Harmonic propulsion and harmonic controller
AssigneeThe Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
InventorMichael Treat
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device and method for propelling objects using periodic or harmonic vibrations is described. The device comprises a flexible substrate or surface and a source of vibrational energy that is applied to the substrate or surface. Specific embodiments include a device which can move along a flat surface, which can climb a smooth vertical or slanted wall, which can move along a ceiling while suspended upside down, which can climb up a smooth hollow tube, or which can move through liquids.
Claims28
A device comprising:
- a flexible substrate having at least one flat or substantially flat surface;
- and a source of vibrational energy that can be applied to said substrate,
- wherein the device is capable of translational motion along a surface.
A device capable of translational motion comprising:
- a flexible substrate having at least one flat or substantially flat surface;
- and
- a source of harmonic vibration in communication with said substrate.
A device comprising:
- a flexible substrate or surface;
- and
- a source of vibrational energy that can be applied to said substrate or surface,
- wherein the device is capable of translational motion along a surface or through a fluid.
A method for imparting translational motion to an object on a surface or in a fluid, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) vibrating the object to produce harmonic vibration;
- (b) coupling the vibration to the surface or fluid in an asymmetric way to produce translational motion by the object.
A method for imparting translational motion to an object having a substrate or a first surface on a second surface or in a fluid, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) applying vibrational energy to the object to produce harmonic vibrations in the substrate or first surface;
- and
- (b) coupling the vibrations to the second surface in an asymmetric way to produce translational motion by the object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.