Systems and methods of loading fluid in a prosthetic knee
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Abstract
The invention in some embodiments relates to systems and methods of loading fluid in a prosthetic knee. A vacuum fill technique is utilized in one embodiment to load magnetorheological fluid within small gaps in a chamber of a prosthetic knee. Advantageously, this allows for an efficient loading scheme thereby desirably allowing for faster manufacturing speed. Another advantage is that the magnetorheological fluid is substantially uniformly distributed within the small gaps thereby desirably providing consistent production.
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Citations
71 Claims
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1-53. -53. (canceled)
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54. A method of loading a magnetorheological fluid in a prosthetic knee, comprising:
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providing a prosthetic knee actuator comprising a plurality of first blades and second blades with gaps therebetween in a chamber of an outer housing with at least one of said plurality of first blades and said plurality of second blades being rotatable;
providing a magnetorheological fluid in a channel that is in fluid communication with said chamber; and
applying a vacuum over said prosthetic knee actuator and said channel to force said fluid into said chamber. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71)
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Specification