Topic
Pneumatic artificial muscles
About: Pneumatic artificial muscles is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 752 publications have been published within this topic receiving 12470 citations.
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01 Feb 1996
TL;DR: Mechanical testing the modeling results for the McKibben artificial muscle pneumatic actuator, which contains an expanding tube surrounded by braided cords, and a linearized model of these properties for three different models is derived.
Abstract: This paper reports mechanical testing the modeling results for the McKibben artificial muscle pneumatic actuator. This device contains an expanding tube surrounded by braided cords. We report static and dynamic length-tension testing results and derive a linearized model of these properties for three different models. The results are briefly compared with human muscle properties to evaluate the suitability of McKibben actuators for human muscle emulation in biologically based robot arms.
1,410 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a static model of the McKibben muscle was developed based on the three main parameters (i.e., initial braid angle, initial muscle length, and initial muscle radius).
Abstract: The McKibben artificial muscle is a pneumatic device characterized by its high level of functional analogy with human skeletal muscle. While maintaining a globally cylindrical shape, the McKibben muscle produces a contraction force decreasing with its contraction ratio, as does skeletal muscle. The maximum force-to-weight ratio can be surprisingly high for a limited radial dimension and for a conventional pressure range. A 50 g McKibben muscle can easily develop more than 1000 N under 5 bar pressure for an external radius varying from about 1.5 to 3 cm. Thus, robotics specialists are interested in this well-adapted artificial muscle for motorizing powerful yet compact robot arms. The basic McKibben muscle static modeling developed in the paper, which is based on the three main parameters (i.e., initial braid angle, initial muscle length, and initial muscle radius) and includes a three-parameter friction model of the thread against itself, has shown its efficiency in both isometric and isotonic contraction.
846 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, an overview of pneumatic actuators made mainly of a flexible and inflatable membrane is given, and the properties of these actuators are given, the most important of which are the compliant behavior and extremely low weight.
Abstract: This article is intended as an introduction to and an overview of Pneumatic Artificial Muscles (PAMs). These are pneumatic actuators made mainly of a flexible and inflatable membrane. First, their concept and way of operation are explained. Next, the properties of these actuators are given, the most important of which are the compliant behavior and extremely low weight. A classification and review is following this section. Typical applications are dealt with in the last but one section and, finally, some concluding remarks are made.
587 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a new high power/weight and power/volume braided pneumatic muscle actuator (PMA) has been developed with considerable power output potential, combined with controllable motion and inherent compliance to prevent damage to handled objects.
Abstract: Problems with the control and compliance of pneumatic systems have prevented their widespread use in advanced robotics. However, their compactness, power/weight ratio, and simplicity are factors that could potentially be exploited in sophisticated dextrous manipulator designs. This paper considers the development of a new high power/weight and power/volume braided pneumatic muscle actuator (PMA) having considerable power output potential, combined with controllable motion and inherent compliance to prevent damage to handled objects. Control of these muscles is explored via adaptive pole-placement controllers. Experimental results indicate that accurate position control of 1/spl deg/ is feasible, with power/weight outputs in excess of 1kW/kg at 200kPa. >
453 citations
TL;DR: The design and control of a wearable robotic device powered by pneumatic artificial muscle actuators for use in ankle-foot rehabilitation inspired by the biological musculoskeletal system of the human foot and lower leg, mimicking the morphology and the functionality of the biological muscle-tendon-ligament structure is described.
Abstract: We describe the design and control of a wearable robotic device powered by pneumatic artificial muscle actuators for use in ankle–foot rehabilitation. The design is inspired by the biological musculoskeletal system of the human foot and lower leg, mimicking the morphology and the functionality of the biological muscle–tendon–ligament structure. A key feature of the device is its soft structure that provides active assistance without restricting natural degrees of freedom at the ankle joint. Four pneumatic artificial muscles assist dorsiflexion and plantarflexion as well as inversion and eversion. The prototype is also equipped with various embedded sensors for gait pattern analysis. For the subject tested, the prototype is capable of generating an ankle range of motion of 27 ◦ (14 ◦ dorsiflexion and 13 ◦ plantarflexion). The controllability of the system is experimentally demonstrated using a linear time-invariant (LTI) controller. The controller is found using an identified LTI model of the system, resulting from the interaction of the soft orthotic device with a human leg, and model-based classical control design techniques. The suitability of the proposed control strategy is demonstrated with several angle-reference following experiments.
407 citations