Abstract: A roll-diaphragm compressor and a roll-diaphragm compressors system, including methods for manufacturing and using same. The roll-diaphragm compressor includes a compressor body having a concave portion that defines a rounded interface wall and an apex portion adjacent to the concave portion that comprises an inlet and outlet port. The roll-diaphragm compressor also includes a flexible roll-diaphragm coupled to the compressor body about a compressor body edge and a compression chamber defined by the concave portion, apex portion and roll-diaphragm. The roll-diaphragm compressor further includes a piston head rigidly coupled to a central portion of the roll-diaphragm and configured to drive the roll-diaphragm to a first configuration where the roll-diaphragm engages the interface wall as part of a compression cycle.

Abstract: A fluidic actuator comprises a chamber. The chamber is provided using a mass manufacturing technique. The chamber is formed from a material that has a higher strength in at least two axes relative to at most one other axis. The chamber allows a volume change by localized bending of a chamber wall.

Abstract: A fluidic robotic actuator configured to assume at least a neutral position, the fluidic robotic actuator includes a first and second plate defining respective planar portions that are disposed in parallel planes in the neutral position. The fluidic robotic actuator also includes a plurality of elongated bellows extending between the first and second plates, the bellows each having a central main axis that is parallel to the central main axis of the other bellows in the neutral position, the main axis of the bellows being perpendicular to the parallel planes of the first and second plates in the neutral position, the bellows being coupled to the first and second plates at respective first and second ends of the bellows.

Abstract: One aspect includes an isothermal compressor that includes an isothermal body, an isothermal cavity defined by the isothermal body, a compressible membrane heat exchanger disposed within the isothermal cavity that defines at least one first fluid chamber, and an actuating assembly configured to compress the membrane heat exchanger. A further aspect includes an isothermal engine that includes the isothermal compressor.

Abstract: A system for storing natural gas comprises a plurality of straight sections of tube. The plurality of straight sections of tube are dense packed. The plurality of straight sections of tube are configured to fill a designated volume.

Abstract: A high-pressure pressure vessel for storing natural gas comprises a plurality of first vessel regions of first diameters, a plurality of couplers, and a fiber layer. A three dimensional volume is filled using at least in part the plurality of first vessel regions. Each coupler of the plurality of couplers couples each pair of first vessel regions of the plurality of first vessel regions. Each coupler of the plurality of couplers comprises a second vessel region of a second diameter and two third vessel regions that transition diameters between the first diameter and the second diameter. The three dimensional volume is filled using at least in part the plurality of couplers. The first vessel regions and the couplers comprise a material with low permeability to natural gas. The fiber layer surrounds the plurality of first vessel regions and the plurality of couplers.

Abstract: A roll-diaphragm compressor and a roll-diaphragm compressors system, including methods for manufacturing and using same. The roll-diaphragm compressor includes a compressor body having a concave portion that defines a rounded interface wall and an apex portion adjacent to the concave portion that comprises an inlet and outlet port. The roll-diaphragm compressor also includes a flexible roll-diaphragm coupled to the compressor body about a compressor body edge and a compression chamber defined by the concave portion, apex portion and roll-diaphragm. The roll-diaphragm compressor further includes a piston head rigidly coupled to a central portion of the roll-diaphragm and configured to drive the roll-diaphragm to a first configuration where the roll-diaphragm engages the interface wall as part of a compression cycle.

Abstract: A poppet valve system that includes a valve body having a first and second end and defining a valve cavity and a poppet assembly extending from the first end to the second end and through the valve cavity. The poppet assembly can include a movable poppet head disposed at the first end of the poppet assembly and configured generate a seal by contacting a portion of the valve body and configured to define an opening between the valve cavity and a pressure cavity. The poppet assembly can also include a movable guiding element disposed at the second end of the valve body and a shaft extending from the first end to the second end and coupled to the poppet head and guiding element.

Abstract: A pneumatic exomuscle system and methods for manufacturing and using same. The pneumatic exomuscle system includes a pneumatic module; a plurality of pneumatic actuators each operably coupled to the pneumatic module via at least one pneumatic line, a portion of the pneumatic actuators configured to be worn about respective body joints of a user; and a control module operably coupled to the pneumatic module, the control module configured to control the pneumatic module to selectively inflate portions of the pneumatic actuators.

Abstract: A robotic actuator comprises a mass manufactured bellows, wherein the mass manufactured bellows allows a volume change by localized bending, and wherein the mass manufactured bellows is formed from a material that has a higher strength in at least two axes relative to at most one other axis, and an end effector, wherein the end effector is coupled to the manufactured bellows.

Abstract: A system for storing natural gas comprises a plurality of straight sections of tube. The plurality of straight sections of tube are dense packed. The plurality of straight sections of tube are configured to fill a designated volume.

Abstract: A system for storing natural gas comprises a plurality of straight sections of tube. The plurality of straight sections of tube are dense packed. The plurality of straight sections of tube are configured to fill a designated volume.

Abstract: A pneumatic exomuscle system and methods for manufacturing and using same. The pneumatic exomuscle system includes a pneumatic module; a plurality of pneumatic actuators each operably coupled to the pneumatic module via at least one pneumatic line, a portion of the pneumatic actuators configured to be worn about respective body joints of a user; and a control module operably coupled to the pneumatic module, the control module configured to control the pneumatic module to selectively inflate portions of the pneumatic actuators.

Abstract: A roll-diaphragm compressor and a roll-diaphragm compressors system, including methods for manufacturing and using same. The roll-diaphragm compressor includes a compressor body having a concave portion that defines a rounded interface wall and an apex portion adjacent to the concave portion that comprises an inlet and outlet port. The roll-diaphragm compressor also includes a flexible roll-diaphragm coupled to the compressor body about a compressor body edge and a compression chamber defined by the concave portion, apex portion and roll-diaphragm. The roll-diaphragm compressor further includes a piston head rigidly coupled to a central portion of the roll-diaphragm and configured to drive the roll-diaphragm to a first configuration where the roll-diaphragm engages the interface wall as part of a compression cycle.

Abstract: Stiffening of an air beam uses an apparatus. The apparatus comprises a high pressure inflatable structure and an inflatable beam structure. The high pressure inflatable structure is inflated causing a first internal pressure. The inflatable beam structure is inflated causes a second internal pressure. The inflatable beam structure is reinforced against bending with the high pressure inflatable structure. The first internal pressure is greater than the second internal pressure.