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Merlin
Humaniform Muscle™
- Integrated Artificial Muscle
The
Merlin Humaniform Muscle (Patent Pending) is the world’s
first integrated pneumatic actuator. The Humaniform Muscle
has two integrated micro-miniature proportional air valves
and also features all the connectors, fixtures and fixings
to make installation easy.
Powerful
(power to weight ratio’s as high as 800:1!)
Lightweight
Smooth air operated movement, which is intrinsically
damped.
Cost effective to install and easy to maintain.
Compliant (soft) materials are used in construction giving
a safe flexible actuator that does not require precision alignment.
Efficient - a muscle length can be maintained with
minimal energy input.
Fast -full contraction can be achieved in less than
one second from rest.
Controllable - integrated airflow makes the muscles
easy to control.
The Merlin Humaniform Muscle has been inspired by the design
of a human muscle and operates in an analagous manner. The
muscle consists of a high durability rubber inner tube that
is surrounded by a tough braided mesh. The muscle is mounted
and secured using the clamp blocks provided at each end. As
air is allowed into the muscle, the braid expands radially
and contracts axially causing the muscle to shorten in length.
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The
Humaniform Muscle offers
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Fast reaction speeds due to internal valves.
> Secure mounting points for easy installation
> Integral push-fit pneumatic fixings.
> Efficient use of air.
> Low current proportional valves.
> Compact, space efficient design.
> Robust design.
> Attachment lugs for remote (tendon) operation.
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Robotics
& Industrial Automation
Merlin Humaniform Muscles are lightweight, clean and easy
to install. For a wide range of applications they offer
a sensible alternative to pneumatic cylinders, hydraulic
cylinders and dc motors.
Humaniform Muscles are ideal actuators for robotic arms.
Humaniform Muscles are powerful, lightweight and compliant
(i.e. soft). This makes them a safe alternative to existing
actuator technologies. |
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Prosthetic
actuators.
The patented energy efficient design makes them an ideal
choice for more unusual applications such as keeping a
window open or positioning a seat.
Physiologically air muscles have many properties that
are similar to human muscles. The elastic properties of
the muscle enable energy to be stored and released in
a way that is similar to a human muscle. This type of
response is difficult to imitate using conventional actuator
technologies. This and many other features make them a
good choice for use as prosthetic actuators. |
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