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US 2019/0056248 A1Published application
Waveguides for use in sensors or displays
AssigneeCornell University
InventorsRobert SHEPHERD, Huichan ZHAO, Rukang HUANG, Hedan BAI, Shuo LI
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Abstract
Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in sensors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.
Claims72
An apparatus comprising:
- an optical waveguide that includes at least two elastomer materials, wherein the elastomer materials are lossy and more light is lost to an environment as deformation of the optical waveguide increases.
A method comprising:
- forming a mold for a cladding;
- pouring pre-elastomer cladding material into the mold;
- curing the pre-elastomer cladding material in the mold;
- peeling the cladding from the mold;
- filling the cladding with pre-elastomer core material;
- and
- pouring the pre-elastomer cladding material to enclose the pre-elastomer core material.
4 more elements
A sensor comprising:
- a light source;
- a photodetector;
- and
- a light guide disposed between the light source and the photodetector, wherein the light guide defines at least one indent on an outer surface of the light guide, wherein a first point of the light guide is in optical communication with the light source and a second point of the light guide is in optical communication with the photodetector.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- shaping a light guide;
- heating the light guide after the shaping;
- forming at least one indent on an outer surface of the light guide after the heating;
- assembling a light source, a photodetector, and the light guide within a mold for a soft actuator after the forming;
- and
- casting the soft actuator after the assembling.
3 more elements
A method comprising:
- illuminating a waveguide with a light input at a first power level;
- measuring light output from the waveguide, wherein the light output is at a second power level less than the first power level;
- and
- determining a position on the waveguide where a strain was applied based on the first power level, second power level, total length of the waveguide, and the attenuation coefficient of material in the waveguide.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.