Flexible actuator
US4777868A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 16, 1986 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF15B15/103
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A flexible actuator, comprising at least a pressure tube, which is axially extendable and/or contractable under influence of a pressure fluid. The object of the invention is to provide a flexible actuator, which can perform straight axial movements as well as curved movements in one or more planes and which can also operate at very high pressures. These objects have been achieved by the fact that the tube (12) with the exception of its end, connection or attachment parts (13) is corrugated and that at least the portions (10) of the corrugated tube, which are located between its outward projecting folds (9), are equipped with means (8) of a material which is unextensible as compared to the material of the tube, and arranged substantially to prevent a radial expansion and/or contraction of the tube in said portions (10).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.