Abstract: A fluidic artificial muscle actuator consisting of an inner elastic bladder surrounded by a braided filament sleeve and sealed off on either end with end fittings. Pressurization of the actuator produces force and/or motion through radial movement of the bladder and sleeve which forces the sleeve to move axially. Both contractile and extensile motions are possible depending on the geometry of the braided sleeve. The fluidic artificial muscle actuator is manufactured using a swaging process which plastically deforms swage tubes around the end fittings, braided sleeve, and pressure bladder, creating a strong mechanical clamping action that may be augmented with adhesive bonding of the components. The swaging system includes the swaging die and associated components which are used to plastically deform the swage tube during assembly of the actuator.

Abstract: Ultra-efficient composite truss structures and methods for manufacturing the same using low cost and high throughput winding processes are presented. The present disclosure describes combining the high structural efficiency of truss structures with the excellent mechanical properties of composite materials using processes that mitigate the high manufacturing costs typical of composite materials. The present disclosure further describes creating the members of the truss structure through continuous winding of either thermoset or thermoplastic matrix, fiber reinforced composite members around a central mandrel. The longitudinal chord members of the truss are held in position by the mandrel, and the web members are wrapped under the chord members, over them, or both. The web members are bonded to the chord members during manufacture to produce a single consolidated truss structure.

Abstract: An Extensile Fluidic Muscle Actuator (FMA) that changes the normal direction of force and motion, achieving compressive force generation and extensile motion output with just a small increase in friction, weight, and cost is disclosed. The motion conversion is accomplished by a pushrod that is attached to the inside end of one of the actuator's end fittings, and extends through the actuator body and slidably out through the other end fitting. The other end fitting is held stationary by a seal housing that contains a sealing element to retain internal fluid pressure as the actuator moves. A linear bearing may also be installed to keep the rod aligned and centered properly in the seal. Upon pressurization of the actuator, the flexible body of the actuator will expand radially, causing relative contractile motion between the two end fittings. However, as the two end fittings are drawn towards each other, the pushrod is extended.

Abstract: A fluidic artificial muscle actuator consisting of an inner elastic bladder surrounded by a braided filament sleeve and sealed off on either end with end fittings. Pressurization of the actuator produces force and/or motion through radial movement of the bladder and sleeve which forces the sleeve to move axially. Both contractile and extensile motions are possible depending on the geometry of the braided sleeve. The fluidic artificial muscle actuator is manufactured using a swaging process which plastically deforms swage tubes around the end fittings, braided sleeve, and pressure bladder, creating a strong mechanical clamping action that may be augmented with adhesive bonding of the components. The swaging system includes the swaging die and associated components which are used to plastically deform the swage tube during assembly of the actuator.

Abstract: Ultra-efficient composite truss structures and methods for manufacturing the same using low cost and high throughput winding processes are presented. The present disclosure describes combining the high structural efficiency of truss structures with the excellent mechanical properties of composite materials using processes that mitigate the high manufacturing costs typical of composite materials. The present disclosure further describes creating the members of the truss structure through continuous winding of either thermoset or thermoplastic matrix, fiber reinforced composite members around a central mandrel. The longitudinal chord members of the truss are held in position by the mandrel, and the web members are wrapped under the chord members, over them, or both. The web members are bonded to the chord members during manufacture to produce a single consolidated truss structure.

Abstract: An actuation system for trailing-edge flap control suitable for use in reducing vibration in rotorcraft blades as well as primary flight control and noise mitigation employing an antagonistic pair of fluidic artificial muscles (FAMs) located and operated inside the rotor blade. The FAMs are connected to a force transfer mechanism such as an inboard bellcrank and engaged to an outboard bellcrank by one or more linkages running spanwise out through the spar. The outboard mechanism translates the spanwise linkage motion into chordwise motion of a flap control rod which is connected to the trailing-edge flap. A torsion rod flexure (TRF) device is included connecting the trailing-edge flap to the blade. The actuation system can produce large flap deflections at relatively high operating frequencies for vibration reduction and noise cancellation and is capable of larger flap deflections at lower operating frequencies for embedded primary control of the rotorcraft.

