F16K99/0049

Wearable device with fluid-based circuits and stretch-sensitive materials, and systems including the wearable device used in conjunction with a virtual-reality headset

A method for large scale integration of haptic devices is described. The method comprises forming a first elastomer layer of a large scale integration (LSI) device on a substrate according to a specified manufacturing process, the first elastomer layer having a plurality of fluid based circuits, the first elastomer layer adhering to a plurality of formation specifications. The method further comprises curing the first elastomer layer. Additionally, one or more additional elastomer layers of the LSI device are formed with the first elastomer layer according to the specified manufacturing process, the one or more additional elastomer layers having a plurality of fluid based circuits, the one or more additional elastomer layers adhering to the plurality of formation specifications.

AIR CURRENT CHANGEABLE FULL FRONT BLOWING TYPE AIR CONDITIONER
20170261215 · 2017-09-14 · ·

An air current changeable full front blowing type air conditioner is provided. The air current changeable full front blowing type air conditioner includes: a case configured to comprise a heat exchanger disposed inside the case; a main air blower configured to be disposed in rea of the heat exchanger inside the case and discharge a main air current from a full front of the case; and at least one auxiliary air blower configured to be positioned around the main air blower of the case and discharge an auxiliary air current for changing a direction of the main air current. The auxiliary air blower discharges the auxiliary air current in a direction where the auxiliary air current interferes with the main air current discharged from the full front of the case.

WEARABLE GLOVES INCLUDING A FABRIC MATERIAL WORN BY A USER, A POSITION SENSOR, AND A MATRIX WITH A PLURALITY OF VOIDS THAT EACH INCLUDE AT LEAST ONE FLUIDIC ACTUATOR
20220187920 · 2022-06-16 ·

A wearable glove for interacting with virtual objects is described herein. An example wearable glove includes a fabric material to be worn on a user's hand. The wearable glove also includes a matrix made of an elastic polymer, the matrix including a plurality of voids, each respective void (i) including at least one fluidic actuator and (ii) not being fluidically coupled with a positionally adjacent void. The wearable glove additionally includes a non-fluidic actuator configured to restrict movement of one of the user's digits; and one or more position sensors for monitoring positional data used to a determine a position of the wearable glove within a three-dimensional space. The wearable device can control the at least one fluidic actuator and the at least one non-fluidic actuator to simulate real-world interactions in the artificial-reality environment based on the position of the wearable device as compared to respective positions of virtual objects.

MICROFLUIDIC VALVE, METHOD FOR ITS MANUFACTURE, AND USES THEREOF

A microfluidic valve, includes arranging a substrate of a mechanically inert material to one or more physicochemical properties over time, configuring a structural portion of the valve; additive layer manufacturing to print, a succession of one or more filaments of a material with mechanical response to one or more of said physicochemical properties over time, preferably LCP, configuring a functional portion of the valve; and arranging the succession of filaments on the substrate, configuring a fluid flow rate through the valve using the application of an anti-adhesion treatment on one or more interfaces of said filaments and the substrate.

Wearable gloves including a fabric material worn by a user, a position sensor, and a matrix with a plurality of voids that each include at least one fluidic actuator

A wearable glove for interacting with virtual objects is described herein. An example wearable glove includes a fabric material to be worn on a user's hand. The wearable glove also includes a matrix made of an elastic polymer, the matrix including a plurality of voids, each respective void (i) including at least one fluidic actuator and (ii) not being fluidically coupled with a positionally adjacent void. The wearable glove additionally includes a non-fluidic actuator configured to restrict movement of one of the user's digits; and one or more position sensors for monitoring positional data used to a determine a position of the wearable glove within a three-dimensional space. The wearable device can control the at least one fluidic actuator and the at least one non-fluidic actuator to simulate real-world interactions in the artificial-reality environment based on the position of the wearable device as compared to respective positions of virtual objects.

Flow control device

A flow control device comprises a laminate structure of an electroactive material layer and a non-actuatable layer. An array of orifices is formed in one of the layers wherein the orifices are open in one of the rest state and actuated state and the orifices are closed in the other of the rest state and actuated state. Actuation of the electroactive material layer causes orifices to open and close so that flow control function may be implemented.

Self-healing microvalve

Self-healing microvalves are described herein. The self-healing microvalve can move from a first position to a second position using an electrical input and use a soft hydraulic assembly to return from the second position to the first position. The electrical input can create an electrostatic attraction, causing the compression of the soft hydraulic assembly and movement of the valve gate to seal the microvalve. The elasticity of the soft hydraulic assembly can then return the self-healing microvalve to the original state, once the electrical input is removed.

Electrorheological Fluid Structure with Attached Conductor and Method of Fabrication
20210137214 · 2021-05-13 ·

A method of forming an electrorheological fluid structure with attached conductor and method of fabrication. A polymeric housing may have a channel defined therein. A first conductive trace may at least partially coincide with the channel. A first wire may have a first conductor surrounded by a first insulating jacket. The first conductor may be in electrical communication with the first conductive trace. A jacket bonding region of the first jacket may be welded to a housing bonding region of the housing. The jacket bonding region and the housing bonding region may be formed from a common type of polymer.

Electrorheological fluid structure with attached conductor and method of fabrication
10932523 · 2021-03-02 · ·

A polymeric housing may have a channel defined therein. A first conductive trace may at least partially coincide with the channel. A first wire may have a first conductor surrounded by a first insulating jacket. The first conductor may be in electrical communication with the first conductive trace. A jacket bonding region of the first jacket may be welded to a housing bonding region of the housing. The jacket bonding region and the housing bonding region may be formed from a common type of polymer.

Electromechanical polymer pumps
10844974 · 2020-11-24 · ·

A motor-less pump includes: (a) a housing having an inlet provided to allow fluid flow into the housing and an outlet provided to allow fluid flow out of the housing; (b) an elastic diaphragm positioned in the housing such that motion in the elastic diaphragm drives the fluid flows at the inlet and the outlet of the housing; and (c) one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuators each being provided on a surface of the elastic diaphragm, wherein the mechanical responses to electrical stimuli applied on the EMP actuators cause the motion in the diaphragm. The EMP actuators may include one or more bimorphs.