Non-metallic Patents (Class 92/92)
  • Patent number: 8127659
    Abstract: Fluid pressures of a plurality of compressible fluid pressure actuators that drive a joint through antagonistic driving are controlled by a main-fluid pressure control device, and at the time of applying quick brake upon collision, a proximate fluid pressure high-speed control device, disposed closely to the actuators, carries out pressure application or pressure reduction at a high speed on the actuators so as to be quickly accelerated or decelerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yasunao Okazaki
  • Patent number: 8100389
    Abstract: A pneumatic actuator for use in a vibration damping device comprising: a base housing; an elastic wall member being fastened fluid-tightly to the base housing to form a working air chamber therebetween; and an urging member positioned within the working air chamber for exerting urging force on an output portion provided to the elastic wall member, such that the output portion is actuated to undergo displacement in opposition to the urging member through change in an air pressure in the working air chamber from an outside. At least one of opposing faces of the base housing and the elastic wall member on the working air chamber side thereof has a plurality of rib portions which extend from an inner circumferential side thereof towards an outer circumferential side thereof. A vibration damping device equipped with the pneumatic actuator is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Tanaka, Tetsuya Miyahara
  • Patent number: 7908851
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a system for performing work has a hydraulic circuit adapted to store energy within a hose. The hose has an elastic inner layer pre-tensioned by a radial tensioning component disposed within the hose and at least one reinforcing layer of elastic thread disposed around and compressing the inner layer. A hydraulic fluid is in the circuit and in communication with the hose, the radial tensioning component and with a hydraulic actuator for doing the work. The circuit has a mechanism for pressurizing the hydraulic circuit in order to perform the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Francis Leany, Jacob Hannon, Tyson J. Wilde, Boyd Black
  • Patent number: 7887305
    Abstract: A flexible tank has a volume-variable chamber formed so as to be sectioned by a flexible tube that is expanded or contracted in accordance with the amount of the contained chemical liquid, and adaptor parts attached to the flexible tube. A primary-side port open to the volume-variable chamber is open into one of the adaptor parts, and a secondary-side port open to the volume-variable chamber is open into the other adaptor part. The contact between the chemical liquid and air in the volume-variable chamber is suppressed to minimum level, thereby containing the chemical liquid without deteriorating the cleanliness of the chemical liquid, and improving discharge accuracy of the chemical liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventor: Takeo Yajima
  • Patent number: 7861830
    Abstract: A safety device is provided having a clamping system that uses pressure admission into a chamber of a clamp element dependent on the position of a weight to be carried relative to the clamping system. For this purpose a valve is provided in a medium supply line, which valve is to be opened or closed by means of a movable actuation element. Here, the actuation element should be movable in the same direction in which the weight moves, preferably in a vertical direction. As a result of the arrangement of such a valve, the device couples the vertical movement or position of the weight with an actuation of the valve, and thus to provide an additional control for the pressure admission into the chamber or the clamping force resulting therefrom. A preferred chamber has curved top and bottom walls that elongate with a pressure drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Klaus Hofmann
  • Patent number: 7837144
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignees: Techno-Sciences, Inc., University of Maryland
    Inventors: Curt S. Kothera, Benjamin K. S. Woods, Jayant Sirohi, Norman M. Wereley, Peter C. Chen
  • Publication number: 20100269689
    Abstract: An actuator is provided whose expansion in the radial direction can be efficiently translated into longitudinal movement when its length is contracted and extended by injecting a fluid into the tubular body. The fluid injection type actuator includes an actuator body, which is an expansion and contraction section of the actuator. The actuator body is constructed of a cylindrical rubber tube and annular fiber groups inserted and extending longitudinally therein. The annular fiber groups are each a group of fibers, such as glass roving fibers having a diameter of about 10 ?m, arranged in an annular array along the circumference of the rubber tube. The arrangement allows the rubber tube to be restrained over the entirety of the actuator body longitudinally when it is expanded radially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: CHUO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Taro Nakamura, Kenji Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20100236188
