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:
Feb. 08, 2011
Filed:
Aug. 01, 2007
Martin L. Culpepper, Danvers, MA (US);
Spencer P. Magleby, Provo, UT (US);
Larry L. Howell, Orem, UT (US);
Christopher M. Dibiasio, Cambridge, MA (US);
Robert M. Panas, Westborough, MA (US);
Martin L. Culpepper, Danvers, MA (US);
Spencer P. Magleby, Provo, UT (US);
Larry L. Howell, Orem, UT (US);
Christopher M. DiBiasio, Cambridge, MA (US);
Robert M. Panas, Westborough, MA (US);
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (US);
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT (US);
Abstract
A nano-scale compliant mechanism includes a coupler and a plurality of nanotubes disposed for nano-scale motion relative to a grounded component. The nanotubes are fastened at one end to the coupler and at the other end to ground, to guide motion of the coupler relative to the ground. Particular embodiments include a plurality of parallel carbon nanotubes. An exemplary embodiment exhibits first and second regions of mechanical behavior; a first region governed by bulk elastic deformation of the nanotubes and a second region governed by compliant, hinge-like bending of the buckled nanotubes.