公开(公告)号：US06983924B2

公开(公告)日：2006-01-10

申请号：US10258568

申请日：2001-04-25

申请人： Larry L. Howell ,  Scott Thomson ,  Jason Alan Briscoe ,  John J. Parise ,  Shae Lorenc ,  John B. Larsen ,  Curtis R. Huffmire ,  Nathan Burnside ,  Troy A. Gomm

发明人： Larry L. Howell ,  Scott Thomson ,  Jason Alan Briscoe ,  John J. Parise ,  Shae Lorenc ,  John B. Larsen ,  Curtis R. Huffmire ,  Nathan Burnside ,  Troy A. Gomm

IPC分类号： F16F1/34

CPC分类号： F16F3/023 ,  F16F1/027 ,  F16F1/324 ,  F16F3/026 ,  F16F15/073 ,  F16F2236/027 ,  Y10S251/902

摘要： An ortho-planar spring has a platform movably coupled to a base and being movable linearly with respect to the base along at least a portion of an axial direction perpendicular to both a base surface and a platform surface. A resilient and flexible connecting structure is connected to and between the base and platform. The connecting structure is bendable to develop (i) an axial force along the axial direction to bias the platform in a stable position with respect to the base, and (ii) non-axial forces which substantially sum to zero to preserve the orientation of the platform with respect to the base. Thus, the spring is very compact and does not have rotation between the deflecting ends. The spring may be associated with a valve opening, and a button for restricting flow through the valve opening, to bias the button at a position with respect to the valve opening.

摘要翻译： 正平面弹簧具有可移动地联接到基座的平台，并且可沿着垂直于基部表面和平台表面的轴向方向的至少一部分相对于基座线性移动。 弹性和柔性的连接结构连接到基座和平台之间。 连接结构是可弯曲的，以形成（i）沿轴向方向的轴向力，以将平台偏置在相对于基座的稳定位置，以及（ii）非轴向力，其基本上总和为零以保持 平台相对于基地。 因此，弹簧非常紧凑，并且在偏转端之间不具有旋转。 弹簧可以与阀开口相关联，以及用于限制流过阀开口的按钮，以将按钮偏置在相对于阀开口的位置。

公开(公告)号：US06734597B1

公开(公告)日：2004-05-11

申请号：US10312172

申请日：2002-12-18

申请人： Larry L. Howell ,  Scott Lyon

发明人： Larry L. Howell ,  Scott Lyon

IPC分类号： H02N1000

CPC分类号： H01H1/0036 ,  B81B3/0037 ,  B81B2201/031 ,  B81B2203/0109 ,  B81B2203/051 ,  F03G7/06 ,  H01H61/00 ,  H01H2061/006 ,  H02N10/00

摘要： A microactuator providing an output force and displacement in response to an increase in thermal energy is displosed. The microactuator may have a substantially straight expansion member with a first and a second end. The first end may be coupled to a base member, and the second end may be coupled to a shuttle. The expansion member is capable of elongating in a elongation direction. Elongation of the expansion member may urge the shuttle to translate in an output direction substantially different than the elongation direction. In certain embodiments, multiple expansion members are arrayed along one side of the shuttle to drive the shuttle against a surface. Alternatively, expansion members may be disposed on both sides of the shuttle to provide balanced output force. If desired, multiple microactuators may be linked together to multiply the output displacement and/or output force.

摘要翻译： 提供响应于热能增加的输出力和位移的微致动器被消除。 微致动器可以具有基本上直的膨胀构件，其具有第一和第二端。 第一端可以联接到基座构件，并且第二端可以联接到梭子。 膨胀构件能够在伸长方向上伸长。 膨胀构件的伸长可以促使梭在基本上不同于伸长方向的输出方向上平移。 在某些实施例中，多个膨胀构件沿梭子的一侧排列以驱动穿梭件抵靠表面。 或者，扩展构件可以设置在梭子的两侧以提供平衡的输出力。 如果需要，多个微致动器可以连接在一起以乘以输出位移和/或输出力。

公开(公告)号：US08573572B2

公开(公告)日：2013-11-05

申请号：US13251227

申请日：2011-10-01

申请人： Landen A. Bowen ,  Larry L. Howell ,  Spencer P. Magleby ,  Brian M. Olsen ,  Terri C. Bateman ,  Devin D. LeBaron ,  Avinesh Ojha

