Abstract: A vacuum cup assembly and a method of lifting an object are provided. The vacuum cup assembly includes a cup structure defining an opening at a proximal end, a recess at a distal end, and a cavity region between the proximal and distal ends, where the cavity region includes at least one cavity. The opening is in fluid communication with the recess and with the cavity region. Inner structures are disposed in the cavity region. The inner structures are configured to hold the cup structure in a gripping position when a negative pressure is applied to the cavity region through the opening in the cup structure. The cup structure is configured to be in a resting position without the negative pressure being applied to the cavity region. The vacuum cup assembly has a first shape in the resting position and a second shape in the gripping position.

Abstract: An inflatable cabinet is provided and includes a first inflatable cabinet stand and a base. The first inflatable cabinet stand is for storing products. The first inflatable cabinet stand includes members and first connectors. The members include side walls, a back wall, and a top member. The base is connected to the first inflatable cabinet stand and includes an air pump, second connectors and air lines. An air pump is configured to pump air into at least one of the members of the first inflatable cabinet stand. The second connectors are configured to connect to the first connectors. The air lines are connected between the air pump and the second connectors.

Abstract: A shutter system for use in a vehicle. The shutter system comprises a panel mounted on a conduit through which air flows, the panel having a first plurality of apertures for permitting air to flow therethrough; and a grille movably mounted on a surface of the panel, the grille having a second plurality of apertures for permitting air to flow therethrough. In an open position, the grille is aligned with the panel such that the first and second plurality of apertures are aligned to permit air to flow through both the first and second plurality of apertures. In a closed position, the grille is aligned with the panel such that the first and second plurality of apertures are not aligned and air is blocked from flowing through the first and second plurality of apertures. The shutter system comprises a first actuator mechanism coupled to the panel and the grille and comprising a first bias spring and a first shape-memory alloy (SMA) spring.

Abstract: A pneumatic articulating structure includes a plurality of tiles, a flexible cover, and a plurality of resiliently flexible hinges. Each tile has a first surface and a second surface facing in opposite outward directions. An area of at least one respective first surface is greater than an area of at least one respective second surface. The cover is constructed to cover the tiles. The second surface of each one of the tiles is attached to the cover. Each tile is engaged to an adjacent tile by a respective hinge, and are proximate to the first surface. A vacuum chamber is define by at least the plurality of tiles and the flexible cover.

Abstract: A pressure regulator includes an inlet channel, an outlet channel, a bladder, a first plate, and a second plate. The bladder is connected to the outlet channel and extends alongside of the inlet channel. The first plate is disposed on one side of the inlet channel between the bladder and the inlet channel. The second plate is disposed on the other side of the bladder and is at least partially aligned with the first plate along the length of the inlet channel such that a portion of the inlet channel is disposed between the first and second plates. When the bladder is pressurized, the bladder urges the first plate toward the second plate and thereby pinches the portion of the inlet channel disposed between the first and second plates to regulate a ratio of a pressure in the outlet channel to a pressure in the inlet channel.

Abstract: An inflatable structure includes a top end cap, a bottom end cap, a bladder, a plurality of tethers, and an adjustment mechanism. The bladder is attached to the top and bottom end caps and configured to hold pressurized air therebetween. The plurality of tethers are disposed within the bladder. Each tether in the plurality of tethers has a first end coupled to the top end cap and a second end coupled to the bottom end cap. When the bladder is inflated, the plurality of tethers restrict a number of degrees of freedom of the inflatable structure and a type of the degrees of freedom. The adjustment mechanism is operable to move the second end of at least one tether in the plurality of tethers to adjust at least one of the number of the degrees of freedom and the type of the degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A method of forming a spacer fabric includes performing, via a knitting machine, an iterative process. The iterative process includes: knitting a tether from a first point to a second point on a first fabric layer; extending the tether from the second point to a third point on a second fabric layer to start formation of a tether segment; temporarily holding the tether at the third point via one of a temporary holding needles; extending the tether from the third point to a fourth point on the first fabric layer; temporarily holding the tether at the fourth point via another one of the temporary holding needles; extending the tether from the fourth point to a fifth point on the second fabric layer; and knitting the tether from the fifth point to a final point on the second fabric layer. The tether segment is released from the temporary holding needles.

Abstract: A multi-layer bladder includes: a first bladder layer; a mask including a plurality of apertures; a second bladder layer bonded to the first bladder layer within the apertures in the mask and where the mask is not present between the first and second bladder layers, where the mask is configured to prevent bonding of the second bladder layer to the first bladder layer where the mask is present; and a fluid channel that is located between the first and second bladder layers and that extends to the mask from an outer edge of the multi-layer bladder.

Abstract: Cargo systems are provided for vehicles that include, in one embodiment: a variable cargo surface disposed within a body of the vehicle behind one or more occupant seats, the variable cargo surface including: a low friction surface that facilitates movement of cargo within the cargo system, the low friction surface having a first coefficient of friction; a high friction surface that inhibits movement of cargo within the cargo system, the high friction surface having a second coefficient of friction that is greater than the first coefficient of friction; and a control device that selectively activates the low friction surface and the high friction surface based on conditions for the vehicle; wherein the low friction surface contacts the cargo within the cargo system when the low friction surface is activated; and the high friction surface contacts the cargo within the cargo system when the high friction surface is activated.

Abstract: A water condensation mitigation system for a battery pack having a battery housing system configured to generally surround and contain the battery pack. The battery housing system having a housing having a plurality of wall surfaces defining a housing volume. The housing volume being sized and shaped to contain the battery pack. The housing further having at least one aperture formed in at least one of the plurality of wall surfaces. A pressure valve member being operably mounted relative to the aperture of the housing that is configured to accommodate pack air volume changes and/or temperature changes in the housing volume.

