A Multi-Degree of Freedom System for Biomechanical Testing

1994 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
David N. Kunz ◽  
Ronald P. McCabe ◽  
Thomas A. Zdeblick ◽  
Ray Vanderby

A system is described that allows axial, torsional, and bending testing of biomechanical specimens. The system uses electric motors under closed loop control in its grips allowing application of pure bending moments. These grips attach to an axial/torsional testing system. Thus, it provides simultaneous closed loop control of all three degrees of freedom (D.O.F), so that under any given test condition either the loads or the displacements for each D.O.F. can be maintained at zero, selected constant values, or simultaneously controlled. This enables the expedient evaluation of the mechanical behavior of biological structures under complex loadings or simple loadings (one D.O.F.) with no artificially induced constraints in the other two D.O.F.’s due to specimen mounting.

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark L. Guckert ◽  
Michael D. Naish

Spherical joints have evolved into a critical component of many robotic systems, often used to provide dexterity at the wrist of a manipulator. In this work, a novel 3 degree of freedom spherical joint is proposed, actuated by tendons that run along the surface of the sphere. The joint is mechanically simple and avoids mechanical singularities. The kinematics and mechanics of the joint are modeled and used to develop both open- and closed-loop control systems. Simulated and experimental assessment of the joint performance demonstrates that it can be successfully controlled in 3 degrees of freedom. It is expected that the joint will be a useful option in the development of emerging robotic applications, particularly those requiring miniaturization.


Author(s):  
Kyle Glenn

A 4.2 kW solar furnace heliostat was interfaced with a closed-loop control system to manipulate the azimuth and elevation rotational degrees of freedom to continuously align a solar concentrator with the sun. A QP50-6SD2 quadrant photodiode laser beam positioning device, developed by Pacific Silicon and Sensor, was modified to sense the orientation of the sun. The quadrant photodiode was mounted inside a dark box with a pinhole aperture and mounted so that when the heliostat reflects light along the desired axis, the quadrant photodiode relays balanced error signals. These error signals were interpreted with a Basic Stamp 2p40 microcontroller developed by Parallax Inc. LM741 operational amplifiers and ADC0831 analog to digital converters were used for signal conditioning. The 2p40 microcontroller interprets and checks the error signals every 500ms and uses a ULN2803 Darlington Transistor array to activate the heliostat drive motor’s solid-state relays to maintain solar alignment. The closed-loop heliostat control system can track with 1.6 degrees of accuracy. This is closer than the original prediction of 3 degrees. The control system requires user-inputs for initial alignment. Alignment can initiate with the heliostat out of alignment by at least 6 degrees. The versatility of the 2p40 allows subroutines to be programmed in that can handle hysteresis in the slewing of the heliostat, continue tracking as the heliostat begins to wobble from wind gusts, or continue tracking during intermittent shadowing from clouds.


2012 ◽  
Vol 220 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Sülzenbrück

For the effective use of modern tools, the inherent visuo-motor transformation needs to be mastered. The successful adjustment to and learning of these transformations crucially depends on practice conditions, particularly on the type of visual feedback during practice. Here, a review about empirical research exploring the influence of continuous and terminal visual feedback during practice on the mastery of visuo-motor transformations is provided. Two studies investigating the impact of the type of visual feedback on either direction-dependent visuo-motor gains or the complex visuo-motor transformation of a virtual two-sided lever are presented in more detail. The findings of these studies indicate that the continuous availability of visual feedback supports performance when closed-loop control is possible, but impairs performance when visual input is no longer available. Different approaches to explain these performance differences due to the type of visual feedback during practice are considered. For example, these differences could reflect a process of re-optimization of motor planning in a novel environment or represent effects of the specificity of practice. Furthermore, differences in the allocation of attention during movements with terminal and continuous visual feedback could account for the observed differences.


Diabetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 118-LB
Author(s):  
CAROL J. LEVY ◽  
GRENYE OMALLEY ◽  
SUE A. BROWN ◽  
DAN RAGHINARU ◽  
YOGISH C. KUDVA ◽  
...  

Diabetes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 101-LB
Author(s):  
SUE A. BROWN ◽  
DAN RAGHINARU ◽  
BRUCE A. BUCKINGHAM ◽  
YOGISH C. KUDVA ◽  
LORI M. LAFFEL ◽  
...  

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