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Low Noise, High Efficiency Hydraulics for Mobile Robots

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Contract: D11PC20085
Agency Tracking Number: 10SB3-0016
Amount: $98,853.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: SB103-001
Solicitation Number: 2010.3
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2011
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2011-03-01
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
32 Orvis Road
Arlington, MA -
United States
DUNS: 830994492
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 BHARGAV GAJJAR
 President
 (321) 276-0380
 bhargav@MIT.EDU
Business Contact
 BHARGAV GAJJAR
Title: President
Phone: (321) 276-0380
Email: bhargav@MIT.EDU
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

Biologically-inspired motions such as flapping, perching, walking, running, swimming, grasping and manipulating, are difficult for the most advanced robots today. The primary limitation comes from actuation technology in terms of stress/strain ratio delivered to the joint by the actuator overcoming specific resistance. Electromagnetic motors have low torque at high speeds and hence cannot be used directly on mobile robots without large transmission ratios. Transmission introduces weight, friction, reflected inertia and backlash. Most bioinspired robots such as running quadrupeds, bipeds, humanoids and exoskeletons need high-powered force control at moderate bandwidth. Conversely, hydraulic actuators provide extremely high power density but they are inefficient and noisy. To develop a highly efficient and low-noise hydraulic actuator for biologically-inspired robotics, this proposal will develop several high-level concepts for developing advanced pump, control and actuator subsystems. Specifically, we plan to build experimental compact valveless hydroelastic muscle to demonstrate high- fidelity force control with variable impedance and energy recovery. The primary focus will be to develop essential elements for integrating a high-efficiency, low noise variable impedance hydroelastic actuator prototype that can accurately mimic the mechanical behavior of biological animal or human limbs (arms or legs) resulting in applications in small- to medium-sized mobile robotic devices.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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