    Abstract: Disclosed is a transport and installation system that serves the purpose of convenient moving doors from the delivery to the place of installation, positioning doors for ease of hinge installation and providing for horizontal, straight vertical and angular position of the doors with the door jam for installation of the hinge mountings. The new and unique air actuator utilizes a base, stationery vertical guides and removable attachment to a hand cart to solve the problem of handling these heavy unwieldly objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventor: Larry Charles Campbell
  • Patent number: 7779747
    Abstract: A system for producing mechanical motion is provided. The system includes an actuator having a first end, a second end, and a radially expandable bladder assembly extending therebetween, and a source of pressurized fluid external to said actuator. The bladder assembly further includes an inner cavity. In addition, a substantially fixed-volume reservoir positioned within the cavity is provided, wherein the bladder assembly is configured to expand in a radial direction and contract in an axial direction when a volume of fluid is introduced from the reservoir into the inner cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey Lynn Myers
  • Patent number: 7707925
    Abstract: A pumping system comprising a pump (21) for conveying a pumped fluid using an actuating fluid. The pump comprising a rigid outer casing (25) defining an interior space (26), a tube structure (27) accommodated in the interior space (26), the tube structure (27) being flexible and substantially inelastic. The interior of the tube structure (27) defines a pumping chamber (28) for receiving pumped fluid. The tube structure (27) is movable between laterally expanded and collapsed conditions for varying the volume of the pumping chamber (28) thereby to provide discharge and intake strokes. The region of the interior space (26) surrounding the tube structure (27) defines an actuating region for receiving and accommodating actuating fluid. The pumping chamber (28) is adapted to receive pumped fluid to cause the tube structure (27) to move towards the expanded condition and the pumping chamber (28) thereby undergoing an intake stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Weir Minerals Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Gordon Leith Morriss, Robert Leslie West
  • Patent number: 7677036
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a system for performing work having a hydraulic circuit comprising a length of hose a hydraulic fluid in the circuit in communication with the hose, a hydraulic actuator for doing the work, at least one compressible element disposed within the hose, and a mechanism for pressurizing the hydraulic circuit such that at least 50 foot pounds of energy is stored within the hose to perform the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventors: David R. Hall, David Wahlquist, Francis Leany
  • Patent number: 7617874
    Abstract: A valve control system for a wellbore includes a fiber composite actuator functionally coupled to a valve operating member and means for controllably charging an interior of the actuator with fluid under pressure. A valve for a wellbore includes a valve stem and a valve seat associated with a valve body. The valve stem and valve seat are configured to enable fluid flow from an inlet port in the valve body to an outlet port in the valve body when the stem is moved from the seat. An axial contraction fiber composite actuator is functionally coupled to the valve stem. The valve includes means for controllably charging an interior of the actuator with fluid under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Murat Ocalan
  • Patent number: 7600376
    Abstract: A system for performing work having a hydraulic circuit has a length of hose, a hydraulic fluid in the circuit in communication with the hose and with a hydraulic actuator for doing the work, and a mechanism for pressurizing the hydraulic circuit such that at least 50 foot pounds of energy is stored within the hose to perform the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Francis Leany, David Wahlquist, Scott Dahlgren
  • Publication number: 20090223361
    Abstract: A fluid pressure type actuator revolvable at high speeds and an exercise device using the actuator. The fluid pressure type actuator comprises an expansible/contractible body (1), which is sealed by plug members (2,3) at both ends and expanded and contracted by the supply and discharge of a fluid there to and therefrom, a net-like wrapping body (7) which wraps the outside of the expansible/contractible body (1) and is fastened and secured to the plug members (2,3) at both ends, and inlet and outlet for fluid formed in the plug members (2,3). It is characterized in having space reducing bodies (4,5) for filling at least a part of a space in the expansible/contractible body (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Taisuke Matsushita, Yutaka Sato
  • Publication number: 20090173223
    Abstract: A fluid pressure-type actuator is stably operable for a longer period of time than that of a conventional actuator. The actuator 1 is formed with a non-rubber bag body 5 covered with a covering body 2 that is expandable and contractable. The bag body 5 is constructed so that both a longitudinal dimension and an outer diameter thereof when inflated to the maximum extent are larger than an inner longitudinal dimension and inner diameter of the covering body 2 when the covering body 2 is expanded to the maximum extent. The covering body 2 is constructed so as to have a constricting force against a pressing force caused by inflating the bag body 5 when the covering body 2 is expanded to the maximum extent. If fluid is supplied to the actuator 1, because the bag body 5 is restrained with the covering body 2 before inflated to the maximum extent, an explosion of the bag body 5 is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: SQUSE INC.,
