Jeremy A Levitan

US Patent:

6460557, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

Oct 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/697868

Inventors:

Jeremy Levitan - Cambridge MA
Neil Gershenfeld - Somerville MA
Ernesto Blanco - Belmont MA

Assignee:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

F15B 13044

US Classification:

137 1, 13762565, 2511291

Abstract:

In a hydraulic or pneumatic flow-control valve, the valve stem itself is made a part of a solenoid arrangement that effects its reciprocation. The valve stem is magnetically responsive (e. g. , magnetically permeable or ferromagnetic), and a magnetic field is applied to the stem to cause it to move within the bore of the valve housing; there is no external element required to urge the valve stem into movement. The valve stem is typically sealed permanently within the bore.

US Patent:

6465929, Oct 15, 2002

Filed:

Apr 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/545557

Inventors:

Jeremy A. Levitan - Cambridge MA
Michael J. Sinclair - Kirkland WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H02N 100

US Classification:

310309

Abstract:

A microelectrical mechanical systems actuator that provides a long throw is disclosed. The actuator includes a drive mechanism that oscillates a pallet that is located between leg portions of a drive member. The pallet includes first and second rows of pallet teeth located along two opposite edges of the pallet. The drive member is slideably coupled to a substrate, and includes first and second rows of drive teeth that are located along two opposing drive margins of the drive member leg portions. The pallet teeth and the drive teeth are compatible so as to permit meshing engagement of the pallet teeth with the drive teeth. The pallet is arranged between the rows of drive teeth. When the pallet teeth are meshingly misaligned with respective drive teeth and the pallet is urged against the drive margin, the drive member is forced to move until the teeth meshingly engage. By arranging the pallet and drive teeth so that first and second respective sets of pallet and drive teeth can not simultaneously be in meshing alignment, the drive member may be incrementally moved by oscillating the pallet edges between the first and second drive margins. The shape of the pallet and drive teeth may be selected to control a step size of the movement increment and the force applied.

US Patent:

7064879, Jun 20, 2006

Filed:

Apr 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/544799

Inventors:

Jeremy A. Levitan - Cambridge MA, US
Michael J. Sinclair - Kirkland WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G02B 26/08

US Classification:

359224, 359872, 335149, 335219

Abstract:

A microelectrical mechanical system (MEMS) actuator having electrically conductive coils that create first magnetic fields that are opposed by a second magnetic field is disclosed. The actuator includes two coils having dual, interspersed Archimedean spirals. Within an actuator, one coil is arranged with spirals that proceed clockwise, while the other coil is provided with spirals that proceed counterclockwise. An electrically conductive bridge mechanically couples the two coils of each actuator to a mirror. Opposing magnetic fields are created to provide a force that urges the coils to expand so that the outermost portions of the coil extend upward, away from the substrate, and lift the bridge and mirror. Control current may then be modulated to increase and decrease the coil's magnetic field strength thereby increasing and decreasing the coil's extension to raise and lower relative to the substrate.

US Patent:

7221247, May 22, 2007

Filed:

Nov 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/271031

Inventors:

Jeremy A. Levitan - Cambridge MA, US
Michael J. Sinclair - Kirkland WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H01F 1/00
G02B 26/08
G02F 1/09

US Classification:

335209, 335219, 359223, 359280, 359290, 359298

Abstract:

A microelectrical mechanical system (MEMS) actuator having electrically conductive coils that create first magnetic fields that are opposed by a second magnetic field is disclosed. The actuator includes two coils having dual, interspersed Archimedean spirals. Within an actuator, one coil is arranged with spirals that proceed clockwise, while the other coil is provided with spirals that proceed counterclockwise. An electrically conductive bridge mechanically couples the two coils of each actuator to a mirror. Opposing magnetic fields are created to provide a force that urges the coils to expand so that the outermost portions of the coil extend upward, away from the substrate, and lift the bridge and mirror. Control current may then be modulated to increase and decrease the coil's magnetic field strength thereby increasing and decreasing the coil's extension to raise and lower relative to the substrate.

US Patent:

7691244, Apr 6, 2010

Filed:

Oct 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/252871

Inventors:

Jeremy Levitan - Cambridge MA, US
Martin Z. Bazant - Winchester MA, US
Martin Schmidt - Reading MA, US
Todd Thorsen - Arlington MA, US

Assignee:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

G01N 27/453
G01N 27/447

US Classification:

204450, 204601, 204600, 204451

Abstract:

This invention provides devices and apparatuses comprising the same, for the mixing and pumping of relatively small volumes of fluid. Such devices utilize nonlinear electrokinetics as a primary mechanism for driving fluid flow. Methods of cellular analysis and high-throughput, multi-step product formation using, devices of this invention are described.

US Patent:

7708873, May 4, 2010

Filed:

Feb 1, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/700949

Inventors:

Martin Z. Bazant - Winchester MA, US
Yuxing Ben - Duncan OK, US
Jeremy Levitan - Cambridge MA, US
John-Paul Urbanski - Cambridge MA, US

Assignee:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

G01N 27/447
G01N 27/453
A61K 9/22

US Classification:

204451, 204450, 204600, 204601, 6048901, 6048921

Abstract:

This invention provides devices and apparatuses comprising the same, for efficient pumping and/or mixing of relatively small volumes of fluid. Such devices utilize nonlinear electrokinetics as a primary mechanism for driving fluid flow. Methods of cellular analysis and high-throughput, multi-step product formation using devices of this invention are described.

US Patent:

7782161, Aug 24, 2010

Filed:

Apr 2, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/695342

Inventors:

Jeremy A. Levitan - Cambridge MA, US
Michael J. Sinclair - Kirkland WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H01H 51/22

US Classification:

335 78, 200181

Abstract:

A microelectrical mechanical system (MEMS) actuator having electrically conductive coils that create first magnetic fields that are opposed by a second magnetic field is disclosed. The actuator includes two coils having dual, interspersed Archimedean spirals. Within an actuator, one coil is arranged with spirals that proceed clockwise, while the other coil is provided with spirals that proceed counterclockwise. An electrically conductive bridge mechanically couples the two coils of each actuator to a mirror. Opposing magnetic fields are created to provide a force that urges the coils to expand so that the outermost portions of the coil extend upward, away from the substrate, and lift the bridge and mirror. Control current may then be modulated to increase and decrease the coil's magnetic field strength thereby increasing and decreasing the coil's extension to raise and lower relative to the substrate.