Actuation system
AssigneeCalifornia Institute of Technology
InventorsDamien Eggenspieler, Devvrath Khatri, Chiara Daraio
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and system for creating highly nonlinear solitary waves for use in performing nondestructive evaluation of structures and materials. The method and system use an apparatus having a spring loaded adjustable striker, a chain of granular particles, and a reloading device that allows for repeated activation of the adjustable striker.
Claims24
An actuation system for applying pulses to a structure or material and/or detecting pulses from a structure or material, the actuation system comprising:
- a holder containing a chain of granular particles;
- a striker structure directing one or more striker particles towards one end of the chain of granular particles;
- and
- a reloading structure configured to repeatedly engage the one or more striker particles at a lower extant, to lift the one or more striker particles to a selected distance at an upper extant above the chain of granular particles;
- and to release the one or more striker particles at the upper extant.
A method for repeatedly applying a pulse or series of pulses to a structure or material comprising:
- providing a chain of granular particles, wherein a first end of the chain of granular particles is disposed adjacent the structure or material;
- moving one or more striker particles to a selected distance from a second end of the chain of granular particles;
- launching the one or more striker particles at the chain of granular particles;
- engaging the one or more striker particles after the one or more striker particles have been launched at the chain of granular particles and moving the engaged one or more striker particles to the selected distance;
- and
- repeatedly moving, launching, and engaging the one or more striker particles to produce a desired number of pulses or series of pulses.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.