Operating mechanism

US6178872A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH · DE

Inventor

• Stefan Schulz · Berlin, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 25, 1999
• Grant date: Jan 30, 2001
• Expiry date: Jan 25, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F15B15/103
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In a worm-like operating mechanism including hydraulic or pneumatic actuators arranged around a central axis, the actuators include serially arranged bags disposed in communication with one another and folded meander-like and having fluid passages for supplying fluid under pressure to, or evacuating, the actuators individually, so that the operating mechanism can be lengthened or shortened or bent in any direction.