Abstract: An inflatable active flow control device includes a first surface, a second surface, and a spring including one end connected to the first surface and an opposite end connected to the second surface. A flexible material is connected to both the first surface and the second surface around the spring, defines an inflatable internal volume, and includes a plurality of threads extending between opposing inner surfaces of the flexible material at spaced locations through the inflatable internal volume.

Abstract: A pressure regulator includes an inlet channel, an outlet channel, a bladder, a first plate, and a second plate. The bladder is connected to the outlet channel and extends alongside of the inlet channel. The first plate is disposed on one side of the inlet channel between the bladder and the inlet channel. The second plate is disposed on the other side of the bladder and is at least partially aligned with the first plate along the length of the inlet channel such that a portion of the inlet channel is disposed between the first and second plates. When the bladder is pressurized, the bladder urges the first plate toward the second plate and thereby pinches the portion of the inlet channel disposed between the first and second plates to regulate a ratio of a pressure in the outlet channel to a pressure in the inlet channel.

Abstract: A vacuum cup assembly and a method of lifting an object are provided. The vacuum cup assembly includes a cup structure defining an opening at a proximal end, a recess at a distal end, and a cavity region between the proximal and distal ends, where the cavity region includes at least one cavity. The opening is in fluid communication with the recess and with the cavity region. Inner structures are disposed in the cavity region. The inner structures are configured to hold the cup structure in a gripping position when a negative pressure is applied to the cavity region through the opening in the cup structure. The cup structure is configured to be in a resting position without the negative pressure being applied to the cavity region. The vacuum cup assembly has a first shape in the resting position and a second shape in the gripping position.

Abstract: A selectively rigidizable membrane for cargo management comprises a vacuum bladder, and a first architectural layer and a second architectural layer, each of the first and second architectural layers including a plurality of tiles interconnected by flexural elements, each of the tiles of the first and second architectural layers including at least one constraining element extending therefrom, wherein, when atmospheric pressure is present within the vacuum bladder, the first and second architectural layers are slidably moveable relative to one another and the membrane is flexible, and further wherein, when negative pressure is applied to the vacuum bladder, the first and second architectural layers are forced into engagement with one another, the constraining elements of the first and second architectural layers providing mechanical interference and preventing sliding movement of the first and second architectural layers relative to one another, causing the membrane to become substantially rigid.

Abstract: Cargo systems are provided for vehicles that include, in one embodiment: a variable cargo surface disposed within a body of the vehicle behind one or more occupant seats, the variable cargo surface including: a low friction surface that facilitates movement of cargo within the cargo system, the low friction surface having a first coefficient of friction; a high friction surface that inhibits movement of cargo within the cargo system, the high friction surface having a second coefficient of friction that is greater than the first coefficient of friction; and a control device that selectively activates the low friction surface and the high friction surface based on conditions for the vehicle; wherein the low friction surface contacts the cargo within the cargo system when the low friction surface is activated; and the high friction surface contacts the cargo within the cargo system when the high friction surface is activated.

Abstract: An inflatable active flow control device includes a first surface, a second surface, and a spring including one end connected to the first surface and an opposite end connected to the second surface. A flexible material is connected to both the first surface and the second surface around the spring, defines an inflatable internal volume, and includes a plurality of threads extending between opposing inner surfaces of the flexible material at spaced locations through the inflatable internal volume.

Abstract: A pneumatic articulating structure includes a plurality of tiles, a flexible cover, and a plurality of resiliently flexible hinges. Each tile has a first surface and a second surface facing in opposite outward directions. An area of at least one respective first surface is greater than an area of at least one respective second surface. The cover is constructed to cover the tiles. The second surface of each one of the tiles is attached to the cover. Each tile is engaged to an adjacent tile by a respective hinge, and are proximate to the first surface. A vacuum chamber is define by at least the plurality of tiles and the flexible cover.

Abstract: An inflatable structure includes a top end cap, a bottom end cap, a bladder, a plurality of tethers, and an adjustment mechanism. The bladder is attached to the top and bottom end caps and configured to hold pressurized air therebetween. The plurality of tethers are disposed within the bladder. Each tether in the plurality of tethers has a first end coupled to the top end cap and a second end coupled to the bottom end cap. When the bladder is inflated, the plurality of tethers restrict a number of degrees of freedom of the inflatable structure and a type of the degrees of freedom. The adjustment mechanism is operable to move the second end of at least one tether in the plurality of tethers to adjust at least one of the number of the degrees of freedom and the type of the degrees of freedom.

Abstract: An inflatable structure includes a top end cap, a bottom end cap, a bladder, a nozzle, a loop, and a first tether. The bladder is attached to the top and bottom end caps and is configured to hold pressurized fluid therebetween. The nozzle is configured to allow fluid to enter and exit the bladder. The loop is attached to one of the top and bottom end caps. A tether is disposed within the bladder, coupled to the other one of the top and bottom end caps, and extends through the at least one loop. The top end cap assumes a first position when the bladder is inflated. When the top end cap is adjusted from the first position to a second position, the first tether is configured to maintain the top end cap in the second position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a first knitted fabric layer defining an outer surface and a second knitted fabric layer defining an inner surface. The inner surface is opposite the outer surface. The vehicle seat further includes a knitted spacer fabric interconnecting the first knitted fabric layer and the second knitted fabric layer. The knitted spacer fabric resiliently biases the first knitted fabric layer and the second knitted fabric layer away from one another. The knitted spacer fabric is configured to buckle when a seated occupant exerts an occupant load on the vehicle seat. The first knitted fabric layer is more elastic than the second knitted fabric layer to conform to the seated occupant when the seated occupant exerts the occupant load on the vehicle seat.