Yasuo K Kuga

US Patent:

7280016, Oct 9, 2007

Filed:

Mar 1, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/070385

Inventors:

Minoru Taya - Mercer Island WA, US
Robert Yuanchang Liang - Seattle WA, US
Yasuo Kuga - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

University of Washington - Seattle WA

International Classification:

H01H 51/22

US Classification:

335 78, 200181

Abstract:

A membrane actuator includes a magnetically actuatable membrane and a magnetic trigger. The membrane includes a shape memory alloy (SMA), and the magnetic trigger is configured to induce a martensitic transformation in the SMA, to produce a larger force than would be achievable with non-SMA-based materials. Such a membrane actuator can be beneficially incorporated into a wide variety of devices, including fluid pumps, shock absorbing systems, and synthetic jet producing devices for use in an aircraft. The membrane/diaphragm can be formed from a ferromagnetic SMA, or a ferromagnetic material can be coupled with an SMA such that the SMA and the ferromagnetic material move together. A hybrid magnetic trigger, including a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, is preferably used for the magnetic trigger, as hybrid magnetic triggers are easy to control, and produce larger magnetic gradients than permanent magnets or electromagnets alone.

US Patent:

7629921, Dec 8, 2009

Filed:

Jun 18, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/872129

Inventors:

Charles Manry - Auburn WA, US
John W. Rockway - San Diego CA, US
John D. Rockway - San Diego CA, US
Akira Ishimaru - Bellevue WA, US
Yasuo Kuga - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01S 13/89

US Classification:

342179

Abstract:

A resonance confocal imaging of resonance control points method and system. The method includes receiving a far-field scattered response from a structure. The method further includes determining resonant frequencies from said far-field scattered response. Then, determining resonant control points of said structure from said far-field scattered response at the resonant frequencies.

US Patent:

7667560, Feb 23, 2010

Filed:

Jul 9, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/774916

Inventors:

Minoru Taya - Seattle WA, US
Robert Yuanchang Liang - Seattle WA, US
Yasuo Kuga - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

University of Washington - Seattle WA

International Classification:

H01H 51/22

US Classification:

335 78, 200181, 25112906

Abstract:

A membrane actuator includes a magnetically actuatable membrane and a magnetic trigger. The membrane includes a shape memory alloy (SMA), and the magnetic trigger is configured to induce a martensitic transformation in the SMA, to produce a larger force than would be achievable with non-SMA-based materials. Such a membrane actuator can be beneficially incorporated into a wide variety of devices, including fluid pumps, shock absorbing systems, and synthetic jet producing devices for use in an aircraft. The membrane/diaphragm can be formed from a ferromagnetic SMA, or a ferromagnetic material can be coupled with an SMA such that the SMA and the ferromagnetic material move together. A hybrid magnetic trigger, including a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, is preferably used for the magnetic trigger, as hybrid magnetic triggers are easy to control, and produce larger magnetic gradients than permanent magnets or electromagnets alone.

US Patent:

7823467, Nov 2, 2010

Filed:

Dec 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/330396

Inventors:

Minoru Taya - Mercer Island WA, US
Jin Wang - Seattle WA, US
Chunye Xu - Seattle WA, US
Yasuo Kuga - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

University of Washington - Seattle WA

International Classification:

G01L 1/10
G01L 1/22
G01L 3/00
G01R 3/00

US Classification:

73862625, 73862041, 73862042, 73862046, 29595

Abstract:

An electroactive polymer is used to produce a tactile sensor. The electroactive polymer (EAP) includes a sheet of an ion-exchange membrane having opposite surfaces on which are plated gold electrodes. The EAP is formed to have a dome-shape with a plurality of sensing electrodes circumferentially disposed around an outer surface of the dome. A flexible polymer underlying the EAP supports it and prevents a force applied to the tactile sensor from inverting the dome. The sensor electrodes produce separate output signals indicative of different vector components of an applied force acting on the tactile sensor, so that a direction of the force can be determined. Vias provided in the electrodes are electrically coupled to a flexible circuit that conveys the output signals externally from the sensing electrodes for use and further processing. A plurality of the tactile sensors can be formed as an array on an ion-exchange membrane.