FLEXIBLE THIN ROBOTIC ACTUATORS

Authors

Aaron D. Mazzeo, Duenellen, NJ
Stephen A. Morin, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Robert F. Shepherd, Brooktondale, NY
George M. Whitesides, Newton, MA
William B. Kalb, Cambridge, MA

Date of this Version

2018

Citation

Pub . No . : US 2017 / 0314538 A1

Comments

MAZZEO et al.

Appl . No . : 15 / 362 , 334

Abstract

Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter includes a laminated robotic actuator. The laminated robotic actuator includes a strain-limiting layer comprising a flexible, non extensible material in the form of a sheet or thin film, a flexible inflatable layer in the form of a thin film or sheet in facing relationship with the strain-limiting layer, wherein the inflatable layer is selectively adhered to the strain-limiting layer, and wherein a portion of an un-adhered region between the strain-limiting layer and the inflatable layer defines a pressurizable channel, and at least one fluid inlet in fluid communication with the pressurizable channel. The first flexible non-extensible material has a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of the second flexible elastomeric material and the flexible elastomer is non-extensible under actuation conditions.