Undulating Structure With Curvature Mismatch Buckling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating undulating structures to harness kinetic energy or facilitate fluid propulsion are inadequate in terms of efficiency and versatility, as they fail to effectively manage repetitive undulating motion and transverse deformations.
Innovation Solution
Joining an elastic sheet to a rigid restraining member with a curved attachment edge, where the curvature differs from the restraining edge, to induce buckling and form transverse deformations, which are managed by stopping members to create a coordinated wave-like motion, allowing for the harnessing of kinetic energy or propulsion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If an elastic sheet is joined to a rigid restraining member with matching curvature, then the structure remains stable and simple to manufacture, but it cannot generate undulating motion or transverse deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention deliberately creates asymmetry by joining the elastic sheet to a rigid restraining member where the curvatures do not match. This curvature mismatch is the key asymmetric feature that generates compressive stresses and induces buckling, transforming a stable but static structure into one capable of undulating motion and transverse deformations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the curvature parameter of the rigid restraining member relative to the elastic sheet. By selecting specific curvature values that differ from each other, the system transitions from a stable configuration to one that exhibits buckling and undulating behavior, enabling the desired motion capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If stopping members are added to manage transverse deformations, then the undulating motion is controlled and coordinated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stopping members are designed to function passively without requiring external control systems. They automatically limit the transverse deformations through their geometric configuration, allowing the undulating motion to self-organize into coordinated waves without complex active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopping members utilize the flexibility of the elastic sheet itself to achieve motion control. By strategically placing stopping members, the system leverages the sheet's inherent elastic properties to guide and coordinate the undulating motion, avoiding the need for rigid, complex control structures.
3Ease of manufacture
If the attachment edge curvature matches the restraining edge curvature, then manufacturing is simpler, but no buckling or transverse deformations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention intentionally introduces asymmetry in the curvature parameters between the attachment edge and the restraining edge. This deliberate curvature mismatch eliminates the need for precise curvature matching, as the asymmetry itself is the functional requirement that generates the desired buckling and undulating behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the curvature parameter relationship from equality (matching curvatures) to inequality (mismatched curvatures). This parameter change simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for precise curvature matching, while simultaneously enabling the buckling phenomenon necessary for undulating motion.
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
This method enables the creation of undulating structures that efficiently harness kinetic energy or propel fluids, with controlled transverse deformations that migrate along the structure in a coordinated wave, enhancing energy conversion and propulsion capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The join between the attachment edge and the restraining edge may result in the elastic sheet buckling, and forming one or one or more transverse deformations
Implementation Method 2
the buckled sheet provides mechanical advantage without appreciable opposition from elastic restoring forces
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for creating undulating structures are disclosed in which an elastic sheet and a rigid restraining member having different curvatures are joined. The structures incorporate stopping members, such as stopped grooves, to manage the transverse deformations of the elastic sheet. The joint is such that the transverse deformations may migrate along the undulating structure in a coordinated, wave, either to gather kinetic energy, or to propel the structure relative to a fluid. To facilitate such a wave, the elastic sheet can be joined to the retaining member via passive stopping members that oscillate about their points of attachment to the retaining member. These are also constructed to limit the elastic sheet from reverting to its original configuration. The retaining member can be annular structures, and the elastic sheet members can be tubular. Stopping members can be actuated to power the transverse deformations of the elastic sheet to oscillate.