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US 2014/0338323 A1Published application
Perching mechnism employing shape-memory effect
AssigneeMetna Co
InventorsAmirpasha Peyvandi, Parviz Soroushian, Jue Lu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A perching mechanism is developed which comprises shape-memory components capable of undergoing motions that render the perching effect. This mechanism can provide unmanned air vehicles with versatile, bird-like landing capabilities on surfaces of different types and orientations.
Claims8
A perching mechanism comprising at least one toe made of at least two groups of shape-memory elements providing bird-like two-way perching action, where;
- one group of shape-memory elements realize their shapes upon heating and produce movements opposite to those produced by the other groups of shape-memory elements upon heating:
- all shape-memory elements are linked together, and heating of one group of shape memory elements produces deformations which enable perching action for grabbing onto surfaces with at least one of rough and curved conditions, and heating the other groups of shape-memory elements produces opposite deformations which enable release from the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.