University of Washington

U.S. Army Research Laboratory

Jeffrey Lipton

Joshua R Smith

Timothy Amish

Jeffrey Auletta

Chad Christopher Kessens

A novel range of non-shearing axial auxetic structures are disclosed having useful functions and properties. The novel non-shearing axial auxetic structures have applications including compliant universal joints, structures with switchable Poisson ratios, nd multiple discrete dimensional configurations. Further, combination structures of multiple individual non-shearing axial auxetic structures having useful functions and properties are also disclosed.

Axial auxetic structures

An electrostatic clutch includes a shaft having an electrically conductive first layer. The clutch also includes a hold attachment rotatably coupled to the shaft and a tension band having an electrically conductive second layer. The tension band is wrapped around the shaft such that a first end of the tension band is coupled to the hold attachment. The clutch includes a dielectric material disposed between the first layer and the second layer and a load attachment rotatably coupled to the shaft. The clutch is configured for an engaged mode where a voltage applied between the first layer and the second layer causes the tension band to clasp the shaft and the load attachment and the hold attachment to be rotationally locked to the shaft, and for a disengaged mode where the voltage is absent and the shaft can rotate freely with respect to the load attachment and the hold attachment.

Electrostatic clutch

The present disclosure provides a mechanical linkage device including a ground link comprising an inverse center linked to one end of the ground link. The mechanical linkage device further includes a movement link connecting the ground link to a control point. The mechanical linkage device further includes two or more linkages having a first link of the two or more linkages including a first end linked to the control point and a second link of the two or more linkages including second end linked to an end point. The end point, the control point, and the inverse center of the ground link remain co-linear. The control point and the end point have an inverse relationship such that movement of the control point is inversely translated to the end point. The ground link, the movement link, and at least one of the two or more linkages do not all he in a plane throughout an entire range of motion of the mechanical linkage device.

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Jeffrey Lipton