Back to results
US 2017/0254367 A1Published application
Wave actuator
AssigneeGenesis Robotics LLP
InventorJames Brent Klassen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A two dimensional structure such as a disk or belt is shaped or distorted to form a buckling wave. At least one contact touches the wave, with two contacts squeezing the wave between them providing a firmer connection. The wave is propagated along the structure by any of a variety of means including magnets or piezo actuators. This movement of the wave moves the contacts relative to the two dimensional structure, providing a high leverage ratio.
Claims30
A wave actuator comprising:
- a two dimensional structure having at least a portion pre-stressed in compression in a first direction of the two dimensional structure to form a wave shape having waves along the first direction;
- an output arranged in contact with the waves of the wave shape, the output and the two-dimensional structure movably arranged in relation to one another;
- and
- a wave propagator arranged to propagate the waves along the first direction to move the output relative to the two dimensional structure.
1 more element
A method of making a wave actuator, the method comprising:
- providing a disk with a circumference in an initial state;
- loading the disk in tension across the disk and compression along the circumference to cause the disk to buckle and form a wave shape with waves;
- and
- constraining the disk between output members with the output members contacting the disk at one or more wave apexes such that force can be transferred from the disk to the output members when a wave is propagated along the disk.
1 more element
A torque transfer device comprising:
- a wave disk, the wave disk having an axis, the wave disk being preloaded in tension radially and in compression along the outer circumference such that a circumferential buckling effect is produced to generate an axial wave with two or more wave crests and troughs;
- one or more output contact rings attached coaxially to a rotating output member and axially preloaded against the axial wave apexes;
- and
- a propagating means to circumferentially propagate the wave to impart rotation and torque from the wave disk to the output members.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.