Tendon driven finger actuation system

US8467903B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US
• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Chris A. Ihrke · Hartland, US
• David Reich · Ödernhardt, DE
• Lyndon Bridgwater · Houston, US
• Douglas Martin Linn · Cave Springs, US
• Scott R. Askew · Houston, US
• Myron A. Diftler · Houston, US
• Robert Platt · Houston, US
• Brian Hargrave · Dallas, US
• Michael C. Valvo · League City, US
• Muhammad E. Abdallah · Houston, US
• Frank Noble Permenter · Cambridge, US
• Joshua S. Mehling · League City, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 22, 2009
• Grant date: Jun 18, 2013
• Expiry date: Mar 11, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T74/20305
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A humanoid robot includes a robotic hand having at least one finger. An actuation system for the robotic finger includes an actuator assembly which is supported by the robot and is spaced apart from the finger. A tendon extends from the actuator assembly to the at least one finger and ends in a tendon terminator. The actuator assembly is operable to actuate the tendon to move the tendon terminator and, thus, the finger.