Stryker Corporation

Mako Surgical Corporation

Philip Robert Woods

Mark A Wasserman

James E Flatt

Cory J Welch

A sensor system includes a first member that extends along a rotational axis and has a surface disposed circumferentially about the rotational axis. A conductive element is disposed on the surface of the first member and disposed about the rotational axis. A second member extends along the rotational axis. A rotational position between the first member and the second member is adjustable. A target is mounted to and rotatable with the second member and is movable relative to the second member between first and second positions. The target is spaced apart from the conductive element in both the first and second positions and is spaced further from the conductive element in the second position compared to the first position. The conductive element detects a change in movement of the target from the first position to the second position for any rotational position between the first member and the second member.

Rotating switch sensor for a robotic system

A sensor system includes a first member extending along a rotational axis and having a surface disposed circumferentially about the axis. The sensor system further includes a conductive element fixed to the first member and disposed on the surface and about the rotational axis and a second member extending along the axis. A rotational position between the first member and the second member is adjustable. The sensor system further includes a target mounted to and rotatable with the second member and being movable relative to the second member between first and second positions. The target is spaced apart from the conductive element in both the first and second positions and is closer to the conductive element in the second position compared to the first position. The conductive element is configured to sense the target in the second position for any rotational position between the first member and the second member.

A battery including a housing that contains at least one cell, a current limiter and a control circuit. When a device is first connected to the battery, the control circuit actuates the current limiter so that only a current limited voltage is sourced to the device. This current limited signal only supplies sufficient current for energizing a circuit internal to the device. This current limited signal is not able to power the device. The control circuit waits to receive if the powered on device transmits a recognition code. If the recognition code is received, the control circuit sources current to from the cell to the device along a path that bypasses the current limiter. This current, not being current limited is able to power the components internal to the connected device.

Battery with internal current limiter that is selectively actuated as a function of the device to which the battery is connected

A battery () includes a circuit () the selectively ties the cells () to the contacts (). If signals present at the contacts indicate the battery may be short circuited, the voltage is only cyclically presented across the contacts. Until the battery receives a defined recognition code, only a current limited voltage is presented across the contacts.

Growing community of inventors

Kalamazoo, MI, United States of America

Philip Robert Woods