    Inventors: Tatuwo Kudawara, Mikio Shimizu, Yasunori Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7526918
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a system for performing work has a hydraulic circuit adapted to store energy within a hose. The hose has an elastic inner layer pre-tensioned by a radial tensioning component disposed within the hose and at least one reinforcing layer of elastic thread disposed around and compressing the inner layer. A hydraulic fluid is in the circuit and in communication with the hose, the radial tensioning component and with a hydraulic actuator for doing the work. The circuit has a mechanism for pressurizing the hydraulic circuit in order to perform the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Francis Leany, Jacob Hannon, Tyson J. Wilde, Boyd Black
  • Publication number: 20090044696
    Abstract: In order to improve its durability, a fluid pressure type actuator is comprises an expansible/contractible body having opposite ends sealed by plug members and expands/contracts when fluid is supplied to and discharged from the body; a wrapping body for wrapping the outer peripheral surface of the expansible/contractible body and having its opposite ends fastened and fixed to the plug members; an inlet/outlet for fluid formed in the plug members; and an auxiliary member for preventing or suppressing local deformation in which the wrapping body expands outward when the fluid is supplied to the expansible/contractible body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Takumi Inakazu, Yutaka Sato, Kazuaki Hiramatsu, Makoto Konami, Taisuke Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20080211150
    Abstract: A piston adapted for use in offset mounting conditions includes a piston body having a longitudinally-extending axis. First and second securement features are located at radially outer positions relative to the axis. The first and second securement features are also located on one diametrical side of a midplane of the piston body. A plurality of support walls extends from the diametrically opposite side of the piston body toward the securement features. A gas spring assembly including such a piston is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: BFS DIVERSIFIED PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel I. Levy, Jonathan Hall
  • Patent number: 7353747
    Abstract: Methods and devices for pumping fluid are disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a pump is provided having a first member with a passageway formed therethrough, and a plurality of electrically expandable actuators in communication with the first member and adapted to change shape upon the application of energy thereto such that sequential activation of the activators can create a pumping action to move fluid through the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Swayze, Mark Ortiz
  • Patent number: 7331273
    Abstract: A pneumatic actuator having a flexible plate, the flexible plate being made of a rigid flexible material. The pneumatic actuator further includes at least two elongate, flexible but poorly extensible pneumatic pressure ducts that are disposed side by side and are in parts connected to the flexible plate to which they are secured and on which they are arranged in such a manner that, when the pressure ducts are pressurized with compressed gas, tangential forces are generated parallel to the flexible plate causing said flexible plate to bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Prospective Concepts AG
    Inventors: Laszlo Kerekes, Tina Moor
  • Patent number: 7302959
    Abstract: A low-power, wireless, inflatable bladder damper device for controlling the flow of air through an airflow channel, and a method of operation for the same. Rather than requiring power supply and/or control wiring for operation of a wireless damper device, a low-power inflatable bladder damper device that requires no external wiring for operation can be used. A completely wireless damper device can reduce the cost of installation of damping devices in airflow channels, as well as the complexity of installation, while at the same time providing improved control of airflow throughout an airflow system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick S. Gonia
  • Patent number: 7299741
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure actuator having an inner tube and a mesh sleeve covering the outer periphery of the inner tube and longitudinally extendable by pressure fluid fed into the inner tube, wherein a low friction body formed in an elastic cylindrical body by knitting fine fibers in a circumferential direction without a seam is disposed between the inner tube and the mesh sleeve, and the low friction body contributes to an increase in the life of the hydraulic pressure actuator repeatedly performing extension/retraction motions. The hydraulic pressure actuator is used as an actuator for driving a CPM device which supports the extremity of a human body by ay least one of a plurality of members combined with each other and performs the rehabilitation of the joints of a handicapped by operating the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Hiramatsu, Makoto Konami, Yutaka Satoh, Taisuke Matsushita, Shigekazu Suzuki, Katsuhiro Kuroda, Kazuo Ooki, Akibiko Toda
  • Patent number: 7213503
