University of Utah Research Foundation

Sarcos Lc

Sarcos Group

Michael G Mladejovsky

Stephen C Jacobsen

John E Wood

Tomasz J Petelenz

Barry Keith Hanover

Eric M Simon

Clark C Davis

Brian J Maclean

Roland F Wyatt

Mark R Whitaker

A rotary displacement measuring apparatus includes an axle whose rotary displacement is to be determined, with the axle being mounted to rotate about its long axis. An emitter disk is mounted on the axle to define a plurality of concentric tracks circumscribing the axle to rotate as the axle rotates, with each of the tracks being segmented to define a plurality of spaced-apart, conductive sections for producing electric fields when energized. Also included is a voltage source for energizing the conductive sections. A detector is disposed adjacent to the tracks of the emitter disk and includes a plurality of sensors, each positioned adjacent a respective track to detect the electric fields of the respective track as the axle and tracks are rotated. The detector produces signals representing the detection of the electric fields as the emitter disk is rotated, and these signals provide an indication of the rotary displacement of the tracks and thus of the axle.

Rotary displacement system using differential measuring

A method and apparatus for measuring displacement of one location of a structure, relative to another, spaced apart location. The apparatus includes a first array of conductive elements disposed on the structure and attached at said one location; a second array of conductive elements disposed on the structure adjacent the first array and attached at said other, spaced-apart location such that displacement of said one location with respect to said other, spaced-apart location can be measured by measuring the first array position with respect to the second array position; a source for supplying an electric current to the first and the second array of conductive elements to develop a unique charge between each conductive element of the first array and each respective conductive element of the second array, wherein the unique charge that is stored between each pair of conductive elements changes when the relative position of the first array changes with respect to the second array and the change in charges corresponds to the displacement of the one location with respect to the other, spaced apart location.

Apparatus and method for measuring strain within a structure

Displacement measuring apparatus for measuring the displacement and movement of an object includes a sensor having an operative surface and circuitry for producing an electrical output signal whose value is dependent upon the area of the operative surface covered by an electrical/magnetic field producing member. The apparatus also includes an elongate, flexible band capable of producing an electric/magnetic field, where the band is attached at one end to the sensor to roll over and cover or unroll from over and uncover the operative surface as the object whose displacement is to be measured is moved. The value of the electrical output signal produced by the circuitry is thus dependent upon the area of the operative surface covered by the band and thus by the position and movement of the object.

Mechanical/electrical displacement transducer

Displacement measuring apparatus for measuring the displacement and movement of an object includes an array of sensors having an operative surface and circuitry for producing an electrical output signal whose value is dependent upon the disposition of an electrical/magnetic field producing member along the sensor array. The field producing member is disposed to contact and slide over the operative surface as the object whose displacement is to be measured is moved. The value of the electrical output signal produced by the circuitry is thus dependent upon the position of the field producing member along the sensor array and thus by the position and movement of the object.

Sliding contact mechanical/electrical displacement transducer

A rotary displacement measuring apparatus includes an axle whose rotary displacement is to be determined, with the axle being mounted to rotate about its long axis. An emitter is mounted on the axle to define a plurality of concentric tracks circumscribing the axle to rotate as the axle rotates, with each of the tracks being segmented to define a plurality of spaced-apart, conductive sections for producing electric fields when energized. Also included is a voltage source for energizing the conductive sections. A detector is disposed adjacent to the tracks of the emitter and includes a plurality of sensors, each positioned adjacent a respective track to detect the electric fields of the respective track as the axle and tracks are rotated. The detector produces signals representing the variation in the electric fields as the emitter is rotated, and these signals provide an indication of the rotary displacement of the tracks and thus of the axle.

Rotary displacement measuring apparatus

An implantable drug delivery system includes a housing having a base end and a discharge end, for holding drug solution at the discharge end, a valve disposed at the discharge end to allow a drug solution to flow from inside the housing, through the valve and out of the housing when solution pressure is applied to the valve, a piston slidably disposed in the housing to slide between the base end and discharge end to force solution toward the discharge end and out the valve, and a spring disposed in the housing between the piston and the base end thereof for urging the piston toward the discharge end. A plurality of different length tethers are connected at one end to the piston and at the other end to a respective release node located at the base end of the housing. Each release node holds the other end of a respective one of the tethers until a release signal is received at which time it releases the tether. A timing circuit is disposed in the housing at the base end to supply release signals sequentially to the nodes in order of the shortest tether node to the longest tether node so that as a tether is released, the piston is allowed to move toward the discharge end of the housing to thereby discharge or bolus of drug solution from the housing, until the next shortest unreleased tether stops further movement of the piston.

Implantable drug delivery system with piston acutation

Linear displacement and strain measuring apparatus includes a linearly movable element, an emitter disposed on the movable element to move as the element is moved, for developing predetermined paterns of electric fields which vary linearly on the emitter in the direction of movement of the element, and a detector disposed in close proximity to the emitter adjacent the path in which the emitter moves to detect variations in the electric field patterns as the emitter is moved, for producing output signals representing variation in the electric field patterns and thus the linear displacement of the movable element relative to the detector. By attaching the movable element and the detector to spaced apart locations on a specimen, strain in the specimen can be measured.

Linear displacement and strain measuring apparatus

An implantable drug delivery system includes a housing having a plurality of compartments each of which includes an opening on one side thereof and a floor generally opposite the opening. Also included are a plurality of flexible drug containment sacks, each having a mouth circumscribing an opening in the sack, with the sack being disposed in a respective compartment with the mouth affixed to the opening of that compartment to seal the inside of the sack from the inside of the compartment and to enable holding a drug formulation in the sack. A plurality of covers are disposed over a respective compartment opening for preventing the release of drug formulation contained in the sacks in the compartment covered, until ruptured or removed. A plurality of gas generating elements are disposed at the floor of a respective compartment under the sack in that compartment and are responsive to initiation signals for producing gas to force the sacks and drug formulations against the covers to thereby rupture or remove the covers and force the formulations out of the housing. An electrical circuit supplies initiation signals to the gas generating means to initiate production of the gas and thus discharge of the drug formulation.

Growing community of inventors

Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Michael G Mladejovsky