Satcon Technology Corporation

Psychogenics Inc.

Carnegie Mellon University

Other

Vijay M Gondhalekar

Daniela Brunner

William Payne Ross

David LaRose

Richard L Hockney

David B Eisenhaure

James R Downer

William E Stanton

Shankar Jagannathan

Stephen B Nichols

Kevin Leary

Gary M Colello

Gita P Rao

Brian J Selfors

Richard Torti

Darwin Eton

A system and method used to assess animal behavior includes a module having sensors that collects a variety of physical and biological data from a test subject. Interpretation of the data is provided to assess the test subject's behavior, neurology, biochemistry and physiology. The module is useful in observing the effects of a drug on the test animal and providing information on the drug's signature. Another advantage is the module's portability that allows it to be used in standard laboratory cages. This portability allows the animal to be tested in its own habitat, that can reduce any erroneous data due to stressing the animal when removed to a test cage. Additionally, the module's design allows for parallel data collection and interpretation from several laboratory animals undergoing different experiments. Multi-dimensional modeling of the test subject based the system's interpretation of the data allows pattern recognition of the drug signature, and predictive drug analysis.

Method for predicting treatment classes using behavior informatics

A system and method used to assess animal behavior includes a module having sensors that collects a variety of physical and biological data from a test subject. Interpretation of the data is provided to assess the test subjects behavior, neurology, biochemistry and physiology. The module is useful in observing the effects of a drug on the test animal and providing information on the drug's signature. Another advantage is the module's portability that allows it to be used in standard laboratory cages. This portability allows the animal to be tested in its own habitat, that can reduce any erroneous data due to stressing the animal when removed to a test cage. Additionally, the module's design allows for parallel data collection and interpretation from several laboratory animals undergoing different experiments. Multi-dimensional modeling of the test subject based the system's interpretation of the data allows pattern recognition of the drug signature, and predictive drug analysis.

Method for predicting treatment classes using animal behavior informatics

Systems and methods for monitoring behavior informatics

A system and method for studying a test subject includes monitoring the test subject as it traverses through a programmable maze. The test subject may be under the influence of experimental drugs or genetic manipulation. The dynamic maze can be changed automatically or manually to test the abilities of the test subject. The dynamic maze comprises of a starting point, an ending point, and an electronically programmable floor capable of constructing various obstacles and passageways. The programmable floor may be programmed by a human user using an interface, or it may be programmed by an automated control system that programs the maze in accordance with the ability of the test subject to traverse the maze. Various devices are incorporated with the use of the maze to monitor the activities and welfare of the test subject.

Programmable electronic maze for use in the assessment of animal behavior

A rotary motor and a rotary magnetic bearing are integrated in a compact assembly that is contact-less. A stator assembly surrounds a ferromagnetic rotor with an annular air gap which can accommodate a cylindrical wall, e.g. of a chamber for semiconductor wafer processing. The stator assembly has a permanent magnet or magnets sandwiched between vertically spaced magnetic stator plates with plural pole segments. The rotor is preferably a ring of a magnetic stainless steel with complementary pole teeth. The stator assembly (i) levitates and passively centers the rotor along a vertical axis and against tilt about either horizontal axis, (ii) provides a radial position bias for the rotor, and (iii) establishes a motor flux field at the rotor poles. Polyphase coils wound on the stator plates produce a rotating flux field that drives the rotor as a synchronous homopolar motor. A rotor without pole teeth allows operation with an asynchronous inductive drive. A controller energizes control coils wound on each stator pole segment in response to a sensed physical position of the rotor. The control coils provide active radial position control and can actively damp tip and tilt oscillations that may overcome the passive centering.

Integrated magnetic levitation and rotation system

A flywheel energy storage device has a central shaft, a flywheel having a flywheel rotor supported by and mounted for rotation around said shaft, and a motor/generator having a stator and a rotor. The rotor is formed integrally with the flywheel rotor. The stator has an outer cylinder that is cooled by a liquid flowing in contact with its cylindrical surface. Preferably, the stator has (i) a cylindrical hub having an outer surface and longitudinal channels formed therein, (ii) a cylinder surrounding said cylindrical hub thereby providing passages through the channels, and (iii) end caps sealing the passages and providing a distribution channel for distributing fluid to said passages, thereby providing fluid cooling passages for said stator. A radial vibration dampener can be positioned at one or both ends of the shaft. The dampener has a plurality of spring members positioned between two cylindrical surfaces, one end of each spring member being attached to each cylindrical surface.