    Abstract: An inner space connected to a power source and an inner space connected by way of a pressure loss part with respect to the flow of compressible fluid are provided, thereby obtaining effects similar to when the volume occupied by the compressible fluid with respect to the entire inner space is reduced when the pressure of the pressure source is rapidly changed, and effects similar to when the entire inner space is one space when static load is applied from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Asai, Yasunao Okazaki, Masaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7201097
    Abstract: The invention relates to a diaphragm pump for pumping aggressive and/or abrasive media, such as slurries, comprising a diaphragm housing mounted in a substantially vertically disposed pipe system, which substantially vertically disposed pipe system comprises at least one inlet and at least one outlet positioned some distance above the inlet, as well as at least one substantially circular, flexible diaphragm, which diaphragm is movable within the diaphragm housing under the influence of a working liquid to be pressurised, in which the circular outer edge of the diaphragm is clamped down in the diaphragm housing by means of a circular clamping member. According to the invention, the diaphragm pump is characterized in that the circular clamping member is provided, on the circumferential edge thereof, with a flange that extends parallel to the plane formed by the clamping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Weir Minerals Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelis Johannes De Koning
  • Patent number: 7185580
    Abstract: A fluid power contractile drive comprising a contractile hose (2), which on fluid actuation of an actuation space (7) delimited by it undergoes longitudinal contraction and which at its two terminal regions (5 and 6) is adapted to be, or is, provided with a force output means (8) rendering possible output of the drive force produced. At one terminal region (5 and 6) at least the contractile hose (2) possesses a flat configuration and is bent over, the hose sections (18 and 19) of the hose sections being placed adjacent to each other owing to such bending over being connected firmly with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Stefan Schwarz, Bernd Lorenz
  • Patent number: 7100491
    Abstract: A fluid-powered mechanical actuator having a proximal end and a distal end and having a plurality of hollow tubular elements hingedly connected in end-to-end linked relationship to form a variable angle therebetween, each such link having one degree of freedom; provision to bias the elements in a direction to minimize the angle between them; a flexible elongated chamber enclosing a space within it, the chamber situated within the linked elements and within the link therebetween, substantially contained thereby, the chamber having a flexible but non-expansible wall; and apparatus to provide to the space within said chamber a pressurized working fluid; whereby the pressure of the working fluid causes said chamber to straighten within said elements, especially at said links, thereby moving the relative position of the elements in a manner to act against the biasing means, thereby to cause an increase of the angle between them by providing an increase in working fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph S. Yatsko, Dawn E. Yatsko
  • Patent number: 7028600
    Abstract: A hydraulic radial piston engine has a lifting ring fixed to the casting, a rotor mounted opposite the lifting ring such that it is rotatable about an axis of rotation, multiple piston seats aligned radially in the rotor relative to the axis of rotation, and multiple pistons each displaceably mounted in a piston seat and which, over at least part of their length, have a non-circular guiding and sealing cross section that is coincident with a non-circular guiding and sealing cross section of the piston seats. Circularly cylindrical rollers are borne by the piston. With a given overall size, a greater swept volume per piston is possible and therefore a greater torque is produceable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AG
    Inventor: Chris Shrive
  • Patent number: 7021195
    Abstract: The invention relates to a priming pump comprising an enclosure having an elastically deformable central zone connected to two coupling zones, the enclosure being comprising an outer layer of elastomer material and an inner layer of barrier-forming material against the fluid present inside the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Nobel Plastiques
    Inventor: Nathalie Proust
  • Patent number: 7017468
    Abstract: A pneumatic device for pivoting a pivotal component is articulated to a structural element by means of a joint. Hoses produced from a material of low ductility, to which compressed air can be admitted, are inserted between the pivotal component and the structural element. The hoses contain an airtight bag. When these bags are inflated via valves, compressive forces act both on the structural element and on the pivotal component, causing the latter to swivel out. In order that the hoses cannot migrate, webs run from the joint to the hoses. In order to relieve the hoses in a specific limit position of the pivotal component and to prevent oscillatory movements of the pivotal component, a locking device is provided. The locking device includes a rod, which runs through a brake device fixed to an arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Prospective Concepts AG
