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. 04, 2014
Filed:
Jan. 19, 2012
Ronald E. Pelrine, Longmont, CO (US);
Harsha Prahlad, Cupertino, CA (US);
Joseph S. Eckerle, Woodside, CA (US);
Roy D. Kornbluh, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Scott E. Stanford, Mountain View, CA (US);
Ronald E. Pelrine, Longmont, CO (US);
Harsha Prahlad, Cupertino, CA (US);
Joseph S. Eckerle, Woodside, CA (US);
Roy D. Kornbluh, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Scott E. Stanford, Mountain View, CA (US);
SRI International, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Abstract
Described herein is electroadhesion technology that permits controllable adherence between two objects. Electroadhesion uses electrostatic forces of attraction produced by an electrostatic adhesion voltage, which is applied using electrodes in an electroadhesive device. The electrostatic adhesion voltage produces an electric field and electrostatic adherence forces. When the electroadhesive device and electrodes are positioned near a surface of an object such as a vertical wall, the electrostatic adherence forces hold the electroadhesive device in position relative to the surface and object. This can be used to increase traction or maintain the position of the electroadhesive device relative to a surface. Electric control of the electrostatic adhesion voltage permits the adhesion to be controllably and readily turned on and off.