Flywheel permanent magnet machine

This invention features a three-axis force actuator that axially, radially and rotatably supports a bearing member for frictionless rotation about an axis of rotation generally coincident with a Z-axis. Also featured is a magnetic bearing having such an actuator. The actuator includes an inner member, a magnetic member and a pole assembly having a ring member and four pole extending therefrom. The poles are equi-angular spaced from each other and radially spaced about the Z-axis. The inner member extends along the Z-axis and is a highly magnetic permeable material. The magnetic member is formed about the inner member outer surface, extends along the Z-axis and is configured so one magnetic pole polarity is located at its outer surface and the other polarity pole is located at its inner surface. Preferably, the magnetic member is a radially magnetized permanent magnet. The inner surface of the ring member is magnetically coupled to the magnetic member and a face of each pole is coupled to the bearing member. The magnetic member, the pole assembly, the inner member and the bearing member cooperate to generate a magnetic field that radially and rotatably supports a rotating member secured to the bearing member. The actuator further includes a plurality of electromagnetic coils. Preferably, a coil is formed about each pole and at least 2 coils are formed about the inner member. When energized, the electromagnetic coils generate a modulated magnetic field that stabilizes the rotating member in the desired operational position.

Three-axis force actuator for a magnetic bearing

A homopolar radial magnetic bearing includes a single bias coil common to a plurality of pole pieces equi-angular spaced from each other, a plurality of control coils, one control coil being disposed at each pole piece and a rotor being secured to the rotating member. The bias coil and each of the control coils cooperate with each pole piece so as to establish a homopolar magnetic field for rotatably supporting a rotating member. The bias coil is circumferentially disposed about the rotating member and passes through an inside area at one end of each pole piece. A control coil is wrapped around the other end of each pole. In operation, the bias coil establishes a steady state electromagnetic field to suspend the rotating member when it is energized. Each of the control coils are configured so as to be selectively and individually energized to establish another magnetic field that is superimposed on the steady state magnetic field to yield a net magnetic field that suspends and centers the rotating member. Preferably there are an even number of pole pieces and control coils, so that pairs of pole pieces are in a diametrically opposed relation.

Electromagnetically biased homopolar magnetic bearing

A dual flywheel assembly for use in an airborne vehicle for storing mechanical energy therein prior to flight and for permitting the extraction of electrical energy therefrom during flight, which assembly includes two flywheels which are linked by a suitable linkage structure such that, if roll motion of the vehicle starts to occur during flight, the flywheels tilt in equal and opposite directions out of their normal planes of rotation, which tilting motions act in a passive manner to stabilize the roll motion of the vehicle.

System for providing power and roll motion stability in a vehicle

Devices and methods are described to facilitate the coupling of two wires introduced into the vascular system at two different points in the body. The coupling enables the formation of a continuous wire entering the body at one point and exiting at another remote point. The device consists of two wires 'A' and 'B' with a magnetic element attached to one end of each wire. The coupling is formed by the forces of attraction between the magnetic elements. Wire 'A' is introduced at one point in the vascular system, for example, in the femoral artery. Wire 'B' is then introduced at another point in the vascular system, for example, the axiliary artery. The wires are advanced towards each other under fluoroscopic guidance. The magnetic tips couple once the two wires near each other. The coupled wires are then withdrawn together from either of the two access sites. Once the magnetic coupling exits the body, a single wire is left traversing the vascular system. This wire can then serve as a monorail over which to exchange catheters, transport tools and implants and to perform procedures. This device will facilitate the development of bi-directional endovascular, biliary, genito-urinary and gastro-intestinal procedures. The applications of this device are not limited to human subjects.

Growing community of inventors

Boston, MA, United States of America

Vijay M Gondhalekar