Carbon nanotube based compliant mechanism
US7884525B2 · kind B2 · utility
15Cited by
9References
28Claims
0Family size
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Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 2007 |
| Grant date | Feb 8, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 8, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S977/725
- WIPO fieldMicro-structural and nano-technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A nano-scale compliant mechanism includes a coupler and a plurality of nanotubes disposed for nano-scale motion relative to a grounded component. The nanotubes are fastened at one end to the coupler and at the other end to ground, to guide motion of the coupler relative to the ground. Particular embodiments include a plurality of parallel carbon nanotubes. An exemplary embodiment exhibits first and second regions of mechanical behavior; a first region governed by bulk elastic deformation of the nanotubes and a second region governed by compliant, hinge-like bending of the buckled nanotubes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.