Thomas E Low

US Patent:

8593016, Nov 26, 2013

Filed:

Dec 3, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/960424

Inventors:

Ronald E. Pelrine - Longmont CO, US
Gregory K. Myers - San Francisco CA, US
Annjoe Wong-Foy - Pacifica CA, US
James A. Herson - Redwood City CA, US
Thomas P. Low - Belmont CA, US

Assignee:

SRI International - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

H02K 41/02
H02P 8/00

US Classification:

310 1205, 318696, 310 1221

Abstract:

A system has a circuit substrate having conductive traces in a first layer of the substrate, the traces arranged in independent zones, a diamagnetic layer residing on a surface of the circuit substrate, at least two manipulators residing adjacent the magnetic layer, the manipulators being moveable within the zones, the manipulators being magnetic and controllable through magnetic fields, and a controller electrically coupled to the traces arranged to produce signals to generate magnetic fields.

US Patent:

20120139469, Jun 7, 2012

Filed:

Oct 10, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/270151

Inventors:

Ronald E. Pelrine - Longmont CO, US
Gregory K. Myers - San Francisco CA, US
Annjoe Wong-Foy - Pacifica CA, US
James A. Herson - Redwood City CA, US
Thomas P. Low - Belmont CA, US

Assignee:

SRI International - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

H02P 8/22
H02K 41/03

US Classification:

318696, 310 1205, 310 1221

Abstract:

A method of propelling a magnetic manipulator above a circuit substrate includes arranging a magnetic manipulator on a diamagnetic layer on a surface of the circuit substrate, generating drive signals using a controller, and applying the drive signals to at least two conductive traces arranged in the circuit substrate below the diamagnetic layer. A circuit substrate to control movement of a magnetic manipulator has a diamagnetic layer on a surface of the substrate, and conductive traces arranged under the diamagnetic layer, the conductive traces arranged in a parallel line pattern in at least two separate layers.

US Patent:

20130294875, Nov 7, 2013

Filed:

May 2, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/886052

Inventors:

Ronald E. Pelrine - Longmont CO, US
Brian K. McCoy - Sunnyvale CA, US
Thomas P. Low - Belmont CA, US

Assignee:

SRI International - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

H02N 13/00
B25J 15/00
B65G 17/46

US Classification:

414730, 198691, 414800, 361234

Abstract:

An electroadhesive gripping platform includes one or more electrodes. A power supply is configured to apply voltage to the one or more electrodes in the electroadhesive platform via one or more terminals. A controller is configured to operate the electroadhesive gripping platform to selectively adhere to items loaded thereon and thereby enhance traction control over such items. The controller can control the power supply to apply a voltage to the one or more electrodes in the electroadhesive platform to thereby cause the electroadhesive platform to adhere to an item disposed on the electroadhesive platform such that the item resists moving with respect to the electroadhesive platform. The controller can also control the voltage supply to reduce the voltage applied to the one or more terminals such that the item moves with respect to the electroadhesive platform.