Design of a powered above knee prosthesis using pneumatic artificial muscles

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dc.contributorTodd, Beth A.
dc.contributorWilliams, Keith A.
dc.contributorRichardson, Mark T.
dc.contributor.advisorShen, Xiangrong
dc.contributor.authorWaycaster, Garrett Clinton
dc.contributor.otherUniversity of Alabama Tuscaloosa
dc.date.accessioned2017-03-01T14:36:45Z
dc.date.available2017-03-01T14:36:45Z
dc.date.issued2010
dc.descriptionElectronic Thesis or Dissertationen_US
dc.description.abstractThis paper describes the mechanical design for both a one and two degree of freedom above-knee (AK) prosthesis actuated by pneumatic artificial muscles. Powered prosthetics aim to improve the quality of life of the 50% of AK amputees who never regain the ability to walk. Pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM) provides great potential in prosthetics, since this type of actuator features a high power density and similar characteristics to human muscles. Currently, commercially available AK prosthetics are largely passive devices, and no research has been conducted on PAM actuators in AK prosthetics. In this thesis, the design requirements of an above knee prosthesis using PAM are discussed and a prototype one degree of freedom prosthesis with a PAM actuated knee joint is constructed. This prototype is then tested, and based on the results a new actuator is developed. This new actuator uses a flexible tendon and an elliptical pulley to improve torque, adding more functionality and increasing the maximum mass of a user by 25 kilograms. This actuator is also tested and compared to the initial prototype design. Finally, this new actuator is incorporated into the design of a two degree of freedom prosthesis with an actuated ankle as well as the knee joint.en_US
dc.format.extent130 p.
dc.format.mediumelectronic
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.otheru0015_0000001_0000451
dc.identifier.otherWaycaster_alatus_0004M_10532
dc.identifier.urihttps://ir.ua.edu/handle/123456789/956
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.publisherUniversity of Alabama Libraries
dc.relation.hasversionborn digital
dc.relation.ispartofThe University of Alabama Electronic Theses and Dissertations
dc.relation.ispartofThe University of Alabama Libraries Digital Collections
dc.rightsAll rights reserved by the author unless otherwise indicated.en_US
dc.subjectMechanical engineering
dc.subjectBiomedical engineering
dc.titleDesign of a powered above knee prosthesis using pneumatic artificial musclesen_US
dc.typethesis
dc.typetext
etdms.degree.departmentUniversity of Alabama. Department of Mechanical Engineering
etdms.degree.disciplineMechanical Engineering
etdms.degree.grantorThe University of Alabama
etdms.degree.levelmaster's
etdms.degree.nameM.S.

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