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1. Reconfigurable Acoustic Arrays With Deployable Structure Based on a Hoberman–Miura System Synthesis

   https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4048745  

   Zhao, Ningxiner; Harne, Ryan L. (June 2021, Journal of Mechanical Design)

   null (Ed.)

   Abstract Curved surfaces are often used to radiate and focus acoustic waves. Yet, when tessellated into reconfigurable surfaces for sake of deployability needs, origami-inspired acoustic arrays may be challenging to hold into curved shape and may not retain flat foldability. On the other hand, deployable mechanisms such as the Hoberman ring are as low-dimensional as many origami tessellations and may maintain curved shape with ease due to ideal rigid bar compositions. This research explores an interface between a Hoberman ring and Miura-ori tessellation that maintain kinematic and geometric compatibility for sake of maintaining curved shapes for sound focusing. The Miura-ori facets are considered to vibrate like baffled pistons and generate acoustic waves that radiate from the ring structure. An analytical model is built to reveal the near field acoustic behavior of acoustic arrays resulting from a Hoberman–Miura system synthesis. Acoustic wave focusing capability is scrutinized and validated through proof-of-principle experiments. Studies reveal wave focusing phenomena distinct to this manifestation of the acoustic array and uncover design and operational influences on wave focusing effectiveness. The results encourage exploration of new interfaces between reconfigurable mechanisms and origami devices where low-dimensional shape change is desired. 

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2. Acoustic Wave Focusing From Reconfigurable Acoustic Arrays Based on a Bricard-Miura Synthesis

   https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4054252  

   Bentley, Christopher S.; Harne, Ryan L. (August 2022, Journal of Vibration and Acoustics)

   Abstract Recent studies have shown that reconfigurable acoustic arrays inspired from rigid origami structures can be used to radiate and focus acoustic waves. Yet, there is a need for exploration of single-degree-of-freedom deployment to be integrated with such arrays for sake of tailoring wave focusing. This research explores a reconfigurable acoustic array inspired from a regular Miura-ori unit cell and threefold-symmetric Bricard linkage. The system focuses on acoustic waves and has single-degree-of-freedom motion when incorporated with a modified threefold-symmetric Bricard linkage. Three configurations of the array are analyzed where array facets that converge towards the center axis are considered to vibrate like baffled pistons and generate acoustic waves into the surrounding fluid. An analytical model is constructed to explore the near-field acoustic focusing behavior of the proposed acoustic array. The wave focusing capabilities of the array are verified through proof-of-principle experiments. The results show that the wave focusing of the array is influenced by the geometric parameters of the facets and the relative distance of facets to the center axis, in agreement with simplified ray acoustics estimates. These findings underscore the fundamental relationship between focusing sound radiators and geometric acoustics principles. The results encourage broader exploration of acoustic array designs inspired from integrated single-degree-of-freedom linkages and origami structures for sake of straightforward array deployment and reconfiguration. 

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3. OPTIMAL DESIGN FOR DEPLOYABLE STRUCTURES USING ORIGAMI TESSELLATIONS

   https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2019-11062  

   Cardona, Carolina; Tovar, Andres; Anwar, Sohel (November 2019, Proceedings of the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition)

   This work presents innovative origami optimization methods for the design of unit cells for complex origami tessellations that can be utilized for the design of deployable structures. The design method used to create origami tiles utilizes the principles of discrete topology optimization for ground structures applied to origami crease patterns. The initial design space shows all possible creases and is given the desired input and output forces. Taking into account foldability constraints derived from Maekawa's and Kawasaki's theorems, the algorithm designates creases as active or passive. Geometric constraints are defined from the target 3D object. The periodic reproduction of this unit cell allows us to create tessellations that are used in the creation of deployable shelters. Design requirements for structurally sound tessellations are discussed and used to evaluate the effectiveness of our results. Future work includes the applications of unit cells and tessellation design for origami inspired mechanisms. Special focus will be given to self-deployable structures, including shelters for natural disasters. 

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4. Creating Linkage Permutations to Prevent Self-Intersection and Enable Deployable Networks of Thick-Origami

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-31180-4  

   Yellowhorse, Alden; Lang, Robert J.; Tolman, Kyler; Howell, Larry L. (August 2018, Scientific Reports)

   Abstract Origami concepts show promise for creating complex deployable systems. However, translating origami to thick (non-paper) materials introduces challenges, including that thick panels do not flex to facilitate folding and the chances for self-intersection of components increase. This work introduces methods for creating permutations of linkage-based, origami-inspired mechanisms that retain desired kinematics but avoid self-intersection and enable their connection into deployable networks. Methods for reconfiguring overconstrained linkages and implementing them as modified origami-inspired mechanisms are proved and demonstrated for multiple linkage examples. Equations are derived describing the folding behavior of these implementations. An approach for designing networks of linkage-based origami vertices is demonstrated and applications for tessellations are described. The results offer the opportunity to exploit origami principles to create deployable systems not previously feasible. 

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5. Acoustic wave focusing by doubly curved origami-inspired arrays

   https://doi.org/10.1177/1045389X20905984  

   Srinivas, Vivek; Harne, Ryan_L (February 2020, Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures)

   Spherically focused transducers have been long relied on to target acoustic energy delivery. Yet, these structures have limitations with respect to size and mobility for medical treatment applications. Recent developments in the field of reconfigurable structures reveal that the ancient art of origami inspires new platforms by which to enable spherical shapes that are additionally foldable for ease of transport. This research explores the opportunities for a unique, flat foldable doubly curved tessellated array to enable wave focusing capability similar to an ideal medical transducer shape: the spherical cap transducer. An analytical model of the doubly curved array is created and validated against data collected from a proof-of-concept array. The model is then leveraged to understand how the array design and complexity relatively govern the wave focusing capability. The findings show that doubly curved acoustic arrays do not require excessive facet refinement to achieve wave focusing similar to nominal spherically focused transducers. Yet, the optimal frequencies for which such capability is borne out vary substantially on the basis of array design. The discoveries of this research motivate future consideration of flat foldable doubly curved acoustic arrays for potential implementation into medical transducer development for hard-to-access surgical treatments. 

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