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US 8,475,074 B1Granted
Variable stiffness joint mechanism
AssigneeHRL Laboratories, LLC
InventorChristopher P Henry
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In some embodiments, a variable stiffness joint is provided which has a plurality of structural members with a variable stiffness material coupled between the plurality of structural members. The variable stiffness material may be selectively activated/inactivated to control the stiffness of the joint. Additional embodiments and implementations are disclosed.
Claims29
A variable stiffness joint comprising:
- a) a spherical joint comprising:
- (1) a plurality of structural members;
- and
- (2) a variable stiffness material coupling the plurality of structural members, wherein the variable stiffness material is interposed between adjacent surfaces of the plurality of structural members.
1 more element
A variable stiffness joint comprising:
- a) a spherical joint comprising:
- (1) a plurality of structural members;
- and
- (2) variable stiffness material associated with each of the plurality of structural members and configured to allow controllable restraint of the plurality of structural members so as to be capable of controlling non-tensile movement of the plurality of structural members.
1 more element
A variable stiffness joint comprising:
- a) a plurality of structural members;
- b) a variable stiffness material coupling the plurality of structural members, and
- c) wherein the variable stiffness material comprises three generally orthogonal intersecting sections, each of the plurality of structural members comprises a connector comprising faces abutting three adjacent portions of the generally orthogonal intersecting sections.
A variable stiffness joint comprising:
- a) a plurality of structural members;
- b) a variable stiffness material coupling the plurality of structural members so as to be capable of controlling non-tensile movement of the plurality of structural members, and
- c) wherein at least one of the plurality of structural members is capable of at least one of:
- (1) at least three degrees of freedom of movement;
- or (2) one degree of rotational movement.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.