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US 12,129,876 B2Granted
Bistable elastomeric actuator
AssigneeArizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
InventorsWeijia Tao, Wenlong Zhang, Zhi Qiao
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Abstract
Elastomeric actuators and methods of making the same are provided herein. In some examples, an actuator includes a body comprising a plurality of pairs of frustums, wherein the body is configured to receive a fluid to extend the actuator and to remove the fluid to contract the actuator. In some examples, each pair of frustums includes two thin frustum shells sharing a common base circle diameter.
Claims15
An actuator, comprising:
- a body comprising a plurality of pairs of frustums,
- wherein the body is configured to receive a fluid to extend the actuator and to remove the fluid to contract the actuator,
- wherein each pair of frustums comprises two thin frustum shells sharing a common base circle diameter, and
- wherein one of the thin frustum shells is configured with a first base angle and the other of the thin frustum shells is configured with a second base angle that is smaller than the first base angle.
1 more element
A method for forming an actuator, the method comprising:
- folding a thermoplastic polymer sheet into a frustum shape;
- threading yarn around the thermoplastic polymer sheet;
- molding, in a first mold, a plurality of thermoplastic polymer frustums with an elastomer to form a plurality of elastomer frustums with embedded thermoplastic polymer;
- molding, in a second mold with a soft thermoplastic polyurethane inner mold, the plurality of elastomer frustums to form an actuator shape;
- demolding the actuator;
- and
- inserting a thermoplastic polymer support shell into the actuator.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.