    Inventor: Josef Steffen
  • Patent number: 7001322
    Abstract: A multiple sample processing apparatus for a continuous flow centrifuge, including a plurality of axially aligned processing chambers and expressor chambers, each chamber comprising an axial opening, in a fixed arrangement, and a plurality of central hubs disposed in the axial openings, the central hubs constructed and arranged to define passages for fluid communication between the chambers and a fluid supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: ZymeQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen Jorgensen, Keith Rosiello
  • Patent number: 6868773
    Abstract: A fluidic actuator includes a central elastic tube with an interior bore and a surrounding sheath formed of braided fibers. End fittings are attached to the tube and sheath at first and second ends thereof and include a cap with a hollow cavity into which an end section of the tube and sheath are inserted and embedded in a hardened adhesive. The hardened adhesive seals off the ends of the tube and strongly bonds the fibers of the sheath to the end caps to provide strong mechanical connections. A fluid coupling may extend through one of the end caps to connection to an end of the tube, with an interior bore in the coupling in communication with the bore in the tube to allow fluid under pressure to be supplied to the interior of the tube. A liquid lubricant may be held in the fibers of the sheath to provide lubrication between the elastic tube and the fibers of the sheath to reduce wear and abrasion of the tube and extend the service life of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Electro Cam Corporation
    Inventors: Donald L. Davis, Jeffrey A. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6860189
    Abstract: An actuator which comprises a pair of elongated elastomer tubes (6,16), sealed by respective members (18, 20, 22, 24) at each end, the members at the one end (18, 20) being fixed and the members at the opposite end (22, 24) sliding in guides (34, 36), the sliding ends of the first and second tubes being connected by a chain (26) and sprocket (10) to convert linear motion to rotary motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: HiFlex Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Jose Perez
  • Patent number: 6840152
    Abstract: A fluid power operable actuating device, which possesses a flexible contractible tube extending between two spaced head pieces, such flexible contractible tube being caused to expand radially when its inner space is subjected to fluid pressure and transmitting simultaneously axial forces, due to contraction, to the head pieces. The flexible contractible tube comprises an elastically deforming flexible tube body which has a special geometrical shape having a cross sectional outline on the inner periphery and/or the outer periphery of the flexible tube body which is non-circular and/or is in the form of several portions of the body of the flexible tube with properties of the material of the flexible tube body which are different from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Ansgar Kriwet, Bernd Lorenz
  • Patent number: 6830019
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve device for controlling the valve tappet of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. In this case, the movement of the valve tappet is generated by contraction/expansion or flexion or stretching of at least one artificial muscle. Furthermore, the artificial muscle can form a gas pressure chamber, by the action of pressure upon which a counterforce can be exerted on the valve tappet. Alternative embodiments of the invention relate particularly to the movement of valve flaps by artificial muscles and to the closing of a valve orifice by an artificial muscle of variable form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Torsten Kluge
  • Patent number: 6811168
    Abstract: In a suspension of a vehicle wheel on a vehicle body, including a spring element for accommodating the compressive forces acting between the vehicle wheel and vehicle body and with a linear actuator for adjusting the kinematics and the distance between the vehicle wheel and the vehicle body, the spring element and the linear actuator include at least one tubular contraction element with at least one hydraulic or pneumatic or hydropneumatic pressure chamber enclosed in a casing, which is designed in such a way that a pressure rise in the pressure chamber widens the casing radially and shortens it axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Bernd Acker, Gerhard Meier, Friedrich-Wilhelm Schlüter, Arnulf Sponheimer, Cornelius Statescu, Thomas Szell
  • Patent number: 6807894
    Abstract: A contraction unit with a contraction tube that extends between two spaced head pieces and that contracts in length when pressure builds upon the inside proposed, which is provided with a position sensor device for detecting the distance between the head pieces based on the expansion of an elastic measurement object with the help of an expansion measurement device, wherein the measurement object extends between head pieces or in or on the wall of the contraction tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventor: Thomas Reininger
  • Patent number: 6805606
