Patent ID: 10148199

Abstract:
A method of providing motion using a loop-band device is disclosed. An outer, restraining loop constrains an inner, buckling loop to form a buckled mode having one or more buckles. An activation force generated in one of buckles provides a stress, resulting in a change of configuration of the buckling loop that produces movement of the restraining loop. Depending on the composition of the buckling loop, the stress is generated via heat, light, an electric current or voltage, a magnetic field, or a combination thereof. The restraining loop is a suitably thin, relatively inextensible but flexible material. The buckling loop is a suitably thin, relatively flexible, reactive material that develops stress when subject to suitable activation forces. Suitable reactive materials include electroactive polymers, electrostrictive materials, magnetostrictive materials and materials having a high coefficient of linear, thermal expansion. The motion is linear or rotary, depending on device configuration.