INFLATABLE BLADDER SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a fluidic actuator that comprising generating a member that includes a web and a pair of cavities and closing the cavities by closing one or more respective openings of the cavities to generate a first closed bladder and a second closed bladder.

Description

BACKGROUND

Conventional solar panel arrays are static and unmoving or configured to track the sun throughout the day to provide optimal capture of solar energy. Static solar panel arrays are often undesirable because they are unable to move and accommodate the changing angle of the sun during the day and throughout the year.

On the other hand, conventional moving solar panel arrays are also often undesirable because of their high cost of installation, the complexity of the mechanisms that move the solar panels, and the relatively high energy cost associated with actuating the solar panels. For example, some systems include motors that move individual solar panels or groups of solar panels. Such motors and other complex moving parts are expensive to install and maintain.

In view of the foregoing, a need exists for an improved solar panel actuation system and method in an effort to overcome the aforementioned obstacles and deficiencies of conventional solar panel actuation systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate a respective top perspective and bottom perspective view of a solar tracker in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a solar tracker during movement.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an actuator in accordance with one embodiment, which comprises an inverted V-shaped bottom plate, a planar top-plate, and a set of bladders that are disposed between the top and bottom plates.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a solar tracking system that includes a row controller that controls a plurality of rows of solar trackers.

FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c illustrate side cross-sectional views of a bladder unit in accordance with different embodiments.

FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c illustrate a perspective, side and top view of a bladder assembly in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate a perspective and a side view of a bladder assembly and fluidic lines in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a close-up cross-sectional view of a coupling between fluidic lines and a bladder assembly in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 9a and 9b illustrate a perspective view and a side view of a top plate in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 10a and 10b illustrate a perspective view and a side view of a bottom plate in accordance with an embodiment and in a first configuration.

FIGS. 11a and 11b illustrate a perspective view and a side view of the bottom plate of FIGS. 10a and 10b in accordance with an embodiment and in a second configuration.

FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate a perspective view and a side view of the actuator assembly having the bottom plate of FIGS. 11a and 11b in the second configuration.

FIG. 13a illustrates an example of a bladder in an actuator comprising a plurality of layers, including an external layer, a central layer and an internal layer.

FIG. 13b illustrates an example of a wall of a bladder comprising a plurality of layers, including an external layer, a central layer and an internal layer.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example embodiment of a bladder having a cylindrical elongated body with first and second ends that have been closed.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example embodiment of a bladder having an elongated body with a teardrop shape with first and second ends that have been closed.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate example embodiments where bladders are held by a retention system that can comprise one or more sheets that encircle and retain the bladders.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example of a bladder defined by an inner-portion and an enclosure where the inner portion is configured to be disposed within a cavity defined by the enclosure by inserting the inner portion into a first end of the enclosure.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a bladder that includes cords laminated into the body of the bladder in longitudinal and transverse directions.

FIG. 20 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of a bladder with a tab coupled to an edge of the bladder.

FIG. 21 illustrates another example embodiment of a bladder comprising a tab.

FIG. 22 illustrates an example embodiments where a first and second bladder are coupled together via respective tabs to generate bladder unit.

FIG. 23 is a close-up view of a coupling between adjacent portions of the sheet material of a bladder.

FIG. 24 illustrates an example embodiment of a portion of a bladder comprising a plurality of layers.

FIG. 25 illustrates various views of a bladder in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 26a illustrates various views of a bladder in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 26b illustrates various views of a bladder in accordance with a further embodiment.

FIG. 27a illustrates various views of a bladder in accordance with yet another embodiment.

FIG. 27b illustrates various views of a bladder in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 28a illustrates a side view of an actuator assembly in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 28b illustrates a perspective view of the actuator assembly of FIG. 28a.

FIG. 29a illustrates a side view of an actuator assembly in accordance with a further embodiment.

FIG. 29b illustrates a perspective view of the actuator assembly of FIG. 29a.

It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are generally represented by like reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout the figures. It also should be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the preferred embodiments. The figures do not illustrate every aspect of the described embodiments and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Since currently available solar panel actuation systems are deficient, a fluidic actuation system as described herein can prove desirable and provide a basis for a wide range of applications, such as efficiently and cost-effectively moving solar panels about one or more axes. This result can be achieved, according to various embodiments disclosed herein, by a compliant pressurized fluid-filled actuator, hereafter referred to as a bladder, bellows, or the like, that can be part of an actuator assembly. For example, the present disclosure, in some aspects, relates to inflatable bladders that can be used in fluidic actuators of solar trackers.

In some embodiments, the walls of an air-filled portion of a bladder can be made of a composite of materials. One example can include co-extruding softer materials on an outer layer of the wall and stiffer materials on the inner layer of the wall, which can cause the air bladder to experience less displacement driven load (and stress) when compressed while maintaining a desired stiffness to hold pressurized air when extended. The different materials in some embodiments can be different durometers of the same material family (e.g., TPV blends) or multiple materials which share the same base polymer (e.g., Santoprene, polypropylene, or the like). The air bladders can be sealed on the north/south ends in a variety of suitable ways, including welding, pinching, or via a gasketed connection to a manifold. In some embodiments, coextrusion can be used to create section properties which can improve range of motion (ROM) while maintaining burst pressure rating.

FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate respective top perspective and bottom perspective views of a solar tracker 100 in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the solar tracker 100. As shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b and 2, the solar tracker 100 can comprise a plurality of photovoltaic cells 103 disposed along a length having axis X1 and a plurality of pneumatic actuators 101 configured to collectively move the array of photovoltaic cells 103. As shown in FIG. 1b, the photovoltaic cells 103 are coupled to rails 102 that extend along parallel axes X2, which are parallel to axis X1. Each of the plurality of actuators 101 extend between and are coupled to the rails 102, with the actuators 101 being coupled to respective posts 104. As shown in FIG. 2, the posts 104 can extend along an axis Z, which can be perpendicular to axes X1 and X2 in various embodiments. In various embodiments, solar cells or photovoltaic cells 103 can be embodied in various way, including as a solar panels or photovoltaic panels.

As shown in FIG. 2, and discussed in more detail herein, the actuators 101 can be configured to collectively tilt the array of photovoltaic cells 103 based on an angle or position of the sun, which can be desirable for maximizing light exposure to the photovoltaic cells 103 and thereby maximizing electrical output of the photovoltaic cells 103. In various embodiments, the actuators 101 can be configured to move the photovoltaic cells 103 between a plurality of configurations as shown in FIG. 2, including a neutral configuration N where the photovoltaic cells 103 are disposed along axis Y that is perpendicular to axis Z. From the neutral configuration N, the actuators 101 can be configured to move the photovoltaic cells 103 to a first maximum tilt position A, to a second maximum tilt position B, or any position therebetween. In various embodiments, the angle between the neutral configuration N and the maximum tilt positions A, B can be any suitable angle, and in some embodiments, can be the same angle. Such movement can be used to position the photovoltaic cells 103 toward the sun, relative to an angle of the sun, to reflect light toward a desired position, or the like.

In one preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, a solar tracker 100 can comprise a plurality of photovoltaic cells 103 that are collectively actuated by four actuators 101 disposed along a common axis. However, in further embodiments, a solar tracker 100 can comprise any suitable number of actuators 101, including one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, fifteen, twenty, fifty, one hundred, or the like. Similarly, any suitable number of photovoltaic cells 103 can be associated with a solar tracker 100 in further embodiments. Additionally, while photovoltaic cells 103 are shown in example embodiments herein, in further embodiments, actuators 101 can be used to move various other objects or structures, including mirrors, reflectors, imaging devices, communications devices, and the like.

In various applications, the ability to lock out actuator rotation can be desirable. In some embodiments, the lock out can be generated at predetermined angles. Locking out in a flat or 0 degree, 45 degree or max range of motion lock can be desired in various applications. Other applications can include instantaneous lockout, or the ability to freeze motion and increase stiffness at any angle.

In applications that may require specific angle lockouts, a variety of mechanisms can be employed. For extreme angle lockouts, hard stops can be employed. A hard stop can be a solid state feature that prevents rotation past a set angle. In some examples, a bladder 300 (See FIG. 3) can be over pressurized to press up against a hard stop, increasing its stiffness at the extreme angle.

Hard stop features can take a variety of forms. For example, in some embodiments, the actuator assembly 101 can comprise one or more tensile rope or webbing coupled to and extending between top plate 330 and bottom plate 310 of the actuator assembly 101 (see FIG. 3). In another example, positive bosses can be provided as part of the actuator assembly 101 or proximate to the actuator assembly such that contact with the bosses constrains the range of motion of the actuator assembly. In various embodiments, such hard stops can be beneficial for preventing damage to the actuator assembly in high winds or exposure to other forces that might over-extend the actuator assembly. Pressurizing against a hard stop can also prevent excitation of destructive resonant frequencies induced by oscillatory loads (such as wind). In some embodiments, it can be beneficial to stow the actuator assembly against a hard stop when exposure to undesirable forces is anticipated (e.g., during a storm, or the like). These hard stops can also have a locking feature in order to stop all movement of the tracker when hit. This can serve as a stow mechanism that can further prevent damage to the tracker in a high-wind event.

In some embodiments, positional lockout at 0 degrees, or plumb to gravity, can be desirable. Mechanisms that can achieve this behavior include but are not limited to: 4 bar linkages, pneumatic rams, solenoids, lockable dampers, spring returns, inflated bladders, pressure sensitive toggles, and the like.

Stow, lockouts or hard stops can be provided in various suitable ways in accordance with further embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, there can be a separate actuator lockout for purposes of stow. For example, a separate small bladder can be used to actuate a locking mechanism that rigidly, or near rigidly, fixes an actuator assembly. In one embodiment, such a mechanism can comprise a pin that engages a corresponding hole or slot, or such a mechanism can comprise multiple pins or toothed arrangements that engage corresponding features enabling multiple locking positions. In another embodiment, such a mechanism can comprise corresponding brake pads that enable continuous locking independent of tracker position. Off-normal loading can also be used to engage a locking mechanism in accordance with some embodiments.

In further embodiments, a bar-linkage lockout can be used to stow or lock an actuator assembly 101. For example, in one embodiment, an actuator-piloted four bar linkage can be used to lock out tracker motion. In such an embodiment, an over-center four bar linkage between the top plate 330 and the bottom plate 310 can be used to fix the position of the actuator assembly 101 for the purpose of stow, and the like. Such a mechanism can be actuated by an external actuator, collective bladder pressure, off-normal loading, or the like.

Other embodiments can require instantaneous lockout, or lockout in any position. Mechanisms that can be used to achieve this behavior include but are not limited to: air brakes, drum brakes, lockout pins. Lockout mechanisms can be piloted by pneumatics, hydraulics, electronics, passive means, or any other method.

In some embodiments, damping can be desirable for an actuator assembly 101. Damping can be incorporated into the architecture of the actuator assembly 101 directly, or through a peripheral/add-on mechanism. A damper can be configured to smooth movement of a photovoltaic cells 103 coupled to the actuator assembly by providing resistance that reduces sudden or jerky movement of the solar panel. In other words, a damper can be configured to counter dynamic loading modes (for example, wind-induced oscillatory modes) and help with smoothing oscillation of an actuator assembly. Additionally, inclusion of dampers can be beneficial because it can allow an actuator assembly 101 to operate at a lower operating pressure, which can result in reduced stress on the actuator assembly, including stress on bellows, bladders, and the like.

