STIFFNESS CONTROL USING SMART ACTUATORS
First Claim
1. A stiffness control system, the system comprising:
- a first interface adaptable to transmit a first input load;
a second interface adaptable to transmit a second input load;
a first stiffness element operatively connected to the first interface and the second interface, wherein the first stiffness element is configured to be continuously responsive to a change in the first and second input loads;
a second stiffness element including an actuator;
wherein the actuator includes a smart material configured such that actuation of the smart material activates the second stiffness element;
wherein the second stiffness element is configured in combination with the first stiffness element such that the second stiffness element is responsive to the change in the first and second input loads when activated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A stiffness control system and apparatus includes one or more stiffness elements which are each activated by a smart actuator including a smart material which may be one of a shape memory alloy (SMA), a magnetorheological (MR) fluid, an electrorheological (ER) fluid, and a piezo-stack. The stiffness control system includes a first and second interface adaptable to transmit input loads and a plurality of stiffness elements. A first stiffness element is operatively connected to the first and second interfaces and is continuously responsive to a change in system operating characteristics including input loads. A second stiffness element is selectively activated by the smart actuator so as to selectively respond to a change in system conditions. The continuous response of the first stiffness element can be selectively combined with the activated response of the second stiffness element to dynamically control system stiffness.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A stiffness control system, the system comprising:
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a first interface adaptable to transmit a first input load; a second interface adaptable to transmit a second input load; a first stiffness element operatively connected to the first interface and the second interface, wherein the first stiffness element is configured to be continuously responsive to a change in the first and second input loads; a second stiffness element including an actuator; wherein the actuator includes a smart material configured such that actuation of the smart material activates the second stiffness element; wherein the second stiffness element is configured in combination with the first stiffness element such that the second stiffness element is responsive to the change in the first and second input loads when activated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An actuator comprising:
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an actuator body defining an actuable portion; an actuating mechanism including a smart material; and an interfacing member; wherein the actuable portion and the interfacing member define a slidable interface when the actuating mechanism is non-actuated; and wherein the actuable portion operatively contacts the interfacing member when the actuating mechanism is actuated such that movement of the interfacing member relative to the actuator body is prevented. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for controlling the stiffness of a load transmitting system;
- the method comprising;
providing a first stiffness element; operatively connecting the first stiffness element to a first system interface and to a second system interface, such that load transmitted through the first system interface and the second system interface is transmitted through the first stiffness element; providing a continuous response to the transmitted load from the first stiffness element; providing a second stiffness element including an actuator, wherein the actuator includes a smart material configured such that actuation of the smart material activates the second stiffness element; selectively activating the second stiffness element actuating the actuator, such that load transmitted through the first system interface and the second system interface is transmitted through the second stiffness element; and providing a combined response to the transmitted load from the first stiffness element and the second stiffness element when the actuator is actuated. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
- the method comprising;
Specification