VALVES AND ARTIFICIAL MUSCLES

WIPO Patent Application WO/2011/070558

A3

A valve (30) has a tubular valve member (40) movable, for example by a solenoid (38) and spring (46), so that a first end (42) of the valve member moves between a closed position in which it engages a valve seat (64) and is blocked and an open position in which it is spaced from the valve seat so that fluid can flow between ports (34,36). The operating force required to open the valve can be substantially reduced compared to a similar valve with a solid valve member. An artificial muscle comprising a variable volume flexible chamber (44), a system (which may include the valve)for varying the volume of and/or pressure in the chamber to inflate and deflate the chamber, and a tendon (18) for transmitting force and/or movement between the chamber and a load. In its deflated state, the chamber is wrapped at least partly around an elongate former (12). In its deflated state, the chamber can therefore have a substantial diameter but the volume of working fluid in the chamber can be very small or, in the limit, zero. The former might be a solid body contained within the chamber. Alternatively, the former is preferably outside the interior of the chamber. When the chamber is deflated, the tendon tension tends to pull the chamber neatly around the former.

MAJOE DENNIS (GB)

PCT/IB2011/050365

December 15, 2011

January 27, 2011

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MAJOE DENNIS (GB)

F15B13/044; F15B13/04; F16K31/06

WO2010088108A2

2010-08-05

EP1992856A2	2008-11-19
DE102007003215A1	2008-07-24
US7469878B1	2008-12-30
US5645325A	1997-07-08
US20080257419A1	2008-10-23

TARGETT, Kenneth Stanley (Horton Heath Hampshire SO50 7PD, GB)

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