skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Fluidic actuator system and method

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1637816

A pneumatically actuated solar panel array system that includes a plurality of separate actuator assemblies that each have a top plate and bottom plate and a first and second bellows that each extend between and are coupled to the top and bottom plates at a respective top head and bottom head, the first and second bellows being configured to be separately pneumatically inflated, where the pneumatic inflation expands the bellows along a length. The pneumatically actuated solar panel array system can also include a plurality of solar panels coupled to the actuator assemblies with the solar panels being configured to be actuated based on inflation of one or more bellows associated with the plurality of actuator assembles.

Research Organization:
Sunfolding, Inc., San Francisco, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)
DOE Contract Number:
AR0000330
Assignee:
Sunfolding, Inc. (San Francisco, CA)
Patent Number(s):
10,601,366
Application Number:
16/134,844
OSTI ID:
1637816
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 09/18/2018
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (66)

Method and system employing double-acting, fluid-driven twistor-pairs as combined joints and motors in arthrobots patent June 1988
Central receiver solar collector using analog coupling mirror control patent October 1979
Strain Amplification Devices and Methods patent-application May 2009
Solar collector, comprising solar tracking means patent April 1980
Method of Fabricating Multiple-Ply Bellows patent April 1974
Flexible arm, particularly a robot arm patent January 1985
Heliostat assembly patent July 1984
Solar Panel System and Methods of Passive Tracking patent-application November 2012
Flexible manipulator patent October 1998
Method for mass producing solar radiation reflectors patent January 1986
Bellows actuator patent January 1993
Hydraulic-Based Rotational System for Solar Concentrators that Resists High Wind Loads Without a Mechanical Lock patent-application February 2010
Robotic arm systems patent September 1990
Blow mold for the production of bellows made of a highly elastic plastic patent October 1978
Actuators for simulating muscle activity in robotics patent December 1997
Axially contractable actuator patent July 1990
Method and system employing strings of opposed gaseous-fluid inflatable tension actuators in jointed arms, legs, beams and columns for controlling their movements patent November 1988
Tracking system for solar energy collection patent May 1979
Pneumatic actuator patent February 2008
Solar concentrator array with grouped adjustable elements patent-application February 2005
Solar energy collector patent November 1979
Positioning, exploration, and/or intervention device, in particular in the field of endoscopy and/or mini-invasive surgery patent April 2005
Solar collector structure patent January 1980
Solar concentrator for heat and electricity patent June 2000
System for the utilization of solar energy patent August 1982
System for Assisting Solar Power Generation patent-application June 2009
Multi-Axis Metamorphic Actuator and Drive System and Method patent-application May 2011
Servo tracking apparatus patent December 1977
Flexible Beam Structures patent November 1966
Fluidic solar actuator patent April 2017
Pneumatic drive for solar concentrators patent January 1984
High Efficiency Counterbalanced Dual Axis Solar Tracking Array Frame System patent-application March 2011
Fluid-operated manipulator patent October 2014
Tentacle-like manipulators with adjustable tension lines patent June 1994
Flexible Corrugated-Metal Wall for Collapsible and Expansible Vessels patent December 1910
Thermoplastic jounce bumpers patent February 2014
Shear flexibility for structures patent May 1976
Tracking solar shelter patent May 2009
Pressurizable structures comprising different surface sections patent-application March 2006
Combined solar tracking reflector and photovoltaic panel patent November 1986
Solar Panel Unit patent-application September 2013
Cranked Rod Pump Apparatus And Method patent-application April 2009
Directional stabilizer ring and fluid spring assembly including same patent November 2009
Blends of and methods of blending EVOH polymers and ethylene based polymers having improved environmental stress cracking or environmental fatigue resistance, and products therefrom patent April 2000
Rotating solar concentrator patent May 2003
Operating mechanism patent January 2001
Reinforced Bellows patent January 1960
Bellows actuator patent August 1984
Central receiver solar collector using mechanically linked mirrors patent July 1978
Flexible robotic links and manipulator trunks made thereform patent January 1992
Motor control center subunit having movable line contacts and method of manufacture patent November 2012
Articulated arm patent March 2018
Mirror for motor vehicles patent September 1988
Gripping actuator with independently flexible cylinders patent October 1992
Flexidigit robotic manipulator patent July 1989
Robot arm structure patent February 1990
Fluid-Operated Manipulator patent-application August 2012
Control Systems and Methods for Estimating Engine Coolant Heat Loss patent-application May 2010
Servo Pressure Transducer patent August 1971
Worm-like mechanism patent June 2012
Fluid actuators patent August 1991
Lightweight solar panel support patent May 1989
Control apparatus and control method of elastic body actuator as well as control program thereof patent April 2014
Testable and Pressurized Multiple Ply Bellows patent October 1969
Turning collectors for solar radiation patent September 1976
Antenna with positionable reflector patent June 1991

Similar Records

Fluidic actuator system and method
Patent · Tue Nov 20 00:00:00 EST 2018 · OSTI ID:1637816

Pneumatic actuator system and method
Patent · Tue Feb 09 00:00:00 EST 2021 · OSTI ID:1637816

Fluidic actuator system and method
Patent · Tue Oct 17 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · OSTI ID:1637816

Related Subjects