To increase energy loss due to friction and for enhancing damping, in some examples, material choice of high coefficient of friction materials can be employed. In some embodiments, including in various friction-based pivot dampers, the damping coefficient can be modulated by varying the collective force applied by the bladder(s). By increasing collective bladder pressure, the stiffness provided by the damper can be increased, ideal for high dynamic load cases.

In further embodiments, the damper can be configured in any suitable way. For example, the damper can be coupled to a top plate 330 and a bottom plate 310 (see FIG. 3); the damper can be coupled to the bottom plate 310 and the second support; or the like. Add-on dampers can be linear or rotary in nature.

Add-on dampers can make use of viscous fluid dynamics, centripetal acceleration, friction losses, gas diffusion or any other applicable phenomenon. In further embodiments, a damper can be internally located or integrated directly into a compliant fluidic actuator, bellows or bladders. For example, the material of inflatable bladders can have a high damping coefficient; the inflatable bladders can be partially filled with a compliant material with a high damping coefficient; a block of porous material can be inserted into the inflatable bladders that restricts the passage of fluids in and out of said material thereby achieving damping; a block of elastomeric material that changes volume in response to external pressure with a significant damping coefficient the bladders can be wrapped in a damping elastomeric material, and so forth.

Add-on mechanisms that increase damping and energy loss include but are not limited to: centrifugal clutches, viscous speed governors, linear viscous dampers, dashpots, viscoelastic crush ribs, or the like. In further embodiments, bladders or bellows can be filled with a fluid such as water, or the like, to generate a suitable damping effect. The damper can take both linear and rotary forms in accordance with various embodiments. In further embodiments a damper can be integrated with a flexure, hub or pivot system or between plates. For example, a flexure can be encased in an elastomeric damping material which might further serve to maintain separation of endplates, or elastomeric damping blocks can be stacked between plates.

The actuator assembly 101 can be fixed to a rack, a driven post, a space frame, directly to the ground, or any other suitable substrate. For example, the actuator assembly 101 can be coupled to the ground or other structure via a post 104 as shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b and 2. The actuator assembly 101 can be mounted to this post using bolts, nuts and washers through the flange of the member, or through a web of a bladder unit. An actuator bottom-plate can have built-in mounting features, or separate mounting brackets can be used.

The actuator assembly 101 can be attached to a substrate through a mounting bracket. A mounting bracket can comprise a plurality of components. A mounting bracket can allow for positional adjustment in one or many vectors or rotational angles. The mounting bracket can be incorporated into, or act in place of an actuator plate. In some embodiments, the actuator assembly 101 can be mounted directly on the substrate, such as a driven beam. In others, the actuator assembly 101 can utilize the mounting substrate, beam or frame to add strength to the actuator assembly 101.

In another embodiment, the actuator assembly 101 can include a base that comprises a plurality of legs. In a further embodiment, the solar-actuator assembly 101 can include a base architecture that holds one or more weights. In one embodiment, the weights can comprise tanks that can be filled with fluid such as water. Such an embodiment can be desirable because the actuator assembly 101 can be lightweight for transport and then secured in place by filling the weights with water or other ballast at a desired location.

The actuator assembly can rotate a payload in various examples, including a payload of photovoltaic cells 103 as shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b and 2. The payload can be attached to the actuator assembly 101 in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, a top plate can be attached to the payload, while a bottom plate remains fixed to a mount. In embodiments with different architecture, the payload can be attached to a center plate, while the frame plate can be fixed to a static mount.

To attach the payload to the actuator assembly 101, the use of spreader brackets or spreader rails can be employed. A spreader bracket rigidly attaches to the rotating plate or component of the actuator assembly 101. The bracket can extend beyond the extreme end of the plate to which it can be attached. The distance of this spread can vary depending on the structural, regulatory or commercially stipulated needs of the payload.

A spreader bracket can be constructed of a metal, such as but not limited to steel, aluminum, a plastic, or a composite such as carbon fiber or fiberglass. A spreader bracket can comprise roll-formed sections, extrusions, castings, composite layup or parts manufactured by any suitable method. A payload can be attached to rails that run perpendicular to and can be attached to spreader brackets.

Some embodiments of the actuator assembly 101 can attach a payload to the actuator via a central tube. The tube can couple the payload and the actuator assembly 101 and can transmit torsional load from the actuator to far down the axis of rotation. The torque tube can incorporate spreader brackets to spread attachment points to payload attachment points.

In some embodiments, one or more actuator assemblies 101 can be coupled together. For example, a pair of single-axis actuator assemblies 101 can be coupled together via one or more photovoltaic cells 103 and/or supports that extend between the actuator assemblies 101. Similarly, another embodiment comprises a plurality of actuator assemblies 101 coupled together via one or more photovoltaic cells 103 and/or supports that extend between the actuator assemblies 101 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b). In such embodiments, two or more actuator assemblies 101 can move in concert to move a single set of a plurality of photovoltaic cells 103 or solar panels collectively. As shown in various embodiments, such an actuator assembly 101 can be anchored in the ground via posts 104, or the like. Supports can be linked together using bolts and nuts with a connecting bracket, or with a nesting feature between the two lengths of support that can eliminate the need for an additional part. For example, an actuator assembly 101 can be coupled to a post 104 via a bolt assembly.

In one application, the actuator assembly can be used to move and position a photovoltaic cells 103 that is coupled to a top-plate. For example, in a first example the actuator assembly 101 can include a post 104 that the actuator assembly rests on. The post 104 can be held by a base or disposed in the ground (e.g., via a ground post, ground screw, or the like) in accordance with some embodiments. This post 104 can be driven into the ground at a variable length depending on loading conditions at the site. The post 104 can be a steel (e.g., alloy steel) component with an I, C, hat, or other cross section. The post 104 can be treated with zinc plating, hot dip galvanizing, or some other method for corrosion resistance.

Although various example embodiments herein describe the use of an actuator assembly 101 with photovoltaic cells 103, in further embodiments, an actuator assembly 101 can be used to actuate or otherwise move any other suitable object, including concentrators, reflectors, refractors, and the like.

An actuator assembly 101 having two bladders or bellows can be configured to move a photovoltaic cells 103 that is coupled to a top plate of the actuator assembly 101 via respective supports 102 that can be mounted perpendicularly to one another and extend along respective lengths of the photovoltaic cells 103. As discussed herein, the bladders or bellows of a one-axis actuator assembly can be configured to inflate and/or deflate to move the solar panel. Supports 102 can be some lightweight steel channel. This channel can have a C, Z, or some other desirable cross section. This channel can be roll-formed, bent, or fabricated in some other manner.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an actuator assembly 101 in accordance with one embodiment. As shown in the example of FIG. 3, the actuator assembly 101 comprises a V-shaped bottom plate 310, a planar top-plate 330, and a plurality of bladders 300 of a bladder assembly 301 disposed between the top and bottom plates 330, 310. A hub assembly 370 rotatably couples the bottom and top plates 310, 330 and extends between the bottom and top plates 310, 330. In various embodiments, the bottom plate can be or be referred to as being V-shaped, inverted V-shaped, A-shaped, angled, or the like.

The example embodiment of FIG. 3 illustrates the actuator assembly 101 in a neutral configuration N (see FIG. 2), where the top plate 330 extends along axis Y, which is perpendicular to axis Z in the neutral configuration N. However, as discussed herein, the top plate 330 can be configured to tilt to the left and right (or east and west as discussed herein) based on selective inflation and/or deflation of the bladder 300 of the bladder assembly 301. Components of an actuator assembly 101 can comprise various suitable materials, including metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, iron, titanium, or the like), plastic, composite materials or the like. In various embodiments, metal parts can be coated for corrosion prevention (e.g., hot dip galvanized, pre galvanized, or the like).

A row controller 380 can be operably coupled with bladder 300 of the actuator via pneumatic lines 390. More specifically, an east bladder 300E can be coupled to a pneumatic circuit 382 of the row controller 380 via an east pneumatic line 390E. A west bladder 300W can be coupled to the pneumatic circuit 382 of the row controller 380 via a west pneumatic line 390W. A pneumatic control unit 384 can be operably coupled to the pneumatic circuit 382, which can control the pneumatic circuit 382 to selectively inflate and/or deflate the bladder 300 to move the top plate 330 of the actuator assembly 101 to tilt photovoltaic cells 103 coupled to the top plate 330.

For example, as described herein, bladder 300 of an actuator assembly 101 can be inflated and/or deflated which can cause the bladder 300 to expand and/or contract along a width of the bladder 300 and cause rotation of the hub assembly 370 and movement of the bottom and top plates 310, 330 relative to each other. Such movement of the hub assembly 370 can be generated when a solar tracker 100 is moving between a neutral position N and the maximum tilt positions A, B as shown in FIG. 2.

As discussed in more detail herein, a bladder assembly 301 can comprise any suitable plurality of bladders 300, with the bladder 300 being any suitable size and shape. Additionally, as discussed in more detail herein a bladder assembly 301 can comprise one or more bladder units (see, e.g., bladder unit 302 of FIGS. 5a-c) with each of the one or more bladder units comprising any suitable plurality of bladders, including in some embodiments, any suitable number of even numbers of bladder 300. As discussed herein, in some embodiments, a plurality of bladder units that each have two bladders 300 can be stacked to form a bladder assembly 301.

In various embodiments, the bladders 300 can be configured to expand along the width of the bladders 300 when fluid is introduced into the hollow bladders 300 or when the bladders 300 are otherwise inflated. Accordingly, the bladders 300 can be configured to contract along the width of the bladders 300 when fluid is removed from the hollow bladders 300 or when the bladders 300 are otherwise deflated.

Where bladders 300 are configured to expand widthwise based on increased pressure, fluid or inflation and configured to contract widthwise based on decreased pressure, fluid or deflation, movement of the photovoltaic cells 103 via one or more actuators 101 can be achieved in various ways. For example, referring to the example of FIG. 2, rotating the photovoltaic cells 103 west (i.e., to the right in this example) can be achieved via one or more of the following:

TABLE 1
Examples of Actions to Rotate Actuator Assembly 101 West
East Bladder 300E	West Bladder 300W	Result
Increase Pressure	Maintain Pressure	Rotate West
Increase Pressure	Reduce Pressure	Rotate West
Maintain Pressure	Reduce Pressure	Rotate West
Decrease Pressure	Decrease Pressure More Than	Rotate West
	East Bladder 300E
Increase Pressure	Increase Pressure Less Than	Rotate West
	East Bladder 300E

Referring again to the example of FIG. 2, rotating the photovoltaic cells 103 east (i.e., to the left in this example) can be achieved via one or more of the following:

TABLE 2
Examples of Actions to Rotate Actuator Assembly 101 East
East Bladder 300E	West Bladder 300W	Result
Maintain Pressure	Increase Pressure	Rotate East
Reduce Pressure	Increase Pressure	Rotate East
Reduce Pressure	Maintain Pressure	Rotate East
Decrease Pressure More Than	Decrease Pressure	Rotate East
West Bladder 300W
Increase Pressure Less Than	Increase Pressure	Rotate East
West Bladder 300W

Accordingly, in various embodiments, by selectively increasing and/or decreasing the amount of fluid within bladder 300E, 300W, the top plate 330 and photovoltaic cells 103 can be actuated to track the location or angle of the sun.

