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:
Nov. 19, 1991
Filed:
Jul. 09, 1990
Applicant:
Inventors:
Yoram Koren, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Yechiel Weinstein, Misgav, IL;
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G05G / ; G05G / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
74469 ; 52221 ; 52222 ; 74479 ; 901 22 ; 901 27 ;
Abstract
An inflatable structure, particularly adapted for use in outer space, employs one or more inflatable links which are connected at a base of the structure. A distal end of an outer most link is provided with a gripper assembly which can be remote controlled, and suitable encoders are included to indicate the angular position of each of the links. The motors for driving the at least one link is situated at the base to thereby reduce the mass of the at least one link and correspondingly reduce moments of inertia during operation.