Internally Tensioned Inflatable Structures for Adjustable Shape Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices that require shape change during operation, such as airplane wings, often rely on complex rigid mechanisms to alter their shape, which increases cost and mass.
Innovation Solution
The use of internally tensioned inflatable structures with a bladder, tethers, and an adjustment mechanism that allows for the restriction and adjustment of degrees of freedom, enabling shape change without significant increases in cost or mass, by using a bladder attached to end caps and tethers that constrain motion and an adjustment mechanism to alter the type and number of degrees of freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex rigid mechanisms are used to enable shape change during operation, then the device can alter its shape, but the cost and mass of the device increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an inflatable bladder filled with pressurized air or fluid to enable shape change of the device. The bladder can be inflated and deflated to alter the geometry and configuration of the structure, providing adaptability without requiring heavy rigid mechanical mechanisms. This pneumatic system allows the device to transition between different shapes and configurations while maintaining low mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible bladder structures and thin film materials that can deform and change shape in response to internal pressure changes. These flexible elements replace rigid mechanical components, enabling shape adaptation while significantly reducing the overall mass and complexity of the system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rigid mechanisms are used to alter device shape, then shape change is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex rigid mechanical mechanisms with a pneumatic system consisting of an inflatable bladder and pressure control. This simplification reduces the number of moving parts, eliminates the need for complex linkages and actuators, and lowers overall device complexity while maintaining shape change capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability through the inflatable bladder system, allowing the device to transition between different operational configurations. The ability to dynamically change shape through pressure control provides versatility without the complexity of fixed rigid mechanisms designed for each configuration.
3Shape
If tethers are used to restrict degrees of freedom in an inflatable structure, then shape control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible tethers integrated with the inflatable bladder structure to control degrees of freedom. These tethers are simple elastic elements that provide shape control through their inherent flexibility and tension, avoiding the need for complex rigid constraint mechanisms while maintaining effective shape control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the change of shape during operation without increasing the cost and mass of the device, by allowing the top end cap to move freely in various directions through the adjustment of tether arrangements and mechanisms, such as rotary and linear adjustments, to alter the shape of the inflatable structure.
Implementation Method 1
a bladder that holds pressurized air between the top and bottom end caps
Implementation Method 2
As the bladder is inflated, the pressure within the bladder causes the bladder to expand outward and thereby applies tension to the threads
Implementation Method 3
The adjustment mechanism is operable to move the second end of at least one tether in the plurality of tethers to adjust at least one of the number of the degrees of freedom and the type of the degrees of freedom
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable structure includes a top end cap, a bottom end cap, a bladder, a plurality of tethers, and an adjustment mechanism. The bladder is attached to the top and bottom end caps and configured to hold pressurized air therebetween. The plurality of tethers are disposed within the bladder. Each tether in the plurality of tethers has a first end coupled to the top end cap and a second end coupled to the bottom end cap. When the bladder is inflated, the plurality of tethers restrict a number of degrees of freedom of the inflatable structure and a type of the degrees of freedom. The adjustment mechanism is operable to move the second end of at least one tether in the plurality of tethers to adjust at least one of the number of the degrees of freedom and the type of the degrees of freedom.