    Abstract: An inflatable doll action figure having a telescopically extendable endoskeleton surrounded by an inflatable skin, associated with a manually operated air pump and release valve for selectively expanding and contracting individual air chambers, which form the doll's torso and limbs to simulate growth into a physically developed figure, and return to its original undeveloped state. The doll and its individual parts are protected from over-expansion by limit stops on axial movement of individual limbs of the telescopic skeleton, and circumferential limits on the individual inflatable chambers forming the limbs and muscles of the doll. The limits can be either molded into the inflatable skin, or incorporated into a separate fabric covering simulating clothing for the doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventor: Freddie Lee Kellum
  • Patent number: 6796918
    Abstract: The invention concerns a pneumatic system for displacing a cable (1) stretched in a loop between at least two pulleys (2, 3). Said system comprises at least an artificial muscle (5) inserted over a portion of the loop, the length of said artificial muscle varying depending on whether or not it is under pressure, means for pressurizing or not the artificial muscle, and means for alternately blocking two of said pulleys in a least one rotating direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Universite Joseph Fourier
    Inventors: Philippe Cinquin, Jocelyne Troccaz
  • Patent number: 6772673
    Abstract: A flexible actuator 2 according to the invention includes a movable part 6, an actuator body 8, a reservoir 10, and a pump 12 that moves a liquid between the reservoir 10 and a main liquid chamber 4. The movable part 6 includes a long tube 16 that forms the main liquid chamber, frame members 18a, 18b . . . aligned at predetermined intervals along a length of the tube, and a core member 20 that holds the alignment of the frame members. The tube includes a narrow hollow portion 24 that communicates between flat expanded hollow portions 22a, 22b . . . . Among the plurality of expanded hollow portions, the expanded hollow portion at a base has a largest transverse cross sectional area, with transverse cross sectional areas of the expanded hollow portions gradually decreasing toward a tip, and the expanded hollow portion at the tip has a smallest transverse cross sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Seto, Kunihiko Takagi
  • Publication number: 20040149124
    Abstract: A piston-chamber combination comprising an elongate chamber which is bounded by an inner chamber wall and comprising an elastically deformable piston comprising a container in said chamber to be sealingly movable relative to said chamber at least between first and second longitudinal positions of said chamber, said chamber having cross-sections of different cross-sectional areas at the first and second longitudinal positions of said chamber and at least substantially continuously different cross-sectional areas at intermediate longitudinal positions between the first and second longitudinal positions thereof, the cross-sectional area at the first longitudinal position being larger than the cross-sectional area at the second longitudinal position, said piston including a piston body and sealing means supported by the piston body for scaling on said inner chamber wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Nicolaas Van Der Blom
  • Publication number: 20040050247
    Abstract: A robotic arm comprises a plurality of interconnected segments which are flexible relative to each other to permit the arm to be bent. A connection part is provided at each end of the arm for electrical connection with a selected docking station. The robotic arm can be moved between a first and a second docking station by bending the arm such that the second end of the arm is connecting to the second docking station and then disconnecting the first end of the arm from the first docking station. In this way the robotic arm can be moved around a network of docking stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Michael John Topping
  • Patent number: 6684754
    Abstract: Artificial muscle analog 1000 is located within hollow exoskeletal bone 10. Muscle 1000 comprises inflatable bladder 120, cable 130, roller 140, anchor point 150, and connection means 160 whereby said bladder may be inflated and deflated. Bladder 120 is affixed to the interior surface of said bone. Cable 130, attached to bone 10 at point 150, passes over bladder 120 and through roller 140. Cable 130, if unobstructed and taut, takes a shortest path from point 150 to roller 140. When inflated, bladder 120 forces cable 130 to deviate from this shortest path, pulling cable 130 in through said roller, under tension. In their paired opposing muscle form 2000, the artificial muscles synergistically assist each other when used in opposition. Paired muscles 2000 may actuate a robotic arm 3000, and are easily controlled by the associated simple low-cost control systems 100a,b,c of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Alan Elbert Comer
  • Publication number: 20030110938
    Abstract: A flexible actuator 2 according to the invention includes a movable part 6, an actuator body 8, a reservoir 10, and a pump 12 that moves a liquid between the reservoir 10 and a main liquid chamber 4. The movable part 6 includes a long tube 16 that forms the main liquid chamber, frame members 18a, 18b . . . aligned at predetermined intervals along a length of the tube, and a core member 20 that holds the alignment of the frame members. The tube includes a narrow hollow portion 24 that communicates between flat expanded hollow portions 22a, 22b . . . . Among the plurality of expanded hollow portions, the expanded hollow portion at a base has a largest transverse cross sectional area, with transverse cross sectional areas of the expanded hollow portions gradually decreasing toward a tip, and the expanded hollow portion at the tip has a smallest transverse cross sectional area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Seto, Kunihiko Takagi
