Abstract:
A passively torque-balanced device includes (a) a frame; (b) a drivetrain including a drive actuator mounted to the frame and configured for reciprocating displacement, an input platform configured for displacement by the drive actuator, a plurality of rigid links, including a proximate link and remote links, wherein the rigid links are collectively mounted to the frame, and a plurality of joints joining the rigid links and providing a plurality of non-fully actuated degrees of freedom for displacement of the rigid links, the plurality of joints including a fulcrum joint that is joined both to the input platform and to the proximate rigid link; and (c) at least two end effectors respectively coupled with the remote links and configured for displacement without full actuation.
Abstract:
A resonance engine is disclosed comprising: a driver plate (12), to which is coupled at least one oscillatory transducer (14); a drive signal generator connected to the oscillatory transducer for excitation thereof; a first spring-mass resonator, having a first natural resonant frequency, with a proximal end attached to the driver plate (12) and a free distal end; and a reaction means attached to the driver plate substantially opposite to the first spring-mass resonator. When the oscillatory transducer (14) is excited by a drive signal from the generator having a component at or close to said natural resonant frequency, the first spring-mass resonator oscillates at resonance, substantially in anti -phase to the driver plate (12). Small vibrational strains in the oscillatory transducer (14) are converted to large strains of controllable kinematic movements.
Abstract:
A wingbeat arrangement, particularly for use with a flying device, with one or more wings beating back and forth and with a restoring force device, which is coupled thereto and is configured to counter a deflection of the beating wings from at least one assigned starting position with a restoring force, characterized in that this back and forth movement is initiated, maintained or retarded by a controllable driving mechanism and, after or during the initiation of driving energy, over at least one sensory device, a conclusion is reached concerning the resulting amplitude, the instantaneous position or the frequency of the beating wings and the information, supplied by this sensory device, is used to influence the energy content, the direction of action or the development of this or a subsequent impulse as a function of time by means of a control system in such a manner, that the resulting amplitude or frequency of the wings oscillations approaches a value specified by the control system.
Abstract:
A vehicle with wings and a mechanism for causing a flapping motion in wings. Each wing structure comprises a wing and a wing spar coupled to a follower via a resilient member. Each wing carrier is pivotally connected to the body and is configured to restrain lateral movement and permit rotation of the wing spar about a feathering axis. A biasing member provides torsional bias to each wing spar. A linkage, driven by an actuator, transmits cyclic motion that rotates the wing carrier about a flapping axis, which moves the follower along a follower path. A guide attached to the vehicle body lies in the path of each follower, and the follower and guide are shaped such that each wing spar has a first rotational position about its axis along a first portion of the follower path and a second rotational position along a second portion of the follower path.
Abstract:
A drive assembly for a wing of a micromechanical flying insect. The drive assembly comprises a honey comb structure. A method for flying a micromechanical flying insect comprising moving a wing with a drive assembly having a stiffness to weight ratio greater than about 16 x 10 N/mKg.
Abstract translation:用于微机械飞行昆虫机翼的驱动组件。 驱动组件包括蜂巢结构。 一种用于飞行微机械飞行昆虫的方法,包括使具有大于约16×10 10 N / mKg的刚度重量比的驱动组件移动机翼。
Abstract:
A resonant wingbeat tuning circuit automatically tunes the frequency of an actuating input to the resonant frequency of a flexible wing structure. Through the use of feedback control, the circuit produces the maximum flapping amplitude of a mechanical omithoptic system, tracking the resonant frequency of the vibratory flapping apparatus as it varies in response to changes in flight condition, ambient pressure, or incurred wing damage.
Abstract:
A drive assembly for use with a mechanical flying or walking device comprises an articulated member (7) having first and second portions (7a, 7b) arranged such that the portions move relative to each other, and a drive mechanism (9) for imparting motion to the articulated member. The drive mechanism (9) comprises: a drive member for imparting a cyclic motion on the articulated member; and a control member for controlling, in a predetermined manner, the relative position of the first and second portions during each cycle of the cyclic motion of the articulated member. In the case of a mechanical flying device, two such drive assemblies may be provided, the articulated member of each assembly forming a wing.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ornithopter having excellent mimesis performance and capable of suppressing thrust loss and resistance increase.SOLUTION: The ornithopter comprises: a main wing attached to a shell 2; and a control system for controlling flap operation of the main wing. The main wing has an inner girder 21, an outer girder 22, and a wrist 30 interposed between the inner and outer girders and configured so that a folding angle which is a relative angle between the inner and outer girders can be varied within a predetermined variation range. The control system has an actuator 120 for performing launch operation and low hit operation of the inner girder by making the inner girder move in a vertical direction, an angle sensor 140 for measuring the folding angle, and a control device 110 for operating the inner girder by controlling the actuator according to the folding angle.