US 12,011,516 B2
Foam actuators
Robert F. Shepherd, Ithaca, NY (US); James K. Min, Brooklyn, NY (US); and Benjamin C. Mac Murray, Ithaca, NY (US)
Assigned to Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (US)
Appl. No. 16/310,638
Filed by Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (US)
PCT Filed Jun. 19, 2017, PCT No. PCT/US2017/038110
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Dec. 17, 2018,
PCT Pub. No. WO2018/005144, PCT Pub. Date Jan. 4, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/351,439, filed on Jun. 17, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/351,448, filed on Jun. 17, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2019/0321522 A1, Oct. 24, 2019
Int. Cl. A61L 31/14 (2006.01); A61F 2/24 (2006.01); A61L 31/06 (2006.01); A61L 31/10 (2006.01); A61M 60/191 (2021.01); A61M 60/289 (2021.01); A61M 60/43 (2021.01); A61M 60/468 (2021.01); A61M 60/839 (2021.01); C08J 7/04 (2020.01); F16F 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61L 31/146 (2013.01) [A61L 31/06 (2013.01); A61L 31/10 (2013.01); A61M 60/191 (2021.01); A61M 60/289 (2021.01); A61M 60/43 (2021.01); A61M 60/468 (2021.01); A61M 60/839 (2021.01); C08J 7/042 (2013.01); F16F 5/00 (2013.01); A61F 2/2481 (2013.01); A61L 2420/02 (2013.01); C08J 2400/26 (2013.01)] 32 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An actuator comprising:
an elastomeric foam, wherein the elastomeric foam is a pre-compressed porous material;
a coating disposed on the elastomeric foam, wherein the coating is configured to constrain the elastomeric foam and is configured to break or fracture when the elastomeric foam inflates; and
an elastomer seal disposed on the coating, wherein the elastomer seal is configured to be impermeable to actuating fluid, and wherein the pre-compressed porous material is compressed to 10% to 40% of its unconstrained volume.