Other

University of California

Raytheon Company

Brad E Paden

James F Antaki

Don B Olsen

Gill Brent Bearnson

James W Long

Paul E Allaire

Chen Chen

Kimberly L Turner

Jed C Ludlow

Pratap S Khanwilkar

Fiona M Gaston

Michael Baloh

Lars E Oystol

Rong Liu

Dave B Paden

Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods for measuring error associated with the rotation of bearings () used within a pointing device () on board a space-based platform. The apparatus includes inductive, or 'eddy current,' proximity sensors () adapted for measuring the positioning of bearing components. The apparatus also includes processing capabilities () for receiving data from the proximity sensors (), and producing compensation data. The compensation data is used in one of various techniques for correcting errors in the angular measurement or pointing of the device (). The techniques disclosed herein include conducting an initial calibration of the proximity sensors () and generating calibration data. Once in active use, sensor measurements are combined with calibration data to produce compensation data. Ongoing measurements may be used to update the calibration data as necessary.

System for measuring the effect of bearing errors in an active device

A frequency stability analysis and design method for frequency robust resonators, such as MEMS resonators, is presented. The frequency characteristics of a laterally vibrating resonator are analyzed. With the fabrication error on the sidewall of the structure being considered, the first and second order frequency sensitivities to the fabrication error are derived. A relationship between the proof mass area and perimeter, and the beam width, is developed for single material structures, which expresses that the proof mass perimeter times the beam width should equal six times the area of the proof mass. Design examples are given for the single material and multi-layer structures. The results and principles presented in the paper can be used to analyze and design other MEMS resonators.

Frequency sensitivity analysis and optimum design for MEMS resonator

An inventive blood pump in accordance with this invention includes a housing that has inlet and outlet ports for receiving and discharging blood. A rotor is positioned in the housing's interior for pumping blood between the housing's inlet and outlet ports, with the rotor being capable of motion in three translational and three rotational axes. An assembly for magnetically suspending and rotating the rotor in a contact-free manner with respect to the housing includes only one electromagnetic bearing that actively controls motion of the rotor with respect to one axis selected from the rotor's three translational and three rotational axes, an electromagnetic motor that actively drives motion of the rotor with respect to one of its three rotational axes, and magnetic bearings for passively controlling motion of the rotor with respect to the remaining four of its translational and rotational axes. The inventive blood pump can also be incorporated into an artificial heart.

Pump having a magnetically suspended rotor with one active control axis

Growing community of inventors

Santa Barbara, CA, United States of America

Brad E Paden