发明人： Landen A. Bowen ,  Larry L. Howell ,  Spencer P. Magleby ,  Brian M. Olsen ,  Terri C. Bateman ,  Devin D. LeBaron ,  Avinesh Ojha

IPC分类号： A63B21/00

CPC分类号： F16F3/023

摘要： A user-selectable force conversion apparatus includes a first and a second connecting member that are pivotally connected to each other between a sliding member and a fixed member. The apparatus also includes a leaf spring holder for removably retaining one or more leaf springs and loading the second connecting member with a substantially linear force response of the leaf springs. A user may change the combination of leaf springs and/or vary a length ratio for the first and second connecting members and thereby change the force response of the apparatus. Movement of the sliding member by the mechanical input may convert the substantially linear force response of the leaf springs to a user-selected force response for the mechanical input. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

摘要翻译： 用户可选择的力转换装置包括在滑动构件和固定构件之间彼此枢转地连接的第一和第二连接构件。 该装置还包括用于可拆卸地保持一个或多个板簧并且以第二连接构件以片簧的基本上线性的力响应加载的板簧保持器。 用户可以改变板簧的组合和/或改变第一和第二连接构件的长度比，从而改变装置的力响应。 通过机械输入的滑动构件的移动可将板簧的基本上线性的力响应转换为用于机械输入的用户选择的力响应。 还公开了相应的方法。

公开(公告)号：US20120295345A1

公开(公告)日：2012-11-22

申请号：US13475401

申请日：2012-05-18

申请人： Quentin T. Aten ,  Sandra H. Burnett ,  Brian D. Jensen ,  Larry L. Howell

发明人： Quentin T. Aten ,  Sandra H. Burnett ,  Brian D. Jensen ,  Larry L. Howell

IPC分类号： C12N5/071 ,  C12M1/00 ,  C12N5/07 ,  C12N5/04 ,  C12N1/14 ,  C12N1/16

CPC分类号： C12N15/89 ,  A01K2217/05 ,  C12M35/00

摘要： Systems, devices, and methods for protecting a biological material during delivery into a biological structure are provided. In one aspect, for example, a device for protecting and delivering a preselected biological material into a biological structure can include a lance operable to maintain a charge capable of associating a biological material thereto and at least one protective region formed on or in the lance, where the protective region protects the biological material during delivery into a biological structure.

摘要翻译： 提供了在递送到生物结构期间保护生物材料的系统，装置和方法。 在一个方面，例如，用于保护并将预选生物材料输送到生物结构中的装置可以包括可操作以保持能够将生物材料与其缔合的电荷与形成在喷枪上或其中的至少一个保护区域的喷枪， 其中保护区域在递送到生物结构期间保护生物材料。

公开(公告)号：US08210065B2

公开(公告)日：2012-07-03

申请号：US12172992

申请日：2008-07-14

申请人： Larry L. Howell ,  Brian Geoffrey Winder ,  Erik Kent Bassett ,  Allen Boyd Mackay ,  Spencer P. Magleby

发明人： Larry L. Howell ,  Brian Geoffrey Winder ,  Erik Kent Bassett ,  Allen Boyd Mackay ,  Spencer P. Magleby

IPC分类号： G05G1/00 ,  B21K21/16

CPC分类号： H01H13/84 ,  G05G1/02 ,  G05G1/087 ,  H01H2217/022 ,  H01H2221/068 ,  H01H2223/046 ,  H01H2231/022 ,  H01H2231/032 ,  Y10T29/49716 ,  Y10T74/20

摘要： Configuration-adjusting mechanisms include linkages interconnecting first and second layers of a sheet material. The linkages have hinges positioned and oriented to cause motion of at least a portion of the linkages out of a plane of the first and second layers when the mechanisms are actuated. An apparatus, system, and method include one or more of the mechanisms for changing a contour of a surface provided by a cover overlying the mechanisms. An array of mechanisms or mechanisms corresponding to an array of positions on the surface may be selectively actuated to change the contour or texture of the surface. The array of mechanisms for changing the contour can provide user interface buttons selectively actuated by the mechanisms, which cause the buttons to emerge from the surface. A reconfigurable contour may be provided by selectable sets of the buttons associated with respective functions of a control panel, for example.

