Entomopter and method for using same
US6082671A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 17, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 17, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64U2201/10
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is an apparatus and method for a multimodal electromechanical insect known as an entomopter. The entomopter is a species of micro air vehicle (MAV), which is defined as a flying vehicle having no dimension greater than 15 cm. The entomopter mimics the flight characteristics of an insect by flapping wings to generate lift. The entomopter's wings are powered by a reciprocating power source. The same power source may be used to power legs to enable the entomopter to crawl along the ground. In a preferred embodiment, the power source is a compact noncombustive engine known as a reciprocating chemical muscle (RCM).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.