Cheng Peng

US Patent:

20100108884, May 6, 2010

Filed:

Oct 28, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/607550

Inventors:

Jun Lou - Houston TX, US
Yogeeswaran Ganesan - Houston TX, US
Yang Lu - Houston TX, US
Cheng Peng - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

William Marsh Rice University - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01N 23/225
G01N 3/42

US Classification:

250311, 73 81

Abstract:

The present disclosure describes micromechanical devices and methods for using such devices for characterizing a material's strength. The micromechanical devices include an anchor pad, a top shuttle platform, a nanoindenter in movable contact with the top shuttle platform and at least two sample stage shuttles. The nanoindenter applies a compression force to the top shuttle platform, and the at least two sample stage shuttles move apart in response to the compression force. Each of the at least two sample stage shuttles is connected to the top shuttle platform and to the anchor pad by at least one inclined beam. Methods for using the devices include connecting a sample between the at least two sample stage shuttles and applying a compression force to the top shuttle platform. Application of the compression force to the top shuttle platform results in a tensile force being applied to the sample. Measuring a tip displacement of the nanoindenter is correlated with the sample's strength. Illustrative materials that can be studied using the micromechanical devices include, for example, nanotubes, nanowires, nanorings, nanocomposites and protein fibrils.

US Patent:

20180246215, Aug 30, 2018

Filed:

Feb 28, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/444801

Inventors:

- Coppell TX, US
Cheng Peng - Plano TX, US
Jean-Marc Tessier - Coppell TX, US

International Classification:

G01S 17/93
B64C 39/02
G05D 1/00
G05D 1/10
B64D 31/06
G01S 17/87
G01S 17/10

Abstract:

The present disclosure is directed to an obstacle awareness device for vehicle systems. A threshold distance is set that identifies the range at which an obstruction interferes with fluid dynamics around and through at least one propulsion motor. One or more ranging sensors on the vehicle system detect relative position information of the obstruction when it is within the threshold distance. The relative position information is communicated to a controller, which adjusts a motor control signal to compensate for the obstruction interfering with the fluid dynamics around the at least one propulsion motor. The threshold distance may be defined by a three dimensional shape that encapsulated the vehicle system and the three dimensional shape may change in shape or size with movement of the vehicle system.