  • Patent number: 6513418
    Abstract: An air actuator adapted to be located between a pair of spaced members for moving said members with respect to each other includes a hollow body formed of an expandable non-reinforced polyurethane. The body has an ellipsoidal shape and terminates in a pair of curved closed ends and has an interior pressure cavity for receiving and discharging a pressurized fluid for expanding and contracting the body. The body is formed of at least two half members of the non-reinforced polyurethane by either a pair of longitudinal seams extending generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body or a single circumferential seam. An air tube connector is mounted in one of the closed ends of the body for connecting the interior cavity to a source of pressurized air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: BFS Diversified Products, LLS
    Inventors: Charles R. Simmons, Robert F. Elliott, Donald E. Foulke, Jr., Joshua R. Leonard
  • Patent number: 6487959
    Abstract: A fluid actuating drive for relative translational movement of first and second structural parts has a housing filled with a pressurizing medium, which in its longitudinal direction, runs along a gap that separates the structural parts, and is connected therewith. The width of the gap is dependant upon the relative position of opposing side walls of the housing, which side walls can be moved against one another with a pressurizing agent for the relative movement of the structure, where the side walls are alternately connected to the first and second structural part across the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Juan Perez, Martin Voglsinger
  • Patent number: 6453545
    Abstract: Radial pressure is applied to a turbine generator armature bar using a simple hand held device that can be readily manipulated by a single human operator. A retainer platform has two wedge shaped portions with handles, and by the operator sliding the wedge shaped portions with respect to each other the operative width of the platform may be adjusted, including to slide and lock the platform in a conventional dovetail slot in a stator. An inflatable bladder is positioned on or mounted to the top surface of the platform and is dimensioned so as to apply radial pressure (for example through a filler) to armature bars mounted in the stator. A conduit, preferably having a valve with quick-release actuator in it, extends from the inflatable bladder and connects to a source of gas under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth John Hatley, Sean Michael McDonnell, Alan Michael Iversen
  • Publication number: 20020108491
    Abstract: The tubular component of a fluid-driven tension actuator is made in a two layer system wherein a woven sleeve is immersed in a tubular shaped elastomeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Kevin S. Stahn
  • Patent number: 6431052
    Abstract: Provided is a power generating apparatus for obtaining a desired power source from elastic movement of an elastic tube into which compressed air is injected. The elastic pressure receptacle having compressed air is rotatably supported and pistons engaged with the elastic receptacle are installed in the vicinity thereof. Also, installed is a driving mechanism having circular plates having inclined protrusions for providing power to rotate the elastic pressure receptacle while inducing elastic movement for driving the pistons from the elastic pressure receptacle and a seesaw mechanism having rollers in contact with the inclined protrusions of the circular plate. The rotation power generated from the elastic pressure receptacle can be used as a desired power source through a driving shaft integrally installed on the elastic pressure receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Young-Chan Kim
  • Publication number: 20020083828
    Abstract: A flexible actuator is disclosed which comprises an expansion chamber defined by an inner wall of an expandable girdle, the expandable girdle being connected to at least two anchoring points. The expansion chamber has at least one fluid inlet to allow pressurized fluid into the chamber. The expansion chamber capable of acquiring a minimum volume and a maximum volume. The flexible actuator is adapted to transform a fluid pressure force against the inner wall of the expandable girdle into a traction force at the two anchoring points when the expansion chamber is inflated by the pressurized fluid entering through the fluid inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Alain Bernier
  • Patent number: 6360648
    Abstract: A fluid power rotary drive having two head pieces, between which a hose body and a force transmitting structure extend. The head pieces bear against each other via supporting means permitting relative rotatability thereof in Abstract of the Disclosure such a manner that they are prevented from performing an axial relative movement involving mutual motion toward or away from the one another. When the interior space of the hose body is put under pressure a relative rotary movement between the two head pieces is caused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Bernd Lorenz, Ansgar Kriwet, Dieter Bergemann, Axel Thallemer