US 10,653,538 B2 · Fluid-driven bubble actuator arrays

Abstract

This disclosure includes bubble actuator arrays and methods for making and using the same. Some bubble actuator arrays include a first flexible layer having a substantially flat first portion and a plurality of second portions that protrude away from the first portion to define chambers, a flexible second layer sealed to the first layer to define a plurality of cells in the chambers and between the layers, and where the array can be coupled to a fluid source such that the internal pressures of the cells can be varied. Some of the present methods include adjusting with a processor and fluid source the pressure in the cells of an array. Others of the present methods include placing sacrificial material into chambers of a molded first layer such that a plurality of cells is formed when a second layer is molded coincident to the first and the sacrificial material is removed.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus comprising:

a flexible first layer comprising a substantially flat first portion and a plurality of second portions each protruding away from the first portion to define a chamber, a majority of which is surrounded by a boundary lying on the first portion;
a flexible second layer that is substantially flat;
and
where the first layer is sealed in fixed relation to the second layer along the boundaries to define a plurality of cells between the first layer and the second layer in the chambers and such that the first layer has a surface overlying the cells;
and
where the apparatus is configured to be coupled to an interior of a helmet.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

16/052,450Filed 1 Aug 2018 · continuation

Priority

26 Dec 2013

Published

US 2018/0344488 A16 Dec 2018

Granted

19 May 2020

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification22 codes

A61F 2/54
Prostheses not implantable in the body: artificial arms or hands or parts thereof
A42B 3/122
With at least one layer or pad containing a fluid: inflatable
A61F 2/70
Operating or control means: electrical
A61F 2/78
Prostheses not implantable in the body: means for protecting prostheses or for attaching them to the body, e.g. bandages, harnesses, straps or…

Family

Application61/920,903Us provisional application · filed 26 Dec 2013

Application61/941,262Us provisional application · filed 18 Feb 2014

PCT/US2014/072338Parent of this continuation · filed 24 Dec 2014

US 2018/0344488 A1Pre-grant publication · published 6 Dec 2018

Application15/107,969Parent of this continuation

US 10,064,744 B2Parent of this continuation

US 2016/0331556 A1Published application

US 10,653,538 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Fluid-driven bubble actuator arrays

Life of this patent

Fluid-driven bubble actuator arrays

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20