A tubular actuator assembly 101 can be a fluid driven, antagonistic type actuator. The Tubular actuator assembly 101 can be driven by a pressurized working fluid. The working fluid can be gas, such as air, or a liquid, such as water, oil or the like.

The tubular actuator assembly 101 can work on a principle of antagonistic differential forces. For example, in an antagonistic actuator, two force-generating linear sub-actuators (e.g., bladder 300, bladder assembly 301 and/or bladder units 302) can be placed on either side of a pivot. The sub-actuators can generate forces of varying magnitudes. The extension length of the linear sub-actuator can be closely tied to a force it is generating. The sub-actuator can be said to have a “force to position” relationship. The magnitudes of the forces generated and thus the correlated length of the actuator assembly 101 can be dictated by a pneumatic control unit 384. The pneumatic control unit 384 can choose the force values for both sub-actuators. When this is completed the free component or top plate 330 of the actuator assembly 101 can rotate until the torque generated by each actuator (force multiplied by the moment arm) sums to zero. If an external torque is applied to the rotating portion (e.g., top plate 330) of the actuator assembly 101, the actuator assembly 101 can rotate until the sum of the torques, external and internal, is zero.

In some examples of a tubular actuator assembly 101, the sub-actuators can be inflated bladders or bladder 300 as discussed herein. These bladders or bladder 300 can be positioned on opposing sides of a pivot. Depending on the pressure, the pneumatic control unit 384 can inflate to the angle of a free plate (e.g., top plate 330) of the actuator assembly 101, the bladder 300 can supply a deterministic amount of force. The bladders or bladder 300 can apply this force given the specified angle, at a deterministic distance from the central hub assembly 370. This can create a deterministic moment applied by each bladder 300 given an angle assumed by the rotating top plate 330. All of this can result in a deterministic position given a specific control condition that can set the pressure in either bladder 300. When the pressure in both bladders 300 has been set by the pneumatic control unit 384, the actuator assembly 101 can rotate until the torque (force times the moment arm) generated by both bladders 300 is equal. If an external torque is applied to the top plate 330, the actuator assembly 101 can rotate until the sum of the torques, external and internal, is zero. Given external loading conditions, the actuator assembly 101 can exhibit a deterministic “pressure to position” relationship.

Depending on how the bladders 300 are affixed to the top plate 330 and/or bottom plate 310 in some examples, the center of action can migrate in towards, or out away from a balance point or pivot of the hub assembly 370. As an example, when a bladder 300 is at high pressure, and on the extended side of the hub assembly 370, the contact patch, and thus the center of action of the force applied by the bladder 300, can move closer towards a center pivot of the hub assembly 370. As the top plate 330 rotates and the bladder 300 can go from an extended state to a compressed state, the contact patch can expand and the center of action can move out away from the pivot point of the hub assembly 370. A variety of actuator configurations can be devised to take advantage of this effect.

In various embodiments, the hollow bladder 300 can be configured to be inflated and/or deflated with a fluid (e.g., air, a liquid, or the like), which can cause the bladder 300 to change size, shape and/or configuration. Additionally, the bladder 300 can be deformable such that the bladder 300 can change size, shape and/or configuration.

The bladder 300 can change between a first and second configuration in various suitable ways. For example, the bladder 300 can naturally assume the first configuration when unpressurized or at neutral pressure and then can assume the second configuration via physical compression and/or a negative pressurization of the bladder 300. Additionally, the bladder 300 can naturally assume the second configuration when unpressurized or at neutral pressure and then can assume the first configuration via physical expansion and/or a positive pressurization of the bladder 300.

Additionally, the bladder 300 can be in the second configuration at a first pressurization and expand to the first configuration by pressurization to a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure. Additionally, the bladder 300 can be in the first configuration at a first pressurization and contract to the second configuration by pressurization to a second pressure that is less than the first pressure. In other words, the bladder 300 can be expanded and/or contracted via selective pressurization and/or via physical compression or expansion.

In some embodiments, it can be desirable for the bladder 300 to engage the top and/or bottom plates 330, 310 in a contacting and/or rolling manner in various configurations. In some embodiments, a contact-region of the top and/or bottom plates 330, 310 can provide for a rolling contact between convolutions of a bladder 300, which can be beneficial during movement of the bladder 300 as discussed in more detail herein. Additionally, such a contact-region can be beneficial because it can reduce strain on the bladder 300 during compression and can increase the stiffness of the bladder 300 in certain configurations.

Although certain example embodiments of a bladder 300 are illustrated herein (e.g., FIGS. 5a-c, 6a-c, 25, 26a, 26b, 27a and 27b), these example embodiments should not be construed to be limiting on the wide variety of bladder shapes, sizes and geometries that are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, convolutions can have varying size and shape, including varying in a pattern, or the like. Additionally, the bladder 300 can have a curved or rounded contour or can include edges, square portions, or the like.

An actuator assembly 101 can move to assume a plurality of configurations based on the inflation and/or deflation of the bladder 300. For example, the actuator assembly 101 can assume a first configuration A, where a plane TO of the top plate 330 is parallel to a plane BA of the base plate 310. In this first example configuration A, the bladders 300 are of equal length and have a straight central axis CE that is perpendicular to top and bottom planes TO, BA. In such a configuration, the bladder 300 can be at a neutral pressure, partially inflated, or partially deflated. Accordingly, by selectively inflating and/or deflating the bladder 300 of the actuator assembly 101, the plane TO of the top plate 330 can be moved to various desired positions.

In some embodiments, single degree of freedom (DOF) actuators can be stacked, to achieve 2 DOF, 3 DOF or any other numbers of DOF.

The architecture of the actuator assembly 101 can take a variety of forms. One example actuator assembly 101 can comprise a top plate 330 rotatably coupled to a bottom plate 310. The bottom plate 310 is then rigidly coupled to a post 104, frame or any other suitable substrate. Inflatable, flexible sub-actuators, bladders, or bladder 300 can be disposed on either side of the coupling. When inflated differentially, the bladder 300 can rotate the top plate 330 to a specific position. This example architecture can be modified in any suitable manner.

In one embodiment, a top plate 330 can be rotatably coupled to a bottom plate 310 in the shape of an inverted V. The bladder 300 can engage with the top plate 330 on the underside of its wings and with legs 311 of the V-plate bottom plate 310. The V-plate can take any suitable angle to achieve the desired range of motion, stiffness or any other behavior or performance. In some embodiments, it can be desirable for the V plate angle to be 90 degrees. For greater range of motion, the V-Plate can have an angle less than 10 degrees. For greater stiffness, the actuator assembly 101 can have a bottom plate angle greater than 120 degrees. In some embodiments, it can be desirable to have a bottom plate angle at the extremes, 180 degrees, flat, where bladder 300 press on the wings of the plate on either side of the coupling. It can also be desirable in some examples to have a plate with an angle of 0 degrees. In some examples, the bottom plate 310 can more aptly be called a middle plate, in that the bladder 300 can act on either side of the thin plate, rather than on opposing lobes. Likewise, the top plate 330 can take a V-shape and can be configured in any suitable angle. The V-shape in either plate 310, 330 can also be inverted in some examples. An actuator assembly 101 can comprise any combination of top and bottom plates 310, 330.

Another embodiment can comprise an A-frame that is rigidly affixed to a mounting substrate. A center plate can be rotatably coupled to the center of the A-frame. The bladder 300 can mount to engage with either side of the center plate. The bladder 300 can be attached to a coupling point by a web or fascia attached to the bladder 300. The bladder 300 can also be affixed to either the frame or the center plate.

Turning to FIG. 4, in various embodiments, a plurality of solar trackers 100 can be actuated by a row controller 380 in a solar tracking system 400. In this example, four solar trackers 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D can be controlled by a single row controller 380, which is shown being operably coupled thereto. As described in more detail herein, in some examples, a plurality of solar trackers 100 or a subset of solar trackers 100 can be controlled in unison. However, in further embodiments, one or more solar trackers 100 of a plurality of trackers 100 can be controlled differently than one or more other trackers 100.

While various examples shown and described herein illustrate a solar tracking system 400 having various pluralities of rows of solar trackers 100, these should not be construed to be limiting on the wide variety of configurations of photovoltaic cells 103 and fluidic actuators 101 that are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. For example, some embodiments can include a single row or any suitable plurality of rows, including one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, fifty, one hundred, and the like.

Additionally, a given row can include any suitable number of actuator assemblies 101 and photovoltaic cells 103, including one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, fifty, one hundred, two hundred, five hundred, and the like. Rows can be defined by a plurality of physically discrete tracker units. For example, a solar tracker 100 can comprise one or more actuator assemblies 101 coupled to one or more photovoltaic cells 103.

In some preferred embodiments, the axis of a plurality of solar trackers 100 can extend in parallel in a north-south orientation, with the actuator assemblies 101 of the rows configured to rotate the photovoltaic panels about an east-west axis. However, in further embodiments, the axis of solar trackers 100 can be disposed in any suitable arrangement and in any suitable orientation. For example, in further embodiments, some or all rows may not be parallel or extend north-south. Additionally, in further embodiments, rows can be non-linear, including being disposed in an arc, circle, or the like. Accordingly, the specific examples herein (e.g., indicating “east” and “west”) should not be construed to be limiting.

Also, the rows of solar trackers 100 can be coupled to the ground, over water, or the like, in various suitable ways, including via a plurality of posts. Additionally, while various embodiments described herein describe a solar tracking system 400 configured to track a position of the sun or move to a position that provides maximum light exposure, further examples can be configured to reflect light to a desired location (e.g., a solar collector), and the like.

Turning to FIGS. 5a-c, three example embodiments 302A, 302B, 302C of a bladder unit 302 are illustrated. As shown in FIGS. 5a-c, a bladder unit 302 can comprise a pair of bladders 300 that are coupled via a web 303, with each of the bladder 300 defining one or more bladder cavity 305. For example, FIG. 5a illustrates a bladder unit 302A comprising a pair of bladders 300 connected via a web 303 with the bladder 300 defining a respective and separate single bladder cavity 304. FIG. 5b illustrates a bladder unit 302B comprising a pair of bladders 300 connected via a web 303 with the bladder 300 defining a respective and separate first and second bladder cavity 304A, 304B. FIG. 5c illustrates a bladder unit 302C comprising a pair of bladders 300 connected via a web 303 with the bladder 300 defining a respective first and second bladder cavity 304A, 304B that are connected via a port 305 that allows for fluid to pass between the bladder cavities 304A, 304B.

While three examples 302A, 302B, 302C of a bladder unit 302 are illustrated, this should not be construed to be limiting on the wide variety of further embodiments of a bladder unit that are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. For example, further embodiments can include bladder 300 having any suitable plurality of cavities 304 (e.g., three, four, five, ten, twenty, and the like).

Additionally, in various embodiments, the bladder unit 302 can comprise one or more plane of symmetry. For example, as shown in examples 302A, 302B, 302C of FIGS. 5a-c, a bladder unit can include a first plane of symmetry that extends vertically through the web 303; and can include a second plane of symmetry that extends horizontally through the web 303 and the bladder 300 and can include a third plane of symmetry that extends vertically through the web 303 and the bladder 300. In some embodiments, one or more of such planes of symmetry can be absent.

Also, in various embodiments, the bladder 300 can have a shape such that the bladder 300 become increasingly thicker from the web 303 outward as shown in FIGS. 5a-c and then thinner toward a terminal end. However, the bladder can have various suitable shapes and sizes in further embodiments. For example, in some examples, the bellows or bladders can comprise convolutions, ribs, or the like.

