Corrugated diaphragm actuator

{
  "publication_number": "US12286983B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Corrugated diaphragm actuator",
  "abstract": "A corrugated diaphragm actuator may include a chamber body including a plurality of walls defining a cavity. The plurality of walls may include a first wall including a first corrugated diaphragm defining at least one first corrugated channel, and the corrugated diaphragm may be configured for expanding outwardly when a positive pressure is applied within the cavity.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A corrugated diaphragm actuator comprising: a chamber body comprising a plurality of walls defining a cavity, wherein the plurality of walls comprises a first wall comprising a first corrugated diaphragm defining at least one first corrugated channel extending circumferentially about a central longitudinal axis of the corrugated diaphragm actuator, and wherein the first corrugated diaphragm is configured for expanding outwardly when a positive pressure is applied within the cavity, wherein the at least one first corrugated channel has a depth measured in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis that varies along of the at least one first corrugated channel.",
    "2. The corrugated diaphragm actuator of claim 1, wherein the chamber body has a cylindrical shape.",
    "3. The corrugated diaphragm actuator of claim 2, wherein the first wall is a top wall or a bottom wall of the chamber body.",
    "4. The corrugated diaphragm actuator of claim 1, wherein the at least one first corrugated channel is centered on the first wall.",
    "5. The corrugated diaphragm actuator of claim 1, wherein a path of the at least one first corrugated channel has a circular shape, an ovoid shape, or a polygonal shape.",
    "6. The corrugated diaphragm actuator of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the at least one first corrugated channel is a rectangular shape, a V shape, a curved shape, or a parabolic shape.",
    "7. The corrugated diaphragm actuator of claim 1, wherein the first wall has a planar profile.",
    "8. The corrugated diaphragm actuator of claim 1, wherein the first wall has a circular shape, an ovoid shape, or a polygonal shape.",
    "9. The corrugated diaphragm actuator of claim 1, wherein a shape of a path of the at least one first corrugated channel corresponds to a shape of the first wall.",
    "10. The corrugated diaphragm actuator of claim 1, further comprising a second wall opposite and spaced apart from the first wall along the central longitudinal axis when the first corrugated diaphragm is in an unexpanded state, the second wall being substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis.",
    "11. The corrugated diaphragm actuator of claim 1, wherein the chamber body comprises a flexible component comprising at least the first wall and a rigid component comprising at least one additional wall of the plurality of walls.",
    "12. The corrugated diaphragm actuator of claim 1, wherein the first corrugated diaphragm is configured for expanding outwardly and bending at an angle greater than 0° when the positive pressure is applied within the cavity.",
    "13. The corrugated diaphragm actuator of claim 1, wherein the at least one first corrugated channel has a channel angle greater than 0° and less than 90° as measured between a plane passing through a bottom surface of the at least one first corrugated channel and a plane that is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present disclosure relates generally to actuators and more particularly to soft actuators having a corrugated diaphragm that extends upon application of a positive pressure within a cavity of the actuator.\n\nActuators are important parts in many mechanical systems that provide a mechanism to generate force, movement, or a combination of both. Based on application and system need, the actuator can be designed to generate linear displacement, angular displacement, and force as well as to respond to external forces and moment (torque). Most current actuators are made with rigid metallic or polymeric materials and use electrical, magnetic, hydraulic, and pneumatic driven mechanisms for actuation. Although they are very successful in applying to robotics, machinery, and manufacturing environments, they have limitations in human-centered applications such as assistive devices, rehabilitation robotics, and consumer products due to compatibility and safety issues. A new class of actuators called soft actuators have been developed recently using flexible materials. These actuators leverage intrinsic material properties such as shape memory, and an electrolytic contraction or use specifically designed resizable chambers for actuation. Typically, soft actuators are lighter and less complex, and possess required compliance for interfacing with the human in assistive and rehabilitation applications. However, these actuators only include low force generation and have issues with linearity. Therefore, a need exists for a new type of versatile actuator concept that solves the issues with low force generation and linearity.",
  "cpc": [
    "F15B 15/10",
    "B25J 15/12",
    "B25J 9/0006",
    "B25J 9/142",
    "F16J 3/02",
    "F16K 31/126"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B25J 15/12",
    "B25J 9/00",
    "B25J 9/14",
    "F15B 15/10",
    "F16J 3/02",
    "F16K 31/126"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "UNIV TEXAS"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "WIJESUNDARA MUTHU",
    "EREL VEYSEL"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2022-03-21",
  "publication_date": "2025-04-29",
  "grant_date": "2025-04-29",
  "priority_date": "2021-03-19",
  "application_number": "US-202217700385-A",
  "family_id": "83284349",
  "citations": [
    "US10173328B2",
    "US10189168B2",
    "US10190606B2",
    "US10894325B2",
    "US2016114482A1",
    "US3343864A",
    "US3565398A",
    "US4467656A",
    "US4687189A",
    "US4813657A",
    "US5064165A",
    "US5251538A",
    "US6484601B1",
    "US6612223B2",
    "US6718766B2",
    "US6907817B2",
    "US9464642B2",
    "US9482244B2"
  ]
}