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US 11,788,869 B2Granted
Waveguides for use in sensors or displays
AssigneeCornell University
InventorsRobert Shepherd, Huichan Zhao, Rukang Huang, Hedan Bai, Shuo Li
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in scissors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- an optical waveguide comprising a core comprising a first elastomer material and cladding comprising a second elastomer material, the first elastomer material having a first index of refraction and the second elastomer material having a second index of refraction, the first index of refraction being larger than the second index of refraction,
- wherein the first elastomer material and the second elastomer material elastomer are lossy and more light is lost to an environment as deformation of the optical waveguide increases, and
- wherein the optical waveguide is confirmed to yield an output power loss greater than about 0.1 dB/cm for elongation of the optical waveguide core and cladding between about 1% to about 85%.
A sensor comprising:
- an optical waveguide comprising a core comprising a first elastomer material and cladding comprising a second elastomer material, the first elastomer material having a first index of refraction and the second elastomer material having a second index of refraction, the first index of refraction being larger than the second index of refraction, wherein the first elastomer material and the second elastomer material elastomer are lossy and more light is lost to an environment as deformation of the optical waveguide increases, and wherein the optical waveguide is confirmed to yield an output power loss greater than about 0.1 dB/cm for elongation of the optical waveguide core and cladding between about 1% to about 85%;
- a light source disposed at a proximal end of the optical waveguide;
- and
- a photodetector disposed at a distal end of the optical waveguide.
1 more element
A device comprising:
- a soft actuator;
- and
- a circuit comprising an optical waveguide, a light source disposed at a proximal end of the optical waveguide and a photodetector disposed at a distal end of the optical waveguide,
- wherein the optical waveguide comprises a core comprising a first elastomer material and cladding comprising a second elastomer material, the first elastomer material having a first index of refraction and the second elastomer material having a second index of refraction, the first index of refraction being larger than the second index of refraction, wherein the first elastomer material and the second elastomer material elastomer are lossy and more light is lost to an environment as deformation of the optical waveguide increases, and wherein the optical waveguide is confirmed to yield an output power loss greater than about 0.1 dB/cm for elongation of the optical waveguide core and cladding between about 1% to about 85%, and
- wherein the circuit is configured to detect changes to a state of the circuit corresponding to a change in curvature, force, strain, elongation, pressure, or any combination thereof, acting on the soft actuator.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.