Flexural digital material construction and transduction
US10800127B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 7, 2017 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64C2003/445
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Flexural digital materials are discrete parts that can be assembled into a lattice structure to produce an actuatable structure capable of coordinated reversible spatially-distributed deformation. The structure comprises a set of discrete flexural digital material units assembled according to a lattice geometry, with a majority of the discrete units being connected, or adapted to be connected, to at least two other units according to the geometry. In response to certain types of loading of the structure, a coordinated reversible spatially-distributed deformation of at least part of the structure occurs. The deformation of the structure is due to the shape or material composition of the discrete units, the configuration of connections between the units, and/or the configuration of the lattice geometry. Exemplary types of such actuatable structures include airplane wing sections and robotic leg structures. An automated process may be employed for constructing an actuatable structure from flexural digital materials.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.