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:
Jun. 24, 2025
Filed:
Sep. 06, 2022
Government of the United States, As Represented BY the Secretary of the Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (US);
Jeffery Baur, Liberty Township, OH (US);
David Seifert, Beavercreek, OH (US);
Geoffrey Frank, Dayton, OH (US);
Patrick Walgren, Anchorage, AK (US);
Darren Hartl, College Station, OH (US);
Wesley Chapkin, Fairborn, OH (US);
United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (US);
Abstract
A flexible multi-material structure comprises a plurality of overlapping rings that form a generally circular shape perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the structure; an internal compliant hollow frame having a circumference corresponding to the generally circular shape of the plurality of rings, the internal frame comprising: a plurality of connection clips wherein each connection clip is attached one of the plurality of rings, the internal frame and connection clips defining a longitudinal spacing between the plurality of rings, each of the plurality of rings is shaped to minimize contact with adjacent rings when the structure is articulated, each ring including a spherical profile along an aft interior region which nests with a forward outer region of an adjacent ring, wherein connections between the rings and the frame allows independent motion of the rings and frame, allowing each ring to pivot about a geometric center of the spherical profile.