Mechanical serpentine device
First Claim
1. A serpentine device having a proximal end and a distal end, said serpentine device comprising:
- a series of discs arrayed in succession and on center along a common, neutral axis, said discs comprising a first and second surface; and
at least one flexible interconnect extending between and connecting each disc to any succeeding disc according to a pre-determined connection configuration to provide torsional and bending support for each of said discs under an applied load, said flexible interconnects biasing each of said discs to a pre-determined, static position, as well as allowing each of said interconnected discs to dynamically move through a pre-determined range of motions.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A serpentine device having a proximal end and a distal end comprising a series of discs arrayed in succession and on center along a common, neutral axis, wherein the discs comprise a first and second surface; and at least one flexible interconnect extending between and connecting each disc to any succeeding disc according to a pre-determined connection configuration, wherein the interconnects are indirectly connected to one another through the discs and configured to provide torsional and bending support to each of the discs connected thereto under an applied load, thus achieving a continuum of flexibility along an entire length of the serpentine device, as well as to facilitate the torquability of the serpentine device. The serpentine device may further comprise a bendable member and at least one transfer element configured to perform one or more transfer functions, namely the transfer of energy, work, fluid, electricity, light energy, sound energy, matter, etc. from one location to another location, and particularly from a source to one or more of the discs of the serpentine device. An actuation system is also featured, which is configured to selectively actuate the discs in a pre-determined direction in three-dimensional space.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. A serpentine device having a proximal end and a distal end, said serpentine device comprising:
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a series of discs arrayed in succession and on center along a common, neutral axis, said discs comprising a first and second surface; and
at least one flexible interconnect extending between and connecting each disc to any succeeding disc according to a pre-determined connection configuration to provide torsional and bending support for each of said discs under an applied load, said flexible interconnects biasing each of said discs to a pre-determined, static position, as well as allowing each of said interconnected discs to dynamically move through a pre-determined range of motions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A serpentine device comprising:
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a series of discs arrayed in succession and on center along a common, neutral axis, said discs comprising a first and second surface; and
at least one flexible interconnect extending from a sidewall of each disc to a sidewall of any succeeding disc according to a pre-determined connection configuration to provide torsional and bending support for each of said discs under an applied load, said flexible interconnects biasing each of said discs to a pre-determined, static position, as well as allowing each of said interconnected discs to dynamically move through a pre-determined range of motions. - View Dependent Claims (44, 55, 56)
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45. A serpentine device comprising:
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a first disc arrayed on center along a neutral axis;
a second disc also arrayed on center along said neutral axis and having a pre-determined spacing from said first disc;
at least one interconnect removably connecting said first and second discs according to a pre-determined connection configuration to provide torsional and bending support for each of said discs under an applied load, said interconnects functioning to enable each of said interconnected discs to dynamically move through a pre-determined range of motions, said discs and said interconnects being configured to provide specific segmented movement and operation at said first and second discs; and
a bendable member supporting said discs, said bendable member facilitating the selective attachment of said discs, as well as the axial alignment, and positioning of each of said discs relative to one another when under axial compression and tension forces, thus allowing said serpentine device to be selectively controlled and operated in segments. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A serpentine device comprising multiple segments formed by a plurality of discs interconnected by at least one interconnect, said multiple segments potentially exhibiting different bending, stiffness, and torsional performance characteristics.
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51. A method for assembling a serpentine device comprising:
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a) obtaining a plurality of disc elements;
b) arranging said disc elements along a neutral axis; and
c) connecting each of said disc elements to at least one adjacent disc with at least one interconnect according to a pre-determined connection configuration to provide specific segmented movement and operation at said discs, said interconnects functioning to allow each of said interconnected discs to dynamically move through a pre-determined range of motions. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54)
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Specification