Georgia Tech Research Corporation

Other

Vanderbilt University

Wayne J Book

Mark G Allen

Ari Glezer

Stephen Lang Dickerson

Jaroslaw Rossignac

David W Rosen

Imme Ebert-Uphoff

David Patrick Magee

Eric J Barth

Alexander V Pedchenko

James D Huggins

Robert Andrew Charles

Haihong Zhu

Nader Sadegh

David A Ruis

Russell W Polhemus

The invention is an accumulator system in which multiple elastomeric accumulators are attached in series or parallel in order to generate total differential pressure in excess of that generated in a non-series system. Also disclosed is a 'stacked' accumulator system. The system stores energy when the accumulators deform from their original shape in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid. The stored energy is available for use when the fluid is released from the accumulators and the accumulators return to their original shape.

Multiple accumulator systems and methods of use thereof

A conveyance system that transports fabric comprises a work space having a surface that the fabric can be transports across, and at least one budger that moves and/or provide force to the fabric in a servo controlled motion.

Conveyance system that transports fabric

Sensors and methods for measuring displacement are disclosed. In one embodiment, among others, a resistive element is configured to receive an alternating voltage between a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal, the first and second electrical terminals defining a length of the resistive element. A signal pickup is capacitively coupled to the resistive element and is configured to be moved along the length of the resistive element at a substantially fixed distance from the resistive element and without contact between the resistive element and the signal pickup. A shielded cable, such as a coaxial cable, electrically connected to the signal pickup carries a signal having an amplitude proportional to the position of the signal pickup with respect to the first and second electrical terminals.

Displacement sensor

A system and method for controlling the surface and/or volume of a digital clay device is provided. One embodiment, among others, is a method comprising the following steps: determining a desired position of a skeleton structure portion residing in the digital clay device, determining a volumetric change of fluid residing in a fluid cell, the determined volumetric change corresponding to the determined desired position of the skeleton structure portion, opening a valve so that the fluid flows through the valve thereby causing the determined volumetric change of the fluid, and adjusting a position of the skeleton structure portion corresponding to the desired position of the skeleton structure portion, the position adjustment caused by a force generated by the fluid cell on the skeleton structure portion when the volume of the fluid cell changes in response to the determined volumetric change of the fluid residing in the fluid cell.

Digital clay apparatus and method

A system and method for controlling the surface and/or volume of a digital clay device is provided. One embodiment, among others, is a method comprising the following steps: determining a desired position of a skeleton structure portion residing in the digital clay device, determining a volumetric change of fluid residing in a bladder, the determined volumetric change corresponding to the determined desired position of the skeleton structure portion, opening a micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS) valve so that the fluid flows through the MEMS valve thereby causing the determined volumetric change of the fluid, and adjusting a position of the skeleton structure portion corresponding to the desired position of the skeleton structure portion, the position adjustment caused by a force generated by the bladder on the skeleton structure portion when the volume of the bladder changes in response to the determined volumetric change.

Disclosed is an optimal arbitrary time-delay (OAT) filter to shape input signals by which a controlled motion is actuated in a physical system. The filter minimizes unwanted dynamics from being created by the actuation of the controlled movement in the physical system. The filter generally comprises three coefficients which are multiplied by the discrete samples of the input signal in a digital filter performing a convolution function. The samples multiplied by the three coefficients are separated by an arbitrary time delay. In this manner, three separate signals are generated. The results of these multiplication operations are summed in real time, thereby generating a filtered input signal which is sent to actuate the controlled motion of the physical system with minimal unwanted dynamics.

Optimal arbitrary time-delay (OAT) filter and method to minimize

An apparatus which allows one to maintain precision placement of a manipulator which undergoes repeated controlled motions or trajectories is provided. The structure of the apparatus is compliant such that the manipulator may be displaced by forces applied to the mechanical structure. This compliance is due to a lack of precision in the fabrication of the component parts of the machine, and to a lack of rigidity due to a lightweight design. This displacement is of a greater magnitude than the precision positioning tolerance of the apparatus. Consequently, the manipulator may then be displaced outside of the positioning tolerance due to applied forces. However, it is a characteristic of the present invention, that despite the compliance of the mechanical structure of the apparatus, the positioning tolerance will be maintained. The controlled motion is accomplished by the generation of control signals by computer software running on a computer control system. The control software enables the system to run at much greater speeds while not exciting unwanted movement or vibration in the compliant mechanical structure.

Precision apparatus with non-rigid, imprecise structure, and method for

A trajectory guidance apparatus can guide motion with passive actuators with at least two degrees of freedom. The trajectory guidance apparatus has a linkage that is mounted to a reference and an interaction part that is to be manipulated by a master, such as a human, gravity g, water flow, a spring, or other force generator. The linkage has at least two force elements adapted to move the interaction part so that the interaction part is guided and can be moved along a prescribed path at a prescribed velocity relative to the reference. A controllable passive coupling connects the force elements and is adapted to impart passive forces against each force element of the linkage. The passive forces are derived substantially solely from a quantity of energy that is imparted to the interaction part by the master, not from other sources. A control mechanism controls the passive coupling, dynamically if desired, so that the interaction part is moved along a prescribed path of travel at a prescribed velocity by the force elements. The control mechanism essentially shifts energy from one force element to another force element during movement of the linkage so that the prescribed path and velocity are maintained.

Trajectory guidance apparatus and method

An automatically controlled exercise machine which is intended to produce optimal development of skeletal muscle strength for athletic purposes and in physical rehabilitation. The mechanical configuration of this machine is based on a linkage comprised of a series of links connected together so as to allow movement of each link relative to another. Each link is provided with a separate powering device which drives it relative to another link. This linkage interacts with the user by means of various removable attachments located on the outermost link. These independent powering devices are controlled by a feedback control system, so that the user interaction point moves along any specified path in response to forces exerted by the user, and simultaneously provides resisting forces which vary in any desired manner according to position, speed, time, and user-exerted forces.

Growing community of inventors

Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Wayne J Book