Gait Fitting Algorithms for Snake Robots With Binary Actuators

This paper introduces a new snake robot with binary actuators and mainly focuses on the simulations of various snake gaits. Three categories of fitting algorithms are proposed. They are 1) Fitting Algorithm of One Module; 2) Position-Fitting Algorithm of Multiple Modules; 3) Configuration-Fitting Algorithm of Multiple Modules. All the fitting algorithms and their fitting results are elaborated in simulations of lateral undulation, one of the most widely used snake gaits. As the best fitting algorithm for lateral undulation, Configuration-Fitting Algorithm of Four Modules is also applied to a snake robot of different dimensions to demonstrate that it is a universal gait fitting algorithm for all kinds of snake robots with binary actuators.

On the Kinematics of Solar Mirrors Using Massively Parallel Binary Actuation

Precision mirrors are required for effective solar energy collectors. Manufacturing such mirrors and making them robust to disturbances such as thermal gradients is expensive. In this paper, the use of parallel binary actuation to control the shape of mirrors for solar concentrators is explored. The approach embeds binary actuators in a compliant mirror substructure. Actuators are deployed in a specified pattern to correct the mirror shape. The analysis for binary-actuated compliant mirror structures is presented. Analytical models are developed for one-dimensional and two-dimensional compliant structures with embedded binary actuators. These analytical models are validated using finite element analysis and experimental studies. The models and experiments demonstrate the capabilities of binary actuated mirrors. System workspace is explored, the principle of superposition required for their control is demonstrated, as is the mirror ability to correct its figure.

Design of a Lightweight Hyper-Redundant Deployable Binary Manipulator

This paper presents the design of a new lightweight, hyper-redundant, deployable Binary Robotic Articulated Intelligent Device (BRAID), for space robotic systems. The BRAID is intended to meet the challenges of future space robotic systems that need to perform more complex tasks than are currently feasible. It is lightweight, has a high degree of freedom, and has a large workspace. The device is based on embedded muscle type binary actuators and flexure linkages. Such a system may be used for a wide range of tasks, and requires minimal control computation and power resources.

Kinematic Synthesis of Mechanisms and Robotic Manipulators With Binary Actuators

Binary actuators have only two discrete states (denoted “0” and “1”), both of which are stable without feedback. As a result, binary mechanisms and manipulators have a finite number of states. Major benefits of binary actuation are that extensive feedback control is not required, task repeatability can be very high, and two-state actuators are generally very inexpensive (e.g., solenoids, pneumatic cylinders, etc.), thus resulting in low cost robotic mechanisms. This paper develops algorithms for the optimal synthesis of binary manipulators and mechanisms for discrete tasks such as pick-and-place operations.