Flexible robotic actuators

US9506455B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• President and Fellows of Harvard College · US

Inventors

• Aaron D. Mazzeo · Green Brook, US
• Stephen A. Morin · Lincoln, US
• Robert F. Shepherd · Windom, US
• George M. Whitesides · Newton, US
• William B. Kalb · Cambridge, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 11, 2014
• Grant date: Nov 29, 2016
• Expiry date: Mar 13, 2035

Classification

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

Abstract

Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter includes a laminated robotic actuator. The laminated robotic actuator includes a strain-limiting layer comprising a flexible, non-extensible material in the form of a sheet or thin film, a flexible inflatable layer in the form of a thin film or sheet in facing relationship with the strain-limiting layer, wherein the inflatable layer is selectively adhered to the strain-limiting layer, and wherein a portion of an un-adhered region between the strain-limiting layer and the inflatable layer defines a pressurizable channel, and at least one fluid inlet in fluid communication with the pressurizable channel. The first flexible non-extensible material has a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of the second flexible elastomeric material and the flexible elastomer is non-extensible under actuation conditions.