Turning to FIGS. 6a-c, one embodiment 301A of a bladder assembly 301 is illustrated that comprises a first and second bladder unit 302X, 302Y. As shown in this example embodiment 301A, the first bladder unit 302X comprises a first and second elongated tubular bladder 300X1, 300X2 that are coupled via a first web 303X and a second bladder unit 302Y comprises a first and second bladder 300Y1, 300Y2 that are coupled via a second web 303Y.

The first and second bladder units 302X, 302Y are shown stacked and coupled together via elongated top and bottom clamp-down bars 307, 308 disposed at and extending along a length of the webs 303 of the bladder units 302. More specifically, the top clamp-down bar 308 is disposed abutting the first web 303X of the first bladder unit 302X with the bottom clamp-down bar 307 disposed abutting the second web 303Y of the second bladder unit 302Y. The top and bottom clamp-down bars 307, 308 are coupled via bolts 309 that extend through the webs 303.

As shown in the example of FIGS. 6a-c, the portions of the top and bottom clamp-down bars 307, 308 that engage the webs 303 of the bladder units 302 can have a rounded profile, which can be desirable for being less likely to damage and introduce failure points to the webs 303; however, in further examples, the top and bottom clamp-down bars 307, 308 can have any suitable profile. Also, top and bottom clamp-down bars 307, 308 can be coupled together in various suitable ways in addition to or as an alternative to bolts 309.

The first and second bladder units 302X, 302Y further comprise ports 306 that communicate with cavities 304 (see, e.g., FIGS. 5a-c) defined by the bladder 300. For example, the first bladder unit 302X comprises a first port 306X1 associated with the first bladder 300X1 and a second port 306X2 associated with the second bladder 300X2. The second bladder unit 302Y comprises a first port 306Y1 associated with the first bladder 300Y1 and a second port 306Y2 associated with the second bladder 300Y2. All of the ports 306 are shown disposed on the same side of the bladder assembly 301A. For example, the first bladder unit 302X comprises a first port 306X1 associated with the first bladder 300X1 and a second port 306X2 associated with the second bladder 300X2. The second bladder unit 302Y comprises a first port 306Y1 associated with the first bladder 300Y1 and a second port 306Y2 associated with the second bladder 300Y2. All of the ports 306 are shown disposed on the same side of the bladder assembly 301A.

The first and second bladder units 302X, 302Y can be configured in various suitable ways, including configurations 302A, 302B, 302C, shown in FIGS. 5a-c, or any other suitable configuration. Also, while the example bladder assembly 301A of FIGS. 6a-c has two bladder, units 302, further examples can include any suitable plurality of bladder units 302 or can have a single bladder unit 302.

Although certain example embodiments of an actuator assembly 101 shown herein comprise a specific number of bladder 300 (e.g., four, two, one, zero), these examples should not be construed to be limiting on the wide variety of configurations of an actuator assembly 101 that are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, various embodiments of an actuator assembly 101 can include any suitable plurality of bladders 300 (e.g., 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or more); can include a single bladder 300; or bladder 300 can be absent. The orientation of the bladder 300 and the direction of the force they exert can also change. Rotational motion of an actuator assembly 101 can be accomplished with bladder 300 providing a force that is not parallel and in the same direction, but the bladder 300 can be oriented on the same side of a pivot point of the rotational actuation, so that the forces are parallel but in opposite directions, or the bladder 300 can be oriented so that they are offset 90 degrees from the pivot point, so that the forces are perpendicular, or in many other orientations where the moments created by each bladder 300 in an actuator assembly 101 are in different directions.

A bladder 300 (or a bladder, or the like) can be made of any suitable material, including polymers, copolymers, terpolymers, and polymer blends (both miscible and immiscible), thermoplastic elastomers, and the like. For example, a bladder 300 can comprise plastics, elastomers, thermoset polymers, thermoplastics, thermoplastic elastomers, copolymers, terpolymers, block copolymers, graft copolymers, polymer composites, polysiloxanes, and both miscible and immiscible polymer blends. Specific examples include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), polypropylene (PP), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polystyrene (PS), polyetherimide (PEI), polyphenylene ether (PPE), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), polycarbonate, acrylic, nylon, poly vinyl chloride (PVC), flurocarbons, epoxies, phenolics and vinyls, Silicone Rubber (SIR) and the like.

Some embodiments can include thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) that can be part of the thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) family of polymers. Some examples can have elastomeric properties similar to ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) thermoset rubber, with characteristics of vulcanized rubber, and with the processing properties of thermoplastics. TPV can be a dynamically vulcanized alloy comprising or consisting essentially of fully cured EPDM rubber particles encapsulated in a polypropylene (PP) matrix.

In some embodiments it can be desirable for a bladder 300 to comprise one or more ultra-violet (UV) stabilizers, UV-absorber, anti-oxidant, thermal stabilizer, hydrolysis stabilizer, carbon black, glass fill, fiber reinforcement, electrostatic dissipater, lubricant concentrate, antiozonants, ozone resistant additives, or the like. Materials of the bladder 300 can be selected based on a desired manufacturing technique, bladder strength, bladder durability, range of motion, compliance, sun-resistance, temperature resistance, humidity, wear resistance, fatigue resistance and the like. In some embodiments, where the bladder 300 is employed in a location that experiences sun exposure, it can be desirable to include a protective UV coating or UV stabilizer in the bladder 300.

One or more additives may be added to a material of the bladder 300 in some examples to achieve various desirable properties, such as ozone resistance, UV resistance, oxidation resistance, hydrolysis resistance, abrasion resistance, temperature resistance, resistance to environmental and/or operational conditions, and the like. The addition of additives can occur during polymer production, part production, as a coating step, or the like. In some embodiments, such one or more additives can be particles, fillers, fibers, whiskers, or the like.

In some embodiments, a bladder 300 can include one or more surface coatings such as inert barrier compounds (e.g., Microcrystalline, paraffin, nano silicone wax, and the like), formulated or blended waxes, synthetic waxes, silicone oil, petroleum-based oil, machine grease, and the like. In some embodiments, a bladder 300 can include one or more surface treatments (e.g., surface cross linking, optimizing surface energy, modifying surface morphology and/or properties, and the like). Such surface modifications in some examples can be applied using laser cladding, plasma treatment, protective coatings deposition, a thermal processes, and the like.

While some embodiments of the bladder 300 can only comprise a single layer, others can comprise a plurality of layers. For example, the thickness of a bladder 300 can comprise three layers. An inner layer can be constructed of thin impermeable layer of thermoplastic elastomer that is flexible and holds pressure when inflated. A middle layer can comprise a structural layer constructed of a biaxially stretched PET or other material capable of higher tensile loads. Such a layer can provide structural integrity or aid in the restraint of the bladders. A third, external layer can comprise a carbon black doped HDPE to protect against UV, wind-blown sand abrasion, or other environmental irritants. In this sense, the external layer can act as a shielding layer. An external layer can also act as a sacrificial layer. The outer layer can also exhibit other special properties, such as low coefficient of friction, special texture, or desirable optical or aesthetic properties that can enhance the performance or value of the product. In other embodiments, a bladder 300 can be made of two or more materials in sequence. For example, one embodiment can comprise a bladder 300 with sequentially alternating HDPE and PP convolutions, or the like. A bladder 300 can comprise any suitable constructions with the purpose of offloading particular functions or requirements of the bladder 300 to different layers while keeping aggregate costs down. A bladder 300 can include strengthening or protective shrouding in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the walls of a bladder 300 can be made of a composite of materials. For example, one embodiment can include co-extruding softer materials on an outer layer of the wall and stiffer materials on the inner layer of the wall, which can cause the bladder 300 to experience less displacement driven load (and stress) when compressed while maintaining a desired stiffness to hold pressurized air when extended. The different materials in some embodiments can be different durometers of the same material family (e.g., ThermoPlastic Vulcanisate material (TPV) blends) or multiple materials which share the same base polymer, including but not limited to polymeric composites and alloys (e.g., Santoprene, polypropylene, or the like).

For example, FIGS. 13a and 13b illustrate an example of a bladder 300 comprising a plurality of layers, including an external layer 1310 that defines an external face of the bladder 300, a central layer 1320 and an internal layer 1330 that can define an internal face of a bladder cavity 304. In some embodiments, the external and internal layers 1310, 1330 can be the same material, a similar material, or different materials. In some embodiments, the central layer 1320 can be same material, a similar material, or different material compared to one or both of the external and internal layers 1310, 1330. Further embodiments can include any suitable plurality of layers, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 25, 100 or the like.

In some embodiments, the bladder 300 of FIGS. 13a and 13b can be multi-stiffness fluidic bladder 300 where the external and internal layers 1310, 1330 are softer materials and the central layer 1320 is a stiffer materials compared to the external and internal layers 1310, 1330. In various examples, the stiff material of the central layer 1320 can be configured to prevent or substantially prevent stretch on the inside of the wall of the multi-layer bladder 300 with the softer materials of the external and internal layers 1310, 1330 allowing for bending of the wall multi-layer bladder 300. In some embodiments a stiffer material or layer can have a Shore D hardness value (durometer) of 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 or the like, or a range between such example values. In some embodiments, a softer material or layer can have a Shore D hardness value (durometer) of 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 or the like, or a range between such example values.

A bladder 300, web 303, bladder unit 302, or the like, can have various other suitable configurations of layers. For example, FIG. 24 illustrates an example of a multi-layer portion of a bladder 300 that includes a first outer protective layer 2410, a second outer protective layer 2420, a fabric layer 2430, a first gas-barrier layer 2440 and a second gas-barrier layer 2450.

In various embodiments, one or more protective coatings (e.g., protective layers 2410, 2420) can be configured to protect a bladder 300 from application use operating conditions (e.g., environmental conditions of an outdoor environment where the bladder 300 operates) to prevent or delay failure of the bladder 300 or deterioration of the bladder 300 that causes undesirable or reduced performance or failure of the bladder 300. In various embodiments, one or more gas-barrier layers (e.g., gas barrier layers 2440, 2450) can be any suitable material that substantially or completely prevents gas seepage through the material(s). In various embodiments, one or more fabric layers (e.g., fabric layer 2430) can comprise a weave of various suitable synthetic and/or natural fibers. Since a fabric layer 2430 can be porous in some examples, one or both of the barrier layers 2440, 2450 can prevent fluid (e.g., gas) held within the bladder 300 under pressure, as discussed herein, to permeate into the fabric layer 2430 and leak out of the bladder 300.

In some embodiments, the protective layers 2410, 2420, the fabric layer 2430 and/or the gas-barrier layers 2440, 2450 can include various suitable materials including polymers, copolymers, terpolymers, and polymer blends (both miscible and immiscible), thermoplastic elastomers, and the like. For example, such layers can include plastics, elastomers, thermoset polymers, thermoplastics, thermoplastic elastomers, copolymers, terpolymers, block copolymers, graft copolymers, polymer composites, polysiloxanes, and both miscible and immiscible polymer blends. Specific examples include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), polypropylene (PP), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polystyrene (PS), polyetherimide (PEI), polyphenylene ether (PPE), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), polycarbonate, acrylic, nylon, poly vinyl chloride (PVC), flurocarbons, epoxies, phenolics and vinyls, Silicone Rubber (SIR) and the like. Some embodiments can include thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) that can be part of the thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) family of polymers. Some examples can have elastomeric properties similar to ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) thermoset rubber, with characteristics of vulcanized rubber, and with the processing properties of thermoplastics. TPV can be a dynamically vulcanized alloy comprising or consisting essentially of fully cured EPDM rubber particles encapsulated in a polypropylene (PP) matrix. All different variations of such layers with such materials, including some or all layers being different materials are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, one or more fabric layer (e.g., fabric layer 2430) can comprise a weave of one or more example materials discussed herein.

