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US 9,541,196 B2Granted
Miniature McKibben actuator
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsChristopher P. Henry, Sloan P. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hydraulic actuator includes a tubular bladder having first and second ends, an expandable and collapsible sleeve provided on the tubular bladder, a fluid inlet fitting provided in fluid communication with the tubular bladder and at least one mechanical connection provided along the tubular bladder. The hydraulic actuator may have flexibility and an overall diameter of less than about 5 mm.
Claims19
A fluid actuator, comprising:
- a tubular bladder having first and second ends, the tubular bladder having an outer diameter of about 0.020 inches or less and an inner diameter of about 0.010 inches or less, and further wherein the tubular bladder has a diameter to thickness ratio of at least 2;
- an overbraided sleeve covering the outer diameter of the tubular bladder, wherein overbraided is defined as at least about eight threads of at least about two hundred denier, the threads being braided over the outer diameter of the tubular bladder, wherein the tubular bladder and the overbraided sleeve has a combined overall diameter of about 0.035 inches or less, and wherein the tubular bladder and the overbraided sleeve has a length to diameter ratio of than about 25 to 1 or greater;
- a fluid inlet fitting provided in fluid communication with the tubular bladder;
- and
- at least one mechanical connection provided along the tubular bladder;
- wherein the fluid actuator is woven in a crossed pattern and supported by a frame comprising a grid.
3 more elements
A device, comprising:
- a frame comprising a grid;
- a fluid actuator comprising:
- a tubular bladder having first and second ends, the tubular bladder having an outer diameter of about 0.020 inches or less and an inner diameter of about 0.010 inches or less, and further wherein the tubular bladder has a diameter to thickness ratio of at least 2;
- an overbraided sleeve covering the outer diameter of the tubular bladder, wherein overbraided is defined as at least about eight threads of at least about two hundred denier, the threads being braided over the outer diameter of the tubular bladder, wherein the tubular bladder and the overbraided sleeve has a combined overall diameter of about 0.035 inches or less, and wherein the tubular bladder and the overbraided sleeve has a length to diameter ratio of than about 25 to 1 or greater;
- wherein the fluid actuator is woven in a crossed pattern throughout at least some cells of the grid;
- a fluid inlet fitting provided at the first end of the tubular bladder;
- a selected one of a second fluid inlet fitting and a plug provided at the second end of the tubular bladder;
- and
- at least one mechanical connection provided along the tubular bladder.
6 more elements
A method of fabricating a fluid actuator, comprising:
- providing a tubular bladder having first and second ends, the tubular bladder having an outer diameter of about 0.020 inches or less and an inner diameter of about 0.010 inches or less, and further wherein the tubular bladder has a diameter to thickness ratio of at least 2;
- providing an overbraided sleeve covering the outer diameter of the tubular bladder, wherein overbraided is defined as at least about eight threads of at least about two hundred denier, the threads being braided over the outer diameter of the tubular bladder, wherein the tubular bladder and the overbraided sleeve has a combined overall diameter of about 0.035 inches or less, and wherein the tubular bladder and the overbraided sleeve has a length to diameter ratio of than about 25 to 1 or greater, wherein the overbraided sleeve is woven in a crossed pattern and supported by a frame comprising a grid;
- sliding the overbraided sleeve over the tubular bladder;
- providing at least one fluid inlet fitting in fluid communication with the tubular bladder;
- and
- providing at least one mechanical connection along the bladder.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.