Abstract: An apparatus for deploying the wings of a movable-wing aircraft includes a spherical four-bar mechanism. The spherical four-bar mechanism has a first bar to which a first wing is attached, a second bar to which a second wing is attached, a third, movable bar rotatably or movably linking the first bar to the second bar at a first respective point on each bar, and a fourth bar grounding the first and second bar at a second respective point on each bar. The spherical four-bar mechanism may be mathematically optimized for space, size, and movement by a system of kinematic equations to allow the first and second wing to open at substantially the same time without colliding with one another. The wings of the aircraft may further include a mid-wing hinge with a movable stiffening spar to allow the wings to fold to a more compact size during storage.

Abstract: A series elastic robotic limb may include an energy generator, an energy storage element, and a link assembly. The link assembly may include a plurality of links coupled, via one or more joints, at one or more pivot locations. The energy generator may output a first force that causes an accumulation of energy in the energy storage element while the link assembly is in a first configuration and transitions the link assembly from the first configuration to a second configuration. The energy storage element may release the energy accumulated in the energy storage element when the link assembly is in the second configuration. The link assembly in the second configuration may trigger a motion of the series elastic robotic limb by at least amplifying the first force output by the energy generator and a second force associated with the energy released from the energy storage element.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a torque-compensating assistive wrist brace includes a hand member adapted to be provided on a user's hand, a forearm member adapted to be provided on the user's forearm, and an assistive linkage that connects the hand and forearm members together, the assistive linkage being configured to apply a balancing torque to a wrist of the user that counteracts intrinsic stiffness within the wrist and assists the user in rotating the wrist in both the flexion and extension directions.

Abstract: A series elastic robotic limb may include an energy generator, an energy storage element, and a link assembly. The link assembly may include a plurality of links coupled, via one or more joints, at one or more pivot locations. The energy generator may output a first force that causes an accumulation of energy in the energy storage element while the link assembly is in a first configuration and transitions the link assembly from the first configuration to a second configuration. The energy storage element may release the energy accumulated in the energy storage element when the link assembly is in the second configuration. The link assembly in the second configuration may trigger a motion of the series elastic robotic limb by at least amplifying the first force output by the energy generator and a second force associated with the energy released from the energy storage element.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a torque-compensating assistive wrist brace includes a hand member adapted to be provided on a user's hand, a forearm member adapted to be provided on the user's forearm, and an assistive linkage that connects the hand and forearm members together, the assistive linkage being configured to apply a balancing torque to a wrist of the user that counteracts intrinsic stiffness within the wrist and assists the user in rotating the wrist in both the flexion and extension directions.