In various embodiments, layered structures can include two or more layers of elastomers including Polyurethane (PU), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polychloroprene elastomer (CR), Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), Fluorocarbon (FKM), chlorosulfonated rubber (CSM), isobutylene isoprene rubber (IIR), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and the like. Elastomer layer itself can be fiber/particle reinforced in some examples. The fabric layer (e.g., fabric layer 2430) can be woven or nonwoven with some examples being mainly polyester and polyamide. In some examples, there can be a plurality of fabric layers. Various suitable processing methods can be used to incorporate and/or attach fabric and/or elastomer layers, including calendaring/dry coating, solution coating, and the like.

In various embodiments, any suitable portion of a bladder unit 302 can have a multi-layer structure including a web 303 and/or one or more bladders 300. For example, in some embodiments, such elements can have the same layers or different portions can have different layers. For example, the bladders 300 of a bladder unit 302 can have different layering than the web 303 of the bladder unit 302. Additionally, in some embodiments, some portions can have a single layer, with other portions having a plurality of layers.

In various examples, a multi-layer configuration of the bladders 300 and/or web 303 can allow the bladders 300 to rotate more easily relative to a fixed web 303 but prevent the bladders 300 from translating away from a fixed position (e.g., a stiff central layer 1320 of a laminated web 303 can prevent the web 303 from stretching).

A bladder 300, web 303 and/or bladder unit 302 can be made via any suitable manufacturing process, including extrusion blow-molding (EBM), injection stretch blow-molding (ISBM), multi-layer blow-molding, co-extrusion blow molding, co-injection blow molding, suction blow-molding, 3D blow-molding, sequential co-extrusion blow-molding, vacuum forming, injection molding, thermoforming, rotational molding, process cooling, three-dimensional printing, dip modeling, hydroforming, plastic welding or the like.

Multilayer bladder 300, web 303 and/or bladder unit 302 can be constructed by any suitable manufacturing processes, including: co-extrusion, sequential co-extrusion, co-extrusion blow molding, glue lamination, heat lamination, fabric wrapping, filament winding and any other manner of manufacturing. In some embodiments bladders can be manufactured from sheet material. In these embodiments, fabric or plastic sheeting can be sewn, heat welded, ultrasonically welded, laser welded, glued laminated, clamped or bonded by any other suitable manufacturing processes. In some embodiments, a single or multi-layer structure can be coated to generate a multi-layer structure.

In some embodiments extrusion or other suitable method can be used to create a web 303 between opposing fluidic bladders 300, where the web 303 bends easily but does not stretch. For example, various embodiments include a method of manufacturing a bladder unit 302 comprising generating (e.g., blow molding) an elongated member having a cross-section profile along its length such as shown in FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c, or the like, which includes an elongated web portion and a pair of elongated cavities on opposing sides of the web portion with each of the cavities being open on opposing ends of the elongated member. Generating an elongated member with open ends can be done in various suitable ways as discussed herein, which can include extrusion, co-extrusion, additive manufacturing (e.g., 3D printing), and the like.

The method can further include closing the elongated cavities by closing the openings of the cavities on the opposing ends of the elongated member to generate closed bladder cavities 304 and define the bladders 300 on opposing sides of the web 303. In various embodiments, one or more ports 306 can be incorporated into the bladder unit 302, which can be part of the closure of one or both ends of the open cavities or can be a separate step after one or both ends of the open cavities have been closed. Closing the ends of the open cavities to generate a seal such that the bladders 300 can hold fluid can be done in various suitable ways including via welding (e.g., impulse welding, radio frequency welding, ultrasonic welding, chemical welding, applied heat welding, and the like) and/or other suitable method such as an adhesive, fold, clip, clasp, clamp, or the like. In various embodiments, the bladders 300 and/or web 303 of the bladder unit 302 can then be coated with oil (e.g., silicone oil).

Some embodiments can include a method of manufacturing a fluidic actuator that comprises placing a first bladder unit 302 on a V-shaped bottom plate 310 having a ridge 312 and a first arm 311 and second arm 311 disposed at an angle of 90°-60° relative to each other, with the web 303 of the first bladder unit 302 coupled to the ridge 312 of the angled bottom plate 310, with a first closed bladder 300 engaging the first arm 311 of the angled bottom plate 310, and with a second closed bladder 300 engaging the second arm 311 of the angled bottom plate 311. The assembly of the angled bottom plate 310 and the first bladder unit 302 can have a plane of symmetry coincident with the ridge 312 of the angled bottom plate 310.

The method of manufacturing a fluidic actuator can further comprise placing a second bladder unit 302 over the first bladder unit 302, the second bladder unit 302 having the same configuration as the first bladder unit 302, the second bladder unit 302 having a second web 303 and a second first bladder 300 and a second bladder 300, the second web 303 disposed on and coupled to the web 303 of the first bladder unit 302, the second first bladder 300 disposed on the first bladder 300 of the first bladder unit 302, and the second bladder 300 disposed on the second bladder 300 of the first bladder unit 302, the assembly of the angled bottom plate 310 and the first and second bladder units 302 having a plane of symmetry coincident with the ridge 312 of the angled bottom plate 310.

The method of manufacturing a fluidic actuator can further comprise coupling a planar top plate 330 to the angled bottom plate 310 via first and second hub assembly 370 extending between the angled bottom plate 310 and the planar top plate 330 on opposing front sides of the angled bottom plate 310, the first and second hub assembly 370 comprising a respective rotatable coupling that forms a rotatable coupling between the planar top plate 330 and the angled bottom plate 310.

For example, FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate example embodiments of bladders 300 that can be generated via such a method. FIG. 14 illustrates an example embodiment of a bladder 300 having a cylindrical elongated body with first and second ends 1400 that have been closed (e.g., via a weld). The first end 1400A includes a port 306 that can be formed in or inserted into the first end as part of the closure of the first end 1400 or as a separate manufacturing step. FIG. 15 illustrates an example embodiment of a bladder 300 having an elongated body with a teardrop shape with first and second ends 1400 that have been closed (e.g., via a weld). The first end 1400A includes a port 306 that can be formed in or inserted in the first end as part of closure of the first end 1400 or as a separate manufacturing step.

In some embodiments, (including where bladders 300 are separate and not connected via an integral web 303 or where bladders 300 are connected via a web 303), it can be desirable to retain the bladders 300. For example, FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate example embodiments where bladders 300 are held by a retention system 1600, which can comprise one or more sheets 1610 (e.g., sleeves) that encircle and retain the bladders 300. For example, a sheet 1610 can encircle a bladder 300 and be coupled to the bottom plate 310 and/or top plate 330 to create a loop or sleeve of a fixed size in which the bladder 300 is retained. Such a configuration can retain the bladder 300 in place for engaging the bottom plate 310, top plate 330 and/or another bladder 300. Additionally, in various embodiments, the retention system 1600 can constrain lateral expansion of one or more bladders 300, which can be desirable in various examples for directing force generated by inflation of the one or more bladders 300.

A bladder 300 can have fabric or fiber reinforcement in some embodiments. Such incorporations can afford a bladder 300 with enhanced tensile strength or wear properties, while preserving flexibility and function. Enhanced tensile strength from fiber reinforcement can allow for greater factors of safety, increased operating pressures and associated stiffness, longer fatigue life, enhanced resistance to puncture, and generally boosted durability.

Fiber reinforcement can be incorporated via filament winding, sewn fabric shrouding, extrusion-coated fabric, pultrusion, transfer molding, compression molding, solution coating, powder coating, and the like. Fiber reinforcement can be directly incorporated into the bladder 300, for example, as an additive to plastic extrusion. Fiber reinforcement can be incorporated into a bladder 300 through the welding, fusing or laminating of a fabric or fibered layer to a plastic or elastomeric bladder wall. Fiber reinforcement can also be indirectly incorporated. For example, a fabric sheet can be wrapped around a hermetic bladder and then secured to actuator plates. An architecture of this nature can, in some examples, reinforce and strengthen the bladder while simultaneously affixing it to the rigid plate components.

In some embodiments, a bladder 300 can be defined by a thin elastic or hyperelastic inner-portion with an inelastic and flexible weave around the thin elastic inner-portion. Some such examples can withstand high amounts of pressure while also sealing fluid in a thin-walled bladder 300 by splitting the functions of sealing and withstanding the pressure between two separate components. Fabric weaves can be made to be inextensible along the axes of the plane of the fabric while also being flexible in other directions. When paired with a soft, sealing polymer as a thin elastic inner-portion, the fabric weave can bear some or substantially all of the planar stress generated by internal pressure within the bladder 300. By passing the load onto the weave, the inner-portion sealing polymer can be made thin in various examples, which may make the bladder 300 easy to compress. For example, in some embodiments such an inner-portion sealing polymer or other “thin” material can be less than 0.1 mm, 0.05 mm, 0.04 mm, 0.03 mm, 0.025 mm, 0.02, 0.015 mm 0.01 mm, 0.005 mm, or the like, or a range between such example values.

For example, FIG. 18 illustrates an example of a bladder 300 defined by an inner-portion 1810 and an enclosure 1820 where the inner portion 1810 is configured to be disposed within a cavity 1822 defined by the enclosure 1820 by inserting the inner portion 1810 into a first end 1824 of the enclosure 1820. The first end 1824 can then be closed (e.g., via sewing, welding, and adhesive, or the like). In various embodiments, the inner portion 1810 can comprise a thin, soft and elastic sealing polymer such as materials discussed herein. In various embodiments, the enclosure 1820 can comprise an inextensible yet flexible woven fabric such as woven nylon, polyester, acrylic, polypropylene, organic fibers (e.g., cotton), or the like such as fibers of one or more materials discussed herein. Respective second ends 1814, 1826 of the inner portion 1810 and enclosure 1820 can define a port 306, which can be fitted with a fluidic (e.g., pneumatic) fitting 1830 secured with a hose clamp 1840.

Various embodiments of a bladder 300, web 303 and/or bladder unit 302 can include a rubber/fabric or TPE/fabric or polymer/textile laminate vulcanized, calendared together or solution coated. Some embodiments can include a nylon, polyester, or blended weave coated in a poly-urethane, rubber or other thermoplastic elastomer (e.g., Polyurethane (PU), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polychloroprene elastomer (CR), Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), Fluorocarbon (FKM), chlorosulfonated rubber (CSM), isobutylene isoprene rubber (IIR), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), and the like). Various embodiments can include an elastomer/fiber laminate, which can be a combination of elastomer/woven fabric and elastomer/nonwoven or the elastomer itself can be fiber reinforced. For example, some embodiments can include a rubber/fiber laminate that splits the functions of holding pressure and maintaining a seal into two separate components, but in some examples also uses the sealing material to protect the inelastic weave (e.g., the fiber is partially or completely enclosed in the rubber). The result can be a bladder 300, web 303 and/or bladder unit 302 which compresses easily but can withstand high internal pressure which may also have some amount of abrasion resistance and/or environmental protection.

