Apparatus, system, and method for providing fabric-elastomer composites as pneumatic actuators
Soft pneumatic actuators based on composites consisting of elastomers with embedded sheet or fiber structures (e.g., paper or fabric) that are flexible but not extensible are described. On pneumatic inflation, these actuators move anisotropically, based on the motions accessible by their composite structures. They are inexpensive, simple to fabricate, light in weight, and easy to actuate. This class of structure is versatile: the same principles of design lead to actuators that respond to pressurization with a wide range of motions (bending, extension, contraction, twisting, and others). Paper, when used to introduce anisotropy into elastomers, can be readily folded into three-dimensional structures following the principles of origami; these folded structures increase the stiffness and anisotropy of the elastomeric actuators, while keeping them light in weight.
- Research Organization:
- Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-00ER45852
- Assignee:
- President and Fellows of Harvard College (Cambridge, MA)
- Patent Number(s):
- 9,797,415
- Application Number:
- 14/467,758
- OSTI ID:
- 1404934
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 2014 Aug 25
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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