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US 2014/0270906 A1Published application
Selectively modifiable layer for alteration of appearance or texture
AssigneeDisney Enterprises, Inc.
InventorPhilip Jackson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A movable robotic structure including a frame or substrate, an outer skin connected to at least a portion of the frame and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the outer skin. The vacuum source, such as a vacuum pump, is activated to pull the outer skin into engagement with an outer surface of the frame. When pulled by the vacuum source, the skin may conform to the topography or texture of the frame, as well as become taut over at least a portion of the frame.
Claims29
A method for varying a topography of a material comprising:
- mounting a substantially flexible material to a vacuum substrate, wherein the substrate defines a plurality of flow apertures and a vacuum cavity;
- and
- selectively activating a vacuum in fluid communication with the flow apertures and the vacuum cavity, wherein activating the vacuum causes a pressure change in the substrate and draws at least a part of the flexible material against the substrate.
A movable robotic structure comprising:
- a frame;
- an outer skin connected to at least a portion of the frame;
- and
- a vacuum source in fluid communication with the outer skin;
- wherein
- activating the vacuum source substantially pulls at least a part of the outer skin into engagement with an outer surface of the frame.
3 more elements
A vacuum control mechanism, comprising:
- a porous substrate having a first surface and a bottom surface;
- a membrane extending over at least a portion of the first surface;
- a pump in fluid communication with the membrane and configured to produce a suction force;
- wherein
- the suction force pulls the membrane closer to the first surface of the porous substrate.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.