摘要翻译： 配置调整机构包括连接片材的第一和第二层的连接。 当机构被致动时，连杆具有定位和定向的铰链，以使得连杆的至少一部分的运动离开第一和第二层的平面。 装置，系统和方法包括用于改变由覆盖在机构上的盖提供的表面的轮廓的一个或多个机构。 可以选择性地致动与表面上的位置阵列相对应的机构或机构的阵列，以改变表面的轮廓或纹理。 用于改变轮廓的机构阵列可以提供由机构选择性地启动的用户界面按钮，这些按钮使按钮从表面露出。 例如，可以通过与控制面板的相应功能相关联的可选择的按钮组来提供可重构轮廓。

公开(公告)号：US20120080830A1

公开(公告)日：2012-04-05

申请号：US13251227

申请日：2011-10-01

申请人： Landen A. Bowen ,  Larry L. Howell ,  Spencer P. Magleby ,  Brian M. Olsen ,  Terri C. Bateman ,  Devin D. LeBaron ,  Avinesh Ojha

发明人： Landen A. Bowen ,  Larry L. Howell ,  Spencer P. Magleby ,  Brian M. Olsen ,  Terri C. Bateman ,  Devin D. LeBaron ,  Avinesh Ojha

IPC分类号： F16F3/02

CPC分类号： F16F3/023

摘要： A user-selectable force conversion apparatus includes a first and a second connecting member that are pivotally connected to each other between a sliding member and a fixed member. The apparatus also includes a leaf spring holder for removably retaining one or more leaf springs and loading the second connecting member with a substantially linear force response of the leaf springs. A user may change the combination of leaf springs and/or vary a length ratio for the first and second connecting members and thereby change the force response of the apparatus. Movement of the sliding member by the mechanical input may convert the substantially linear force response of the leaf springs to a user-selected force response for the mechanical input. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

摘要翻译： 用户可选择的力转换装置包括在滑动构件和固定构件之间彼此枢转地连接的第一和第二连接构件。 该装置还包括用于可拆卸地保持一个或多个板簧并且以第二连接构件以片簧的基本上线性的力响应加载的板簧保持器。 用户可以改变板簧的组合和/或改变第一和第二连接构件的长度比，从而改变装置的力响应。 通过机械输入的滑动构件的移动可将板簧的基本上线性的力响应转换为用于机械输入的用户选择的力响应。 还公开了相应的方法。

公开(公告)号：US20100217326A1

公开(公告)日：2010-08-26

申请号：US12709248

申请日：2010-02-19

申请人： Anton E. Bowden ,  Larry L. Howell ,  Peter A. Halveson ,  Eric M. Stratton

发明人： Anton E. Bowden ,  Larry L. Howell ,  Peter A. Halveson ,  Eric M. Stratton

IPC分类号： A61F2/44

CPC分类号： A61B17/7011 ,  A61B17/7007 ,  A61B17/7026 ,  A61B2017/00004

摘要： A method of treating a degenerate spinal segment comprises obtaining a first spinal implant configured to apply a first torque to a degenerate spinal segment having an abnormal curvature and a second spinal implant configured to apply a second torque to said degenerate spinal segment. Each of said spinal implants includes; a plurality of contiguous segments in which said contiguous segments form an angle at a location in which two adjacent contiguous segments of the plurality of contiguous segments intersect; and at least one mounting connection configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment. Said first spinal implant and said second spinal implant are implanted to said degenerate spinal segment so that said first torque and said second torque act to reduce said abnormal curvature.

摘要翻译： 一种治疗退行性脊柱节段的方法包括获得构造成将第一扭矩应用于具有异常曲率的退化脊髓节段的第一脊柱植入物和被配置成将第二扭矩应用于所述退化脊柱节段的第二脊柱植入物。 每个所述脊柱植入物包括： 多个相邻段，其中所述连续段在所述多个相邻段的两个相邻连续段相交的位置处形成一角度; 以及构造成将所述脊柱植入物连接到安装机构的至少一个安装连接件，所述安装机构构造成将所述脊柱植入物附接到所述退化脊柱节段。 将所述第一脊柱植入物和所述第二脊柱植入物植入所述退化脊椎段，使得所述第一扭矩和所述第二扭矩用于减小所述异常弯曲。

公开(公告)号：US20100211106A1

公开(公告)日：2010-08-19

申请号：US12709240

申请日：2010-02-19

申请人： Anton E. Bowden ,  Larry L. Howell ,  Peter A. Halverson ,  Eric M. Stratton

发明人： Anton E. Bowden ,  Larry L. Howell ,  Peter A. Halverson ,  Eric M. Stratton

IPC分类号： A61B17/70 ,  A61B17/88

CPC分类号： A61B17/7011 ,  A61B17/7007 ,  A61B17/7026 ,  A61B2017/00004

摘要： A spinal implant comprises a plurality of contiguous segments, said plurality of contiguous segments configured to apply a torque to a degenerate spinal segment in any of three orthogonal axes. At least one mounting connection is configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment.

