Benjamin J Peters

US Patent:

20120279812, Nov 8, 2012

Filed:

May 7, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/465990

Inventors:

Benjamin Peters - Cambridge MA, US
Eric Marion - Cambridge MA, US

International Classification:

F16D 59/00
G05B 15/02
F16D 63/00

US Classification:

188 67, 700275

Abstract:

In exemplary implementations of this invention, a pin based mechanism creates physical three dimensional contoured surfaces from a CAD input. When the digital design is downloaded into the device a pin array is collectively actuated to the desired geometry. An optional rubber interpolation layer is held onto the tops of steel pins to prevent undesired dimpling of the surface caused by the discrete nature of the pin array. A single mechanically actuated plate moves all of the pins in the pin array. The device works by pulling all of the closely packed steel pins simultaneously in one direction via a moving plate. As the pins move, they are individually braked and held in position by a phase-changing brake array, integrated with input circuitry. When the plate reaches the end of its stroke, all pins are in the proper configuration.

US Patent:

20170234414, Aug 17, 2017

Filed:

May 1, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/582777

Inventors:

- Cambridge MA, US
Benjamin Peters - Somerville MA, US

International Classification:

F16H 25/12

Abstract:

In exemplary implementations, a target rod is actuated. The target rod is part of a set of threaded, elongated rods, the longitudinal axes of which are substantially parallel to each other. The set of rods has an interior region and a perimeter region. Actuators induce vibrations in a set of perimeter rods. These vibrations are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes. Furthermore, the vibrations are transmitted to interior rods, causing a target rod in the interior region to rotate about, and translate along, the longitudinal axis of the target rod. The target rod undergoes stick-slip motion relative to adjacent rods.

US Patent:

20150068335, Mar 12, 2015

Filed:

Sep 12, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/484567

Inventors:

Benjamin Peters - Cambridge MA, US

Assignee:

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

F16H 25/12

US Classification:

74 8923

Abstract:

In exemplary implementations, a target rod is actuated. The target rod is part of a set of threaded, elongated rods, the longitudinal axes of which are substantially parallel to each other. The set of rods has an interior region and a perimeter region. Actuators induce vibrations in a set of perimeter rods. These vibrations are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes. Furthermore, the vibrations are transmitted to interior rods, causing a target rod in the interior region to rotate about, and translate along, the longitudinal axis of the target rod. The target rod undergoes stick-slip motion relative to adjacent rods.