Method of linear actuation by inflation and apparatus therefor
US6508036B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 21, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 9, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF15B15/103
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and lightweight apparatus (100) that provide linear actuation effected by the controlled inflation of a deployable tube (120) permits the deploying end (125) of the tube (120) to be guided out in a linear motion by a yoke (140) that constrains the inflated portion of the tube (120) immediately behind it A means for imparting resistance to deployment facilitates a smooth actuation by controlling both the rate and the directionality of deployment, and by maintaining a uniform internal pressure in the tube being deployed. A frame assembly (180) at the deploying end (125) of the tube (120) can be configured to interface with a variety of components to be linearly deployed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.