摘要翻译： 脊柱植入物包括多个连续段，所述多个连续段被构造成在三个正交轴中的任何一个轴上向简并脊柱段施加扭矩。 至少一个安装连接被配置成将所述脊柱植入物连接到安装机构，所述安装机构被配置成将所述脊柱植入物附接到所述退化脊柱节段。

公开(公告)号：US07554342B2

公开(公告)日：2009-06-30

申请号：US11875024

申请日：2007-10-19

申请人： Robert K. Messenger ,  Timothy W. McLain ,  Jeffrey K. Anderson ,  Larry L. Howell

发明人： Robert K. Messenger ,  Timothy W. McLain ,  Jeffrey K. Anderson ,  Larry L. Howell

IPC分类号： G01R27/08

CPC分类号： G01P15/0891 ,  G01D5/18 ,  G01P15/123 ,  G01P15/125 ,  G01P2015/0814 ,  G11C23/00 ,  H01H59/0009 ,  H01H2001/0042

摘要： A micromechanical device may include one or more piezoresistive elements whose electrical resistance changes in response to externally or internally induced strain. The present invention leverages the piezoresistive properties of such devices to sense the positional state of the device. A sensing circuit may be integrated into the device that senses an electrical resistance of at least a portion of the micromechanical device and provides information regarding the positional state of the micromechanical device. The micromechanical device may be a compliant device that includes relatively flexible members such as mechanical beams or ribbons. The positional states may be continuous positional states (such as the position of an actuator) or discreet positional states (such as the positional state of a bistable memory device). In certain embodiments, the micromechanical device is a threshold detector that latches to a particular stable configuration when an applied force exceeds a selected value.

摘要翻译： 微机械装置可以包括一个或多个压阻元件，其电阻响应于外部或内部诱发的应变而改变。 本发明利用这种装置的压阻特性来感测装置的位置状态。 感测电路可以集成到装置中，该装置感测微机械装置的至少一部分的电阻，并且提供关于微机械装置的位置状态的信息。 微机械装置可以是包括诸如机械梁或带的相对柔性的构件的柔性装置。 位置状态可以是连续的位置状态（例如致动器的位置）或离散的位置状态（例如双稳态存储器件的位置状态）。 在某些实施例中，微机械装置是阈值检测器，当所施加的力超过选定值时，阈值检测器锁定到特定的稳定配置。

公开(公告)号：US06757975B1

公开(公告)日：2004-07-06

申请号：US10057758

申请日：2002-01-24

申请人： Robert H. Todd ,  Larry L. Howell ,  Spencer P. Magleby ,  Aaron L. Herring

发明人： Robert H. Todd ,  Larry L. Howell ,  Spencer P. Magleby ,  Aaron L. Herring

IPC分类号： B21D5328

CPC分类号： B21D53/28 ,  F16D41/12 ,  F16D43/14 ,  F16D43/18 ,  Y10T29/49462 ,  Y10T29/49472 ,  Y10T29/4984

摘要： A compliant mechanism and method of manufacturing the same includes a plurality of layers formed from stamping a plurality of layers from a layer of thinner material and stacking the layers together. Compliant mechanisms can include clutches, switches, derailleurs, brakes and other mechanisms. The compliant mechanism includes rigid and flexible sections of integral construction. The rigid and flexible sections provide an integral device capable of achieving motion by elastic deformation. The flexible section is deflectable, and stores energy in the form of strain energy when deflected.

摘要翻译： 柔性机构及其制造方法包括通过从较薄材料层冲压多个层并将层叠在一起而形成的多个层。 合适的机构可以包括离合器，开关，拨链器，制动器和其他机构。 顺应机构包括一体化结构的刚性和柔性部分。 刚性和柔性部分提供能够通过弹性变形实现运动的整体装置。 柔性部分是可偏转的，并且当偏转时以能量的形式存储应变能量。