Systems and methods for implementing bulk metallic glass-based macroscale compliant mechanisms
AssigneeCalifornia Institute of Technology
InventorsDouglas C. Hofmann, Gregory Agnes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement bulk metallic glass-based macroscale compliant mechanisms. In one embodiment, a bulk metallic glass-based macroscale compliant mechanism includes: a flexible member that is strained during the normal operation of the compliant mechanism; where the flexible member has a thickness of 0.5 mm; where the flexible member comprises a bulk metallic glass-based material; and where the bulk metallic glass-based material can survive a fatigue test that includes 1000 cycles under a bending loading mode at an applied stress to ultimate strength ratio of 0.25.
Claims27
A bulk metallic glass-based macroscale compliant mechanism comprising:
- a flexible member that is strained during the normal operation of the compliant mechanism;
- wherein the flexible member has a thickness of 0.5 mm;
- wherein the flexible member comprises a bulk metallic glass-based material;
- and
- wherein the bulk metallic glass-based material can survive a fatigue test that includes 1000 cycles under a bending loading mode at an applied stress to ultimate strength ratio of 0.25.
A method of manufacturing a bulk metallic glass matrix composite-based macroscale compliant mechanism comprising:
- forging a bulk metallic glass matrix composite material into a mold;
- removing the bulk metallic glass matrix composite material from the mold;
- and
- excising any remnant excess material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.