Various embodiments of bladder 300, web 303 and/or bladder unit 302 can include a warp and/or weft of laminate. For example, FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a bladder 300 that includes cords 1900 laminated into the body of the bladder 300 in longitudinal and transverse directions. Such cords 1900 in some examples can be fabric that is co-planar with a rubber layup in at least the wall of a bladder 300.

In some embodiments, generating a bladder 300 or bladder unit 302 can comprise coupling a web, tab or other structure to one or more bladders 300 such as via welding, an adhesive, clamp, bolt, or the like. Such an element can provide for retention of the one or more bladders 300 as discussed herein. For example, FIG. 20 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of a bladder 300 with a tab 2010 coupled to an edge 2020 of the bladder 300. The tab 2010 in various examples can comprise coupling holes 2012 that allows the bladder to be coupled to a bottom plate 310 as discussed herein. In further embodiments, the tab 2010 can be coupled to a second bladder 300 to generate a bladder unit 302.

In various embodiments, such a retention feature (e.g., a tab 2010 or web 303) can be laid up along with the air-filled portion of the bladder 300. In some examples, such a retention feature can be made of a rubber/fabric or TPE/fabric laminate vulcanized, calendared together, or solution coated, a nylon, polyester, or blended weave coated in a polyurethane, rubber or other thermoplastic elastomer, fiber laminate or other suitable material in order to maximize the component strength. Such a tab 2010 or web 303 can extend from various suitable locations of a bladder. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 15, the bladder 300 is shown being teardrop shaped with the tab extending from a rounded bulbous end and coincident with a main axis of the bladder, but further embodiments can include a tab 2010 or web 303 extending from the smaller end of the bladder 300 or other suitable location. Such tabs can be attached using welding, impulse welding, radio frequency welding, ultrasonic welding, chemical welding, gluing, applied heat welding, and the like. In some embodiments, such a tab 2010 can be integrated into the inherent design of the bladder 300. For example, the tab 2010 or web 303 can be an integral part to the body of the bladder 300.

Turning to FIGS. 21, 22 and 23, in some embodiments such a tab 2010 can be generated in a bladder 300 via a method that includes rolling a sheet of material 2100 onto itself to form a cavity 2104 that is open on both ends 2106. The method can further include generating a coupling 2108 (e.g., a welded lap seam) between adjacent portions of the sheet material 2100 with one end 2102 of the sheet material 2100 remaining extending from an exterior face to generate a tab 2010. Such a coupling can have various suitable widths W (see e.g., FIG. 23), which can include 0.1 inch, 0.25 inch, 0.5 inch, 0.75 inch, 1 inch, or the like, or a range between such values. In some embodiments, edges of the tab 2010 can comprise a bevel or can have any other suitable configuration.

In some embodiments, end caps 2110 can be coupled (e.g., welded) to both ends 2106 of the rolled sheet of material 2100 to close the open ends 2106 and enclose the cavity 2104. In some embodiments, however, the ends 2106 can be closed in various ways as discussed herein such as coupling portions of the ends 2106 together (e.g., welding the ends 2106 shut). For example, closing or coupling the ends 2016 can comprise hot-wedge welding, hot air welding, impulse welding, radio frequency welding and ultrasonic welding, or the like. A port 305 can be present in or generated in one or both of the end caps 2110, or otherwise generated in the bellows 300 in various suitable ways.

In various embodiments, two or more such bladders 300 can be coupled together to generate one or more a bladder units 302. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, coupling holes 2012 can be aligned to allow a pair of bladders 300 to be coupled together, coupled to a bottom plate 310, coupled to a top plate 330, or the like. For example, in some embodiments, two or more bladders 300 can be coupled to a ridge 312 of an angled bottom plate 310.

In some embodiments, multiple bladder 300 can be formed as a single part. In some manufacturing processes multiple bladder 300 chambers can be joined by a connecting fascia. Manufacturing processes in which such a construction could be formed include, but are not limited to, extrusion blow molding, injection stretch blow molding, fabric sewing, injection molding, dip molding, blow molding, 3d printing, injection molding, extrusion, vacuum forming, casting, rotational molding, fabric sewing, or the like.

In one such embodiment, a two-chambered bladder 300 can be formed through extrusion blow molding, blow molding, 3d printing, injection molding, extrusion, vacuum forming, casting, rotational molding, fabric sewing, or the like. An oversized tube of molten plastic can be extruded, a two-chambered mold can be closed around it, and the chambers can be pressurized to set the part shape. The resulting part can have two independent chambers connected at the center by a solid plastic fascia. The independent chambers can each have in-molded barb tubes for pneumatic connections, or can have molded features that enable attachment of another appropriate connection type. This method of manufacture can also place features such as weld or pinch lines in ideal areas, where operation stress and strain can be minimized. The material connecting the chambers of the bladder 300 can be thicker than the chambers of the bladder and capable of taking high tensile loads. For example, the material connecting the chambers of the bladder 300 can be twice as thick as the chambers of the bladder 300. In some actuator architectures, a connecting web 303 of a bladder unit 302 can be slung over the pivot ridge 312 on the bottom plate 310, or any other suitable attachment point in the actuator assembly 101. This web 303, in some examples, can act as a constraint, affixing the bladder 300, and obviating the need for a secondary or external method of bladder constraint.

A similar bladder 300 construction can be achieved by sewing fabric and/or welding (e.g., impulse welding, radio frequency welding, and ultrasonic welding, chemical welding, glue welding, applied heat welding, and the like). A fabric sheet can be folded and sewn in such a way to create independent bladder 300 chambers, as well as a connecting web 303.

Parts with a plurality of bladder chambers can also be made so that the chambers are not independent of each other. In such an embodiment, two chambers can be connected to each other by a tube, channel, pillow plate bead, or any other feature that allows for unimpeded fluid flow between the chambers. Such a construction can be useful in actuator architectures that utilize stacked bladder 300. In this architecture, a multi-chamber bladder 300 can be folded such that one bladder 300 resides on top of the other on one side of the actuator pivot ridge 312. A similar architecture can be found on the other side of the pivot ridge 312. A channel between the chambers of the bladder 300 that allows for fluid flow can generate equal pressurization of both chambers and can obviate the need for separate fluid connections to the chambers in some examples.

A bladder 300 can be any suitable thickness in various portions, including about between 0.002 inches and 0.125 inches, and about between 0.0005 inches and 0.25 inches. In various embodiments, the thickness of various portions of the bladder 300 can be selected based on a desired manufacturing technique, bladder strength, bladder durability, range of motion, compliance, sun-resistance, temperature resistance, and the like.

Embodiments of the actuator assembly 101 can comprise bladder 300 of various shapes and sizes. For example, 25, 26a, 26b, 27a and 27b illustrate various views of further embodiments 300E, 300F, 300G, 300H, 300J of bladders 300. While figures herein illustrate some example embodiments of a bladder 300, these examples should not be construed to be limiting. Additionally, it should be clear that aspects of one embodiment can be present in other embodiments or vice versa, or various elements can be explicitly absent in some embodiments.

A bladder 300 can be designed to have one of a variety of diameters. The diameter of a bladder 300 incorporated into an actuator assembly 101 can dictate the pressure-to-position relationship achieved by the actuator assembly 101. In some embodiments, a small diameter can be chosen to optimize for cost or packing efficiency. In other embodiments a large diameter can be chosen to optimize for strength, stiffness and dynamic performance.

A bladder 300 can be designed to be of any length. For a bladder 300 having shapes with an extended or extruded body section, the body section can be of any length. A bladder 300 with a short body section can approximate a sphere. A bladder 300 with a longer body section can have a pill shape or a noodle shape. A body of a bladder 300 can be extended indefinitely and take the form of a true tube or hose.

A bladder 300 can be designed to have one of a variety of fundamental shapes. Some embodiments can feature a bladder 300 that comprises an extruded form body. The extruded cross-section can be circular, oval, teardrop-shaped, have convoluted lobes or take on any extrudable profile. In some embodiments, a bladder 300 may not have a defined body section. In these embodiments the boundary between body and cap can be blurred. Some examples of bladder 300 in this category can be cone-shaped, tapered, spherical, kidney bean-shaped, incorporate convolutions, or have some other amorphous shape.

A body section of bladder 300 can be terminated at either end with caps. Caps of a bladder 300 can take on various shapes depending on the application. The terminations or end caps on the bladder 300 can take a variety of shapes, including hemispheres, truncated cones, right cones, oblique cones, convoluted bladder, ellipsoid, or the like.

In some embodiments, features can be formed into bladder 300 during the molding process. Such features can include, but are not limited to, locating bosses, hard stops, convolutions, tubing, pneumatic connectors, and the like. In other embodiments, features can be attached to bladder 300 in any number of suitable manners. Attachment methods can include hot plate welding, ultrasonic welding, heat sealing, gluing, press fitting, or a variety of other methods.

In some examples a tube/bulbous bladder 300 can be desirable over other types of inflatable fluidic actuators. The following provides some examples of potential benefits of some embodiments.

Stronger Pressure to Position Relationship— A large areal change can generate a stronger pressure to position relationship (>>Δ psi/Δ degree). In some embodiments, this not only means greater static stiffness, but can also generate better accuracy (e.g., actual angle to command angle), and/or intra-tracker precision (e.g., tracker to tracker consistency). Some examples can include hysteresis and accuracy that is less dependent on recent actuator positional history. Further examples can have better leak tolerance (e.g., positional stability given a leak rate).

Better Static Stiffness—Due to the large areal change from the compressed to extended positions in some examples, as well as a change in effective moment arm over the full range of motion, a tube actuator of some examples can provide 2-5× the static stiffness of other types of actuators. If static stiffness is a limiting factor in some examples (e.g., interior tracker), this can mean the actuator can be tolerant to increased load and allow more W/Actuator in some examples.

Reduced Compressed Air Burden—In some examples, a tubular actuator operating at the same peak pressure as an alternative fluidic actuator design may exhibit substantially reduced compressed air consumption while retaining at least the same dynamic stiffness as other types of bladder 300. This can reduce the parasitic power loss, can decrease the needed compressor output (e.g., per 2 MW array) and can also increase the number of actuators per row controller (e.g., if stow or another fill related metric can be limiting).

Simpler Pivot Solution—In some examples, a bladder-based actuator can utilize a pure pivot instead of a bending wire rope flexure. In some embodiments, a simple pivot design can enable the inclusion of a viscous damper; however, in some embodiments, a viscous damper may not be included on every actuator in every tracker, but can be used in various situations (e.g., exterior trackers) to deal with excessive wind/dynamic loads, and the like.

Lower Payload Center of Mass—In some embodiments, a simple pivot can enable a low center-of-mass design. An actuator assembly 101 configured with a lower center-of-mass can take a greater payload while keeping performance constant, compared to other types of actuators.

Less Complexity—In some examples, tube actuator constraints can be less complex and embody less material than constraints in other actuator systems. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the assembly part count of bladder actuators can be greatly reduced compared to other actuator systems.

Efficient Plate Geometries—Actuator configurations of some embodiments of a bladder actuator can allow the top and bottom plates 310, 330 to take more efficient shapes compared to other actuator systems. Plates 310, 330 can be designed to be bent at high angles to make use of compressive and tensile elements that effectively and efficiently bear the antagonistic forces with less material.

