Hybrid terrain-adaptive lower-extremity systems
First Claim
1. A low noise linear actuator, comprising:
- a rotary motor comprising a motor shaft output; and
a screw transmission assembly comprising a threaded shaft coupled to the motor shaft output, the threaded shaft comprising a hollowed out portion containing an acoustic damping material, anda nut assembly, wherein the screw transmission assembly translates rotational motion of the motor shaft output to a linear motion of the nut assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Hybrid terrain-adaptive lower-extremity apparatus and methods that perform in a variety of different situations by detecting the terrain that is being traversed, and adapting to the detected terrain. In some embodiments, the ability to control the apparatus for each of these situations builds upon five basic capabilities: (1) determining the activity being performed; (2) dynamically controlling the characteristics of the apparatus based on the activity that is being performed; (3) dynamically driving the apparatus based on the activity that is being performed; (4) determining terrain texture irregularities (e.g., how sticky is the terrain, how slippery is the terrain, is the terrain coarse or smooth, does the terrain have any obstructions, such as rocks) and (5) a mechanical design of the apparatus that can respond to the dynamic control and dynamic drive.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A low noise linear actuator, comprising:
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a rotary motor comprising a motor shaft output; and a screw transmission assembly comprising a threaded shaft coupled to the motor shaft output, the threaded shaft comprising a hollowed out portion containing an acoustic damping material, and a nut assembly, wherein the screw transmission assembly translates rotational motion of the motor shaft output to a linear motion of the nut assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A linear actuator, comprising:
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a rotary motor comprising a motor shaft output; a motor drive transmission assembly coupled to the motor shaft output to translate rotational motion of the motor shaft output to a linear motion at an output of the motor drive transmission; and at least one elastic element with bi-directional stiffness connected in series with the motor drive transmission assembly to store energy in tension and compression. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A linear actuator comprising intrinsic safety features, the actuator comprising:
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a rotary motor comprising a motor shaft output, wherein a pulley is coupled to the motor shaft output; and a ball-screw transmission assembly comprising a threaded shaft coupled to the motor shaft output by a plurality of belts connected in parallel between the pulley and the threaded shaft of the ball-screw transmission assembly, wherein the ball-screw transmission assembly translates rotational motion of the motor shaft output to a linear motion of a portion of the ball-screw transmission assembly. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification