Dynamic flexible circuits
AssigneeThe Aerospace Corporation
InventorJerome K. FULLER
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dynamic flex circuit includes a plurality of hole sets arranged along the dynamic flexible circuit. The dynamic flex circuit also includes a plurality of actuator wires coupled to the dynamic flexible circuit by way of intertwining each of the plurality of actuator wires through each hole set in the plurality of hole sets arrange along the dynamic flexible circuit. Each of the plurality of actuator wires are configured to impart a motion onto the dynamic flexible circuit depending on the amount of heat applied to each of the plurality of actuator wires.
Claims21
A configurable boom of a trained plastic flex circuit robotic appendage, the configurable boom configured to be unrolled or unfold to form a self-supporting structure where a plastic element constitutes a flex circuit containing one or more closely-coupled SMA actuators, the configurable boom comprising:
- a combination of rigid, curved boom sections and less rigid boom sections endowed with SMA material to form joints;
- and
- a thermoset structure, a carbon fiber composite structure, a fiberglass structure, a thermoplastic structure.
A boom, comprising:
- a flex circuit comprising a flat sheet;
- and
- a plurality of periodic joints dispersed through the flat sheet, wherein
- each of the plurality of periodic joints are laced or intertwined with SMA material to perform pivoting of the boom.
A boom, comprising:
- a flex circuit comprising a flat sheet;
- and
- a plurality of periodic joints dispersed through the flat sheet, wherein
- each of the plurality of periodic joints are laced or intertwined with SMA material to perform pivoting of the boom, and
- wherein the flex circuit comprises
- a flat shape gripper at a distal end, wherein
- the flat shape gripper comprising SMA material intertwined therein, and
- the flat shape gripper is configured to hold or grasp a target when the SMA material intertwined with the flat shape gripper is heated, and is configured to release grasping when the SMA material cools.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.