Abstract: A fluidic artificial muscle actuator consisting of an inner elastic bladder surrounded by a braided filament sleeve and sealed off on either end with end fittings. Pressurization of the actuator produces force and/or motion through radial movement of the bladder and sleeve which forces the sleeve to move axially. Both contractile and extensile motions are possible depending on the geometry of the braided sleeve. The fluidic artificial muscle actuator is manufactured using a swaging process which plastically deforms swage tubes around the end fittings, braided sleeve, and pressure bladder, creating a strong mechanical clamping action that may be augmented with adhesive bonding of the components. The swaging system includes the swaging die and associated components which are used to plastically deform the swage tube during assembly of the actuator.

Abstract: An actuation system for trailing-edge flap control suitable for use in reducing vibration in rotorcraft blades as well as primary flight control and noise mitigation employing an antagonistic pair of fluidic artificial muscles (FAMs) located and operated inside the rotor blade. The FAMs are connected to a force transfer mechanism such as an inboard bellcrank and engaged to an outboard bellcrank by one or more linkages running spanwise out through the spar. The outboard mechanism translates the spanwise linkage motion into chordwise motion of a flap control rod which is connected to the trailing-edge flap. A torsion rod flexure (TRF) device is included connecting the trailing-edge flap to the blade. The actuation system can produce large flap deflections at relatively high operating frequencies for vibration reduction and noise cancellation and is capable of larger flap deflections at lower operating frequencies for embedded primary control of the rotorcraft.

Abstract: An assembly for controlling a vehicle, including a fluid contact surface constructed and arranged to act against a fluid passing over the fluid contact surface; and a support structure coupled to the fluid contact surface. The support structure is constructed and arranged to expand or contract between a first position and a second position, such that a first dimension of the support structure changes during movement of the support structure between the first position and the second position, while a second dimension of the support structure remains substantially constant during the movement of the support structure between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: An Extensile Fluidic Muscle Actuator (FMA) that changes the normal direction of force and motion, achieving compressive force generation and extensile motion output with just a small increase in friction, weight, and cost is disclosed. The motion conversion is accomplished by a pushrod that is attached to the inside end of one of the actuator's end fittings, and extends through the actuator body and slidably out through the other end fitting. The other end fitting is held stationary by a seal housing that contains a sealing element to retain internal fluid pressure as the actuator moves. A linear bearing may also be installed to keep the rod aligned and centered properly in the seal. Upon pressurization of the actuator, the flexible body of the actuator will expand radially, causing relative contractile motion between the two end fittings. However, as the two end fittings are drawn towards each other, the pushrod is extended.

Abstract: A fluid contact surface actuation system for a vehicle, including a first fluid contact surface constructed and arranged to act against a first fluid passing over the first fluid contact surface; and a first fluid actuator coupled to the first fluid contact surface to move the first fluid contact surface between a first position and a second position to enable control of the vehicle in a predetermined manner, the first fluid actuator having a first resilient bladder that receives a second fluid such that pressure of the second fluid moves the first bladder between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration.

Abstract: A fluidic artificial muscle actuator consisting of an inner elastic bladder surrounded by a braided filament sleeve and sealed off on either end with end fittings. Pressurization of the actuator produces force and/or motion through radial movement of the bladder and sleeve which forces the sleeve to move axially. Both contractile and extensile motions are possible depending on the geometry of the braided sleeve. The fluidic artificial muscle actuator is manufactured using a swaging process which plastically deforms swage tubes around the end fittings, braided sleeve, and pressure bladder, creating a strong mechanical clamping action that may be augmented with adhesive bonding of the components. The swaging system includes the swaging die and associated components which are used to plastically deform the swage tube during assembly of the actuator.

Abstract: An assembly for controlling a vehicle, including a fluid contact surface constructed and arranged to act against a fluid passing over the fluid contact surface; and a support structure coupled to the fluid contact surface. The support structure is constructed and arranged to expand or contract between a first position and a second position, such that a first dimension of the support structure changes during movement of the support structure between the first position and the second position, while a second dimension of the support structure remains substantially constant during the movement of the support structure between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A fluid contact surface actuation system for a vehicle, including a first fluid contact surface constructed and arranged to act against a first fluid passing over the first fluid contact surface; and a first fluid actuator coupled to the first fluid contact surface to move the first fluid contact surface between a first position and a second position to enable control of the vehicle in a predetermined manner, the first fluid actuator having a first resilient bladder that receives a second fluid such that pressure of the second fluid moves the first bladder between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration.