Denis M Chen

Title: Innovations by Denis M Chen in Reluctance Actuators

Introduction

Denis M Chen is an accomplished inventor based in San Jose, CA. He has made significant contributions to the field of reluctance actuators, particularly in methods for controlling force without the need for force sensors. His innovative approach has implications for various applications, including haptic feedback systems.

Latest Patents

Denis M Chen holds a patent titled "Methods to control force in reluctance actuators based on flux related parameters." This patent discloses reluctance actuators and methods for feedback control of their applied force. The embodiments of the reluctance actuators include an electromagnet positioned to deflect a metallic plate, providing a haptic output. The control of the force is achieved without force sensors through sensorless control by monitoring voltage and/or current during actuation. For a given intended force output, an electrical parameter value is read from a look-up table (LUT), which may store the present value of the inductance of the reluctance actuator. The feedback control can be quasi-static, updating the LUT after actuation based on monitored voltage/current, or real-time, comparing estimated electrical parameter values with those from the LUT.

Career Highlights

Denis M Chen is currently employed at Apple Inc., where he continues to innovate and develop new technologies. His work focuses on enhancing the functionality and efficiency of reluctance actuators, contributing to the advancement of haptic feedback systems.

Collaborations

Denis has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Darya Amin-Shahidi and Hari Vasudevan, who share his passion for innovation and technology development.

Conclusion

Denis M Chen's contributions to the field of reluctance actuators exemplify the spirit of innovation. His patent on controlling force in these actuators showcases his expertise and commitment to advancing technology.