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US 9,827,667 B2Granted
Pneumatic exomuscle system and method
AssigneeOther Lab, LLC
InventorsSaul Griffith, Pete Lynn, Della Shea, Kevin Albert, Tim Swift
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pneumatic exomuscle system and methods for manufacturing and using same. The pneumatic exomuscle system includes a pneumatic module; a plurality of pneumatic actuators each operably coupled to the pneumatic module via at least one pneumatic line, a portion of the pneumatic actuators configured to be worn about respective body joints of a user; and a control module operably coupled to the pneumatic module, the control module configured to control the pneumatic module to selectively inflate portions of the pneumatic actuators.
Claims15
A pneumatic exomuscle system comprising:
- a pneumatic module;
- a plurality of pneumatic actuators each operably coupled to the pneumatic module via at least one pneumatic line, a portion of the pneumatic actuators configured to be worn about respective body joints of a user with at least one pneumatic actuator comprising a plurality of elongated inflatable chambers stacked lengthwise along a first axis in an array from a top-end to a bottom-end, the length of the plurality of elongated inflatable chambers defining the first axis, the array configured to couple about a limb of a user at the joint of the limb, the limb extending along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis when the limb is in a straightened configuration;
- a control module operably coupled to the pneumatic module, the control module configured to control the pneumatic module to selectively inflate portions of the pneumatic actuators;
- and
- wherein a pneumatic actuator comprises a reinforcing structure configured to resist a concentrated buckling moment transferred by the pneumatic actuator during movement of the pneumatic actuator.
2 more elements
A pneumatic exomuscle system comprising:
- a pneumatic module;
- a plurality of pneumatic actuators each operably coupled to the pneumatic module via at least one pneumatic line, a portion of the pneumatic actuators configured to be worn about respective body joints of a user with at least one pneumatic actuator comprising a plurality of elongated inflatable chambers stacked lengthwise along a first axis in an array from a top-end to a bottom-end, the length of the plurality of elongated inflatable chambers defining the first axis, the array configured to couple about a limb of a user at the joint of the limb, the limb extending along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis when the limb is in a straightened configuration;
- a control module operably coupled to the pneumatic module, the control module configured to control the pneumatic module to selectively inflate portions of the pneumatic actuators, and
- a plurality of anisotropic support structures configured to extend about the limb of the user and carry a load in a first direction, while providing for torsional movement in at least one second direction when worn by the user.
1 more element
A pneumatic exomuscle system comprising:
- a pneumatic module;
- a plurality of pneumatic actuators each operably coupled to the pneumatic module via at least one pneumatic line, a portion of the pneumatic actuators configured to be worn about respective body joints of a user with at least one pneumatic actuator comprising a plurality of elongated inflatable chambers stacked lengthwise along a first axis in an array from a top-end to a bottom-end, the length of the plurality of elongated inflatable chambers defining the first axis, the array configured to couple about a limb of a user at the joint of the limb, the limb extending along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis when the limb is in a straightened configuration;
- a control module operably coupled to the pneumatic module, the control module configured to control the pneumatic module to selectively inflate portions of the pneumatic actuators,
- wherein a pneumatic actuator defines a two or three dimensional shape configured to provide resistance to buckling of the pneumatic actuator during inflation of the pneumatic actuator.
1 more element
A pneumatic actuator comprising:
- a plurality of inflatable chambers stacked in an array from a top-end to a bottom end, the chambers defining a first, second and third column, with each column defined by a set of inflatable chambers that are configured to be selectively inflatable as a group, the first, second and third column defining a central column disposed and interleaved between a pair of outer columns, the pneumatic actuator configured to be worn on the shoulder of a user, and
- wherein each column is separately selectively inflatable from the other columns.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.