Enhanced Bladder Protection—Various bladder actuator configurations can better protect pneumatic bladder from UV, blown sand and accidental puncture (e.g., during installation or maintenance) compared to other actuator systems.

Improved Moldability—In various examples, tube bladder can be much easier to blow mold compared to other actuator systems. For example, cylinders can be the easiest thing for some molders to process. This can mean that various examples of tube bladder can have less value-added cost and better average quality (e.g., better material distribution/low thickness variation) compared to other actuator systems.

Reduced Part Weight—Compared to some other actuator systems, a bladder can comprise about one-quarter to one-eighth less material. In addition to the material savings, the lower part weight can also result in reduced molding cycle times. Cycle times of bladder actuator systems can be on the order of 15-30 seconds, as opposed to 80-110 seconds for other actuator systems. This can mean less value added per part and more annual output per mold for some embodiments of bladder actuators.

Fiber Reinforcement—In some examples, cylindrical bladder, or the like, can be desirable for fiber incorporation. For example, filament winding, fabric wrapping, and the like can be used in one or more bladder of bladder actuators. Fiber reinforcement can allow for increased operating pressures, greater durability/resistance to puncture, a reduction in expensive engineered materials per molded part, and the like.

Turning to FIGS. 7a and 7b, the bladder assembly 301 of FIGS. 6a-c is shown with pneumatic lines 390 coupled to ports 306 of the bladder 300. More specifically, a pair of pneumatic lines 390E, 390W are shown with each comprising lines 705 that are coupled to respective ports via crimps 710 at a first end of the lines 705. A second end of the lines 705 are coupled to a Y-connector 715 that communicates with a coupler 720. The east pneumatic lines 390E are coupled to the first bladder 300X1, 300Y1 of the first and second bladder units 302X, 302Y and the west pneumatic lines 390W are coupled to the second bladder 300X2, 300Y2 of the first and second bladder units 302X, 302Y.

As discussed herein, the pneumatic lines 390 can provide for fluid being introduced to and/or removed from the bladder assembly 301 to move an actuator assembly 101 as discussed herein (see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 3). For example, the east pneumatic lines 390E can allow the first bladder 300X1, 300Y1 to be inflated and/or deflated in unison. In various embodiments, the east pneumatic lines 390E are configured to provide the same amount of fluid and the same fluid pressure to the first bladder 300X1, 300Y1. Similarly, the west pneumatic lines 390W can be configured to provide the same amount of fluid and the same fluid pressure to the second bladder 300X2, 300Y2. For example, the coupler 720 of the east pneumatic lines 390E can be fluidically coupled to a first fluid source that controls the first bladder 300X1, 300Y1, and the coupler 720 of the west pneumatic lines 390W can be fluidically coupled to a second fluid source that controls the second bladder 300X1, 300Y1.

FIG. 8 illustrates a close-up side view of ports 306 and couplers 710 of the bladder assembly 301A of FIGS. 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b. Tubing 705 is shown coupled to ports 306 of bladder 300 via a barbed fitting 711 disposed within ends of the tubing 705 and ports 306 with crimps 710 locking the fittings 711 to the ports 306. FIGS. 7a, 7b and 8 illustrate example embodiments of how pneumatic lines 390 can be coupled to a bladder assembly 301; however, in further embodiments, pneumatic lines 390 can be coupled to a bladder assembly 301 in various other suitable ways.

Various examples can include use of interference fit barbed fittings pressed into blow-molded bladders. Various examples can include a pneumatic architecture, including: Harness tube branch->orifice connector->Y connector->2× tube to top bladder.

In some examples, locating the flow limiting orifice on the harness side of the Y connector results in twice the flow through the orifice relative to putting orifices on the bladder side. This can enable greater flow restriction from the same orifice geometry.

Flow restriction devices can include any suitable device or structure. For example, a restrictor can comprise a body that defines a fluid passage having a pair of ports that provide for entry and/or exit of fluid into the fluid passage. Another example can include a coiled fluid passage. A further example can include a serpentine fluid passage. In various embodiments, such a restrictor can be a portion of a bladder, cap, or the like. In other embodiments, a restrictor can comprise a multi-layer fluid passage, or the like.

Turning to FIGS. 9a and 9b, a perspective and side view of a top plate 330 with top portions 372 of a hub assemblies 370 disposed on opposing sides of the top plate 330. The top plate is shown comprising a planar and rectangular slab 331 with rims 333 extending perpendicularly from the slab 331 and with the rims 333 extending parallel to each other. The slab 331 and rims 333 define a tray 335 having open ends. Hub assembly top portions 372 are coupled to opposing sides of the top plate 330 on external sides of the rims 333, with the hub assembly top portions 372 extending below a plane of the slab 331.

The hub assembly top portions 372 can comprise at least a portion of a shoulder bolt 374, which can rotatably couple with hub assembly bottom portions 376 (See, e.g., FIGS. 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b) to define a hub assembly 370.

Turning to FIGS. 10a and 10b, a perspective and side view the bottom plate 310 of FIG. 3 is illustrated which comprises a pair of arms 311 that extend from a ridge 312 where the arms 311 are coupled to hub assembly bottom portions 376. The arms 311 define faces 313 on which bladder 300 of bladder assemblies 301 can bear against to move the actuator assembly 101 as discussed herein (see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 3). The arms 311 can further define a slot 314 that is defined by sidewalls 316 of the arm 311. In various embodiments, the slot 314 and sidewalls 316 can be configured to couple with various structures such as a post, or the like, which can serve as a stand or support for the actuator assembly 101 and tracker 100 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2).

The hub assembly bottom portions 376 can include a bolt hole 378 that can comprise or engage with a shoulder bolt 374 (FIGS. 9a, 9b) such that the bottom plate 310 can be rotatably coupled with the top plate 330 via the hub assembly 370 defined by the top and bottom hub assembly portion 372, 376.

Additionally, the hub assembly bottom portions 376 can include one or more coupling holes 379, which can provide a location for a bladder assembly 301 to couple with the base plate 310. While a hub assembly 370 defined by top and bottom hub assembly portions 372, 376 and including a shoulder bolt 374 is shown in various examples, further embodiments can include various suitable structures to couple the top and bottom plates 310, 330 such that the top and bottom plates 310, 330 can move relative to each other by inflation and/or deflation of bladder 300 of a bladder assembly 301 having one or more bladder units 302.

For example, in some embodiments, the hub assembly 370 can comprise a joint, a pivot, a hinge, a bending flexure, a linkage, or another suitable mechanism or form of attachment.

In some embodiments, a hub assembly 370 can comprise pivot or an axle seated in bearing or bushing and can be employed to connect the mount to the payload. An actuator assembly 101 can comprise a single hub assembly 370, or a plurality of hub assemblies 370. Hub assemblies 370 can be cantilevered, supported on both sides, or have any other suitable construction. An axle component of a hub assembly 370 can be a hardened steel shaft, a flanged clevis pin, a shoulder bolt, or any other type of axle. An axle can be threaded on one or both ends and screwed into a threaded hole, or fastened with a nut and washer assembly. The axle can be fastened with shaft clamps or any other securement method for smooth shafts. Additionally, a shaft can have any number of features formed into it to aid fastening, or location of assembly components. Some such features can include girdling grooves for circlip fasteners, transverse holes for securement by cotter pin, set screw or twisted wire, or shaft shoulders, for locating other assembly components or features.

A bearing component of a hub assembly 370 can include a ball bearing, a sleeve bushing or any other species of bearing. The bearing can be constructed of metal, included, but not limited to, steel, copper, brass, bronze, as well as plastics, including, but not limited to, acetal, HDPE, nylon, and Teflon. The bearing can also be some combination of materials, or made of oil impregnated or alloyed material.

In some embodiments, a hub assembly 370 can comprise a flexure to attach the payload to the base or to connect top and bottom plates 310, 330 of an actuator assembly 101. A flexure, or flexible/bending connector, can take a variety of forms in various examples. A flexure can be constructed of metal sheets or twisted strands such as spring steel sheets flexures, wire rope, or springs, or the like. A flexure can take any suitable length. Metal flexures can also comprise assemblies of metal flexure components such as crossed or angled wire rope, spring steel crosses or the like.

A wire rope can be used as a flexure. The flexure can hold the actuator plates 310, 330 together under tensile load, while still allowing for rotation of the free plate relative to the fixed plate. The wire rope can be made of any suitable material and can have any suitable strand and bundle configuration. The flexure can be coupled via a Nicopress fitting, via swaging, via a Spelter socket, or the like.

In further embodiments, a flexure for a single-axis actuator assembly 101 can comprise a parallel rope flexure, a planar flexure, a load bearing pivot, a four-bar linkage, a tetrahedral linkage, or the like. Such flexures can comprise any suitable material, including a metal, plastic, fiber reinforced composite, or the like.

For example, an embodiment of an actuator assembly 101 can comprise a flexible planar flexure that extends between a bottom and top plate 310, 330. Another embodiment of an actuator assembly 101 can comprise a flexible tetrahedral linkage defined by a rope that extends between a bottom and top plate 310, 330. A further embodiment of an actuator assembly 110 can comprise a pivot that extends between a bottom and top plate 310, 330.

An actuator assembly 101 can also comprise snap-in connections, twist-in connections, one-way push-in barb connections, toggle locks or any other suitable mechanism or connection to facilitate quick and inexpensive assembly of an actuator assembly 101.

In some embodiments, a 2-degree-of-freedom actuator can be employed. The corresponding attachment method can comprise a universal joint, a spring, a spherical bearing, a wire rope or any other mechanism.

The faces 313 of the arms 311 of the bottom plate can have flat profile as shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b; however, in further embodiments, the faces 313 can have a convex or concave profile. Similarly, while the slab 331 of the top plate 330 can have a flat profile on the underside of the top plate 330 where bladder 300 of a bladder assembly 301 engage the underside of the top plate 330, in further embodiments, the underside of the top plate 330 can have a convex or concave profile. The angle θ between the faces 313 of the arms 311 is shown as being 70° in the example of FIGS. 10a and 10b; however, in further examples, the angle θ can be within the range of 90°-60°, 75°-65°, 71°-69°, and the like.

An actuator can comprise one or a plurality of plates in various examples. An actuator assembly 101 with multiple plates can have plates that are rotatably coupled. Bladder 300 can be disposed between the plates, with the surface of the plates interfacing with the bladder 300. An actuator assembly 300 can comprise plates in any suitable architecture, in any suitable shape. This can include strain plates, angled plates, ribbed plated, extruded section plates, multi-piece plates, or the like.

In some embodiments, the interfacing faces of the plates 310, 330 can be curved, or have some complex geometry. Modifying the topography of a plate can change the performance of an actuator assembly 101 in some examples. Actuator performance or durability can be optimized by such deviations from the baseline, flat, plate design. Geometric deviations can be of a variety of forms, including single plane curvature, compound, multi-plane curvature, the addition of bosses or holes, or the like. Top and bottom plates 310, 330 can be fabricated through a variety of processes, including die casting, progressive stamping, laser cut and bent, injection over-molded, or the like.

In various embodiments, the top and bottom plates 310, 330 can comprise any suitable material, including a polymer, metal, wood, composite material, a combination of materials, or the like. Additionally, although specific configurations of the top and bottom plates 310, 330 is shown herein, further embodiments can include plates having any suitable configuration. For example, various suitable embodiments of the top and bottom plates 310, 330 can be configured to interface with the bladder 300 so as to distribute a point load from a flexure, pivot, axel or hub assembly. Plates can also comprise and leverage existing structures, such as mounting piles, spanning beams or the like.

