The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 12, 2024
Filed:
Aug. 15, 2019
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA (US);
Marko Popovic, Somerville, MA (US);
Cagdas Onal, Allston, MA (US);
Daniil Effraimidis, Worcester, MA (US);
Brian Jennings, Danbury, CT (US);
Gregory D. McCarthy, Lumberton, NJ (US);
Nicholas Corso, Walden, VT (US);
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA (US);
Abstract
Actuators and methods of use are provided. An actuator may include an inner member made from an elastic material and defining a compartment for receiving an actuating fluid, the inner member being moveable in a longitudinal direction from a relaxed state to an expanded state by introducing an actuating fluid into the inner member; and an outer member made from an inelastic material and being disposed around the elastic inner member to control expansion of the elastic inner member in a radial direction, the outer member being moveable from a folded relaxed configuration to an unfolded extended configuration as the inner member moves from the relaxed state to the expanded state, wherein the movement of the actuator between the relaxed state and the expanded state causes a movement of a structure to which the actuator is attached.