heat is dissipated by conduction to the controller's exterior such as by a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material (e.g., potable epoxy). The controller uses a single current sensor for plural windings and preferably a single heat sensor within the controller. The body of the controller can also function as the sole plug connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Barrett Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Townsend, Adam Crowell, Gill Pratt, Traveler Hauptman
  • Publication number: 20090295317
    Abstract: Featured is a controller for a motor that is ultra-compact, with a power density of at least about 20 watts per cubic cm (W/cm3). The controller utilizes a common ground for power circuitry, which energizes the windings of the motor, and the signal circuitry, which controls this energization responsive to signals from one or more sensors. Also, the ground is held at a stable potential without galvanic isolation. The circuits, their components and connectors are sized and located to minimize their inductance and heat is dissipated by conduction to the controller's exterior such as by a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material (e.g., potable epoxy). The controller uses a single current sensor for plural windings and preferably a single heat sensor within the controller. The body of the controller can also function as the sole plug connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Barrett Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Townsend, Adam Crowell, Gill Pratt, Traveler Hauptman
  • Publication number: 20090289584
    Abstract: Featured is a controller for a motor that is ultra-compact, with a power density of at least about 20 watts per cubic cm (W/cm3). The controller utilizes a common ground for power circuitry, which energizes the windings of the motor, and the signal circuitry, which controls this energization responsive to signals from one or more sensors. Also, the ground is held at a stable potential without galvanic isolation. The circuits, their components and connectors are sized and located to minimize their inductance and heat is dissipated by conduction to the controller's exterior such as by a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material (e.g., potable epoxy). The controller uses a single current sensor for plural windings and preferably a single heat sensor within the controller. The body of the controller can also function as the sole plug connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: Barrett Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Townsend, Adam Crowell, Gill Pratt, Traveler Hauptman
  • Patent number: 7511443
    Abstract: Featured is a controller for a motor that is ultra-compact, with a power density of at least about 20 watts per cubic cm (W/cm3). The controller utilizes a common ground for power circuitry, which energizes the windings of the motor, and the signal circuitry, which controls this energization responsive to signals from one or more sensors. Also, the ground is held at a stable potential without galvanic isolation. The circuits, their components and connectors are sized and located to minimize their inductance and heat is dissipated by conduction to the controller's exterior such as by a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material (e.g., potable epoxy). The controller uses a single current sensor for plural windings and preferably a single heat sensor within the controller. The body of the controller can also function as the sole plug connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Barrett Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Townsend, Adam Crowell, Gill Pratt, Traveler Hauptman