US 9,314,923 B2 · Bio-inspired continuous robotic limb

Abstract

A robotic limb is described. The robotic limb has a closed tubular casing made of viscoelastic material defining a chamber containing an incompressible fluid. The closed tubular casing has a sheath formed by substantially inextensible intertwined wires. In the chamber there are groups of transverse actuators axially spaced from each other, connected to the sheath and adapted to reversibly contract the closed tubular casing at least partly in the radial direction. The robotic limb also has longitudinal actuators adapted to reversibly contract the closed tubular casing at least partly in the axial direction being connected to each of the groups of transverse actuators.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A robotic limb comprising:

a sheath formed by substantially inextensible intertwined wires, inside said sheath being placed groups of transverse actuators axially spaced from each other, connected to said sheath and capable to reversibly contract said sheath at least partially in a radial direction;
longitudinal actuating means connected to each of said groups of transverse actuators for reversibly contracting said sheath at least partially in an axial direction;
and
a closed tubular casing in a viscoelastic material, said closed tubular casing incorporating said sheath and defining a chamber, said chamber containing an incompressible fluid.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bio-inspired continuous robotic limb

Life of this patent

Bio-inspired continuous robotic limb

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12