Top and bottom plates 310, 330 can be made in any suitable way. For example, in one embodiment, a cold rolling process can be used in conjunction with metal stamping to create a C-channel plate with the appropriate interfacing features for the top and bottom plates 310, 330 as described herein. Plates can also be formed of standard hot and cold-rolled sections. Plate features can be die cut, CNC punched, laser cut, waterjet cut, milled or any other suitable subtractive manufacturing method. A plate can also comprise multiple standard sections or custom formed parts. Plates of this nature can be bonded together with a variety of fasteners, including rivets, nuts and bolts, welds or the like.

In another embodiment, manufacture of the top and bottom plates 310, 330 can include the creation and processing of composite panels. For example, a composite top or bottom plate 310, 330 can comprise a multi-material sandwich plate that takes advantage of a lightweight and inexpensive core material and the stiffness and strength of thinner sheets of skin material that can adhere to either side of the core substrate. Such composite paneling can be used as high stiffness, high strength, low weight, low-cost flooring or construction material.

In some embodiments, a composite top or bottom plate 310, 330 can comprise a honeycombed polymer core that can take compressive and shear loads, sandwiched between two metal skins that can bear the high tensile stresses caused by bending. It is possible to bind the top or bottom plate 310, 330 with bolts, heated staked columns, ultrasonic welding, or the top or bottom plates 310, 330 can be assembled with an adhesive.

Utilizing metal stamping, top and bottom plates 310, 330 can be produced having multi-planar curvature stamped metal skins and an injection-molded polymer core. The structure that such geometry creates can give greater stiffness to a top and bottom plate 310, 330 per the volume of material used and provides an opportunity to cut down on the expensive metal skin material. Stiffening features, such as ribs, bosses, deep drawn pockets and webbing, can also be incorporated into the design of top and bottom plates 310, 330 in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the plates need not be single planar elements. For instance, the bottom plate 310 can be two individual surfaces each parallel to the two opposing flanges of the post such that the bellow interfaces point 180 degrees away from one another rather than 0 degrees as in other example configurations. The body of each of the bladder 300 then could bend through 90 degrees to meet the top plate 330 when the actuator assembly 101 is level. In this case, the plate may not be a bending element, but instead be compressive. The plates 310, 330 can also take a V-shape with major angle dictated by the desired range of motion of the actuator assembly 101.

For example, an actuator assembly 101, in accordance with a further embodiment, can include a top plate having first and second portions that are rotatably coupled at a joint. Such first and second bladder 300 can be coupled to respective bottom sides of the first and second portions and to a side of a post. Inflation of the bladder 300 can make the top plate assume a flat configuration, whereas deflation of the bladder 300 can make the top plate assume a V-shape, inverted V-shape, A-shape, angled configuration, and the like.

Bladder 300 can be affixed to the actuator assembly 101 and top and bottom plates 310, 330 in various suitable ways. Bladder 300 that are not securely attached in some examples can fall out of position, causing improper actuator behavior and performance, or can cause the actuator assembly 101 to cease to work together. A feature or mechanism used to keep the bladder 300 in place can be a “constraint,” or the like.

In one embodiment, such a constraint can comprise a fabric sheath that wraps around the bladder 300 and connects them to an attachment point on the plates 310, 330 and/or hub assembly 370 of the actuator assembly 101. The fabric wrap can encircle a single bladder 300 in some embodiments. In such an embodiment, the wrap can be terminated with a slotted rod, hooks, grommets or any other suitable feature. These features can then be used to attach the constraint-wrapped bladder 300 to the actuator assembly 101. In another embodiment, the constraint can be designed to encircle two separate bladders and connect them by an interstitial web 303. This web 303 can be perforated with grommets or have any other features or fasteners incorporated to it. The connected wrapped bladder 300 can then by disposed on either side of the actuator pivot point or ridge 312, between top and bottom plates 310, 330, the web 303 draped either over the pivot point or ridge 312, the center axis of the top or bottom V-plate 310, 330, or over any other suitable feature.

As an example, a flat sheet of polymer-coated fabric can be laid out on a table. Two bladder 300 can be disposed, parallel to each other on top of the fabric. The two edges of the fabric, parallel to the long axis of the bladder 300, can be pulled over their respective bladder 300. The edges can be then joined in the middle and pinned to the center of the fabric sheet. This assembly of two bladder 300 can be wrapped in fabric and connected to each other via a web 303, which can define a bladder unit 302, as discussed herein. The web 303 can be perforated or can have grommets installed. These holes can then be draped over interfacing bolts or pins, located on the ridge 312 of a bottom V-Plate 310. Nuts or other suitable fasteners can be used to secure the constraint and, thus, the bladder 300 in the appropriate location.

In another example, the aforementioned construction, two separate bladder 300 wrapped by fabric and connected via an interstitial fascia, can be disposed on the same side of the pivot on an actuator assembly 101 to form a stacked bladder configuration. This can be mirrored onto opposing side of the actuator assembly 101, across the pivot point for a total of four bladder 300, two on each side in a stacked configuration. A wire rope can then be looped to girdle the interstitial webs 303 between each bladder chamber pair and constrain them to the central pivot point, hub assembly 370 or V-plate ridge 312.

Constraints can be made of any suitable material, including steel, aluminum, HDPE, PVC, fiberglass, carbon fiber, fabric, polymer-coated fabric, spun polymer like Spectra or Dyneema, or the like. Constraints can be reinforced with nylon webbing, wire rope, fabric, Spectra, Dyneema, or any other suitable method. Constraints can be manufactured by sewing, heat welding, extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, roto-molding, die casting, stamping or any other suitable method.

In various examples, the bottom plate 310 can be configurable from an angled configuration as shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b, to a flat configuration as shown in FIGS. 11a and 11b, where the arms 311 can be folded from being disposed relative to each other at angle θ to being generally flat. Such a flat configuration can be desirable in some embodiments for shipping and transportation of an assembled actuator assembly 101 having the bottom plate or transportation of the bottom plate 310 as a separate unit. FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate an embodiment 101A of an actuator assembly 101 having a top plate 330, bottom plate 310 and bladder assembly 301, with the bottom plate 310 in a flat configuration (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 11a and 11b).

While various embodiments of an actuator assembly 101 include top and bottom plates 310, 330 that are spaced apart via a hub assembly 370 (e.g., actuator assembly 101A of FIGS. 6a-12b) in some embodiments, the top and bottom plates 310, 330 can be directly coupled or proximately coupled via a hub assembly 370.

Also, an actuator assembly 101 can be configured in various suitable ways and the examples of FIGS. 2, 3, 12a, 12b, 16, 17 and 19 should not be construed as limiting. For example, FIGS. 28a and 28b illustrate an actuator assembly 101 in accordance with another embodiment and FIGS. 29a and 29b illustrate an actuator assembly 101 in accordance with a further embodiment.

The described embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, and specific examples thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the described embodiments are not to be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to the contrary, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives. Additionally, elements of a given embodiment should not be construed to be applicable to only that example embodiment and therefore elements of one example embodiment can be applicable to other embodiments. Additionally, elements that are specifically shown in example embodiments should be construed to cover embodiments that comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of such elements, or such elements can be explicitly absent from further embodiments. Accordingly, the recitation of an element being present in one example should be construed to support some embodiments where such an element is explicitly absent.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a fluidic actuator, the method comprising: blow molding an elongated member that includes an elongated planar web and a pair of elongated cavities on opposing sides of the elongated planar web with each of the elongated cavities being open on opposing ends of the elongated member at respective openings, the elongated member having a plane of symmetry in a center of the elongated planar web, the elongated member comprising a polymer;closing, via welding, the elongated cavities by closing the respective openings of the elongated cavities on the opposing ends of the elongated member to generate a first closed bladder and a second closed bladder, the first and second closed bladders on opposing sides of the elongated planar web and defining one or more closed bladder cavities, where closing the opposing ends of the open cavities generates a seal configured hold pressurized gas within the one or more closed bladder cavities and generates a first bladder unit;coating the first bladder unit with silicone oil;generating a first port in the first closed bladder;generating a second port in the second closed bladder;placing the first bladder unit on a V-shaped bottom plate having a ridge and a first arm and second arm disposed at an angle of 90°-60° relative to each other, with the elongated planar web of the first bladder unit coupled to the ridge of the V-shaped bottom plate, with the first closed bladder engaging the first arm of the V-shaped bottom plate, and with the second closed bladder engaging the second arm of the V-shaped bottom plate, the assembly of the V-shaped bottom plate and the first bladder unit having a plane of symmetry coincident with the ridge of the V-shaped bottom plate; andcoupling a planar top plate to the V-shaped bottom plate via first and second hub assembly extending between the V-shaped bottom plate and the planar top plate on opposing front sides of the V-shaped bottom plate, the first and second hub assembly comprising a respective rotatable coupling that forms a rotatable coupling between the planar top plate and the V-shaped bottom plate.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing a second bladder unit over the first bladder unit, the second bladder unit having the same configuration as the first bladder unit, the second bladder unit having a second web and a second first bladder and a second bladder, the second web disposed on and coupled to the elongated planar web of the first bladder unit, the second first bladder disposed on the first bladder of the first bladder unit, and the second second bladder disposed on the second bladder of the first bladder unit, the assembly of the V-shaped bottom plate and the first and second bladder units having a plane of symmetry coincident with the ridge of the V-shaped bottom plate.

3. A method of manufacturing a fluidic actuator, the method comprising: blow molding an elongated member that includes an elongated planar web and a pair of elongated cavities on opposing sides of the elongated planar web with each of the elongated cavities being open on opposing ends of the elongated member at respective openings, the elongated member having a plane of symmetry in a center of the elongated planar web, the elongated member comprising a polymer; andclosing, via welding, the elongated cavities by closing the respective openings of the elongated cavities on the opposing ends of the elongated member to generate a first closed bladder and a second closed bladder, the first and second closed bladders on opposing sides of the elongated planar web and defining one or more closed bladder cavities, where closing the opposing ends of the open cavities generates a seal configured hold pressurized fluid within the one or more closed bladder cavities and generates a first bladder unit.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising coating the first bladder unit with silicone oil.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising generating a first port in the first closed bladder.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising generating a second port in the second closed bladder.

7. A method of manufacturing a fluidic actuator, the method comprising: generating a member that includes a web and a pair of cavities; andclosing the cavities by closing one or more respective openings of the cavities to generate a first closed bladder and a second closed bladder.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the member is generated via blow molding.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the web is elongated and planar.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the pair of cavities are elongated.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the pair of cavities are disposed on opposing sides of the web.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the pair of cavities are open on opposing ends of the member at respective openings.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the member has a plane of symmetry at a center of the web.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein the member comprises a polymer.

15. The method of claim 7, wherein the cavities are closed via welding.

16. The method of claim 7, wherein closing the cavities comprises closing respective openings of the cavities on opposing ends of the member.

17. The method of claim 7, wherein the first and second closed bladders are disposed on opposing sides of the web and define one or more closed bladder cavities.

18. The method of claim 7, wherein the closing the one or more respective openings of the cavities generates seals configured to hold fluid within the first closed bladder and to hold fluid within the second closed bladder.

19. The method of claim 7, further comprising one or both of: generating a first port in the first closed bladder; andgenerating a second port in the second closed bladder.