Kevin Fite

Biography

Kevin Fite received the B.E., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from Vanderbilt University in 1997, 1999, and 2002, respectively. From 2002 to 2007, he was a Research Associate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University. He joined Clarkson University in 2007 and is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering.

Education Background

Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. - 2002 Vanderbilt University
Mechanical Engineering M.S. - Vanderbilt University
Mechanical Engineering B.S. - Vanderbilt

Research Interests

Dr. Fite’s research interests lie in the area of dynamic systems and control, with specific focus in the design and control of electromechanical and fluid power systems. A major thrust of this work is in the development of self-powered human-scale robotic systems.

Applications of particular interest include upper and lower-extremity powered prosthetic limbs. The major goal of this work is the restoration of human-level functionality and performance to the amputee. One aspect involves the design of prosthetic limbs capable of force and power outputs comparable to those of normal human limbs. Such designs require the integration of the power supply, actuation system, and control electronics all within the volumetric envelope of a normal human limb. Another component of the prosthesis development entails the development of the communication interface with the amputee. Current work is investigating the use of EMG-based control approaches where measured muscle activity in the residual limb is utilized as input commands to the prosthetic limb. The objective is an artificial limb which behaves as a natural extension of the amputee’s residual limb.

Other broad areas of interest include the development of power and actuation for portable power systems. The goal of this research is to improve upon the limitations inherent in battery-powered DC-motor actuated systems by investigating the use of alternative energy sources (e.g., compressed gas sources, liquid and solid propellants) and actuation systems (e.g., pneumatic and hydraulic actuators) that can be used to deliver controllable mechanical work outputs. Relevant applications include self-powered robots, portable power and rescue tools, and lawn care equipment.

Publications

• C.D. Hoover, G.D. Fulk and K.B. Fite, "Stair Ascent with a Powered Transfemoral Prosthesis under Direct Myoelectric Control," IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics (in press, 2012).
• C.D. Hoover, G.D. Fulk and K.B. Fite, "The Design and Initial Experimental Validation of an Active Myoelectric Transfemoral Prosthesis," ASME Journal of Medical Devices, Vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 011005 (March 2012).
• K. B. Fite, J. E. Mitchell, X. Shen, K. W. Wait, T. J. Withrow and M. Goldfarb, M., "A Gas-Actuated Anthropomorphic Prosthesis for Transhumeral Amputees," IEEE Transactions on Robotics, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 159-169 (February, 2008).
• K.B. Fite and M. Goldfarb, "Multivariable Loop-Shaping in Bilateral Telemanipulation," ASME Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control, vol. 128, no. 3, pp. 482-488 (September, 2006).
• B.L. Shields, K.B. Fite and M. Goldfarb, "Design, Control, and Energetic Characterization of a Solenoid Injected Monopropellant Powered Actuator," IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 477-487 (August 2006).
• K.B. Fite and M. Goldfarb, "Design and Energetic Characterization of a Proportional Injector Monopropellant-Powered Actuator," IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 196-204 (April 2006).
• K.B. Fite, J.E. Mitchell, E.J. Barth and M. Goldfarb, "A Unified Force Controller for a Proportional-Injector Direct-Injection Monopropellant-Powered Actuator," ASME Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control, vol. 128, no. 1, pp. 159-164 (March 2006).
• K.B. Fite, M. Goldfarb and A. Rubio, "Loop Shaping for Transparency and Stability Robustness in Time-Delayed Bilateral Telemanipulation," ASME Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control, vol. 126, no. 3, pp. 650-656 (September 2004).
• K.B. Fite, L. Shao and M. Goldfarb, "Loop-Shaping for Transparency and Stability Robustness in Bilateral Telemanipulation," IEEE Transactions on Robotics and Automation, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 620-624 (2004).
• K.B. Fite, J.E. Speich and M. Goldfarb, "Transparency and Stability Robustness in Two-Channel Bilateral Telemanipulation," ASME Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control, vol. 123, no. 3, pp. 400-407 (2001).

Selected Conference Proceedings

• C.D. Hoover, K.B. Fite, G. Fulk and D. Holmes," Myoelectric Torque Control of an Active Transfemoral Prosthesis During Stair Ascent, ASME Dynamic Systems and Control Conferenc,e WeBT6.1, pp. 1-8 (November 2011).
• C.D. Hoover and K.B. Fite, "A Configuration Dependent Muscle Model for the Myoelectric Control of a Trnasfemoral Prosthesis," International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics (June 2011).
• C.D. Hoover and K.B. Fite, "Development of a Powered-Knee Trnasfemoral Prosthesis Prototype, ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference, SBC2011-53305 (June 2011).
• J.A. Dawley, A. Romanazzi and K.B. Fite, "Preliminary Evaluation of a Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis for the Emulation of Transfemoral Prosthesis Socket Loads," ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference, SBC2011-53302 (June 2011).
• C. D. Hoover and K. B. Fite, "Preliminary Evaluation of Myoelectric Control of an Active Transfemoral Prosthesis During Stair Ascent," 2010 ASME Dynamic Systems and Control Conference, TuBT2.3, pp. 1-8 (September 2010).
• M. R. Tucker and K. B. Fite, "Passive Damping with Electrical Power Generation for a DC Motor Actuated Transfemoral Prosthesis," 2010 IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics, pp. 13-18 (July 2010).
• K. B. Fite, T. J. Withrow, X. Shen, K. W. Wait, J. E. Mitchell and M. Goldfarb, "Progress Towards the Development of a Highly Functional Transhumeral Prosthesis," 10th International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics, pp. 205-211 (June 2007).
• K. Fite, J. Mitchell, F. Sup and M. Goldfarb, "Design and Control of an Electrically Powered Knee Prosthesis," 10th International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics, pp. 902-905 (June 2007).
• K. B. Fite, K. W. Wait, T. J. Withrow and M. Goldfarb, "A Gas-Actuated Anthropomorphic Transhumeral Prosthesis," IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, pp. 3748-3754 (April 2007).
• K.B. Fite, K.W. Wait, T.J. Withrow and M. Goldfarb, "Design of an Anthropomorphic Upper Extremity Prosthesis," Proceedings of ASME International Mechanical Engineering Conference and Exposition, ref. 13604 (November 2006).