Gary J Fischer

US Patent:

7147205, Dec 12, 2006

Filed:

Jun 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/870755

Inventors:

Gary J. Fischer - Sandia Park NM, US
Barry L. Spletzer - Albuquerque NM, US

Assignee:

Sandia Corporation - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

F16K 31/02

US Classification:

25112911, 251331

Abstract:

A low energy high pressure screw valve having a valve body having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion of said valve body defining an inlet flow passage and an outlet flow passage traversing said valve body to a valve seat, said upper portion of said valve body defining a cavity at said valve seat, a diaphragm restricting flow between said upper portion of said valve body and said lower portion, said diaphragm capable of engaging said valve seat to restrict fluid communication between said inlet passage and said outlet passage, a plunger within said cavity supporting said diaphragm, said plunger being capable of engaging said diaphragm with said valve seat at said inlet and outlet fluid passages, said plunger being in point contact with a drive screw having threads engaged with opposing threads within said upper portion of said valve body such engagement allowing motion of said drive screw within said valve body.

US Patent:

7263955, Sep 4, 2007

Filed:

Aug 31, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/513728

Inventors:

Gary J. Fischer - Albuquerque NM, US

Assignee:

Sandra Corporation - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

F02B 71/00
F02B 71/04

US Classification:

123 46R, 123 46 SC

Abstract:

The present invention provides robotic vehicles having wheeled and hopping mobilities that are capable of traversing (e. g. by hopping over) obstacles that are large in size relative to the robot and, are capable of operation in unpredictable terrain over long range. The present invention further provides combustion powered linear actuators, which can include latching mechanisms to facilitate pressurized fueling of the actuators, as can be used to provide wheeled vehicles with a hopping mobility.

US Patent:

7775305, Aug 17, 2010

Filed:

Aug 31, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/513717

Inventors:

Gary J. Fischer - Albuquerque NM, US

Assignee:

Sandia Corporation - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

B62D 51/06

US Classification:

180 81, 180 82, 123 46 R, 123 46 SC

Abstract:

The present invention provides robotic vehicles having wheeled and hopping mobilities that are capable of traversing (e. g. by hopping over) obstacles that are large in size relative to the robot and, are capable of operation in unpredictable terrain over long range. The present invention further provides combustion powered linear actuators, which can include latching mechanisms to facilitate pressurized fueling of the actuators, as can be used to provide wheeled vehicles with a hopping mobility.

US Patent:

6308791, Oct 30, 2001

Filed:

May 6, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/306674

Inventors:

Barry L. Spletzer - Albuquerque NM
Gary J. Fischer - Albuquerque NM
John T. Feddema - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

Sandia Corporation - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

B62D 5702

US Classification:

180 81

Abstract:

The present invention provides a steerable vertical to horizontal energy transducer for mobile robots that less complex and requires less power than two degree of freedom tilt mechanisms. The present invention comprises an end effector that, when mounted with a hopping actuator, translates along axis (typically vertical) actuation into combined vertical and horizontal motion. The end effector, or foot, mounts with an end of the actuator that moves toward the support surface (typically a floor or the earth). The foot is shaped so that the first contact with the support surface is off the axis of the actuator. Off-axis contact with the support surface generates an on-axis force (typically resulting in vertical motion) and a moment orthogonal to the axis. The moment initiates a horizontal tumbling motion, and tilts the actuator so that its axis is oriented with a horizontal component and continued actuation generates both vertical and horizontal force.

US Patent:

62475460, Jun 19, 2001

Filed:

May 6, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/306673

Inventors:

Barry L. Spletzer - Albuquerque NM
Gary J. Fischer - Albuquerque NM
Lisa C. Marron - Albuquerque NM
Michael A. Martinez - Albuquerque NM
Michael A. Kuehl - Albuquerque NM
John T. Feddema - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

Sandia Corporation - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

B62D 5106

US Classification:

180 85

Abstract:

The present invention provides a hopping robot that includes a misfire tolerant linear actuator suitable for long trips, low energy steering and control, reliable low energy righting, miniature low energy fuel control. The present invention provides a robot with hopping mobility, capable of traversing obstacles significant in size relative to the robot and capable of operation on unpredictable terrain over long range. The present invention further provides a hopping robot with misfire-tolerant combustion actuation, and with combustion actuation suitable for use in oxygen-poor environments.

US Patent:

6286386, Sep 11, 2001

Filed:

May 6, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/306676

Inventors:

Barry L. Spletzer - Albuquerque NM
Gary J. Fischer - Albuquerque NM
Michael A. Martinez - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

Sandia Corporation - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

F16M 1100
B25J 500
B62D 5700

US Classification:

7449001

Abstract:

An apparatus that can return a payload to a known orientation after unknown motion, without requiring external power or complex mechanical systems. The apparatus comprises a faceted cage that causes the system to rest in a stable position and orientation after arbitrary motion. A gimbal is mounted with the faceted cage and holds the payload, allowing the payload to move relative to the stable faceted cage. The payload is thereby placed in a known orientation by the interaction of gravity with the geometry of the faceted cage, the mass of the system, and the motion of the payload and gimbal. No additional energy, control, or mechanical actuation is required. The apparatus is suitable for use in applications requiring positioning of a payload to a known orientation after arbitrary or uncontrolled motion, including remote sensing and mobile robot applications.

US Patent:

63280027, Dec 11, 2001

Filed:

May 6, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/307264

Inventors:

Barry L. Spletzer - Albuquerque NM
Gary J. Fischer - Albuquerque NM
Lisa C. Marron - Albuquerque NM
Michael A. Kuehl - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

Sandia Corporation - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

F02B 7100

US Classification:

123 46H

Abstract:

The present invention provides a combustion-powered actuator that is suitable for intermittent actuation, that is suitable for use with atmospheric pressure carburetion, and that requires little electrical energy input. The present invention uses energy from expansion of pressurized fuel to effectively purge a combustion chamber, and to achieve atmospheric pressure carburetion. Each purge-fill-power cycle can be independent, allowing the actuator to readily tolerate misfires. The present invention is suitable for use with linear and rotary operation combustion chambers, and is suitable for use in a wide variety of applications.

US Patent:

63282798, Dec 11, 2001

Filed:

Jan 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/495408

Inventors:

Douglas R. Adkins - Albuquerque NM
Barry L. Spletzer - Albuquerque NM
Chungnin C. Wong - Albuquerque NM
Gregory C. Frye-Mason - Cedar Crest NM
Gary J. Fischer - Albuquerque NM
Peter J. Hesketh - Atlanta GA

Assignee:

Sandia Corporation - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

F16K 3106

US Classification:

25112907

Abstract:

The present invention provides a miniature electrically operated valve that can stand off significant pressures, that can be inexpensively produced, and that can be made to operate without continuous electrical power. A valve according to the present invention comprises a housing and a beam mounted with the housing. A diaphragm mounted with the housing forms a sealed fluid volume. An electromagnetic energy source, such as an electromagnetic coil, mounts with the housing and when energized urges the beam in one direction. The beam can be urged in the opposing direction by passive means or by reversing the polarity of the electromagnetic energy source or by a second electromagnetic energy source. Two fluid ports mount with the housing. A first fluid port mounts so that, as the beam is urged in one direction or the opposite, the beam urges the diaphragm to move between engaging and substantially sealing the fluid port and disengaging and not substantially sealing the fluid port.