Patent ID: 8585776

Claim:
A mesofluidic powered finger joint comprising: a first finger section comprising: a first actuator; and a mesofluidic valve in fluid communication with the first actuator, the mesofluidic valve comprising: an inlet port comprising an orifice; an outlet port; a substantially hollow valve body defining a fluid flow path within the valve between the inlet port and the outlet port for fluid to flow from the inlet port to the outlet port; a poppet configured to be engaged or disengaged with the orifice, the fluid being blocked from passing through the orifice when the poppet is engaged with the orifice, and the fluid being permitted to pass through the orifice when the poppet is disengaged with the orifice; and a smart memory alloy wire extending within the valve body along the fluid flow path and operatively coupled to the poppet, the smart memory alloy wire configured to contract in receipt of electrical current to move the poppet from being engaged to disengaged with the orifice for the fluid to flow into the substantially hollow valve body along the fluid flow path; and a second actuator; a second finger section pivotally connected to the first finger section by a joint pivot, wherein the first actuator pivotally cooperates with the second finger section to provide a first mechanical advantage relative to a pivot point of the joint pivot, wherein the second actuator pivotally cooperates with the second finger section to provide a second mechanical advantage relative to the pivot point.